Week Of March 7th, Monday, March 07, 2011
AWE- ALMIGHTY GOD!
Make My Life A Constant Conversation With You!
I know I was created to need my God, therefore I will act like it! I will believe My Advocate is working His good will in the unseen and walk in gratitude and faith today.
Developing My AWE-GOD Through Gratefulness
Lord God, thank you for my husband and thank you for the time we had together this weekend. I am grateful to You, Lord God!
McCARTHY FAMILY PRAYER
Ephesians 3: 14-21 Draw Us (BOB, KIM, BRAD, BONNIE, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA) To You That We Might Walk With You This Day And Forever!
Ephesians 3: 14-21 For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named[that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. (EVERY FAMILY… BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH KENNETH… WE ARE NAMED FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST)
May He grant us BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling within BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA innermost being and personality]
3 John 1:4 (NIV) I have no greater joy than to hear that my (Brad, Bonnie, Kiele, Ryanne, Chris, Summer, Kenneth, Tina) children are walking in the truth.
Thank you so much Jesus for bringing Kenneth home safely.
Psalm 14:6 You [evildoers] would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.
Amplified Bible
Father God I pray for this precious family today, (BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA) and I ask by Your Holy Spirit, You would be our safe refuge this week. I pray that every plan in play in our lives is directed by Your Kingdom purposes. Be with this family this week with Your great favor in the all of our everything from the oldest to the youngest, be the provider of our all. Jesus!
Living A Life Of Balance
Life is short. Time is short. It is challenging just to finish what we've begun.
Psalm 39:11 Surely every man is a mere breath. NKJV
My Thoughts About These Verses:
I think that most of the time I waste is all about me. It is when I chase my plans down bunnie trails instead of being led by the Holy Spirit. Life is short. Jesus help me to use my time wisely today!
****My Prayer! I Place All My Expectation In You, Almighty God!*****
Psalm 62:5 (amplified) My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
Life is short. It is my #prayer that we use it wisely today, being led by The Holy Spirit.
His way is infinitely productive!
praying RT @ChristianRep: Please pray for Rebecca - for peace & comfort... that her husband will stop sinning, come home... and that God will heal their marriage.
@heartcures Praying for you son, may God wrap him in His Infinite arms of healing, love and nurture today! Father I pray for this young boy who was mugged and beaten, I ask you to touch his heart, heal his heart, heal his body by Your Spirit. Jesus!
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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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VERSE:
For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
-- Colossians 1:16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+1:16
THOUGHT:
"Jesus is Lord!" That doesn't just mean that we have yielded our lives to his will and trusted in his grace. "Jesus is Lord!" This means that everything that is created is his. All angels, demons, and spirits are below him and their purpose is to honor and serve him. Even though demons have chosen not to honor and serve him, that decision does not change what their purpose should be or the fact that Jesus showed his superiority over them in his crucifixion and resurrection. The universe, with its vast expanse and glory, was made by him and made to declare his glory. As God's image to us, God's presence for us to know and see, he is our King, Lord, and Savior. If our lives are in his hands and our hearts are yielded to his will, then no one and nothing can prevent his ultimate victory for us and in us.
PRAYER:
Holy and Almighty God, thank you for revealing yourself in Jesus. Thank you for triumphing over all powers and created beings.
Thank you for giving me the confidence that since I belong to you, no outside force or any power of creation can have what belongs to you. In the name of the Creator and King of all I pray. Amen.
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20110307 Phil Ware
My Thoughts
Wisdom of God, guidance from His Holy Spirit, these are things I treasure and I know because Jesus is Lord, no one can take from me. I can conqueror all things because Jesus is Lord!
Sunday Small group bible study of jonah
Monday – Read Jonah 3:1-4
- Jonah is given a second chance to obey God after being swallowed by the whale.
- How is Jonah's response different this time than the first time when God told Jonah to go to Nineveh (1:1-3)?
- Our God is a God who gives second chances (Micah 7:8) yet also punishes our disobedience (Psalm 130:4).
- How has God given you second chances?
- God never deserted Jonah, even in Jonah's rebellion. What evidence of this promise-keeping care of God have you personally seen?
- AND THE word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach and cry out to it the preaching that I tell you.3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city of three days' journey [sixty miles in circumference].4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!
Micah 7:8 (A)Do not rejoice over me, O (B)my enemy Though I fall I will (C)rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a (D)light for me.
Cross references:
A.Micah 7:8 : Prov 24:17; Obad 12
B.Micah 7:8 : Mic 7:10
C.Micah 7:8 : Amos 9:11
D.Micah 7:8 : Is 9:2
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Proverbs 24: 17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown,18 Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].19 Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked,20 For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.21 My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?23 These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good.24 He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent--peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him.25 But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them.26 He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer.27 [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips.
Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
My Thoughts About This:
God is a God of second chances and for that I am very grateful. I recently let my will buck up against something I know God is doing. I did not like the way He is doing it, so I got angry with God and I grieved the Holy Spirit. For days I did not feel the Holy Spirit with me and that was torture and I wondered if I would feel His Presence again. I repented, I asked God to forgive me and now He is giving me a second chance to walk this out with a better attitude and to believe that if God has ordained it, even if it is not agreeable to me, it is good for me. I keep telling myself that: This is good for me.
Verse Of The Day@biblegateway.com
Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -
Notes From Listening To This Chapter
You see my thoughts from afar. You are familiar with all my ways… before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely. Where can I go from Your Spirit, flee from Your Presence…. You are everywhere… if I rise on the wings of the dawn, you are there. You know when I sit and rise… You discern my going out and lying down… You hem me in behind and before, You have laid Your hand upon me. If I settle on the far side of the sea, even then your right hand will hold me fast. Even the darkness is not dark to You, it shines like the day. You created my inmost being, knit me together… I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. Your eyes saw my unformed body and all the days ordained for me were written in your book. Your thoughts: outnumber the grains of sand. Your adversaries misuse your name. Search me Oh God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
My Thoughts About These Verses:
AWE-God! You see my thoughts, before a word is on my tongue you know it completely! Psalm 139
Notes From book "the beloved disciple" by beth moore
John 11:42 Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me, but I have said this on account of and for the benefit of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You did send Me [that You have made Me Your Messenger].
Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
My Thoughts
Beth Moore says to begin our prayer this way, saying: I know You always hear me. Then conclude it with Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
Notes From Workbook:
Family. Only the divine can be more essential. Family life became synonymous with family problems from the start, but God never abandoned the concept. Family was a very good God idea and became a powerful medium through which God has worked throughout history.
One thing varied little from Hebrew to Hebrew- YHWH was life- Provider-Sustainer-Sovereign Creator of all things. To the Jews to have little thought of God was to have little thought at all
My Thoughts
Undivided! So Be It! This is where our minds need to get back to: "To have little thought of God is to have little thought at all". Beth Moore
The firstborn son was a leader in the family, commanding respect for a position he did nothing to earn.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.6 And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]7 You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.8 And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes.9 And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates
Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
My Thoughts
The Lord, His Way, His Word was not compartmentalized to one day a week, it was permeated into the family life as the ONE WAY, all day!
Deuteronomy 14:1-2 YOU ARE the sons of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead,2 For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations on the earth
My Thoughts
Set apart to be different, a peculiar people unto God Himself. God has chosen us to Himself, how awesome is that? He has set us apart unto His way-truth-life.
http://wisdomhunters.com/ Boyd Bailey
God Interruption
"The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." Jonah 1:1-2
God may be interrupting your plans. He does this from time to time according to His will. You were going in one direction, and He stopped you in your tracks and led you in an about-face. It can be disconcerting and more than a little scary. But, do not be surprised if this happens to you. Your current path may be the opposite of what He intended.
Maybe you got in a hurry and ran ahead without Him or maybe you have been reluctant to move forward and missed Him. Either way, the Holy Spirit has now arrested your attention and is leading you into uncharted waters. Like Phillip, you are an agent of God (Acts 8:29). You may be uncomfortable with the assignment because of the novelty in its nuances. God is moving you out of your comfort zone and into His arena of obedience. If you disobey and stay put, you jeopardize proclaiming Jesus to the fullest.
The consequences of disobedience are not isolated to you alone. They ripple throughout your relationships. Don't wait for people to be hurt before you say "yes" to heaven's directive. God interrupts for a reason and for a season. The reason may be to protect you from a convergence of bad decision-making. You don't know what's around the corner in your life, but He does. He is watching out for you, so this severe turn in His will may be to protect you from a pattern of bad behavior.
Do not allow pride to keep you from changing your mind. Promptings from the Holy Spirit make pride uncomfortable because it means giving up control and submitting in humility. If you continue to drive forward in pride, you are destined for unnecessary pain (Ecclesiastes 2:23). Take this interruption as a sign from God to slow down, reevaluate, and recalibrate.
Interruptions from the Lord are not to be ignored. He has something better if you are willing to be bold in your obedience. He will prepare you and provide for you as you move in this new direction. Some people will resist, but others will be relieved that you are leading them in a different direction. They felt a hesitation in their heart to move forward but didn't want their disagreement to be perceived as disloyalty.
So your honesty about the reality of the situation has given them permission to be open about their reservations. This can happen at home or at work. You may have agreed as a team to spend money on a project or a person, but now the funds are not available and wisdom does not spend what it does not have.
God, many times, interrupts your plans through a decrease in cash. His interruptions are intended to get you into environments where you can be blessed. So, see His interruptions as a step up, not a step down. Thank Him that He cared enough to stop you in your tracks and redirect you down a better path. Invite divine diversions. You are wise when you follow the Lord's interruptions.
The consequences of disobedience are not isolated to you alone. They ripple throughout your relationships.
My Thoughts About This:
Wow…. This truly speaks to me. God did interrupt our plans through a decrease in cash and He did put us in a better place. It is so true about disobedience, it does ripple throughout all our relationships. Interruptions from God does point out the level of pride we are walking in and does put a finger on things in our character that need a change!
talk it up! twitter
RT @faithclubdotnet: #Jesus #truth Proverbs29:18 A nation W/out God's guidance is a nation W/out order. Happy are those who keep God's law!
Have You Bowed Today? Bow! Submissively-Surrender To The King! Let The Worship Arise!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F31Qd5jageE&feature=related #bow #tworship
Yes and AMEN RT @revtrev: Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you1 Ti 6:12 NLT
Yes and AMEN! RT @acijam: Great is Your mercy towards me!
RT @ConfidentMom: "Your power and goodness, Lord, reach to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things." Psalm 71:19
Yes Lord Jesus! AWE-GOD! RT @SpokenReasons: Thank God for the waking of another day!
"Jesus is Lord!" This means that everything that is created is His. Phil Ware
If our lives are in God's hands-our hearts yielded to His will=nothing can prevent His ultimate victory for us-in us.
Righteous grace exists, and exists for us. Unbelief refuses it; but faith takes it, rejoices in it, and lives upon it.
Horatius Bonar
Very often #prayer becomes a vehicle for gossip. Always talk to God on people's behalf, rather than to others for our benefit.
This righteous free love has its origin in the bosom of the Father, where the only begotten has his dwelling. It is not produced by anything out of God himself. It was man's evil not his good, that called it forth. It was not the drawing to the like, but to the unlike; it was light attracted by darkness, and life by death. It does not wait for our seeking, it comes unasked as well as undeserved. It is not our faith that creates it or calls it up; our faith realizes it as already existing in its divine and manifold fullness. Whether we believe it or not, this righteous grace exists, and exists for us. Unbelief refuses it; but faith takes it, rejoices in it, and lives upon it.
Quote By: Horatius Bonar
A Seasoned Servant Of God Has Encouraged Me Today
Psalm 119:18
"Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from YOUR instruction."
STOP! Ask God to calm your spirit. Ask Him to clear your heart and mind of all the busy-ness and distractions. Get quiet before Him and ask Him to open your eyes so you may contemplate wonderful things from HIS instruction. God will not give you peace until your heart and mind are ready to receive it. Then, and only then, will you know what to do. Try it. It works. I know.
Pastor Elliott
This is such a great #prayer
charles spurgeon devotional
"Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22
Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you would find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God. Poor Little-faith could not have fought "Apollyon;" it needed "Christian" to do that. Poor Little-faith could not have slain "Giant Despair;" it required "Great-heart's" arm to knock that monster down. Little faith will go to heaven most certainly, but it often has to hide itself in a nut-shell, and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little-faith says, "It is a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers; I am afraid to go;" but Great-faith remembers the promise, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; as thy days, so shall thy strength be:" and so she boldly ventures. Little-faith stands desponding, mingling her tears with the flood; but Great-faith sings, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:" and she fords the stream at once. Would you be comfortable and happy? Would you enjoy religion? Would you have the religion of cheerfulness and not that of gloom? Then "have faith in God." If you love darkness, and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine, and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, "great faith."
http://wisdomhunters.com/ Boyd Bailey
Persistence Pays Off
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'" Luke 18:1-5
Has rejection caused you to give up on an opportunity or a person? Are you tired of trying to do the right thing, without experiencing positive results? It is precisely at this point of frustration and fear that God calls us to persevere in prayer and continue to graciously engage individuals and circumstances. Those who give up—give up on God.
Like an oscillating fan your faith may waver back and forth between confidence and uncertainty, so hit the button of belief and stay focused on the Lord. Go forward by faith to love an estranged relationship—call the company who went with a competitor and see how you might still serve them—reach out until your requests are not ignored anymore.
A faithful man or woman in the hands of God has the attention of heaven and earth. When you are on His assignment, rejection has to first go through Almighty God's agenda. It's not the individual full of energy at the outset who outlasts others, it's the wise ones who conserve their vigor over the long haul—strengthened by their Savior's stamina.
The fortitude of faith is what forges great relationships and gets long-term results. Anyone can start a race with its excitement and anticipation, but fewer are the runners who climb the hills, overcome the adversity of the elements, and finish the course. You may not be the fastest—you may not finish first—but by God's grace you will finish well.
Most of all stay persistent in prayer. Respond to God as the violin responds to the bow of the master. The Lord makes beautiful music on the strings of a life surrendered to Him. Persist through the pain of rejection and to the pressures of responsibility—all the while remaining in an attitude of prayer. Persistent prayer to Jesus produces His best outcomes. Persistence pays off when you are prepared to move forward on behalf of your Master.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
What relationship or opportunity calls for my focused attention and persistence?
Related Readings: Numbers 14:38; Daniel 6:10; Acts 20:22-25; Romans 2:7;
Acts 20:22 And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there--23 Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.24 But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God's grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).
Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Romans 2:7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.8 But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath.9 [And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).10 But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).11 For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].
Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
My Thoughts About These Verses:
The relationship that needs my focused attention is that of a family member- so lost, making choices that keep us all away. I pray they comes to know God in a real, personal way. Jesus reveal yourself to them, help them to come to know You. Without this relationship with Jesus, there will be no relationship with others because of extreme bitterness and drinking. So I pray for 1st things 1st. So be it Jesus!
Worship Wisdom! Songs Changing My Heart-Life! AWE-mazing God!
My Heart Thoughts From This Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F31Qd5jageE&feature=related
Let The Worshippers Arise Philipps Craig and Dean
I want to be standing on Your side, Holding Your Hand
Let Your Kingdom Come, Let It Live In Me!
I surrender in my all I surrender to the King!
Let the worshippers arise!
From our hearts there comes an anthem, O hear the heavens ring. This is our song, a song to our King
Let the sons and the daughters sing! I surrender in my all I surrender to the King
Let the worshippers arise!
I surrender to the King!
So let Your Kingdom Come, let it live in me This is my prayer, this is my plea
http://wisdomhunters.com/ Boyd Bailey
Excessive Talk
"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Proverbs 20:19
Not only is talk cheap, but too much of it can be lethal. Excessive talk can maroon a marriage, derail a deal, alienate close friends and offend acquaintances. Measured words are always the most meaningful. These wise nuggets are to be spent purposefully. Words are not designed to impress; rather, they are to encourage and instruct.
We all fall into this trap from time to time. We want others to believe we are significant, so we use words to prove our point. Our words describe how much knowledge we have acquired, who we know, what we do, where we live, what we drive, where we have traveled and, of course, how great a family we have been blessed with. If we are not careful, we can subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) hijack words for our own promotion and validation—especially as you dive into your relational portfolio. This requires as much discretion as if you were discussing your personal finances. Most people are forgiving until you disclose personal information. It doesn't matter if your disclosure is intentional or inadvertent. The results are the same—hurt and embarrassment. This personal trust is much more valuable than money. Discretion needs to be in control of any discussion about anyone. Otherwise, you are flirting with gossip and the betrayal of a confidence. I struggle with this. My flesh wants recognition for the important people I know. After all, if you are impressed with my contacts and credentials, I will feel more valued and important. Or, in another scenario, you unwisely reveal confidential information in the form of a prayer request. You cannot wrap wrong actions around spiritual activities and language. This is doubly bad. This prayer should be for my discretion rather than my disclosure of juicy gossip. By God's grace, correct this in your own life and avoid others who commit these same errors of indiscriminate living. Conversational etiquette can be learned. Even a silent fool is considered wise at times. Many times wisdom is found in what you don't say instead of what you do say. Word restraint is a sign of maturity. Yes, by all means be transparent but with a governor. Trust and confidentiality grow through experiences of faithfulness between parties. As discretion is demonstrated, more trust and information is given. When you find a confidant, you have found a good thing. Their lips are sealed. Your stored information resides in the airtight vault of their heart and mind. They are there for you, not for themselves. They are secure in Christ and have no reason to prove anything to anyone. Not only do these treasured friends not gossip, they despise it in others. In fact, they are so bold as to interrupt a gossip in mid-sentence and ask them to cease before they make a fool of themselves.
Yes, we need to pray for others snared by sin or who are in a career free fall. And prayer for others means we talk with God. We posture ourselves humbly before God in heart and mind, crying out as their advocate. We ask for mercy, forgiveness, healing, restoration and reconciliation. It is an attitude of compassion and grace. We are willing to put our good name on the line for our hurting brother or sister in Christ. We talk to God on their behalf rather than to others for our benefit. This is one remedy for excessive talking: throttle back our words to people and increase our words to God. In essence, to avoid gossip and gossipers, talk more to God and less to people. Increase Jesus' words and decrease people's words. This is a word to the wise!
My Thoughts About This:
This is so true, very often #prayer becomes a vehicle for gossip. I like what he said about talking to God on their behalf, rather than to others for our benefit. Talk more to God and less to people. Increase Jesus's Words in You as you decrease people's words
A Seasoned Servant Of God Has Encouraged Me Today
http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com/2011/03/do-you-have-spiritual-endurance.html
What tests your spiritual endurance? By Lynn Mosher
*finances?
*lack of a job?
*no insurance?
*home foreclosure?
*your spouse's affair?
*a child with an addiction?
*a husband hooked on porn?
*death of a child or other loved one?
*the twisted knife in your back from your best friend?
On occasion, many of these strike at once causing chaos to overwhelm us. Our eyes spill over with the tears of heartache. Discouragement sets in. What do we do? Have a pity party? Get in a nasty mood? Throw a fit? Camp out with a negative attitude? Stomp around yelling at everyone?
What happens to our hope? To our faith? To our spiritual endurance?
David wrote, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!" (Ps. 42:5 NLT)
Who comes to mind as a biblical victor, a spiritual endurer? James wrote, "For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." (James 5:10-11 NLT)
I love reading Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Listed are the names of all those who persevered from Abel to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and all the rest…by faith, by faith, by faith. They held to the backside of the cross, having the faith to see what was yet to be. They had no anchor of hope in Christ as we do.
And they all endured! Our faith walk should be like Abraham's, for he knew God kept His promises, "He drew strength from his faith, and, while giving the glory to God, remained absolutely convinced that God was able to implement His own promise." (Rom. 4:21 Phillips)
Paul also said of Abraham, "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God." (Rom. 4:20 Amp) His words of praise strengthened his faith, connecting Him to God's power.
And what of Paul? Didn't he endure horrendous afflictions?
He said, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going." (2 Cor. 4:8-9TLB)
What is your attitude as you endure your trials? Do you hide in the cellar of doubt and worry or hang out in the attic of praise and gratitude? Do you give up or rest in the power of God? Are you a spiritual victim or victor? Lynn Mosher
Does Jesus say to you, as He did to Peter when he began to be overwhelmed by the waves, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matt. 14:31b NKJV) Or does He say to you as He did to the woman that came to Him on behalf of her demon-possessed daughter, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire"? (Matt. 15:28 NKJV)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." (Heb. 12:1-2a NKJV)
As you look to the Lord in your time of trouble, may He complete and perfect your faith that you may be a spiritual victor.
Thanks for taking this God Adventure with me as I walk with God and talk up a constant conversation with my AWE-GOD! Please check out my site:
The Bridegroom's Café http://thebridegroomscafe.com
Currently Posted Menu
AUTHOR TABLE******************Praise Faith
BREAKFAST TABLE***************Our Appointed Course
FAMILY TABLE*******************Worry Not
LISTENER TABLE*****************Holy Ground
MILITARY TABLE*****************Responsibility
SERVANT TABLE******************Drink Deeply
SMORGASBORD TABLE ***********A True Valentine
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