Wed, Apr 30th - 8:41AM
HUNGERY FOR THE BLESSING
Hunger is still an indispensable condition of spiritual blessing, and complacent self-satisfaction its greatest enemy. The *rich* who are pleased with themselves as they are and have no consciousness of need, God sends empty away. JOHN STOTT --From "The Canticles and Selected Psalms" (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1966), p. 48.
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Wed, Apr 30th - 8:28AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
What more do we need to know?
There is no need for us to speculate about the precise nature of heaven. We are assured on the authority of Jesus Christ that it is the house and the home of his Father and ours (there are twenty-two references to the Father in John 14), that his home is a prepared place containing many rooms or resting places, and that he himself will be there. What more do we need to know? To be certain that where he is, there we shall be also should be enough to satisfy our curiosity and allay our fears. John Stott To be with Jesus and to be like Jesus: That will be heaven to me!* Doyle Purifoy *Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 30th - 8:21AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
It
was a terrible night, blowing cold and rain in a most frightful manner.
The streets were deserted and the local baker was just about to close
up shop when a little man slipped through the door. He carried an
umbrella, blown inside out, and was bundled in two sweaters and a thick
coat. But even so he still looked wet and bedraggled.
As he unwound his scarf he said to the baker, "May I have two bagels to go, please?"
The baker said in astonishment, "Two bagels? Nothing more?"
"That's right," answered the little man. "One for me and one for Bernice."
"Bernice is your wife?" Asked the baker.
"What do you think," snapped the little man, "my mother would send me out on a night like this?
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Tue, Apr 29th - 7:52AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A young man was visiting a psychiatrist, hoping to cure his eating and sleeping disorder
"Every thought I have turns to my mother," he told the psychiatrist. "As soon as I fall asleep and begin to dream, everyone in my dream turns into my mother. I wake up so upset that all I can do is go downstairs and eat a piece of toast."
The psychiatrist replied, "What, just one piece of toast for a big boy like you?"
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Mon, Apr 28th - 8:36AM
A VISION OF INTIMACY
What visions of intimacy with God the word 'sonship' conveys! Access to God and fellowship with God as Father -- these are the privileges of his children. Not all human beings are God's children, however. Verse 14 of Romans 8 definitely and deliberately limits this status to those who are being led by the Spirit, who are being enabled by the Spirit to walk along the narrow path of righteousness. To be led by the Spirit and to be sons of God are virtually convertible terms. All who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, and therefore all who are sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. JOHN STOTT --From "Men Made New" (London: IVF, 1966), p. 93.
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Mon, Apr 28th - 8:08AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"If I had listened to the critics I'd have died drunk in the gutter"* -- Chekov *"33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies." Romans 8:33 (NRSV) "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness." Proverbs 15:9 (NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 28th - 8:04AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Two elderly couples were enjoying a friendly conversation when one of the men asked the other, "Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?"
"Outstanding," Fred replied. "They taught us all the latest psychological techniques: visualization, association, etc. It was great."
"That's great! And what was the name of the clinic?"
Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn't remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, "What do you call that flower with the long stem and thorns?"
"You mean a rose?"
"Yes, that's it!"
He turned to his wife, "Rose, what was the name of that memory clinic?"
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Sun, Apr 27th - 7:38AM
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Those who pursue happiness never find it. Joy and peace are extremely elusive blessings. Happiness is a will-o'-the-wisp, a phantom. Even as we reach out a hand to grasp it, it vanishes into thin air. For joy and peace are not suitable goals to pursue; they are by-products of love. God give them to us, not when we pursue *them*, but when we pursue *him* and *others* in love ... The self-conscious pursuit of happiness will always end in failure. But when we forget ourselves in the self-giving service of love, then joy and peace come flooding into our lives as incidental, unlooked-for blessings. JOHN STOTT --From "The Contemporary Christian" (Leicester and Downers Grove: IVP, 1992), pp. 149, 150, 151.
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Sun, Apr 27th - 7:34AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Confession really is good for the soul. God can heal our past, redeem our present, and guide our future.* Dr. James C. Denison *If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgives us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
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Sun, Apr 27th - 7:26AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man is driving down a country road, when he spots a farmer standing in the middle of a huge field of grass. He pulls the car over to the side of the road and notices that the farmer is just standing there, doing nothing, looking at nothing. The man gets out of the car, walks all the way out to the farmer and asks him, "Ah excuse me mister, but what are you doing? “The farmer replies, "I'm trying to win a Nobel Prize. “How?" asks the man, puzzled. “Well, I heard they give the Nobel Prize . . . to people who are out standing in their field."
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Sat, Apr 26th - 10:41AM
The Other Man In the Fire
I was waked up this morning with a Spiritual vision: I saw my life as one in a fiery furnace with Another One, Son of Man, Son of God in the fire with me insulating me from the fiery darts of the Devil and circumstances. This is true of every Christians whether they see the Man In the Fire with them or not. My prayer is God keep our eye open the other Man In the Fire with us. In Jesus' Name. Brother Doyle
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Sat, Apr 26th - 10:31AM
REDEEMED
Jesus'
blood is enough to pay off my liabilities and redeem my assets for
Himself and the Kingdom of God. His blood will never loose it
power and value.
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Sat, Apr 26th - 10:14AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your feet'* *17Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. John 7:17 (NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 26th - 8:49AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Selling at an auction was halted when the auctioneer announced, “Someone in the room has lost his wallet containing $2,000. He is offering a reward of $500.00 for its immediate return.” After a moment of silence, there was a call from the back of the room, “$550.00”
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Fri, Apr 25th - 9:22AM
RESTRICTIVE LOVE
The attempt to restrict the spectrum of those we have to love and serve is a pastime of Pharisees, not Christians. Yet is there not sometimes a reluctance to help people of another faith, whether animist, Buddhist or Muslim? Or at least a reluctance to serve them unless we use our aid as a lever to prize their hearts open to receive the gospel? Now of course we want to share the gospel with them, but unless we are motivated by genuine concern for the individual (which is clearly absent if we refuse to help him in other ways) our efforts will be worthless and even dishonouring to God. The love of Christ prompts us to share with people both our material blessings and our spiritual riches. JOHN STOTT
--From "Walk in His Shoes" (London: IVP, 1975), p. 15.
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Fri, Apr 25th - 8:54AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If Jesus' saying in Matthew 25:40 is awesome, its parallel is terrifying: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me" (v. 45). What does that mean in a world where millions die each year while rich Christians live in affluence? What does it mean to see the Lord of the universe lying by the roadside starving and walk by on the other side? We cannot know. We can only pledge, in fear and trembling, not to kill him again.* Ronald J. Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger p. 62. *40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)
45Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Matthew 25:45 (NRSV)
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Fri, Apr 25th - 8:50AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A woman goes to the Doctor, worried about her husband's temper. The Doctor asks: "What's the problem? The woman says: "Doctor, I don't know what to do. Every day my husband seems to lose his temper for no reason. It scares me." The Doctor says: "I have a cure for that. When it seems that your husband is getting angry, just take a glass of water and start swishing it in your mouth. Just swish and swish but don't swallow it until he either leaves the room or calms down. Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn. The woman says: "Doctor that was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband started losing it, I swished with water. I swished and swished, and he calmed right down! How does a glass of water do that?" The Doctor says: "The water itself does nothing. It's keeping your mouth shut that does the trick..." (Thanks to Gary Mitchell)
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Thu, Apr 24th - 7:50AM
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
In Colossians, chapter 3, St Paul gives us two general
principles governing personal relationships. Here they
are: 'Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus.' The second is: 'Whatever you do, work
at it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men' (verses 17
and 23). Now let me tell in my own words what I believe
these two principles mean. Firstly, I have got to learn,
if I am a Christian, to treat other people as if I were
Jesus Christ. That is what it means to do everything *in
the name of* the Lord Jesus. To do something in somebody
else's name, is to do it as his representative. When David
stood on the field of battle against Goliath, he said: 'I
come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts.' That is, I
am not coming in my own name, I an coming as his
representative. So to the Christian, to do everything in
the name of Jesus Christ, is to do it as if he were Jesus
Christ. I have got to learn, if I am a Christian, to treat
other people with the respect and the consideration, the
thoughtfulness and the graciousness with which Jesus Christ
would treat them.
The second principle is the exact opposite. It is to
learn to treat people as if *they* were Jesus Christ. I
must learn to do everything as unto the Lord. The roles
are now reversed and I must learn to treat every person
with the graciousness, the humility, the understanding, and
the courtesy, not now that he would give to them but that I
would give to him ...
I tell you that these two principles, to treat other
people as if they were Christ and as if I were Christ, are
as realistic as they are revolutionary. This is not
idealist rubbish. This is practical advice about personal
relationships. JOHN STOTT --From "The Doctor -- A Person" (Cape Town: Medical
Christian Fellowship, 1959), p. 4.
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Thu, Apr 24th - 7:39AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
The boss joined a group of his workers at the coffee urn and told a series of jokes he'd heard recently. Everybody laughed loudly. Everybody, that is, except Mike. When he noticed that he was getting no reaction from Mike, the boss said, "What's the matter, Mike? No sense of humor?" "My sense of humor is fine," he said. "But I don't have to laugh. I'm quitting tomorrow."
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Thu, Apr 24th - 7:33AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The Holy Spirit in Christians is exercising resurrection power to perform the good work of the new birth and new creation in them. He will faithfully continue this resurrection power in us until we are like Jesus.* *11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. Romans 8:11 (NRSV) 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 23rd - 8:14AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
An Amish man answered a knock on his door one morning. An electric company worker handed him a piece of paper stating that the electric company would like to run a power line through his pasture. The Amish man said, "No." "Legally, that paper says we can." replied the worker. As he turned and left returning to his co-workers in the field, the Amish man went to his barn and turned his bull into the pasture. As the bull rumbled toward the workers in the field, the Amish man hollered, "Show HIM your paper!"
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Wed, Apr 23rd - 8:07AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Our mission in the world is to resemble Christ's mission!*
* 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." John 20:21 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 22nd - 9:05AM
LOVE IS SUPREME!
Knowledge is vital, faith indispensable, religious experience necessary, and service essential, but Paul gives precedence to love. Love is the greatest thing in the world. For 'God is love' in his innermost being. Father, Son and Spirit are eternally united to each other in self-giving love. So he who is love, and has set his love upon us, calls us to love him and others in return. 'We love because he first loved us' (1 Jn. 4:19). Love is the principal, the paramount, the pre-eminent, the distinguishing characteristic of the people of God. Nothing can dislodge or replace it. Love is supreme. JOHN STOTT
--From "The Contemporary Christian" (Leicester and Downers Grove: IVP, 1992), p. 148.
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Tue, Apr 22nd - 8:53AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.* *"Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back." Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NRSV) "give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:38 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 22nd - 8:48AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man was on a long walk in the country. He became thirsty so decided to stop at a little cottage and ask for something to drink. The lady of the house invited him in and served him a bowl of soup by the fire. There was a wee pig running around the kitchen, running up to the visitor and giving him a great deal of attention. The visitor commented that he had never seen a pig this friendly. The housewife replied: "Ah, he's not that friendly. That's his bowl you're using."
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Mon, Apr 21st - 8:13AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"One should guard against preaching to young people success in the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result, and the knowledge of the value of the result to the community."* -- Albert Einstein (Shared by Maria) *"Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world;" 1 John 2:15 (NRSV) "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 21st - 8:07AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE
"I'm sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?" Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
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Sun, Apr 20th - 7:47AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.* (OSWALD CHAMBERS 11/28 *9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Col 1:9 23Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23
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Sun, Apr 20th - 7:42AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man takes his place in the theater, but his seat is too far from the stage.
He whispers to the usher, "This is a mystery, and I have to watch a mystery close up. Get me a better seat, and I'll give you a handsome tip."
The usher moves him into the second row, and the man hands the usher a quarter.
The usher looks at the quarter, leans over and whispers, "The wife did it."
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Sun, Apr 20th - 7:36AM
Love and law
Love is not the finish of the law (in the sense that it dispenses with it); love is the fulfilment of the law (in the sense that it obeys it). What the New Testament says about the law and love is not 'if you love you can break the law', but 'if you love you will keep it'. JOHN STOTT --From "Christ the Controversialist" (London: Tyndale Press, 1970), p. 152.
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Sat, Apr 19th - 8:54AM
TRUE TEST
Great stress is laid in the New Testament on love as the preeminent Christian virtue, the first fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), the sign of the reality of faith (Gal. 5:6) and the greatest of the three abiding Christian graces, which never ends and without which we are 'nothing' (1 Cor. 13:2, 8, 13). Love is the surest test of having life ...JOHN STOTT
--From "The Letters of John" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: rev. edn. Leicester: IVP, 1988), p. 145.
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Sat, Apr 19th - 8:39AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5).* (Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest Feb 24)
*"and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5 (NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 19th - 8:35AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
You see a gorgeous girl at a party.
You go up to her and say, "I am very rich. Marry me!"
That's Direct Marketing.
You’re at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl.
One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you and says,
"He's very rich. Marry him."
That's Advertising.
You see a gorgeous girl at a party.
You go up to her and get her telephone number.
The next day you call and say, "Hi, I’m very rich. Marry me."
That's Telemarketing.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl.
You get up and straighten your tie; you walk up to her and pour
her a drink.
You open the door for her; pick up her bag after she drops it,
offer her a ride, and then say,
"By the way, I'm very rich. Will you marry me?"
That's Public Relations.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl.
She walks up to you and says, "You are very rich."
That's Brand Recognition.
You see a gorgeous girl at a party.
You go up to her and say, "I'm rich. Marry me"
She gives you a nice hard slap on your face.
That's Customer Feedback!!!!
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Fri, Apr 18th - 8:38AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY! We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience—all of that is of no avail in this concern.* (Oswald Chambers August 4) *Zechariah 4:6 (NRSV) "....Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts."
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Fri, Apr 18th - 8:33AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man goes to the police station wanting to speak to the burglar who broke into his house the night before. ‘You’ll get your chance in court,’ says the desk sergeant.
‘No, no, no! says the man. ‘I want to know how he got into the house without waking my wife. I’ve been trying to do that for years!’
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Thu, Apr 17th - 9:28AM
A SIGN OF AUTHENTICITY
Love is as much a sign of Christian authenticity as is righteousness. JOHN STOTT--From "The Letters of John" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: rev. edn. Leicester: IVP, 1988), p. 164 Righteousness is the result of love!.
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Thu, Apr 17th - 8:40AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Grandma, who appeared to become an ever-more intimidating personality as the years went on, was giving directions to her grown grandson who was coming to visit with his wife: "You come to the front door of the apartment complex. I am in apartment 14T. There is a big panel at the door. With your elbow push button 14T. I will buzz you in. Come inside, the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow hit 14. When you get out I am on the left. With your elbow, hit my doorbell." "Grandma, that sounds easy, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow?" the grandson asked. "You're coming empty handed ... ?"
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Wed, Apr 16th - 11:10AM
IT IS FINISHED-WORD FROM JOEL OSTEEN
It
is Finished
TODAY’S
SCRIPTURE “I am certain that God, who began the good work within
you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day
when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)
TODAY’S
WORD from Joel and Victoria It’s interesting that the last thing
Jesus said on the cross was “it is finished.” It certainly looked
like the end. It looked like it was over. But I believe that wasn’t
just a statement of fact; it was a statement of faith. He was saying
to His Father, “I’ve done My part. I’ve fulfilled My destiny.
Now I’ve got total trust and confidence in You that You are going
to finish what You started.” Even though it looked like the end, in
reality, it was only the beginning.
Remember
this when things look dark in your own life, when things aren’t
going your way. Dare to make that declaration of faith just like
Jesus. “It is finished.” What you’re really saying is, “God,
I know You are going to turn this situation around. I know You are
going to heal my body. I know You are going to restore my family. I
know You are going to give me the breaks that I need.” Don’t go
around complaining.
Speak
victory over your circumstances. Trust that He is faithful and He
will finish what He’s started in you!
A
PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life.
Thank You for completing what You’ve started in my life. Today I
choose to put my trust and hope in You, knowing that You are working
behind the scenes to bring victory in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel
& Victoria Osteen
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Wed, Apr 16th - 11:07AM
TODAY'S WORD BY JOEL OSTEEN
TODAY’S
SCRIPTURE
“But
thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord
Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT)
TODAY’S
WORD from Joel and Victoria This coming weekend, we celebrate Easter,
the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So much
happened at Calvary’s cross over two thousand years ago; but
ultimately, Jesus overcame sin and death so that we could have
abundant life. Because of Jesus, we have victory over anything that
would try to hold us back! No matter what bondage, fear, stronghold,
sin or addiction has held you captive in the past, when you receive
Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you receive His power — His
burden-moving, yoke-destroying anointing. Nothing can hold you back
any longer because when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
(See John 8:36)
It
all begins by believing and receiving this promise by faith. Today,
thank God that you are free and have victory through Jesus Christ
A
PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for giving me victory! Thank You
for Your Word which is life and healing water to my soul. I choose
to set my heart and thoughts on You, knowing that You are empowering
me to overcome in every area of my life n Jesus’ name! Amen.—
Joel & Victoria Osteen
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Wed, Apr 16th - 7:08AM
Faith and love
Faith and love are signs of new birth (1 Jn. 5:1; 4:7). They are also commands. Some people object that faith and love are not amenable to discipline and are beyond the reach of any command. How can you tell me, they ask, to believe what I do not believe or love whom I do not love? The answer to this question lies in the nature of Christian faith and love. It is when faith is regarded as an intuition and love as an emotion that they appear to lie beyond the sphere of duty. But Christian faith is an obedient response to God's self-revelation in Christ. This revelation has a moral content. If people hate the light, it is because their deeds are evil (Jn. 3:19-21) ... Similarly, Christian love belongs rather to the sphere of action than of emotion. It is not an involuntary, uncontrollable, passion, but unselfish service undertaken by deliberate choice. JOHN STOTT --From "The Letters of John" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries" rev. edn. Leicester: IVP, 1988), p. 209.
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Wed, Apr 16th - 7:03AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Whenever we're hit with a trial, if we don't allow ourselves to become angry and bitter, we'll become much more empathetic toward others who are experiencing similar problems and more sensitive to their feelings. All these things make us more loving and a better friend.* - From "It Takes Two to Tango" by Gary and Norma Smalley *James 1:3-4 "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"
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Wed, Apr 16th - 6:57AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A famous art collector is walking through the city when he notices a mangy cat lapping milk from a saucer in the doorway of a store and he does a double take. He recognizes that the saucer is extremely old and very valuable, so he walks casually into the store and offers to buy the cat for two dollars.
The storeowner replies "I'm sorry, but the cat isn't for sale.
The collector says, "Please, I need a hungry cat around the house to catch mice. I'll pay you twenty dollars for that cat."
And the owner says "Sold," and hands over the cat.
The collector continues, "Hey, for the twenty bucks I wonder if you could throw in that old saucer. The cat's used to it and it'll save me from having to get a dish."
And the owner says, "Sorry buddy, but that's my lucky saucer. So far this week I've sold sixty-eight cats."
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Tue, Apr 15th - 8:40AM
JOHN HOPKINS WEIGHT STUDY
The National Institutes of Health has just released the results of a $200 million research study completed under a grant to Johns Hopkins.
The new study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it.
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Tue, Apr 15th - 8:24AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny."* -- William E. Gladstone *"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live," Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 15th - 8:16AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Each evening bird lover Tom stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl - and one night, an owl called back to him. For a year, the man and his feathered friend hooted back and forth. He even kept a log of the "conversation." Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with her next door neighbor
"My husband spends his nights ... calling out to owls," she said
"That's odd," the neighbor replied. "So does my husband.
Then it dawned on them.
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Mon, Apr 14th - 8:31AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Humility and meekness are not weakness and timidity. Humility is submission to Jesus Christ as Lord. Humility is emptying ourselves and taking upon us the will of God. Humility is denying oneself, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. Humility is obedience to Jesus Christ.* *with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2(NRSV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3(NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 14th - 8:21AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A Texas rancher, visiting a South Dakota farmer friend, asked him to show him his farm. After seeing the 1,000 acre spread, the Texan bragged that down home he could get into his car, drive all day, and by evening would not have gotten to the distant point of his ranch. The South Dakotan simply replied, "You know, I had a car like that once."
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Sun, Apr 13th - 8:13AM
A CALL TO BE DIFFERENT!
To me the key text of the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 6:8: 'Do not be like them.' It is immediately reminiscent of God's word to Israel in the olden days: 'You shall not do as they do' (Lv. 18:3). It is the same call to be different. JOHN STOTT
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Sun, Apr 13th - 7:59AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
What God has done for us in Christ is enough to initiate eternal praise.* *"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 (NRSV)
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Sun, Apr 13th - 7:53AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
I have a friend who filled his car with gas at a self-service gas station. After he had paid and driven away, he realized that he had left the gas cap on top of his car. He stopped and looked and, sure enough, it was lost. Well, he thought for a second and realized that other people must have done the same thing, and that it was worth going back to look by the side of the road since even if he couldn't find his own gas cap, he might be able to find one that fit. Sure enough, he hadn't been searching long when he found a gas cap. He tried it on, and it went into place with a satisfying click
"Great," he thought, "I lost my gas cap, but I found another one that fits. And this one's even better because it locks..."
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Sat, Apr 12th - 8:34AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
All we lack is the willingness to imagine that we already have everything we need. The only thing missing is our consent to be where we are."* - Barbara Brown Taylor, from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith I have everything I need to do His will. (Phil 4:19) I can do anything God wants me to do by Christ Who is my life. (Phil 4:13) *If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know...." John 7:17 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:18-20(NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 12th - 8:26AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A hobo (wanderer) comes up to the front door of a neat looking farmhouse and raps gently on the door. When the farm owner answers, the hobo asks him, "Please, sir, could you give me something to eat? I haven't had a good meal in several days." The owner says, "I have made a fortune in my lifetime by supplying goods for people. I've never given anything away for nothing. However, if you go around the back, you will see a gallon of paint and a clean paint brush. If you will paint my porch in the back of the house, I will give you a good meal." So the hobo goes around back and a while later he again knocks on the door. The owner asks, "Finished already? Good. Come on in. Sit down. The cook will bring your meal right in." The hobo says, "Thank you very much, sir. But there's something that I think you should know. It's not a Porsche you got there. It's a BMW.."
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Fri, Apr 11th - 5:14PM
EAT TO LIVE/POISON FOOD LIST
Eat To live: I have set up an appropriate diet that has retarded the effect of my abuse of my body for so many years. I will look upon food that is not protective of the rest of my life as poison. I will begin by eliminating soft drinks from my diet because the chemicals in them weaken my kidneys. I will emphasize eggs, vegetables, and fruits and avoid as much sugar as I am able. I believe God will give me the strength to accomplish this and retard the damage done by what I h...ave eaten. MY BODY IS PUNISHING ME BECAUSE OF What I HAVE EATEN, therefore I will not eat what I have eaten. For a reward of accomplishing incremental goals, I will eat what I want ONCE a month after reaching a goal. Help me, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
Poison food list was originally started when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. Any food that raised my next Blood Sugar reading was added to my Poison Food list. Now, I not only have Diabetes, but Kidney Disease, Heart Disease, Silent Acid Reflux. Having looked up Diet Plans for each of these diseases, I have found many conflicts, diametrically opposed foods, leaving me with a sense of having virtually nothing to eat that is satisfying and perfectly healthy. It leaves me feeling that my quality of life is greatly diminished trying to live longer, preventing progression of these diseases.
However, my attitude is changing. I have committed myself to stop “kicking against the pricks”. It certainly challenges me to eat to live, rather than living to eat, not looking to find satisfaction with eating, but in living. My body is punishing me for what I have eaten until now. Some damage cannot be reversed, some can, or at least slowed down in its progression.
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Fri, Apr 11th - 10:39AM
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
O! For a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise when I survey the wondrous cross! It shall never lose its power to set the prisoner free, to make the vilest sinner clean, to break the power of canceled sin, to leave nothing between my Lord and my Savior. Burdens are lifted at Calvary. I will never cease to praise Him. I'll shout it while eternity rolls! (Doyle Purifoy Mosaic quotes of Hymn Phrases)
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Fri, Apr 11th - 8:32AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
All history emanates from God and gravitates toward God.*
--Doyle Purifoy
*1In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into
being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
John 1:1-3 (NRSV)
34....For
his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom
endures from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the
earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the
host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who
can stay his hand or say to him, "What are you doing?"
Daniel 4:34-35 (NRSV)
5-7They
conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very
planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God's word.
Then God's word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the
world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire.
God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the
signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.
8 -9Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is
as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't
late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining
himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't
want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change. 2
Peter 3:5-9 (TMSG)
32And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself.’ John 12:32 (NRSV)
13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning
and the end." Revelation 22:13 (NRSV)
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Fri, Apr 11th - 8:26AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
The old pastor made it to a practice to visit the parish school one day a week. He walked into the 4th grade class, where the children were studying the states, and asked them how many states they could name. They came up with about 40 names. He jokingly told them that in his day students knew the names of all the states. One lad raised his hand and said, "Yes, but in those days there were only 13."
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Thu, Apr 10th - 9:03AM
ETERNAL LIFE
To be 'in Christ' is Paul's characteristic description of the Christian. But John uses it too. To be (or to 'live', 1 Jn. 2:6) 'in' him is equivalent to the phrase to 'know' him (3, 4) and to 'love' him (5). Being a Christian consists in essence of a personal relationship to God in Christ, knowing him, loving him, and living in him as the branch lives in the vine (Jn. 15:1ff). This is the meaning of 'eternal life'. JOHN STOTT --From "The Letters of John" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: rev. edn. Leicester: IVP, 1988), p. 96.
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Thu, Apr 10th - 8:58AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Those predisposed to do His will understand what it is, and by the grace of God will do it.* Neil Anderson *17Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. John 7:17 (NRSV)
6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)
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Thu, Apr 10th - 8:54AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Two men were out golfing. As one was ready to take his shot, a funeral procession drove by the golf course. The man stopped what he was doing, put down his club, and took off his hat and placed it over his heart. His partner was moved by this and said, "That's the nicest thing I've even seen you do!" The man looked back at him and said, "Well, that's the least I could do after 20 years of marriage..."
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Wed, Apr 9th - 6:43AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Our patience will achieve more than our force."* -- Edmund Burke *"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 9th - 6:39AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A woman was driving her old beat up car on the Highway with her 7 yr. old son, Little Johnny. She tried to keep up with traffic but they were flying by her. After getting caught in a large group of car's flying down the road she looked at her speedometer to see she was doing 15 miles over the speed limit. Slowing down, she moved over to the side and got out of the clump that soon left her behind. She looked up and saw the flashing lights of a police car. Pulling over she waited for the officer to come up to her car. As he did he said, "Ma'am do you know why I pulled you over?" Little Johnny piped up from the back seat, "I do! Because you couldn't catch the other cars!"
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Wed, Apr 9th - 6:29AM
IN THREE DIMENSIONS
An integrated Christian is growing in faith, life, and mission as a three-dimensional responsibility. JOHN STOTT --From 'Seminarians are not Tadpoles', "Christianity Today" (6 February 1981).
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Tue, Apr 8th - 10:58AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your feet'* *17Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. John 7:17 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 8th - 8:54AM
THE INTEGRATED CHRISTIAN
Paul loved to liken the Christian life to a race in the arena. Notice that to 'run well' in the Christian race is not just to believe the truth (as if Christianity were nothing but orthodoxy), nor just to behave well (as if it were just moral uprightness), but to 'obey the truth', applying belief to behaviour. Only he who obeys the truth is an integrated Christian. What he believes and how he behaves are all of a piece. His creed is expressed in his conduct; his conduct is derived from his creed. JOHN STOTT --From "The Message of Galatians" (The Bible Speaks Today series: London and Downers Grove: IVP, 1968), p. 135.
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Tue, Apr 8th - 8:49AM
SIN!
Sin will always take us further than we wanted to go, keep us longer than we wanted to stay, and cost us more than we wanted to pay. (Unknown Arthur, quoted in Denison Forum
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Tue, Apr 8th - 8:35AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
At a clearance sale, the wife of a federal district court judge found a green tie that was a perfect match for one of her husband's sports jackets. Soon after, while the couple was vacationing at a resort complex to get his mind off a rather complicated cocaine conspiracy case, he noticed a small, round disc sewn into the design of the tie. The judge showed it to a local FBI agent, who was equally suspicious that it might be a 'bug' planted by the conspiracy defendants. The agent sent the device to FBI headquarters In Washington, DC for analysis. Two weeks later, the judge phoned the Washington office to learn the results of their tests. "We're not sure where the disc came from," the FBI told him, "but we discovered that when you press it, it plays 'Jingle Bells.'"
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Mon, Apr 7th - 7:54AM
Dead and risen
If Christ's death was a death to sin (which it was), and if his resurrection was a resurrection to God (which it was), and if by faith-baptism we have been united to Christ is his death and resurrection (which we have been), then we ourselves have died to sin and risen to God. We must therefore 'reckon' (AV), 'consider' (RSV), 'regard' (NEB), 'look upon' (JBP) or *count* (NIV) ourselves *dead to sin but alive to God in*, or by reason of our union with, *Christ Jesus* (Rom. 6:11). This 'reckoning' is not make-believe. It is not screwing up our faith to believe what we do not believe. We are not to pretend that our old nature has died, when we know perfectly well it has not. Instead we are to realize and remember that our former self did die with Christ, thus putting an end to its career. We are to consider what in fact we are, *dead to sin and alive to God* (11), like Christ (10). Once we grasp this, that our old life has ended, with the score settled, the debt paid and the law satisfied, we shall want to have nothing to do with it. JOHN STOTT
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Mon, Apr 7th - 7:46AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality."* -- Les Brown "Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:2 (NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 7th - 7:39AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Uncle Leroy got a job down at the Broom Factory. On his first day the straw boss (Floor supervisor)calls ol' Leroy into his little office and says, "You the new man huh? What is yer name?" Leroy replied "Leroy" The straw boss says "I don't call anyone by first names. It breeds familiarity and that leads to breakdown in my Authority. I refer to all employees by last names; Now what is Your Last Name!" Leroy sort of smiles and says, "Its Darling - Leroy Darling! The Straw Boss said "Now Leroy the next thing........"
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Sun, Apr 6th - 8:28AM
LIVING THE NEW LIFE
We need to learn to talk to ourselves, and ask ourselves questions: 'Don't you know? Don't you know the meaning of your conversion and baptism? Don't you know that you have been united to Christ in his death and resurrection? Don't you know that you have been enslaved to God and have committed yourself to his obedience? Don't you know these things? Don't you know who you are?' We must go on pressing ourselves with such questions, until we reply to ourselves: 'Yes, I *do* know who I am, a new person in Christ, and by the grace of God I shall live accordingly.' On 28th May 1972 the Duke of Windsor, the uncrowned King Edward VIII, died in Paris. The same evening a television programme rehearsed the main events of his life. Extracts from earlier films were shown, in which he answered questions about his upbringing, brief reign and abdication. Recalling his boyhood as Prince of Wales, he said: 'My Father [King George V] was a strict disciplinarian. Sometimes when I had done something wrong, he would admonish me saying, "My dear boy, you must always remember who you are."' It is my conviction that our heavenly Father says the same to us every day: 'My dear child, you must always remember who are you.' JOHN STOTT
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Sun, Apr 6th - 8:07AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINNE!
Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
If they flew over the bay, they’d by bagels!
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Sat, Apr 5th - 11:00AM
BE READY FOR JESUS SECOND COMING
by Neil Anderson April 5 LIVING TODAY 2 Peter 3:11 What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness I believe in setting goals and making plans. But biblical vision for the future and godly goals for ministry or work have no value if they don't provide direction for our steps today. Goals for tomorrow that don't prioritize present activities are nothing more than wishful thinking. We make plans for tomorrow in order to establish meaningful activities for today. We need to ask the Lord each day if we are still on target, and give Him the right to order mid-course changes in direction. Some people don't like to set goals because they feel goals only set them up for failure. But a goal should never be a god. It should be a target, not a whip. Other people become obsessed with goals for tomorrow. Biblically, the will of God is almost entirely directed at living responsibly today. Legitimate goal-setting should support that. "Are you trying to tell us that we aren't to make any plans for the future or establish any goals for our ministry or work?" No, I'm trying to say that the primary focus of God's will is that we seek to establish His kingdom by becoming the person He wants us to be today . Most people want to know what God has in store for them tomorrow. That's why prophecy has always been a popular subject. Most prophecy teachers know that the critical issue concerning the Lord's second coming is "What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). Jesus said, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow" (Matthew 6:33, 34). Biblical prophecy is given to us as a hope (the present assurance of some future good) so we will have the courage to live righteously and confidently today. Prayer: Father, help me live in the present and not worry about tomorrow, accepting only Your will and guidance for my future
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Sat, Apr 5th - 9:25AM
PRAYER FOR YOU
Prayer for all my friends on Christians Unite: May God enlighten you to all the spiritual blessing He has blessed you with.
1 Corinthians 1:7 (NRSV)
7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 (NRSV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
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Sat, Apr 5th - 9:00AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
To the natural man, death appears to terminate his hopes, dreams, expectations, and visions, but to the man in Christ, death has been transformed to the fulfillment of all of these things.* *55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:55
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Sat, Apr 5th - 8:57AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Why did the woman only change her baby’s diaper once a month?
On the package it read "good for up to 15 pounds"
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Sat, Apr 5th - 8:50AM
Temptation and trial
Although temptations are to be resisted, trials are to be welcomed (Jas. 1:2). The Greek word for 'temptation' and 'trial' is the same, but the meaning is different. A temptation is an enticement to sin which arises from within. A trial is a testing of faith which comes from some external circumstance such as persecution. The value of such trials is that they develop Christian character and 'produce steadfastness' (1:3-4). JOHN STOTT --From "Men with a Message" (London: Longmans, 1954), p. 107.
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Fri, Apr 4th - 8:58AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.* -Hsi-Tang *"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains." 1 Timothy 6:10 (NRSV)
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Fri, Apr 4th - 8:51AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
It was snowing heavily and blowing to the point that visibility was almost zero when the little Antartian got off work. She made her way to her car and wondered how she was going to make it home. She sat in her car while it warmed up and thought about her situation.
She finally remembered her daddy's advice that if she got caught in a blizzard; she should wait for a snowplow to come by and follow it. That way she would not get stuck in a snowdrift. This made her feel much better and sure enough in a little while a snowplow went by and she started to follow it. As she follows the snow plow she was feeling very smug as they continued and she was not having any problem with the blizzard conditions.
After quite sometime had passed she was somewhat surprised when the snow plow stopped and the driver got out and came back to her car and signaled for her to roll down her window. The snowplow driver wanted to know if she was all right as she had been following him for a long time. She said that she was fine and told him of her daddy's advice to follow a snowplow when caught in a blizzard.
The driver replied that it was OK with him and she could continue if she wanted but he was done with the Wal-Mart parking lot and was going over to K-Mart next.
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Thu, Apr 3rd - 11:20AM
Christ assumed all my liabilities and assets
When God granted me repentance and faith, Jesus assumed ALL my liabilities. He also took control of all my assets. Weakness is not a liability. Weakness is an asset: 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NRSV)
10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 11:30 (NRSV) 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Christians can do anything God wants them to do by the Life in Christ Who lives in them and is their strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NRSV)
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me
My paraphrase of Philippians 4:13: “I can do anything God wants me to do with Christ, my Life in me.
Christians have everything they need to do God's will;
Philippians 4:19 (NRSV)
19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
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Thu, Apr 3rd - 8:23AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.* Oswald Chambers - My Utmost For His Hightest - October 19th. *Matthew 7:21 - 27 (NRSV) 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ 23Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’ 24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”
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Thu, Apr 3rd - 8:18AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
*Good News* The parachute company says you'll get a full refund. They say the house didn't float very far at all. The "National Enquirer" just loved those pictures of you at work. Jerry Springer wants to surprise you on his show. The reward for your capture has reached fifty thousand dollars. The insurance pays the full book value ($312) for your 1956 T Bird. The thieves left the push lawn mower and hedge trimmers. Those Grand Juries always over-react. Don't worry about it. The boss said while you're sick, he'd do all your work personally.
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Wed, Apr 2nd - 6:40AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
When I feed the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why so many people are poor they call me a communist.* - Dom Helder Câmara, late archbishop of the Brazilian diocese of Olinda and Recife . *22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 2nd - 6:35AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
At a fabric store, a pretty girl spots a nice material for a dress and asks the male clerk: How much does it costs? “Only one kiss per yard,” replied the male clerk with a smirk. “That’s fine,” said the girl. I’ll take ten yards.” With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, and then teasingly held it out. The girl took the bag and pointed to the old man standing beside her, and smiled, “Grandpa will pay the bill.”
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Tue, Apr 1st - 12:52PM
SMARTER THAN JESUS
Harold Camping said he knew when Jesus would return. The date would be May 21, 2011. It was announced on billboards and talked about on the internet and in the media. In the end, May 21, 2011 came and went. You know what happened: nothing. Nothing happened. Christians must be diligent to protect their own personal integrity and the integrity of Jesus Christ. I am 80 years old. I was a young teenager when the Billy Graham's ministry began to grow. I have always and still love Billy Graham and his ministry. Many evangelists and Christians had already said what Billy Graham sometimes said: “I believe that Christ is coming in this generation.” To me, these kinds of statements undermine the integrity of the Christian Faith and make unbelievers feel justified in fulfilling the prophecy of Peter in 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NRSV) 3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" When Christians generation after generation say, “Jesus is going to return in this generation.” which has failed to occur generation after generation, unblelievers are encouraged to continue to mock the Christian faith in the Second Coming of Christ. To say, “Jesus is going to return in this generation.” boasts of knowing more that Jesus Himself knew or has revealed to us. Jesus said in Mark 13:32 (NRSV) 32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” No Evangelist nor Christian knows more than Jesus and He stated clearly that he did not know the day or the hour. Not even the angels but only the Father knows.
In addition to claiming superior knowledge than Jesus, the Bible implies in Acts 1:6-7 (NRSV) that the times and the seasons are none of our business. 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. Why spend time seeking things that are not for us to know. The Bible simply says, “Be ready because Matt 24:44 (NRSV) says: 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Instead of expecting Jesus to return in the next hour or this generation, why not just obey the Scriptural admonishment: Be ready because He is coming “...at an unexpected hour”.
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Tue, Apr 1st - 8:24AM
GOD'S GROWN-UP CHILDREN
God never ceases to be our Father, and we never cease to be his children. But he wants us to become his grown-up children. Dependent and obedient we must always be, yet the obedience we are to give him must not be slavish, mechanical or grudging, but intelligent, glad and free ... God treats his children as adults, and gives us the responsibility to discern and decide for ourselves. In this way our obedience becomes creative. It fosters and does not inhibit our growth. JOHN STOTT
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Tue, Apr 1st - 8:21AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Some years ago, Mother Teresa was opening a new orphanage in New York City when a news conference broke out. A reporter shouted out the question, "How will you measure the success of this?" The tiny Albanian nun turned, smiled into the glare of the cameras, and said quietly, "I don't believe our Lord ever spoke of success. He spoke only of faithfulness."* (Jim Denison, Resident Theologian for the Baptist General Convention of Texas) *2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NRSV)
21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (NRSV)
10“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 1st - 8:12AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
An atheist went to the governor's office to ask about holidays. His complaint was that why does everyone else have a holiday. For example, Christians have Easter and Christmas. The Jewish Have Yom Kippur, etc. The Governor replied "You really want a holiday just for atheists?", "Yes, absolutely!" was his answer. The Governor replies, "Ok, your holiday will be on April 1st".
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Name: Doyle Purifoy
