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1 Corinthians 10:1 - 13
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Corinthians 10:15
1 Corinthians 10:6
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
1 Corinthians 11:24
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1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:1 - 3
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1 Corinthians 1:10
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1 Corinthians 9
1 Corinthians 9:24
1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27
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1 John 1:3 - 4, 6 - 7
1 John 1:5-9
1 John 2:15 - 17
1 John 2:3 - 9
1 John 3:1-3
1 John 3:14
1 John 4:7-10
1 John 4:7-21
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1 Kings 15:8 -35
1 Kings 19:1-4
1 Kings 19:11
1 Peter 1:13 - 15
1 Peter 1:22
1 Peter 1:23
1 Peter 1:3 - 7
1 Peter 1:6-9
1 Peter 2:24
1 Peter 2:9 -12
1 Peter 3:13
1 Peter 4:12 - 19
1 Peter 5:10 -11
1 Peter 5:6 - 10
1 Peter 5:8-9
1 Samuel 1
1 Samuel 15:22
1 Samuel 17
1 Samuel 17:1-30
1 Samuel 17:31-51
1 Samuel 17:8-11
1 Samuel 18:5 -16
1 Samuel 1:1 - 18
1 Samuel 1:1 -18
1 Samuel 1:1-18
1 Samuel 1:19-28
1 Samuel 2:1 - 11
1 Samuel 30:1 - 20
1 Thessalonians 2:10 - 12
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
1 Thessalonians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 5:23
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - 34
1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:14-16
1 Timothy 5:8
1 Timothy 6:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
1 Timothy 6:6-16
2 Chronicles 20:1 - 13
2 Chronicles 20:1-13
2 Chronicles 20:14 - 30
2 Chronicles 31:20-21
2 Chronicles 33:1-19
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
2 Corinthians 12:7 - 10
2 Corinthians 13:14
2 Corinthians 1:3 - 6
2 Corinthians 1:3 - 7
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
2 Corinthians 4:14-18
2 Corinthians 4:7
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
2 Corinthians 5:1 - 9
2 Corinthians 5:14-19
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 6:11-16
2 Corinthians 7:1
2 Corinthians 9:6 -15
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
2 Kings 6:15-17
2 Peter 1:5-7
2 Peter 2:2
2 Peter 3:14 - 18
2 Peter 3:14-18
2 Samuel 11:1- 5
2 Samuel 7:8 - 22
2 Thessalonians 1:3 - 4
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
2 Timothy 1:1-6
2 Timothy 1:6 -- 12
2 Timothy 1:7
2 Timothy 1:8-9
2 Timothy 1:9
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2 Timothy 3:14 - 17
2 Timothy 3:14-17
2 Timothy 4:6-18
Acts 10:1-2
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Acts 10:44
Acts 14:22
Acts 1:11 - 14
Acts 24:24 - 27
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:37-40
Acts 2:38-39
Acts 2:42 - 47
Acts 3:12-18
Acts 4:10-12
Acts 8:26-39
Colossians 1:10 - 12
Colossians 1:18
Colossians 1:5
Colossians 1:9 - 14
Colossians 1:9 -14
Colossians 1:9-14
Colossians 2:1 - 9
Colossians 2:9-10
Colossians 3:1 - 3
Colossians 3:1 - 4
Colossians 3:1- 4
Colossians 3:12 - 17
Colossians 3:12-14
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Colossians 3:18 -21
Colossians 3:18-25
Colossians 3:21
Colossians 3:23-25
Corinthians 15:35 - 42a
Daniel 6
Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 4:9
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Ecclesiastes 11:4 - 6
Ecclesiastes 12:11
Ephesians 1:1 - 6
Ephesians 1:1 - 8
Ephesians 1:11 - 14
Ephesians 1:15-17
Ephesians 1:16-19a
Ephesians 1:3 - 14
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesians 1:3-6
Ephesians 1:5-14
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Ephesians 2:14
Ephesians 2:19-21
Ephesians 2:4 - 10
Ephesians 3:11 - 21
Ephesians 3:14 - 16
Ephesians 4:1-3
Ephesians 4:1-6
Ephesians 4:11 - 16
Ephesians 4:17 - 32
Ephesians 4:17-18
Ephesians 4:29 - 32
Ephesians 4:29-32
Ephesians 4:31-32
Ephesians 5:1 - 2
Ephesians 5:1 - 4
Ephesians 5:15 - 17
Ephesians 5:15-17
Ephesians 5:20
Ephesians 5:6
Ephesians 5:8-14
Ephesians 6:1 - 4
Ephesians 6:1- 4
Ephesians 6:10
Ephesians 6:10 - 13
Ephesians 6:10 - 18
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Ephesians 6:10-17
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Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 6:13-18
Ephesians 6:14 - 17
Ephesians 6:4
Ephesians 6:7-8
Exodus 14
Exodus 20:1-12
Exodus 20:6
Exodus 31:13
Exodus 4:10 -13
Exodus 4:2
Ezekiel 3:15-21
Galatians 2:21
Galatians 5:13
Galatians 5:16-26
Galatians 5:22
Galatians 5:22 - 23
Galatians 5:6
Galatians 6:1 - 8
Genesis 1-3
Genesis 12:1-5
Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 1:5
Genesis 20:1 - 16
Genesis 24
Genesis 2:4-7
Genesis 2:7 - 3:24
Genesis 39
Genesis 3:1 - 24
Genesis 8:15 - 21
Hebrews 10:1- 4
Hebrews 10:35 - 39
Hebrews 10:38-39
Hebrews 10:5 -14
Hebrews 11:1
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Hebrews 11:23 -28
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Hebrews 3:12-13
Hebrews 3:12-19
Hebrews 3:7-11
Hebrews 4:14-16
Hebrews 4:15 - 16
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Hebrews 7:26 - 27
I Corinthians 10:31-33
I John 3:18-24
I Peter 1:3-9
I Samuel 7:1-12
II Corinthians 13:11-14
Isaiah 12:1-5
Isaiah 14:27
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 40:12 - 31
Isaiah 40:27 - 31
Isaiah 40:29 - 31
Isaiah 41:1-9
Isaiah 41:10-13
Isaiah 52:7
Isaiah 53:6
Isaiah 55:6-13
Isaiah 57:10
Isaiah 57:10 - 15
Isaiah 63:7-9
Isaiah 65:18-25
Isaiah 6:1 - 8
James 1:1-8
James 1:12
James 1:12-15
James 1:14-16
James 1:19-21
James 1:2 - 8
James 1:2-3
James 1:22 - 25
James 1:22-25
James 1:5 - 8
James 1:5-8
James 4:7
James 4:7 - 8
James 5:13-18
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Jeremiah 31:10-14
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Job 34:21
John 10:10
John 11:35-44
John 12:24
John 12:35 - 36
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John 14:21 - 24
John 14:21-24
John 14:22-26
John 14:26
John 14:26-27
John 14:27
John 14:27-31
John 14:6
John 14:6-11
John 14:9
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John 15:11-17
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John 16:20-24
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John 17:1 - 3
John 17:1-12
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John 17:20 - 26
John 17:5 - 8
John 19:30
John 1:11-12
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John 1:6 - 11
John 20:30-31
John 21:1-19
John 21:15-19
John 2:1-2
John 3:1-21
John 3:16
John 3:16 - 18
John 3:16-17
John 3:16-18
John 3:9-15
John 4:14
John 6:16-21
John 6:35
John 6:60-65
John 7:14-18
John 8:1 - 11
John 8:25-28
John 8:31-32
John 8:7
John 9:1-7
John 9:13 -25
John17:20
Jonah 1
Jonah 1:1-5
Jonah 4
Joshua 1:5 - 9
Joshua 1:6 - 9
Joshua 6:1-20
Jude 1:24-25
Judges 13:24-25
Judges 16:1-22
Leviticus 23:3-12
Luke 10:38-42
Luke 10:40 - 42
Luke 10:40-42
Luke 11:1
Luke 11:5 -13
Luke 12:16 - 21
Luke 12:28-34
Luke 12:29-34
Luke 12:32
Luke 13:1-5
Luke 15:11 - 24
Luke 15:11 - 4
Luke 15:11-32
Luke 16:10-13
Luke 17:1 - 6
Luke 19:38
Luke 1:39-44
Luke 22:66-71
Luke 23:32 - 43
Luke 24:45-49
Luke 2:1 - 14
Luke 2:1 - 20
Luke 2:1-20
Luke 2:19
Luke 2:39-40
Luke 3:10-11
Luke 4:18
Luke 5:1 - 11
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Luke 9:43
Malachi 3:10
Malachi 3:7-12
Mark 10:17 - 22
Mark 10:46 - 52
Mark 11:1-19
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Mark 11:20 - 26
Mark 11:20-26
Mark 11:22-23
Mark 12:28-34
Mark 12:41-44
Mark 14:32-35
Mark 1:16 - 20
Mark 1:32-35
Mark 2:4
Mark 4:35 - 41
Mark 4:35-41
Mark 4:38
Mark 6:1- 5
Matthew 11:23-27
Matthew 11:25
Matthew 11:28
Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 11:29
Matthew 12:22 - 32
Matthew 12:46-50
Matthew 13:13-14
Matthew 14:22 - 32
Matthew 14:22 - 34
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:24 -27
Matthew 16:24-26
Matthew 16:24-27
Matthew 16:24-28
Matthew 18:1-6
Matthew 18:15-20
Matthew 18:18-20
Matthew 1:23
Matthew 20:20 - 28
Matthew 20:28
Matthew 21:20-22
Matthew 21:21-22
Matthew 23:5-12
Matthew 24:36-42
Matthew 25:35-40
Matthew 25:40
Matthew 26:36 - 38
Matthew 26:41
Matthew 27:11- 26
Matthew 28:1-10
Matthew 28:16 - 20
Matthew 28:19 - 20
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 3:13 -17
Matthew 4: 21 - 22
Matthew 4:18 - 22
Matthew 4:18-20
Matthew 4:18-22
Matthew 4:19
Matthew 5:1-6
Matthew 5:13 -16
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:14
Matthew 5:16
Matthew 5:17 - 19
Matthew 5:23-24
Matthew 5:7 - 12
Matthew 6:13
Matthew 6:19 - 20
Matthew 6:2-4, NLT
Matthew 6:22 - 23
Matthew 6:25-30
Matthew 6:28 - 33
Matthew 6:7, 8
Matthew 6:9-14
Matthew 6:9-15
Matthew 7:24 - 29
Matthew 7:3-5
Matthew 7:9-11
Matthew 8:2-3
Matthew 9:10-13
Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:20
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Nehemiah 2:1-9
Nehemiah 4:1 - 6:16
Nehemiah 4:1-6
Numbers 6:25
OUR TEXTBOOK
Philippians 1:1 - 18
Philippians 1:12 - 14
Philippians 1:12 - 18
Philippians 1:12-14
Philippians 1:19 - 21
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:9 - 11
Philippians 1:9-10
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 2:14
Philippians 2:3 -11
Philippians 2:3, 14
Philippians 3:10
Philippians 3:10 - 14
Philippians 3:13
Philippians 3:20-21
Philippians 3:7 - 11
Philippians 4:10-13
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:5 - 7
Philippians 4:5-7
Philippians 4:6 - 7
Phillipians 4:6
Proverbs 11:24-25
Proverbs 11:27 - 31
Proverbs 14:15 - 21
Proverbs 18:10
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 22:1 - 6
Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 23:4-5
Proverbs 25:2
Proverbs 28:12-14
Proverbs 28:21-28
Proverbs 29:19-24
Proverbs 2:1-5
Proverbs 31:28 - 31
Proverbs 3:1-4
Proverbs 3:13-26
Proverbs 3:5,6
Proverbs 3:5-10
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 4:14 - 19
Proverbs 5:21
Psalm 1
Psalm 100:1 - 5
Psalm 102:1-7
Psalm 103:1-8
Psalm 103:2
Psalm 107:9
Psalm 10:12-16
Psalm 118:1 - 4
Psalm 118:5 - 9
Psalm 118:5-9
Psalm 119:1 - 7
Psalm 119:1-7
Psalm 119:105-112
Psalm 119:129-136
Psalm 119:15
Psalm 119:41-48
Psalm 119:49
Psalm 119:9 -16
Psalm 119:97 - 104
Psalm 121:7-8
Psalm 139
Psalm 144:2
Psalm 15
Psalm 150:6
Psalm 16:6 - 11
Psalm 16:6-11
Psalm 18:20-26
Psalm 18:30-32
Psalm 19
Psalm 19:1 - 6
Psalm 19:14
Psalm 19:2 - 6
Psalm 19:7-11
Psalm 1:1 - 3
Psalm 23
Psalm 24:1 - 5
Psalm 25:1-5
Psalm 25:15-18
Psalm 25:20 - 21
Psalm 25:4-10
Psalm 27
Psalm 27:1 - 4
Psalm 27:1-3
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 32:1- 5
Psalm 32:1-2
Psalm 32:1-8
Psalm 32:10-11
Psalm 32:8
Psalm 33:12
Psalm 33:12 - 16
Psalm 34:1
Psalm 34:1 - 3
Psalm 34:1 - 7
Psalm 35:1-9
Psalm 37:1 - 8
Psalm 37:1-4
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 3:1-6
Psalm 46
Psalm 46:10
Psalm 48:14
Psalm 49:1-13
PSalm 49:14-20
Psalm 4:3
Psalm 50:7-15
Psalm 51:10-12
Psalm 55:22
Psalm 62:1-2
Psalm 63:1 - 7
Psalm 63:1 - 8
Psalm 63:1-8
Psalm 66:16
Psalm 68:15 - 18
Psalm 68:3-6
Psalm 69:12-14
Psalm 69:13
Psalm 71:9-16
Psalm 78:1-4
Psalm 80:3
Psalm 81:10-16
Psalm 89:15-17
Psalm 91
Psalm 91:1 - 7
Psalm 92:1 - 5
Psalm 9:10 - 14
Psalm 9:10-14
Psalm 9:7-10
Psalms 102:24-28
Revelation 1:1 - 3; 5
Revelation 20-11:15
Revelation 21:22 - 22:7
Revelation 21:22-22:6
Revelation 21:9-21
Revelation 4
Revelation 4:1-11
Revelation 5
Revelation 8:14-17
Romans 10:6 - 10
Romans 10:6-10
Romans 10:8-13
Romans 10:9-13
Romans 11:36
Romans 12:1 - 2
Romans 12:1-3
Romans 12:1-8
Romans 12:17-18
Romans 12:19-21
Romans 12:9-18
Romans 13:9-10
Romans 14:10-12
Romans 14:12
Romans 15:15-21
Romans 16:1 - 20
Romans 16:17 - 18
Romans 1:16 -17
Romans 1:18 - 23
Romans 1:18-25
Romans 1:24 - 32
Romans 1:28-31
Romans 1:8-16
Romans 3:10 - 26
Romans 3:25-31
Romans 3:3,4; Numbers 23:
Romans 5:1 - 2
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Romans 5:8 -17
Romans 5:8-17
Romans 5:9-15
Romans 6:11
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Romans 6:23
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Romans 7:15 - 20
Romans 7:15 - 25
Romans 7:18-25
Romans 8:1-2
Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28 - 29
Romans 8:28 - 30
Romans 8:3-15
Romans 8:31 - 39
Romans 8:32
Romans 8:33
Romans 8:35-39
Romans 8:9 -14
Song of Solomon 2:15
Titus 1
Titus 2:1 - 8
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Saturday, 2 August 2008
JUST GETTING ALONG
Topic: 1 Corinthians 1:10
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10

The Bible doesn't tell us "one anothers" to just get along with one another. Even the worst of enemies can bury their differences for a short time when it's beneficial for meeting a mutual goal.

But God, sending a note through our big brother, Paul, calls us to a higher standard than just getting along: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Philippians 2:1-2).

Our testimonies are validated by how we get along with other believers -- that is, how we get along with one another in our congregations, our small groups, our choir rehearsals, our deacon/elder meetings, not to mention our families. Jesus says, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).

Yet, love doesn't look much like love when it's accompanied by arguments and disputes and constant fighting. My spiritual mentor, Steve Pettit, notes this is perhaps the hardest aspect of authentic Christian fellowship -- because conflicts arise every time people are thrown together. Even a man and a woman who vow to love one another until "death do us part" can't always see eye-to-eye.

It's understandable, then, when a group of people who have nothing in common, except for the Jesus-life inside them, find it difficult to agree with one another all the time, perhaps even difficult to agree even one time.

What does this mean?

- Take your disputes to Jesus. We may have differing opinions, but on this one thing we must agree: Jesus is the head and his opinions are the only ones that matter (James 4:7). As we submit to Jesus, he will wash away our divisions and disputes with love that flows from the fountain of God.

- Agree to agree with Jesus. Has God brought to mind someone with whom you need to work out some differences? Instead of trying to make the other person agree with you, agree with God and submit to what God tells you to do. If God so leads, tell those on the other side of a conflict or dispute that you are willing to submit to the will of Jesus and encourage them to do the same.

Have you "disagreed" with Jesus lately, or with a close friend with whom you should try to reconcile?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:54 PM CDT
Updated: Saturday, 2 August 2008 1:01 PM CDT
Permalink
Friday, 1 August 2008
HEAVEN
Topic: Colossians 1:5
"... the hope that is stored up for you in heaven ..." Colossians 1:5

Our hope in Christ for the future is the ultimate source of our joy here and now. This joy will set our hearts on fire to think of heaven, since all that we could ever want is promised there.

Here we are tired and run-down, but there lies the land of rest where the worker will no longer sweat with work, and fatigue will forever be banished. To those who are weary and spent, the word "rest" is full of heaven. We are always in the field of battle; we are so tempted within, and so tormented by enemies without, that we have little or no peace. But in heaven we will enjoy the victory, when the flag shall be waved high in triumph. The sword will be sheathed, and we shall hear our Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Here we may suffer sorrow after sorrow, but we are going to the land of the immortal where graves are unknown things. Here sin is a constant discouragement to us, but there we will be perfectly holy, for there will be no way for any impurity to enter into the kingdom. Death cannot flower among the heavenly fields.

Isn't it a wonderful truth that you are not to be banished forever, that you will not live eternally in the wilderness, but instead will soon inherit the beautiful promised land? Nevertheless, never think that we are dreaming about the future and forgetting the present! In fact, we should let our hope for the future help us to focus on the present.

Through the Spirit of God the hope of heaven is the most powerful force for development of virtue. It is a fountain of joyous effort and the cornerstone of cheerful holiness. Anyone who has this hope in them does their work with vigour, for the joy of the Lord is their strength. Such a person fights against temptation, for the hope of the next world repels the fiery darts of the devil. We can therefore labour even when we do not see immediate rewards, for we look forward to a reward in the world to come.

How do you imagine Heaven?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:28 AM CDT
Permalink
Thursday, 31 July 2008
YOUR PATHS MADE PLAIN
Topic: Proverbs 3:5,6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths"  Proverbs 3:5,6, KJV

A young seminary graduate came to see me while he was investigating various possibilities of Christian service. In particular, he had come to discuss the ministry of Campus Crusade.

"In what way do you expect God to reveal His place of service for you?" I asked him.

"I'm following the 'closed-door policy,'" he replied." A few months ago I began to investigate several opportunities for Christian service. The Lord has now closed the door on all but two, one of which is Campus Crusade. If the door to accept a call to a particular church closes, I'll know that God wants me in Campus Crusade."

Many sincere Christians follow this method - often with most unsatisfactory and frustrating results. God does sometimes use closed doors in the life of a Spirit-controlled Christian, as the apostle Paul experienced on different occasions, but generally one does not discover God's perfect will through a careless "hit-or-miss" attitude that ignores a careful evaluation of all the issues.

Such an approach is illogical because it allows elements of chance to influence a decision rather than a careful, intelligent, prayerful evaluation of all the factors involved. It is unscriptural in that it fails to employ the God-given faculties of reason that are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Why not follow the "open-door policy" of Proverbs 3:5,6, trusting God for His clear direction? This is God's provision for supernatural living.

Do you need God's guidance in a particular area of your life? Have you asked Him to guide you?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:06 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 31 July 2008 1:13 PM CDT
Permalink
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
BEWARE OF DECEPTION
Topic: 1 Corinthians 10:15

"You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true." 1 Corinthians 10:15

Opening your email inbox, you notice a new email: From "Chief Oyinbolowo Eko" with the subject "REQUEST FOR AN URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP".

"Strange," you think to yourself, knowingly rolling your eyes, "I don't know a Chief Oyinbolowo Eko ... or any Chief at all, for that matter." Out of pure curiosity you open the email and read:

Greetings friend! I got your contact address through your country business directory and feel you will serve as a reliable source to be used to achieve our goal of transferring the estate of Miss Leslie Mushasha, by trusting under your care the total sum of Thirty million US dollars (US $30M).

Recognizing an obvious attempt at deception, you wisely delete the email and don't give it a second thought.

If it's so easy to recognize scams, why are people so often led astray by unbiblical and therefore Christ-dishonoring teaching? Jesus warned us many would try to deceive us: "Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ?I am he,' and will deceive many. ... if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it."" (Mark 13:5-6,21)

Likewise, Paul warns us that many will try to deceive us, attempting to portray themselves as righteous: "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve ... Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Galatians 1:8)

How can we guard against being deceived? Continually read God's word, hold tightly to the central truths of the faith, and do not uncritically trust the interpretations of any one person. There are many peripheral faith issues that Christians are free to disagree with, so we should not be too quick to dismiss other Christians whose views on certain issues differ from ours. But salvation issues (the core gospel) cannot be compromised. Keep your mind sharp so that you can calmly walk away from teaching that dishonors God by rejecting His revealed truth in His Word.

Have you been tricked or deceived in the past, and if so what did you learn from the experience?

Darren Hewer


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:18 AM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, 30 July 2008 9:23 AM CDT
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008
GO TO HIM
Topic: Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian faith is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, step carefully on the path in which you walk. If you break the commandments, you will perish; keep them, and you will live." The law was a burden even as it was a blessing, which drove men and women before it harshly; the gospel draws with arms of love.

Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, urging them follow Him, and always leading them onwards with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, come to me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come," even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, urging you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you will hear His winsome voice calling you after Him all through your life. Later, in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He will usher you into the heavenly world will be "Come, you who are so blessed of my Father."

This is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you are a believer, this is your cry to Christ: "Come! come!" You will be longing for His second coming; you will be saying, "Come quickly, come Lord Jesus." You will be yearning for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice calls to you "Come," your response to Him will also be "Come, Lord, and live with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and dedicate me entirely to Your service."

When God calls you, are you ready to hear and obey? How can you prepare your mind and heart?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:02 PM CDT
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Monday, 28 July 2008
FAITH IS ACTION
Now Playing: Hebrews 11:6-10
Christians have the capacity to believe God for far more than we are typically willing to ask Him to do. Instead of demonstrating a solid conviction of His faithfulness, we often act out of a weak, halfhearted belief. The Lord is waiting for uncertain believers to come to Him in complete trust. The people living the richest spiritual lives are those who anticipate the Lord doing great things - they exercise the gift of faith.

Exercising faith cannot be passive. Notice that an action word follows every mention of faith in Hebrews 11 (prepared, obeyed, and lived). Instead of folding hands and waiting for God to do something, believers need to get busy. Our first responsibility is to go before the Lord with our petition, sometimes more than once. Then, we must consciously decide to trust Him for an answer and wait with assurance and anticipation that He will follow through on His promises.

God did amazing feats through the lives of the Hebrews 11 men and women. As believers, we have the same potential for Him to work powerfully in and through us. Of course, the Father does not ask us to tackle more than we can handle. Start today by giving Him the small anxieties that plague you. Or ask God for one change you want Him to make in your life.

Like an under - used muscle, faith might at times become flabby, but by putting it into action, believers can build a strong, tough trust. As our assurance builds, we believe the Lord for progressively greater things. In return, He will use us in ways we never imagined.

How can you continually exercise your faith so that you will be living out your faith in your daily life?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:43 AM CDT
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Sunday, 27 July 2008
GOD's AMAZING LOVE
Topic: 1 John 4:7-21
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

Our son's college roommate called at 10 p.m. "Jon is very sick and wants you to come right away!" What could be wrong? He was fine a few hours earlier when we ate dinner together. We drove to Jon's dorm, praying all the way. The 30-minute trip seemed to take forever.

We found our son vomiting and writhing in pain. He needed a doctor immediately. We sped to the emergency room where they examined him and took blood tests. "He might need surgery, possibly for appendicitis," the medical assistant said.

Jon lay on the examining table doubled in pain, groaning and pleading, "Pray, Mother, pray." I prayed aloud again and again, asking God to relieve his pain and heal him.

In those anxious moments, my heart flooded with intense feelings of love for my son. I realized what a tremendous loss I would feel if he died.

By morning, our son's pain subsided. The doctors hadn't found anything wrong and released him to return to his dorm. Through this experience, however, I developed a new appreciation of God's deep love for me.

As my mother heart ached for my son at the hospital, I gained a small glimpse of the anguish God the Father must have felt when he allowed His only Son to suffer and die for my sins. He, too, loved His Son but willingly allowed Him to die to become the Savior of the world. I can't imagine sacrificing my son to give life to others. Yet God did just that for you and me. What amazing love!

In what ways have you experienced God's love? How can you show your love and gratitude to Him?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:10 PM CDT
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Saturday, 26 July 2008
A NEW CREATURE
Topic: 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ruthless violence. Lavish lifestyle. Those words once described Jorge Valdes (HORE-hay val-DEEZ), a former Columbian drug lord.

His recent message to drug policy makers, ambassadors and top military officers in Washington, D.C., was surprising. He spoke of "coming clean" and finding a new life through a dramatic personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Even the FBI agents who tracked and jailed him agree he's truly been transformed by Christ. Amazing!

You may think you're without hope ... that you'll never change. But the Bible says otherwise. The Bible assures us: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!"

Cling to that truth today, dear one. Christ can transform you. Ask Him to. Trust in Him alone. And say goodbye to that old self - serving you.

How has the Lord already began to transform your life, and how do you look forward to Him transforming your life in the future?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:19 AM CDT
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Friday, 25 July 2008
Surviving in Our Present Culture
Topic: Titus 1

Every day we're influenced by our culture. Society's prevailing philosophies and attitudes are everywhere-- on radio and TV, in books and magazines, and even in conversations at the workplace and corner coffee shop. It's difficult for believers to avoid the pressure to be and think like everyone else. But the Bible calls us to live in our culture without becoming part of it. 

In his letter to Titus, Paul explained how we're to accomplish this. Titus 1:9 says those who won't participate in the sins of the culture must hold "fast the faithful word." To survive the pull of our present culture, we must cling to God's Word and apply His principles. The Bible is the revelation of God. He tells us what He thinks, how He acts, and what He expects of us. Reading and obeying the Bible ensures that believers will live righteously, identify error, and avoid sin. 

The Bible can't do any of these things if we never open it. Obeying God's Word is a practical matter. We're to read Scripture carefully and meditate upon it daily. In other words, we must think about the meaning of passages and apply their lessons to our daily life. To apply scriptural truths, we must not only believe the Word wholeheartedly but also obey it consistently. When we take practical steps to keep Scripture as the anchor of our belief system, we will not be swayed by culture.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:46 PM CDT
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Thursday, 24 July 2008
PRECISE FORMULAS TO FIX ANYTHING
Topic: John 14:6
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."" John 14:6

Have you ever stood in a book store and surveyed the number of books that have a number of ways to do most anything? There's everything from 8 Minute Workouts to 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness to 7 Principles for Making a Marriage and 7 Days to Whiter Teeth. Remember Steven Covey's Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? He put the words "proactive" and "synergize" on the map.

A recent edition of U.S. News featured on the front cover "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2006." The inclusive list covered everything from flossing your teeth to enjoying a massage to joining a singing group. It seems that everybody writes or reads books that boil anything down to less than ten precise steps to accomplish any goal.

We live in a scientific and technological culture where people believe that every problem can be solved by applied techniques (six steps to a better whatever). How much has this way of viewing life shaped you?

Christian bookstores are not immune this way of thinking. Notice how much it looks like the self-help section of your local secular bookstore. Whether it's a better marriage or a stronger prayer life, there are numerous books that offer it in six or seven easy steps.

Pastors run to church growth conferences to hear the latest "formula," in however many steps the speaker may think it takes to grow their church. It all seems so right, so logical so reasonable. The sell books like 5 Good Minutes to Change Your Spiritual life and 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long.

As Christians, we often think there is some magic formula out there to dramatically change us and make all of our problems go away overnight. Well, it isn't quite that easy. A lot of self help, spiritual and otherwise are on the shelves of local book stores. Some contain sound advice and some are marginal, if not outright incorrect. Be careful what you load into your brain and be sure you know the core values of the author and don't believe that a few steps practiced and applied in your life can remake you.

There is only one way and it is a one step process. Jesus said:, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). I suggest that if you really want to change your life this year, commit yourself to follow Him and read His Word every day.

In a world that tells us to conform, Jesus tells us to transform and to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.

So, for us all, may this be the year of transformation, the year of presentation, the year we surrender all we have to the one who holds the keys to joy, peace and contentment. The path to that goal is daily Bible reading, committed worship, not just in church, but in all we do. May this year be the year we renew our pledge to love God more, to seek His face and His plan for our lives more clearly and to draw close to His Word each and every day.

Right now is our most exciting time ever. Last year is history. Next year lies in the future, but this is the only time we will ever have to live right now. So let's live it to the fullest, changing our lives and changing the lives of others.

What is a goal that you have for the future, and how can your goal be used to honor God?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 3:42 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 24 July 2008 3:43 PM CDT
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008
CHRIST OUR ATTORNEY
Topic: Psalm 119:41-48
"If anyone publicly acknowledges Me as his friend, I will openly acknowledge him as My friend before My Father in heaven. But if anyone publicly denies Me, I will openly deny him before My Father in heaven" Matthew 10:32,33

Some time ago, I challenged a famous and successful statesman to share his Christian faith.

"I believe that religion is personal and private, not something to wear on your sleeve," he replied. "I am a Christian, but I don't want to talk about it."

I reminded him that Jesus loved him enough to die for him. His disciples were so convinced of the urgency of passing on to others the message of God's love and forgiveness through Christ that they, and many thousands like them - though they died as martyrs - did not give up their efforts to get the message to us.

Further, I reminded him of the words of Jesus, "He that is not with Me is against Me" (Matthew 12:30, KJV) and the passage above from Matthew 10.

He was very sobered by my remarks. After a few minutes, he said, "I agree with you. I realize how wrong I have been. I had never realized how far off course I had gotten. I need to rethink all of my priorities and give Christ His rightful place in my life."

"My challenge to laymen," R. G. Le Tourneau, one of America's leading industrialists and Christian statesmen, once said, "is that when Christ said, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel,' He did not mean only preachers but everyone who believed in Him as the Lord of glory.......My challenge to you is for a return to this first - century conception of Christianity where every believer is a witness to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I will publicly acknowledge my love for Christ, and through the enabling of the Holy Spirit I will live today so that others will want what I have, and I will speak so that they will know what I have.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:39 AM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, 23 July 2008 8:42 AM CDT
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Tuesday, 22 July 2008
THE WONDER OF A CHILD
Topic: Psalm 78:1-4
Little six-year-old Timothy skipped home at a leisurely pace. His elementary school was only a 5 minute walk from his house, but it took him a lot longer than that to arrive at home. It was the first day of spring. The sun shone brightly. the wind whistled gently through the air, and it seemed as though the entire world was blooming ... alive after its winter slumber. At seemingly every turn, the natural world around him aroused his amazement and wonder: a dancing butterfly, a fuzzy caterpiller, a colorful flower, all alive with growth and life and wonder!

Sometimes we're almost like polar opposites of little Timothy when it comes to God. We get accustomed to God's grace. Blind to His glory. Oblivious to His love. When there's work, plus family, plus church, plus everything else, it's easy if we're not careful to become distracted.

When was the last time you were in awe of God? While must constantly strive to increase our knowledge and understanding of our Lord, we should never lose the sense of wonder at who He is and all He has done for us.

Jesus called the children around Him, "took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:16) Can you approach Jesus as a child, not with a childlike intellect (1 Corinthians 13:11) but with a childlike attitude? A childlike attitude will keep us humble as we continually are reminded of God's high exaltation, our lowly place, and (despite of our lowly place) how God has lifted us up with Him when we put our trust in Him, so that He may even call us "friend". (John 15:15)

"Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Psalm 113:2-3

What do you admire most about the natural beauty around us, and have you stopped to really see it lately?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 7:12 PM CDT
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Monday, 21 July 2008
Knowing God
Topic: Psalm 81:10-16

Most people want to be understood. We may have many acquaintances, but we need to feel "known" by those we love most. This also applies to how God views our relationship with Him. He knows our every thought. God can count the number of hairs on our head. We also should be learning His ways. How our Father thinks. What motivates Him. What His plan and purpose are.

Although we desire to know the Lord's mind, He makes it quite clear that this is impossible. In Isaiah 55:9, He tells us, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

This is why God gives us His Spirit. The Holy Spirit can teach us and reveal what we otherwise couldn't understand. Growing in this spiritual understanding is necessary to have a deep personal relationship with God. We must know His ways before we can walk in them.

Our obedience not only glorifies our heavenly Father; it's also best for us. Following Jesus doesn't eliminate pain. It also doesn't ensure everything will happen as we would choose. But we have assurance the Lord loves us and has a plan for our lives. He gives us strength and stability to follow Him, no matter where His path may lead us. He's truly a loving Father to give such goodness and kindness to His children.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:34 AM CDT
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Sunday, 20 July 2008
God's Definition of Success
Topic: Psalm 25:1-5

How would you define success? A lot of the world considers power, prosperity, and prestige to be the highest of goals. God desires a different outlook in the lives of His children. True, He blesses some people with lofty positions or wealth. But from His standpoint, success means walking in His way.

The Bible asks in Deuteronomy 10:12, "What does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul . . . ?"

As the Holy Spirit reveals God's heart to us, we have the opportunity to obey and follow our Father. Beyond pleasing Him, there are many benefits to walking in His way.

First, we develop intimacy with Him. When we seek the Lord, He enlarges our ability to understand His ways. Second, we gain a rich prayer life. Third, we begin to operate from His perspective as we see things the way He does. Fourth, we have more patience and find it easier to wait on Him.

Fifth, when we face adversity, we're increasingly stable and steadfast. We can experience peace in the midst of trials because we know God. We trust that He's in control. Finally, we impact others. All the benefits will be clear to people around us. As they observe our peace, assurance, and strength during difficult times, they'll see Jesus is real.

Read Deuteronomy 10:12 again, this time as a prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal one new way you can love Him or serve Him more wholeheartedly.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:58 PM CDT
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Saturday, 19 July 2008
SILENT FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER
Topic: Matthew 11:25
"At that time Jesus answered." Matthew 11:25 (KJV)

This is a very particular, and peculiar, way to start a verse: "At that time Jesus answered." If you will look at the context you will notice that no one asked Him a question. He wasn't in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, "Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father." When a man answers, he answers the person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance of enough importance to be recorded.

It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was -in this world- so are we. So let's learn the lesson this simple statement teaches us about Him. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world will not know whom we're speaking to, we will be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear. Our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes His voice with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God, either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God's providence has given, or to express humble acceptance of the great truths which God the Holy Spirit has opened to our understanding.

What a privilege it is to have intimate communion with the Father! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even our nearest friends cannot share. If we want to hear the whispers of God's love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to His voice. Today, may our hearts be in such a state that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, are be prepared at once to answer Him.

Are you often in "intimate communion" with God? Would you like to be?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:23 PM CDT
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Friday, 18 July 2008
Every Parent's Responsibility

God commands us to train sons and daughters in His way. This involves expressing love to our children and living out our faith. This will show our children our relationship with the Father.

Training our children also has other essential components. First are words and actions. Children hear what we say and watch what we do. Beware of teaching them with words while demonstrating something different with your life. For example, a father might tell his five-year-old not to hurt a classmate's feelings. If this man acts critical toward his wife, the child will be confused. When words and actions contradict, kids usually imitate the worst behavior.

The next component for training our children involves our understanding of each child. Everyone is unique from birth. As parents, we're responsible to know each child's distinctiveness and train accordingly. Our role is to become an expert about what motivates, frustrates, and instructs kids individually.

Finally, when it comes to training our children have a plan of action. Rearing a child the way God intends involves a purposeful plan. Some parts may be "programmed," like a scheduled daily prayer time. Other aspects may include being alert to "teachable moments." For example, when a situation comes up in your child's life, a parent can say, "I wonder what God would think about this."  Parents and children can then look for the answers in His Word.

Excuses like busyness or lack of spiritual knowledge are unacceptable. When God tells us to do something, we should obey, even if it requires sacrifice. All parents can find time to love their kids and teach them to walk as the Lord commands.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:56 PM CDT
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Thursday, 17 July 2008
CONSISTENT LIVING
Topic: Philippians 2:3, 14
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

"Do everything without complaining or arguing" Philippians 2:14

Do nothing. Do everything.

Paul is talking about our attitudes and our motives, as well as our actions. With all inclusive language, he calls us to consistent living.

As believers in Jesus, our attitudes and actions should not depend on the situation. We are not called to be kind in some circumstances and harsh in others. We are not urged to be humble with one group of people and proud with another.

There is an underlying principle that governs our behavior. It is found in the same chapter of Philippians and throughout the New Testament. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5)

In another place Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow that example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Our attitudes are to be the attitudes of Jesus. Our actions are to be the actions of Jesus.

Thus, with Jesus as our guide, we are called to live our lives thoughtfully and consistently.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Test your motives. Are you helping someone because it will make you look good? Is your desire for money, fame or power the guiding factor in your decision making?

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Test your actions. Did you do the job assigned, but complain about how you always get the dirty work? Did you argue with your spouse about who should do the chores, how you use money, what to do with your leisure time?

Do nothing. Do everything.

In our own strength it is impossible to live consistently, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us we can begin live as Jesus did.

When is it most challenging for you to do everything without complaining or arguing? How do we keep from being overwhelmed by the call to consistent living?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:10 PM CDT
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Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Ignorance Is No Excuse

Billy Graham talks about our utter need for Jesus:

Ignorance is no excuse in God's sight. Jesus said you can sow, or allow to be sowed in your life, to the devil and you'll reap hell. And some of us will reap hell. The devil for thousands of years has been issuing an invitation to hell to all those who sow to the sins of the flesh, to those who permit Satan to sow tares in their lives. You see, Jesus recognized that there were evil spirits and He cast them out of people that came to Him in repentance and faith.  On the cross He conquered the devil and all of his legions.

As Mr. Graham has just said, the way of escape from the life of sin you've been living has been purchased for you by Jesus Christ on the cross. To begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 866-JESUS CARES. Or click
billygraham.org.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:43 AM CDT
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Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Training Your Children
Topic: Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Training involves purposeful, consistent, and diligent actions. But one research project found, on average, fathers in America spend five minutes or less each day talking with their children.

God has a plan to train children as He intended. Teaching our kids starts with a foundation of love. All people, especially the young, desperately need to feel accepted, loved, and valued. If they don't find validation at home, they'll look elsewhere. Children need to hear their parents say things like, "I love you," "I value you," and "You have what it takes."

A second part of training a child involves the parent's relationship with God. We can't share what we don't have. A person's relationship with Jesus must be real and exciting. Otherwise, it'll be impossible to teach others about how to have intimacy with the Lord.

You can use two effective training tools with children. The first one is your testimony. Share what God is doing in your life. The second tool is your example. A powerful lesson is driven home when a child sees his parent admitting fault, asking for forgiveness, or expressing gratitude for God's mercy. The stakes are high. If we disobey the Lord and fail to teach our little ones correctly, we make them vulnerable to the world's teaching. Not only does this harm our precious children; it also hinders the next generation.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:48 AM CDT
Updated: Tuesday, 15 July 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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Monday, 14 July 2008
Becoming a Generous People
Topic: Acts 10:1-2

God is the ultimate Giver. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus gave us the right to be called children of God. He provided us with the riches of eternal life at no cost. In return, He asks us to follow His example and be generous.

It all starts with biblical thinking. We're to acknowledge God owns all of the world's resources. Whatever we have is a gift from His hand. Remember His goodness and love, which prompted Him to sacrifice His Son. Accept that belonging to Him means releasing our grip on our finances and trusting Him to meet our needs.

The next step is to adopt God's priorities as our own. We then must invest in His kingdom work. Old Testament law required a tithe, which is one tenth of all income, be given. Now, we're under the new covenant of grace. Romans 12:1 states our entire life, which includes our time, talent, and treasure, is to be offered to the Lord. The tithe is just the minimum.

God established the church as a primary means for spreading His good news. The church is meant to help those who are hurting. The church is a way to worship Him as one body for the people. As His children, we're to give faithfully to the local church.

The Lord promises great return on our investment in His work. Sometimes it comes in the form of financial prosperity. More often, it will be through greater intimacy with Him. The reward will be peace of mind, harmonious relationships with others, and satisfaction of spirit. These blessings have a greater value than anything our material world has to offer.


Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:36 AM CDT
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