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07-12-2007, 10:42 AM
God says that each of us is worth loving.
God stands beside us as we face our giants.
When we use all God has given us, the world can be filled with the music of God's love.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. --Eleanor Powell
Let God's promises shine on your problems. --Corrie Ten Boom
Let God help put you together. --Amethyst Snow-Rivers
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. --Garth Brooks
"What do you think of God," the teacher asked. After a pause, the young pupil replied, "He's not a think, he's a feel." --Paul Frost
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Rag And Bone Man
Ezekiel 37:14 - I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. (NIV)
When I was a boy, the rag and bone man used to visit our street every summer. He came with his old chestnut-coloured horse and a cart filled with castaway clothes. He usually wore a cloth cap, checkered shirt, and leather waistcoat, along with some faded corduroy trousers and steel-toe-capped boots. He came ambling into our street, tooted his bugle, and hollered, "Rag and bohs! Rag and bohs!" This let all the street urchins know that he had arrived.
Immediately, there was a hive of activity as children scampered into their homes, begging their moms to give them some old clothes to barter with the rag and bone man. From all over the street, like bees to a honey pot, children joyfully carried bundles of rags and brought them to the cart.
We waited reverently and expectantly as the rag and bone man examined our wares. Eventually, he would open up a large tan suitcase, which was full of cheap plastic toys, and hand them out to all the kids with rags. Shrieks of delight resonated throughout the street as child after child received a gift. It was like Christmas in July, and our spirits soared as we played with water pistols, plastic sunglasses, and toy cameras. Then we would hear him give a gruff command to his old horse, followed by the clopping of hooves and squeaking of wheels. We would watch him go down the street until he turned the corner. Faintly, we could hear the bugle toot and the echoes of his call, "Rag and Bohs! Rag and Bohs!"
Before he arrived, our street was dead. After he was gone, something sacred occurred: we were all given new life. I learned all that I need to know about incarnational theology through a nameless rag and bone man.
Presence is everything.
Christ breathes His Spirit into our hearts and minds, our homes and churches. What once was dead can experience new life. All that we need to do is bring our bundles of burdens and cast them before Him. He takes them from us, and in return, He gives us the riches of His grace, the blessings of His eternal summer.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, enter into our lives so that we may know the power and blessing of Your sacred presence. Allow us to be touched by Your Spirit and to be changed by Your love. In Your holy name we pray. Amen. --John Stuart
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The book of Proverbs 3:5-8
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
Dear Friends, There are times in our life when we go through struggles and hardships that we do not fully understand. It is important that in these times of difficulty we remain faithful and strong in the Lord and know that He has a purpose behind that situation. It is easy to get down and depressed when burdens pile up, but
remember God's Word is true and He is faithful to bring you forth stronger and victorious in the end.
God has a purpose in everything that He asks us to do. God will never lay something upon your heart without a great purpose behind it. I hope this message encourages your heart to continually trust the Lord and know that He has great plans for your life even though you might not see it right now.
People that suffered great hardships in their life learn from that experience over time and are then able to help someone else that is going through a similar situation. We might have never known what compassion really was if we first hadn't suffered with a loss of a loved one, a failed relationship or just any real problem that caused tremendous heartbreak. In our sufferings, we learn and grow, and are then able to understand and have compassion towards someone else going through a similar situation.
Never think that you are here on this earth for no reason. God does not make or create anything without first having a purpose and a plan in mind. If you are going through hard times, be encouraged and know that sooner or later you are going to come forth victorious and well-able to understand and be helping towards someone else having difficult times in their life. Love, Rev. Jim Clarke
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A VISION AND A TASK
Around 1960 Phillip Knight quit his job and put his future on a vision for new kind of athletic shoe company. With $1000 in start-up capital he began buying shoes from Japan and selling them out of the trunk of his car. A couple of years later he took on a business partner, his former college coach, who made design modifications to the shoes. The idea eventually took off. Knight's company, NIKE, is now worth billions; it all started with an idea put to work.
In 1730 a church in Sussex, England posted this sign: A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is drudgery; a vision and a task is the hope of the world. The truth behind these words is profound. When my work becomes drudgery it is inevitably because I have lost sight of the vision God has given me for the ministry -- I have forgotten the eternal significance of my life's work. Personally, I can't imagine anything more dull than selling shoes out of the back of one's car -- but Knight's own vision transformed the drudgery of this task into an adventure that led to astounding success. Maybe your job seems like drudgery sometimes. What job doesn't? Don't lose sight of the vision that God has given you. Focus not on what you're doing as much as what you're accomplishing. Paul said, Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) --Steve May
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Big Jake Receives an Answer
Sarah couldn’t believe it! It was just two more days until Christmas break and here she was stranded out on the side of the highway. She knew the old car was on its last leg but she was hoping it would last until Christmas break when she and her husband could think of some way to get it fixed. The old car had over 300,000 miles on it and it was about to bite the dust, but there was just no money to fix the car or to get another one.
Sarah and Joe were a young couple with two small children. They struggled just to pay the bills. Sarah had started back to college and she was on her way to class. She was going to drop Mark off at kindergarten first but the old Chevy had sputtered to a halt. It refused to budge another inch. Sarah had just barely managed to coast it off to the side of the road.
“If I could only just make it to the next exit,” she said to Mark, her five-year-old son, as she tried to start the car again.
Sarah had no idea what to do, she had no cell phone and she couldn’t leave Mark. It was too far for him to walk in these frigid temperatures.
Sarah kept trying to start the car as if somehow more attempts would get action. She began mumbling encouragement to the car with tears in her eyes. “Come on car. . . just a little further. . please . . start!” she pleaded.
“Will it be okay, Mommy?” little Mark asked.
Suddenly Sarah felt terrible to think that maybe she was scaring her son.
“Yes, we are fine, Marky,” Sarah said with more assurance than she felt.
“Maybe we should ask Jesus to help,” Mark suggested.
“Yes, you are right, honey, let’s pray,” Sarah said as she reached back and took Mark’s hand. They prayed and asked God to send them help.
There was nothing to do but wait. It was getting colder in the car and Sarah and Mark bundled up as best as they could with their coats, hats, and gloves.
“Look Mommy!” Mark was pointing at a car coming up behind them. It was a police car.
“Thank you Lord,” Sarah whispered as she saw the officer get out of his car.
“Got trouble, Ma’am?” the young officer said as Sarah rolled down her window.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” she sighed.
The officer took a look under the hood and then recommended a call to a nearby towing service. Sarah explained to him that she had no money for that. “Well, Ma’am, is there someone I can call for you?”
Sarah was frantically trying to think of what to do because her husband wasn’t home when Mark said, “Mommy, call Big Jake, he will come”.
As much as Sarah hated to bother Jake she was thankful that Mark had thought of him. Big Jake was their pastor and the kids all loved him. He treated them all like they were his own grandchildren. How he got to be Big Jake Sarah wasn’t sure but the name stuck and the title, “Big Jake”, was spoken with as much honor and respect as any clerical title.
“What a good idea, Marky,” Sarah said as she told the officer the number to call.
It wasn’t long before Big Jake pulled up in his old jeep and the officer went on his way, leaving the situation in Big Jake’s hands.
“Thanks for coming, Jake, I don’t know what we would have done without you,” Sarah said.
“Glad to,” Big Jake smiled as he handed Mark the Ziploc bag of cookies that his wife had sent along. “Miss Cathy sent you those Mark, she thought you might need a little something to tide you over until time for school.”
“Thank you!” little Mark squealed as he settled down in the back seat of the car with his cookies.
“I gave Bob at the station a call before I left and he’ll take his wrecker out to pick up your car for you. He said it was going to cost you though,” Big Jake smiled knowingly.
“How much?” Sarah looked more than a little concerned.
“He said it would cost you one pumpkin pie like you fixed for the church fellowship on Saturday night. I sure wish you’d give me that recipe, Sarah, I might be needing some new tires before long,” Big Jake shook his head and laughed.
Big Jake dropped Mark off at school and then drove on as he asked Sarah if she still had time to make her class.
“Oh, it’s at 10:30, I’m afraid it’s probably too late,” Sarah moaned, “And I can’t make my afternoon class either without a car. Maybe I ought to give up going back to college. It doesn’t look like I’m going to have a way to get there anyway.”
“Oh, don’t give up yet”, Big Jake said confidently. “Let’s just see what God has in mind first,” he said as he pulled into his own driveway, “let’s keep praying. . .God always has a plan.”
Big Jake came to a stop and stepped down from his jeep, leaving the Jeep running.
“There you go, Sarah,” Jake said as he patted the driver’s seat for her to scoot over. “I think you have just enough time to make that class.”
“But I can’t take your car, you’ll need it!” Sarah exclaimed.
“Naw, I don’t need it. I can drive Miss Cathy’s car. Now, you go on before you miss your class,” and with that Big Jake walked off toward his house.
Big Jake watched through the window as Sarah drove off. He thought it sure was a good feeling to be able to help those kids but he knew they needed a lot more help than he could give them.
“Father, help me. You know what to do,” Big Jake breathed a short prayer.
The next day Big Jake was sitting across from Cathy at the kitchen table. They had spent a good part of the morning praying and trying to think of some way to help Sarah & Joe with some kind of vehicle. Jake had checked with the station this morning and their old car just wasn’t worth fixing. There was no way Sarah and Joe would have the money to buy a car. Jake knew they had a lot of expenses when Joe had been out of work and now he had just started a new job that didn’t pay very well. Little Mark had been very sick for a while too and the medical bills had piled up.
Jake had gotten the idea to talk to his old friend, Jim, who had just the perfect car for Sarah and Joe but Jim needed at least four thousand for it. That car was in great shape and Jim was willing to let it go for less than it was worth just to help out Sarah and Joe.
“Say,” Cathy broke the silence, “You know we can come up with half of it. The money in our special account! You know this time of year we always use it for someone needing help.”
“Hey, that’s right!” Big Jake agreed, “Awwww . . . but we still need two thousand more, Jake lamented.”
“I’ll be back before long," Jake told Cathy as he threw on his jacket.
Cathy knew where Jake was going. When something was heavy on his heart, he would usually go for a walk through the woods where he’d talk to the Lord.
Big Jake walked and prayed and tried hard to listen for any prompting from the Lord. He thought about asking the church to help but the church had already used up their benevolence fund. There had been a lot of needs in their church and community this year. He had already told Sarah to wait and see what God had in mind. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that, he thought. I hope I didn’t give her false hope. Still, Big Jake felt like God really did have a plan, something in mind for Joe and Sarah, so he prayed once more.
Jake looked at his watch and was surprised that an hour had gone by so he hastened his steps as he headed back toward the house.
Just as he came up out of the wooded area in back of the house, he noticed a car had pulled in the driveway. It was Ted Martin, one of his deacons. Ted was a quiet, soft-spoken man of few words but he was a good deacon who took his deacon role seriously in helping others.
Ted had spotted Jake coming out of the woods and he paced back and forth as he waited.
Jake took one look at Ted and wondered what was on his mind. He sure hoped nothing was wrong.
“Hi Preacher,” Ted said as he walked up to him.
“Hey, good to see you, Ted, what brings you out this way, I hope you just came for a visit and there’s nothing wrong.”
“No, nothing wrong, I just had something to give you,” Ted answered quietly.
Ted pulled out an envelope, handed it to Big Jake and said, “Here, I figured you’d know what to do with this. Just do something good with it.”
Before Jake could say or do anything, Ted turned and got into his car and left.
Big Jake was a bit puzzled as he turned the envelope over and opened the flap. He looked through the contents and with trembling hands and a broken voice Big Jake whispered, “Thank you, Lord. Wow! I guess you really did have something in mind.”
God had answered Jake’s prayers. For you see, Big Jake was holding in his hands a stack of one hundred dollar bills and as he counted them, they amounted to exactly two thousand dollars. --Pamela Perry Blaine December 2005 (A true story as told to me by Big Jake)
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Listen to the Quiet
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
When the electric power went out recently, I was impressed by how quiet it was. We live with continual background noise. Indoors we have the sounds of air conditioning, washers, dryers, TVs, computers, telephones, fax machines, answer machines, stereos, and kids. Outdoors are edgers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, planes, trains, insects, birds, animals, cars and cell phones.
We have all kinds of noise inside our heads, too. Past tapes, what others have said and done, things we have done or told ourselves. And what about the noise our hearts make? They laugh, cry, remember, and talk to us too!
I don't think of myself as somebody who leads a fast-paced life. That is until I notice how long it takes me to relax and unwind. Getting quiet doesn't happen quickly for me. Sometimes I even have to consciously work at it. Even David, songwriter extraordinaire, wise warrior, and anointed King of Israel, needed to be reminded to "be still, and know that I am God."�
It's a noisy world. And we all need a quiet place in the midst of all the noise. A safe place, where we can BE STILL, and hear the Lord. He very much wants to tell us how much He loves us, and how unique and special we are to Him, maybe give us our day's marching orders.
Today, He has a safe place, somewhere we can go and listen to the quiet. Maybe inside our mind and heart, or perhaps to a physical spot. Journey there and see what wonderful surprises Jesus has planned for this brand new day of Today that we've never seen before. --Sally I. Kennedy
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"Look Up"
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat." --Exodus 16:14, 15 (NIV)
The grassy area next to my car was littered with small, round, green things. My curiosity was piqued. At first I thought maybe it was a patch of toadstools or some other such plant life that had sprung up from the ground. Taking a step back to survey the surrounding area with a larger view, I saw a palm tree. Quickly scanning the trunk of the tree, I solved the mystery. The round things on the ground were dates. They had fallen from their position atop the date palm tree.
Life is full of things we may not understand or things we haven't seen before. From our vantage point we can only see so far. It's not until we stand back and look up that we get a clearer perspective. Nothing falls to us here on earth that hasn't passed under God's watchful eye. When we are confused or upset by the things we see around us, our first response should be to turn our thoughts heavenward.
Like the children of Israel, we may find ourselves in a fog, shivering in the cold dampness of the morning. But as the dew disappears, we will see that God has not forgotten us. He has been with us throughout the night. He continues to provide for us at every turn, feeding us in body and spirit. Daily we are strengthened for life's journey by the blessings he gives. Even when we are in the barren deserts, we are nourished by the bread of heaven. God sends us peace and comfort as we look to Him in prayer. --Lauren Beyenhof
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REDISCOVERING THE JOYS OF LIFE
It takes commitment to do most things in life. If we don’t make the time to appreciate the joys of life, we rush past them. Consequently, we see only grief and negativity.
Here are 8 ways to find and create joy in our lives: See God’s divine hand in all things. The simplest and most profound joy is derived from the knowledge of God who created the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Creation, in all its splendor, is enough to baffle the mind and flood the heart with unspeakable wonder and joy. Don’t allow traces of bitterness to fester and tarnish your soul. Don’t wallow in self-pity and do nothing. As painful as it may be, deal with your perplexing
situations and get on with the business of living and enjoying life.
Turn a deaf ear to self-doubt and pessimism. Cease allowing naysayers to stifle your dream and dictate your work and lifestyle. When your dreams and goals are supported by prayer, constructive advice and genuine support, you should follow your heart.
Let go of unnecessary stress and seek to restore a sense of balance to ensure a healthy, relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle.
Stop making excuses and be spontaneous. Often, spending time with the people you love, or helping someone in need proves to be the perfect antidote to counteract feelings that overwhelm and fatigue. Plan and be open to impromptu outings and visits.
Create your personal oasis and develop personal rituals. It could be anywhere — bedroom, bath, porch, backyard or garden. Tranquil spaces and soothing music help to create a serene environment. Infuse your home with the things that help promote a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Surround and submerge yourself in the space, colors, scents and sounds you love.
Learn to enjoy silence. Unplug your television, computer, phones, etc, to create a peaceful change in your stressful routine. The change will free your mind from distractions and enable you to listen to your inner voice.
Laugh. Don’t take life or yourself too seriously. Despite the difficulties of life, try to maintain a light-hearted attitude and environment in your home. For example, watch cartoons with your children.
Banish the mess. Clean and declutter your mind and surroundings creating space for serenity and mental clarity.
Learn something new. Make a list of the things you want to experience in your life. Then begin to do them one by one.
Sign up for art, karate or swimming lessons.
Expand your perspective of the world and its people. It is not all bad news. Read National Geographic magazine or watch their cable channel. Spend an evening at the library. Take a tour of the country with like-minded people. Talk to elderly people of different races for a wise, witty and informative first-hand account of their history.
Be forgiving. Forgiveness is a deliberate action you can take even when your heart would prefer to wallow in resentment. If forgiveness is difficult, at least pray for a transformation in the life of your offender. Give up grudges and let go of toxic memories. Reconcile with estranged friends and family members, offering the understanding and compassion you would like extended to you.
Start and end the day with prayer, praise and thankfulness. If people and situations contribute to your feeling discouraged during the day, focus your mind on the good things in your life.
Manage anger. Think twice before responding to people and situations. Consciously replace boiling emotions with composed thoughts.
Find healthy ways to let off steam: pray, exercise, play a musical instrument, listen to your favorite music, do some gardening, paint, write in your journal. Over time, by God’s grace, you can learn to face, deal with, and walk away from potentially explosive situations.
Strong family ties cultivate stability in the home. Make “I love you” more than a sentimental greeting on a card. Say it often and show it in tangible ways.
Find and indulge passion. Whether at work or at home, time spent pursuing your passion will make you healthier, more energetic, less stressful, and you will enjoy a deeper satisfaction in all areas of your life.
Do something. A feeling of helplessness contributes to stress. When you help others, you help yourself. Practice random acts of kindness. Surprise someone with a little gift. The joy of giving will be your reward. Appreciation for the joys of life is contagious; it begins with you, it begins with me. We must be aware and sensitive to
the ills and negativity that abound.
Nevertheless, we must keep our eyes on God who provides countless joys in life, which help us to hold on, and go on. --Nathalea George
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Be aware that attacks against your emotions will manifest as confusion and chaos as well as feeling condemned. Beloved, this is the work of the devil. Do not cave in under the powers of darkness, and more particularly the spirit of heaviness. Rise up in the assurance that you are Mine and that I am not the author of confusion, nor do I condemn you. Establish yourself in the truth of My love for you and resist the devil in the strength of your trust in Me, says the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Be at peace and refuse to allow petty annoyances to arouse your anger and cause you to sin. Forgive quickly and maintain a calm spirit. You will be tempted to rise up to defend your position or to prove your righteousness, but that would be foolish. There is no need to defend a righteous position; it speaks for itself. Do not allow the enemy to push buttons that trigger unwarranted responses and behavior, says the Lord.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Beloved, you must guard against exhaustion in this season. It will come from a variety of attacks by the enemy aimed at draining your energy. Set a watch for the lies of the devil that open a door to memories that re-establish a foundation for fear or rejection. If you entertain this work of the enemy against you through believing the lies, it will sap not only your physical strength and stamina, but will also diminish your mental acuity, your emotional stability and your spiritual strength. Rise up and defeat this enemy of your soul by resisting him vehemently, says the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
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Call On Jesus
When life becomes undone
And you cry out for anyone,
Someone to help you through,
There is a friend for you.
Your world seems unraveled,
Rocky roads you’ve traveled,
And troubles have only grew
But there is healing for you.
Jesus is your faithful friend
If only a prayer you’ll send,
Christ is the lifeline you need
To sow some happiness seed.
You are a child He treasures,
He loves you beyond measure,
Jesus will cast your fears away
And bright those clouds of gray.
Give your cares to The Lord,
Life will have sweet concord,
Pray away all your heartaches
He will forgive your mistakes.
You walk life’s thorny pathway
Gathering burdens day-to-day
Until their load you cannot bear
And you need comforting care.
When storms gather overhead
And you worry restless in bed
Never knowing peace of mind,
Pray to The Savior of mankind.
As life’s scary shadows sway
Ending worried unhappy days
And dark nights bring sorrow,
Jesus can brighten tomorrow.
You’re near a loving embrace
Just lift your troubled face,
Jesus offers life sparkling new,
Your true friend truly loves you.
--Kenneth J. Ellison 06-25-07
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I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn't let my Dear Saviour in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Just like a blind man I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord - I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I was a fool to wander and stray
Straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
--Hank Williams, 1948
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Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:1-5
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6
"You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
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Locked Doors
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them (again) and said, "Peace be with you!" John 20:26
The door slammed shut. We were having dinner, and even with the animated chatter I could hear it bang closed.
When we have family get-togethers, it's a fun time for the kids to turn the workshop room into their clubhouse. Handwritten signs soon decorate the door: "KeeepOut", "No grils allowd", "boys oly".
I headed back to check things out. Although we have a 'management rule' about locking doors, that sometimes seems to get ignored. Sure enough, the clubhouse door was locked. They were having a great time. The cookie stash was in one corner, and they were making all kinds of spy and stakeout plans, very busy indeed.
In our lives, don't we too, have locked doors? Places we have unknown secret desires, hopes, hurts? Locked away. Kept at bay, unspoken. When I think about that, I realize that is true for myself.
Still, God is the God of the breakthrough. He can step into closed off, locked doors and areas in our hearts, and in our minds. And when He does, He says, "Peace be with you". Peace be with YOU.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come today through locked doors, even those we may not realize we have. Thank You for coming with a breaker anointing, love, and healing. Amen. --Sally I. Kennedy
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A PRAYER OF THOSE WHO CARE
I do not know how long I'll live,
but while I live, Lord, let me give.
Some comfort to someone in need,
by smile or nod, kind word or deed.
And let me do what 'er I can,
to ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part
to lift a tired, weary heart,
To change folks' frowns to smiles again.
Then I will not have lived in vain,
And I'll care not how long I live,
if I can give and give and give.
--Author Unknown
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Read Through The Bible
Genesis 38
Judah and Tamar
At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and lay with her; she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er. She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan. She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him. Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also. Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He may die too, just like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in her father's house. After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him. When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep," she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep with you." "And what will you give me to sleep with you?" she asked. "I'll send you a young goat from my flock," he said. "Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?" she asked. He said, "What pledge should I give you?" "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes again. Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her. He asked the men who lived there, "Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?" "There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here," they said. So he went back to Judah and said, "I didn't find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, 'There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here.' " Then Judah said, "Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her." About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!" As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns these," she said. And she added, "See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are." Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again. When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, "This one came out first." But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, "So this is how you have broken out!" And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah.
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Dear God, help me to discover your purpose for my life and accept full responsibility for becoming the person you want me to be and for doing what you have planned for me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.
God stands beside us as we face our giants.
When we use all God has given us, the world can be filled with the music of God's love.
What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. --Eleanor Powell
Let God's promises shine on your problems. --Corrie Ten Boom
Let God help put you together. --Amethyst Snow-Rivers
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. --Garth Brooks
"What do you think of God," the teacher asked. After a pause, the young pupil replied, "He's not a think, he's a feel." --Paul Frost
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Rag And Bone Man
Ezekiel 37:14 - I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. (NIV)
When I was a boy, the rag and bone man used to visit our street every summer. He came with his old chestnut-coloured horse and a cart filled with castaway clothes. He usually wore a cloth cap, checkered shirt, and leather waistcoat, along with some faded corduroy trousers and steel-toe-capped boots. He came ambling into our street, tooted his bugle, and hollered, "Rag and bohs! Rag and bohs!" This let all the street urchins know that he had arrived.
Immediately, there was a hive of activity as children scampered into their homes, begging their moms to give them some old clothes to barter with the rag and bone man. From all over the street, like bees to a honey pot, children joyfully carried bundles of rags and brought them to the cart.
We waited reverently and expectantly as the rag and bone man examined our wares. Eventually, he would open up a large tan suitcase, which was full of cheap plastic toys, and hand them out to all the kids with rags. Shrieks of delight resonated throughout the street as child after child received a gift. It was like Christmas in July, and our spirits soared as we played with water pistols, plastic sunglasses, and toy cameras. Then we would hear him give a gruff command to his old horse, followed by the clopping of hooves and squeaking of wheels. We would watch him go down the street until he turned the corner. Faintly, we could hear the bugle toot and the echoes of his call, "Rag and Bohs! Rag and Bohs!"
Before he arrived, our street was dead. After he was gone, something sacred occurred: we were all given new life. I learned all that I need to know about incarnational theology through a nameless rag and bone man.
Presence is everything.
Christ breathes His Spirit into our hearts and minds, our homes and churches. What once was dead can experience new life. All that we need to do is bring our bundles of burdens and cast them before Him. He takes them from us, and in return, He gives us the riches of His grace, the blessings of His eternal summer.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, enter into our lives so that we may know the power and blessing of Your sacred presence. Allow us to be touched by Your Spirit and to be changed by Your love. In Your holy name we pray. Amen. --John Stuart
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The book of Proverbs 3:5-8
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
Dear Friends, There are times in our life when we go through struggles and hardships that we do not fully understand. It is important that in these times of difficulty we remain faithful and strong in the Lord and know that He has a purpose behind that situation. It is easy to get down and depressed when burdens pile up, but
remember God's Word is true and He is faithful to bring you forth stronger and victorious in the end.
God has a purpose in everything that He asks us to do. God will never lay something upon your heart without a great purpose behind it. I hope this message encourages your heart to continually trust the Lord and know that He has great plans for your life even though you might not see it right now.
People that suffered great hardships in their life learn from that experience over time and are then able to help someone else that is going through a similar situation. We might have never known what compassion really was if we first hadn't suffered with a loss of a loved one, a failed relationship or just any real problem that caused tremendous heartbreak. In our sufferings, we learn and grow, and are then able to understand and have compassion towards someone else going through a similar situation.
Never think that you are here on this earth for no reason. God does not make or create anything without first having a purpose and a plan in mind. If you are going through hard times, be encouraged and know that sooner or later you are going to come forth victorious and well-able to understand and be helping towards someone else having difficult times in their life. Love, Rev. Jim Clarke
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A VISION AND A TASK
Around 1960 Phillip Knight quit his job and put his future on a vision for new kind of athletic shoe company. With $1000 in start-up capital he began buying shoes from Japan and selling them out of the trunk of his car. A couple of years later he took on a business partner, his former college coach, who made design modifications to the shoes. The idea eventually took off. Knight's company, NIKE, is now worth billions; it all started with an idea put to work.
In 1730 a church in Sussex, England posted this sign: A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is drudgery; a vision and a task is the hope of the world. The truth behind these words is profound. When my work becomes drudgery it is inevitably because I have lost sight of the vision God has given me for the ministry -- I have forgotten the eternal significance of my life's work. Personally, I can't imagine anything more dull than selling shoes out of the back of one's car -- but Knight's own vision transformed the drudgery of this task into an adventure that led to astounding success. Maybe your job seems like drudgery sometimes. What job doesn't? Don't lose sight of the vision that God has given you. Focus not on what you're doing as much as what you're accomplishing. Paul said, Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) --Steve May
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Big Jake Receives an Answer
Sarah couldn’t believe it! It was just two more days until Christmas break and here she was stranded out on the side of the highway. She knew the old car was on its last leg but she was hoping it would last until Christmas break when she and her husband could think of some way to get it fixed. The old car had over 300,000 miles on it and it was about to bite the dust, but there was just no money to fix the car or to get another one.
Sarah and Joe were a young couple with two small children. They struggled just to pay the bills. Sarah had started back to college and she was on her way to class. She was going to drop Mark off at kindergarten first but the old Chevy had sputtered to a halt. It refused to budge another inch. Sarah had just barely managed to coast it off to the side of the road.
“If I could only just make it to the next exit,” she said to Mark, her five-year-old son, as she tried to start the car again.
Sarah had no idea what to do, she had no cell phone and she couldn’t leave Mark. It was too far for him to walk in these frigid temperatures.
Sarah kept trying to start the car as if somehow more attempts would get action. She began mumbling encouragement to the car with tears in her eyes. “Come on car. . . just a little further. . please . . start!” she pleaded.
“Will it be okay, Mommy?” little Mark asked.
Suddenly Sarah felt terrible to think that maybe she was scaring her son.
“Yes, we are fine, Marky,” Sarah said with more assurance than she felt.
“Maybe we should ask Jesus to help,” Mark suggested.
“Yes, you are right, honey, let’s pray,” Sarah said as she reached back and took Mark’s hand. They prayed and asked God to send them help.
There was nothing to do but wait. It was getting colder in the car and Sarah and Mark bundled up as best as they could with their coats, hats, and gloves.
“Look Mommy!” Mark was pointing at a car coming up behind them. It was a police car.
“Thank you Lord,” Sarah whispered as she saw the officer get out of his car.
“Got trouble, Ma’am?” the young officer said as Sarah rolled down her window.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” she sighed.
The officer took a look under the hood and then recommended a call to a nearby towing service. Sarah explained to him that she had no money for that. “Well, Ma’am, is there someone I can call for you?”
Sarah was frantically trying to think of what to do because her husband wasn’t home when Mark said, “Mommy, call Big Jake, he will come”.
As much as Sarah hated to bother Jake she was thankful that Mark had thought of him. Big Jake was their pastor and the kids all loved him. He treated them all like they were his own grandchildren. How he got to be Big Jake Sarah wasn’t sure but the name stuck and the title, “Big Jake”, was spoken with as much honor and respect as any clerical title.
“What a good idea, Marky,” Sarah said as she told the officer the number to call.
It wasn’t long before Big Jake pulled up in his old jeep and the officer went on his way, leaving the situation in Big Jake’s hands.
“Thanks for coming, Jake, I don’t know what we would have done without you,” Sarah said.
“Glad to,” Big Jake smiled as he handed Mark the Ziploc bag of cookies that his wife had sent along. “Miss Cathy sent you those Mark, she thought you might need a little something to tide you over until time for school.”
“Thank you!” little Mark squealed as he settled down in the back seat of the car with his cookies.
“I gave Bob at the station a call before I left and he’ll take his wrecker out to pick up your car for you. He said it was going to cost you though,” Big Jake smiled knowingly.
“How much?” Sarah looked more than a little concerned.
“He said it would cost you one pumpkin pie like you fixed for the church fellowship on Saturday night. I sure wish you’d give me that recipe, Sarah, I might be needing some new tires before long,” Big Jake shook his head and laughed.
Big Jake dropped Mark off at school and then drove on as he asked Sarah if she still had time to make her class.
“Oh, it’s at 10:30, I’m afraid it’s probably too late,” Sarah moaned, “And I can’t make my afternoon class either without a car. Maybe I ought to give up going back to college. It doesn’t look like I’m going to have a way to get there anyway.”
“Oh, don’t give up yet”, Big Jake said confidently. “Let’s just see what God has in mind first,” he said as he pulled into his own driveway, “let’s keep praying. . .God always has a plan.”
Big Jake came to a stop and stepped down from his jeep, leaving the Jeep running.
“There you go, Sarah,” Jake said as he patted the driver’s seat for her to scoot over. “I think you have just enough time to make that class.”
“But I can’t take your car, you’ll need it!” Sarah exclaimed.
“Naw, I don’t need it. I can drive Miss Cathy’s car. Now, you go on before you miss your class,” and with that Big Jake walked off toward his house.
Big Jake watched through the window as Sarah drove off. He thought it sure was a good feeling to be able to help those kids but he knew they needed a lot more help than he could give them.
“Father, help me. You know what to do,” Big Jake breathed a short prayer.
The next day Big Jake was sitting across from Cathy at the kitchen table. They had spent a good part of the morning praying and trying to think of some way to help Sarah & Joe with some kind of vehicle. Jake had checked with the station this morning and their old car just wasn’t worth fixing. There was no way Sarah and Joe would have the money to buy a car. Jake knew they had a lot of expenses when Joe had been out of work and now he had just started a new job that didn’t pay very well. Little Mark had been very sick for a while too and the medical bills had piled up.
Jake had gotten the idea to talk to his old friend, Jim, who had just the perfect car for Sarah and Joe but Jim needed at least four thousand for it. That car was in great shape and Jim was willing to let it go for less than it was worth just to help out Sarah and Joe.
“Say,” Cathy broke the silence, “You know we can come up with half of it. The money in our special account! You know this time of year we always use it for someone needing help.”
“Hey, that’s right!” Big Jake agreed, “Awwww . . . but we still need two thousand more, Jake lamented.”
“I’ll be back before long," Jake told Cathy as he threw on his jacket.
Cathy knew where Jake was going. When something was heavy on his heart, he would usually go for a walk through the woods where he’d talk to the Lord.
Big Jake walked and prayed and tried hard to listen for any prompting from the Lord. He thought about asking the church to help but the church had already used up their benevolence fund. There had been a lot of needs in their church and community this year. He had already told Sarah to wait and see what God had in mind. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that, he thought. I hope I didn’t give her false hope. Still, Big Jake felt like God really did have a plan, something in mind for Joe and Sarah, so he prayed once more.
Jake looked at his watch and was surprised that an hour had gone by so he hastened his steps as he headed back toward the house.
Just as he came up out of the wooded area in back of the house, he noticed a car had pulled in the driveway. It was Ted Martin, one of his deacons. Ted was a quiet, soft-spoken man of few words but he was a good deacon who took his deacon role seriously in helping others.
Ted had spotted Jake coming out of the woods and he paced back and forth as he waited.
Jake took one look at Ted and wondered what was on his mind. He sure hoped nothing was wrong.
“Hi Preacher,” Ted said as he walked up to him.
“Hey, good to see you, Ted, what brings you out this way, I hope you just came for a visit and there’s nothing wrong.”
“No, nothing wrong, I just had something to give you,” Ted answered quietly.
Ted pulled out an envelope, handed it to Big Jake and said, “Here, I figured you’d know what to do with this. Just do something good with it.”
Before Jake could say or do anything, Ted turned and got into his car and left.
Big Jake was a bit puzzled as he turned the envelope over and opened the flap. He looked through the contents and with trembling hands and a broken voice Big Jake whispered, “Thank you, Lord. Wow! I guess you really did have something in mind.”
God had answered Jake’s prayers. For you see, Big Jake was holding in his hands a stack of one hundred dollar bills and as he counted them, they amounted to exactly two thousand dollars. --Pamela Perry Blaine December 2005 (A true story as told to me by Big Jake)
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Listen to the Quiet
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
When the electric power went out recently, I was impressed by how quiet it was. We live with continual background noise. Indoors we have the sounds of air conditioning, washers, dryers, TVs, computers, telephones, fax machines, answer machines, stereos, and kids. Outdoors are edgers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, planes, trains, insects, birds, animals, cars and cell phones.
We have all kinds of noise inside our heads, too. Past tapes, what others have said and done, things we have done or told ourselves. And what about the noise our hearts make? They laugh, cry, remember, and talk to us too!
I don't think of myself as somebody who leads a fast-paced life. That is until I notice how long it takes me to relax and unwind. Getting quiet doesn't happen quickly for me. Sometimes I even have to consciously work at it. Even David, songwriter extraordinaire, wise warrior, and anointed King of Israel, needed to be reminded to "be still, and know that I am God."�
It's a noisy world. And we all need a quiet place in the midst of all the noise. A safe place, where we can BE STILL, and hear the Lord. He very much wants to tell us how much He loves us, and how unique and special we are to Him, maybe give us our day's marching orders.
Today, He has a safe place, somewhere we can go and listen to the quiet. Maybe inside our mind and heart, or perhaps to a physical spot. Journey there and see what wonderful surprises Jesus has planned for this brand new day of Today that we've never seen before. --Sally I. Kennedy
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"Look Up"
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat." --Exodus 16:14, 15 (NIV)
The grassy area next to my car was littered with small, round, green things. My curiosity was piqued. At first I thought maybe it was a patch of toadstools or some other such plant life that had sprung up from the ground. Taking a step back to survey the surrounding area with a larger view, I saw a palm tree. Quickly scanning the trunk of the tree, I solved the mystery. The round things on the ground were dates. They had fallen from their position atop the date palm tree.
Life is full of things we may not understand or things we haven't seen before. From our vantage point we can only see so far. It's not until we stand back and look up that we get a clearer perspective. Nothing falls to us here on earth that hasn't passed under God's watchful eye. When we are confused or upset by the things we see around us, our first response should be to turn our thoughts heavenward.
Like the children of Israel, we may find ourselves in a fog, shivering in the cold dampness of the morning. But as the dew disappears, we will see that God has not forgotten us. He has been with us throughout the night. He continues to provide for us at every turn, feeding us in body and spirit. Daily we are strengthened for life's journey by the blessings he gives. Even when we are in the barren deserts, we are nourished by the bread of heaven. God sends us peace and comfort as we look to Him in prayer. --Lauren Beyenhof
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REDISCOVERING THE JOYS OF LIFE
It takes commitment to do most things in life. If we don’t make the time to appreciate the joys of life, we rush past them. Consequently, we see only grief and negativity.
Here are 8 ways to find and create joy in our lives: See God’s divine hand in all things. The simplest and most profound joy is derived from the knowledge of God who created the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Creation, in all its splendor, is enough to baffle the mind and flood the heart with unspeakable wonder and joy. Don’t allow traces of bitterness to fester and tarnish your soul. Don’t wallow in self-pity and do nothing. As painful as it may be, deal with your perplexing
situations and get on with the business of living and enjoying life.
Turn a deaf ear to self-doubt and pessimism. Cease allowing naysayers to stifle your dream and dictate your work and lifestyle. When your dreams and goals are supported by prayer, constructive advice and genuine support, you should follow your heart.
Let go of unnecessary stress and seek to restore a sense of balance to ensure a healthy, relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle.
Stop making excuses and be spontaneous. Often, spending time with the people you love, or helping someone in need proves to be the perfect antidote to counteract feelings that overwhelm and fatigue. Plan and be open to impromptu outings and visits.
Create your personal oasis and develop personal rituals. It could be anywhere — bedroom, bath, porch, backyard or garden. Tranquil spaces and soothing music help to create a serene environment. Infuse your home with the things that help promote a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Surround and submerge yourself in the space, colors, scents and sounds you love.
Learn to enjoy silence. Unplug your television, computer, phones, etc, to create a peaceful change in your stressful routine. The change will free your mind from distractions and enable you to listen to your inner voice.
Laugh. Don’t take life or yourself too seriously. Despite the difficulties of life, try to maintain a light-hearted attitude and environment in your home. For example, watch cartoons with your children.
Banish the mess. Clean and declutter your mind and surroundings creating space for serenity and mental clarity.
Learn something new. Make a list of the things you want to experience in your life. Then begin to do them one by one.
Sign up for art, karate or swimming lessons.
Expand your perspective of the world and its people. It is not all bad news. Read National Geographic magazine or watch their cable channel. Spend an evening at the library. Take a tour of the country with like-minded people. Talk to elderly people of different races for a wise, witty and informative first-hand account of their history.
Be forgiving. Forgiveness is a deliberate action you can take even when your heart would prefer to wallow in resentment. If forgiveness is difficult, at least pray for a transformation in the life of your offender. Give up grudges and let go of toxic memories. Reconcile with estranged friends and family members, offering the understanding and compassion you would like extended to you.
Start and end the day with prayer, praise and thankfulness. If people and situations contribute to your feeling discouraged during the day, focus your mind on the good things in your life.
Manage anger. Think twice before responding to people and situations. Consciously replace boiling emotions with composed thoughts.
Find healthy ways to let off steam: pray, exercise, play a musical instrument, listen to your favorite music, do some gardening, paint, write in your journal. Over time, by God’s grace, you can learn to face, deal with, and walk away from potentially explosive situations.
Strong family ties cultivate stability in the home. Make “I love you” more than a sentimental greeting on a card. Say it often and show it in tangible ways.
Find and indulge passion. Whether at work or at home, time spent pursuing your passion will make you healthier, more energetic, less stressful, and you will enjoy a deeper satisfaction in all areas of your life.
Do something. A feeling of helplessness contributes to stress. When you help others, you help yourself. Practice random acts of kindness. Surprise someone with a little gift. The joy of giving will be your reward. Appreciation for the joys of life is contagious; it begins with you, it begins with me. We must be aware and sensitive to
the ills and negativity that abound.
Nevertheless, we must keep our eyes on God who provides countless joys in life, which help us to hold on, and go on. --Nathalea George
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Be aware that attacks against your emotions will manifest as confusion and chaos as well as feeling condemned. Beloved, this is the work of the devil. Do not cave in under the powers of darkness, and more particularly the spirit of heaviness. Rise up in the assurance that you are Mine and that I am not the author of confusion, nor do I condemn you. Establish yourself in the truth of My love for you and resist the devil in the strength of your trust in Me, says the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Be at peace and refuse to allow petty annoyances to arouse your anger and cause you to sin. Forgive quickly and maintain a calm spirit. You will be tempted to rise up to defend your position or to prove your righteousness, but that would be foolish. There is no need to defend a righteous position; it speaks for itself. Do not allow the enemy to push buttons that trigger unwarranted responses and behavior, says the Lord.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Beloved, you must guard against exhaustion in this season. It will come from a variety of attacks by the enemy aimed at draining your energy. Set a watch for the lies of the devil that open a door to memories that re-establish a foundation for fear or rejection. If you entertain this work of the enemy against you through believing the lies, it will sap not only your physical strength and stamina, but will also diminish your mental acuity, your emotional stability and your spiritual strength. Rise up and defeat this enemy of your soul by resisting him vehemently, says the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
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Call On Jesus
When life becomes undone
And you cry out for anyone,
Someone to help you through,
There is a friend for you.
Your world seems unraveled,
Rocky roads you’ve traveled,
And troubles have only grew
But there is healing for you.
Jesus is your faithful friend
If only a prayer you’ll send,
Christ is the lifeline you need
To sow some happiness seed.
You are a child He treasures,
He loves you beyond measure,
Jesus will cast your fears away
And bright those clouds of gray.
Give your cares to The Lord,
Life will have sweet concord,
Pray away all your heartaches
He will forgive your mistakes.
You walk life’s thorny pathway
Gathering burdens day-to-day
Until their load you cannot bear
And you need comforting care.
When storms gather overhead
And you worry restless in bed
Never knowing peace of mind,
Pray to The Savior of mankind.
As life’s scary shadows sway
Ending worried unhappy days
And dark nights bring sorrow,
Jesus can brighten tomorrow.
You’re near a loving embrace
Just lift your troubled face,
Jesus offers life sparkling new,
Your true friend truly loves you.
--Kenneth J. Ellison 06-25-07
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I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn't let my Dear Saviour in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Just like a blind man I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord - I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I was a fool to wander and stray
Straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
--Hank Williams, 1948
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Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:1-5
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6
"You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
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Locked Doors
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them (again) and said, "Peace be with you!" John 20:26
The door slammed shut. We were having dinner, and even with the animated chatter I could hear it bang closed.
When we have family get-togethers, it's a fun time for the kids to turn the workshop room into their clubhouse. Handwritten signs soon decorate the door: "KeeepOut", "No grils allowd", "boys oly".
I headed back to check things out. Although we have a 'management rule' about locking doors, that sometimes seems to get ignored. Sure enough, the clubhouse door was locked. They were having a great time. The cookie stash was in one corner, and they were making all kinds of spy and stakeout plans, very busy indeed.
In our lives, don't we too, have locked doors? Places we have unknown secret desires, hopes, hurts? Locked away. Kept at bay, unspoken. When I think about that, I realize that is true for myself.
Still, God is the God of the breakthrough. He can step into closed off, locked doors and areas in our hearts, and in our minds. And when He does, He says, "Peace be with you". Peace be with YOU.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come today through locked doors, even those we may not realize we have. Thank You for coming with a breaker anointing, love, and healing. Amen. --Sally I. Kennedy
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A PRAYER OF THOSE WHO CARE
I do not know how long I'll live,
but while I live, Lord, let me give.
Some comfort to someone in need,
by smile or nod, kind word or deed.
And let me do what 'er I can,
to ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part
to lift a tired, weary heart,
To change folks' frowns to smiles again.
Then I will not have lived in vain,
And I'll care not how long I live,
if I can give and give and give.
--Author Unknown
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Read Through The Bible
Genesis 38
Judah and Tamar
At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and lay with her; she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er. She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan. She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him. Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also. Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He may die too, just like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in her father's house. After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him. When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep," she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep with you." "And what will you give me to sleep with you?" she asked. "I'll send you a young goat from my flock," he said. "Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?" she asked. He said, "What pledge should I give you?" "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes again. Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her. He asked the men who lived there, "Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?" "There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here," they said. So he went back to Judah and said, "I didn't find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, 'There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here.' " Then Judah said, "Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her." About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!" As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns these," she said. And she added, "See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are." Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again. When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, "This one came out first." But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, "So this is how you have broken out!" And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah.
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Dear God, help me to discover your purpose for my life and accept full responsibility for becoming the person you want me to be and for doing what you have planned for me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.