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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2019 16:18:38 GMT -5
No More Running By Adam Holz
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In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:2
Today's Scripture & Insight: Jonah 2:1-10 On July 18, 1983, a US Air Force captain disappeared from Albuquerque, New Mexico, without a trace. Thirty-five years later, authorities found him in California. The New York Times reports that, “depressed about his job,” he’d simply run away.
Thirty-five years on the run! Half a lifetime spent looking over his shoulder! I have to imagine that anxiety and paranoia were this man’s constant companions.
But I have to admit, I also know a bit about being “on the run.” No, I’ve never abruptly fled something in my life . . . physically. But at times I know there’s something God wants me to do, something I need to face or confess. I don’t want to do it. And so, in my own way, I run too.
The prophet Jonah is infamous for literally running from God’s assignment to preach to the city of Nineveh (see Jonah 1:1–3). But, of course, he couldn’t outrun God. You’ve probably heard what happened (vv. 4,17): A storm. A fish. A swallowing. And, in the belly of the beast, a reckoning, in which Jonah faced what he’d done and cried to God for help (2:2).
Jonah wasn’t a perfect prophet. But I take comfort in his remarkable story, because, even despite Jonah’s stubbornness, God never let go of him. The Lord still answered the man’s desperate prayer, graciously restoring His reluctant servant (v. 2)—just as He does with us.
Reflect & Pray What, if anything, have you tried to run away from in your life? How can you grow in bringing to God the pressures that overwhelm you?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2019 16:25:55 GMT -5
Unseen Realities By Poh Fang Chia
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Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17
Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Kings 6:8–17 Stephen Cass, an editor at Discover magazine, was determined to investigate some of the invisible things that are part of his daily life. As he walked toward his office in New York City, he thought: “If I could see radio waves, the top of the Empire State Building [with its host of radio and TV antennas] would be lit like a kaleidoscopic flare, illuminating the entire city.” He realized he was surrounded by an invisible electromagnetic field of radio and TV signals, Wi-Fi, and more.
Elisha’s servant learned about another kind of unseen reality one morning—the invisible spiritual world. He awoke to find himself and his master surrounded by the armies of Aram. As far as his eyes could see, there were soldiers mounted on powerful warhorses (2 Kings 6:15)! The servant was afraid, but Elisha was confident because he saw the army of angels that surrounded them. He said: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16). Then he asked the Lord to open his servant’s eyes so he too could see that the Lord had surrounded their enemy and He was in control (v. 17).
Do you feel overpowered and helpless? Remember that God is in control and fights for you. He “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
By Poh Fang Chia
Reflect & Pray How can you learn to trust God’s supernatural help? How would trusting Him more change the way you face difficulties?
Fear not for God is with us and for us.
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Post by joseph on Jul 11, 2019 13:17:35 GMT -5
Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17
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'selah' At that time on earth, in the world, how many men could see ? Few or many ? A handful, hundreds, thousands, millions ? 'selah' How many on earth, in the world today, can see ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2019 15:13:28 GMT -5
Football and Shepherds By Bill Crowder
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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Today's Scripture & Insight: John 10:11–15 An intriguing element of English football is the team anthem sung by the fans at the start of each match. These songs range from the fun (“Glad All Over”) to the whimsical (“I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”) to the surprising. “Psalm 23,” for instance, is the anthem of the club from West Bromwich Albion. The words of that psalm appear on the façade inside the team’s stadium, declaring to everyone who comes to watch the “West Brom Baggies” the care of the good, great, and chief Shepherd.
In Psalm 23, David made his timeless statement, “The Lord is my shepherd” (v. 1). Later, the gospel writer Matthew would tell us, “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). And in John 10, Jesus declared His love and concern for the human “sheep” of His generation. “I am the good shepherd,” He said. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (v. 11). Jesus’s compassion drove His interactions with the crowds, His responses to their needs, and, ultimately, His sacrifice on their (and our) behalf.
“The Lord is my shepherd” is far more than an ancient lyric or a clever slogan. It’s the confident statement of what it means to be known and loved by our great God—and what it means to be rescued by His Son.
Reflect & Pray In what ways have you seen God’s care for you? Who can you tell about Him today?
What a gift our Shepherd is to us, Father! Help us to respond to His voice—and draw nearer to You.
Read The Lord Is My Shepherd at discoveryseries.org/hp952.
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Post by John on Jul 12, 2019 7:30:04 GMT -5
Unseen Realities By Poh Fang Chia
Click on this link for the audio message
Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17
Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Kings 6:8–17 Stephen Cass, an editor at Discover magazine, was determined to investigate some of the invisible things that are part of his daily life. As he walked toward his office in New York City, he thought: “If I could see radio waves, the top of the Empire State Building [with its host of radio and TV antennas] would be lit like a kaleidoscopic flare, illuminating the entire city.” He realized he was surrounded by an invisible electromagnetic field of radio and TV signals, Wi-Fi, and more.
Elisha’s servant learned about another kind of unseen reality one morning—the invisible spiritual world. He awoke to find himself and his master surrounded by the armies of Aram. As far as his eyes could see, there were soldiers mounted on powerful warhorses (2 Kings 6:15)! The servant was afraid, but Elisha was confident because he saw the army of angels that surrounded them. He said: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16). Then he asked the Lord to open his servant’s eyes so he too could see that the Lord had surrounded their enemy and He was in control (v. 17).
Do you feel overpowered and helpless? Remember that God is in control and fights for you. He “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
By Poh Fang Chia
Reflect & Pray How can you learn to trust God’s supernatural help? How would trusting Him more change the way you face difficulties?
Fear not for God is with us and for us.
Those are good reminders, as the world we cannot see is every bit as real as the one we can see, and we are greatly effected by things that happen in the spiritual world. Imagine what it would be like if we could see those things? It would be good if we could turn it on and off, but not if we saw it all the time. Imagine the problems it would cause doing simple tasks like driving!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2019 16:46:04 GMT -5
Son Followers By Patricia Raybon
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The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15
Today's Scripture & Insight: Luke 8:11–15
Sunflowers sprout in a carefree manner all over the world. Pollinated by bees, the plants spring up on the sides of highways, under bird feeders, and across fields, meadows, and prairies. To produce a harvest, however, sunflowers need good soil. Well-drained, slightly acidic, nutrient-rich soil “with organic matter or composted,” says the Farmer’s Almanac, finally produces tasty sunflower seeds, pure oil, and also a livelihood for hard-working sunflower growers.
We also need “good soil” for spiritual growth (Luke 8:15). As Jesus taught in His parable of the farmer scattering seed, God’s Word can sprout even in rocky or thorny soil (see vv. 6–7). It only thrives, however, in the soil of “honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest” (v. 15 nlt).
Young sunflowers are just as patient in their growth. Following the sun’s movement throughout the day, they turn sunward daily in a process called heliotropism. Mature sunflowers are just as deliberate. They turn eastward permanently, warming the face of the flower and increasing visits from pollinator bees. This in turn produces a greater harvest.
As with those who care for sunflowers, we can provide a rich medium for God’s Word to grow by clinging to His Word and following after His Son—developing honesty and a good heart for God’s Word to mature us. It’s a daily process. May we follow the Son and grow.
Reflect & Pray What’s the condition of your spiritual soil? Rocky, thorny, or rich in spiritual “nutrients”? Why? When you follow the Son daily, how does this practice impact your honesty and heart?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2019 16:26:53 GMT -5
Beautiful to God By Leslie Koh
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What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:4
Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 8:4–9
When Denise began dating her boyfriend, she attempted to maintain a slim figure and dress stylishly, believing she would be more attractive to him in that way. After all, it was what all the women’s magazines advised. It was only much later that she discovered what he really thought: “I liked you just as much when you were heavier and didn’t worry about what you wore.”
Denise realized then how subjective “beauty” was. Our view of beauty is so easily influenced by others. It’s often focused on the external, forgetting the value of inner beauty. But God sees us in only one way—as His beautiful, beloved children. I’d like to think that when God created the world, He left the best for last—us! Everything He created was good, but we’re extra special because we’re made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
God considers us beautiful! No wonder the psalmist was filled with awe as he compared the greatness of nature with humans. “What is mankind,” he asked, “that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4). Yet God chose to give mortals a glory and honor that nothing else had (v. 5).
This truth gives us an assurance and reason to praise Him (v. 9). No matter what others think of us—or what we think of ourselves—know this: We are beautiful to God.
Reflect & Pray How do you see yourself? How do you think God sees you?
Father, You know how insecure we can feel about ourselves. Thank You for the assurance that You love us!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2019 11:48:55 GMT -5
In Living Color By Remi Oyedele
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The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. Revelation 4:3
Today's Scripture & Insight: Revelation 4:1–6 When Xavier McCoury put on the glasses Aunt Celena sent for his tenth birthday, he burst into tears. Born colorblind, Xavier had only ever seen the world in shades of gray, white, and black. With his new EnChroma glasses, however, Xavier saw color for the first time. His euphoria at witnessing the beauty around him made his family feel like they’d beheld a miracle.
Witnessing God’s colorfully radiant brilliance also evoked a powerful reaction in the apostle John (Revelation 1:17). After encountering the full glory of the resurrected Christ, John glimpsed “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. . . . From the throne came flashes of lightning” (Revelation 4:2–5).
In a different time, Ezekiel had a similar vision, seeing “what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli,” with a figure above the throne who “looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire” (Ezekiel 1:26–27). This magnificent figure was surrounded with rainbow-like radiance (v. 28).
One day we will meet Christ face-to-face. These visions give us just a hint of the magnificence that awaits us. As we celebrate the beauty of God’s creation here and now, may we live in anticipation of the glory yet to be revealed.
Reflect & Pray What response does the color and beauty of creation evoke in you? How can you express your gratitude to God for His wonderful gift?
Father, words fail us when we try to imagine what we will experience when we meet You face-to-face. Thank You for the small hints of Your beauty You have placed in our world.
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Post by John on Jul 15, 2019 7:27:41 GMT -5
Son Followers By Patricia Raybon
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The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15
Today's Scripture & Insight: Luke 8:11–15
Sunflowers sprout in a carefree manner all over the world. Pollinated by bees, the plants spring up on the sides of highways, under bird feeders, and across fields, meadows, and prairies. To produce a harvest, however, sunflowers need good soil. Well-drained, slightly acidic, nutrient-rich soil “with organic matter or composted,” says the Farmer’s Almanac, finally produces tasty sunflower seeds, pure oil, and also a livelihood for hard-working sunflower growers.
We also need “good soil” for spiritual growth (Luke 8:15). As Jesus taught in His parable of the farmer scattering seed, God’s Word can sprout even in rocky or thorny soil (see vv. 6–7). It only thrives, however, in the soil of “honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest” (v. 15 nlt).
Young sunflowers are just as patient in their growth. Following the sun’s movement throughout the day, they turn sunward daily in a process called heliotropism. Mature sunflowers are just as deliberate. They turn eastward permanently, warming the face of the flower and increasing visits from pollinator bees. This in turn produces a greater harvest.
As with those who care for sunflowers, we can provide a rich medium for God’s Word to grow by clinging to His Word and following after His Son—developing honesty and a good heart for God’s Word to mature us. It’s a daily process. May we follow the Son and grow.
Reflect & Pray What’s the condition of your spiritual soil? Rocky, thorny, or rich in spiritual “nutrients”? Why? When you follow the Son daily, how does this practice impact your honesty and heart?
If we want to be spiritually healthy, we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ, God the Son, and follow His leading. Good reminders.
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Post by John on Jul 15, 2019 7:32:23 GMT -5
In Living Color By Remi Oyedele
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The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. Revelation 4:3
Today's Scripture & Insight: Revelation 4:1–6 When Xavier McCoury put on the glasses Aunt Celena sent for his tenth birthday, he burst into tears. Born colorblind, Xavier had only ever seen the world in shades of gray, white, and black. With his new EnChroma glasses, however, Xavier saw color for the first time. His euphoria at witnessing the beauty around him made his family feel like they’d beheld a miracle.
Witnessing God’s colorfully radiant brilliance also evoked a powerful reaction in the apostle John (Revelation 1:17). After encountering the full glory of the resurrected Christ, John glimpsed “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. . . . From the throne came flashes of lightning” (Revelation 4:2–5).
In a different time, Ezekiel had a similar vision, seeing “what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli,” with a figure above the throne who “looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire” (Ezekiel 1:26–27). This magnificent figure was surrounded with rainbow-like radiance (v. 28).
One day we will meet Christ face-to-face. These visions give us just a hint of the magnificence that awaits us. As we celebrate the beauty of God’s creation here and now, may we live in anticipation of the glory yet to be revealed.
Reflect & Pray What response does the color and beauty of creation evoke in you? How can you express your gratitude to God for His wonderful gift?
Father, words fail us when we try to imagine what we will experience when we meet You face-to-face. Thank You for the small hints of Your beauty You have placed in our world.
I can relate to this devotional, as I have partial color blindness. There are many colors I can't see at all. It is just normal to me, but I would imagine that seeing the fullness of the colors of God's creation is magnificent.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 12:12:43 GMT -5
In Living Color By Remi Oyedele
Reflect & Pray What response does the color and beauty of creation evoke in you? How can you express your gratitude to God for His wonderful gift?
Father, words fail us when we try to imagine what we will experience when we meet You face-to-face. Thank You for the small hints of Your beauty You have placed in our world.
I can relate to this devotional, as I have partial color blindness. There are many colors I can't see at all. It is just normal to me, but I would imagine that seeing the fullness of the colors of God's creation is magnificent.
Like wise brother and can relate to what you are saying. I can't see various colors - (My wife can see all colors). Sometimes, Sharon forget's this problem and say's "Wow come and have look at this". Sharon get's the full impact of the magnificent's of what she see - Like you I can only imagine God's creation in full splendor.
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Post by joseph on Jul 15, 2019 12:26:54 GMT -5
2 Corinthians 4:18 Study Bible Treasures in Jars of Clay
…17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Berean Study Bible · Download
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 16:51:00 GMT -5
Out of the Trap By James Banks
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I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12
Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Timothy 6:6–10 The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.
God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).
The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.
Reflect & Pray Which do you think more about—money or your relationship with God? How can you give Him the highest priority today?
Loving Lord, You are the greatest blessing of my life! Help me to live contentedly with all that You are today.
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Post by John on Jul 16, 2019 9:14:11 GMT -5
Out of the Trap By James Banks
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I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12
Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Timothy 6:6–10 The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.
God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).
The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.
Reflect & Pray Which do you think more about—money or your relationship with God? How can you give Him the highest priority today?
Loving Lord, You are the greatest blessing of my life! Help me to live contentedly with all that You are today.
That is a great comparison, a Venus fly trap and how money entices us and then destroys us. How many sincere ministers have had their ministries destroyed by money? I don't think every phony prosperity preacher started out false, but Satan showed them how much they could profit off the gospel, and they talked themselves into believing their prosperity allows them to help others. So what if poor people do without to keep them up? God will bless them. He must because of what is written in Malachi. We need to be careful to avoid this trap.
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Post by joseph on Jul 16, 2019 13:26:37 GMT -5
Out of the Trap By James Banks (1) I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12
(2) .... “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
(3) Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).
(4) The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.
Specifically in context here, what is the secret of being content ? (2) On a report last week, on a 'christian station', they had the author of "The Founder's Bible" - which shows perhaps hundreds or thousands of references to trusting in God, and quotes from the Bible for the basis, the reason, for doing things, and that the founding fathers of the untied states really did so much more Biblically, on purpose, because of the Bible, with the Bible as their guide (and stated directly with Bible Quotes, not assumed), and right or wrong, said on the show that welfare now pays (about) 41,000 per year, 62,000 counting benefits, so , it seems, people go to or remain on welfare when they can get that kind of annual support. What is there to tell people, in truth, from Scripture, that shows that this is wrong, (if it is wrong), and what they should do (if anything) ? (3) If anything besides God / Jesus takes first place in someone's life, they are lost, not just "on dangerous ground". They are in darkness, and the light is not in them. (according to all Scripture) (4) What is the first step Jesus gave those following Him, to have a relationship with Him ? (to be His disciple) To have not just "lasting contentment", but unlimited, unmerited, continuous righteousness in Him, and daily continual joy and peace in Him ? (regardless of circumstances)
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