tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84169217213501892382024-02-08T05:45:42.125-08:00Intelligence and Faith ... through the eyes of a Believer... For centuries our humanness has debated the religious fervor of our ancestors.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-28689483467227464512010-12-26T12:12:00.000-08:002010-12-26T12:12:55.547-08:00Is Christmas about Choices?Daily Message: <br />
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The Choice of Christmas<br />
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Did you know Christmas is about choices?<br />
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No, I don't mean "What will I get Uncle Gary and Aunt Melody?" kind of choices. Or, even the "How much do we spend on the kids?" kind of choices. Not the "Did I wear this dress at last year's Christmas party?" or the "Group Gifting vs. Personal Gifting" kinds of choices, either.<br />
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I'm talking about the choices that led to the event we celebrate during the Christmas season.<br />
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Once Upon a Time in a Far Away Land... <br />
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Once upon a time in a far, far, really far away land God decided to create something. Why He chose when He chose to do this miraculous thing, we don't know. Maybe He was all caught up on His reading.... Or, maybe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were sitting around chatting and one of them said, "What do you think about building a world."<br />
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And so, God chose to create the world...and in that world, God chose to create a man. In time, God chose to create a woman from the man (apparently the man was looking a little lost and lonely there and God thought, "I'll create a being who can find her way around any mall...and will be sure to be entertaining, too!).<br />
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God created man and woman...and placed them in a beautiful garden home He'd prepared just for them. All He required of them was to keep their little paws off one measly little tree: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.<br />
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Suddenly a slippery, slimy ole snake crawled into the scene and tempted the woman.<br />
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"Did God really say you can't eat of any tree in the Garden?" he asked her.*<br />
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Eve replied, "Oh, no...we can eat from any tree...just not that tree. If we eat of it, we will die."<br />
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The snake said, "Pfffft. You won't die, silly woman. In fact, I have the inside skinny that if you do eat of it, you'll be more like God than before."<br />
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Now, the woman had a choice. And she chose to listen to the stinky snake and to disobey God.<br />
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The Scriptures say in Genesis 3:6 that Adam was with her, so apparently he chose not to try to stop this travesty. Eve ate and then gave some of the fruit of the tree to her husband and he chose to disobey God as well.<br />
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Just Wait Until Your Father Comes Home!<br />
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Do you remember your mother saying those words? And you were thinking, "Can't we just keep this between us?"<br />
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Do you wonder if Adam and Eve thought the same? "Okay," Adam might have said to hs wife. "I see that you're naked there...and you see that I'm naked here...do you think God will notice that we've noticed?"<br />
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God noticed. In the cool of the day, He came down (Oh, the suffering our first parents must have endured!) and pronounced a curse on all three of the story's culprits.<br />
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But, in the middle of the discipline, God chose to bless the man and woman as well...by preparing a way by which all mankind could find restoration with Himself.<br />
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To the serpent He said, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."<br />
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This was the first prophecy of the coming Messiah.<br />
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Fast-Forward the Story<br />
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Thousands of years went by. The people of God had been "on again, off again" in their walk with El Shaddai, God Almighty. They were now political "prisoners" of the Roman Empire.<br />
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The year was about 4 BC.<br />
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A young Jewess, probably no more than twelve or thirteen years of age, was engaged to be married to a Jewish carpenter named Joseph. She had chosen a life of being a wife...and, one day, a mother.<br />
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According to tradition, one morning as Mary went to the only well in the town of<br />
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Nazareth where she lived with her family, an angel came to her and said, "You are the favored one...God is with you."<br />
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Now, Mary could have chosen to run (I know I might have...), but instead she began to converse with the angel.<br />
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"Don't be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."<br />
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God had chosen to send His Son in the form of a tiny baby boy, born to a girl and her husband in a town called Bethlehem, where they'd gone for a census taken by the Roman authorities.<br />
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What a glorious moment that must have been! Angels singing in the sky, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests." **<br />
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God's choice to love His children more than we can possibly comprehend had now revealed itself in the form of a child.<br />
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A Deeper Choice<br />
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Thirty-three years went by. The baby boy had grown to be a man...a teacher...a rabbi. Some called Him a troublemaker. Some called Him the miracle maker. Others called Him the long-awaited Messiah.<br />
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It was the time of the Passover. Jews from all over were coming toward Jerusalem. Jesus and His disciples were no different. They'd followed this path for as long as they could remember. The twelve with Jesus were surely exuberant. It would be a good time...a joyous time...a time of remembering.<br />
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But, for Jesus, the reflection was different. A new choice was to be made. The choice to lay down His life as a sacrifice...as a bridge by which men could cross over and reach the heart of God.<br />
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At times it must have felt as though His feet were weighed down with one of the large, jagged stones along the highway. His heart tightened in His chest. He smiled at those around Him...but at times, it must have been forced.<br />
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For days, He purposefully put Himself in the way of those He knew would turn on Him...try Him...convict Him...and, in the end, crucify Him. Day after day of that week He chose to push the envelope a bit harder than the day before.<br />
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One night, He chose to kneel in a garden...a garden called Gethsemane. He prayed to His Father...and He waited...waited for the sound of soldier's footsteps and the command of their voices. Waited for the dry touch of a traitor's kiss. The following day, He chose to stretch out His arms as He hung high above His beloved city...and die. Scriptures tell us He could have called an army of angels to come and rescue Him...but He chose to go it alone.<br />
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My Choice/Your Choice<br />
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The grave could not contain Him! He chose to rise again! He chose to spend more time with His beloved. He chose to send His Holy Spirit to guide us and protect us until that day when the Father chooses that the Son should come again for His bride.<br />
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So, now the choice is up to me...and you. <br />
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If so, how will you celebrate the season we have set aside to remember His birth? Will you fret and worry over purchase choices? Parties to attend, dresses to wear, suits to press? Or will you choose to tell your children, your grandchildren, your coworkers, your neighbors...anyone who will listen that the choice is theirs as well.<br />
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What choices did you make this year, and what purpose did they serve?Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-64716314506390049232010-04-24T19:54:00.000-07:002010-04-24T19:54:58.046-07:00Do You Read The Instructions?Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.-Psalm 119:6<br />
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I heard the story of a woman who bought a DVD player. Only a few days after she made the purchase, she went back to the store to complain to the manager that there was a problem with it and it didn’t run right. After having words, the manager noticed the reoccurring problem and he asked the lady, “Have you read the instruction book yet to find out what it says to do?”<br />
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Sheepishly, the woman replied, “No.” She agreed to take the electronic device home and read through the instructions first before replacing it with a new one.<br />
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The manager called the woman the next day to ask how the DVD player was working. The woman replied, “It works fine. I went by the book instead of trying to fix it myself. It’s running much better now.”<br />
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Many Believers have the same trouble in their own lives—they have trouble following by the Book! Half of the books in the Bible can be read in less than 45 minutes, and a lot of them can be read in less than 20 minutes. I’ve heard it said that the Old and New Testaments can be read aloud in around 71 hours.<br />
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A believer who seeks direction and guidance in life must look in the instruction book, but unfortunately many forget to. God provided His Word—the instruction manual—for us to live and learn by. As Believers, we must study it, meditate on its principles, and gain from its wisdom. Through whatever situation you may be going through, the Bible is the number one source where you can to receive instruction and direction. If you do this, you can be assured great blessings.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">USE THE BIBLE AS YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR LIFE.</div>Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-40505580069319491472010-04-24T15:01:00.000-07:002010-04-24T15:06:41.023-07:00How to Avoid the Pits of Life"Don't use your mouth to tell lies; don't ever say things that are not true. Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good." Proverbs 4: 24-25 (NCV) <br />
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In a country church, an altar boy was serving the priest at Sunday mass. When he accidentally dropped the cruet of wine, the village priest slapped the boy and shouted, "Leave the church and don't come back!" That boy became Tito, the Communist leader. In the cathedral of a large, inner city church, the altar boy accidentally dropped the cruet of wine. With a twinkle in his eye, the Bishop told the boy, "One day you will be a priest." That boy grew up to be Archbishop Fulton Sheen. <br />
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To avoid the pits of life, we must guard our words. Words are power tools! In the right hands and used correctly, words can create. In the wrong hands and used incorrectly, words can destroy. The truth of Proverbs 13:3 is a haunting one, "Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin." (GWT) If we do not learn to use and control our tongue, it will use and control us! If God is not in control of our mouths, He is not in control of our lives. James is brutally clear on this point, <br />
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"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26 NIV) Worthless! I shudder to think that what I count as Kingdom work is, in God's eyes, worthless, erased because of my uncontrolled tongue. <br />
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The simple fact is - we will be held accountable for every word we speak. "And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said." (Matthew 12:36 NCV) "Careless" literally means "ineffective or useless". The words we speak will either be effective and useful or they will be inadequate and useless. We need to choose the words we speak very carefully - and we need to make sure our words are truthful. Oh, how easy it is to nudge the truth aside to spare our pride or rationalize away some hidden sin. A story is better told with a few "juicy" words added. The phone rings, and we instruct the family to say, "She is not here." How often do we rush to share someone's mistake or failure under the guise of "praying for them"? <br />
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Once when I had the stomach flu, I went to the doctor who began his examination by asking me to stick out my tongue. Why? After all, the problem was in my stomach. What did my tongue have to do with my stomach? I had to ask. "Why do doctors always ask patients to stick out their tongues? Are they stalling for time or is there a surplus of tongue depressors?" The doctor laughed, then gave a surprising answer, "The health of the tongue is a strong indicator of the whole body's health!" The same can be said of our spiritual health. If there is something wrong with our words, there is something wrong with our hearts. Matthew puts it this way, "The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart." (Matthew 12:34 NCV) My mother often said, "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket." When God is Lord of the heart, He is Lord of the lips as well. We need to guard our mouths. <br />
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To avoid the pits of life, we must also guard our eyes. A study was done of concentration camp survivors to determine the common characteristics of those who did not die from disease or starvation. Victor Frankl was a living answer to that question. Before the Nazis threw him into a concentration camp, he was a successful psychiatrist. After his rescue, Victor Frankl traveled the world, sharing his story. "There is only one reason why I am here today. You kept me alive. Others gave up hope. I dreamed that someday I would be here telling you how I, Victor Frankl, had survived the Nazi concentration camps. I've never been here before, I've never seen any of you before, and I've never given this speech before. But in my dreams, oh, in my dreams, I have stood before you and said these words a thousand times." <br />
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Outlook determines outcome. Victor Frankl survived because he chose a right focus, keeping his eyes fixed on what was ahead. Proverbs 4:25 explains, "We need to keep our eyes focused on what is right and look straight ahead to what is good." The picture painted here is one of an "upright" life, a life of "moral purity". We serve a holy God who is very serious about sin. <br />
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God is calling us to new spiritual discipline and a holy obedience. Our eyes should constantly be seeking out what is right and good. In reality, the right way is always in front of us - easy to see. <br />
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Then why do we find ourselves at the bottom of a pit? We entertain distractions - distractions from the truth. We need to refuse anything or anyone who will keep us from setting our eyes on what is right because sin will either keep us from the truth or the truth will keep us from sin. Run the race for an audience of One. Ignore both the cheering crowds and the critics. Both are distractions from the race and adversaries of God's highest goals. <br />
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When it comes to having a right focus, not only do we turn away from what is worthless but we turn to what is worthy. If Satan knows if he can control the mind, then he has won the battle. Who wins that battle is up to us and hinges on the choices that we make. <br />
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The battle of the mind is won by controlling and filtering what we set before our eyes. In Psalm 101:3, we find an important key to guarding our mind, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing." (NIV) "Vile" means "evil one or troublemaker". Anything that is not feeding and nourishing the soul is depleting the soul, originates with Satan himself and will bring nothing but trouble. If it is not of God, it will numb you to what is of God. We foolishly believe the lie that we "can handle it". <br />
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I live in a small, rural community where cows are familiar neighbors and lost cows a common occurrence. How does a cow get lost? It starts nibbling on a patch of green grass. When it finishes, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass. That patch digested, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass and starts nibbling on that one. Then it nibbles on a patch of grass right next to a hole in the fence. The cow then sees the green grass on the other side of the fence so it nibbles on that one and then goes on to the next one and the next one. The cow finally looks up to discover it has nibbled itself into being lost. We do the same thing. We bury our heads in the patches of everyday living. <br />
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We make a single wrong choice and instead of looking up for forgiveness, instead of looking straight ahead for new direction, we look around for another wrong choice. Soon, we find ourselves at the bottom of a pit wondering how we got there. We must learn to keep our glance on the circumstances and our gaze on Him. To avoid the pits of life, we must guard our eyes and our words.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-41896294805830530212010-04-24T14:53:00.000-07:002010-04-24T14:53:01.804-07:00Don't Let Your Weaknesses Keep You from GodYou don't have to be a spiritual giant like a theologian, Bible scholar, or prayer warrior to get close to God. He's willing to meet you wherever are - even smack in the middle of a life filled with flaws and mistakes. Your life may seem ordinary to you, but God's love for you is extraordinary. He loves you deeply, no matter what weaknesses you may have.<br />
Here are some ways you can grow closer to God even if you're fumbling through life:<br />
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Focus on what matters most. Don't let your to-do list's nagging voice drown out God's voice calling you to spend time with Him on a regular basis. Make time for relationships - with God, family, and friends - and let things that don't matter as much just slide. <br />
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Unplug your life for a while. Take time away from technology that demands you be available to others all the time. Take a break from your cell phone, fax machine, and e-mail and enjoy the peace and quiet. Turn off the television, radio, and computer so you can spend time relaxing and thinking. Celebrate how taking time to reflect helps you hear God's voice better.<br />
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Clear out clutter. Get rid of stuff you don't really want or need by giving it away, selling it, or throwing it out. Create extra space in your home and workplace. Lose the attitudes that clutter your mind - all the thoughts that don't line up with God's truth. Remember that with God, all things are possible. Ask Him to give you new, healthy attitudes, like the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control). Stop complaining and ask God to give you the perspective you need to be positive. Clear some space in your schedule so you'll have some free time.<br />
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Say "no" sometimes so you can say "yes" at the right times. Have the courage to say "no" to requests for your time and energy that don't fit into your unique mission in life. Ask God to clarify what that mission is for you, so you can evaluate each request against it. Ask yourself, "Is this something only I can do?" If not, and it doesn't line up with your life's mission, let someone else do it. Be willing to say "yes" to the right assignments, but before you do agree to them, take time to pray and check your calendar first.<br />
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Sense God's presence all around you. Realize that God is with you everywhere, all the time. Pay attention to His presence wherever you happen to be.<br />
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Get adequate sleep. Don't deprive your body of the full amount of sleep it needs each night - usually 7 1/2 to 9 hours for adults. Know that you will function at your best only if you've had enough sleep. Make sleep a high priority.<br />
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Pursue inner beauty rather than outer beauty. Don't waste too much time and energy focusing on your physical beauty, which will never last. Instead of visiting a body spa, take a spiritual retreat and let God give you His beauty treatments, such as the dermabrasion of confession and the soaking bath of time in His Word. Know that every encounter with God will change you from the inside out, leaving you truly radiant.<br />
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Don't bother to make unrealistic resolutions. Decide to accept God's grace. Give yourself permission to do less and take longer doing it. Eat dessert first. Thank God for the life He has given you, and decide to enjoy it.<br />
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Let your God-given conscience wake you up. As you make everyday choices, listen the Spirit's guidance and choose to follow it rather than going your own way. Commit to a life of honesty and integrity.<br />
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Embrace God's unconditional love. Ask God to tell you how much He loves you. Then listen as He does, and accept and embrace His unconditional love. View yourself as He does - His beloved child.<br />
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Make peace with your past. Understand that your past shouldn't define your present and future. Pursue God's healing for traumatic issues in your past. Know that God cares about you and will give you the freedom you need to live in the present and believe in a brighter future if you take your concerns to Him in prayer.<br />
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Remember God's kindness to you, and be kind to others. Recall some of the many ways God has blessed you. As part of your thankfulness to Him, do something kind for other people as often as you can.<br />
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Let God teach you to pray. Understand that prayer isn't about who you are; it's about who God is. Just show up for prayer and know that God will meet you there and deepen your prayer life over time.<br />
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Be still. Make time in your life for solitude and silence so you can follow God's command to be still and know that He is God. As you rest, listen for His voice.<br />
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Realize that every prayer counts. Know that if you're too busy or stressed to pray anything more than, "Help!," God will still listen and answer. Understand that even simple, self-focused prayers reach God's ears. Realize that even prayers uttered on the go still rise to heaven. Don't wait until you have time to pray on your knees; pray as often as you can as you go about your everyday life.<br />
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Use music to draw closer to God. Recognize music's awesome power to help you focus on God. Listen to some of your favorite music and let it draw you into worship.<br />
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Don't listen to naysayers. Realize that people like teachers, bosses, or family members who predict you'll fail at something may not be correct. Understand that God can take every circumstance in your life and bring something good out of it. Rely only on God's plans for you.<br />
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Let God use your disappointments and challenges to shape you. Whenever trials enter your life, press in closer to God's heart and ask Him to help you learn something positive from them.<br />
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Trust in God's provision. Understand that God is able, willing, and ready to provide whatever you need, whenever you need it. Pray about whatever specific needs you have - a job, a friend, etc. - and trust Him to answer in wisdom and on time.<br />
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Study the Bible. Read and study your Bible often. Write in its margins, underline passages, comment, wonder, question, and exclaim. Know that God will make His Word come alive for you.<br />
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Release your worries to God. Don't waste time and energy worrying. Instead, spend time and energy praying about your concerns. Then release them - time and time again, if you need to - and trust that God will answer with much greater power than you have yourself.<br />
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Don't let petty concerns weigh you down. Rather than trying to convince God to work on your agenda, take the risk of opening up your whole life to Him and trusting Him to do what He will with it. Know that such a leap of faith will lead to a much greater life for you.<br />
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Recognize the location of your true home. Remember that our fallen world is just a temporary home; your eternal home will be in heaven. Know where - and to whom - you belong.<br />
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Serve God. Whatever you do, do it for God. Give your best effort to it. Be open to God's leading and willing to serve Him however He calls you.<br />
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Keep learning. Decide to be a lifelong learner. Constantly pursue greater spiritual, physical, mental and emotional strength through disciplines like prayer, exercise, and meaningful work.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-88669213839098952092010-04-24T14:48:00.000-07:002010-04-24T14:48:10.993-07:00Money MattersAccording to Crown Financial Ministries the number one factor in the breakup of most marriages is financial discord. 85% of marriages that fail do so because of financial problems. And this kind of financial turmoil is no less of a problem in many Christian marriages. Yet in the Bible we have a divinely-inspired and inexhaustible resource on money matters. The Bible mentions money matters some 2,350 times! That's more passages than on heaven and hell combined. So since we have such an amazing divine resource, what lessons can we learn so that money matters will not wipe out our marriages? Let's look at seven divinely ordered truths about money matters:<br />
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• Truth #1: God alone is the Owner of everything: He alone is the Possessor of heaven and earth.<br />
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To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it (Deut. 10:14).<br />
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The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1).<br />
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Therefore, the so-called bottom line is this: In the ultimate sense, God owns everything! We own nothing! To assume ownership of anything is to commit the sin of idolatry. We are not owners of anything. We are stewards of everything.<br />
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• Truth #2: Since God is the ultimate Owner of everything, He is more than willing and able to meet all of our financial needs.<br />
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And my God will fully supply your needs according to His abundant wealth so glorious in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).<br />
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For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains and everything that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all it contains (Ps. 50:10-11).<br />
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God is the ultimate land Owner of the whole earth and His butcher shop is always open for those of us who are hungry and needy. We just need to ask and He will supply. And it's free for the asking!<br />
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Truth #3: Therefore, it makes good sense to commit our financial matters to Him and to trust Him to guide our financial decisions as well as to meet all of our basic needs (i.e., food, clothing, and shelter).<br />
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Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf (Prov. 11:28).<br />
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The greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper (Prov. 28:25).<br />
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[Jesus said,] "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [our basic needs] will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt. 6:33-34).<br />
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To those who know the trustworthiness of the Lord and His willingness to meet all of our basic needs, an eleventh commandment kicks into play: "Thou shall not sweat it!" Financial worry and anxiety are evidences of unbelief and are sure indicators of potential problems in marital money matters.<br />
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• Truth #4: Learning to trust God for all of our basic needs does not come naturally to any of us. It is something into which we must grow.<br />
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[Paul said,] "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" (Phil. 4:10-13).<br />
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From time to time God drops us into no water and no food situations (like the Israelites of old). This is His way of reintroducing us into His school of faith so that we might learn to trust Him with a new and deeper faith. This is the venture of faith into which He calls each and every married couple.<br />
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• Truth #5: Further, God's school of faith is designed to teach us two specific lessons about money matters: Wealth and prosperity, at best, are fleeting and temporal. And there are potential dangers inherent in money itself.<br />
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Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle (Prov. 23:4-5).<br />
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But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Tim. 6:6-10).<br />
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• Truth #6: So it is imperative that we guard our hearts from all forms of greed and envy.<br />
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A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live (Prov. 15:27).<br />
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The greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper (Prov. 28:25).<br />
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Jesus replied, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. . . . [It consists in being] rich toward God" (Luke 16:14-15).<br />
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• Truth #7: And finally, all of this means that in marital money matters God is calling us to develop generous and giving hearts.<br />
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A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Prov. 11:25).<br />
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[Paul reminded them,] I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus Himself said, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving" (Acts 20:35).<br />
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God Himself has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we may say with confidence, "The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Heb. 13:5-6).Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-78218948832556728852010-04-24T14:39:00.000-07:002010-04-24T14:39:12.485-07:00"He's Just Not That Into You" -- Postmodern Secular Romance"Sex and romance remain big issues in popular culture -- and for good reason. In a fallen world, issues of sexuality and romantic love are prime candidates for corruption and confusion. HBO's Emmy-winning Sex and the City may serve as the most potent symbol of the secular distortion of romance and the postmodern confusion of sexuality that is now taken for granted in many sectors of American society.<br />
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The latest evidence of this tragic confusion is found in the book He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys -- the best-selling nonfiction book according to recent reports. Written by two authors connected with Sex and the City, the book is the perfect introduction to the sad, empty, highly-sexualized, and amoral world of modern romance.<br />
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Authors Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccilo pack quite a punch in this little book. As the authors explain, the book grew out of an accidental conversation in the writers' room of Sex and the City. As Liz Tuccilo explains, the female writers were "talking, pitching ideas, our personal love lives weaving in and out of the fictional lives we were creating in the room. And just like on any other day, one of the women on staff asked for feedback on the behavior of a man whom she liked. He was giving her mixed messages--she was confused. We were happy to pitch in and pick apart all the signs and signals of his actions. And just like on any other day, after much analysis and debate, we concluded that she was fabulous, he must be scared, he's never met a woman as great as her, he is intimidated, and she should just give him time."<br />
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But, that female conversation was interrupted by a male consultant for the program who walked into the room, Greg Behrendt. "On this day," Liz reports, "Greg listened intently to the story and our reactions, and then said to the woman in question, 'Listen, it sounds like he's just not that into you.'"<br />
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This simple observation dawned as a great metaphysical discovery on the part of the female writers. "We were shocked, appalled, amused, horrified, and above all, intrigued," Tuccilo reports. "We sensed immediately that this man might be speaking the truth. A truth that we, in our combined hundred years of dating experience, had never considered, and definitely never considered saying out loud."<br />
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Greg Behrendt also provides his side of the story, explaining that he had the "good fortune to be the only straight male on the predominantly female writing staff" of Sex and the City. He confirms Tuccilo's version of the story. "When a guy is into you, he lets you know it," Behrendt instructs. "He calls, he shows up, he wants to meet your friends, he can't keep his eyes or hands off of you, and when it's time to have sex, he's more than overjoyed to oblige." According to Behrendt, "Men are not complicated, although we'd like you to think we are."<br />
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The strategic conversation in the Sex and the City writers' room became the catalyst for He's Just Not That Into You as Behrendt and Tuccilo combined their talents and insights to write the book from a combined male and female perspective. The end result is something like a primer for romance according to the worldview of Sex and the City -- but this time corrected by a male influence. The fact that this male influence has to be identified as heterosexual tells you a great deal about how postmodern this worldview really is.<br />
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The book is divided into sixteen chapters, most offering what is intended to be a significant lesson for women as they try to understand the men in their lives. According to Behrendt and Tuccilo, a woman should understand that a man is "not that into you" if he is not calling her, is not dating her, is not having sex with her, is having sex with someone else, only wants to see her when he's drunk, doesn't want to marry her, is breaking up with her, has disappeared on her, is married, is a selfish jerk, a bully, or is "a really big freak."<br />
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The authors offer a series of excuses women make in order to rationalize the fact that the relationship is not moving forward in a way they would desire. The issue here is really quite clear. According to Behrendt and Tuccilo, women are looking for men who will initiate the relationship, sustain its development, engage in sexual relations in order to establish compatibility, and then move into deeper maturity on the way to marriage. This is the fairy tale as presented in both Sex and the City and this illuminating little book.<br />
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In the background to all this is the fact that many women are experiencing great grief in relationships with disinterested, immature, and lecherous men. However, the most interesting insight from this book is the fact that there must be many women--this is The New York Times' best-selling nonfiction book, after all -- who are doing their best to rationalize why the men in their lives appear to be disinterested in romance and responsibility.<br />
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The authors dismiss excuses such as "he doesn't want to ruin the friendship," "maybe he's intimidated by me," "maybe he wants to take it slow," and "maybe he forgot to remember me."<br />
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At times, the authors write with a combined voice, while individual messages from Behrendt and Tuccilo are inserted into the text. Behrendt does the hard labor in this partnership, serving as the wise and experienced man who can offer his testosterone-filled insights into the decadence, disinterest, and depravity of his fellow men.<br />
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The book is a litany of female complaints against men, followed by hypothesized reasons why men fail to deliver on their commitments. "Annie" wrote the authors to explain that her date almost never calls when he says he will, even when it is supposed to be only a few minutes later. Greg responds on behalf of the writing team, suggesting, "Here's the deal. Most guys will say what they think you want to hear at the end of a date or phone call, rather than nothing at all. Some guys are lying, some guys really mean it. Here's how you can tell the difference: You know they mean it when they actually do what they say they were going to do. Here's something else to think about: Calling when you say you're going to is the very first brick in the house you are building of love and trust. If you can't lay this one stupid brick down, you ain't never gonna to have a house, baby. And it's cold outside."<br />
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That response pretty much sums up the style of the book and the depth of its advice. Actual functioning, mature, working marriages are a far-off vision for these women. In an odd note, Liz Tuccilo tells of working with Greg Behrendt on the book in New York City, noticing that Greg "would often call his wife just to tell her that he couldn't really talk to her right then, but he was thinking of her and would call later." This kind of loving gesture is obviously foreign to Tuccilo's experience. "It didn't look like the most difficult thing in the world," she said, "but it sure seemed nice."<br />
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Moving on to other issues in the romantic relationship, Behrendt and Tuccilo suggest that "hanging out" is not the same thing as dating. If a man does not take responsibility to invite a woman on a date, make appropriate arrangements, and invest in the experience, he's just not that into you.<br />
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Inevitably, the issue of sex arises in just the way we would expect, coming from writers for Sex and the City. According to these authors, if a man is attracted to a woman, he will move directly to initiating sex. "If he were into you," they explain, "he would be having a hard time keeping his paws off you. Oh the simplicity of it all! If a man is not trying to undress you, he's not into you."<br />
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They completely dismiss men who do not move immediately to demand sex or men who think that sex ought to wait for marriage.<br />
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In a chapter that would seem to be unnecessary, even for the lovelorn readers of this book, Behrendt and Tuccilo explain that if a man is having sex with another woman, he is probably not a good candidate for future romance. Get this line: "If he's sleeping with someone else without your knowledge or encouragement, he is not only behaving like a man who's just not that into you, he's behaving like a man who doesn't even like you all that much."<br />
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How do you take that advice apart? According to the Sex and the City worldview, it would presumably be just fine if the man were having sex with another woman with her knowledge or encouragement. The sex itself is not bad, wrong, or problematic according to Behrendt and Tuccilo. The issue is cheating. Writing to "Fiona," Greg Behrendt offers this advice: "Well, you can choose to believe he is sorry. You can choose to believe he will change. But in my book, lying, cheating, hiding is the exact opposite of the behavior of a man who's really into you." Got it?<br />
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The following chapters offer similar advice, instructing women on the wiles and basic immaturity of men. You don't have to read between the lines to see that these writers assume that men will use women and that women are so desperate for romance and sex that they are willing to be used.<br />
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Interestingly, marriage remains very much on the horizon. The women whose unfulfilling relationships presumably form the market for this book are desperately seeking to be married. "Every man you have ever dated who has said he doesn't want to get married or doesn't believe in marriage, or has 'issues' with marriage, will, rest assured, someday be married," Behrendt and Tuccilo explain. "It just will never be with you."<br />
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In an interesting exchange, "Danielle" wrote a letter explaining that the main man in her life is "just not ready" to get married. After dating for five years, "I'm only twenty-eight and people get married much later these days. And sometimes it takes longer for guys to grow up than girls. So I want to be understanding, but I'm just not sure how long I'm supposed to wait. Does he need more time or is he just not that into marrying me?"<br />
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Greg responds, "I hate to tell you this, but here's why he feels rushed: He's still not sure you're the one. Yep, my lovely, I know it's hard to hear, but better to hear it now than ten years from now. So you can stay with him and continue to audition for the part of his lucky wife, or you can go find someone who doesn't need a decade or two to realize you're the best thing that ever happened to him."<br />
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He's Just Not That Into You is the perfect portrait of postmodern romance. With romantic love isolated from the Christian worldview that gave it birth, sex, romance, and whatever is considered love are combined in a tragic mix of confusion. Nevertheless, the book -- and the fact that it now ranks as the top-selling nonfiction title -- tells us something Christians need to know about the worldview, experience, and tragic emptiness of so many people in modern secular America.<br />
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Feminists promised American women a festival of liberated delights, describing marriage as a domestic prison and male leadership as oppressive patriarchy. What are feminists to make of this book, these women, and this advice? Clearly, these women desperately want men to grow up, initiate relationships, lead, and move toward marriage.<br />
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Tragically, these authors -- and the millions they represent -- see sex as a way of luring, securing, and enticing men into romantic relationships. When these relationships fail -- as this book proves they so often do -- women are left feeling used, abused, empty, and hopeless. He's Just Not That Into You represents one of the most tragic and depressing books published in recent years. Nevertheless, those of us who know the Bible's understanding of sex, romance, and marriage should pay attention to this book and realize why the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is good news in more ways than one--rescuing us not only from sin, but from this tragic pattern of emptiness, disappointment, and confusion.<br />
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The hundreds of thousands of women reading this book desperately need the right advice -- but that's the last thing they're going to get from a Sex and the City writing team.<br />
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<strong>Why do people use people and love things when they should love people and use things?</strong>Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-22968968662574252602010-04-11T19:36:00.001-07:002010-04-11T19:36:14.856-07:00The Landmine of DiscouragementPsalm 42:5-8<br />
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Some people suffer the effects of discouragement for months or years. They do not know how to repair the damage caused by this devastating landmine. But how does such a loss of confidence and optimism originate?<br />
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Disappointment is our emotional response to a failed expectation. When we allow disappointment to fester by refusing to recognize and deal with failure, we slip into discouragement. Disappointments are inevitable, but believers don't have to be in bondage to discouragement.<br />
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We all face troubling times that make us feel weak, and we will continue to have these experiences throughout our life. Discouragement, however, should be temporary. Just as we drive through a tunnel, we can enter moments of discouragement and then come out on the other side. I have experienced situations in which I was very discouraged for a season of time. Occasionally, I have needed to get on my knees during the night to cry out to God for encouragement. After asking Him for a change in attitude and help to lay down my burden, I have been able to fall back to sleep.<br />
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In order to gain victory, we must first look within ourselves. We need to admit our specific discouragement and the unresolved conflicts in our heart. Identifying the root cause of our disheartened feelings allows us to work through them. Most importantly, we must turn to God. As long as we are talking about our hurt, our suffering, our embarrassment, or our shattered dreams, we will wallow in despair. But the moment we lift our heads and say "Father," we take our first step out of discouragement.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-81824667915985340492010-04-11T19:31:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:31:19.174-07:00The Landmine of CovetousnessEphesians 5:1-5<br />
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One of the best-concealed landmines in the life of a believer is covetousness. We tend to think the term simply describes a desire for an item belonging to another person, but it goes deeper than that. Covetousness is an intense yearning for something we do not have coupled with the belief that we will not be happy or satisfied until we get it.<br />
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When we are driven by an insatiable longing that distracts us from our relationship with God, then we are in danger - such intense craving is really a form of idolatry. Our preoccupation with satisfying the desire translates into our placing a higher value on the object than on God. That is the very nature of idol worship.<br />
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We all have desires of the heart, many of which are planted by God Himself; longings within the framework of His will are acceptable. There is nothing in the Bible that says it is wrong to want a nice house or a reliable car. God has a purpose, plan, and time worked out to meet our needs and supply legitimate wants. However, when we choose to fulfill a God-given desire in a way that is not in keeping with Hs will, we are guilty of covetousness.<br />
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The reason covetousness is so damaging is that it has no end. When we achieve one goal that we thought would satisfy, we discover that we are still not content. So we look to something else that we think will bring satisfaction. But nothing can bring peace and genuine contentment to our heart except a relationship with God.<br />
The Consequences of Coveting<br />
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Exodus 18:17-21<br />
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People oftentimes develop a desire for something that is not in God's plan for them. When they fail to attain what their heart is set on, the desire can build into intense, unrelenting pressure.<br />
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Believers who are consumed by covetousness have ceased to depend on God. To reach our goals, we can manipulate circumstances because we have lost faith in the Lord's ability to know what is best and provide it. Such behavior indicates that we reject the sovereignty of God. Then fear fills our lives as we chase harder and harder after the things we desire.<br />
The consequences of covetousness are painful. Our sensitivity to God weakens to the point that we cannot hear when He speaks to us. As we distance ourselves from Him, our envious attitude breeds ungratefulness. We can no longer be thankful for what we have, because our focus is on what we do not possess.<br />
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Covetousness leads to a life of tension and worry. Jethro wisely advised his son-in-law Moses to search for assistants who hated ill-gotten gain. These men were more interested in what God provided for them than in what they could acquire for themselves. If we want to be like the individuals Jethro described, we must focus on God's purpose for our lives. When we are sensitive to His voice, He will teach us to distinguish between desires falling within His will and those that lie beyond. As believers, we have the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us resist the lure of wrong desires. Covetousness does not have to be our downfall.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-58609269595661752202010-04-11T19:28:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:28:01.796-07:00The Flight of Geese2 Chronicles 30:12 <br />
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Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord. <br />
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A major corporation conducted a study on the flight of geese. In their study they found that geese fly in a "V" formation with one goose in the lead. After a period of time, this goose relinquishes the lead to another goose. During flight they noticed head movements of the leader that seem to give signals to the other geese flying, perhaps to let the others know how he was doing. They estimate that the formation flight pattern reduces wind drag due to the lift the other birds receive and believe it increases their performance by up to 70 percent. Whenever one goose drops out, another goes with it. These two geese do not catch up to the original pack, but join another group later. <br />
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Independence is one of the strongholds of the marketplace. The entire system feeds the desire within us to gain recognition from our individual achievements. We wrongly believe financial independence frees us from needing to depend on anyone else. The fact is, dependence on others is a good thing. It can bring us into a unity of spirit that accomplishes much more with less effort while meeting needs for each of us. Christ talked a lot about unity among brothers and sisters. He said that others would know we are believers by our love for one another and by our unity. We need to depend on others so that we don't go it alone. By walking together we increase our strength. By going it alone we must carry a load we were never intended to carry. God did not create us to go it alone. By joining together we accomplish more for the glory of God.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-92029162972400416662010-04-11T19:25:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:25:10.333-07:00An Encounter With GodDaniel 10:8 <br />
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So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. <br />
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Daniel received a vision that troubled him greatly. He wanted understanding of this vision. He set himself out to understand the vision by fasting for three weeks. Three days after his three weeks of fasting, a messenger of God appeared to Daniel. The messenger explained that Heaven had heard his prayer from the first day, but the angel was temporarily prevented from coming by the prince of Persia, a demon angel, who sought to thwart God's messenger from coming to Daniel. <br />
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There are times in our lives when we must set ourselves to seeking God with all our hearts. It is in these times that we hear from Heaven in ways we may never have experienced before. Daniel's perseverance in prayer was rewarded with a personal encounter with Heaven. However, in order to receive from God, Daniel had to be left alone, his strength removed, and be placed in a helpless condition. When we have no ability in our own strength to move Heaven or the events around us, we are in position to hear from Heaven. It is the acknowledgment of our humanity and our frailness that places us in a position to have a personal encounter with the living God.Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-86646362705632274522010-03-26T20:12:00.000-07:002010-03-26T20:12:41.837-07:00He Knows My NameFor you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14<br />
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How Many Children?<br />
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Dear God,<br />
How many children do you have?<br />
A million? Billion? Trillion?<br />
He says, “Even more than that!<br />
I have a multitude no one can number—<br />
Ah! And I hold them all in my hand!<br />
Not one is forgotten—I know all about them,<br />
And I supply every need that they have.”<br />
Dear Father in Heaven, How rich you must be, <br />
Providing for such a large, growing family!<br />
He says, “My riches are unending—<br />
Beyond comprehending;<br />
Compounding exponentially.”<br />
Oh Father God, How wise you must be!<br />
To create such a wide variety<br />
Of people with all different personalities.<br />
Is there no end to your creativity?<br />
He says, “Oh no! I only do originals—<br />
Each one priceless, unique;<br />
And each one expressing a unique part of Me.”<br />
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The first phrase of the song “He Knows My Name” says, “I have a maker,” which reminds me of the mind-boggling fact that each one of us is formed by the hand of God. That means we can be assured that we have value and are precious simply and for no other reason than the fact that we are created in His image. Isn’t that amazing? We are small, in-process versions of our big creator God. Flowers bloom, waterfalls cascade, cheetahs run fast, and birds fly high; but none of them is made in God’s image—only we are. And not only did He make us, but He also made us with a purpose: to reflect who He is and give Him glory with our lives.<br />
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I’ll never forget watching the birth of each of my four children. How can it be that these little eternal beings, made in God’s image, who no one but God had ever met before, just popped out and showed up on planet Earth? To this day I still can’t quite comprehend it.<br />
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I remember in particular the birth of my third child, April. The minute she saw daylight, she looked around as if to say, “What’s going on around here? Who are you guys, and what are you talking about?”<br />
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Like the rest of us, she will live her God-ordained years on Earth and hopefully fulfill all the works that God has predestined for her (see Eph. 2:10). Then April will go on to live forever in worlds unknown to carry out the mystery of God’s redemptive cosmic plan. Try to get your brain around that one! Oh, and beyond that, try to fathom the It’s a Wonderful Life phenomenon: The lives of everyone April meets and interacts with during her lifetime will be altered and influenced in some way because she showed up on planet Earth that beautiful Spring day in 1998.<br />
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Another mind-boggling fact about our creator God is that He makes each one of us different. That’s right! The God we worship is so over-the-top creative that He delights in making each of us unique. There are somewhere around 6 billion of His creations on Earth right now, which doesn’t even count all the millions of people who have gone before us—and those who are yet to come. Why does He make each one of us different and unique? Well, it’s not only because He is creative; but it’s also because He is the God of the one lost lamb, the God who took time to visit with social and religious outcasts, the God who had compassion on and healed the blind man. He is the God of the individual!<br />
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We’re not just a huge mass of human beings; instead, we are each unique and we have been created to be unique expressions of who He is. In fact, I believe that if we took the time to get to know this God in an intimate way instead of just imitating one another, we would become even more unique, more interesting, more fun, more peaceful and more joyful; and we would fulfill our true potential, because He is an infinite God with limitless possibilities to express His wonderful, marvelous, fascinating nature.<br />
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All this to say, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Fearfully and wonderfully because we are made in the same image as the most awesome being in the universe—God Himself!Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-64997428390289659442010-03-22T21:39:00.000-07:002010-03-24T20:25:14.091-07:00Journey with Jesus: Nothing of My OwnHow many times must the disciples have heard Jesus say, “I do nothing of my own. I do only what My Father tells Me” (paraphrase, see John 5:19, 8:28)? One of the many examples of this is found in John 11. Lazarus, the man Jesus loved dearly, is terribly sick. So his sisters send word to Jesus to come quickly to their aid, I’m sure with the hope that perhaps Jesus will heal him. <br />
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Upon hearing of His friend’s sickness, I am certain that many emotions were stirred in Jesus’ heart. Just imagine how you would feel if your closest and dearest friend was terribly ill and dying in the hospital. Would you not rush to your friend’s aid, laying aside your plans and agendas just to be with them in their time of need?<br />
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Jesus was fully God and fully man, so I am sure that He very much wanted to make the trip immediately, to go and touch His friend Lazarus and raise him up. When He heard about Lazarus’s sickness, He was about 30 miles away from the town he lived in—at least a two-day journey!<br />
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But the Bible does not tell us that Jesus rushed out the door to go to Lazarus. Instead, “When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was” (John 11:4–6, emphasis mine).<br />
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Later in the chapter we read of Jesus finally arriving at the tomb of Lazarus, who had now already been dead for four days. Both Mary and Martha cried to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, [our] brother would not have died” (John 11:21).<br />
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Why was Jesus not there sooner? Why didn’t He go right away, as soon as He heard the news, before Lazarus died? The answer is found in John 5:19—“The<br />
<br />
Son can do nothing of Himself.” The moment Jesus heard the news about Lazarus, He looked up and asked His Father what He must do. The Father must have told Him, “Son, it is not the time. Wait.” And so Christ waited, demonstrating absolute submission to His Father’s will.<br />
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And again, in the last few minutes of Jesus’ life, before going to the cross, the disciples witnessed Christ kneeling and again talking to His Father, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, emphasis mine). It was the Father’s will for the Son to drink the cup that He gave Him. Even though inside Jesus pleaded for it to be taken from Him, He yielded to the will of His Father. In life and in death, Christ showed how He submitted Himself to His Father’s will and authority, leaving this as an example for His disciples—and us—to follow.<br />
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Jesus was not only referring to submitting to spiritual authority either. He submitted to the governing authorities of His day as well, subject to the decisions of Herod and Pontius Pilate. If Christ, the One who rules the nations and sits at the right-hand throne of God, came to this earth and submitted to the leaders of His day, how much more should we?<br />
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How does Jesus’ example apply to our lives? Sometimes the leadership God places in our lives may be younger than we or perhaps less able or wise in our eyes. We must recognize that God is the One who placed those individuals over us. Romans 13:1–2 (NIV) says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” We cannot break God’s order.<br />
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Jesus recognized in the garden of Gethsemane, as the Roman soldiers came to take Him away, that they “could have no power at all against [Him] unless it had been given [them] from above” (John 19:11). And we must recognize the same in our lives, allowing each circumstance to be used as the tool to produce in us the submission and humility of Christ.<br />
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In Judges 7, we find the story of Gideon and his army. Starting at 32,000 men, Gideon’s army was quickly reduced to 10,000, and again until only 300 men, chosen by God, marched with him. That’s less than one percent of what he started with! But Gideon didn’t need a large army—only a small one that would simply follow instructions. According to simple math and logic, the men in his army were incredibly outnumbered and doomed to die by the massive, opposing army.<br />
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But according to the plan and instructions of the Lord, Gideon readied his men, giving each a clay pot containing a torch inside (see Judges 7:16). He then turned to his army and said, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do” (Judges 7:17). Gideon had his men surround the enemy, holding these clay pots in their hands. When he gave them the go-ahead, the men were to break the pots and cause the light to shine out (see Judges 7). They followed Gideon’s command and defeated their enemy that day.<br />
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These 300 men were totally committed to following Gideon’s instruction regardless of how illogical it seemed. They had no opinion of their own or suggestions for Gideon on how to win the battle. Their attitude was, “Whatever you say, we will do.” Their submission to the authority of their leader was complete. And so it must be in our lives—total submission to God our Father and the leaders He places over us.<br />
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In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” But unless we come to the place of giving up our stubborn will, our own ambitions and our way of doing things, the light of Christ will never shine out from us, the earthen vessels.<br />
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A.W. Tozer once said, “God cannot use a man greatly until He has broken him deeply.” I believe this is true. If Jesus had not submitted and listened to the Father concerning Lazarus, the glory and power of God would not have been displayed through his resurrection. If Gideon’s men decided their leader was foolish and therefore did not submit and follow his command, the battle never would have been won, nor the victory given to God. Jesus has set before us His submission as an example that we might do exactly as He has done. First Corinthians 4:2 (TLB) says, “Now the most important thing about a servant is that he does just what his master tells him to.”<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. P<br />
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C2TM6U6X5ZK5Lady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-15771271035236335162010-03-22T21:22:00.000-07:002010-03-22T21:22:54.875-07:00Leap into God's ArmsDo you sometimes long for a stronger faith - one that would help you live a more adventurous, fulfilling life? Do you sense that God wants more for you, but don't feel up to embracing it? <br />
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Just as your body becomes stronger through physical exercise, your soul becomes stronger when you exercise your faith. It can be scary to take leaps of faith as you face an unknown future. But there's really no safer place to jump than into the arms of the God who loves you. Here's how you can learn to take leaps of faith: <br />
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Don't settle for a marginal existence. Decide that you want what God wants for you - a radical life that transforms you and significantly impacts God's kingdom.<br />
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Believe God's promises. Read the Bible to discover all that you are entitled to as a member of God's family, through a saving relationship with Him. Then claim your promised inheritance by believing God will do all He says He will, and living accordingly. Survey the circumstances of your life and open your eyes to the potential for God's work there if you faithfully follow where He leads you. Know that, if God has placed dreams in your heart, He will make them come true. Put your God-given talents to use and do the best work you possibly can in whatever you do. Take time on a regular basis to thank God for all He has done - and will do - for you. Ask Him to develop contentment and peace in you.<br />
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Trade the "good life" for real life. Don't strive merely for our world's version of the "good life" - acquiring all the things and relationships you think you need to be happy. Realize that the best the world has to offer can only bring you temporary satisfaction. Instead, live for God, passionately pursuing His purposes above all else. When you do this, you'll experience real fulfillment that will continue into eternity. Ask God to reveal the ultimate mission He wants you to accomplish during your time on Earth. Write your mission statement, and make decisions about how to spend your time, energy, and money according to it. Don't pin your ultimate hopes on any people, things, or circumstances. Realize that God is the only One you can count on - and the only One you really need. Don't be so caught up in the gifts that you miss the Gift-giver.<br />
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Look toward your eternal home. Understand that Earth is not your ultimate home; heaven is. Decide to spend your time on Earth growing in all the ways God wants you to prepare for eternity with Him. Be willing to leave things, places, and even people behind so you can follow wherever God leads you. Pursue joy instead of happiness. Happiness is based on your current circumstances, so it comes and goes. But the joy that comes from God is possible to have in the midst of any type of circumstances. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience this joy, that's more powerful than transitory happiness.<br />
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Go public with your faith. If Jesus has saved you, pass the lifeline along to others by sharing the Gospel message with them. Be alert to opportunities God gives you to do so. Ask the Holy Spirit to cause things that touch God's heart to touch your heart as well so you'll be motivated to reach out to others who need Him. Don't spend all your time with like-minded people. Develop meaningful friendships with non-Christians and model a life of holiness and love for them. Once you get to know them well, share the Gospel with them in natural ways. <br />
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Expect God to show up. Know that God is always at work, even when you can't yet see any apparent answers to some of your prayers. Approach every situation expecting God to show up - sometimes in unexpected ways. Trust in the wisdom of the One who made the universe to have perfect timing. Have confidence in His goodness and mercy. Remember that He hears every one of your prayers - even those offered in the midst of stress, doubt, or despair. Understand that God will respond to even a small amount of faith and meet you where you are.<br />
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Remember God's work. Keep traditions that remind you of powerful ways God has worked in your life in the past. Celebrate sacraments like communion that remind you of God's powerful work in history. Share family stories with your children so they can learn how God worked in their ancestor's lives. <br />
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Leave the right kind of legacy. Don't be nearly as concerned with your reputation, job, or contribution to society as you are about who you are in God’s eyes. Realize that the only that has lasting value is how well you loved God and other people. Take the time to invest in others as much as you can, sharing God's love with them. Pass on encouragement whenever you get the chance. Affirm other people's gifts and capabilities much more than pointing out their shortcomings. Spend your most valuable resource - time - serving others to accomplish things of eternal value in God's kingdom on Earth. Make reading, studying, and meditating on God's word a top priority. Then teach others how to discover the riches in the Bible themselves. Pass on the wisdom you've learned from your life experiences. Open your home to friends and family members regularly to talk about how God is working in your lives. Take as many leaps of faith as you can before God calls you take the final leap of faith from Earth to heaven.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-78373474497543820092010-03-18T22:03:00.000-07:002010-03-18T22:03:25.799-07:00Is There a Snake in Your Life?"He reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22 (NIV)<br />
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Everyone has pain in their lives, some more than others. There are many kinds of pain. Physical pain can come and go but emotional pain seems to hang on forever. It can be so personal, will consume your life and permeate every thing you do. Getting rid of pain is not easy and often demands a long arduous journey of years. Dealing with pain can be especially difficult if someone in your past robbed you of your trust, your joy or the innocence of childhood.<br />
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Many people are in the habit of carrying around the pain from their past. They walk, not in the light of the promises of God, but in the shadows of a dark room where reflections are scary and the light eludes them. I was one of those people for many years. I lived with a "snake" in my life. One I hated. Instead of turning the light on to find the snake and kill it, I was constantly running as fast as I could, trying to stay in front of it. I knew in my heart that God was big enough to handle the snake but I seemed to have forged an unhealthy friendship with it that I was not willing to give up.<br />
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In searching for a way to rid myself of the snake, I learned some things. First, there is no simple or magical cure for resolving past hurts, but there is a pathway toward restoration. Forgiving and forgetting is a great thing to do - if you can - but not always the answer. Remembering and choosing to forgive will always bring honor, maturity and a certain peace to your life. Pain from the past will always find a way to creep into daily life. We have to find a way to deal with it. <br />
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We should raise our wounded spirit up to the Father. He will hear our cry.<br />
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Too many times, we condemn ourselves by thinking "A spiritual person should not feel that way." We back away from God instead of running toward him. Then we don't understand that the hurts of the past are blocking a vital fellowship with God. Problems do not just go away if we ignore them. They soon consume our lives. Constantly raise your prayers to the "keeper" of promises. As the old Gospel song says, "Have a little talk with Jesus and tell him all about your troubles". <br />
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We need to seek help in repairing any broken or shattered relationships. God commands us to do so. <br />
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Repair is a descriptive word meaning to "walk in or around, to close up, hedge or enclose." When we are wounded, we need to have a hedge about us and be sheltered or nurtured within a protective environment. It's like cleaning a wound and then putting a bandage on it for protection. We can find that hedge by seeking godly counsel and surrounding ourselves with Christian friends who care about us. Sometimes the wound is closed on the outside but infection remains on the inside. It will always bother us, just like a snake in a dark room, until we examine the problem, put it on the table and take a close look at it. The truth will free us from the problem. Circumstances may not change but our attitude will.<br />
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We can have restoration. Restoration means to rescue, retrieve or to bring back home.<br />
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When we are badly hurt, we are badly in need of restoration. We must be brought home again. But our wounds keep us bound and immobilized. We can be restored again if we return to the One who is able to restore and heal from the inside out.<br />
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If you have a snake in your life, consider your needs carefully and make yourself available to the Holy Spirit for his restorative work. Raise your problems to God by falling on your knees. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a hedge of protection around you to do a healing work in your life. Then be open to the restoration.<br />
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Ask for God's enlightenment to penetrate the dark areas of your hurt. It is only through this exposure that you can truly begin to face what has happened in your past and move on through the healing process. The key to restoration is you. Will you allow the "snake" to run rampant in your life, or will you step out in healing faith. <br />
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My Prayer for Today:<br />
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Father, please help us begin to expose those troubling areas of our lives. Shine your light on them and please show us our part in killing the snakes in our lives. Open our hearts and minds as we give you permission and time to work. Amen.<br />
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Application Steps:<br />
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If you are serious about release and peace, you must first recognize the fact that you have a problem. Then raise it up to God - find a way to repair the hurt caused by others - giving it all to God. Trust him to repair the hurt and restore you to a free and loving relationship with Him. He is waiting on you to come. <br />
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Power Verses:<br />
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"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NLT)<br />
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"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NLT)<br />
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"Keep me, as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me." Psalm 17:8 (NIV)<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-47074119910563908112010-03-18T21:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T21:59:59.415-07:00Don't Settle for a Mediocre LifeAs people travel through life, teachers might label them "average." Family members might limit their dreams. Bosses might stifle them. All too often, people respond by simply settling into a boring, mediocre life. That is one thing my life has never been!<br />
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But that's not the kind of life God wants for anyone. Don't settle for it! If you refuse to be satisfied by a life of mediocrity, you'll be free to pursue excellence. In the process, your life will become the unique adventure God has planned for you - and you'll fulfill your highest potential. <br />
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Here are some ways you can rise above mediocrity to excellence:<br />
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Excel at being who you are. <br />
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Embrace your uniqueness by accepting God's unconditional love for you. Know that you are today who you have decided to become, you can be more than you are right now, and you should be the best you can be as an act of worship to God. Understand that your worth is based on who you are - God's beloved child - rather than what you do. Forget who other people think you are; express yourself and become who you really are. Be real. Don't pose, posture, or pretend to gain anything. <br />
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Instead, trust God to provide it. Remember that He is on your side and He is all you'll ever really need. Respect yourself by living a life consistent with the real you. Be honest, humble, and willing to help others. Don't keep secrets or hold grudges. Focus your energy on preparing to do something great with your life. Remember that your past and current circumstances don't have to limit your future; nothing is impossible with God. Counter our culture of slick deals and shortcuts by committing to go the extra mile in all you do. Use your God-given talents. Find things you love to do and do well. Then do them the best way you can, for as long as you can. <br />
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Give everything you've got to everything you do. Know your business and develop the skills to perform it well. Be enthusiastic. Take the initiative. Make wise decisions. Be reliable. Work smart by balancing work well into your life as a whole. Make a habit of doing more than you're paid to do. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Don't listen to those who try to convince you to compromise your commitment to excellence, or your faith and morals.<br />
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Excel at being where you are. <br />
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Seize opportunities. Stop waiting for a better time or better conditions. Rely on God's power to take advantage of the opportunities He gives you. Ask yourself what problems you're facing right now, and how those problems present possibilities for you to grow. Be available for God to use whenever and however He wants. Be on the lookout for divine appointments. Conquer your fears. Ask God to give you the confidence to believe that something He has called you to will take place even when you can't yet see it. <br />
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Trust in God's wisdom even when you don't understand what He's doing in your life. Obey God even when doing so doesn't seem reasonable or won't make you popular with others. Ask God to give you the perspective to see matters over the long haul and trust Him when you can't control the outcome. Live courageously in the face of danger or difficulty. Get out of your comfort zone and take risks God calls you to take. Stick to your convictions even when they fly in the face of popular opinion. Or get you fired! Center your life on God rather than yourself. Ask God to give you the wisdom to do the right thing for the right reason, in the right way at the right time. Remember that God is faithful to keep all of His promises.<br />
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Excel with what you have. <br />
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Serve a noble cause. Let love motivate you, and let freedom be your mission. Reject apathy. Employ your passions in the service of others as God leads you. Trade mildness for wildness. Be adventurous, constantly seeking to discover more about God and act on the ideas He gives you. Spend regular time in prayer. Write out your thoughts in a journal. Think while you exercise (while your body is in motion, your brain is free to work on a subconscious level). With your character and competencies in mind, identify your calling in life. Clarify what kind of contribution you'd like to make to the world, and make decisions about how to spend your time and energy around that goal. Take the right risks. Initiate change. Eliminate as many distractions as you can. <br />
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Never quit; ask God to help you persevere. Be willing to ask for help as you do your work. Find people who will model something you need to know, but can't learn on your own. Establish relationships with a few mentors who will teach you specific skills. Build friendships with people who will motivate you. Look for people whose personalities are compatible with yours; who will respect confidentiality in your relationship; and who will be loyal, honest, merciful, and tenacious. Always turn to God - your ultimate friend - for help as well.<br />
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Excel while you can. <br />
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Realize that your time is a part of your life that you can never get back once you've spent it. Guard your time at least as carefully as you do your money. Know that wasting your time is wasting your life. Don't waste it by worrying, gossiping, nursing grudges, trying to please everyone, or living from one crisis to the next. Remember that you will have to account to God at the end of your life for how you used your time. <br />
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Think and pray about what your priorities should be, and plan your schedule around that. Focus on more than just be efficient; strive to be effective. Develop a sustainable pace in life, where you have patience and stamina. Surrender to God's motives, trust His methods, and accept His timing. Take a regular inventory of your blessings and thank God for them. Strive to finish the race of life well. <br />
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Never let go of hope, even when the future looks bleak. Pursue meaningful work and lifelong learning. Take time to rest and recharge. But never stop living life to its fullest and contributing to the world. Keep in mind the legacy that you would like to leave. Trust God to do great things in your life! I truly do.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs.PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-30010661940048955602010-03-09T21:03:00.001-08:002010-03-09T21:03:33.710-08:00The Power Within UsEphesians 3:14-21<br />
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Whatever we are facing in life, we as believers have a great advantage because the Holy Spirit is living within us. That doesn't mean we are always going to be successful in a worldly way, but it does mean that God gives us strength to accomplish the things He calls us to do.<br />
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The world's idea of success is more prosperity, more prominence, more position, and more power. But success in the eyes of God is discovering and pursuing His will through the power of His Spirit.<br />
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The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds so that we can think the way God thinks and understand more about Him. The Spirit also energizes our physical bodies. We all have faced situations where our human strength was exhausted, but inner strength kept us going so that we didn't even feel weary. That is the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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It is the Spirit of God who quickens our emotions so that we can experience love for difficult people or peace in hard circumstances. The third member of the Trinity also works in the life of the believer by enabling our will. When we have to make decisions, we can rely on Him to illumine our mind and make it possible for us to make the best choices.<br />
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The Holy Spirit releases His supernatural power in the direction that is needed at the moment - mind, body, emotion, or will. This is not a power that we can muster up, nor is it even the result of years of obeying God. The power of the Holy Spirit is God's gift to every believer.<br />
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For greater is He that is in you than is in the world!!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-54010993277656067312010-03-09T21:01:00.000-08:002010-03-09T21:01:22.101-08:00Watching God WorkEphesians 3:14-21<br />
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We have the privilege of serving a God who does abundantly more than we can imagine. Most believers go through their daily life with no real awareness that the Lord is at work. However, He is active all the time orchestrating circumstances, listening to our prayers, and working through us to serve others. You are God's creation, and He is at work in your life so that you will bring Him glory and honor.<br />
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We must learn to see God at work. To do that, we first need to observe how He worked in the lives of men and women in Scripture. It is also important to listen to what He says to our hearts. If we think God has never spoken to us, then we either have not been listening or we do not really expect an answer at all.<br />
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To listen and learn, we must have a right relationship with the Lord, confessing our sins and choosing to serve Him. We cannot see God at work if we are not prayerful people. Prayer centers our attention on Him. That focus opens us to the fact that we are loved enough to receive direction from our Father.<br />
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Often, though, we do not receive guidance according to our schedule. God often works over long periods of time, so we must practice patience. A human parent needs at least 18 years to teach a child how to function appropriately in the world. How much longer must it take God to achieve His goal of making us into whom He wants us to become?<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-88417709978909281502010-03-02T21:02:00.000-08:002010-03-02T21:02:17.060-08:00The Message in the StormPsalm 62:1-8<br />
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One of the most difficult things we are to do as believers is to "wait silently for God only." We think of waiting as passively sitting back until something happens. However, in the midst of a stormy life event, we don't want to wait. Our instinct is to react quickly and force things to change. Or we want to try and fix things ourselves immediately.<br />
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But this word "wait" means something different here - it means "pause for further instructions." Instead of passivity, we choose to stop our actions and listen for God's directive. Sometimes God is silent for a season, but He always has a purpose. He has a perfect time for us to act, and until that moment, we must wait. More strength and character are required to be still in the midst of a storm than to frantically seek our own solution. I will be giving you a perfect real life example of God's perfect timing and purpose in the form of a personal testimony this week.<br />
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I can tell you that I sometimes wait impatiently. I am nervous and question God. Or I complain. But those reactions do not fit who we are as believers. Paul tells us plainly to "be anxious for nothing" but to pray to God who offers peace. So we are to wait in silence without complaining, which means we must have patience. In order to be patient, we must trust God's wisdom, love, power, and timing. We cannot go wrong when we trust Him.<br />
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The key to peace in the storm is waiting for God only. When we refuse to wait on Him, we make bad decisions. He hears our every prayer, but we must be willing to wait in silence and listen for His reply. This is easier said than done but well worth the effort.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-39487304544127282322010-03-02T19:57:00.000-08:002010-03-02T19:57:24.226-08:00What is Worldliness?There is no simple answer to the question: What is worldliness? But I am going to let James give what I think is his very definitive answer. What is worldliness? James says that worldliness is strife and envy. We need to go back to chapter 3 to pick up his thoughts. In James 3:13 we read, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” Faith is the major in James' university, and all elective courses are related to faith. Works of faith bring meekness. Then we read, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle” (James 3:17). There is meekness or humility, and humility means submission.<br />
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In James 3:16 we read, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” That is worldliness. And worldliness in the church has produced all the cults, denominations, factions, divisions, and cliques which have arisen and abound in the church today. There is a spirit of rivalry and jealousy in the church. In the previous verse, James describes this as “earthly”-that is, it is confined to the earth. It is “sensual”-that is, psychological. And then it's “devilish” or demonic, which is something quite terrible, my friend.<br />
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What do envy and strife produce in this world? They produce “confusion and every evil work.” With this as background, we can recognize what James is saying now in chapter 4-<br />
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From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1)<br />
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“Wars” have to do with the wars of nations. “Fightings” have to do with little skirmishes-that little fight you had in the church-you remember?<br />
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“Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” You wanted to have your own way. “Lusts that war in your members” are actually sensual pleasures. Strife and turmoil are created by conflicts and the overweening demands of the members of the body for satisfaction.<br />
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Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2)<br />
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Selfish desires, James makes it very clear, lead to war. This spirit of strife is worldliness, and it is not the true beleivers approach. These are the things which represent the old nature. A man must be regenerated by faith and be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. <br />
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What James describes here is the spirit of the world. When the spirit of the world gets into the church, you have a worldly church. My friend, do you think it is bad out on the battlefield? Did you think it was bad in Vietnam? Well, it was, but inside some churches and inside the hearts of some individuals it is just as bad. In the business world there is dog-eat-dog competition-that is worldliness. Political parties split, and one group becomes pitted against another. As capital and labor meet around the conference table, there is a battle going on. In the social world there are climbers on the social ladder who are stepping on the hands of others as they go up. In your neighborhood and mine one family does not speak to another family. Within families there are quarrels, brother against brother. Then that spirit gets into the church. That, my friend, is worldliness.<br />
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Think about for a while. Food for thought?<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-71687149559263400042010-03-02T19:49:00.000-08:002010-03-02T19:49:58.690-08:00Faith Through Wins and LossesThou didst gird me with strength for the battle. . . . — II Samuel 22:40 (RSV)<br />
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God bless my seventh-grade history teacher, Mr. Black, for turning the dollar-bill figure of George Washington into flesh and blood for us. He walked him into our lives with descriptive tidbits told with dramatic flair.<br />
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We knew, for instance, that Washington had red hair covered with a powdered wig; that he had false teeth that gave him fits; that his face was scarred from smallpox; that he was a farmer ahead of his time in rotating crops; that in the French and Indian War he had two horses shot out from under him; that he was shy but learned to be sociable; that he wrestled a bad temper; that during the crushing winter of Valley Forge he knelt in the snow to pray.<br />
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And we knew that when, in the throes of victory over the British, the people were ready to crown him king—King George—he penned a hasty reply from his Mount Vernon home: “Banish the thought from your minds!” Instead, he submitted to the Constitution, and with Congress launched a republic, under God, with liberty and justice for all.<br />
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On this day, Washington is rightly honored as the father of our country, a larger-than-life figure. But, as Mr. Black would tell you, he was also a person with foibles and faults like all of us, whose virtues are not just to be admired; they’re to be imitated.<br />
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Lord, help me to have faith in You and stay the course through wins and losses.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-69714410877450143022010-03-02T19:44:00.000-08:002010-03-02T19:44:04.042-08:00The Obstacle to HumilityProverbs 6:16-19<br />
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Humility is a healthy, godly sense of our merits, talents, and achievements. In the life of the believer, one thing stands as an obstacle to humility - pride. To think of oneself above others is the exact opposite of the lowliness of mind that God calls us to demonstrate. Pride is deceitful in that we might not recognize it in our own heart. Even more dangerous is the person who can be proud on the inside and yet appear humble to others. But we cannot fool God.<br />
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Our heavenly Father hates pride because He understands its destructive power. When we are proud, what we're really saying is that we know better than God. He places pride - "haughty eyes" - at the top of the list of seven abominations. That doesn't mean that He hates the person who is prideful. God loves all of us; consequently, He despises anything that will harm us.<br />
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Pride blocks communication with God. When Jesus stood before King Herod, who had a reputation for being prideful, the Lord refused to answer the king's questions. (Luke 23:9) Likewise, we cannot come to God in pride and expect our prayers to answered. Our worthiness is not God's basis for considering our prayer requests; the fact of the matter is that we are not worthy. God instead responds to our need.<br />
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When we try to live in our own strength, we can expect God to ridicule our schemes (Psalms 2:1-5), ruin our successes (2 Chronicles 26), and remove our status (Daniel 5). He wants us to renounce our pride before we are destroyed by it.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-10319005253515597612010-03-02T19:39:00.000-08:002010-03-02T19:39:34.829-08:00Humility in the Life of the BelieverMatthew 11:28-30<br />
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Jesus lived his earthly days with a humble spirit, and He taught us to demonstrate humility as well. In the kingdom of God, those who become like little children are honored (Matthew 18:4); the one who wants to be first must take last place (Mark 9:35); and servanthood is a mark of prominence in God's eyes. (Matthew 23:11) With His teachings, Jesus turned the world's definition of greatness upside down. In heaven, meekness is an attribute of great honor.<br />
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Humility does not automatically come to those who have few material belongings or to those who give their possessions away. The rich can be unassuming people, just as the poor can be proud. Success does not have to lead to pride, nor does defeat automatically mean humbleness. What determines humility is attitude. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves on earth will be exalted by their heavenly Father. However, He warns that those who put themselves first will find themselves opposed by God. (James 4:6)<br />
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As we recognize that we can do nothing of value apart from the Lord, we will have started on the road to meekness. When we lay down all our plans and instead accept God's, we will be leaving behind our proud selves. If we are misunderstood or treated unfairly, but stay where we are until God tells us to speak or move, then we will have begun to live the humble life.<br />
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Certain individuals have asked me why I stayed in places where I was mistreated and unappreciated. I have thought a lot about this question in recent weeks since my separation from my most recent employer. And I believe that God told me to speak when I stood up for what I believed was right with them. As a result He enabled me to move on. Yes, God does indeed work in mysterious ways. It was not pleasant the way things happened, but it truly was a blessing in disguise. So to answer this question I would have to say that I stayed where I was until God told me to speak and move. During that working year I prayed for that family and business day and night. At times I even shared my written daily messages with them. Some of which I know the Lord inspired for them.<br />
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The Lord offers to be our Master Teacher so we might learn the godly lessons of humility. Will you let Him serve you in this way?<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-34789185792494752522010-03-02T19:33:00.000-08:002010-03-02T19:33:50.476-08:00God's Motives2 Samuel 22:20 <br />
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He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. <br />
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Questioning someone's motives for their activities can become an overriding response to those to whom we relate. Wrong motives can result in broken relationships, poor business decisions, and falling out of God's will. Sometimes we do not know the motive of another person. It is wrong for us to assume what their motive is until we have confidence that we know their intentions. When we respond or react prematurely, we become judge and jury over them. <br />
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God has a motive for every one of His children. His desire is to bring us into a spacious place. He wants us to go beyond our borders of safety and security so that we might experience life at a level that goes beyond ourselves. What do you think of when you think of a "spacious place"? No limitations? A large, grassy field? Open air? These are positive images. Sometimes these spacious places encourage us to step out in faith into areas where we've never ventured. Sometimes we need to be rescued by the Lord. When Peter walked on the water, God was inviting him to a spacious place. He went beyond the borders of his boat and ventured into a whole new world. He didn't have complete success in his venturing out, but it was a process that would lead him to the next victory in his faith walk with Jesus. Sometimes failure is what is needed in order to move us to the next level of faith with God. However, we must be willing to fail and let God rescue us. <br />
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The Lord delights in this process. His motive for His children is always love. It is always to bring us to a new level of trust and dependence on Him.<br />
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Thank you God that you rescued me from my past failures and brought me into victory in next level of faith in You!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-29537115083529008142010-02-25T19:16:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:16:32.177-08:00God's Plan for Your Stress ReliefI am amazed at how many of the people I meet each week are truly stressed out. I am convinced that the time in which we live is more tumultuous than any generation before us.<br />
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From the constant low voltage stress of everyday living, to the occasional unavoidable crisis, you and I live in a pressure cooker world. The constant crush of demands on every side has the potential of robbing us of our joy and energy. <br />
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All of which leads to horrible consequences – emotional breakdowns, tension in our marriages, physical ailments, and a myriad of psychological disorders.<br />
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For millions of Americans it has gotten so bad that they make it a regular habit to go to a therapist. Through that process they are seeking peace and relief from the stress that is ruling their lives.<br />
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Well, I go to a therapist too. Yes, you read that right. I talk to my therapist every day — many times in fact. And what is great is, he is always available and through my sessions with him, I have been empowered to live with greater peace and joy than I could have imagined possible.<br />
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My therapist's name is God. And He wants to be your therapist too.<br />
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How? Through prayer. In fact, He has made it clear in His Word that He wants you and me to pray so we can experience the peace that can only come from Him. To be released from the stress that so easily depresses us and destroys the joy of life.<br />
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Take a look at Philippians 4:6-7. The promise of this verse is just awesome! “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.”<br />
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There is a critical truth I want you to lock onto from this passage. If you do, it can revolutionize your life.<br />
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That truth is this: God has designed prayer as a stress reliever for your life. Read those verses again. God wants us to understand that prayer is not just about asking Him for things, but to unburden our hearts before Him. In fact, you will notice in these verses that there is no promise to answer your requests (though it is certainly implied), but there is a promise to grant you peace - His all-powerful peace - if you will talk to Him about your problems.<br />
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Not long ago I had a day when I got really bad news on three fronts. Not one or two, but three. It seemed devastating at first, but I remember deliberately going out and immediately talking to God. I unburdened my heart, told Him how I felt, then made my request about the situation.<br />
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And you know what? While nothing about my circumstances or problems changed immediately, I felt great. I will never forget, I slept well that night surrounded by God's peace!<br />
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I don't think it is an accident that you are reading this right now. You may be so filled with anxiety and stress that you are working on an ulcer. Perhaps you can't remember the last time you had a good night's sleep.<br />
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Whatever it is that has hold of your life and is stressing you out today, let me encourage you to go to God. Unburden your heart. Put your requests before Him - and leave them there! You will find He is the greatest therapist in the world. And you will experience peace that goes far beyond any human comprehension.<br />
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I have more I would like to share with you on how prayer can impact your life-and some simple steps to truly effective prayer. And I will be sharing those steps with you in future messages. Also please write me and let me know how I can pray for you.<br />
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Are you feeling the stress of life today? Take time to unburden your heart before the Lord. Make Him your therapist... He is a great listener!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416921721350189238.post-43382962398615546042010-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:11:17.639-08:00Developing a Sacred Conscience - Our God given "Warning System"1 Corinthians 2:10-16<br />
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God has given you a conscience for your protection. To develop and trust that "warning system," you must be committed to take action.<br />
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Apply the Word of God to daily living. As you learn and put into practice "the perfect law that gives freedom" (James 1:25), your conscience will grow stronger because you know God's heart better. Your spiritual instincts will become sharper regarding what pleases Him.<br />
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Arrive at decisions through prayer. Instead of choosing something merely because it looks, sounds, or feels good, bring every issue and decision before the Lord in prayer.<br />
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Agree to obey God. When you strongly desire to do things the Lord's way, you will consistently ask, What does God want me to do? This practice will enable you to discern and follow the Holy Spirit's lead.<br />
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Acquire a deeper sensitivity to the Spirit's conviction. We are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1), so we must recognize the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and condemnation from the Enemy. The Spirit always shows us exactly what needs repentance-He doesn't give us a sense of vague guilt. His conviction has the purpose of turning us back to Him.<br />
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Abandon yourself to the perfect will of God. If you recommit daily to be a "living sacrifice" for God alone, your inner compass will follow that commitment and steer you toward the Lord. As you refuse to conform to this world's pattern and renew your thinking according to the mind of Christ, you will be able to "test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).<br />
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My Prayer to God I share with you: (an example of prayer language)<br />
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Lord, I pray You will fill me with the “knowledge of [Your] will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9). Help me to walk in a worthy manner, fully pleasing to You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Your ways. Guide my every step. Lead me “in Your righteousness” and “make Your way straight before my face” (Psalm 5:8). As I draw close and walk in intimate relationship with You each day, I pray You will get me where I need to go.<br />
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Even as Jesus said, “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42), so I say to You, not my will but Your will be done in my life. “I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8). You are more important to me than anything. Your will is more important to me than my desires. I want to live as Your servant, doing You will from my heart (Ephesians 6:6).<br />
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Lord, align my heart with Yours. Help me to hear Your voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” If I am doing anything outside of Your will, show me. Speak to me from Your Word so that I will have understanding. Show me any area of my life where I am not right on target. If there is something I should be doing, reveal it to me so that I can correct my course. I want to do only what You want me to do.<br />
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Lord, I know we are not to direct our own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). So I pray You would direct my steps. Only You know the way I should go. I don’t want to get off the path You want me to walk on and end up in the wrong place. I want to move into all You have for me and become all You made me to be by walking in Your perfect will for my life now….Amen<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Mrs. PLady Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124191637729766842noreply@blogger.com0