Dare to Live
Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Recommended Reading
Psalm 95:6-11
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!
We are told that in order to have an amazing life we should go sky diving, travel the world, and experience all that we can. But the real secret to an extraordinary life is heeding the call of Christ and following Him wherever He leads. Sadly, many of us miss out on this life because we are almost persuaded, but ultimately we choose to do what we want to do.
When we put off the invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus, tell the Lord we'll start serving Him tomorrow, or ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting to live a more godly life, we are missing out on really living.
Let us not miss one more moment. When we hear God's calling in our life, let's dare to see what He has in store for those who choose to live life to its fullest with Him!
All of God's people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them.
Oswald Chambers
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 32:1 - 34:31
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Todays Prayer
Good morning Lord, There are times when I feel "down and out." I see so many precious people who are in that state today. I may not completely understand their reason and their situation, but I know who has the answer. You Lord, are the one who can help us overcome whatever burden, trial or temptation we face. You are the one who provides a way out. You are the one who can lift us out of the pit of sin, shame or depression. I pray that you will be merciful to me today as you have always been; that you will give me grace for today and keep my focus on Jesus--my Savior. I don't want or need to feel down and out, because I know who holds the future and works all things to the good of those He loves. Give me an attitude of gratitude today. In His name I thank you and love you. Amen. <><
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Wednesday, August 12
Seeing and Hearing
And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies.
John 3:32a
Recommended Reading
Luke 7:20-23
An eighteenth-century English jurist named William Blackstone is responsible for how the United States views the foundations of common law—especially regarding rules of evidence and testimony. His Commentaries on the Laws of England are still in use today.
The Bible has something to say about evidence as well, calling it "that which we have seen and heard" (1 John 1:3). In other words, a testimony is an eyewitness account. And that standard also forms the basis of a Christian's testimony of salvation through Christ. The evidence in a Christian testimony consists of the changes in one's life after an encounter with Jesus Christ, much as the blind man said in John 9: "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see" (verse 25). No one can deny the changes brought about in your life by the working of the Holy Spirit in you. Those changes are the evidence on which a person hearing your testimony may be encouraged to believe in Christ as well.
Make a list today of the changes that Christ has made in your life. Organize them in a way that can be communicated to others when God gives you that opportunity.
"Testimony" is not a synonym for "autobiography"! To witness is to speak of Christ.
John R. W. Stott
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 46:1 - 48:47
Seeing and Hearing
And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies.
John 3:32a
Recommended Reading
Luke 7:20-23
An eighteenth-century English jurist named William Blackstone is responsible for how the United States views the foundations of common law—especially regarding rules of evidence and testimony. His Commentaries on the Laws of England are still in use today.
The Bible has something to say about evidence as well, calling it "that which we have seen and heard" (1 John 1:3). In other words, a testimony is an eyewitness account. And that standard also forms the basis of a Christian's testimony of salvation through Christ. The evidence in a Christian testimony consists of the changes in one's life after an encounter with Jesus Christ, much as the blind man said in John 9: "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see" (verse 25). No one can deny the changes brought about in your life by the working of the Holy Spirit in you. Those changes are the evidence on which a person hearing your testimony may be encouraged to believe in Christ as well.
Make a list today of the changes that Christ has made in your life. Organize them in a way that can be communicated to others when God gives you that opportunity.
"Testimony" is not a synonym for "autobiography"! To witness is to speak of Christ.
John R. W. Stott
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 46:1 - 48:47
Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Tuesday, August 11
The Refiner's Fire
… you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:3-9
Most people think a goldsmith's furnace is used to extract gold from its ore and burn away the dross and impurities, purifying the metal. That's only half right. It also makes the gold pliable. Alexander of Neckham, a twelfth-century Englishman, wrote of a goldsmith who plunged the gold into the fire to soften it. As Neckham watched, the metal was molded into the required form using tongs, hammer, and anvil. Other tools included a saw, a file, and even a rabbit's foot for smoothing, polishing, and wiping the surface.
As Christians, it's not hard to see the analogy. We become more sensitive to God during hard times. We're forced to trust Him in new ways during trials. We fall to our knees in helpless dependence on His grace. We rediscover the power of prayer, and we claim promises in the Bible hitherto neglected. In the process, the fire eliminates those things that might be obscuring our vision of our Heavenly Father, and we are molded into the image of our Lord.
The Refiner's fire is always for His glory and our good.
When God puts us in the furnace, His hand is on the thermostat and His eye is on the clock.
Author unknown
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 42:1 - 45:5
The Refiner's Fire
… you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:3-9
Most people think a goldsmith's furnace is used to extract gold from its ore and burn away the dross and impurities, purifying the metal. That's only half right. It also makes the gold pliable. Alexander of Neckham, a twelfth-century Englishman, wrote of a goldsmith who plunged the gold into the fire to soften it. As Neckham watched, the metal was molded into the required form using tongs, hammer, and anvil. Other tools included a saw, a file, and even a rabbit's foot for smoothing, polishing, and wiping the surface.
As Christians, it's not hard to see the analogy. We become more sensitive to God during hard times. We're forced to trust Him in new ways during trials. We fall to our knees in helpless dependence on His grace. We rediscover the power of prayer, and we claim promises in the Bible hitherto neglected. In the process, the fire eliminates those things that might be obscuring our vision of our Heavenly Father, and we are molded into the image of our Lord.
The Refiner's fire is always for His glory and our good.
When God puts us in the furnace, His hand is on the thermostat and His eye is on the clock.
Author unknown
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 42:1 - 45:5
The Ransomed Heart - Beauty Is Absolutely Essential
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Beauty Is Absolutely Essential
08/09/2009
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I (John) just let out a deep sigh. That we even need to explain how beauty is so absolutely essential to God only shows how dull we have grown to him, to the world in which we live, and to Eve. Far too many years of our own spiritual lives were lived with barely a nod to beauty, to the central role that beauty plays in the life of God, and in our own lives. How could we have missed this?
Beauty is essential to God. No—that’s not putting it strongly enough. Beauty is the essence of God.
The first way we know this is through nature, the world God has given us. Scripture says that the created world is filled with the glory of God (Isa. 6:3). In what way? Primarily through its beauty. We had a wet spring here in Colorado, and the wildflowers are coming up everywhere—lupine and wild iris and Shasta daisy and a dozen others. The aspens have their heart-shaped leaves again, trembling in the slightest breeze. Massive thunderclouds are rolling in, bringing with them the glorious sunsets they magnify. The earth in summer is brimming with beauty, beauty of such magnificence and variety and unembarrassed lavishness, ripe beauty, lush beauty, beauty given to us with such generosity and abundance it is almost scandalous.
Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Stop for a moment and let that sink in. We’re so used to evaluating everything (and everyone) by their usefulness, this thought will take a minute or two to dawn on us. Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Which is to say, beauty is in and of itself a great and glorious good, something we need in large and daily doses (for our God has seen fit to arrange for this). Nature at the height of its glory shouts, Beauty is essential! revealing that Beauty is the essence of God. The whole world is full of his glory.
Beauty Is Absolutely Essential
08/09/2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I (John) just let out a deep sigh. That we even need to explain how beauty is so absolutely essential to God only shows how dull we have grown to him, to the world in which we live, and to Eve. Far too many years of our own spiritual lives were lived with barely a nod to beauty, to the central role that beauty plays in the life of God, and in our own lives. How could we have missed this?
Beauty is essential to God. No—that’s not putting it strongly enough. Beauty is the essence of God.
The first way we know this is through nature, the world God has given us. Scripture says that the created world is filled with the glory of God (Isa. 6:3). In what way? Primarily through its beauty. We had a wet spring here in Colorado, and the wildflowers are coming up everywhere—lupine and wild iris and Shasta daisy and a dozen others. The aspens have their heart-shaped leaves again, trembling in the slightest breeze. Massive thunderclouds are rolling in, bringing with them the glorious sunsets they magnify. The earth in summer is brimming with beauty, beauty of such magnificence and variety and unembarrassed lavishness, ripe beauty, lush beauty, beauty given to us with such generosity and abundance it is almost scandalous.
Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Stop for a moment and let that sink in. We’re so used to evaluating everything (and everyone) by their usefulness, this thought will take a minute or two to dawn on us. Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Which is to say, beauty is in and of itself a great and glorious good, something we need in large and daily doses (for our God has seen fit to arrange for this). Nature at the height of its glory shouts, Beauty is essential! revealing that Beauty is the essence of God. The whole world is full of his glory.
Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Monday, August 10
Fires and Floods
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2
Recommended Reading
Daniel 3:22-27
Anyone who has seen a rampaging river or a burning house knows the terror of flood and flame. The destructive power of fire and water is dreadful to see. Yet these are the dramatic images Isaiah uses to describe our own trials and troubles in life.
The Lord hasn't promised to keep us out of hardship, but He has given us two great promises to sustain us when we're in it: He will be with us, and our troubles will not overwhelm us. I will be with you… They shall not overflow you.
Remember how the Lord brought the Israelites through the waters of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and how He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3? If a problem is pressing down on you today, claim Isaiah 43:2. Picture the Lord as though He were really beside you, for He is. Trust Him to keep you from being swept away or consumed by your circumstances, for He has promised that His grace is sufficient.
When through fiery trials, thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
John Keith
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 37:1 - 41:18
Fires and Floods
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2
Recommended Reading
Daniel 3:22-27
Anyone who has seen a rampaging river or a burning house knows the terror of flood and flame. The destructive power of fire and water is dreadful to see. Yet these are the dramatic images Isaiah uses to describe our own trials and troubles in life.
The Lord hasn't promised to keep us out of hardship, but He has given us two great promises to sustain us when we're in it: He will be with us, and our troubles will not overwhelm us. I will be with you… They shall not overflow you.
Remember how the Lord brought the Israelites through the waters of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and how He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3? If a problem is pressing down on you today, claim Isaiah 43:2. Picture the Lord as though He were really beside you, for He is. Trust Him to keep you from being swept away or consumed by your circumstances, for He has promised that His grace is sufficient.
When through fiery trials, thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
John Keith
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 37:1 - 41:18
Friday, July 17, 2009
College is important...
College is basically a bunch of rooms where you sit for roughly two thousand hours and try to memorize things. The two thousand hours are spread out over four years; you spend the rest of the time drinking, sleeping and trying to get dates.
Basically, you learn two kinds of things in college:
1. Things you will need to know in later life (two hours). These include how to make collect telephone calls and get beer and crepe-paper stains out of your pajamas.
2. Things you will not need to know in later life (1,998 hours). These are the things you learn in classes whose names usually end in -ology, -osophy, -istry, -ics, and so on. The idea is, you memorize these things, then write them down in little exam books, then forget them. If you fail to forget them, you become a professor and have to stay in college for the rest of your life.
It's very difficult to forget everything. For example, when I was in college, I had to memorize -- don't ask me why -- the names of three metaphysical poets other than John Donne. I have managed to forget one of them, but I still remember that the other two were named Vaughan and Crashaw. Sometimes, when I'm trying to remember something important like whether my wife told me to get tuna packed in oil or tuna packed in water, Vaughan and Crashaw just pop up in my mind, right there in the supermarket. It's a terrible waste of brain cells.
After you've been in college for a year or so, you're supposed to choose a major, which is the subject you intend to memorize and forget the most things about. Here is a very important piece of advice: Be sure to choose a major that does not involve Known Facts and Right Answers.
This means you must NOT major in mathematics, physics, biology, or chemistry, because these subjects involve actual facts. If, for example, you major in mathematics, you're going to wander into class one day and the professor will say: "Define the cosine integer of the quadrant of a rhomboid binary axis, and extrapolate your result to five significant vertices." If you don't come up with exactly the answer the professor has in mind, you fail. The same is true of chemistry: if you write in your exam book that carbon and hydrogen combine to form oak, your professor will flunk you. He wants you to come up with the same answer he and all the other chemists have agreed on. Scientists are extremely snotty about this.
So you should major in subjects like English, philosophy, psychology, and sociology -- subjects in which nobody really understands what anybody else is talking about, and which involve virtually no actual facts.
I attended classes in all these subjects, so I'll give you a quick overview of each:
ENGLISH: This involves writing papers about long books you have read little snippets of just before class. Here is a tip on how to get good grades on your English papers: Never say anything about a book that anybody with any common sense would say. For example, suppose you are studying Moby Dick. Anybody with any common sense would say that Moby Dick is a big white whale, since the characters in the book refer to it as a big white whale roughly eleven thousand times. So in your paper, you say Moby Dick is actually the Republic of Ireland. Your professor, who is sick to death of reading papers and never liked Moby Dick anyway, will think you are enormously creative. If you can regularly come up with lunatic interpretations of simple stories, you should major in English.
PHILOSOPHY: Basically, this involves sitting in a room and deciding there is no such thing as reality and then going to lunch. You should major in philosophy if you plan to take a lot of drugs.
PSYCHOLOGY: This involves talking about rats and dreams. Psychologists are obsessed with rats and dreams. I once spent an entire semester training a rat to punch little buttons in a certain sequence, then training my roommate to do the same thing. The rat learned much faster. My roommate is now a doctor. If you like rats or dreams, and above all if you dream about rats, you should major in psychology.
SOCIOLOGY: For sheer lack of intelligibility, sociology is far and away the number one subject. I sat through hundreds of hours of sociology courses, and read gobs of sociology writing, and I never once heard or read a coherent statement.
This is because sociologists want to be considered scientists, so they spend most of their time translating simple, obvious observations into scientific-sounding code. If you plan to major in sociology, you'll have to learn to do the same thing. For example, suppose you have observed that children cry when they fall down. You should write: "Methodological observation of the sociometrical behavior tendencies of prematurated isolates indicates that a casual relationship exists between groundward tropism and lachrimatory, or 'crying,' behavior forms." If you can keep this up for fifty or sixty pages, you will get large government grants.
Basically, you learn two kinds of things in college:
1. Things you will need to know in later life (two hours). These include how to make collect telephone calls and get beer and crepe-paper stains out of your pajamas.
2. Things you will not need to know in later life (1,998 hours). These are the things you learn in classes whose names usually end in -ology, -osophy, -istry, -ics, and so on. The idea is, you memorize these things, then write them down in little exam books, then forget them. If you fail to forget them, you become a professor and have to stay in college for the rest of your life.
It's very difficult to forget everything. For example, when I was in college, I had to memorize -- don't ask me why -- the names of three metaphysical poets other than John Donne. I have managed to forget one of them, but I still remember that the other two were named Vaughan and Crashaw. Sometimes, when I'm trying to remember something important like whether my wife told me to get tuna packed in oil or tuna packed in water, Vaughan and Crashaw just pop up in my mind, right there in the supermarket. It's a terrible waste of brain cells.
After you've been in college for a year or so, you're supposed to choose a major, which is the subject you intend to memorize and forget the most things about. Here is a very important piece of advice: Be sure to choose a major that does not involve Known Facts and Right Answers.
This means you must NOT major in mathematics, physics, biology, or chemistry, because these subjects involve actual facts. If, for example, you major in mathematics, you're going to wander into class one day and the professor will say: "Define the cosine integer of the quadrant of a rhomboid binary axis, and extrapolate your result to five significant vertices." If you don't come up with exactly the answer the professor has in mind, you fail. The same is true of chemistry: if you write in your exam book that carbon and hydrogen combine to form oak, your professor will flunk you. He wants you to come up with the same answer he and all the other chemists have agreed on. Scientists are extremely snotty about this.
So you should major in subjects like English, philosophy, psychology, and sociology -- subjects in which nobody really understands what anybody else is talking about, and which involve virtually no actual facts.
I attended classes in all these subjects, so I'll give you a quick overview of each:
ENGLISH: This involves writing papers about long books you have read little snippets of just before class. Here is a tip on how to get good grades on your English papers: Never say anything about a book that anybody with any common sense would say. For example, suppose you are studying Moby Dick. Anybody with any common sense would say that Moby Dick is a big white whale, since the characters in the book refer to it as a big white whale roughly eleven thousand times. So in your paper, you say Moby Dick is actually the Republic of Ireland. Your professor, who is sick to death of reading papers and never liked Moby Dick anyway, will think you are enormously creative. If you can regularly come up with lunatic interpretations of simple stories, you should major in English.
PHILOSOPHY: Basically, this involves sitting in a room and deciding there is no such thing as reality and then going to lunch. You should major in philosophy if you plan to take a lot of drugs.
PSYCHOLOGY: This involves talking about rats and dreams. Psychologists are obsessed with rats and dreams. I once spent an entire semester training a rat to punch little buttons in a certain sequence, then training my roommate to do the same thing. The rat learned much faster. My roommate is now a doctor. If you like rats or dreams, and above all if you dream about rats, you should major in psychology.
SOCIOLOGY: For sheer lack of intelligibility, sociology is far and away the number one subject. I sat through hundreds of hours of sociology courses, and read gobs of sociology writing, and I never once heard or read a coherent statement.
This is because sociologists want to be considered scientists, so they spend most of their time translating simple, obvious observations into scientific-sounding code. If you plan to major in sociology, you'll have to learn to do the same thing. For example, suppose you have observed that children cry when they fall down. You should write: "Methodological observation of the sociometrical behavior tendencies of prematurated isolates indicates that a casual relationship exists between groundward tropism and lachrimatory, or 'crying,' behavior forms." If you can keep this up for fifty or sixty pages, you will get large government grants.
Todays Turning Point by Dr. David Jeremiah
Friday, July 17
Avoiding Pain
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call
on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
Recommended Reading
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Once there was a man who prayed that God would protect him from evil. His prayer was like the prayer Jesus taught His disciples except that he went further. He expressed a specific reason for wanting not to be led into temptation: "Oh, . . . that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" (1 Chronicles 4:10). The man was Jabez, an Old Testament saint who displayed mature wisdom in his prayer.
Whenever we yield to temptation or succumb to evil, we are not the only ones who are hurt. There is usually a friend, a spouse, a child, or some other person who is caused pain by our choice. Even if our choice to sin is purely internal, in the realm of our thoughts, we diminish our future impact on others by the loss of energy and spiritual vitality needed to deal with our sin. Therefore there are always three reasons not to sin: Pain to ourselves, pain to others, and pain to God. No parent likes to witness the failure of his or her children, and God certainly takes no pleasure when we fail.
When you pray, "Lead me not into temptation," keep Jabez's insight in mind: that you might not cause pain in anyone's life.
Each temptation leaves us better or worse; neutrality is impossible.
Erwin W. Lutzer
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 5:1 - 8:22
Avoiding Pain
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call
on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
Recommended Reading
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Once there was a man who prayed that God would protect him from evil. His prayer was like the prayer Jesus taught His disciples except that he went further. He expressed a specific reason for wanting not to be led into temptation: "Oh, . . . that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" (1 Chronicles 4:10). The man was Jabez, an Old Testament saint who displayed mature wisdom in his prayer.
Whenever we yield to temptation or succumb to evil, we are not the only ones who are hurt. There is usually a friend, a spouse, a child, or some other person who is caused pain by our choice. Even if our choice to sin is purely internal, in the realm of our thoughts, we diminish our future impact on others by the loss of energy and spiritual vitality needed to deal with our sin. Therefore there are always three reasons not to sin: Pain to ourselves, pain to others, and pain to God. No parent likes to witness the failure of his or her children, and God certainly takes no pleasure when we fail.
When you pray, "Lead me not into temptation," keep Jabez's insight in mind: that you might not cause pain in anyone's life.
Each temptation leaves us better or worse; neutrality is impossible.
Erwin W. Lutzer
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 5:1 - 8:22
Todays Prayer
Today's prayer July 17, 2009 in the year of our Lord
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Good Morning Lord
Lord, Do other people see me as a faithful friend or a burdensome buddy? I pray that I will be the kind of person that other people love and appreciate; not a person that others want to avoid. And I pray that I will be a good friend to others. "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Help me today to improve my friendship skills...and to be an example of your love in all I do. Thank you, God. In Jesus' name I pray and give you praise, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Good Morning Lord
Lord, Do other people see me as a faithful friend or a burdensome buddy? I pray that I will be the kind of person that other people love and appreciate; not a person that others want to avoid. And I pray that I will be a good friend to others. "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Help me today to improve my friendship skills...and to be an example of your love in all I do. Thank you, God. In Jesus' name I pray and give you praise, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Todays Prayer June 30
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Good Morning Lord
Lord, you have told me, "Whoever hears my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him" (John 14:21). Lord, you have given your Word and I want to obey. Give me a thirst to know more of you and spend more time in your Word. I love you. Please "show yourself to me " today. I praise you for who you are. In Jesus' name, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
" All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14
Good Morning Lord
Lord, you have told me, "Whoever hears my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him" (John 14:21). Lord, you have given your Word and I want to obey. Give me a thirst to know more of you and spend more time in your Word. I love you. Please "show yourself to me " today. I praise you for who you are. In Jesus' name, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
" All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14
Todays Turning Point w/ David Jeremiah
Tuesday, June 30
“I Have Never Prayed”
In this manner, therefore, pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…”
Matthew 6:9
Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:5-13
The late Methodist preacher, Charles A. Allen, once answered his doorbell to find a stranger on the stoop. “Something happened to me tonight that caused me to want to pray,” said the man. “But I have never prayed in my life and I do not know how. I don’t want you to pray for me—I want you to teach me how to pray for myself.”
What would we say to such a man?
Inviting the man in, Allan turned in the Bible to the Lord’s Prayer. He showed him how to kneel before an open Bible and to use this wonderful prayer as a pattern for telling God what was on his heart.
The Lord’s Prayer comprises just five verses and can be recited in less than a minute. Yet it contains all the essential elements of prevailing prayer: praise, priorities, provision, personal relationships, protection, and praise again. It begins with Our Father, ends with Amen, and touches every need in life. It can be committed to memory quickly, but it provides a lifetime of lessons for approaching the throne of grace.
The best way I know to learn to pray is to learn the Lord’s Prayer by heart.
Charles A. Allen
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 141:1 - 147:20
“I Have Never Prayed”
In this manner, therefore, pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…”
Matthew 6:9
Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:5-13
The late Methodist preacher, Charles A. Allen, once answered his doorbell to find a stranger on the stoop. “Something happened to me tonight that caused me to want to pray,” said the man. “But I have never prayed in my life and I do not know how. I don’t want you to pray for me—I want you to teach me how to pray for myself.”
What would we say to such a man?
Inviting the man in, Allan turned in the Bible to the Lord’s Prayer. He showed him how to kneel before an open Bible and to use this wonderful prayer as a pattern for telling God what was on his heart.
The Lord’s Prayer comprises just five verses and can be recited in less than a minute. Yet it contains all the essential elements of prevailing prayer: praise, priorities, provision, personal relationships, protection, and praise again. It begins with Our Father, ends with Amen, and touches every need in life. It can be committed to memory quickly, but it provides a lifetime of lessons for approaching the throne of grace.
The best way I know to learn to pray is to learn the Lord’s Prayer by heart.
Charles A. Allen
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 141:1 - 147:20
Monday, June 29, 2009
Todays Turning Point w/ David Jeremiah
Monday, June 29
Choose This Day
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16
Recommended Reading
Romans 13:13-14
Every child grows up learning to play the “Follow the Leader” game. Unknown to children, it’s really an instinctive tendency on the part of humans. As much as we might not like to admit it, we are all followers of something or someone.
As his logical, deductive mind did so often, the apostle Paul boiled down the “following” tendency into two major categories: We can follow the flesh (energized by Satan, the enemy of God) or we can follow the Spirit of God. To follow one means we are not following the other (for example, see Luke 16:13). And we are never in the “neutral” zone where we are not following one or the other. From the point in life at which we develop the conscious ability to make moral and spiritual choices, we are in a following mode. The “flesh,” in Paul’s terminology, is our natural (fallen) human instincts, oriented to self-serving and self-gratification. That’s what we follow if we are not following the leading of the Holy Spirit. The only way not to follow and carry out the desires of the flesh is to follow and carry out the desires of the Spirit.
Live in the choosing mode today, and choose wisely: Follow the Spirit of God.
The wisdom of the flesh is always exclaiming against the mysteries of God.
John Calvin
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 136:1 - 140:13
Choose This Day
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16
Recommended Reading
Romans 13:13-14
Every child grows up learning to play the “Follow the Leader” game. Unknown to children, it’s really an instinctive tendency on the part of humans. As much as we might not like to admit it, we are all followers of something or someone.
As his logical, deductive mind did so often, the apostle Paul boiled down the “following” tendency into two major categories: We can follow the flesh (energized by Satan, the enemy of God) or we can follow the Spirit of God. To follow one means we are not following the other (for example, see Luke 16:13). And we are never in the “neutral” zone where we are not following one or the other. From the point in life at which we develop the conscious ability to make moral and spiritual choices, we are in a following mode. The “flesh,” in Paul’s terminology, is our natural (fallen) human instincts, oriented to self-serving and self-gratification. That’s what we follow if we are not following the leading of the Holy Spirit. The only way not to follow and carry out the desires of the flesh is to follow and carry out the desires of the Spirit.
Live in the choosing mode today, and choose wisely: Follow the Spirit of God.
The wisdom of the flesh is always exclaiming against the mysteries of God.
John Calvin
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 136:1 - 140:13
Todays Prayer
Today's prayer June 29, 2009 in the year of our Lord
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Good Morning Lord
Dear Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised. Oh, how I wish that everyone would praise you and give you first priority in their lives. This world would be a better place...and individual lives would be so much better, so much happier. I am so burdened for those who or unemployed, underemployed, or not able to work. They try to exist on what little they have. Some of them receive help from charities and government programs; others scrape here and there to earn a little; others have nothing. I pray today that you will lift up these people. I pray that you will encourage them and guide them and show them the way. I pray that you will meet their EVERY need--whether for deliverance from sin, sickness, or something that holds them down--for a job or career and financial needs--for shelter--for medical care--for counseling--for friendship--whatever they truly need. For some there greatest need is to find a purpose and a feeling of worth. I pray that they will lift up their eyes to you, from whence comes their help and their salvation. Please have mercy and help them today. Please show me what I can do today to help them and enable me to do so. Please intervene. And may you receive all the glory and praise for great things you will do and are doing. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
" All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Good Morning Lord
Dear Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised. Oh, how I wish that everyone would praise you and give you first priority in their lives. This world would be a better place...and individual lives would be so much better, so much happier. I am so burdened for those who or unemployed, underemployed, or not able to work. They try to exist on what little they have. Some of them receive help from charities and government programs; others scrape here and there to earn a little; others have nothing. I pray today that you will lift up these people. I pray that you will encourage them and guide them and show them the way. I pray that you will meet their EVERY need--whether for deliverance from sin, sickness, or something that holds them down--for a job or career and financial needs--for shelter--for medical care--for counseling--for friendship--whatever they truly need. For some there greatest need is to find a purpose and a feeling of worth. I pray that they will lift up their eyes to you, from whence comes their help and their salvation. Please have mercy and help them today. Please show me what I can do today to help them and enable me to do so. Please intervene. And may you receive all the glory and praise for great things you will do and are doing. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. <><
Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
" All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Turning Point June 23.2009
Missing Weapon
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws.
Psalm 119:43 (NIV)
Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:41-48
During the worst days of the recent war in Iraq, the newspapers told of a Marine corporal, a very brave woman, at a checkpoint in Fallujah. Her job was to frisk Iraqi women for bombs. One day after a long shift, she was returning to camp when her convoy was attacked and she was thrown unconscious to the ground. Coming to, she reached for her weapon, but it was gone. The thought of being in a firefight without her weapon was terrifying. Though wounded in the attack, she survived; but she never wants to be caught in such a situation again.
As God’s soldiers, our weapon is the Scripture—the Sword of the Spirit. There’s nothing more terrifying than to find our weapon missing while we’re in a firefight with the world or the devil. Too many believers forget to carry God’s Word in their hearts. Among Christians today, there is Bible-less preaching, Bible-less counseling, Bible-less thinking, and Bible-less living. We cannot engage in spiritual warfare if our weapon is lost, misplaced, rusty, or neglected. Our power comes from the authority of God’s Word.
A Bible Christian I will be, for Christ has done so much for me.
Hymnist A. M. K. Deidrick
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 106:1 - 107:43
Dr.David Jeremiah
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws.
Psalm 119:43 (NIV)
Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:41-48
During the worst days of the recent war in Iraq, the newspapers told of a Marine corporal, a very brave woman, at a checkpoint in Fallujah. Her job was to frisk Iraqi women for bombs. One day after a long shift, she was returning to camp when her convoy was attacked and she was thrown unconscious to the ground. Coming to, she reached for her weapon, but it was gone. The thought of being in a firefight without her weapon was terrifying. Though wounded in the attack, she survived; but she never wants to be caught in such a situation again.
As God’s soldiers, our weapon is the Scripture—the Sword of the Spirit. There’s nothing more terrifying than to find our weapon missing while we’re in a firefight with the world or the devil. Too many believers forget to carry God’s Word in their hearts. Among Christians today, there is Bible-less preaching, Bible-less counseling, Bible-less thinking, and Bible-less living. We cannot engage in spiritual warfare if our weapon is lost, misplaced, rusty, or neglected. Our power comes from the authority of God’s Word.
A Bible Christian I will be, for Christ has done so much for me.
Hymnist A. M. K. Deidrick
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 106:1 - 107:43
Dr.David Jeremiah
Monday, June 22, 2009
Todays Prayer June 22.2009
Todays Prayer! June 22.2009
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Good Morning LordLord I pray this morning that I will relax and not get tense. I will have no fear, because everything will work out in the end and because your with me always(Matt 28:20). You've got my back if I'm in Your will. I will learn soul-balance and poise in a vacillating, tough and changing world. I will claim God's power and use it because if I do not use it, it will be withdrawn. As long as I get back to God and replenish my strength after each task, no work can be too much us for our Lord said you will not give me more than I can handle. I pray that I may relax today and that God's strength will be given to me in the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I may subject my will to God's will and be free from all tenseness. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. <>
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Good Morning LordLord I pray this morning that I will relax and not get tense. I will have no fear, because everything will work out in the end and because your with me always(Matt 28:20). You've got my back if I'm in Your will. I will learn soul-balance and poise in a vacillating, tough and changing world. I will claim God's power and use it because if I do not use it, it will be withdrawn. As long as I get back to God and replenish my strength after each task, no work can be too much us for our Lord said you will not give me more than I can handle. I pray that I may relax today and that God's strength will be given to me in the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I may subject my will to God's will and be free from all tenseness. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. <>
Monday, June 22
The Best Offense
And take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Ephesians 6:17b
Recommended ReadingRevelation 19:14-16Depending on whom you talk to, in which sport, “The best defense is a good offense” or “The best offense is a good defense.” Perhaps they both have value in different situations. But when it comes to living the Christian life, it appears the apostle Paul is going with “the best offense is a good defense.”
In Paul’s discussion of the Christian’s spiritual armor, all of the elements of armor he mentions are defensive in nature—the belt, breastplate, protection for the feet, the shield, and the helmet—except for one: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible is the only offensive weapon we have at our disposal among the armor of God. Because Christians are constantly subjected to the “fiery darts” of the evil one, it makes sense that our ability to stay spiritually alive is a function of our defensive armor. But there are times for offense as well—for going on the attack. And our weapon is the same one that Jesus used to defeat Satan: the promises of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
How sharp is the edge of your sword? How quickly can you access a promise of God when you are under attack? Don’t be caught off-guard in the midst of the battle.
The Bible is a rock of diamonds, a chain of pearls, the sword of the Spirit. Thomas Watson
Read-Thru-the-the-BiblePsalms 103:1 - 105:45
The Best Offense
And take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Ephesians 6:17b
Recommended ReadingRevelation 19:14-16Depending on whom you talk to, in which sport, “The best defense is a good offense” or “The best offense is a good defense.” Perhaps they both have value in different situations. But when it comes to living the Christian life, it appears the apostle Paul is going with “the best offense is a good defense.”
In Paul’s discussion of the Christian’s spiritual armor, all of the elements of armor he mentions are defensive in nature—the belt, breastplate, protection for the feet, the shield, and the helmet—except for one: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible is the only offensive weapon we have at our disposal among the armor of God. Because Christians are constantly subjected to the “fiery darts” of the evil one, it makes sense that our ability to stay spiritually alive is a function of our defensive armor. But there are times for offense as well—for going on the attack. And our weapon is the same one that Jesus used to defeat Satan: the promises of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
How sharp is the edge of your sword? How quickly can you access a promise of God when you are under attack? Don’t be caught off-guard in the midst of the battle.
The Bible is a rock of diamonds, a chain of pearls, the sword of the Spirit. Thomas Watson
Read-Thru-the-the-BiblePsalms 103:1 - 105:45
Friday, June 5, 2009
Todays Turning Point
Today's Turning Point By: Dr. David Jeremiah
Friday, June 5
The White Lie Has a Father
You are of your father, the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.John 8:44
Recommended ReadingJohn 8:42-47It’s not always necessary to say all we think, for Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings.” Many things are better left unsaid, and many opinions are better left unspoken. The Bible urges us to use words with restraint, to be quick to hear but slow to speak. But when we do speak, it should be with sincere and honest openness. Never allow your words or your silence to create false impressions or deceptive conclusions. Even a little “white lie” is as black as sin.
In the short run, a little lie may seem a useful thing; and if there were no God, any old lie would do. But there is a God of truth, just as there is a devil of lies. God’s Word is truth, and His people are honest. Satan’s word is misleading, unreliable, and never to be trusted.
The language of heaven is honest truth. To defend ourselves in spiritual battles, we must be bearers of the truth.
There are no little sins without a little god; and we have a big God.Anonymous
Read-Thru-the-BiblePsalm 17:1 - 20:9
Friday, June 5
The White Lie Has a Father
You are of your father, the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.John 8:44
Recommended ReadingJohn 8:42-47It’s not always necessary to say all we think, for Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings.” Many things are better left unsaid, and many opinions are better left unspoken. The Bible urges us to use words with restraint, to be quick to hear but slow to speak. But when we do speak, it should be with sincere and honest openness. Never allow your words or your silence to create false impressions or deceptive conclusions. Even a little “white lie” is as black as sin.
In the short run, a little lie may seem a useful thing; and if there were no God, any old lie would do. But there is a God of truth, just as there is a devil of lies. God’s Word is truth, and His people are honest. Satan’s word is misleading, unreliable, and never to be trusted.
The language of heaven is honest truth. To defend ourselves in spiritual battles, we must be bearers of the truth.
There are no little sins without a little god; and we have a big God.Anonymous
Read-Thru-the-BiblePsalm 17:1 - 20:9
How he came in my life!
It was a very exciting disappointed day! As we woke up with hope that Harley would be the horse of my dreams! As we drove along the hills, winding, narrow roads we came up to Harley's home! So we jumped out ran to see him and he was so beautiful to me! He had half a blue eye and was red with white spots. I thought he was the one no matter what! As we saddled him up, I hoped on him back and gaited down their dirt road and he was smooth and I fell in love on the dime! Everyone rode him some had different options then me but I had my mind set he was the one!!!!! On the way home we talked about his cons and his flaws, we already knew he had a few bad flaws like not backing out of the trailer, and a few others. After debating on getting him, we just decided not to get him.
Down the road the phone rang and it was a guy that sold us some of his horses years ago calling to see if he could bring one of his horses over that we looked at a few days before, so we agreed and when we got home we waited and waited, then the dogs barked so I shot out side like a shooting star to run to the squeaky trailer. I looked in the trailer to see what I have been wanted my whole life a black and white spotted gelding, but still my heart set on Harley I didn't think the black and white gelding would be the horse of my dreams. My mind changed the moment that black and white gelding stepped foot off the trailer I fell in love with him and I knew he was mine, but I didn't give my hopes up on him just yet! We worked with him and he was so good we started him on our Club, then he went to the lesson horse! I am so proud of that black and white horse, that is now called Elvis. He is my dream horse and I love him so much, he is such a delight to have around!
Down the road the phone rang and it was a guy that sold us some of his horses years ago calling to see if he could bring one of his horses over that we looked at a few days before, so we agreed and when we got home we waited and waited, then the dogs barked so I shot out side like a shooting star to run to the squeaky trailer. I looked in the trailer to see what I have been wanted my whole life a black and white spotted gelding, but still my heart set on Harley I didn't think the black and white gelding would be the horse of my dreams. My mind changed the moment that black and white gelding stepped foot off the trailer I fell in love with him and I knew he was mine, but I didn't give my hopes up on him just yet! We worked with him and he was so good we started him on our Club, then he went to the lesson horse! I am so proud of that black and white horse, that is now called Elvis. He is my dream horse and I love him so much, he is such a delight to have around!
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