Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (3)

[SunMessenger]

Beautifully Said , Amen.

God Bless

 

[OrchidAngel]

Psalm 33 1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [a] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

~Angel


​

 

[SunMessenger]

Blessings and Hugs !

Sun

 

[cristianna]

When God Says No, Keep Asking
By Sharon Glasgow


“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7,8 (NKJV)


Devotion:
Many times we pray and don’t get the answers we want in the time we think it should have been answered. Have you given up on God? Don’t! Let’s look at what God says about praying.

Are you willing to surrender your will for God’s will at all cost? That means you give in to your own idea of how things should be and trust God for how He will answer.

What does God’s Word say about the issue you are praying about? God’s Word is living and powerful and discerns our hearts and motives. While reading it and looking for God’s answer to your prayer, you will know if your prayer is according to God’s will.

Also, ask the Holy Spirit to give you His supernatural leading as to how to pray for your need. He will do that for us - He desperately wants us to ask that of Him.

If you have done these things and your heart is right before God, let the pleading begin!

There is a Canaanite woman in the Bible who wouldn’t take the answer “no” from Jesus. She came to Him and asked that her daughter be freed of demon possession. He didn’t answer her. Many would have left him at that point. She didn’t leave, however. Instead she worshipped Him and pleaded again, “Lord, help me!” He again discouraged her. His disciples wanted to send her away, but she did not give up! She knew with all her heart that Jesus could do anything.

Finally Jesus said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed that very hour.

God wants to answer your prayer. Do you have faith like the Canaanite woman? Go before the throne of God with a holy boldness and do not be afraid to trust Him. He loves to give good gifts to those who ask. Just trust His timing, for it is always perfect. He may answer you as you want today, or it may take years for you to see the fruit of your begging. Keep on asking and keep on knocking and you will receive your answer.

When God appears to say “no,” He isn’t always meaning “no.” Will you be like Jacob and wrestle with God in prayer for your blessing? Jacob wouldn’t let God go unless God blessed him. He preferred that his bones be broken in the fight than to not get his answer to prayer. Jacob received his blessing because he was fervent and not wavering in his faith and pursuit of God.


Dear Lord, Please give me Your wisdom and Your guidance as I lay my request before You. Help me not to be led by selfish desires but only by your Holy Spirit in me. Help me to discern Your will so that I may pray with all boldness In Jesus’ name Amen


Reflections:
You need to believe that God will answer your prayer. Faith is required for answered prayer. Matthew 9:29

If you lack faith ask God to help your unbelief like the father in Mark 9:23-24. The father said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus did answer the man’s prayer. He just needed to ask.

Have you fasted with your praying? Acts 10:30

Have you prayed with two or more people? Matthew 18:19,20


Power Verses:
Matthew 15:22-28, “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon possessed.’ But He answered her not a word. And his disciples came and urged Him saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Then she came and worshipped Him, saying ‘Lord, help me!’ But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (NKJV)

James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your own pleasures. “(NKJV)

 

[woman.at.the.well]

just stopping by to say hello and keep currently subscribed to this thread. hopefully i will be able to stop by tomorrow and get back on track posting o.d.b. devotionals so cristianna doesn't have to do it! have an awesome week everyone!

 

[cristianna]

just stopping by to say hello and keep currently subscribed to this thread. hopefully i will be able to stop by tomorrow and get back on track posting o.d.b. devotionals so cristianna doesn't have to do it! have an awesome week everyone!

It's great to see you! When you have time feel free to jump right back in! I've missed seeing you around, but I think everyone has been incredibly busy lately.

 

[FireyAngel]

Oh my....this is deep....in a good way. Wow....all I can say is wow...

 

[cristianna]

Reflections:
You need to believe that God will answer your prayer. Faith is required for answered prayer. Matthew 9:29

If you lack faith ask God to help your unbelief like the father in Mark 9:23-24. The father said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus did answer the man’s prayer. He just needed to ask.

Have you fasted with your praying? Acts 10:30

Have you prayed with two or more people? Matthew 18:19,20

I do fully believe God answers ALL prayers. I know firsthand sometimes it seems my words are falling on deaf ears. Mainly that's when I'm asking for a "quick fix". The ones I have a real problem with are the ones that require crawling before walking. Right now there are two that are very heavy on my heart and mind. I do not stress over them, but I do have to fight the urge to not get upset that they are taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But these are definitely "crawling before walking" answers I'm looking for. It's the unknown, it's the anticipation, and it's the waiting that can drive me stir-crazy if I allow it to. And at times, it's very difficult to contain that.

Yes, I have fasted for prayers before. But no, I really don't believe I've prayed with two or more. Of course my daughters and I have prayed together-- for fun things: snow, encouragement when they were worried, etc. But I think I can say no to "big ones". I really don't have anyone to pray with, so I've always sent emails or pm's asking for prayer.

 

[FireyAngel]

Have you ever agreed in prayer with someone on a prayer thread here? Then you have prayed in concert with 2 or more. Technology has given us the ability to do that. God is amazing.

 

[cristianna]

Have you ever agreed in prayer with someone on a prayer thread here? Then you have prayed in concert with 2 or more. Technology has given us the ability to do that. God is amazing.

That is an excellent point! Thanks!

 

[JPPT1974]

We need to pray to make it
Through our days as well as
Make it through the thing called life.

 

[wolfman544]

That is a good one, I must agree with the wow statement

 

[Maharg]

Good reflections on prayer. Sometimes it is hard to trust God and let Him be in control, but when we do, he gives us so much more than we could ever achieve on our own. Praise be to God!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

September 11, 2007
Lead Them To The Cross

ODB RADIO:
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25​

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14

Many heart-touching stories were circulated after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. None seems more spiritually significant than that of ironworker Frank Silecchia. As he was helping to recover bodies, Frank noticed two steel beams in the shape of a cross standing upright in the middle of all the debris.
Appointing himself as the curator of that striking symbol of God’s love, he often took heartbroken visitors to see it. Many of them were comforted by the silent testimony to the divine Presence in the worst of tragedies. One day when journalist Barbara Walters came with tearful friends who had lost a son in the catastrophe, Frank simply led them to the cross.
The answer to the world’s terrible pain and evil is not a philosophical argument or a theological treatise. The all-sufficient answer is Calvary’s cross, where in fathomless grace Jesus, the incarnate God, took upon Himself the burden of our sins and bore them “in His own body on the tree, that we . . . might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).
If you have not been led to Calvary’s cross, let me take you there. He died for you and then rose again. Believe in Him and you will be saved (1 Cor. 1:21). —Vernon C Grounds
They are nailed to the cross, they are nailed to the cross!
O how much He was willing to bear.
With what anguish and loss, Jesus went to the cross,
But He carried my sins with Him there. —Breck

The pathway to heaven begins at the foot of the cross.​

 

[cristianna]

Just wonderful woman.at.the.well! And very fitting for those of us in the USA today.

 

[cristianna]

We All Fall Down
By Van Walton

“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life…” Proverbs11:30 (NLT)

Devotion:
While walking through my neighborhood following a strong summer storm, I noticed a “dent” in the landscape. Upon closer investigation I realize that one large tree had succumbed to winds of the storm. Down it went, taking several other trees down with it.

Pondering nature’s lesson, I thought about the winds that blow through our lives. I thought about how the strong stand tall and the weak fall. I flashed back to times when I’ve experienced the storms of life. I looked at that big tree and thought, “It wasn’t enough that you fell. You took others down with you.” Unfortunately, the choices we make don’t just affect us. From our decisions flow consequences that not only destroy our lives but also those in our realm of influence.

When I taught high school, I had many opportunities to listen and comment. My students bragged about their off campus, weekend activities. They thought they were having fun. Most often they were. But as in the case of most kids, their fun spilled over into unreasonable practices. When I questioned the wisdom of their choices, they inevitably replied. “Oh it’s just me. It’s not like it’s going to affect anyone else!”

WRONG!

I stole money from my mother to treat my classmates at the concession stand. When the teacher thanked my mom for her generosity, she was shocked. She had not given me money for class treats! Not only did I “fall” in the eyes of my teacher, I took my mother’s esteem as a parent down.

My son played a prank while all his friends watched. When confronted, no one confessed. They all suffered the consequences together.

A cell phone rang during a team meeting. All players lost phone privileges

A group of boys decided to spend the night at a friend’s apartment. They drank alcohol late into the night. The next morning while driving home, sirens and flashing lights pulled up behind the speeding car. The still intoxicated driver was handcuffed and taken to jail. His abandoned passengers, meanwhile, were taken down too with no way home. This is not the end of the story. One of the boys’ mothers listened to her phone messages and incredulously heard a police officer on the other end taking about the incident. With a broken heart she broke the news to her husband. Two more fell.

Thankfully, no one had died. But I remember other times kids made decisions that resulted in death.

A bonfire on a summer night can be loads of fun. Add alcohol and it becomes dangerous. Throw in a jeep, a quick run to the store and the result is deadly. That is exactly what happened a few blocks from my house. A decision not only killed a budding young adult, but it also took down the driver by terminating his career in the Air Force. It took down a mother who lost her son. It took down a group of kids who lost their reputations and credibility. It took down a community that became polarized. It took down relationships when trust was lost. It took down individuals’ character, as cynicism and doubt crept in.

Winds blow. Storms gather. A tree sways. Roots rip. Down it goes. It never falls without damaging the landscape around it. On the other hand, a strong tree that stands upright is a blessing to the entire community.


Dear Father, You know how many times I have fallen, taking others down with me. Thank You for this illustration. Remind me when I make decisions that I will not experience the consequences alone. I do not want others to suffer because of the choices I have made. Thank You for Your faithfulness, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Reflections:
Role play with your children... ask them to sit, face you, and pretend that (s)he had to deliver bad news. Then ask how they would feel if they had to report a theft or cheating. Could they face you if they had to confess to a crime, having developed a sexually transmitted disease, or an out-of-wedlock pregnancy?

When have your actions or poor choices taken another person down?

Have you asked theirs and God’s forgiveness for that?

How can we stand upright and strong? The power verses below can help.


Power Verses:
Joshua 1:7, “Be strong and very courageous…careful to obey all the instructions…Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.” (NLT)

Psalm 1:1-3, “Oh, the joys of those who … delight in the law of the Lord…they are like trees planted along the riverbank…” (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 2:15, “…stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you…” (NLT)

 

[cristianna]

Reflections:
Role play with your children... ask them to sit, face you, and pretend that (s)he had to deliver bad news. Then ask how they would feel if they had to report a theft or cheating. Could they face you if they had to confess to a crime, having developed a sexually transmitted disease, or an out-of-wedlock pregnancy?

When have your actions or poor choices taken another person down?

Have you asked theirs and God’s forgiveness for that?

How can we stand upright and strong? The power verses below can help.

Unfortunately I have a very recent action in which I have yet to determine who and how many will fall as a result of my sharp tongue. In the heat of the moment during a conversation with my somewhat believing husband I made a very harsh comment about being unequally yoked. At this time I do not know what the outcome will be. I pray it's a motivating force and not a wedge that will eventually come between us.

I have not discussed this with him since. Partly due to fear that he has taken what I've said to heart. But I have prayed to God asking Him to forgive me for what I said during my time of frustration and weakness, forgive me for not asking Him to guide the conversation and to please remove myself and my desire to remedy it "myself" so He may. Oh yes, and patience too. lol

I know how to stand strong and upright, and I know it's best I lead by example and not being "preachy". Normally that is what I do, but boy was/am I growing weary and weak in this. I really don't think there's anything worse than knowing what you should do, but failing to keep that course.

 

[jenrenee]

This reminds me of high school - back when a friend of mine went through something awful. She confided in me after her parents had taken legal action. She didn't ask me not to say anything, but I should have respected her privacy. Instead, I told my bf about it - who is now my husband. I asked him to keep it to himself, which you know how that goes in high school. Anyway, he said something to the wrong person - and in the end, my friend was hurt even more. I deeply regretted saying anything at all - and wish I had kept it to myself. After all, it had nothing to do with me - and she felt that she trusted me enough to confide in me. I graduated shortly after - but she was a few years younger. On graduation day, I bought her a card and wrote an apology to her. She came up to me and gave me a hug and said everything was okay. We remain friends - but not as close as we use to.

 

[IamProLife]

I would like to join this club.

 

[FireyAngel]

“It wasn’t enough that you fell. You took others down with you.” Unfortunately, the choices we make don’t just affect us. From our decisions flow consequences that not only destroy our lives but also those in our realm of influence.




So true....just like one drop in a pond can cause ripples out that make other things happen, one action from us can do the same thing. One harsh word can be a ripple in a relationship that ripples into a job, into another person, another life...etc. It's a very good reminder of one action and the reaction it can cause.