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preacher31
CHRISTMAS MORNING - Subscribe
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Scripture: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14) Reflection: It is Christmas morning. The presents have all been opened, but eight year old Bobby sits pouting in the corner, mad at Santa Clause. "Why are you mad at Santa Clause?" his dad asks. "Because I asked Santa for a real gun, but I got this silly old BB gun!" Didn't Bobby's father love him? Hadn't he heard his son's request? Didn't he delight in giving gifts to his children. Yes.....yes.....and yes! The problem was not an unhearing father but an immature son. It seems to me that it's time for us to recognize that prayer was never intended to be a wish list for us. You know our Father in heaven knows better to give a lethal answer to a a childish immature request. You see God knows what is best for us. When we pray we should always take the time to ask the question to God, "What do you think?" instead of telling God what I think. I have discovered that I have learned to like His replies more than my requests. Prayer: Lord I have a problem, What do You think? |
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preacher31
A SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT 12/08/2008 08:52 - Subscribe
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Scripture: Luke 21:25-36 (New International Version) 25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32"I tell you the truth, this generation[a] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." Reflections: In this Scripture passage, Christ cautions us not to become to safe or to secure because at His 2nd coming we cannot be unaware. We have to stay alert and prepared. Christ also comforts us so that we will not be afraid of the signs which will come to this world prior to judgment day. We need to rejoice that our redemption is drawing near. There are 2 things that we need to learn. Be strong in our faith, and be prepared and comforted in our anticipation of His coming. We are surrounded by the world's problems, and we need to be on guard of those who follow blindly along. God's wrath will suddenly come. But we can rejoice and wait for the Lord, Who will come in the clouds with His angels and deliver us from all this world's misery. This is the message Christ leaves us today. Rejoice and be faithful in it. Prayer God grant me Your grace so that I can be prepared and comforted in Your message. I am waiting for You Lord my heart is filled with joy. |
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preacher31
WHAT WAS IN STORE FOR CHRIST 12/11/2008 04:39 - Subscribe
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Scripture: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; (Luke 2: 7a) KJV Reflection: Stop and think for a minute, what was in store for Christ when He became man and was born on Christmas Day. First, being born in not the greatest of surroundings and conditions. The knowledge of being a king and treated as a lowly servant. Ridiculed in His Father's house of worship. Seen by many, not as a miracle worker but as a worker of evil. Ridiculed and denigrated in almost every town He visited. Constantly being called upon to defend His beliefs. Put down by current rulers as an enemy of the state and a traitor. Put down by church leaders as an enemy of the faith. Being forced to always be on the move. Never having the means to make a living. Constantly living with death threats. On "Good Friday," Jesus was a swollen, bloody mess. Most of his friends had hightailed it hours before, leaving him alone to face the physical agony of crucifixion, the emotional anguish of a jeering crowd, and the spiritual horror of separation from God the Father. Christ was born into all of this yet look how He responded: On the way to his execution, he paused to console a group of grief-stricken women. He used what little breath he was able to catch to pray for those who were so merciless to him. He demonstrated compassion and forgiveness to a criminal dying at his side. And he took pains, literally, to see that his grief-stricken mother below him would be cared for by a friend. Christ had the ultimate "tough time," in life Yet He oozed kindness and goodness. And because his Spirit lives in us, we also have the capacity to take our lives, often filled with tragedy, as an opportunity to care for others. Prayer: Cause your kindness and goodness to flow through me, Lord. It is not natural for me to think of others or to think of glorifying you, especially when my own life is filled with pain. Teach me to live supernaturally. I want to be selfless like you, Jesus, always looking for opportunities to bless others. |
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preacher31
I KNOW YOU CARE 12/13/2008 09:24 - Subscribe
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Scripture: Psalm 27 Of David. 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV) Reflection: During the Holidays there is a great deal of joy but also a great deal of sadness. Remember that Jesus Christ is your light and salvation. He is always there for you. In times of trouble and need, you can freely turn to Him for there is no one else who cares so much for you. That's right JESUS CHRIST CARES FOR YOU! HE IS THERE FOR YOU! He hears you when you cry. Fix your eyes on Jesus and just throw doubt to the wind. Prayer: Oh Lord be my light and my salvation, I need you, be my strength I know You care. |
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preacher31
WHERE DOES GOD FIT IN 12/16/2008 07:44 - Subscribe
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Scripture: "Today a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). At Christmas time, a school teacher in England supervised the construction of a manger scene in a corner of the classroom. It delighted her pupils to set up the model barn and cover the floor with real straw and then arrange the clay figures of Mary and Joseph and the shepherds and the Wise Men and the animals, all facing a little crib in which a tiny doll represented the Infant Jesus. One lad simply could not tear himself away from it. He kept returning to it, and each time stood there completely engrossed and wearing a puzzled expression on his face. The teacher noticed him and asked, "Is anything bothering you? Do you have a question to ask? What would you like to know?" With his eyes still glued to the manger scene, the boy said slowly, "What I'd like to know is, where does God fit in?" Reflection: Are you asking that question? I know I am. Where does God fit in all this? I look around and I am amazed at what I see. I see Christmas starting in October, I am saddened by Xmas. Christ has been eliminated from His own birthday. There is very little celebration, only sellabration. We are expected to buy, buy, and buy some more. I don't want to be cynical only happy. Where does Jesus Christ fit in all of this. Well if you got just a minute I like to tell you where I think Christ fits in all this. First I would remind myself and you that we are celebrating "A Savior has been born to us, He is Christ the Lord". That's right Almighty God became one of us, in all His perfection He was still one of us. He didn't come here to rule, He didn't come here to conquer. He came on this earth to serve, to sacrifice, and to save. He served us through His teachings of love and peace, His miracles, and all His deeds. He came here to sacrifice, as matter of fact He gave the ultimate sacrifice, He died on the cross for you and me. Through His service and sacrifice, He was resurrected and is alive, and through the Holy Spirit He is with us now. He is here for me and He is here for you. You see Christ doesn't fit in, He is in, He is right here. He is in my mind, He is in my heart and He is in my soul. That's what I'm celebrating, the birth of all of this, and much much more is still to come. IS JESUS CHRIST IN YOU LIFE? Prayer: Thank you God for Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank your service, thank You for Your sacrifice, thank You for Your salvation. I LOVE YOU GOD! |