I didn't feel well Wednesday afternoon, so I only worked at my paying job 4 hours. Then on Thursday, I worked 6 hours. Today is Friday, the first day of my weekend. I feel better, but am not completely up to par. I'm not eating much, and I think I've lost at least one pound over the last few days.
Anyway, today being a free day so to speak, I elected to work on my Christian Ministries Web site, adding Christian churches to the communities page. Its a long, drawn-out process ... I wish there was a way to simplify it, but that's doubtful, unless of course you have MONEY ( ... to have someone else do it). Anyway, I have a few more churches listed in various towns in the fair state of Iowa.
I enjoy working on the site. I wish more people were aware of it and utilized it. But they will come. Just keep pushing and doing what the Lord bids of you.
Today is the last day of September. The weather has been breezy but really nice. Too bad I spent so much of it indoors.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Waiting is not easy. We are an impatient lot. We want things to happen now, right away, immediately ... NOT in God's time. Sunday's message was on waiting, Wait & Power actually.
We need to learn more patience, be more tolerant of others, let God do His work, not take it upon ourselves to do His work for Him. Afterall, He created us, we didn't create Him.
Our job is to be Jesus' witness. And we are excellent in that area, right? Not me. I would like to be, but I'm not there.
To be an effective witness for Christ, we must
We need to learn more patience, be more tolerant of others, let God do His work, not take it upon ourselves to do His work for Him. Afterall, He created us, we didn't create Him.
Our job is to be Jesus' witness. And we are excellent in that area, right? Not me. I would like to be, but I'm not there.
To be an effective witness for Christ, we must
- abide in Christ
- hold on to one another, and
- reach out to others
And we need all three to be that effective and powerful witness, not just one.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Idol ... Idle worship
Only the sovereign God is worthy of worship. There is only one God. He is our creator ... of the world, of humans, of everything. If you think differently, you'd best think again. Those people who worship other gods, are merely worshiping idols and that is idle worship. It comes to no good. Your prayers will not be heard.
Idols can be money ... silver and gold. Idols can be other people or just statues made by human hand. ... they may have mouths, but do not speak; they may have eyes, but do not see; they may have ears, but do not hear; they may have noses, but do not smell; they may have feet, but do not walk; they may have hands, but do not hold. Psalm 115 verses 4-7 shows this contrast between the Father Almighty and the substandard idol.
Idols can be money ... silver and gold. Idols can be other people or just statues made by human hand. ... they may have mouths, but do not speak; they may have eyes, but do not see; they may have ears, but do not hear; they may have noses, but do not smell; they may have feet, but do not walk; they may have hands, but do not hold. Psalm 115 verses 4-7 shows this contrast between the Father Almighty and the substandard idol.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Just a thought or two
Whatever a person or nation trusts in, in place of God, will one day destroy that person or nation.
If God is your co-pilot, He's in the wrong place. He needs to be the Pilot!
We who believe in Jesus are the church. As we come together, we make up the body of Christ. The building we go to is called a "church," but only as Christ's believers gather is it so.
If God is your co-pilot, He's in the wrong place. He needs to be the Pilot!
We who believe in Jesus are the church. As we come together, we make up the body of Christ. The building we go to is called a "church," but only as Christ's believers gather is it so.
What is your "world" view?
There are two major competing world views --Naturalism, which denies the existence of any supreme being. Naturalists believe the universe is complete in and of itself; there is nothing beyond. And Christian Theism -- Christians believe in one supreme being, God, creator of the universe, of mankind, and that Jesus, His son, is the savior of the world.
The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd ... that's Relationship!
I shall not want ... that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ...
that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ...
that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ... that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ...
that's Guidance!
For His name sake ... that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death ... that's Testing!
I will feat no evil ... that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ... that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ... that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
on mine enemies ... that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ... that's Consecreation!
My cup runneth over ... that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life ... that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ... that's Security!
Forever ... that's Eternity!
I shall not want ... that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ...
that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ...
that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ... that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ...
that's Guidance!
For His name sake ... that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death ... that's Testing!
I will feat no evil ... that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ... that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ... that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
on mine enemies ... that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ... that's Consecreation!
My cup runneth over ... that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life ... that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ... that's Security!
Forever ... that's Eternity!
The Warrior's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God.
I put on the belt of truth. May I stand firm in the truth of your word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness. May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the shoes of peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery arrows of doubt, denial and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
May I put on the helmet of salvation! May I keep my mind focused on you so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the sword of the spirit! May the two-edged sword of your word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith as your warrior, I have put on the whole armor of God.
I am prepared to live this day in a spiritual victory!
Amen
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God.
I put on the belt of truth. May I stand firm in the truth of your word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness. May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the shoes of peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery arrows of doubt, denial and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
May I put on the helmet of salvation! May I keep my mind focused on you so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the sword of the spirit! May the two-edged sword of your word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith as your warrior, I have put on the whole armor of God.
I am prepared to live this day in a spiritual victory!
Amen
Staying on track
I find it harder to stay on track when there is not a spiritual leader in the church. Why would some not want to follow? Why are there some, always, any place you worship, who don't want to follow God's leadership through a pastor at His church? I miss that. I miss Pastor Mark, his leadership that at least I was willing to follow.
I see fellowship ... social contact, but ...
I see fellowship ... social contact, but ...
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Pleasing God
The Sunday School lesson this week is on Living to Please God. That may be how you want to be, but getting there is not an easy task. Its all wonderful and good to desire to live as God wants you to live, following His commandments and teachings, but sometimes, lots of times actually, our "wonderful" human nature gets in the way.
The problem crops up everywhere. For example, in the past 19 months, I have lost 115 pounds. Unfortunately, I have gained 7 pounds. Its due to poor eating habits. It's due principally to having things "my" way instead of God's way.
I desire so much to do and be all things that are pleasing to my Lord and Saviour.
I feel I am on the bottom rung of a very tall ladder.
How about you?
The problem crops up everywhere. For example, in the past 19 months, I have lost 115 pounds. Unfortunately, I have gained 7 pounds. Its due to poor eating habits. It's due principally to having things "my" way instead of God's way.
I desire so much to do and be all things that are pleasing to my Lord and Saviour.
I feel I am on the bottom rung of a very tall ladder.
How about you?
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