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preacher31
ONE OUT OF NINETY NINE - Subscribe
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Scripture: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders." Luke 15:4-5, NLT Reflection: We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you. If you feel far from God, don't despair. He is searching for you. |
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preacher31
NEVER GIVE UP! 8/05/2009 01:32 - Subscribe
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Scripture: One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1, NLT Reflection: I grew up under my father's one basic philosophy, "you never give up". That was my father's basic philosophy of life, no matter how many times you try and fail, "you never give up". This is what Jesus Christ is telling us here. You should always pray and never give up. Now this doesn't me that in your prayer life you need endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Always praying means keeping your request constantly before God as we live for Him day by day, faithfully believing that He will answer. WHEN WE LIVE BY FAITH, WE ARE NOT TO GIVE UP. Prayer: Oh mighty God as I bring my request before You, I am ever mindful that I live for you day by day, knowing that You will answer in Your time not mine. In Jesus Name Amen. |
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preacher31
NOTHING IS TO COMPLEX FOR HIM 8/08/2009 12:22 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:3-5, NLT) Reflection: You know I have a fairly simple life. But sometimes it gets kind of complex. Things seem to happen all at once. And I often get overwhelmed. I sometimes find my life too complex and I actually wonder if God understands. Then I remember something very important: God created the entire universe, that's right the whole universe, and nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult to Him. God created you and me, He is alive today, and His love is bigger than any problem you and I may face. God brings His light into my darkness, into my complex problems, and my darkness and my problems can never extinguish HIS LIGHT. Prayer: Oh Lord thank You for Your Light. Thank You for Your creation, thank You that nothing is too difficult for You. Thank You that You are alive today and that You have been here for me. Thank you that Your love is bigger that any problem I may face. |
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preacher31
DON'T BE AFRAID 8/09/2009 10:11 - Subscribe
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From Crosswalk.com Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18: He placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Reflection: Based on these two verses he writes: Lord Jesus, how timely, stunning and encouraging to know that the most repeated command throughout the whole Bible is "Do not be afraid". The angels spoke these words to startled shepherds at your birth, and you repeated the command to a devastated Mary on the morning of your resurrection, and now you speak these liberating words to my heart and conscience, "Do not be afraid!" Because you are the First and the Last, Jesus, I don't have to be afraid of anything in between. You are God, and I am not. You will never say "Oops" about anything in world history or in my own life. You never "try" to do anything. You never have to scratch your head in confusion. You never have to resort to plan B. You are perfectly executing your sovereign will, from naming the stars to numbering my hairs. Glory! Because you are the Living One, who was dead and who is now alive forever, I don't have to be afraid of judgment Day or this day. For your death on the cross is my judgment Day and your resurrection from the dead is my assurance of being eternally and fully accepted by God. Constantly sung over me by my Father, and all my brothers and sisters in you, is the most liberating of all lyrics, "There is now and forevermore NO condemnation for those who are in Christ!" Not only is there no condemnation, there is only full delight! Oh my goodness! Because you hold the keys of death and Hades, Jesus, and to everything else, I don't have to be afraid to die, or to live. You have robbed the grave of its victory, you have removed the sting of death, and you have defeated the devil and all the powers of darkness! I don't have to be afraid of people. I don't have to be afraid of failing. I don't have to be afraid of getting old. Yes, yes, yes! Place your right hand on me today in the gospel, that I might be freed more fully from my fears and live more fully to the praise of your glorious Name. Amen and Amen forever! To live is Christ, to die is gain! |
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preacher31
A REQUEST FOR PROTECTION 8/11/2009 02:24 - Subscribe
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Scripture: David Prayed O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61:1-4 NLT Reflection: (just a little something to remember) Although we might not realize it, we are just as vulnerable as King David was. We need to be led to God's rock of safety. Run to the Almighty in prayer and trust in him to keep you safe. GOD WILL KEEP YOU SAFE! Prayer: O God, lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge. Thank You God for Your protection. In Jesus Name Amen. |