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Hello,
"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. " We can find many parallels between the activities of God's people and the activates of others of God's created life. Many of God's creatures have been singled out as examples of various kinds of activities. We are all familiar with the expression, "Busy as a bee." Once a bee was ask once: "Why do you flap your wings so fast", and he responded: "I can't flap them any slower." Although perhaps not as noticeable, the activity of others of God's creatures is just as great as that of the bee. For example, the thrush gets up at 2:30 every morning, begins work at once and does not stop until 9:30 at night. That's a whole nineteen-hour day. During that period of time this bird feeds its hungry fledglings about two hundred times. While the busyness of the bee is more noticeable, the activity of the thrush is equally as productive. Astounding parallels can be drawn between the life of the apostle Paul and the busy activity of the bees and the long days of the thrush. When Paul was saved on the road to Damascus, the Bible says, "Straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" Acts 9:20. Paul may have said something like this to God at his salvation, "Lord, if you save me, the world will never hear the end of it!" It never did. Even toward the end of his recorded ministry the apostle Paul put in a long day of activity for the Lord. It's too easy for us at times, to say: "I could never be an Apostle Paul, and accomplish what he did, so I'll just resign myself, and hide the talents I do have." But you and I have a similar responsibility, and similar opportunities, for the message the apostle had has not changed, and the need of man is just as desperate. If we do pray without ceasing, with our hearts throughout the day always turned toward God, He will give us opportunities to feed His word to the hungry souls of men. We must be as busy as a bee and put in a day like the thrush, with the message which stirred the heart of the apostle, if we are to rest at the end of this day fully satisfied of our service to the Lord God. Rest tired, but with a good tired. "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. " May the Lord Jesus bless you today, as you are busy about your Father's business. And always remember that you are loved!!!
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Hi,
Does God love some people more than others? If not, what was meant by calling John "the disciple Jesus loved," as if to say that He loved John more than the rest? The answer is simple. John was more responsive to the love of Christ and could receive and enjoy it to a greater fullness. The divine love could operate toward this loving man with a joyous freedom not possible with others who did not have his simplicity and faith. The sunflower that turns its face to the sky all day long gets more sun than the violet that hides among the leaves. But the same sun shines in fullness upon the both of them. God has no favorites, except as some of His children, by their loving response, make it possible for Him to shower more love to them. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 "That for a willful outcast such as I, The Father planned, the Savior bled and died, Redemption for a worthless slave to buy. Who long had law and grace defied! Such love, such wondrous love! Such love, such wondrous! That God should love a sinner such as I. How wonderful is love like this!" C. Bishop May the Good Lord bless you and yours today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Hi,
Perhaps you have heard a similar story; a story about how years ago, a man went into a fried chicken place and bought a couple of chicken dinners for himself and his date. But instead of chicken, the young woman at the counter inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day—a whole bag of money. After driving to their picnic site, the two sat down to enjoy their meal. But they discovered a whole lot more than chicken—over $800! So the man quickly put the money back in the bag, got in the car, and drove all the way back to the restaurant The manager was thrilled to death. He said, “Oh, great! I’m gonna have your picture put in the local newspaper. You’re the most honest man I’ve ever met!” So the man quickly responded, “Oh no, don’t do that!” Then he leaned closer and whispered, “You see, the woman I’m with is not my wife... she’s somebody else’s.” Now I’ll bet that you absolutely loved this man up until the last sentence. And now, you probably think he’s a sleazebag! Isn’t it amazing in some cases, what can happen to our impressions of people once we know the full story? What can we as Christians learn from such a story? "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1 To be able to do this, we must study, pray and know the word of God. Be blessed today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hi,
We are breaking new ground to begin excavation work for our church building. The Soil and Water Conservation Service is very concerned that it is done properly, to prevent erosion. Sometimes our minds are like dry ground, rutted by erosion, with grooves that channel the water that runs over it. Mentally, we always seem to follow the same grooves. We get into a particular way of thinking, perhaps seeing only what we want to see or thinking about only what we want to think about. Events, values and memories are forced into the same grooves, cutting them even deeper. Paul used different imagery to describe the mental rut. He wrote that for some people, their minds are set on the sinful nature. Since their minds are set that way, they live their lives according to the sinful nature. In contrast, Paul wrote, "Those who live in accordance to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit." Romans 8:5 If our disposition is toward the things of the Spirit, our lives will show it. In exasperation, someone may rebuke us with the words, "What were you thinking about?" That could be a theological question! It strikes at the heart of our actions, our mind-set. Later on, in his letter to the Romans, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you many discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 Being transformed by the renewing of my mind will eliminate those ruts! Henry Good morning,
Are you going through a dark time in your life, or has something happened to you in the past, that you still do not understood. "Your heavenly Father knoweth" Matthew 6:32b A visitor at a school for the deaf and dumb was writing questions on the blackboard for the children. By and by he wrote this sentence: "Why has God made me to hear and speak, and made you deaf and dumb?" The awful sentence fell upon the little ones like a fierce blow in the face. They sat so stunned, unable to move, before that dreadful "Why?" And then a little girl arose. Her lip was trembling. Her eyes were swimming with tears. Straight to the board she walked, and, picking up the crayon, wrote with firm hand these precious words: "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight!" What a reply! It reaches up and lays hold of an eternal truth upon which the most mature believer as well as the youngest child of God may also securely rest--the truth that God is your Father. Do you mean that? Do you really and fully believe that? When you do, then your heart of faith will no longer remain in weary unrest, but will settle down permanently in its resting place of peace. "Your Father!" I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we will understand; when these tragedies, that now seem to darken the very air of heaven for us, will forever dissipate. No chance hath brought this ill to me; 'Tis God's own hand, so let it be, He seeth what I cannot see. There is a need-be for each pain, And He one day will make it plain That earthly loss is heavenly gain. Like as a piece of tapestry Viewed from the back appears to be Naught but threads tangled hopelessly; But in the front a picture fair Rewards the worker for his care, Proving his skill and patience rare. Thou art the Workman, I the frame. Lord, for the glory of Thy Name, Perfect Thine image on the same. May "Your Father" bless you today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hi,
The New York Giants won the Super Bowl, what glory! A few years from now, who will be able to recall who won in 2012? Or who made that catch that was so decisive? People find many things to glory in and brag about. For the runner, it might be his speed or distance. For the weight lifter, it's the number of pounds he can curl. For the scholar, it might be his list of degrees or publications. For the wealthy man, it's his diverse portfolio. But none of these things bring a glory that will last forever. They are at best a passing grandeur. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he undertandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and rightgeousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24 Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God exhorted His people not to look for their glory in wisdom, power or wealth but in their relationship with Him. What is really important, what will bring glory forever, is the opportunity to grow in a relationship with the Lord. To understand and know God is something to find glory in. That is all that mattered. People frantically seek for their 15 minutes of fame, their moment in the limelight. They spend vast sums of money and even risk their lives to stake a fleeting claim to glory. Others try to bask in the reflected glory of the rich and famous. But none of these things are truly satisfying, let alone lasting. Only God can offer that. Speaking of His disciples, those that got to know Him in that deep relationship, Jesus said: "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them...." John 17:22a We pray that you find yourself there today, that you are blessed by Him, and never let the enemy tell you that you are not loved!!!! Henry Hello,
Have you been stretched lately? Maybe your work stretches you, or the relationships there at your work. Maybe the home life, relationship there, or the bills there that may be overwhelming? But the most important question could comes from Christ: "Will you allow Me to stretch you?" Think about a rubber band which is totally useless unless it is stretched. When insecurity keeps us from stretching and growing, we end up with a life that is as unexciting and useless as a limp rubber band. Is He asking you to talk to a family member or co-worker about their lost soul? Is He asking you to get into a "Small Group" to probe more deeply into the study of His word? Is He calling you to prepare for a ministry in the local church, or into full-time ministry? Let's completely give God the OK; so He can stretch us, and make us useful. "Whom shall I send? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8 May the Lord Jesus bless you today as you allow Him to make you useful. Know for sure that you are loved!!! |
Henry DeatonHenry D. is from Southern Indiana and writes these wonderful daily devotionals to encourage those at the Dogwood Community Church located in Paoli, Indiana. Henry has graciously agreed to share these wonderful devotionals here at Without Excuse Ministries to encourage you our valued guest! Archives
January 2013
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