Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2019 15:14:39 GMT -5
Something to Brag About By John Blase
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Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches. Jeremiah 9:23
Today's Scripture & Insight: Jeremiah 9:23–26 What does it mean to be real? That’s the very big question answered in the small children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit. It’s the story of toys in a nursery and the velveteen rabbit’s journey to become real by allowing himself to be loved by a child. One of the other toys is the old and wise Skin Horse. He “had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by and by break . . . and pass away.” They looked and sounded impressive, but their bragging eventually amounted to nothing when it came to love.
Boasting starts out strong; but in the end, it always fades away. Jeremiah lists three areas where this is evident: “wisdom . . . strength . . . riches” (Jeremiah 9:23). The wise old prophet had been around long enough to know a thing or two, and he countered such boasting with the Lord’s truth: “But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord” (v. 24).
Let us, the children, brag about God, our good Father. In the unfolding story of His great love, it’s the wonderful way you and I grow to become more and more real.
Reflect & Pray Think of a person you know who embodies the ability to “boast in the Lord.” What is one way this week you can follow their example?
Father, help me to remember Jeremiah’s words. May my only boasting be in the knowledge of You and Your great love which endures forever.
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Post by John on Jul 24, 2019 15:50:42 GMT -5
Good advise. Every good and every perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. We have nothing to boast of in ourselves. Boasting will only lead to problems. Ask Nebuchadnezzar. Also Herod in the book of Acts. We need to acknowledge God in all things. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Just as quickly as you can obtain wisdom, strength or riches, they can be taken from you.
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Cletus
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Post by Cletus on Jul 24, 2019 22:34:49 GMT -5
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Post by frienduff on Jul 25, 2019 7:16:49 GMT -5
HANDS UP CLETUS .
AND LET ALL PRAISE THE LORD . OH to the LORD be all GLORY .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 7:20:32 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 7:21:53 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 7:43:06 GMT -5
HANDS UP CLETUS .
AND LET ALL PRAISE THE LORD . OH to the LORD be all GLORY .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 15:50:06 GMT -5
But a Breath By Alyson Kieda
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My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7
Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 39:1–13 Bobby’s sudden death brought home to me the stark reality of death and the brevity of life. My childhood friend was only twenty-four when a tragic accident on an icy road claimed her life. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, she had recently seemed to be moving forward. Just a new believer in Jesus, how could her life end so soon?
Sometimes life seems far too short and full of sorrow. In Psalm 39 the psalmist David bemoans his own suffering and exclaims: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure” (vv. 4–5). Life is short. Even if we live to see a century, our earthly life is but a drop in all of time.
And yet, with David, we can say, “My hope is in [the Lord]” (v. 7). We can trust that our lives do have meaning. Though our bodies waste away, as believers we have confidence that “inwardly we are being renewed day by day”—and one day we’ll enjoy eternal life with Him (2 Corinthians 4:16–5:1). We know this because God “has given us the Spirit . . . guaranteeing what is to come”! (5:5).
Reflect & Pray How is it comforting to know that God has made it possible for you to share in His eternal life? How can the gift of each moment encourage you to make the most of your time?
Thank You, Lord, that this life is not all there is! You have eternity in store for all who believe in You. Help us to spend our numbered days here in service to You.
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Post by John on Jul 25, 2019 16:34:29 GMT -5
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19
Life down here is short, even if we live to be 100 years old, but it is nothing compared to eternity. Thankfully, our hope isn't just in this life. We have a home in a place where the soul never dies. Thank the Lord.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 15:48:59 GMT -5
Making Things Whole By Winn Collier
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Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9
Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 5:9, 13–16 In the documentary Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry, author Berry spoke of how divorce describes the state of our world. We’re divorced from one another, from our history, from the land. Things that should be whole are split apart. When asked what we should do about this sad fact, Berry said, “We can’t put everything back together. We just take two things and put them together.” We take two things broken apart and make them one again.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus tells us (Matthew 5:9). To make peace is to bring shalom. And shalom refers to the world being set right. One theologian describes shalom as “universal flourishing, wholeness and delight. . . . [It’s] the way things ought to be.” Shalom is taking what’s broken and making it whole. As Jesus guides, may we strive to make things right. He calls us to be peacemakers, to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (vv. 13–14)
There are many ways to be peacemakers in the world, but with each may we engage brokenness rather than surrendering to it. In God’s power, let’s choose to not allow a friendship to die or let a struggling neighborhood languish or yield to apathy and isolation. Let’s look for the broken places, trusting God to give us the wisdom and skill to participate in making them whole again.
Reflect & Pray What are two things you’re aware of that need to be brought back together? How might God be calling you to participate in making them whole?
There are many broken things around me, God. I don’t know where to begin. Will You show me where to start?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 12:03:22 GMT -5
In-Service Training By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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On this rock I will build my church. Matthew 16:18
Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 16:21–28 A manager at a company in Brazil requested a written report from the custodians in her building. Each day she wanted to know who cleaned each room, which rooms were left untouched, and how much time employees spent in each room. The first “daily” report arrived a week later, partially completed.
When the manager looked into the matter, she discovered most of the cleaning employees couldn’t read. She could have fired them, but instead she arranged for them to have literacy lessons. Within five months, everyone was reading at a basic level and continued in their jobs.
God often uses our struggles as opportunities to equip us to continue working for Him. Peter’s life was marked by inexperience and mistakes. His faith faltered as he tried to walk on water. He wasn’t sure if Jesus should pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:24–27). He even rejected Christ’s prophecy about the crucifixion and resurrection (16:21–23). Through each issue Jesus taught Peter more about who He was—the promised Messiah (v. 16). Peter listened and learned what he needed to know to help found the early church (v. 18).
If you’re discouraged by some failure today, remember that Jesus may use it to teach you and lead you forward in your service for Him. He continued to work with Peter despite his shortcomings, and He can use us to continue to build His kingdom until He returns.
Reflect & Pray How has God used challenges in your life to lead and equip you to serve Him? What past failure do you need to release to Him today?
Lord, I believe You can use any experience to teach me more about who You are. Take my failures and use them for Your glory.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 17:27:27 GMT -5
Plodding for God By Amy Boucher Pye
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We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end. Hebrews 6:11
Today's Scripture & Insight: Hebrews 6:9–12 Those raised in the English village with William Carey (1761–1834) probably thought he wouldn’t accomplish much, but today he’s known as the father of modern missions. Born to parents who were weavers, he became a not-too-successful teacher and cobbler while teaching himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. After many years, he realized his dream of becoming a missionary to India. But he faced hardship, including his child’s death, his wife’s mental-health problems, and for many years the lack of response from those he served.
What kept him serving amid difficulties as he translated the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into twenty-nine others? “I can plod,” he said. “I can persevere in any definite pursuit.” He committed to serving God no matter what trials he encountered.
This continued devotion to Christ is what the writer to the Hebrews counseled. He called for those reading his letter to not “become lazy” (Hebrews 6:12), but to “show this same diligence to the very end” (v. 11) as they sought to honor God. He reassured them that God “will not forget your work and the love you have shown” (v. 10).
During William Carey’s later years, he reflected on how God consistently supplied his needs. “He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him.” May God also empower us to serve Him day by day.
Reflect & Pray How has God helped you to keep on going in your service for Him? In what way can you help someone else in their struggles?
Lord God, help me to follow You—when I face challenges and enjoy good times. May I know the assurance that You are always with me.
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Post by John on Jul 29, 2019 10:11:51 GMT -5
Making Things Whole By Winn Collier
Click on this link for the audio message
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9
Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 5:9, 13–16 In the documentary Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry, author Berry spoke of how divorce describes the state of our world. We’re divorced from one another, from our history, from the land. Things that should be whole are split apart. When asked what we should do about this sad fact, Berry said, “We can’t put everything back together. We just take two things and put them together.” We take two things broken apart and make them one again.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus tells us (Matthew 5:9). To make peace is to bring shalom. And shalom refers to the world being set right. One theologian describes shalom as “universal flourishing, wholeness and delight. . . . [It’s] the way things ought to be.” Shalom is taking what’s broken and making it whole. As Jesus guides, may we strive to make things right. He calls us to be peacemakers, to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (vv. 13–14)
There are many ways to be peacemakers in the world, but with each may we engage brokenness rather than surrendering to it. In God’s power, let’s choose to not allow a friendship to die or let a struggling neighborhood languish or yield to apathy and isolation. Let’s look for the broken places, trusting God to give us the wisdom and skill to participate in making them whole again.
Reflect & Pray What are two things you’re aware of that need to be brought back together? How might God be calling you to participate in making them whole?
There are many broken things around me, God. I don’t know where to begin. Will You show me where to start?
Good and timely message in a day where rather than seek to restore, we throw away, even our marriages. None doth say restore, but God's desire is for restoration. That may at times require work, but it is worth the effort.
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Post by John on Jul 29, 2019 10:17:26 GMT -5
In-Service Training By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Click on this link for the audio message
On this rock I will build my church. Matthew 16:18
Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 16:21–28 A manager at a company in Brazil requested a written report from the custodians in her building. Each day she wanted to know who cleaned each room, which rooms were left untouched, and how much time employees spent in each room. The first “daily” report arrived a week later, partially completed.
When the manager looked into the matter, she discovered most of the cleaning employees couldn’t read. She could have fired them, but instead she arranged for them to have literacy lessons. Within five months, everyone was reading at a basic level and continued in their jobs.
God often uses our struggles as opportunities to equip us to continue working for Him. Peter’s life was marked by inexperience and mistakes. His faith faltered as he tried to walk on water. He wasn’t sure if Jesus should pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:24–27). He even rejected Christ’s prophecy about the crucifixion and resurrection (16:21–23). Through each issue Jesus taught Peter more about who He was—the promised Messiah (v. 16). Peter listened and learned what he needed to know to help found the early church (v. 18).
If you’re discouraged by some failure today, remember that Jesus may use it to teach you and lead you forward in your service for Him. He continued to work with Peter despite his shortcomings, and He can use us to continue to build His kingdom until He returns.
Reflect & Pray How has God used challenges in your life to lead and equip you to serve Him? What past failure do you need to release to Him today?
Lord, I believe You can use any experience to teach me more about who You are. Take my failures and use them for Your glory.
The first part of that devotional made me think of sister Candance helping out her illiterate friend who now can read.
As far as Peter goes, he made a lot of mistakes, but in large part, that is because he took chances. There is a lot to admire about Peter.
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Post by John on Jul 29, 2019 10:21:11 GMT -5
Plodding for God By Amy Boucher Pye
Click on this link for the audio message
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end. Hebrews 6:11
Today's Scripture & Insight: Hebrews 6:9–12 Those raised in the English village with William Carey (1761–1834) probably thought he wouldn’t accomplish much, but today he’s known as the father of modern missions. Born to parents who were weavers, he became a not-too-successful teacher and cobbler while teaching himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. After many years, he realized his dream of becoming a missionary to India. But he faced hardship, including his child’s death, his wife’s mental-health problems, and for many years the lack of response from those he served.
What kept him serving amid difficulties as he translated the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into twenty-nine others? “I can plod,” he said. “I can persevere in any definite pursuit.” He committed to serving God no matter what trials he encountered.
This continued devotion to Christ is what the writer to the Hebrews counseled. He called for those reading his letter to not “become lazy” (Hebrews 6:12), but to “show this same diligence to the very end” (v. 11) as they sought to honor God. He reassured them that God “will not forget your work and the love you have shown” (v. 10).
During William Carey’s later years, he reflected on how God consistently supplied his needs. “He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him.” May God also empower us to serve Him day by day.
Reflect & Pray How has God helped you to keep on going in your service for Him? In what way can you help someone else in their struggles?
Lord God, help me to follow You—when I face challenges and enjoy good times. May I know the assurance that You are always with me.
We all face obstacles, some greater than others, but seeing people like this persevere should encourage all of us.
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