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Post by oscar on Jan 8, 2014 8:18:18 GMT -5
God wants to see us be great in what ever it is we do in our lives. Not simply do great things, but actually be great. Great fathers, mothers, children, friends, even be a great stranger. How we might ask? Simply by showing love to each person, allowing them to make mistakes, because we are also not perfect, is just one small way to show love. 1 Timothy 6:10-12 (NIV) 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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Post by oscar on Jan 9, 2014 8:26:12 GMT -5
We, the believers, are the Kingdom of God on earth. So, go be a mustard seed and let others find shade from you! Mark 4:30-32 (NIV) 30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
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Post by oscar on Jan 10, 2014 8:12:54 GMT -5
We find more peace, comfort and feel more loved by living with and in the Holy Spirit, rather than the sinful nature of this world. 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 (NIV) 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
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Post by oscar on Jan 11, 2014 8:48:32 GMT -5
Sometimes our world appears to be an obstacle course where even the simplest thing becomes incredibly difficult. Yet with perseverance, we forge ahead, over some and when things get too difficult, look to God, His Holy Spirit for help. Isaiah 57: 14 & 15 (NIV) 14 And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” 15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
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Post by oscar on Jan 12, 2014 8:22:29 GMT -5
Adam and Eve once walked hand in hand with God along the path of the garden. Beside the brook they walked, arm & arm, safe, peaceful, joyful with God. Today, the garden may be gone, but God is still here and He wants to walk the path of our lives, hand in hand, arm & arm side by side, with us. Psalm 17:5-8 (NKJV) 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.
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Post by oscar on Jan 13, 2014 8:16:22 GMT -5
God is for you. GOD is FOR YOU. God is, for YOU. Psalm 56:8-11 (NKJV) 8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? 9 When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.10 In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), 11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
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Post by oscar on Jan 14, 2014 8:23:50 GMT -5
If a seedling needs six hours of sunlight every day but you only give it four, yes it will survive. However, the flower that grows will be long, stretching for more food in the form of sun. When the wind blows it will break because it does not have the proper strength. If you miss a watering it will whither and die, as it uses all its reserves to survive each day. Our Faith is the same way, without a daily, hourly dose of God's Light, when the going gets tough, we will whither. Proverbs 2:-6-8 (NKJV) 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.
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Post by oscar on Jan 15, 2014 8:19:12 GMT -5
Romans 15:4-6 (NKJV) 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Post by oscar on Jan 16, 2014 8:22:04 GMT -5
We all make mistakes, some small, some large. We all see mistakes made and seek to correct them. How we correct them, the words we use to a person, the words we hear from someone when we mess up, make all the difference in a mistake being simple to correct, and one that costs a lot more. We should all, no matter the side, be open to correction, it is one way we grow. Proverbs 15:22- 24 (NIV) 22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! 24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
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Post by oscar on Jan 17, 2014 8:16:19 GMT -5
"Wake the neighbors, get the word out, this is life we are living, meant to be lived out, so la-la-la-la live out loud!" Why? because- Isaiah 45:20-22 (NKJV) 20 “Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save. 21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. 22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."
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Post by oscar on Jan 18, 2014 8:24:03 GMT -5
In Hebrews 11, we are shown many examples of people who showed their faith. God is not asking us to build an ark nor to wait until we are 100 years old to father a child. All He asks is that we show our faith in our every day lives, in everything we do. This way, while we may not father the Nation of Israel, we will make it through even the harshest of storms. Hebrews 13:12-16 (NKJV) 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
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Post by oscar on Jan 19, 2014 8:15:57 GMT -5
"All we need is love, love is all we need." Christ is love, personified, personalized, realized. Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Post by oscar on Jan 20, 2014 8:20:49 GMT -5
There are times when it seems we are just "spinning our wheels", unsure what to do, where to go next in our life. It is times like this that we need to just hunker down, make sure we cross our "t's" and dot our "i's" while we wait on God's direction. For when He knows we are ready, then He will give us the "m" and the "e". John 10:27-30 (NKJV) 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
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Post by oscar on Jan 21, 2014 8:34:33 GMT -5
No one is ever born great at something right away, except of course, crying....... First we must practice, in some cases for many hours, days, years even. However, the fruit of that practice, that work will pay off with great joy if we stick with it long enough. 1 Corinthians 2: 9-12 (NIV) 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
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Post by oscar on Jan 22, 2014 8:21:42 GMT -5
Some days we get up and just want to get right back into bed. However, no matter how difficult it may appear to stay up, we must give that honest effort. It starts with small things; Make the normal morning drink. Make something for breakfast, Make the bed and Make a conversation with God. Just three small things plus prayer and before we know it, God will Make the joy inside us come alive, and we will Make it through the day. Psalm 30:10-12 (NKJV) 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
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Post by oscar on Jan 23, 2014 8:29:05 GMT -5
Regrets, we all have a few, something we wish we did, or did not do sometime in the past. But the past is gone, those missed opportunities over and cannot be undone, by us. Christ Jesus however, has taken care of all of them, so that today we can start anew. So if there is ever a relationship you want or need to cultivate, do not miss this opportunity, don't mark down another regret, by waiting to accept Him or to nurture your relationship with Him. John 8:12 (NKJV) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
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Post by oscar on Jan 24, 2014 8:20:55 GMT -5
Every sound relationship whether platonic or romantic needs to be nurtured in some way. Whether it be phone calls just to say hello, conversations about something or nothing, or just being there when we are needed most. Relationships do not survive, do not grow if they lack communication. This includes our relation with God. We don't need a phone line, high speed internet nor wi-fi to speak with God. He is always there, waiting for us, with us even just to say hi. 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NKJV) 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
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Post by oscar on Jan 25, 2014 8:37:54 GMT -5
Every day it seems another young star falls into trouble with the law. We think how could they, they have so much. Or, I would never, thinking it could never happen to us. The fact of the matter is, unless we have been through it, we just do not know. This is why God implores us to surround ourselves with a strong support system of friends & family. So that if we are ever tempted, through them, we find the strength of Christ Jesus to resist. They are, you can be, the rainbow for others reminding them of God's promises. Genesis 9:12 & 13 (NKJV) 12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.
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Post by oscar on Jan 26, 2014 8:20:30 GMT -5
It is that thought which pops into your head that makes you smile. Maybe the memory of something that happened long ago and you break out laughing. No one would understand the reason behind the smile or the laugh, but you. It is just God whispering in your ear; "I love you." Psalm 46:1-5 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
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Post by oscar on Jan 27, 2014 8:13:32 GMT -5
Everyone needs help from time to time. So, why not be the help for some one, be their guardian angle today. Maybe they just need correct change, or a door opened for them. Maybe they need mercy from you after they treated you rudely. What ever the case, we can be God's angels, showing His love to all we meet. John 17:20-23 (NIV) 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
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Post by oscar on Jan 28, 2014 8:19:52 GMT -5
We have all had that feeling come over us, the feeling that something wonderful, something great & awesome is going to happen. When that feeling comes over us, it is not going to happen, it is happening at that moment. You see, that feeling is the Holy Spirit, the feeling is God giving us a hug. Psalm 100:1-5 (NKJV) Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
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Post by oscar on Jan 29, 2014 8:19:35 GMT -5
It may not feel like it now, but we all know, this cold weather will go away, the warm temperatures will return. Just as we know this, God wants us to also know that the troubles we may face in this life, will end and the joyous times will come true. Just as warm temperatures will return, so too, will our Lord, our Savior, Christ Jesus. Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV) 19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
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Post by oscar on Jan 30, 2014 8:22:31 GMT -5
Every day the world tries to tell us how to live. Whether it is television, radio, peripherals, or the internet, some one is trying to tell us what we should do, when we should do it, , even what is right or wrong. The old saying;"if it sounds too good to be true, it isn't" does not even apply in today's world, every one has the "best thing for us", or do they? Romans 15:4-6 (NKJV) 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Post by oscar on Feb 1, 2014 8:18:15 GMT -5
The world will tell us that we are perfect the way we are, then in the same breath, try and sell us products to cover up, hide our imperfections. From skin care to hair restoration, body slimming to body enhancing, their products will make us appear better. This is called being two faced, untrustworthy, so why would we put any stock in what the world claims. 2 Corinthians 2:14 & 15 (NIV) 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
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Post by oscar on Feb 2, 2014 8:16:19 GMT -5
What ever the weather will be, it will be, the future is not ours to see, it is God's to do. Psalm 25:1-5 (NIV) 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
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