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God’s Group Top Posts
- About
- "The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ" 12/18/2016 written by bruce r. mills
- "Be A Hope Monger!" 10/30/2021 Written by Gabrielle Guthrie for “See, there’s this thing called biology…~insanitybytes”
- "2 Corinthians 4:16-18" 10/10/2022 Written by Gabrielle Guthrie for "See, there's this thing called biology.~insanitybytes"
- "The Helmet of Salvation" 4/04/2017 Written by bruce r. mills for "God's group"
-
Recent Posts
- “One Strategy to Change Your Life” 5/15/2024 Written by Nancy Ruegge for “From The Inside Out”
- “The Cross” 5/14/2024 Written by Dr. Lawson Murry for “SEIZE The DAY”
- “What are the keys to resisting temptation?”[ 5/13/2024 Posted by www.gotquestions.org
- “Loving Obedience” 5/12/2024 Written by Xochitl Dixon for “Our Daily Bread”
- “A FIELD OF WEEDS . . .” 5/11/2024 Written by Kathy Boecher for “atimetoshare”
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Categories
- "A Thinking Faith"
- "An Empowering Relationship"
- "Are You Being Deceived, or Discipled ??"
- "Are you waiting patiently ??"
- "Choose your words wisely !!"
- "Christmas Presents – or Christmas Presence"
- "Do you serve others, or prefer to be served ??"
- "God will FORGET the sins of His redeemed children !!"
- "God's Cure for Worry !!"
- "God's Duo"
- "God's Mercy and Compassion"
- "God's plan to forgive sins"
- "God's Supernatural Peace"
- "God's Word can comfort you"
- "Immanuel – God with us"
- "Is God in charge of your life ??"
- "Is Your Attitude Accurate?"
- "Justification Brings Peace"
- "Listen Closely to the Boss, and be Blessed !!"
- "Merry Christmas in MAY"
- "Misplaced Trust"
- "Never grow weary doing God's work !!"
- "No one can keep God's Laws"
- "Only by the Blood of Jesus !!"
- "Only God can change hearts"
- "Pray without ceasing !!"
- "Search me OH God !!"
- "Te Deum"
- "The Greatest Gift"
- "The NEW NORMAL, or the OLD PATHS ??"
- "The Right Path"
- "Till Death Do Us Part"
- "Today, we remember"
- "Using your Spiritual gift"
- "Victory Over Sin"
- "Wait on the Lord"
- "We are Chosen by God"
- "We NEED God's help !!"
- "Who is Jesus?"
- "Why I need God
- "Why I need God, because of my addiction to…"
- "Why I need God, because of my addiction to…"
- "Why is it important to believe in biblical inerrancy?"
- "Young at Heart !!"
- 1 John 1:9
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- 20/20 Vision
- 50th Anniversary
- 6 Powers of the Sword of the Spirit
- 6 Ways to Drink Christ as the Living Water
- A Beautiful, Imperfect Life
- A CHANGING IN THINKING!
- A Christian Attitude
- A Christmas Story
- A desire for God and His Word
- A Disciple of Christ
- A False Witness
- A Fraction Of God
- A Good Witness
- A Good Work
- A GRATEFUL HEART
- A Heart on Fire
- A Heart That Plots Evil
- A Holy Calling
- A Humble Posture
- A life worth living and dying for
- A Light in a Dark Place
- A Light on My Path
- A Most Excellent Adventure
- A New House
- A Passing Shadow
- A Permanent Promise
- A Personal Magnificat
- A Place Called Home
- A Prayer Based On Psalm 1
- A Prayer for Easter Sunday
- A Psalm for Christmas Eve
- A Psalm of Resurrection
- A Recipe for a Happy Life
- A Salvation to be Dreaded
- A Settled Faith
- A soft answer turns away wrath
- A Spiritual Battle
- A Spiritual Spring
- A Stranger With You
- A Strong Foundation
- A Tangled Heart
- A Teachable Spirit
- A Thirst for Living Water
- a way out
- Abide in Me
- Abortion
- Absent from the body, but present with the Lord
- Accuracy vs. Relevance
- Act and Speak in Love
- Adopted
- Advent
- Afraid? Trust in God.
- Against All Hope
- AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
- Ain’t No Grave!
- All Hands On Deck
- All Things for Good
- Almost Upon Us!
- Almost won't get you into heaven
- ALWAYS A MOTHER
- Always Be Prepared
- Always Giving
- Always Secure in Jesus
- Am I a Child of God?
- Am I counting God’s gifts as worthless?
- AN EMOTIONAL TIME OF YEAR
- An Opportunity to Learn
- an Unthankful Heart
- AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING?
- AND THE FIGHT IS ON!
- ANGEL OF LIGHT NO MORE
- ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD
- anger
- Anger Warps the Image of God
- Answered Prayers
- Anticipation
- Apologetics from the Heart
- April 2023 Scripture Writing Plan
- Are Catholic beliefs and practices biblical?
- Are the Gospels Reliable?
- Are You a Christian in God's Eyes
- Are You a Grumbler?
- Are you being spiritually fed by the Word ??
- Are you cleansed from all your unrighteousness ?
- Are You Disappointed With Me God?
- Are you filled to overflowing with living water ??
- Are You Forgetting God?
- Are You Getting Ready?
- Are You in the Wilderness This Christmas?
- Are you ready to be forgiven by God
- Are you sorry for your sin?
- Are You Suffering from the Post Easter Blues?
- ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR THE STRUGGLES?
- Are you trustworthy?
- Are You Using Your Spiritual Gift
- Are You Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit?
- Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?
- Are You Willing to Put Your Agenda On Hold?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- Arise & Build!
- As 2019 Comes To A Close
- AS MANY AS THE STARS IN THE SKY…
- Atoning Work of Jesus
- AWAKENING! OH, IT’S HAPPENING
- “Christ has Risen !!”
- “Every Gift is from God”
- “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God”
- “It is Finished”
- “Just as He said!”
- “Listen to Him”
- “Now come, I will send YOU…”
- “The Bible is nothing but the Truth, Proven Mathematically”
- “The Perfect Gift”
- “Time to walk the talk”
- “Walk by the power of the Holy Spirit
- “Why prayers aren't answered !!"
- “Why Sunday School ??”
- “You will NEVER be forsaken !!”
- Psalm 7,
- Psalm 9, Psalms
- Bad News
- Bad News?
- Be A Hope Monger!
- Be an Example of Christ
- Be Careful What You Pray
- Be Gentle
- Be holy for I am holy
- Be It Unto Me
- BE LISTENING TO GOD
- Be Not Conformed!
- Be Ready to Hear God’s Voice
- Be Still, Stay Calm and Watch
- Be Strong in Grace
- Be Thankful
- Beautiful Attitudes
- Because God Says
- Becoming Like Jesus
- BEFORE I EVEN KNOW
- Believers Beware
- Bent on Rebellion
- Better Than Optimism
- Bible
- Bible and the Pandemic
- Bible authenticity
- Bible Blindness
- Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Power, Hope, Joy,
- Bible Study, God's Call
- Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 35, Psalms
- Bible, Psalms
- biblical doctrine of illumination
- Biblical Inerrancy?
- Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
- Blessings to Everyone This Wednesday Morning
- Boldness
- Born Again
- Born again readers
- born of God
- Boundaries
- BREATHE
- Breathing And Other Luxuries
- BUILDING MY FAITH
- Burdens into Bridges
- But For The Grace Of God
- By His Sovereign Choice
- Bye, Harvey
- Calling Disciples
- Can you trust your own heart ?
- Caring for His own sheep
- Casting Shade For All of Eternity
- Catholic
- Challenged and still standing
- Changing Everything
- Check Your Backyard
- Children of God
- Choose The Blessed Road
- Choose the good part
- Choose Your Words Carefully
- Choosing Jesus
- Chosen for Affliction
- Christ
- Christ has Risen
- Christ in you, the hope of glory
- Christ Is My Teacher
- Christ Lives in Us
- Christ the Everlasting Lord
- Christ’s Example
- CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY , CHRISTIAN LIVING , DISCUSSION , THE WORD OF GOD
- CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY · CHRISTIAN LIVING · STUDY · THE WORD OF GOD
- CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY , CHRISTIAN LIVING , ENCOURAGEMENT
- Christian Living
- CHRISTIAN LIVING , FORGIVENESS , GOD'S LOVE , KNOWING GOD , SCRIPTURE WRITING PLANS
- CHRISTIAN LIVING · STUDY · THE WORD OF GOD
- Christian, Seeing Deep
- Christianity
- Christians are not under the law
- Christmas
- Church Direction: Will of Man or Will of God?
- Church of Infectious Influence
- Church Struggling
- Claiming God's Promises
- Clean Hands
- CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
- Cling to God’s Word
- Clinging to What’s Good
- Come back to God
- Come Home to God
- Come to Christ as a little child
- commit your way to the Lord
- Communion brings revelation
- Concerning Revenge
- Confess Your Sins to God
- Confession
- Confession and Repentance
- confidence
- Confidence in Christ Jesus
- Confined by Fear – Freed by Faith
- Consider it All Joy
- Control your anger
- Countdown To Crucifixion
- Countering Negative Thoughts
- Countering Spiritual Laziness
- Crumbled from Within
- Daily Devotion
- Danger In Good Times
- davidkitz
- davidkitz,Psalm 86, Psalms
- davidkitz
- davidkitz in Psalm 105, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalm 106, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalm 109, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalm 115, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalm 78, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalm 88, Psalms
- davidkitz in Psalms
- Dealing with Our Sins
- Death Zone
- Deeper Roots or Deeper Rots
- Demons In Church
- Depths of Love
- Devotional
- Devotionals
- Devotionals, Psalm 102, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 103, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 112, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 116, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 119, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 121, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 135, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 138, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 139, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 141, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 149, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 56, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 74, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 77, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 78, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 91, Psalms
- Devotionals, Psalm 97, Psalms
- Devotions Or Devoted?
- Devotions, Psalm 10, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 11, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 18, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 19, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 25, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 27, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 31, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 33, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 38, Psalms
- Devotions, Psalm 44, Psalms
- Dig Deeper
- Dining with Jesus
- Direct my steps OH Lord
- Disappointments are not dead ends
- Discerning God’s Will
- Discerning Our Errors
- Discerning the devil’s deeds
- Disciple VS. Christian
- Disciples Wanted
- Discipleship: The Most Miss understood Term In Church
- Discipline is Everything
- Disciplining Your Kids
- Divine Guidance
- Divinely Aligned
- Do Dogs Go to Heaven?
- Do Not Abandon the Works of Your Hands
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
- Do You Believe God?
- Do You Fear the Lord
- Do You Forgive Others ??
- Do you have eternal life with Jesus Christ
- DO YOU HAVE FAITH OR FUZZY FEELINGS?
- Do You have Fear
- Do you Know God, or Just Know About Him?
- Do You Know Jesus?
- Do You Like Discipline?
- Do You Need Some Rest?
- Do you please God ??
- Do you realize your thirst for God?
- Do You Remember
- DOES BEING A CHRISTIAN GUARANTEE SMOOTH SAILING?
- Does God really forget our sins?
- Does One Life Matter?
- Does regeneration come before faith?
- Don't be a Fool
- Don't be stubborn and prideful
- Don't forget about God
- Don't get microchipped
- Don't grow weary
- Don't have itching ears
- Don't let the sun go down on your anger
- Don't Let the World Change Your Song
- Don’t Conceal Sin
- Don’t Decorate Your Life With Jesus
- Don’t Deny Jesus
- Don’t forget to talk to your kids
- DON’T LET DOUBT GET IN THE WAY
- Don’t Lose Hope
- Don’t Pack Up the Christmas Spirit
- Don’t Speak Recklessly
- Don’t Turn Back on the Day of Battle
- drought
- Dwell in Your Hearts
- Dying for Lack of Integrity
- Dying for the Glory of Christ
- EACH ONE UNIQUE
- EASTER BUNNY VS. JESUS
- Easy Does It
- EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY?
- Elvis
- Embarking on a Great Journey
- Emblems of Love
- Encountering God
- Encountering the God of the Word
- Encourage and Build-Up
- Encourage Your Pastors
- ENCOURAGEMENT
- ENCOURAGEMENT ·,SCRIPTURE WRITING PLANS ·,TRUST
- Encouragement for Those Married to a nonbeliever
- Endless Love and Faithfulness
- Engaging With God’s Word
- Enough Is Enough!
- Ephesians 6:11
- Establish BALANCE for Optimal Health
- Eternal security – is it biblical?
- Eternal Security for Those Who Believe
- Evangelism
- Everyone Can't Get Along
- Everyone is Merely a Breath
- Evidence of Genuine Faith
- evotions, Psalm 44, Psalms
- Exalt His Name!
- Examine Yourself
- Exortation
- Experiencing more of God’s Blessing and Favor!
- Facing and Rising Above Distractions
- faith
- Faith and Fear
- Faith Without Action is Dead
- faithfulness
- FAITHFULNESS · SCRIPTURE WRITING PLANS
- FALL ON YOUR KNEES
- Falling in Love
- False Gospel
- Fasting
- Fear Not
- FEAR OF HIGHS AND LOWS
- Feed Me!
- Feet That Race To Do Wrong!
- Fellowship with the Lord
- FERVENT FOLLOWER
- Finding Hope in Tragedy
- Finding Joy Through Trials
- Finding Peace in a Chaotic Season
- Firm foundation
- FIRST RESPONSE OR LAST RESORT?
- Fishing like Evangelism is Unpredictable
- Five Foundations of Discipleship
- Fix Up Time
- Folklore Christianity: Just Be a Good Person?
- Follow Me to the Cross
- Following Christ is living from another realm
- For Such A Time As This
- For They Will Inherit the Earth
- Forever Faithful
- Forgetting The Past
- Forgive others
- forgiveness
- Four Reasons Christ Came
- freedom
- From Catholicism to Christianity
- From The Abundance of The Heart – 4
- FROM WORRIER TO WARRIOR
- Front Line Christianity
- Fruit-Bearing Trees
- Fully Human
- Garment and the Gospel
- Gentle Disagreement
- Genuine Salt of Humility
- Getting God’s Attention
- Getting Our Attention
- Gift from God
- Give Cheerfully
- Give Me An Undivided Heart
- Give Me Jesus
- Give Thanks to the Lord
- Giving Cheerfully
- Giving Children What They Need
- Giving Up your Head
- Giving with the right heart
- Glory to the Newborn King!
- go and sin no more
- God
- God = Love = God
- God Can Deliver Us from Our Enemies
- God draws us to salvation
- God first
- God Has Friends In Low Places
- God is able
- God Is for Us
- God Is Merciful to Those Who Seek Him
- God is My Help
- God is Not Punishing Us
- God is Watching
- God is With You
- God Is Working In You
- God Keeps His Promises
- God Knows Your Desires
- God of the Unexpected
- God provides for His faithful Children
- God Understands
- God Wants Firstfruits, Not ‘Lastfruits’
- God Will Finish His Work
- God Wins
- God's Call
- God's Grace is sufficient
- God's love for us
- God's Power on Our Behalf
- God's Sonnet of Love
- God's Sovereignty
- God, I Don’t Understand
- God, God's Power, God's Strength, Praise,
- God’s Arms Are Open
- God’s Doorway!
- God’s Duo
- God’s Faithfulness
- God’s Gift of Grace Through Faith Alone
- God’s Got This
- God’s Great Love
- God’s Power is Perfect
- God’s Rest
- God’s sovereign will and God’s revealed will
- God’s Timing
- God’s Wrath
- Godly Relationships Need “The Manna Factor”
- Going Unnoticed
- Good Enough
- Good news
- Gospel
- Grace
- Grateful
- Great White Throne Judgment
- Greater Than Moses
- Grieving the Holy Spirit
- Grow in Grace and Knowledge
- Growing in Faith
- Growing in God’s Grace
- GROWING OUR FAITH
- Guaranteed Eternal life with Jesus
- Habitual Pathways
- Handling Criticism
- Handling Criticism in Marriage
- Happy 2022!
- hardened heart
- Has the Holy Spirit confirmed you are a “born again” Christian??
- Have a Thankful Heart
- Have NO FEAR knowing God is in control
- HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR FILTERS LATELY?
- Have You Received the Spirit?
- Have you repented of you sins
- Have You Sinned Today?
- He is risen
- He Promises You
- HE SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME
- healing
- Health and Salvation of the Presidential Candidate
- Healthy Church
- Hear the Gospel
- Heart and head matters
- heaven
- Hebrews 2 – The Son of God
- Hebrews 4:12 – Heart
- Hebrews: Draw Near
- Hebrews: Once Saved, Always Saved (?)
- Hebrews: The Sinful Heart
- Hebrews: Turn Around
- Hebrews: Written on Your Heart
- Help the poor
- Helping our Child’s Anxiety
- Here is Love!
- Hidden in God
- Hidden in My Heart
- hidden sins
- Hiding God’s Word
- His Death Brings Life
- His Light is Near
- Holding Things Together
- Holiness
- Hollow Faith
- Holy Light
- Holy Spirit
- Holy Week
- Hope
- Hope Even In Death
- Hope For Our Fears
- Hope for the Backslider
- Hope for the Future and Joy for Today
- HOPE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
- Hope in Christ
- How Can God Forgive a Murderer?
- How can I have the mind of Christ?
- How can I know God’s will for my life?
- How can we store up treasures in heaven?
- How Did We Get the Bible
- How Do Christians Respond When Trouble Strikes
- How Do I Know If the Holy Spirit Is in Me?
- How Do You Find Peace With Death?
- How Do You Pray?
- HOW DOES GOD DEAL WITH OUR SIN?
- How God's truth is revealed
- How He Is Humbled
- How important is my happiness?
- How Is Your Race Going?
- How Much Do You Owe?
- How one becomes a "born again" Christian
- How Prayer Can Be Like Eating Healthy
- How Should We Celebrate Christmas at Church?
- How The Disciples / Apostles of the Bible Died
- How To Care for Your Pastor
- How to Defeat the Attacks and Accusations of Satan
- How to Fight Spiritual Battles
- How to Gain Confidence
- How to Heal
- How to Hear God’s Voice
- How To Know God’s Will For Your Life
- How to Live an Anxiety-Free Life
- How to Wait
- How to walk in Kingdom realities
- How to Worship in Spirit and in Truth
- How we see God’s sovereignty matters
- How You Hear From God Every Day!
- How’s the Wait?
- Humility is Strength!
- Hypocrisy
- I am a Catholic. Why should I consider becoming a Christian?
- I Am Free
- I am here!
- I AM ONE
- I AM WHO I AM
- I Choose To Be Hopeful
- I Did It My Way
- I Need Peace
- I never knew you. Depart from me
- I never knew you
- I Promise
- I Put my Trust in You
- I Shall See God
- I SMILE BECAUSE I’M HAPPY!
- I’m OFFENDED!
- I’M SORRY – AGAIN
- I’m Supposed to be Thankful
- identity
- IDENTITY OR ACTION? OR BOTH?
- Imitate Jesus
- IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US
- Immortal, Invisible God
- Important scripture
- In Awe Of His Love
- In Conflict
- In God I Trust and am not Afraid
- In My Fallen State
- In the Beginning
- In the Heat of the Battle
- In the Morning
- In the Morning I Lay My Requests before You
- In the Waiting Room
- Incarnation
- Innocence Found
- insanitybytes22
- insanitybytes22
- Instruments of Peace
- integrity
- Is a “Lukewarm” Christian a believer, or not ??
- Is God sovereign
- Is God sovereign or do we have a free will?
- Is God There?
- Is God Unfair?
- Is it Faith or Just a Blind Belief?
- Is It Safe To Live According To Our Feelings?
- Is it worth it?
- Is Sin Subdued in You?
- Is temptation a sin?
- Is the Holy Spirit a person?
- Is the Lord Jesus Your Representative?
- Is the United States in the Bible?
- Is your Church Healthy?
- It Is Time
- It Runs Good But It Doesn’t Have Brakes
- IT’S BROKE! FIX IT!
- It’s By God’s Grace
- IT’S CHURCH DAY
- It’s God who can change evil hearts
- IT’S HARD TO BE HUMBLE
- IT’S OVER – NOW WHAT?
- Itching!
- James 4:7-8
- January 2023 Scripture Writing Plan
- January Scripture Writing Plan
- Jesus
- Jesus cares
- Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ and Him crucified
- Jesus is
- Jesus is Praying for You
- JESUS LOVES ME!
- Jesus Makes Us Beautiful
- Jesus Makes Us Capable
- Jesus Our All
- Jesus Our Champion
- Jesus our role model
- Jesus Stands Among Us
- Jesus’ First Miracle
- Joy and Victory in Jesus
- judging others
- Just as He said
- Just Ask!
- Just One Minute of Sin
- JUST ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
- Just Tell Them About Jesus
- Justified
- Keep Choosing Jesus
- Keep Giving Love
- Keep on Keeping On
- Keep The Lord First Place
- Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
- Keeping the “Good News” good news
- Keys to Personal Revival
- Kingdom first
- Know God
- Know His Voice
- Knowing Jesus
- Known by Their Fruit
- Lamenting over our Sins
- Learning Contentment
- Learning from Foolishness
- Learning To Be Led
- Legally His
- Less Exertion, More Immersion
- lesson for Christians to listen well
- Let God be True
- Let None Escape
- Let Us Forgive One Another
- Lies with Truth
- Life-Altering Choices
- LIFE’S MARATHON
- Lifted Up
- Like Father, Like Children
- Listen for God's Voice
- Listen to and pray for someone’s fears
- LISTEN TO ME, LORD!!!
- Live in the Fast Lane!
- LIVING IN DEFIANCE!
- Living in God’s Goodness
- Living in the Spirit’s Fullness
- Living Life to the Full
- LIVING WATER
- Look Before You Leap
- Look to the LORD
- Look Up!
- Looking back at 2018
- Looking In The Mirror
- Lord, Hold My Hand
- Love
- Love God, Love People
- Love is Active
- LUKE 5 – FOLLOW ME
- Majestic Glory
- MAKE A NEW LIFE RESOLUTION
- Make him drink!
- Make the Right Choice
- Making it Count
- Making Magnificent Moments
- Making Peace
- Making Room for God
- Making Sense In an Upside-Down World
- Making the Bible Come Alive!
- Making The Most Of Every Opportunity
- Making Your Emotions Work for You!
- Mamas…
- Man’s Chief Problem is Sin Against God
- Martha, Martha or How to be a Joyful Servant
- Mary’s Joy/Our Joy
- Maturity
- Meaning of the Cross
- Meant for Service
- Meant to Shine
- Mercy
- Mercy for the Believer
- Mercy, Please
- Merry Christmas to You!
- Milk versus Meat – Hebrews 5:12-14
- Ministry and Revelation 21:4
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“The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ” 12/18/2016 written by bruce r. mills
Posted in Bible, Catholic, Christ, Christianity, Daily Devotion, Exortation, faith, God, Gospel, Holiness, Hope, Jesus Christ
Tagged Christ, christ jesus, christianity, daily bread, Daily Devotion, Eternal Life, Evangelism, faith, Gentleness, God, gospel of the kingdom, Grace, heart mind and soul, Joy, Kindness, lord jesus christ, Love, Patience, Peace, Praise, religion, Salvation, self-control, spirituality, theology
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“One Strategy to Change Your Life” 5/15/2024 Written by Nancy Ruegge for “From The Inside Out”
“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
60 Bible verses about praise- https://biblereasons.com/bible-verses-about-praise-to-god/
Written by Nancy Ruegge for “From The Inside Out” @ http://nancyaruegg.com
View original post @ https://nancyaruegg.com/2024/05/09/one-strategy-to-change-your-life/
How would you finish this statement?
Nothing we do is more powerful or life-changing than _____________.
Some would suggest taking better care of ourselves, or setting goals that include a plan for completion, or training our minds to focus on the positive. And the argument could be made that all of these actions create beneficial influence in our lives.
But according to author Stormie Omartian, “nothing we do is more powerful or life-changing than praise”[1]. Others would likely agree with her, having cited numerous benefits themselves:
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Prayers of adoration calm any fear, lift the spirit, and fill us with indescribable joy [2].
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Praising God reduces our cares, levels our anxieties, and multiplies our blessings [3].
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Continual praise is what changes the emotions, lifts the darkness, offers hope, frees the mood, and blesses God so that evil is driven out. It changes everything [4].
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When we choose to practice adoration anyway in the midst of whatever we are feeling, our words lift us over that barrier and into a deeper connectedness with God [5].
But how could simple words produce such life-changing results? Psalm 69:30 offers a clue:
“I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving” (ESV).
To magnify God is to make larger our view of him and his attributes, which lessens our view of the problems we face. The more often we focus on God, the more our faith thrives, and that in turn leads to less worry and fretting.
For example, see if these statements don’t boost your confidence in God for what you’re facing right now:
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Praise God he is all-sufficient, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He has everything under control (Isaiah 55:11; Romans 11:33-36; 1 John 3:20b).
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Praise God he is forever faithful, always working out his overall plan, always fulfilling his purpose (Lamentations 3:22-23; Job 42:2).
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Praise God he is continually gracious and good, full of love and compassion (Psalm 145:8-9).
The longer we gaze at him, arrayed in such glorious attributes, the less insurmountable our problems become.
And with an unknown Puritan of old we too can affirm:
“When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, and ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding every moment with happiness” [6].
That is the power of praise.
But the enemy of our souls is well aware of this power. He’ll do everything he can to keep us from developing the habit of praise. What might help?
Habit-stacking. Have you heard of it? The practice involves adding a new habit to some action that’s already a fixed routine.
For example, we might add more praise to our days while making the bed in the morning, completing some household chores, commuting to and from work, walking from place to place, waiting for the microwave, chopping fruit or veggies.
What routines are established in your life? Which ones lend themselves to spending a few minutes praising God for who he is and what he’s done?
Another possibility for adding praise to our lives comes from C. S. Lewis: “Make every pleasure into a channel of adoration.” He suggested several ideas to get us started: a beautiful mountain valley, delicious food, a great book, or a piece of music [7].
And you know what happens as we praise God for these blessings?
One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun [8].
Isn’t that lovely imagery?
And is there any better place for our mind to be?
[1] Values for Life, 160.
[2] Kristine Brown (https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/prayers-of-adoration-to-fill-your-heart-wonder.html).
[3] Suzanne Dale Ezell, Values for Life, 160.
[4] Arnold Prater, Bonding with God, 78.
[5] Sara Hagerty, Unseen, 151.
[6] From The Valley of Vision, Puritan prayers and devotions compiled by Arthur Bennett, 1975.
[7] Quoted by Timothy Keller in Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, 197.
[8] C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, 89-90.
Art & photo credits: http://www.pickpik.com (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk; www,pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
“The Cross” 5/14/2024 Written by Dr. Lawson Murry for “SEIZE The DAY”
Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Dr. Lawson Murry for “SEIZE The DAY” @ https://seizetheday-blog.com
Original post @ https://seizetheday-blog.com/2024/03/19/the-cross-6/
The Cross
MARCH 19, 2024
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”
Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
About thirty years after His birth, Jesus was crucified on a cross. It was a tragedy. The most advanced religion of its time united with the most powerful empire of the day to execute the only perfect man who’d ever lived.
While the Romans and Jews played their iniquitous parts, the crucifixion was ultimately a drama choreographed by Christ. The Gospels hint that He was overseeing the whole affair. Christ knew the fate that awaited Him – knew He was born to die. From His birth, His destination was Jerusalem and His destiny the cross. Even when death approached, He called the shots. With supernatural restraint, He allowed every lash of the whip, tolerated every taunt and lie, and endured the agony and ignominy of execution on a tree.
The cross may be one of the cruelest forms of punishment known to man. If Jesus had died for our sins during the French Revolution He would have faced the guillotine. In Nazi Germany, He would have been herded into a gas chamber. And in other places or times, He would have died by lethal injection, the electric chair, shooting, beheading, drowning, stoning, or being hanged.
The cross had a restricted usage. It was reserved for murderers, slaves who revolted, and for crimes that challenged Roman rule. During Jesus’ time, Roman citizens were beheaded, not crucified – the cross being considered a vile and repugnant form of death. The Roman philosopher, statesman and orator, Marcus Cicero, said, “The idea of the cross should never come near the bodies of Roman citizens; it should never pass through their thoughts, eyes or ears.”
By dying on a cross, Jesus never spared Himself. He literally went the whole stretch. In so doing He became “a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Yet the cross, rather than being an instrument of doom, is a searchlight penetrating the surrounding gloom . . . routing evil and darkness and becoming a symbol of hope. For at Calvary, Christ “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
Once an implement of death and torture; the cross, transformed by Christ, is now an icon of life and optimism. By giving up His life on the cross, by being “for all time one sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:12), Christ took away the wall of enmity that separated us from God. Through Christ the cross is now the hinge to the door of salvation. What a reversal! This is the Gospel! The cross has become a key event by which we reckon our relationship with Him.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
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“What are the keys to resisting temptation?”[ 5/13/2024 Posted by www.gotquestions.org
“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Click on the speaker at the top of the original link and listen to this post !!
Posted by www.gotquestions.org
Original post @ https://www.gotquestions.org/resisting-temptation.html
QUESTION
What are the keys to resisting temptation?
ANSWER
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary defines temptation as “an enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience.” Resisting temptation begins with knowing that Satan is the supreme “tempter” (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5) who has been tempting mankind since our Creator placed His first two children in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3; 1 John 3:8). Ultimately, however, we know that Satan’s power over Christians has been effectively destroyed as the war has already been won through our Savior’s death and resurrection which conquered the power of sin and death forever. Nonetheless, Satan still prowls the earth looking to drive a wedge between God and His children, and his temptations are unfortunately a daily part of our lives (1 Peter 5:8). Yet with the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word to help us, we will find ourselves effectively resisting temptations.
The apostle Paul encourages us with these words: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Indeed, every one of us faces temptations of some kind; even Jesus was not immune as He was “tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). Although Satan may be the dark force ultimately behind the tempting, it is our fallen and corrupted human nature that allows these temptations to take root and causes us to act on them, thereby “giving birth to sin” (James 1:15). But it is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to free ourselves from the sin and temptations we struggle with in our daily lives. Thus, if we have the Spirit of Christ residing in our hearts, we already have what it takes to resist the flaming arrows the devil sends our way. As Paul told the Galatians, “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16).
The Word of God has always been our best defense against Satan’s temptations, and the better we know His Word, the easier it will be to claim victory over our daily struggles. The psalmist tells us, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). When Christ was tempted by Satan in the desert, the first thing He did was to quote Scripture (Matthew 4:4–10), which eventually caused the devil to leave Him. Indeed, Christians need to be diligent in studying God’s Word. “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies” (Psalm 119:97–98).
In addition to God’s Word, prayer can help us to resist temptation. The night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He told Peter to pray “so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mark 14:38). Also, in the “Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus taught us to pray that we would not be led into temptation (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4). Yet, when we do fall into temptation, we know that “God is faithful; He will not let us be tempted beyond what [we] can bear,” and that He will provide us with a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is a promise from God, and like Abraham, Christians should be “fully persuaded” that God has the power to do what He has promised (Romans 4:21).
Another way to help us resist temptation is to remember what Jesus Christ did for us. Even though He never committed a sin, He willingly endured the torture of the cross for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Every sin we’ve ever committed, or will commit, played a part in nailing our Savior to the cross. How we respond to Satan’s worldly allurements is a great indicator as to just how much the love of Jesus Christ occupies our hearts.
Now, even though Christians already have the tools necessary for victory, we need to use our common sense and not place ourselves in situations that prey upon, or stimulate, our weaknesses. We are already bombarded every day with images and messages that tantalize our sinful lusts. We don’t need to make it more difficult than it already is. Even though Christ’s Spirit resides in our hearts, our flesh can be very weak at times (Matthew 26:41). When we know something is or can be sinful, Paul warns us to “flee from it.” Remember, the “tempter” is also the master of rationalization, and there is no limit to the arguments the devil can offer us to justify our sinful behavior.
Armed with God’s Spirit and the truth of His Word, we are well equipped to overcome Satan’s assaults (Ephesians 6). No matter what trials and temptations come our way, God’s Word and Spirit are infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s schemes. When we walk with the Spirit we can look at temptations as opportunities for us to show God that He is indeed the Master of our lives.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
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“Loving Obedience” 5/12/2024 Written by Xochitl Dixon for “Our Daily Bread”
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The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Xochitl Dixon for “Our Daily Bread” @ http://odb.org
[Click on the “Listen Online” link and listen to the audio version at the top, including the prayer at the end in the original post link below]
Original post @ Loving Obedience | Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
May 6
Loving Obedience
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.
John 14:21 NLT
Today’s Scripture & Insight :
John 14:15-21
During our wedding ceremony, our minister said to me, “Do you promise to love, honor, and obey your husband, until death do you part?” Glancing at my fiancé, I whispered, “Obey?” We’d built our relationship on love and respect—not blind obedience, as the vows seemed to suggest. My husband’s father captured on film that wide-eyed moment when I processed the word obey and said, “I do.”
Over the years, God has shown me that my resistance to the word obey had nothing to do with the incredibly complex relationship between a husband and wife. I’d understood obey to mean “subjugated” or “forced submission,” which Scripture doesn’t support. Rather, the word obey in the Bible expresses the many ways we can love God. As my husband and I celebrate thirty years of marriage, through the power of the Holy Spirit we’re still learning to love Jesus and each other.
When Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT), He showed us that obedience to the Scriptures would be the result of an ongoing loving and intimate relationship with Him (vv. 16-21).
Jesus’ love is selfless, unconditional, and never forceful or abusive. As we follow and honor Him in all our relationships, the Holy Spirit can help us see obedience to Him as a wise and loving act of trust and worship.
By: Xochitl Dixon
Reflect & Pray
How does seeing obedience to God as an act of love and trust change your view of His desire for obedience? How has God proven that you can trust Him?
Dear Jesus, please help me love You and others through obedience to the Scriptures.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
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“A FIELD OF WEEDS . . .” 5/11/2024 Written by Kathy Boecher for “atimetoshare”
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The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Kathy Boecher for “atimetoshare” @ http://atimetoshare.me
Original post @ https://atimetoshare.me/2024/05/02/a-field-of-weeds/
A FIELD OF WEEDS . . .
Posted on May 2, 2024 by atimetoshare.me
Yesterday we went on our weekly road trip within 20 miles of our home. It’s always good for us to roam through the surrounding neighborhoods and burrows in search of God’s beautiful bounty of creation.
Nothing takes your mind off yourself better. As we searched the landscape, there were signs of spring everywhere. We came upon flowering cherry trees, some newly blossoming perennials, and a lovely field of dandelions. I remember picking and receiving big bouquets of these flowers back in the day. Nothing says loving, like a handful of dandelions. When we got home from our drive, there was a girl walking with her mom. She was on roller skates and had a bundle of dandelions in her hand. It made me think of those days when my own children would do the same for me.
I guess these weeds are beauty in the eye of the beholder, but to those who love perfectly green lawns, they can become a real pain in the neck. When my children brought me bouquets of dandelions, it meant they were thinking of me in a special way. Even though, when placed in water, they soon wilted and turned my fingers green. Our point of view has a lot to do with how we view everything in life. When things aren’t going well for us, when we have difficult decisions to make when health problems occur, when we are emotionally hurting, a cheerful bouquet of dandelions might clear up the troubles for the moment, but soon the beauty wears off and the flowers wilt and die.
If we look at the dandelions as only weeds, we’re neglecting the beauty they can bring to a barren field or empty lawn. Weeds will come. They’re mixed in with healthy grasses and flowers. Soon they turn into giant puff balls of seeds that scatter and grow again. There will always be tough things to deal with in life, but God will even open our eyes to great beauty and hope and faith that tomorrow will be another day.
Your perspective can and will change your outlook if you let it. Don’t miss out on the beauty that’s right before your eyes.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
“Doctrines of the Faith: Saved From What?” 5/10/2024 Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”
“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots” @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com
Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2024/05/05/doctrines-of-the-faith-saved-from-what/
Doctrines of the Faith: Saved From What?
POSTED ON MAY 5, 2024 BY BETH ANDREWS
I remember an evangelist who told the story of being in the Miami, Florida area to do a revival. He and the local pastor were driving around inviting people to the revival and witnessing to anyone who would listen. They found themselves in a very affluent neighborhood with massive houses and expensive cars. They spied a man out in his front yard and stopped to visit. After speaking to him of the need for salvation, the man spread his arms in a grand gesture of all he owned and said, “Saved from what?” Then he dismissed them with a laugh. That man was Jackie Gleason – famed radio, television, and movie star.
I am sure you know John 3:16. It reveals the heart of the gospel: God loves sinners. But Jesus also said: “Whoever does not believe [in Him] stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (v. 18).
Here’s the rest of the story (nod to Paul Harvey). God sent His Son because all of mankind is condemned because of sin. Not because of our sinful actions, but because sin is the human condition since the fall. We’re not sinners because we sin – we sin because we’re sinners. It’s not just what we do – it’s who we are. The destiny of all people is eternal condemnation – the wrath of God. Unless we believe in Jesus – and then our destiny is eternal life. That is what Paul means when he says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Hebrews continues the thought saying, “You have come . . . to the spirits of righteous men made perfect” – just as we will one day be. “You have come to Jesus . . .” Just stop right here and rest a moment in that statement. That changes everything. “You have come to Jesus – the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (v. 24). The new covenant is a covenant of mercy – of a love that saves through holy blood that was shed, not from jealousy and rage, but from divine providence. Abel’s blood brought about a curse on Cain. Jesus’ blood brings salvation from the curse of sin for everyone who believes.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
“The Schemes of Satan” 5/09/2024 Written by Bill Rudge for “Bill Rudge Ministries”
Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Bill Rudge for “Bill Rudge Ministries” @ https://billrudgeministries.wordpress.com/
Original post @ https://billrudgeministries.wordpress.com/2021/11/10/the-schemes-of-satan/
The Schemes of Satan
NOVEMBER 10, 2021~ BRM7
by BJ Rudge, Ph.D.
A survey revealed that over half of those who watched the Super Bowl did so for the commercials. Advertisers are aware of this and are willing to pay millions of dollars for a 30-second spot. The persuasive power behind these commercials is in the images they portray for the manipulation of your mind into thinking you need their products.
Does this scheme sound familiar? It should, because Satan used this technique in the Garden to seduce Eve. Once he got her to question what God said (“Has God indeed said…” – Genesis 3:1) she was vulnerable to Satan’s lies. She saw the tree was pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise so she gave in to her fleshly desires and ate of its fruit and gave some to her husband (Genesis 3:6).
Just like Adam and Eve, many people today fall prey to Satan’s deceptive ways. They allow their minds to be flooded with images that question whether God really knows what is best for them. If you want to avoid being another victim of Satan’s schemes, heed the advice of the apostle Paul:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).
How do you renew your mind? By studying, reflecting, and applying God’s Word. When you do this you can stand victorious before the schemes of Satan because you know exactly what God has indeed said.
POSTED IN BLOG, SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND DISCERNMENT,ADAM AND EVE,BLOG GOD’S ,WORDSCHEMES OF SATAN,SUPER BOWL
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
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“Sealed for life and for all eternity” 5/08/2024 Written by Louis Mize, a good friend
“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Louis Mize, a good friend @ https://www.facebook.com/louis.mize
“Sealed for life and for all eternity”
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
At the very moment a person believes in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, their personal Lord, and Savior, that person is baptized by the Holy Spirit of God. The word of God teaches us that it is God’s Holy Spirit who “Seals” us unto the Day of Redemption. What happens to you and me when the Holy Spirit “SEALS” us?
When any person comes to Christ by faith, God places an indelible mark on us. You can’t see my mark, and I can’t see yours, but nevertheless, it is there! And no power on earth or in Heaven is able to undo what God has done!
Christians should never fear or worry about receiving the mark of the beast, or the mark of the unholy spirit of the antichrists. For you see, that mark just won’t fit. And God has promised that NO MAN is able to pluck us out of our Father’s hand. (John 10:28)
This morning, I give God praise for this sealing of the Holy Spirit of God. It is permanent. It is eternal. It is everlasting. And all Christians need to know and believe that NO PERSON, and that means not even you and I, can undo what God has done for us in the Persons of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God. I am so thankful for this unremovable sealing by God.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
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“Center Our Desires” 5/07/2024 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing
Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing
Original post @ Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing
Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/4/17/2024/?ecid=ACsprvshPHOKkmIpTFI-D-Lpm7nCblauV9s_o5BI6NpfTl6BM3d6gM9SBmHUn5Oyaag7Nbdp2Sqs&utm_campaign=Spurgeon+Daily+Devotion&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–XwKyGAlf1i0ldBIUmSNru5atsfWS79ligW8SB_SFnJ-0M1qHV2zDF0m7ogppH9lz8Dhaa4fo0EDknkHaHBxKX_61X2exjlOEvkogqJB4PcxDMZJc&_hsmi=302877489&utm_content=302877489&utm_source=hs_email
Center Our Desires
We wish to see Jesus.
John 12:21
The constant cry of the world is, “Who will show us any good?” They seek satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the quickened sinner knows of only one good. “I wish I knew where I might find Him!” When he is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could lay a fortune before him he would say, “Take it away: I want to find Him.”
It is a blessed thing for a man when he has brought his desires into focus so that they all center on one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a stagnant pool spreading out into a marsh, breeding disease; but when all his desires are channeled in one direction, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields.
Happy is he who has one desire, if that one desire is set on Christ, though it may not yet have been realized. When a soul desires Jesus, it is a sure indication of divine work within. Such a man will never be content with mere externals. He will say, “I want Christ; I must have Him—mere ordinances are of no use to me. I want Himself; do not offer me these; you offer me the empty pitcher, while I am dying of thirst; give me water, or I die. Jesus is my soul’s desire. I wish to see Jesus!”
Is this your condition, my reader, at this moment? Have you only one desire, and is that for Christ? Then you are not far from the kingdom of heaven. Have you only one wish in your heart, and is it that you may be washed from all your sins in Jesus’ blood? Can you really say, “I would give all I have to be a Christian? I would give up everything I have and hope for, in order to know that I have an interest in Christ”? Then, despite all your fears, be encouraged—the Lord loves you, and you will come out into daylight soon and rejoice in the liberty with which Christ makes you free.
Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
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“A Need for Correction” 5/06/2024 Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms”
Our Daily Bread” http://odb.orgThe Daily Devotions of Greg
Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms” @ https://davidkitz.wordpress.com/
Original post found @ https://davidkitz.blog/2024/04/19/a-need-for-correction/
A Need for Correction
19FridayApr 2024
Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141
Tags blessing, correction, David, devotion, kindness, Prayer, pride, Psalms, righteous
Today’s Devotion from the Psalms
Reading: Psalm 141:5
Let a righteous man strike me—
that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—
that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be
against the deeds of evildoers (NIV). *
Photo by David Kitz
Reflection
I don’t like being proven wrong. I like to think I have this world figured out. I am wise in my own eyes. A proud heart tells me I am right. Isn’t that so?
Am I the only one who suffers from this affliction—this deceptive pride that blinds me to my errors? Of course not. Human pride puts blinders over our eyes. We have trouble seeing our own faults. We often need others to bring them gently, or sharply to our attention. Better is open rebuke than hidden love (Proverbs 27:5).
Here in Psalm 141, David confesses his need for correction: Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
Do we see sharp correction as a kindness? Do we see a rebuke as a blessing like oil poured on our head? In today’s culture the thought of oil being poured on someone’s head has little appeal. But that was not the case in ancient times. Olive oil was a high-value commodity. Using it for personal grooming was considered a luxury. Only the wealthy would lavish themselves with such extravagance.
For David, these words would bring back the memory of the occasion when the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king over Israel in place of King Saul. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David (1 Samuel 16:13).
Earlier, Samuel had rebuked Saul for his disobedience. See 1 Samuel 13. Saul did not receive that rebuke well. There was no repentance on his part. On the other hand, years later when Nathan, the prophet, rebuked David for his sin with Bathsheba, David repented and sought the LORD with prayer and fasting. See 2 Samuel 12. The contrast between Saul’s response and David’s response to corrective rebuke is striking.
David, the man after God’s own heart, received forgiveness and the mercy of God, while Saul became embittered and ultimately descended into witchcraft.
How we handle correction will determine the rise or fall of our career, our marriage, and ultimately our life with God. David learned to love rebuke. For him and for us, it can result in a course correction of eternal worth.
Response: LORD God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, You alone are faultless. Forgive me. Amen.
Your Turn: Is it difficult for you to receive correction? What can make receiving correction easier?
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=Image+Lord+rebuke+me+Bible&sca_esv=d497ec08d6a1353d&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS1066US1066&udm=2&biw=1399&bih=896&sxsrf=ADLYWIJXkIh2Xn1HSWnMMrXlgDcbAN7ihw%3A1714998150109&ei=hss4ZtWoBq2yptQPtaKoqA0&ved=0ahUKEwjVg5z8gfmFAxUtmYkEHTURCtUQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=Image+Lord+rebuke+me+Bible&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiGkltYWdlIExvcmQgcmVidWtlIG1lIEJpYmxlSIwxUOcWWJQrcAF4AJABAJgBQqABswKqAQE1uAEDyAEA-AEBmAIAoAIAmAMAiAYBkgcAoAfhAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#vhid=JHjr_vwQ1S_nuM&vssid=mosaic
Posted in Daily Devotion
Tagged Kindness, prayer, Psalms, David, correction, pride, righteous, Devotion, BLESSING
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