“The Helmet of Salvation” 4/04/2017 Written by bruce r. mills for “God’s group”

Posted on April 4, 2017 by

“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

                                   Image result for picture of the helmet of salvation Bible

Written by bruce r. mills for “God’s group”  @  www.Godsmanforever.com

(revised from 1/19/2011)

“The Helmet of Salvation… Part 2 of God’s Armor” 

   (For the first  2 days writing…type 4/02-03/2017, as separate dates into the search window of   www.Godsmanforever.com)

Ephesians 6:17… And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (NKJV)

I woke up this morning, and before I even had a chance to ask God to guide me through this day, I knew what I was going to write on today… I had been writing about scripture in the Book of Romans, but was sidetracked by the Armor of God, each and every Christian should  be wearing as a complete set…all 6 pieces…(Ephesians 6:10-20)   [ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph6%3A10-20&version=ESV ]

In looking at my own weaknesses as a Christian, I am hopeful that others can find out what pieces they are missing of the “Whole Armor of God”, to be able to make a stand against Satan… To be Spirit filled on a more  consistent basis, I believe it’s necessary to be wearing God’s complete set of spiritual armor…   As Christians, any chinks in God’s armor will allow Satan in, and leave a crack in our fragile clay vessel… Our cup cannot be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, if we have any cracks in it…

The apostle Paul tells us in this, in…Ephesians 6:11… “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (NKJV)

The opening scripture talks about “the helmet of salvation”…   Salvation; or being saved by God’s grace, is all about obeying the Gospel of Christ…   We must understand the gospel, and respond to God’s calling…or we will be left to “die in our sins”, as the Apostle John pens this spoken by Jesus, in…  [See 1. Below for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ]

John 8:24… “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”  (NKJV)

But once we are “Born Again” Christians, we must keep “the helmet of salvation” on 24/7…   Each and every day, we must be thankful for the grace God has gifted us with, as we have been accepted by Him into His family as a redeemed child of God…

As ambassadors of Christ, we must always look for opportunities to share the gospel of Christ with the lost and dying world around us…  This, for sure, was one of my major shortcomings for over 7 years, as I have previously confessed…because I allowed the Holy Spirit to take a back seat in my life…keeping me less than Spirit filled…Ephesians 5:18-20…

Heavenly Father, being Spirit filled is what every Christian should strive to become on a consistent, but not perfect basis… Help each and every reader understand that Your complete set of spiritual armor is required, to protect us from Satan… It starts with “the helmet of salvation”… Help us Father to be striving to put on Your protective armor piece by piece…

Help us to realize that any chinks in our spiritual body armor will leave us vulnerable to Satan, and his bag full of tricks to deceive us…   Being Spirit filled is an ongoing, daily labor of love for You Lord, as Your obedient children walk in the Spirit…Galatians 5:16…   Help us Father, to keep our fragile clay vessel filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit…  I pray for this fullness of Christ within each and every one of us, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake I pray…Amen…

Blessings in Christ,   bruce

 

References:

 

  1.  Here is a link for this most important days writing, 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/2014/10/26/the-truth-about-sin-10262014-by-bruce-reposted-from-7112013/

 

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+of+the+helmet+of+salvation+Bible&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjSpOXs24rTAhVG0iYKHYAKD10QsAQIGQ&biw=1126&bih=686#imgrc=Hvsl7EgqC555oM:

 

 

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“THREE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS NEEDED TO TURNING PASSIVE PEW SITTERS INTO ENGAGED MISSION-DRIVEN MEMBERS” 6/20/2018 Written by Rev. B. Keith Haney for “The Light Breaks Through”

Posted on June 20, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

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Written by Rev. B. Keith Haney for “The Light Breaks Through”  @  https://revheadpin.org/

Original post @   https://revheadpin.org/2018/06/12/three-essential-components-needed-to-turning-pew-sitters-into-ministry-partners/

 

THREE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS NEEDED TO TURNING PASSIVE PEW SITTERS INTO ENGAGED MISSION-DRIVEN MEMBERS

Posted on June 12, 2018 by 

 

lightstock_195098_small_byrene_haney

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I began my ministry career in the Motor City, Detroit.  In a museum at Greenfield Village, Detroit, Michigan, there is a massive steam locomotive. Beside this complicated piece of machinery is a sign showing boiler pressure, size and number of wheels, horsepower, lengths, weight, and more. The bottom line shows that 96% of the power generated was used to move the locomotive and only 4% was left to pull the load. Some churches are like that; there are a large number of people in the body of Christ who are disengaged or only partially engaged. With these series of posts, I hope to provide insights to change faithful pew-sitters into engaged mission partners.

A good starting point for this series is identifying what the Factors Driving Engagement are.  Many studies have listed hundreds of components influencing engagement. However, according to a Dale Carnegie Active Research June 2017 report, the top three are 1) Pride in the organization, 2) Belief in the senior leadership, and 3) Satisfaction with the immediate manager.

How does this translate in the church and non-profit world?  I can see all these factors driving peace and engagement in our context.

1.     Pride in the organization.

Often in the Bible, pride is referenced negatively and sinfully.  Paul expresses his pride positively. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.12 Corinthians 7:4.  I can recall times as a parish pastor that I was leery about bringing new fragile unbelievers into our fellowship because I was not sure how my people would receive them. Once our culture changed to be more welcoming, I could not have been prouder of the atmosphere God had created. When a member is excited about the ministry and the church they are attending, not only are they sharing and inviting others to come to see what God is doing; these members are often also engaged and aligned with the vision and direction of the leadership.  There is a direct correlation between engagement, clear ministry direction, and vision.

2.     Trust in Leadership

“To be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man’s associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they see he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4.

The Bible clarifies that leaders in the church must have unquestionable integrity.  It is vital in business but a prerequisite in the church.

 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive.  1 Timothy 3:2-4

Members are far more willing to serve when they trust and respect their leaders.

3.     Relationship with Ministry co-workers.

“The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog.” – Frederick the Great.

One of the most critical lessons I try to impart to congregations is that your elected leaders, the heads of your committees, and ministry leaders are critical to the success of your ministry engagement level.  If those (for lack of a better term), middle managers are not people who others desire to work alongside, you will have a difficult time recruiting and keeping volunteers.    You may have an awesome pastor, but if the people working more closely with the members are not highly relational, inspiring, enthusiastic, and empower volunteers, but sit on the sidelines and watch the show rather than be engaged and willing participants, no one will follow.

Next week more practical ways to further engage the wealth of talent sitting in your church pews.

As always if you find this post helpful you are encouraged to share it.

In the Service of an Awesome God

 

1The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Co 7:4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Similar posts on engagement:

https://revheadpin.org/2017/05/17/you-have-been-called-up-for-active-duty/

https://revheadpin.org/2017/10/05/two-ways-to-engage-the-people-in-the-pew/

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P.S.  (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes your will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+using+spiritual+gifts+Bible&rlz=1C1VFKB_enUS610US619&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLodDvys7bAhVs5oMKHUDRCYoQsAQIeg&biw=1250&bih=865#imgrc=lWAvkdCz3QS2RM:

 

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“The Garden of Christ” 6/19/2018 Posted by Alister Begg for “Truth for Life”

Posted on June 19, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

 The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

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Posted by Alister Begg for “Truth for Life”  @  http://info.truthforlife.org

Original post @  http://info.truthforlife.org/devo-june18-2018?ecid=ACsprvsCNC2-3n7DTsL0XVAkbwZg9vwPktGHL69UvAk-VbO87YbgM1BubZTTg92SQ5SaycvryIrj&utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotion%20Emails&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=63790473&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Knudkc8SrFPxqEZER8p6WXR3do65sGemi3Frp30GIaRnDmMzRRNKK1CcHgnvRriOv4hgYCqAETbMsZm49tLB6MouKp5Q0g0csLOHtOWguV-bpSTQ&_hsmi=63790473

 

DAILY DEVOTIONAL JUNE 18, 2018

The Garden of Christ

I came to my garden, my sister, my bride.
Song of Songs 5:1

The heart of the believer is Christ’s garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own. A garden implies separation. It is not the open field; it is not a wilderness; it is walled around or hedged in. If only we could see the wall of separation between the church and the world made broader and stronger. It is sad to hear Christians saying, “Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that,” and by this approach getting as near to the world as possible. Grace is at a low ebb in the soul that is always inquiring about how far it may go in worldly conformity.

A garden is a place of beauty; it far surpasses the wild uncultivated lands. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ’s garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor compared with what Christ deserves; let us not disappoint Him with withering and feeble plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses ought to bloom in the place that Jesus calls His own.

The garden is a place of growth. The believer must not remain undeveloped, just mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the gardener and the Holy Spirit the dew from heaven.

A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our souls as a place in which He can show Himself, in a way that He does not to the world. As Christians we should be far keener to keep our hearts closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving, and like her we do not have the room for Christ that Mary had, and we do not sit at His feet as we ought. May the Lord grant the sweet showers of His grace to water His garden today.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

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P.S. (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes our will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+of+Christ%27s+garden&rlz=1C1VFKB_enUS610US619&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8jtnlvt3bAhUQ11MKHdUOA2IQsAQIKA&biw=1250&bih=865#imgrc=WHWzlM9d2zD-jM:

 

 

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“Are You an Imitator of God ??” 6/18/2018 Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “THE DOMAIN FOR TRUTH”

Posted on June 18, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

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Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth” @  https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/06/17/quick-devotional-from-ephesians-51-observation-from-the-greek/#more-20685

 

Quick Devotional from Ephesians 5:1 (Observation from the Greek)

June 17, 2018 by SLIMJIM

 

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few months ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Ephesians 5:1.  Here is my translation:

“PRINCIPLE 5 γίνεσθε οὖν μιμηταὶ τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς τέκνα ἀγαπητὰ”
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved Children

Here are some observations:

  1. There is a command here in light of the Greek imperative verb of “Be.”  This verse is telling us we are to be something.

  2. What believers are to be is specified as “imitators of God.”

    1. The Greek word for “imitators” is where we get the English word “Mime.”  Not that we read our English word “Mime” back into the text but it is interesting to know that this is the root for “Mime” which shows that the idea of imitator or being similar to someone has a long history.

    2. We are to imitate God, specifically that which we can imitate and are called to imitate and not His incommunicable attribute (all knowing, all present, to be worshiped, etc).

  3. It is a tall order to be like God.  Fortunately Paul encourages with biblical truths to be imitators of God.

    1. Motivation #1: Note the word “therefore” in this verse.  Therefore in the Greek is showing the result of a previous truth.  Earlier in Ephesians 4:32 we learn that God has forgiven us.  That is a powerful motivation to be godly when we know He loved us by His work of forgiving us and Christ dying on the Cross for our sin.  Let the Gospel motivate you to be Godly!

    2. Motivation #2: The verse compare believers in light of the presence of “as” and the comparison of believers is to “beloved Children.”  Earlier in the book of Ephesians it was revealed that before coming to Christ we were “sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2) and “children of wrath”(Ephesians 2:3).  But because of the Gospel our status, identity and relationship to God has changed; we are no longer enemies but beloved by God and we are now spiritually adopted!  We are now God’s children, and beloved!

Application:

  • Do you realize Christians are called to be godly?  That is, we are to be like God.  Sometimes some Christians think that doesn’t matter or that God doesn’t call Christians to be like God.  Our verse we study today shows that this is not true.  Again do you realize Christians are called to be godly?

  • Do you struggle to be godly?  If so keep on striving to pursue godliness.  Don’t give up!

  • Need help to pursue being more like God?  Have you been motivated by the Gospel?  Don’t forget the two motivations covered here in this devotion of why we are to pursue godliness.  Have the truth of God’s forgiveness of your sins and your spiritual status and relationship with God as His beloved children motivated you to lovingly obey God by imitating godly virtues?  If not, further mediate on these truths, study it further and pray for God to use these doctrinal truths to be saved and after being saved to be empowered and properly motivated to be an imitator of God!

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P.S. (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes your will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+ephes+5:1&rlz=1C1VFKB_enUS610US619&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj91pPJ29rbAhUsw1kKHdEbAs8QsAQIdQ&biw=1250&bih=865#imgrc=gQ2h9S0GvJ6wYM:

 

 

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“Is It Ego, Or Is It Self-Esteem?” 6/17/2018 Written by Pastor Randy Burbank for “God’s KINGDOM”

Posted on June 17, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

 The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by Pastor Randy Burbank for “God’s KINGDOM” @  https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com/2018/06/15/is-it-ego-or-is-it-self-esteem/

 

Is It Ego, Or Is It Self-Esteem?

PASTOR RANDY

esteem vs ego

In midst of all the chaos of recent weeks, I found myself thinking about self esteem and ego.  Perhaps it came out of my grieving the loss of my Mother and my deep concern for my Dad.  Perhaps it’s the reality that in about a week and a half we will be moving into a new home, serving 2 churches while leaving behind what I feel is unfinished work–but also leaving behind great friends and encouragers.  Whatever the cause, I know God wants me to write.  Turn of all electronic devices, return your trays and seats to the upright position and buckle your seat belts for take-off.

Contrary to a few would say, I don’t have that big of an ego–but I regularly battle my own self-esteem.  It is not as bad as it was when I was growing up.  But even after my first marriage, I still struggled with self-esteem.  I could say it was because of how some treated me–but that’s a cop-out.  I refuse to play the victim card.  And it wasn’t until I was 47, when my self-esteem completely crashed and burned, that God took me on a journey to see myself differently–than others saw me or how I even saw myself.

Since that time I find myself recognizing low self-esteem in others–and a new clarity about those with an ego problem.  In church you see both, but rarely, if ever, is it acknowledged.  Well, here is the epiphany I had about self-esteem versus ego.

Ego is all about self-importance.  Self-Esteem is all about value and worth!

Ego is that over-inflated sense of how important a person thinks they are.  Right now I have a couple of pictures in my mind of people I’ve encountered while here.  That sense of Importance focuses on the container–not the source.  They see themselves are being more important than others–and in the church–more important than the work of the Kingdom of God.  They push themselves into other conversations and run over anyone who dares to challenge them.  Ego equals Importance.

On the other hand, Self-Esteem is the recognition of your value and worth, to the One who created you.  HE has deemed and declared your worth, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.  Jesus deemed and declared your worth by giving up the glory of heaven for a dirty diaper; and ultimately by His willingness, and insistence, to die on that Cross.  It is about recognizing your value as you live your life in Christ.  Those with the EGO accuse those of us who recognize our worth in Christ as being arrogant.  Talk about the kettle calling the pot black.

Ego is about seeing yourself as important.  Healthy Self-Esteem is seeing the worth that God sees in you–and accepting that His value of you comes fully alive in you as you become fully alive in Jesus.  Nothing is wrong with having Self-Esteem–don’t let the enemy make you feel guilty.  When you say you have no value or worth you are calling God a liar–and that, my friends, is NOT a good thing to do.  God’s image is in you–even if buried under years and mountains of bad choices (that means SIN).  Only the Creator, our FATHER, knows how to restore His image.  After all, He made you and knows you better than others know you–or you even know yourself.

Let me end this with Romans 12:3, from a new translation I recently came across.  It is known as The Passion Translation and it goes like this:

God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.

God gives you value–He says, long before that commercial ever said it–because YOU are worth it!

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P.S. (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes our will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

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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“Choose Your Words Wisely!” 6/16/2018 Written by Matthew Winters for “Matthew Winters (Comeback Pastor)”

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Image result for picture tongue words from hell

Written by Matthew Winters for “Matthew Winters (Comeback Pastor)”  @  https://mdw4christ.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://mdw4christ.wordpress.com/2018/06/15/choose-your-words-wisely/

 

Choose Your Words Wisely!

 / MATTHEW WINTERS (THE COMEBACK PASTOR)

The “beauty” of the English language is that one word can have multiple meanings. In this part of the South, the word fixing has the following meanings (the definitions are my word choice): the act of repairing something; a side to go with your main course (ie turkey and all the fixings); the act of preparation (“I’m fixing to go to the store). Such is the case in the above picture. I would hope that the one who decided to post this sign on church property meant that only church business is to take place on the property (so much for reaching the community, right?). However, one could assume in the day and age where immorality is often accepted in churches that only those members of the church who are having affairs can do so on the premises.

We have to be ever so careful how we choose our words. We may mean no harm at all, but our delivery could be offensive. The person who said, “Sticks and stones may breaks my bones, but words will never hurt me” was a liar. Words are powerful and are a reflection of who you are. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Mark Twain said this: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”

If you have any more question of how important word choice is, read what James 3:1-12 says:

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”

Before you speak, consider these things. Let the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable in God’s sight (Psalm 19:14). May we choose to speak life and wisdom into the lives of others.

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P.S. (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes our will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+tongue+words+from+hell&rlz=1C1VFKB_enUS610US619&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMoOPB_9XbAhVNtVMKHboQBiwQsAQINw&biw=1250&bih=865#imgrc=Amg4GmrFThYfoM:

 

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A Prayer Request

Posted on June 15, 2018 by

Please take a minute, and pray for my blogging friend Elihu’s son, who is 7, and going to have his tonsils removed this morning… Blessings in Christ, bruce

Elihu's Corner

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I often encourage prayer, and for good reason. The ability communicate with our Heavenly Father is a precious and powerful gift. The Lord is the Creator of all has the power to do something with my requests if it is His will.

I don’t normally ask for prayers from my readers, but today is the exception. 

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“The Answer for Everything” 6/15/2018 Written by for “From the Inside Out” Nancy Ruegg

Posted on June 15, 2018 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

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Written by Nancy Ruegg for “From the Inside Out”  @  http://nancyaruegg.com

View original post @  https://nancyaruegg.com/2018/06/14/the-answer-for-everything/

 

The Answer for Everything

June 14, 2018 by Nancy Ruegg

(A personal psalm)

 

When thoughts are allowed free rein…

…I worry about the future, forgetting who’s in charge–You!–The all-powerful, all-wise God of the universe, Master Controller of all things (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). The truth is, If I’m worrying, I’m not trusting.

…I become overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, overlooking your reliability in all situations (Philippians 4:13). Key word: in. You provide strength in the midst of the journey, not before it has begun.

…I question the reason for difficult circumstances, failing to remember all the benefits you bring out of trials, including maturity, strong faith, and deficiency in nothing (James 1:2-4).

…I feel inadequate to handle new responsibilities, forgetting you will not leave me to muddle through on my own. I can confidently depend on your help and put my hope in your promises (Psalm 46:1; Numbers 23:19).

…I allow disbelief to fester in my mind, neglecting to “dismantle doubts with declarations” (1)—declarations of stabilizing truth from your Word (Psalm 119:93, 160).

…I become discouraged in prayer, not considering that You grant what we would have asked for, if we knew everything you know (2) (Isaiah 55:9).

…I feel like a failure, losing sight of how you can turn weakness into strength and redeem any situation (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). How miraculous that even “worthless dross [you] transform into pure gold”(3).

…I make poor choices, ignoring the wisdom of your ways and what it cost you to pay for my sin (Psalm 119:137-138; Galatians 2:20).

…I experience despair, giving no thought to your over-all objective:  to accomplish what is good and right–always. That good purpose may not be fulfilled today or to my preference, but it is certain nonetheless (Psalm 42:5 and 145:17; Jeremiah 29:11).

…I am discontented,  forgetting to clarify my perspective with praise–for who you are and what you’ve already done (Psalm 31:19; Psalm 145).

…I become jealous of others, neglecting to celebrate your uniquely designed plans and specially chosen blessings for me (Ephesians 2:10).

…I feel weak, overlooking “the inner dynamic of grateful joy that empowers the greatest efforts” (4) (Colossians 3:15-17; Nehemiah 8:10).

For every troublesome emotion, every problem, every insufficiency that plays in my mind:  you, O God, are El Shaddai–the All-Sufficient One.

You are the answer for everything I face.

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 

–Psalm 9:1-2  NIV

 

Notes:

(1)  Jody Collins, author of Living the Season Well and blogger at       https://jodyleecollins.com/blog/

(2)  Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus, Viking Press, 2015, p. 52.

(3)  Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, December 8.

(4)  Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus, Viking Press, 2015, p. 31.

Art & photo credits:  http://www.flickr.com, by Giogio Montersino; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.heartlight.org (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com (2).

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P.S. (from bruce)   If you are not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes. This, after the Holy Spirit changes our will to understand and then obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…    https://godsmanforever.com/2016/12/19/the-gospel-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-12182016-written-by-bruce-r-mills/

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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