soblessed53
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Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
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soblessed53
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[font=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]the Missing Miracle
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the tax? 25 He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others? 26 And when he said, From others, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself. Matthew 17:24-27 [/font]
[font=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Jesus is in retreat once more, gathering strength for the final confrontation in Jerusalem. He has come to Peters house in Capernaum, which almost certainly was the only home he ever knew outside of Nazareth. Theyve been on the road engaged in ministry and have returned home exhausted again.
Oddly enough, Matthew is the only Gospel writer to record the story of the tax collectors confronting Peter, inquiring as to whether or not his master pays the temple tax. Rabbis were supposed to be exempt from this tax. The very fact that they have come asking Jesus to pay indicates that his position in the community has almost completely eroded.
It is Jesus who speaks first when Peter comes in the door to inquire about the tax. Given Jesus statement the sons are free, it would appear that they will not pay. Jesus is the Son, and not subject to any tax.
But then he concludes with something remarkable, something so unlike him. [We do not want] to give offense to them. Since when does Jesus not want to offend these people? From the beginning, he has gone out of his way to confront them. But now it appears that things are different. Theres not much time left for them to simply be together as friends. So Jesus enacts one of his most un-miraculous miracles, a miracle so un-miraculous that Matthew doesnt even bother to record the fulfillment of it.
Look as closely as you like, it simply isnt there. We are left to assume that everything happened just as Jesus said it would.
Matthew chose for some unknown reason to leave out the real reason for the strange story of the coin in the fishs mouth. I think its this: Knowing that the least indiscretion would only mean more conflict for the both of them, Jesus chose to exercise his awesome and unlimited power to make a coin appear out of nowhere to pay the fee that was required. All this, so that he and his friend might share an uninterrupted evening of fellowship, for in a few days one of them would be leaving that placenever to return. Michael Card michaelcard.com
seeking: Jesus, how have you encouraged my heart during these quiet moments? What fellowship have we shared?
responding: Can I understand now how miraculous it was that Jesus wanted simply to spend time with his friend Peter? Do I see any parallels in the story to my own life?
Master, I come to you now in tiredness. You know what being exhausted feels like. All I ask is that you take my weariness and turn it into peace. Perhaps no one will ever record the miracle of it, Lord, but nonetheless I ask this of you so that we might spend a few moments together in blessed, refreshing silence.
following: Sometimes peace and quiet is a miracle from Jesus. [/font]
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the tax? 25 He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others? 26 And when he said, From others, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself. Matthew 17:24-27 [/font]
[font=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Jesus is in retreat once more, gathering strength for the final confrontation in Jerusalem. He has come to Peters house in Capernaum, which almost certainly was the only home he ever knew outside of Nazareth. Theyve been on the road engaged in ministry and have returned home exhausted again.
Oddly enough, Matthew is the only Gospel writer to record the story of the tax collectors confronting Peter, inquiring as to whether or not his master pays the temple tax. Rabbis were supposed to be exempt from this tax. The very fact that they have come asking Jesus to pay indicates that his position in the community has almost completely eroded.
It is Jesus who speaks first when Peter comes in the door to inquire about the tax. Given Jesus statement the sons are free, it would appear that they will not pay. Jesus is the Son, and not subject to any tax.
But then he concludes with something remarkable, something so unlike him. [We do not want] to give offense to them. Since when does Jesus not want to offend these people? From the beginning, he has gone out of his way to confront them. But now it appears that things are different. Theres not much time left for them to simply be together as friends. So Jesus enacts one of his most un-miraculous miracles, a miracle so un-miraculous that Matthew doesnt even bother to record the fulfillment of it.
Look as closely as you like, it simply isnt there. We are left to assume that everything happened just as Jesus said it would.
Matthew chose for some unknown reason to leave out the real reason for the strange story of the coin in the fishs mouth. I think its this: Knowing that the least indiscretion would only mean more conflict for the both of them, Jesus chose to exercise his awesome and unlimited power to make a coin appear out of nowhere to pay the fee that was required. All this, so that he and his friend might share an uninterrupted evening of fellowship, for in a few days one of them would be leaving that placenever to return. Michael Card michaelcard.com
seeking: Jesus, how have you encouraged my heart during these quiet moments? What fellowship have we shared?
responding: Can I understand now how miraculous it was that Jesus wanted simply to spend time with his friend Peter? Do I see any parallels in the story to my own life?
Master, I come to you now in tiredness. You know what being exhausted feels like. All I ask is that you take my weariness and turn it into peace. Perhaps no one will ever record the miracle of it, Lord, but nonetheless I ask this of you so that we might spend a few moments together in blessed, refreshing silence.
following: Sometimes peace and quiet is a miracle from Jesus. [/font]
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barb754
Believer
God Won't Ask
God won't ask what kind of car you drive, But will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house, But will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, But will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.
God won't ask about your social status,
But will ask what kind of class you displayed.
God won't ask how many material possessions you had, But will ask if they dictated your life.
God won't ask what your highest salary was, But will ask if you compromised your character to
obtain that salary.
God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.
God won't ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.
God won't ask what your job title was, But will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.
God won't ask how many friends you had, But will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.
God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character,
God won't ask how many times your words matched your deeds, But will ask how many times they didn't.
God won't ask what kind of car you drive, But will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house, But will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, But will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.
God won't ask about your social status,
But will ask what kind of class you displayed.
God won't ask how many material possessions you had, But will ask if they dictated your life.
God won't ask what your highest salary was, But will ask if you compromised your character to
obtain that salary.
God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.
God won't ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.
God won't ask what your job title was, But will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.
God won't ask how many friends you had, But will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.
God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character,
God won't ask how many times your words matched your deeds, But will ask how many times they didn't.
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barb754
Believer
A Short Message From Jesus
I love you, you are mine, Your name is written upon my heart.
Your prayers are precious to me. Your life is in my hands. I am always with you, nearer to you than your own heart.
I gave my life so that you may live forever with me. All I ask for is your love.
Isaiah 43:4
You are precious to me and honored, and I love you.
I love you, you are mine, Your name is written upon my heart.
Your prayers are precious to me. Your life is in my hands. I am always with you, nearer to you than your own heart.
I gave my life so that you may live forever with me. All I ask for is your love.
Isaiah 43:4
You are precious to me and honored, and I love you.
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Devotions for me often means God using multiple examples, spelling it out, convicting my heart, showing me in the Word, and then letting me suffer the consequences of ignoring all of these things, breaking me, then blessing me. Lately, my devotional lesson has been the use of my time and the balance between being blessed and being a blessing.
I'm sure a lot of you have felt at times how I have felt for seasons of my life-that some people get such neat opportunities to minister to people while others, who seem very ready, even very useful, simply don't. But God has been teaching me there is a season for everything and when we aren't able to minister to others, I believe God is using that time to try to minister to us, to convict us, to bless us, to overwhelm us with His constant love and form for us a joyful heart, one bubbling over with thanksgiving. Both seasons are essential for our growth. I've fought being ministered to much, anxious only to help others, but I too belong to the Lord and I too must submit to the stillness, the moments in time where it seems He has held me idle and I am rendered useless.
"Be still and know that I am God." I hear this in a new way. Now, one of the things it means is: Sit quietly and listen to me, spend time with me and allow yourself to enjoy my presence, to rest in me, to be renewed, restored. Rest and let me water you and soothe you and wash your feet and serenade you with songs of my love. Let me hold your hand that can be so busied in service, stay here awhile at my feet and I will set you, dear child, on my lap and hold you close to me. Resting in Him is such an artform, it seems. Just when we think we are surrendered in all areas, in every aspect of our lives, we are gravely wrong. There is more yet that has been left unsaid, more that we hold back with full knowledge or unwittingly. The things of this world seem to be of such grave importance so constantly, we so easily submit to its harping on our thoughts, its misguiding "urgencies." How much do we accomplish each day that is urgent but not important? In reading The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, I was forced to examine my daily stewardship of time. So often, I've thought there aren't enough hours in the day, but that would mean God hadn't created enough time in the day. In truth, it was my organization, my distribution of time which was lacking.
The four uses of time in that book are as follows:
Urgent, not important
Not urgent, not important
Urgent, important
Not urgent, important
How many unimportant things do we need to forgo and how many important things, preventative things, do we need to incorporate which don't catch our attention because they are not urgent? I've been asking myself this much lately and examining the different roles my God has put me in, seeking to manage each as efficiently as any employer overseeing a servant, a daughter, a sister, a student, a church bodypart, a friend, and a worker. I would encourage the Body to do the same. It is easy to allow ourselves to become overworked and overwhelmed, but I see nowhere in Scripture where it is said this is what God wants for His children. We need to allow time for service on our knees, for ministry to those in need, for family support, for work and play, for activity and rest. I've been immensely blessed since forming a schedule which allowed for time to work on and prepare for things He's really pressed on my heart and goals which are part of my ministry.
May we all make plans strong against the enemy's distractions, and flexible to God's hand opening opportunities and cutting off others.
May it be all to the glory of our Lord and Saviour.
God bless you in service and bless you in rest.
I'm sure a lot of you have felt at times how I have felt for seasons of my life-that some people get such neat opportunities to minister to people while others, who seem very ready, even very useful, simply don't. But God has been teaching me there is a season for everything and when we aren't able to minister to others, I believe God is using that time to try to minister to us, to convict us, to bless us, to overwhelm us with His constant love and form for us a joyful heart, one bubbling over with thanksgiving. Both seasons are essential for our growth. I've fought being ministered to much, anxious only to help others, but I too belong to the Lord and I too must submit to the stillness, the moments in time where it seems He has held me idle and I am rendered useless.
"Be still and know that I am God." I hear this in a new way. Now, one of the things it means is: Sit quietly and listen to me, spend time with me and allow yourself to enjoy my presence, to rest in me, to be renewed, restored. Rest and let me water you and soothe you and wash your feet and serenade you with songs of my love. Let me hold your hand that can be so busied in service, stay here awhile at my feet and I will set you, dear child, on my lap and hold you close to me. Resting in Him is such an artform, it seems. Just when we think we are surrendered in all areas, in every aspect of our lives, we are gravely wrong. There is more yet that has been left unsaid, more that we hold back with full knowledge or unwittingly. The things of this world seem to be of such grave importance so constantly, we so easily submit to its harping on our thoughts, its misguiding "urgencies." How much do we accomplish each day that is urgent but not important? In reading The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, I was forced to examine my daily stewardship of time. So often, I've thought there aren't enough hours in the day, but that would mean God hadn't created enough time in the day. In truth, it was my organization, my distribution of time which was lacking.
The four uses of time in that book are as follows:
Urgent, not important
Not urgent, not important
Urgent, important
Not urgent, important
How many unimportant things do we need to forgo and how many important things, preventative things, do we need to incorporate which don't catch our attention because they are not urgent? I've been asking myself this much lately and examining the different roles my God has put me in, seeking to manage each as efficiently as any employer overseeing a servant, a daughter, a sister, a student, a church bodypart, a friend, and a worker. I would encourage the Body to do the same. It is easy to allow ourselves to become overworked and overwhelmed, but I see nowhere in Scripture where it is said this is what God wants for His children. We need to allow time for service on our knees, for ministry to those in need, for family support, for work and play, for activity and rest. I've been immensely blessed since forming a schedule which allowed for time to work on and prepare for things He's really pressed on my heart and goals which are part of my ministry.
May we all make plans strong against the enemy's distractions, and flexible to God's hand opening opportunities and cutting off others.
May it be all to the glory of our Lord and Saviour.
God bless you in service and bless you in rest.
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barb754
Believer
What If?
What if, GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if, we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the Rain?
What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if, GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
What if, GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if, GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.
What if, the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if, GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if, GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?
What if, GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if, GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives??? What if, We failed to live this message ??
What if, GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if, we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the Rain?
What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if, GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
What if, GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if, GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.
What if, the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if, GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if, GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?
What if, GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if, GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives??? What if, We failed to live this message ??
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soblessed53
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Been rejected by your family?"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark 3:35 NAS Listen: "His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him ... 'Behold Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.' Answering them, He said ... 'whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.'"
Have you experienced the pain of being rejected by your family? Jesus did! And it's crushing. It shakes you to your roots. Jesus' family completely misjudged Him. On top of that, they attempted to mishandle Him. Realising their failure to understand His life's purpose, Jesus continued to love and respect them, but He refused to go out to them. His higher priority was those who'd gathered to hear what He had to say and receive what He had to bring.
Taking up your cross and following Jesus often involves misunderstanding and rejection by your own. If that's where you are today, why don't you pray this prayer: "Father, bring me to the place where I can live as Your Son lived, facing head-on those who misunderstand me, hearing their words and feeling the sting of their accusations, yet learning to live above them. Help me to understand and to forgive, especially the one whose life is being consumed by resentment and crippled by fear. Bring me full circle to the place of peace, so that no matter who may misunderstand me I'm able to go on, like Your Son went on, all the way to the cross, the resurrection, and the prize. In Christ's name, Amen."
Our most kind and gracious Heavenly Father thank you so much for your love that is so beyond man's comprehension. Thank you for making me a "joint heir" with your son Jesus,that not only is He my "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords", the "Saver of my Soul", but He is my brother, and I may call you Abba. I Love you Father and I thank you in the most powerful,precious,holy name of Jesus,Amen.
Mark 3:35 NAS Listen: "His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him ... 'Behold Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.' Answering them, He said ... 'whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.'"
Have you experienced the pain of being rejected by your family? Jesus did! And it's crushing. It shakes you to your roots. Jesus' family completely misjudged Him. On top of that, they attempted to mishandle Him. Realising their failure to understand His life's purpose, Jesus continued to love and respect them, but He refused to go out to them. His higher priority was those who'd gathered to hear what He had to say and receive what He had to bring.
Taking up your cross and following Jesus often involves misunderstanding and rejection by your own. If that's where you are today, why don't you pray this prayer: "Father, bring me to the place where I can live as Your Son lived, facing head-on those who misunderstand me, hearing their words and feeling the sting of their accusations, yet learning to live above them. Help me to understand and to forgive, especially the one whose life is being consumed by resentment and crippled by fear. Bring me full circle to the place of peace, so that no matter who may misunderstand me I'm able to go on, like Your Son went on, all the way to the cross, the resurrection, and the prize. In Christ's name, Amen."
Our most kind and gracious Heavenly Father thank you so much for your love that is so beyond man's comprehension. Thank you for making me a "joint heir" with your son Jesus,that not only is He my "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords", the "Saver of my Soul", but He is my brother, and I may call you Abba. I Love you Father and I thank you in the most powerful,precious,holy name of Jesus,Amen.
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soblessed53
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Pay attention
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4
The Christian life is not a destinationits a journey. While it began at the moment you came to the cross for forgiveness, it most certainly doesnt stop there. Are you moving ahead into all the great things God has for you?
One of the primary messages of the book of Hebrews is, Keep updont fall behind. The author repeatedly warned followers of Jesus to keep their relationship with God current, not to let their hearts get hard, cold, or calloused to the things of Jesus. Were told to press on to whats ahead. We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1).
When you received Jesus as your Savior, you made some promises to God. How are you doing with them? Dont drift away from the most important thing in your life. Here are some penetrating questions to help you keep your relationship with God moving ahead:
Does my life give evidence that Ive been truly redeemed by the Son of God?
Does my faith endure in hard times as well as good times?
Does my life reflect a growing pattern of righteousness?
Do I have an increasing hunger for Gods Word and a passion for Gods kingdom?
Is my love increasing for God and his people?
You may be thinking, I dont want to drift away. What can I do? Again, your answer is in verse 1: Therefore we must pay much closer attention. What a great wake-up call! Pay attentionthis matters! If you think you might be drifting away a little bitcome back. If youve been caught up in other things and have lost sight of your primary purposecome back to the Lord.
I urge you to stay on course. Whether its been several days or weeks since you knelt in humility before the Lord, get on your knees right now. Open your heart before him. Review the five questions. Ask the Lord to show you the areas in your life that need a fresh touch from him and a recommitment from you. James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, what have you revealed about my relationship with you in the past few minutes? How have you encouraged me to keep going in my faith?
responding: Which of the five questions most need my attention? What was the condition of my faith a year ago? Where am I today? In what area do I want to grow this week?
Father, thank you for the opportunity to have my life shaped and changed by your Spirit. Please quicken fresh love, passion, and fervency in me so that I wont drift away from all that is mine in Jesus. Renew and revive my heart in passionate commitment to you.
following: Pay attention to what God is doing in your life.
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4
The Christian life is not a destinationits a journey. While it began at the moment you came to the cross for forgiveness, it most certainly doesnt stop there. Are you moving ahead into all the great things God has for you?
One of the primary messages of the book of Hebrews is, Keep updont fall behind. The author repeatedly warned followers of Jesus to keep their relationship with God current, not to let their hearts get hard, cold, or calloused to the things of Jesus. Were told to press on to whats ahead. We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1).
When you received Jesus as your Savior, you made some promises to God. How are you doing with them? Dont drift away from the most important thing in your life. Here are some penetrating questions to help you keep your relationship with God moving ahead:
Does my life give evidence that Ive been truly redeemed by the Son of God?
Does my faith endure in hard times as well as good times?
Does my life reflect a growing pattern of righteousness?
Do I have an increasing hunger for Gods Word and a passion for Gods kingdom?
Is my love increasing for God and his people?
You may be thinking, I dont want to drift away. What can I do? Again, your answer is in verse 1: Therefore we must pay much closer attention. What a great wake-up call! Pay attentionthis matters! If you think you might be drifting away a little bitcome back. If youve been caught up in other things and have lost sight of your primary purposecome back to the Lord.
I urge you to stay on course. Whether its been several days or weeks since you knelt in humility before the Lord, get on your knees right now. Open your heart before him. Review the five questions. Ask the Lord to show you the areas in your life that need a fresh touch from him and a recommitment from you. James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, what have you revealed about my relationship with you in the past few minutes? How have you encouraged me to keep going in my faith?
responding: Which of the five questions most need my attention? What was the condition of my faith a year ago? Where am I today? In what area do I want to grow this week?
Father, thank you for the opportunity to have my life shaped and changed by your Spirit. Please quicken fresh love, passion, and fervency in me so that I wont drift away from all that is mine in Jesus. Renew and revive my heart in passionate commitment to you.
following: Pay attention to what God is doing in your life.
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soblessed53
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freedom and authority
15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:15-21
Obedience is the crucial flame that ignites the liberty of Jesus and makes it a reality. The liberty of Jesus was ours the moment we received him as Savior; but if this internal gift is not released externally through obedience, we may never experience it.
Only the Lord possesses true liberty. When we receive Jesus as Savior, we receive his liberating Spirit. But we must understand that freedom never leaves the bounds of his Spirit. Therefore, our liberation is expressed as a reality only in the facets of our lives where the freeing Spirit of God is released. We are free whenand only whenhe is in control.
Reflect on the words of 2 Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom and lordship are inseparable partners in the believers life. When we read that freedom can be found wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, we can take it literally.
Freedom becomes reality when we yield to Gods authority. We are as filled with the Spirit as we are yielded to Gods lordship. Although the Spirit is always in us, he saturates only the parts of our lives where he is in authority. Freedom flows where the Spirit of the Lord floods.
This point brings up an interesting question. Have you ever noticed that you can experience freedom in one part of your life and remain in bondage in another? Sometimes we allow God to have full authority in one area while refusing him elsewhere.
How, then, can we be fully liberated? Can we study Gods Word until we finally experience freedom? Can we pray ourselves into freedom? Can we rebuke the enemy so thoroughly that we experience freedom? No. Only by surrendering all of our life to Gods authority will we experience full freedom. Liberty is found in submitting to him. Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Lord, what freedom in the Spirit have I experienced this day? What joy have I found in surrendering to you?
responding: Am I withholding any part of my life from Gods authority and forfeiting the freedom he has offered me? What is liberty in Jesus all about?
Lord, thank you for showing me that freedom and submission to your authority go hand in hand. Please help me see the areas of my life that are not fully yielded to you. I want to experience the freedom that accompanies your Spirit.
Freedom becomes a reality when we yield to Gods authority.
15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:15-21
Obedience is the crucial flame that ignites the liberty of Jesus and makes it a reality. The liberty of Jesus was ours the moment we received him as Savior; but if this internal gift is not released externally through obedience, we may never experience it.
Only the Lord possesses true liberty. When we receive Jesus as Savior, we receive his liberating Spirit. But we must understand that freedom never leaves the bounds of his Spirit. Therefore, our liberation is expressed as a reality only in the facets of our lives where the freeing Spirit of God is released. We are free whenand only whenhe is in control.
Reflect on the words of 2 Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom and lordship are inseparable partners in the believers life. When we read that freedom can be found wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, we can take it literally.
Freedom becomes reality when we yield to Gods authority. We are as filled with the Spirit as we are yielded to Gods lordship. Although the Spirit is always in us, he saturates only the parts of our lives where he is in authority. Freedom flows where the Spirit of the Lord floods.
This point brings up an interesting question. Have you ever noticed that you can experience freedom in one part of your life and remain in bondage in another? Sometimes we allow God to have full authority in one area while refusing him elsewhere.
How, then, can we be fully liberated? Can we study Gods Word until we finally experience freedom? Can we pray ourselves into freedom? Can we rebuke the enemy so thoroughly that we experience freedom? No. Only by surrendering all of our life to Gods authority will we experience full freedom. Liberty is found in submitting to him. Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Lord, what freedom in the Spirit have I experienced this day? What joy have I found in surrendering to you?
responding: Am I withholding any part of my life from Gods authority and forfeiting the freedom he has offered me? What is liberty in Jesus all about?
Lord, thank you for showing me that freedom and submission to your authority go hand in hand. Please help me see the areas of my life that are not fully yielded to you. I want to experience the freedom that accompanies your Spirit.
Freedom becomes a reality when we yield to Gods authority.
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- May 17, 2004
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"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed"
(Psalm 37:3).
Trust and do are words which go well together, in the order in which the Holy Spirit has placed them. We should have faith, and that faith should work. Trust in God sets us upon holy doing: we trust God for good, and then we do good. We do not sit still because we trust, but we arouse ourselves and expect the LORD to work through us and by us. It is not ours to worry and do evil but to trust and do good. We neither trust without doing nor do without trusting.
Adversaries would root us out if they could; but by trusting and doing we dwell in the land. We will not go into Egypt, but we will remain in Immanuel's land-the providence of God, the Canaan of covenant love. We are not so easily to be got rid of as the LORD's enemies suppose. They cannot thrust us out nor stamp us out: where God has given us a name and a place, there we abide.
But what about the supply of our necessities? The LORD has put a "verily" into this promise. As sure as God is true, His people shall be fed. It is theirs to trust and to do, and it is the LORD's to do according to their trust. If not fed by ravens, or fed by an Obadiah, or fed by a widow, yet they shall be fed somehow. Away, ye fears!
My apologies to all who enjoy my presence on CF for my absence lately. Almighty has provided me with opportunity to serve Him in the workplace and, though I am grateful for such an opportunity which comes with the added bonus of a paycheck, I do miss CF very much and pray for all you dear hearts here often. I do check email daily, but haven't the time to visit CF as often and as long-stayed as I'd like. My next day off, I'll likely spend catching up on all the devotions here. I'm excited to see how many are here and am encouraged by our family's faithfulness to share. Oh! Weeks ago, I set up a "myspace" to invite my family to. http://www.myspace.com/BlestApril
Much Love,
April
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soblessed53
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BlestVessel said:
I was just reading over these and for some reson this one jumped out at me like I hadn't even noticed it before! This is so beautiful and such a blessing, Thank You and God Bless. This is such a great thread! I love re-reading it.
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soblessed53
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barb754 said:
This is another wonderful one to think on. Worth printing out and hanging up.
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barb754
Believer
It All Begins With "U"
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan.
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true.
That I love them all - Just like I love U."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know - But it all starts with U.
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan.
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true.
That I love them all - Just like I love U."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know - But it all starts with U.
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