Devotionals, Salvation

Hooray!

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I nearly heave a sigh of relief when reading ‘This is not a bill,’ in bold print.  Not only has a company relieved my financial concerns; they have pushed my happy button.

How about this for a hooray?SEPTEMBER 2014 002

Scenario: It is February; the electric company discovers they have overcharged you due to a computer glitch. In turn, they credit your account and you do not have to pay the current humongous electric bill.

As difficult as it is for me to comprehend, God erased my debt!

“He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

When the LORD is Keeping Count …

saint-29666_1280                                                                                                                                   A  Disciple 

Jesus chose Twelve Disciples.

That is fact. Yet, He sent out an additional  seventy.

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come (Luke 10:1 KJV).”

I am allowing truths from this passage to seep into my soul.

There is strength in numbers when the LORD is keeping count.

In sending them out two-by-two, the disciples had the companionship and prayer support they would need in their outreach ministry.  In addition, the second disciple could confirm the testimony of the first to share.

Their outreach was in preparation of Jesus arrival.

I cannot fathom the numbers of those that Jesus has sent in his name. I do know that he wants you and I personally involved in the expansion of his kingdom.

 
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

I’m Concerned

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What concerns you?                                                                                                      SEPTEMBER 2014 002

Is it the rise and fall of the stock market?

Are you anxious about the high cost of healthcare?

Is inflation at the supermarket checkout counter getting you down?

Maybe you see trouble ahead for the future generation.

It is not trite. I should let go & let God; He can handle it.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Thy hands (Psalms 138:8 NAS).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Sweep it Out!

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Sweep it out of your room, there’s no room for gloom! SEPTEMBER 2014 002

“ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJ).”

What is in your future? You are not privy to details; in faith,  seek the LORD and pray. He is listening. Rejoice!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJ).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Obit

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“Therefore I [Micah] will lament and wail; I will go stripped and [virtually] naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals and a lamentation like the ostriches. For [Samaria’s] wounds are incurable and they come even to Judah; He [the Lord] has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem (Micah 1:8-9 Amplified Bible).”

These are not the words of a lunatic or one on mind-altering drugs. SEPTEMBER 2014 002

If voiced today,  authorities might put the speaker in a padded cell. No matter, he would make it his prayer room.

The Prophet Micah had inside information from the Lord God about the future destruction of Samaria. As we grieve impending death of a loved one battling cancer, he saw the effects of sin in its advanced stages. He diagnosed it as an incurable spiritual disease.

“For the wages which sin pays is death (Romans 6:23a Amplified Bible).”

That reads like an obituary. Praise God, a birth announcement follows!

“For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23 Amplified Bible).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Grief

Night Vision

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How’s your night vision?SEPTEMBER 2014 002

My perception changes in darkness, making it difficult to see the road ahead when I drive at night.

In times of trouble, dark clouds have formed. I have entered valleys of despair.

Darkness blocked the illumination rays of the Son and my spiritual perception of God’s presence.

He alone has the power to restore vision.

“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee (Psalm 139:11-12 KJV).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

In His Image…

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I wonder; I mull the subject in question over in my cluttered mind.  SEPTEMBER 2014 002
What will my body be like after I die?

(1 Corinthians 15:42-52 KJV).
42 “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:42-52 KJV).
God created Adam and Eve in his image; in rebellion, they sinned and tarnished that image. Once more, his children by adoption will bear his image.

Glory to his name!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships, Salvation

Whoso? Meso!

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Whoso?  Meso!

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD (Proverbs 8:35 KJV).”

I’m a bargain shopper; it makes my day when I find something I need at a low price.  When I found Jesus, I discovered that he had been what I needed most all along; I found life eternal.

Our lifetime relationship began with his gift of favour (grace).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).”

He keeps me securely in his hand. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:28 KJV).”

Finders, keepers!  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13 KJV).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Mirror His Ways

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I am a stickler for requirements; when I began new jobs, I wanted to know what my SEPTEMBER 2014 002employer expected from me.  Pam is not a perfectionist; my clutter is proof positive.

Yet, when it comes to fulfilling responsibilities, I have tried to meet and exceed requirements.

What does the Master require of you and me?

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8 KJV).”

Easy as 1-2-3?

No, but it is clear-cut. He seeks those who know his priorities.

Jehovah is just in his dealings with his people; he is merciful. Created in his image, we should mirror his ways.

Lest we become proud in our position, we are to humble ourselves in our walk of faith…

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

DIVERSIFY

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What is in your financial portfolio? Though we have no money invested in the Stock Market, my husband views the daily news reports. Knowingly, he assumes that what occurs at the top of the financial ladder will eventually affect each of us below. I have little interest in graphs or closing numbers; yet, I have picked up a buzzword, diversify.SEPTEMBER 2014 002

Okay, that seems rational; a person could lose his shirt if he or she puts all their money in stocks and bonds. If they also invest in gold and silver, they serve as a safeguard.

“The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver (Psalm 119:72 KJV.)”

The Psalmist wisely invested in his future; he placed his faith in the word and will of his heavenly Father. Scoffers might consider him naïve and laugh behind his back. His pockets may have been empty; that was of little concern. He held wealth beyond measure, was systematically storing up scripture within his heart for a rainy day. God would shower him with blessings!

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