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Friday, March 16, 2012

THE FIRST STEP IS A BIG ONE

"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:6b NKJV)

Thoughts for Today by The Pocket Testament League: (1/19/12)

“The Lord's first word of instruction to Saul was – ‘Now.’ I think this is really significant because the timing of when we choose to take the first step (the beginning point of following the Lord's direction) -- has a lot to do with the impact that a conversion experience will have upon us. The danger is that the longer we wait the less motivated we become.

We can begin to rationalize, for example: ‘He didn't really mean now, there's a lot of loose ends I need to tie up first.’ We might even look for an alternative explanation ‘Maybe that wasn't the Lord I met. Maybe the light was lightning and the voice was just thunder.’ Whatever the situation, the decision of when to get started is always – ‘now.’

The Lord's next words, ‘get up and go... and you will be told what you must do,’ should be underlined and highlighted in all of our Bibles for they are the key to understanding the concepts of discipleship, faith, and righteousness. These concepts can appear difficult and complicated. However, they are really very simple when expressed as: ‘get up and go... and you will be told what you must do.’

The complications jump in when we think too much. Too often we want more control and greater detail, for example ‘Where exactly do you want me to go?’, ‘What exactly do you want me to do when I get there?’ or ‘What should I take with me -- do I need to pickup something on the way?’

In the military, one of the purposes of boot camp is to prepare independent young men and women to take orders without question or explanation. On the battlefield if the sergeant yells ‘hit the ground’ a new recruit might get killed by enemy fire if he or she pauses to ask for more information of what ground to hit, or a more detailed explanation of the danger.

The same can be true for us as we face the trials and tribulations of the spiritual boot camp we call life -- do we hesitate or obey? All too often we look back at an event and say ‘It would have turned out so much better if I had only listened to the Lord!’

Questions to Ponder:

When the Lord says, ‘Get up and go,’ how do you respond? How do you express in your life the concepts of discipleship, faith, and righteousness? Faith is doing something even though you don't know how it will turn out.

When was the last time you stepped out in faith? Are you willing to follow the Lord right now, and then wait for His next instruction?

Members of The Pocket Testament League serve in all areas of life. You can read their motivating and inspiring stories on the League website. Enter keywords related to something you're passionate about to view stories where members have impacted that same ministry area. www.ptl.org

The following is from Devotions for MORNING and EVENING with OSWALD CHAMBERS: (pg 38)

“When God gives a vision and darkness follow, wait. God will make you in accordance with the vision He has given if you will wait His time. Never try and help God fulfil His word…Have I any confidence in the flesh? Or have I got beyond all confidence in myself and in men and women of God; in books and prayers and ecstasies; and is my confidence placed now in God Himself, not in His blessings. ‘I am the Almighty God’ – El-Shaddai, the Father-Mother God.

The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real. As soon as God becomes real, other people become shadows. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever perturb the one who is built on God.”

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (Prov. 25:2 KJV)

Perhaps you'd like to hear Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman's version of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, from You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DNGMO35-64

jowildflowers@gmail.com jean-oathout.blogspot.com Tomorrow’s post:

JUST BELIEVE/A SECOND CHANCE by Max Lucado

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Enjoying Wonderful Things

Merlin Carothers: "No mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord" 1 Cor. 2:9 (TLB).

When are we scheduled to enjoy these wonderful blessings that God has prepared for us? Only in heaven? No! Today, tomorrow and forever! God has given us His plan for us to receive these unusually good things. (Google image, I Love God)

Strength and Space

Amy Carroll shares with us, "I’m not a big resolutions person. I’ve made
them in the past, but resolutions are slippery things.

By the end of January, I find they've usually slid into the 'I’ll do it some other
time' pile.

I love a fresh start, though, and this year a prayer is echoing in my heart

louder than any resolution.

It’s a simple prayer.

Lord, please make me completely righteous and not a bit self-righteous.

My personality loves to know the rules. Boundaries make me feel safe, and
that’s a positive thing. But I tend to swing toward the extreme and use the
rules and boundaries to define myself as 'good'.

Here’s what scripture has to say about me (and you) being good…

“All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one
who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3 NIV)

As our youth pastor says it, even on my very best day–the day I think I’ve
acted rightly, spoken rightly and thought rightly–I still fall short.

I absolutely, positively cannot be good on my own.

That’s why I can’t follow the rules. I must follow Jesus.

The Message version of Psalm 14:3 gives a fresh perspective.

“He comes up empty. A string of zeros.

Useless, unshepherded Sheep, taking turns
pretending to be Shepherd. The ninety and
nine follow their fellow.”

When I read this version, I realized it
describes exactly what I do. When I am
following the rules and thinking I’m doing
well, I actually start seeing myself as the
Shepherd instead of a dumb sheep.

And THEN…(this is big)

…as I take my turn playing Shepherd, I begin to think I have a right to boss
the sheep.

That’s where self-righteousness begins to be a big stumbling block for me
and a big, stinkin’ mess for those around me.

I want to be vulnerable here but not whiny, so please hang tight.

There are others who have this same issue, and I’m not alone. In the past
few months, I’ve been one of the sheep being bossed by multiple
pseudo-Shepherds, and it doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end.

Snarky comments, judgmental attitudes and a lack of grace, love and
compassion should have no place in the body of Christ. Period.

That’s a statement for all of us…including me. Being on the bossed sheep
end of things has broken my heart as I realize how often I’ve done it to
others.

So how do we begin to live out the prayer to live completely
righteously and not one bit self-righteously?

It starts by following close on Shepherd Jesus’ heels and recognizing
ourselves as dumb sheep.

That may seem very simplistic, but it actually takes immeasurable
self-control.

I really think if we took those two tasks seriously, we’d have seen so
much of our own mess to sort out that we’d have very little time to
evaluate and judge everybody else’s mess.

Humility fuels compassion, grace and love.

Secondly, we’d develop strength and give
space.

As we grow, we seek God and His Word to
strengthen our own convictions about how to
live while giving space to others to do the
same.

Several years ago I met three incredibly close
friends who beautifully painted a picture of this way of living. The friends
were at different points in their spiritual walks.

Rebecca was a mature Christian who had attended church her whole life.

Beth had been a Christian since a child, but she had only recently returned
to a close walk with Jesus after a period of choosing a sinful lifestyle. Ruth
was a brand new Christian. (Note: I’ve changed the names of these precious
women.)

The first time I met Ruth I was instantly struck by her beauty and the fact
she had a figure most women would envy. As we spent time over the
weekend, Ruth shared how God had convicted her heart about modesty.

Before she started to follow Jesus, she had capitalized on her beauty and
figure with very revealing and racy clothing.

One day during her prayer time, God began to show her how He saw her,
and it transformed Ruth.

Because of her change of heart, she almost completely emptied her closet
that day of every piece of clothing He showed her was inappropriate for one
of His own.

Over and over as the three friends told me this story, Ruth repeated that
her friends had only loved her and never nagged her.

Rebecca and Beth shared that although God had given them strong
convictions in the area of modesty, He had simply asked them to love
Ruth while letting Him change her.

I love that story, because it instructs me and shows God as the
transforming hero He is. I am thankful He is big enough to make each of
His sheep righteous without the help of pseudo-shepherding.

I’m praying for all of us that we’ll be
increasingly righteous sheep encouraging
each other on the path we form behind our
gloriously righteous Shepherd.

Lord, make us each righteous in 2014
without being a bit self-righteous.

Strength and Space by Amy Carroll

Posted: 07 Jan 2014 03:14 AM PST

Amy Carroll’s passion is living the untied life. She loves to see women
freed into the matchless pleasure of deep relationship with God and others.

Amy is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ speaker team and the blissful
director of Next Step Speaker Services.

She lives in NC with her 3 favorite guys and a little, red dachshund. You can
find her on any given day typing at her computer, reading a book or trying to
figure out one more alternative to cooking dinner.

Visit Amy at www.amycarroll.org and find out more about speaker coaching at www.nextstepspeakerservices.org.

(Used by permission. Google images added)

Let’s pray:

Father, we are in need of Your grace to
follow the advice Amy has given us today.

Once we become aware of our attitudes,
which are in conflict with You, may we be
quick to admit our mistakes, and repent,
asking for forgiveness and guidance to do
better.

We ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

Today’s quotes: Rachel Mary Stafford -“The truth hurts, but the truth
heals … and brings me closer to the person and parent I want to be.”

Brenda K. Hendricks – “You have a right to set boundaries in relationships.
If someone has a tendency to draw you away from Christ, simply tell them
you cherish your relationship with them. But you wouldn’t go there.”

Some thoughts today: Come before God, and ask Him who you are.

- God wants His people to accept the help of others when He moves on

them to help with the need.

- Do you want to have relations with other Christians, so you can gain

their wisdom and learn from their experiences of being in God's Presence?

- This is why God wants His people to come together for worship and instruction.

- There's a move to meet with folks from other congregations around Jesus.

A neat idea!

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God' I will be
exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

14th- Tuesday’s post: #53 What Faithful, Committed Intercession Brings

C. Peter Wagner

16th- Thursday's post;  #54 Rugged Individualism C. Peter Wagner

18th- Saturday's post:  God Stands in the Gap Ellen Romig

19th- Sunday's post:  Hope for Skeptics Randy Kilgore

A popular post: Mistakes or Opportunities? Mary Southerland "God
works the same way, taking our mistakes and our sins and bringing good out of them."

jowildflowers@gmail.com

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

#4 God is Preparing Harvest for You

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- Your prayer for world harvest can be more effective today because God in His sovereignty is coordinating world trends to make rapid fruitfulness available to His children.

If we will put priority on prayer and obedience, this can be earth's greatest harvest time. Not every Christian is called to go. Not every Christian is able to make a substantial financial contribution to the work of Christ's kingdom. But there is no limit to what any Christian may accomplish through prayer! (Google image, Person praying at sunset)

The Trouble With Religion

Ron Hutchcraft: "It's that time of year again. When a lot of us are feeling - well, religious.

You've got Lent. And Good Friday services. And Easter services. And if you're Jewish, the millennia-old observance of Passover. (Ron's picture.)

But I Don’t Feel Like Forgiving .

Mary Southerland asks us, Do
you remember the last words

of Jesus as He hung on the cross?

“It is finished!”

The most literal translation would be “paid in full.”

Have you ever paid off a loan? I will never forget paying off my very first car loan. After sending in my forty-eighth and final payment, I celebrated the fact that I finally owned my bright blue and ever-so-compact Chevy Vega from bumper to bumper.

There were those who said you couldn’t drive a Vega – you had to wear it. Others described the bright color as “unique.” But to me, it was the most beautiful car in the world, because it was all mine.

I celebrated all over again when I received the loan papers. Stamped in big, red letters across the document were those beautiful words, “Paid in full.” Forgiveness is like that – beautiful!

Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think is owed. Sometimes the highest thing we can do is let something go and cut our losses instead of allowing the weight of an unpaid debt deplete mental and emotional energy.

In other words, we can forgive the debt - and set ourselves free.

Several years ago, we decided to sell one of our cars. It was old, rusty, ugly, and needed a lot of work. But in the right hands, it could last for several years.

A man who worked for the church bought it. He and Dan worked out the terms. The man agreed to make monthly payments. No papers were signed because, after all, it was a business agreement between two ministers.

Some lessons are learned the hard way. Dan gave the man the title and car keys. He gave us nothing. Not one penny.

Dan talked with him several times. The man always promised that he would make a payment soon. “Soon” never came.

I was furious – not so much because of the money, although it would have come in handy, but because this man was taking advantage of my husband’s generosity, and royally ticking me off in the process.

I ranted and fumed. Dan did not. In fact, he said, “Honey, I have decided to forgive the debt on that old car.”

I decided not to. And my anger grew.

A few weeks later, the man quit his job at the church, and went to work for a nearby grocery store – my grocery store.

Almost every time I went grocery shopping, he was there. And every time I saw him, anger consumed my heart. I finally realized that this whole car situation was killing my joy – until the day I decided to give him the car. It was the only thing I could do if I wanted peace.

I created a mental scene of driving to the grocery store, handing him the car keys, and saying, “Merry Christmas! Enjoy your new car.”

Now it wasn’t Christmas, and the car was far from new, but it worked. I forgave the debt, and let it go.

The most amazing thing happened. I was the one set free. Every time I saw the man, I waved and smiled. He began avoiding me. A few weeks later, I saw the man driving a different car, and learned from one of his co-workers that “his old car just up and died.” Enough said.

Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.

You may not feel like forgiving. It doesn’t matter. Just do it. Sometimes the feelings will follow that choice – other times they won’t. Feelings are irrelevant, but obedience to God is crucial.

Do not base the validity of what you are doing on how you feel. Make the choice to forgive. God will supply the forgiveness, and set you free.

Let’s Pray

Father, I am so tired of holding on to the pain in my life. I want to forgive those who have hurt me, let go of the pain, and walk on. Today, I lay down my pride and my rights. I will not seek revenge or retaliation. I choose to love my enemies and bless those who have hurt me. Help me, Father.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Make a list of the sins in your life. Confess each one, and ask God to forgive you. When you are finished, write 1 John 1:9 across the list and destroy it.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, NIV).

Be sure to check out Mary’s weekly Online Bible Study: A Glimpse of Heaven. Enroll now and have access to all 2014 lessons. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

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how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
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info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

September 2, 2014
But I Don’t Feel Like Forgiving
Mary Southerland
www.marysoutherland.com

Today’s Truth "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25, NIV).

(Google image and emphasis added)

Why, God?

Why do I think that if others would change
Life would be happier for me?
Why do I always judge their faults,
But my own I somehow don't see?

Why don't I ever stop to think
That if I'd change, perhaps they might too?
Why don't I first take a look at myself,
And leave changing them up to You!

By Frances Gregory Pasch

(Pg. 68) in Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life
through Devotions and Poetry by Frances Gregory
Pasch published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.

Check out her messages:
devotions and poetry

Used by permission.

A Prayer for Trust in God prayer@bibledeck.com

"Father, in our attempt to get even with our offender, we can do irreparable harm not only to our wrongdoer, but most especially to ourselves. Instead of having a spirit of forgiveness we harbor a vengeful heart. Out hearts harden and take on the character of the enemy instead of the Savior who loved us even while we were dead in our transgressions and sins.

Our debt of sin He paid, freeing us to break the chains of sin that had long held us bound. Father, You heal the broken-hearted and console the wounded as they seek You in the midst of their affliction, whether it is a fresh wound or an old injury. Our affliction from others is earthbound, but our affection for You is heavenbound where there will be no more heartaches, pain or wrongdoing of any kind. Keep us steadfast and faithful till that appointed time. Amen."

A thought today: We have the power to change things because of the power of Christ within us. More disrespect is formed through complaining. Stop, and listen to what God says about the situation.
Today's Bible verse: 2 Cor. 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

7th- Tuesday’s post: #5 Strategic-level Spiritual Warfare
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Thursday's post: #6 The Focus of WARFARE PRAYER
C. Peter Wagner

10th- Saturday's post: Step Up
Dave Branon

11th- Sunday's post: No Regrets
Debbie McEwen

A post of interest: How CAN I Forgive? By Jean Oathout "First of all, WE can't forgive to the point that we let some offense go completely.

A popular post: I'm Sorry, Man Dave Branon shares with us, "When my son-in-law Ewing and I attended a sporting event, we enjoyed watching both the game and the people around us..."

This is something that only our Creator, Who is the Author of Forgiveness, can help us with, when we turn to Him for help."

jowildflowers@gmail.com