Thoughts for Life: Ending the Repetition

How often do we find ourselves some place we've been before
Addressing certain issues we no longer can ignore
Determining that this one time will be the last we face
As we no longer choose to be found in our own disgrace
(Google image, The better plan)

It may be something simple something foolish or benign

Or maybe something quite severe from which we would resign

But always something we'd prefer not happen once again

Especially if it is something that's akin to sin

But honestly I must confess as often as I try

To make at last that one escape to last until I die

I find myself repeating what I do not want to do

Until I choose to bring my case to Him Who makes me new

And share with Him I'm helpless to keep living on my own

I'm helpless to address those things that burden like a stone

That's shackled to my person like a weight I can't release

That keeps me from experiencing real indwelling peace

That peace found in surrender to the One Who loves me best

The One Who knows each thought I think Who brings me to the test

Of facing all my failings until in His strength I stand

The victor over all those things I once let have command

And when I've found that victory in Him and Him alone

I don't just think I have arrived and strike out on my own

I find I must each morning dedicate my day to Him

Addressing by His grace alone not one but all of them

Those pesky dark temptations that before have had their way

But must no longer have influence on my special day

As every day is special when I start it out with Him

Who truly wants to make my life a beacon too for them

Who likewise have those struggles I have battled with so long

And find through me encouragement to turn away from wrong

As I learn like my Saviour all the more to be like Him

Through every victory that others see in me like them

So friend if you've repeated far too often your mistakes
And want to stop not for yourself but for your Saviour's sake
Just give Him every morning and throughout your day today
Permission and your willingness to lead you in His Way

Exodus 34:6, 7; Romans 6:8-23

Ending the Repetition

Lee Forbes

Let's pray-

"Holy Spirit, help me plant the good seeds of righteousness. I expect to reap a crop of peace and love. I plow up the hard ground of my heart for now is the time to seek the Lord. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I am a peacemaker planting seeds of peace and I will reap a harvest of goodness in the name of Jesus. Amen"
Germine Copeland

281-285 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn one each day this week-
281- Ps. 145:2 "Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."
282- Ps. 139:10 "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."
283- Ps. 121:8 "The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
284- Ps. 54:4 "Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is with them that uphold my soul."
285- Ps. 116:9 "I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living."

Today's quotes-

~ Max Lucado- "God is more moved by our hurt than our eloquence. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference."

~ Mary Southerland- "Revenge was never intended for our hands. It belongs in the hands of God. Our revenge destroys while God’s revenge brings justice and restoration. Part of true forgiveness is releasing the hurt and letting go of the pain! Instead, we often hold onto that pain, using its power to fuel the revenge we seek. It is easy for our hearts to become bent on revenge. But the Apostle Paul issues a strong warning about revenge. “Do not take revenge, my friends…leave room for God’s wrath. ‘It is mine to avenge. I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Exactly! That was the point that Jesus was trying to make. We are to keep no record of wrongs! There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to God’s. When we refuse to forgive, we become a prisoner of our own bitterness, making the person we are unwilling to forgive our jailer!

Forgiveness cannot be conjured or worked up; it is a deliberate choice that we must continually make. If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply all the forgiveness we need.

~ Ernie Miller is with Val Miller

How to start healing this land, practical guidance . . .
Just for today, yes, just this day.
For every person you meet, every injustice you see, every need that comes before you, every offense, every blessing . . . simply bring them all before the Lord in prayers of request, mercy, and thanksgiving, the very moment they come before you.
That’s it . . . no other thing to do. Just for this day . . .

Words of wisdom-

~ We can depend on the Lord's ability and determination to change us to be like Him. The transformation takes place moment by moment. Each new day is our opportunity to become more like Him. What He has started in us, He is going to complete!

Today's guest link:

Shared by Jane Ault

Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!

Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!

Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;

Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!

When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!

In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,

In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me thy way!
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The pastors and elders of the CFC churches in northern NY, will provide a daily devotional:Streams in the Desert
and provide a short Scripture reading and a brief message from one of the pastors or elders every day for the coming season.
Past special song presentations are listed.

The home pages of the CFC website: https://www.cfconline.org/

[Replay past services, and read past devotionals you missed.
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The livestream link: https://www.cfconline.org/live
[For CFC Sunday services]

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