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Sharing Devotions

BlestVessel

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Isn't it funny how much of what we learn as believers, we already knew? You know it to a small extent, you could even recite the Scripture, but until it penetrates to your heart, it's like a seed in the ground unwatered. Well, He gave me a lesson this week that will probably leave almost everyone that reads it thinking: How obvious! :)

I have come to the point where I've lost so many things recently, I began to blame myself. Poor planning, lack of backup plans, not seeing into the future. So much went wrong, I just began to think: there's GOT to be something about me that's seriously defective!

This isn't a complaint list, but just to give you a general idea what I mean:
3 of my 4 parents died = didn't do enough to take care of them, didn't pray enough, there must've been something I could've done that God might have let me keep them
Ill for 6 months = must not have taken enough care with my temple
Then jobless for 6 months now = unhireable, if that's a word
Lost my fiance = failed my marriage BEFORE it even began
College plans fell through because I was ill = uneducated
Moved back in with my family when I was ill = loss of "independence"
No car = burden when I ask to use the family car for interviews, etc.
The house falling apart and I can't do a thing = helpless & unhelpful
Hateful family doesn't want me to exist, especially now that I've returned a Christian = ineffective Christian

Anyway, the list was just adding up this year and, although I know it's not true, I was feeling like a lost cause. [Sheesh, sorry, it seems to take forever just to explain where I'm coming from]

So often, I've been coming across devotionals which remind me of our God's love, acceptance, forgiveness & newness in Christ. His ability to use us in spite of us. Thoiugh I don't have any to paste here, I thought I'd share what I've been learning.

Pressing more and more on me has been this question:
If God made me flesh, why do I let my flesh frustrate me so, rather than looking for His purpose in creating me as flesh? How is this good/useful?

As I mentioned in a previous post, I read the prodigal son the other day and that really helped to renew my hopes.
We're all the prodigal son, we've all made mistakes.
Some things are consequences, some are tests, some trials, but all are blessings-yes, I said blessings.
God uses all these things to bring glory to Himself.
I began as dead flesh and now I am alive in Christ with the tarnish of a dead flesh.
This is a design for failure. I'm BOUND to err, to be weak, to be ignorant, but the wonder of this is His strength showing in our weakness, His wisdom showing in our ignorance.

When we misuse things, if we want to know what we're doing wrong, if we're asking for conviction, God will do it!
He wants us to glorify Him as much as we want to.
It seems so obvious, but sometimes I look to Him, saying: why are you letting these bad things happen to me when I tell everyone You're my Lord and You're taking care of me? You are giving everyone I know so much ammunition to think wow, this God surely did not part the Red Sea, He can't even give April what she needs and hold her life together.
But who knows what we need better than He does? When He doesn't provide something we think is essential, does that say WE were wrong, or HE was wrong? It certainly cannot be the latter.

The bottom line is: we all fail, but we are saved from being failures.
It is not OUR names that are on the line, but His. We cannot only say we belong to Him, but we must live out the fact that we belong to Him and failure becomes just another means He uses us to demonstrate His greatness, His power, His renewal.

Like the king of the Old Testament who gave himself credit for his kingdom and God took him from his throne and he was eating grass and dwelling the wilderness like an animal. And God showed him that He was in control all along and that the credit could not be taken from Him and this man was restored to the throne. His error was a message for us. He failed, but God protected him and made it impossible for him to BE a failure. He became a vessel for God's glory even in grave error. I call that success.

So while I still sometimes choose the old and decaying flesh rather than the new nature of Christ, Christ is still victorious. When you become plagued with a feeling of helplessness, worry, fear, regret, guilt, know that He is the same for you, and that your weakness is just another opportunity to be used. What a blessed relief to live for Him and not for us! It's amazing how many different experiences there are, different lessons that reveal new degrees of our freedom in Christ. :bow:
 
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BlestVessel

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Brief lesson for today: Thankfulness For Struggles

I was forced to apply that today to my root canal. I had a root canal operation on one of my teeth years ago. Apparently, it was not dug deep enough and has now become seriously infected deep in my gums, near the jawbone. My new dentist is going to have to pull up a long post that was placed there to secure the tooth, redo the root canal deeper, and cut off the tip of the tooth's root.

Today was my second LONG appointment (well, an hour and a half is a long time under that bright light with your mouth held open). My dentist is still working on getting the post out. If he cannot, I will have to lose the tooth and get an implant.

I came home with the left side of my face falling off and that one tooth feeling like it was an inch higher than all the others and seriously thanking God like this:
Thank You.
I don't know why, I don't know how, but this is definitely a good thing.
Ooouuuch! Ou.
I want to trust You with this and this is definitely a good thing.

Graciously, God started reminding me and revealing why this IS a good thing.

This tooth will be fixed-I will be able to chew on that side of my mouth soon without excruciating pain.
I will be able to get braces when this is taken care of.
I now think more carefully about my teeth and what I eat and how/when I brush and floss.
I'm also more careful with what I say. When your entire mouth is throbbing, you pause a moment before opening it. This is an EXCELLENT thing. I would recommend a root canal, whether or not you need one, for this express purpose.

It's made me wonder how many painful experiences in my life were just my loving God taking up old roots that I'd put down or allowed the enemy to put down for me.
(I kind of like comparing that dentist who did this to me with the enemy-I let him, I even paid him, but in the long run, he really messed things up for me!)

Mindsets, emotional cycles, thought patterns, bad habits. Sometimes, there is no way we'll see the light until these things have caused damaged or are seriously hurting us. Like the smoker who quits when lung cancer is found, the overeater who decides to cut down when diabetes has set in, the pessimist who only realizes life is good when they've come close to dying.

We're all funny this way, but it's just awesome that we have a God that goes out of His way to repair us, lift up those old roots and give us a new start. How differently we see things when we come out of severe pain, struggle, tragedy. Life has more value, more beauty, more possibility, and the Giver of all gifts is recognized for the Wonder, the Power, the Light, the Love that He is. Gosh, don't ya love Him?!

I have to end this with a challenge: take the greatest problem in your life - your "root canals" and what-nots - and thank Him and ask Him to show you why you're so thankful! Or for help being thankful. He knows when our flesh is whipping our emotions into saying "I'm a victim, there's NOTHING to be thankful for right now." Maybe the only reasons to be thankful are that He'll be glorified in it, He'll bring you through it, or if you don't want to make it through it, maybe the thing that really excites you is the promise of Eternal Home after you survive this world.

I hope you're blessed by this.
 
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ImHisServant

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BlestVessel



I have been blessed by all of your writings. God is already using you in mighty ways. You have such a gift for writing... and deep spiritual understanding. If you used those skills to write your own devotional book or bible study.. I would buy it.
 
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soblessed53

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ImHisServant said:
BlestVessel



I have been blessed by all of your writings. God is already using you in mighty ways. You have such a gift for writing... and deep spiritual understanding. If you used those skills to write your own devotional book or bible study.. I would buy it.


:thumbsup: :amen: :amen: :amen: :amen: :clap: :clap: :clap: :groupray: :groupray: :groupray:
 
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BlestVessel

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I often think of Martin Luther, the monk who began the church's reformation. In the movie about him, appropriately called Luther, he said as he got up to teach a class: God once spoke through an ass and I pray He will do that again today.

You girls have brought such tears to my eyes. It's sometimes easy to forget how overwhelming God's love is when one can feel so unloved and unwanted and such deep rejection by those close to you. But right now, my cup overflows! :cry: Thank you so very much. I have no other words, which, as you know, is a miracle in itself. But thank you! God has used you to bless me more than I think you can know. Thank you.
 
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The Virginian

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BlestVessel said:
Sometimes, I read my daily devotional and begin weeping before I've even reached the end; other days, I just want to jump up and sing for joy at the top of my lungs as I read and the Holy Spirit is just stirring me and causing me to bubble over with joy uncontainable!

I thought it would be really awesome if people could post on this thread a meaningful devotional they read recently and what it meant to them, or write about how God spoke to them recently.

Often, part of my devotional will be meditating on song lyrics, listening to a touching song and letting the truths-or the singular main truth-of it penetrate me. Devotions can be anywhere - I've had moments where I just felt awe sweeping over me in a shopping mall when I heard three words in a song and I had to stop and just admire my Master.

Please keep your eyes and ears open, continuing to pursue Him, and share how He's spoken to you recently. I think it's just so exciting to hear and share what God's doing with us, how he's speaking to us, changing and shaping us, as individuals and as groups. And I love that we can do that here!

Anyway, I'll post one in a moment, but I just really wanted to share this idea and set up this thread.

Much Love,
Your Sister in Christ

In one of the prayerbooks I use, one of the daily prayers is from the life of St. Makary the Great (d. 390). I repeated it numerous times until I was stopped by "...by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works,...." Most of my life I've been attentive to 'words', believing that they really have meaning. Those words would have been enough to pause me, had it not been that they echoed in my heart, "...as the Father has sent Me, so send I you..." It's impossible to ever again be indifferent about everyday activities; that is, as they relate to other people.
I still get angry, and otherwise display a very foul attitude at times. Therefore; when my spirit is again calm, I am shamed all the more by my faliure in the light of my Lord's statement, and the daily repeated prayer of the saint.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor, He ahs sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty tot he captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,..." And so Lord, "...by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works...."
I am, a sinful and unworthy servant ! :crosseo:
 
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soblessed53

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Resting in God's Arms

Read Psalm 139:1-12

If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.

-Psalm 139:9-10 (NRSV)

OUR friends have a very friendly little cat. On a recent visit to their home, I woke up early to have some time for prayer and Bible reading. As I settled down in a comfortable chair, the cat walked across the room and hopped up onto my lap. He cuddled into my arms, looked up at me trustingly, then closed his eyes and began to purr contentedly. In a moment he was sound asleep.





As I looked down at him, I thought about how we are like that when we live by faith. Faith is willingness to rest securely in God's care no matter what our circumstances. The psalmist reminds us that wherever we are, God's hand will lead us and God's right hand will hold us fast. Life may bring us joys or sorrows, but we have the promise that no matter what, God will be with us and see us through. On that promise and in God's loving arms we may rest secure.

Dick Ryley (Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)


Loving Creator, we thank and praise you that amid the uncertainty of life, your love and promises remain constant. Help us to find the faith to trust you and to always rest securely in your care. Amen.


We can rest secure in God's tender care.
 
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soblessed53

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our real christian duty

16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20



Many US citizens want to see the day when their country returns to its moral foundations. Yet, as wonderful as a reclaimed nation would be, if it were simply a political victory that reinstates rules of better behavior, it would not be better off.

As Ravi Zacharias has noted, “If we succeed in making America more moral, then what we will have is more lost moral Americans.” In The Pilgrim’s Progress, Pilgrim gets sidetracked into a layover in the village of Morality, where all is morally correct. He finds, however, that morality without the cross cannot alleviate his burden of sin.

Unfortunately, we have often been led to believe that political triumph over the enemies of godliness is the best strategy. Yet, a political situation is a seductive sidetrack. It tempts us to shift our eyes away from what must be the focus of true followers—concern for the lost and for the growth of believers in Jesus.

Some of us can probably identify with the woman who approached me before a meeting. She told me that for 2 years she had been so deeply involved in political causes that she had neglected her growth in Jesus and her commitment to her local church in both time and giving. She had even come to see those on the other side of the political fence as enemies rather than ones for whom Jesus died. She admitted that during this time her intimacy with the Lord had dimmed. She was convicted about how quickly her political adrenaline had eclipsed her passion for the things of God and eternity.

While it may be energizing and exciting for us to believe that we are doing our Christian duty by marching, politicking, protesting, and supporting groups that do these things, it may well distract us from the most important task—glorifying God through Christlikeness and an unwavering commitment to the eternal destinies of friends and enemies alike.

The best way to win any nation is to care about the citizens . . . one at a time! —Joe Stowell www.rbc.org




seeking: Father, what have you shown me about how I’ve been glorifying you with my life? What have you helped me see about my priorities?


responding: What have I done recently to advance the cause of Jesus? • What is the balance between appropriate concern for a declining culture and concern for the people living in it?

Father, make me a disciple of Jesus who loves others and shows them your reality. Give me a greater passion for loving you and the people you bring into my life.


following: Reach one person at a time with the love of Jesus.
 
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Peaceful Dove

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After two years of what I call my "Dark Night of the Soul" a period where it seemed God had disapeared from me, HE WAS BACK WITH ME AGAIN. I was given this prayer.
It is long but I want to share it with you because it miisters to me to this day.

[font=&quot]PRAYER GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT[/font]

[font=&quot](APPROX. 1984)[/font]

[font=&quot]Heavenly Father, I thank you for the love you give your children. Father, I thank you because each day you heal my spiritual blindness and let me see more and more, the limitless wonders of your love. I realize now Father, in your infinite Wisdom, you reveal yourself to us within our ability to understand. Father, I know you showed us your Love when you sent your own Son to become one of us, I feel so feeble in my human ability to express my feelings for Jesus. I know I can't comprehend, but to a small degree, that kind of love.[/font]

[font=&quot]My God, I praise you for revealing to me that our earthly days give us a choice between Lightness and darkness. I know that as your children we see you and your kingdom in Jesus. You are showing me the meaning of the Way, the Truth and the Life - The Light of the World. I also see Father, in the world, those who feel hell is right here on earth. How blind we are to your message, oh Lord. That is the darkness that Jesus came to illuminate with His light.[/font]

[font=&quot]Oh, Heavenly Father, how I thank you for Easter. Jesus explained his death and resurrection to us in such human terms and yet we fail, too often to understand it. He told us a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die before it can bear fruit. How often we ask you Lord, why we suffer from one thing or another and not remember the grain of wheat. All too often we forget that Jesus was an example to us in all things. He told us we must pick up our cross and follow Him. Lord, too many times we behave like selfish children and can only see our own suffering - we only look at half the message of the cross. We forget the resurrection. Our faith fails us.[/font]

[font=&quot]Almighty Father, as I face each new trial in my life, let me remember the complete message of the cross. Let me always be reminded of the grain of wheat. Let me approach each trial as my own cross knowing, in full faith, that if I keep my eyes on you, you will lift me up from my cross, just as you lifted Jesus from His. I know Father, that it was in your Divine Wisdom, Jesus did not die alone on His cross. Two of us were with Him. One put his eyes on Jesus and saw Light; the other put his eyes on the world and remained in darkness.[/font]

[font=&quot]Oh Lord, there are so many who are struggling in darkness, Help your children to spread the Light of Jesus. Strengthen my own faith, Father. We are so temped by the world. It is so easy for us to despair.[/font]

[font=&quot]I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. Through Him, you reveal your wonders. Through Him we can bear fruit.[/font]

[font=&quot]Heavenly Father, I ask that each day of my life you help me to remember Easter. Let me accept my cross daily with complete faith that you will lift me up. Let me die my own small deaths to myself and the world so that I might bear much fruit.[/font]

[font=&quot]Lord, let me always realize that without a glimpse at the darkness, we don't always recognize and appreciate or love the Light.
[/font]
[font=&quot]I ask this in the name of Jesus our Light and our Salvation[/font]

[font=&quot]AMEN[/font]
 
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Peaceful Dove

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This is another given a few years later, it was given to me in poem form.

TODAY

[font=&quot] [/font]
[font=&quot]LORD, give me wisdom to live for today,[/font]
[font=&quot]To use every moment to hear what YOU say.[/font]
[font=&quot]I don't want to miss the Grace that YOU give[/font]
[font=&quot]For each separate moment of the life that I live.[/font]
[font=&quot] [/font]
[font=&quot]If I spend too much time in yesterdays past[/font]
[font=&quot]Today will be gone, time passes so fast.[/font]
[font=&quot]Or, if I live in my dreams of my goals of next week,[/font]
[font=&quot]Today may go by without hearing YOU speak.[/font]
[font=&quot] [/font]
[font=&quot]This moment in time is a Gift beyond measure,[/font]
[font=&quot]YOUR Blessings, this instant, my souls greatest treasure.[/font]
[font=&quot]As I live out my life walking close beside YOU[/font]
[font=&quot]Only today can I do what YOU ask me to do.[/font]
[font=&quot] [/font]
[font=&quot]LORD, I wasted last year in my dreams of today,[/font]
[font=&quot]Now that time is gone, Please forgive me I pray.[/font]
[font=&quot]I know that tomorrow will have Blessings, all new,[/font]
[font=&quot]But will I be here or be in Heaven with YOU?[/font]
[font=&quot] [/font]
[font=&quot]It's Now that YOU give me to Love and to serve YOU,[/font]
[font=&quot]To Know YOU, To Praise YOU, My GOD Ever True.[/font]
[font=&quot]LORD, hold me close, Please don't let me stray.[/font]
[font=&quot]Let me Love every moment of this very day.[/font]
[font=&quot] AMEN [/font]

[font=&quot] [/font]
 
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barb754

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This was sent to me and thought I would share.....

Our Thinking versus God's Promises

"It's impossible"
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

"I'm too tired"
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Nobody really loves me"
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

"I can't go on"
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

"I can't figure things out"
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"I can't do it"
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)

"I'm not able"
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

"It's not worth it"
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

"I can't forgive myself"
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

"I can't manage"
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)

"I'm afraid"
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

"I'm always worried and frustrated"
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

"I don't have enough faith"
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

"I'm not smart enough"
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

"I feel all alone"
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
 
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ImHisServant

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Am I God's Vomit???



I was doing a study in His Word today on being lukewarm. To be honest, I was looking for a study to share with the family that would reach my husband and hopefully convict him of his lukewarmness. Everytime I talk about the Bible or prayer... he quickly changes the subject. I know that if he would catch fire... I would also get even hotter, and our family and marriage would get hotter too.

You can probably guess what happened - God always has a way of turning things around on me and making me look at myself and not my husband. As I studied I went through my checklist in my head. Yep - he's lukewarm in that area... and that... and that... and that. Knowing I was hot in those areas...

Then I saw another table of what was hot - lukewarm - or cold... as I went down that list it was obvious that I fit into the lukewarm catagory more times then I want to admit. Thank you God for bringing that to my attention and getting the focus of my walk with You back on me. Please forgive me for judging my husband and wanting to remove the splinter in his eye when I had a plank in my own.

What about you??? Are you Hot - Lukewarm - or Cold??

Revelation 3:15-1 says:

15 - I know your (record of) works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!
16 - So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot,
I will spew you out of My mouth!
17 - For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Hos.12:8)

Spew here is often translated spit in many translations. But the root word is from vomit.

God said that He wants us to be either hot or cold, but if we are lukewarm, he will vomit us out of his mouth.

I believe that we need to take a warning from God’s message to Laodecia.

Are we hot or cold for God? Or are we just lukewarm? He didn’t say that He will spew out the people that are cold. But He will spew the people that are lukewarm.

Jesus’ harshest and most condemning words were not to the sinners, but to the people who thought they were religious, but did not truly follow God.

Let’s ask ourselves, if I were to honestly analyze my life, am I a lukewarm Christian? Would God spew me out of His mouth?

When we enter the throne of heaven, how would God react to us? Would our life be a pleasing aroma? Or would He spew us from His presence?

How can we be Hot?

Let’s ask ourselves, in what ways are we lukewarm?

How can we be hot?

I am going to give some tips that I learned at the IBLP Advanced Seminar last weekend on the differences between hot, cold, and lukewarm.



Hot Seeks God’s face
Lukewarm Seeks friend’s face
Cold Seeks Rebel’s face

Hot Studies the Bible
Lukewarm Neglects the Bible
Cold Mocks the Bible

Hot Smiles at everyone
Lukewarm Smiles at friends
Cold Does not smile

Hot Enthusiastic
Lukewarm Complacent
Cold Negative

Hot Praises others
Lukewarm Doesn’t communicate with others
Cold Criticizes others

Hot Looks for ways to serve others
Lukewarm Serves himself
Cold Expects to be served

Hot Gives thanks
Lukewarm Takes things for granted
Cold Expects things

Hot Enjoys humor
Lukewarm Enjoys sarcasm
Cold Enjoys folly

Hot Does more than is required
Lukewarm Does only what is required
Cold Does less than required

Hot Learns and applies truth to his life
Lukewarm Learns, but does nothing
Cold Rejects the truth, believes lies

Hot Forgives offenders
Lukewarm Holds grudges
Cold Looks for revenge

Hot Lives frugally to give to others
Lukewarm Buys to please self
Cold Squanders money

Hot Prays for others
Lukewarm Prays for self
Cold Does not pray



God disciplines those He loves

The church today is preaching "God loves you. Jesus cares for you." Yes, that is true. But God also says that He rebukes and chastens those He loves.

Revelation 3:18-19

18 - Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be (truly) wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see.
19 - Those whom I (dearly and tenderly) love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten (I discipline and instruct them). So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent (changing your mind and attitude). (Prov 3:12)

After doing this study I just want to tell my Father that I am sorry for my inward thoughts and attitudes. Thank you Lord for Your tender love and correction - thank You for your instruction. I pray that I will no longer be lukewarm in any area... but on fire for You in every area that needs improvement. Amen
 
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barb754

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A Purpose

We all have some kind of purpose on this earth,
It's not to hurt people or tell them their worth.
Everyone was put here with an equal chance,
Take a look around you, take a good long glance.

Some were meant to heal, and some to teach,
Some are used to build, and some to reach.
You may not know your purpose just yet,
God will tell you, when he knows you are set.

Don't rush your fate, it has already been planned.
And God will always be there to lend a helping hand.
You will go through times that are really rough,
But you will always have someone, when the going gets tough.

Don't judge others, for when you do,
There is always someone else, judging you.
Think about things before they are said,
Say your prayers before going off to bed.

Take time just to sit, and observe all things,
A flower and it's petals, or a bird and it's wings.
For when you just look at what is around,
A new aspect on life could be what you have found.

Live for today, live one day at a time.
Live for yourself, and for God, that's no crime.
For when you do all these things to make your life great,
You will find your way to the pearly white gate.



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barb754

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Dec 26, 2004
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Whispers


The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang,but, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled,"God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky, but, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said,"God, let me see you", and a star shined brightly, but, the man did not see.

And, the man shouted "God, show me a miracle" and, a life was born, but, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here". Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man, but, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted. Don't miss out on a blessing because it is not packaged the way that you expect it.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED....HAVE A HAPPY DAY!! :)
 
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