Tag Archives: Tea Pot Testimony

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Persevering Prayer

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 Paul was a man of persevering prayer.

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers (Romans 1:9 NKJV).”

I am humbled by his example…

 

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,  do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV).”  

 Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Peer Pressure Temptation

We are wrong to think that peer pressure is something new. People emulate those they most admire. In turn, they want them to gain their approval. This is most noticeable in the adolescence and teenage years. Words wound; personal stories of the ‘fear of ridicule and rejection’ give credence to peer pressure scenarios. Adults can also be easily swayed.

Consider the case of Apostle Peter.

“ Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.  And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified (Galatians 2:11-16 NKJV).”  

I am free in Christ. His love reigns.

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Breaking the Bondage of Idolatry

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The bondage of idolatry is difficult to break.

“Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac (Joshua 24:1-3 NKJV).”

Abraham’s father, Terah, served false gods (with a little g).

Joshua did not mince his words.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 NKJV).”

Severing the chains of bondage to idolatry…

“And the people said to Joshua, ‘No, but we will serve the Lord!’

 So Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves, to serve Him.’

And they said, ‘We are witnesses!’

‘Now therefore,’ he said, ‘put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord God of Israel (Joshua 24:21-23 NKJV).”

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Solomon Prayed…

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house (2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV).”

When hearing the name of Solomon, the first word that pops into my mind is wisdom. SEPTEMBER 2014 002

 
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants (1 Kings 3:5-15 KJV).”

 
After reading the 2 Chronicles passage, I am adding prayer to my memory bank.

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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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