tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27716275311330832722024-03-13T09:13:44.540+08:00Living WaterAll about living in Christ and the Christian faithLiving Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.comBlogger618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-69300073300635881192023-10-09T07:20:00.000+08:002023-10-09T18:22:26.714+08:00Daily Devotions<!--span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Followers of this Living Water blog ...</span><br />
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<p><i>Devotions in this post are updated daily. You may bookmark this post to read new content each day. Views expressed in the content of this post (video, blog, article, etc.) are solely that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the owner or author of this blog.</i></p>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-40376467074456690542023-10-08T07:20:00.000+08:002023-10-09T18:22:06.920+08:00Devotions (Archive)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/livwater" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img alt="Living Water" border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzTpYvdGfLIX8E3l8ADWecpjmQRGIgYnmH4VFkybss7dO1TiAQjs6JqAdLQtsd5ptlGSkFdpq-BLOsYapxoNuIk6pGYSse88UUIQJeWjgnWhFHf3rkhMxtM3LLjboet1sWupErqeiJ0_EymoWXWLkQdqfe-uHhNKgBK0JaNUbucBWAJcm34T2YCdQJ8lE/w200-h200/livwater.jpg" title="Living Water" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">You may have already known that the content of the latest post at [the top of] this blog is updated daily, so visitors to this blog can get to read fresh devotions whenever they visit here.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the rest of the blog posts, they serve as an archival of devotions through the years till 2020. While they may appear dated, the truths in the stories and content of the devotions remain unchanged in purpose, to point the reader to Jesus.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As part of our ongoing devotion serving the Lord and His people online, this blog will continue to serve as a point of reference for re-sharing devotions. Please feel free to follow us on our other media platforms at <a href="http://linktr.ee/livwater" target="_blank">linktr.ee/livwater</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Shalom and God bless<b><span style="color: red;">!!</span></b></span></div>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-44456508220041992622023-10-07T18:20:00.006+08:002023-10-12T18:40:54.837+08:00Destitute in the City<blockquote><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:9 ESV)</span></blockquote>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a align="right" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH__UGzwTVaibqFQpGzzyqfs3qEC2f_pM2DrrZxHIjwGUfysnSesqlWFkpHvKhCw-RWDDWJ99o7boevchwas4s3TJgI15gWZKq286T-99xhRl5s1JFvrmeyHgVaApKH6ccS0CK0QHXw8P6fGfYGYmOKn-KqAkhNZqheFKSNV23VsAdJTg_1wbojkuo771/s600/depositphotos_58643599-stock-photo-homeless-man-sleeping-on-a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="600" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH__UGzwTVaibqFQpGzzyqfs3qEC2f_pM2DrrZxHIjwGUfysnSesqlWFkpHvKhCw-RWDDWJ99o7boevchwas4s3TJgI15gWZKq286T-99xhRl5s1JFvrmeyHgVaApKH6ccS0CK0QHXw8P6fGfYGYmOKn-KqAkhNZqheFKSNV23VsAdJTg_1wbojkuo771/s320/depositphotos_58643599-stock-photo-homeless-man-sleeping-on-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Little did I know it would be another five years before I found another job, after I was laid off by a corporation. It was during the time of global recession and hiring was scarce. In the meantime, my age was advancing, and despite submitting hundreds of applications, only a few contacted me but none landed me in employment.*</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Although I was able to find some freelance work during the years of waiting, providing for my family was extremely difficult. Amid the struggles, there was also the need to contribute a few hundred dollars monthly to a family fund among my siblings for the care of our sick mother.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After almost emptying all our savings, my wife and I came to the point of considering selling our apartment. In my mind's eye, I saw myself and my family sleeping and living on the streets for a time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It was during the lowest point of my life that I cried out of desperation to God for help one last time, having lose heart expecting an answer to my prayers after so many years of silence and non-response during times of hardship and struggles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Having reached the last straw of hope, I shared my predicament in an online discussion group with fellow members of a Christian writers' website that I had joined for several years to request for prayers alongside me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It was humbling that God chose two of the members to help me, people who have never met me personally. Sharing with me that they had been prompted during their personal prayer to give a gift, one of them wired me a sum that was just right for the care of my mother for that month, and the other sent me an amount that helped my family through a couple of months before I found a job with a startup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Although the job with the startup was shortlived, it helped my family pulled through the next six months before I eventually landed in long term employment with a church-related nonprofit organization.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It took me several years before I was able to express my thanks to the two who had helped me, by blessing them with the same kindness given to me. One of them decided then to use what I had repaid to help others facing difficult situations like mine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am forever grateful to God and to the members of the online Christian writers' community who helped me and my family during our difficult times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Thank you for your love for God and for the exemplary lives you live in expressing genuine care for those in need.</span></p><p></p><hr /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* Where I live, there is no unemployment aid, insurance or benefit</span><p></p><p></p>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-42577662410567262582020-05-22T07:25:00.000+08:002020-05-22T07:25:00.335+08:00In Christ Alone<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NKJ)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4rANCrsxe7vTyRIu9pu1mw3hcZj9j93Tw-2vqThC4YkLpOrYhKukqOqQK2nWWgodPYfTdiq7uku0U7hjqNXKVp2AO4I89n0gfaBJo-nWZ8DdUgvnAaCh1dK9foZcwVUEU2SrJkc6YAuz/s1600/in-christ-alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="In Christ Alone" border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4rANCrsxe7vTyRIu9pu1mw3hcZj9j93Tw-2vqThC4YkLpOrYhKukqOqQK2nWWgodPYfTdiq7uku0U7hjqNXKVp2AO4I89n0gfaBJo-nWZ8DdUgvnAaCh1dK9foZcwVUEU2SrJkc6YAuz/s320/in-christ-alone.jpg" title="In Christ Alone" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we say, “With God’s help, we can …” we often think of ourselves doing the work and God supporting us. The truth is, without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). The emphasis here is on Christ, not us. Unless Christ enables us, we cannot, and unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before we even begin to do anything, therefore, should we not first come to the Lord to ask for His direction and enablement?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grant us, dear Lord, a calm spirit to rest in You and to listen to the prompting of Your Spirit as to what next steps to take, so that in Your strength we may walk and fulfill Your purpose for us. </span></i><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-25719712810114735282020-05-15T07:25:00.000+08:002020-05-17T16:58:15.032+08:00Give Wisely<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him <i>anything</i>. (Luke 15:16 NKJ)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYQqnI2d0WhqL_stXyv2snj-SZNT0GvJ3eJUkCCiThXHyvYMPagrQ778vqoNkE_RYfDs82NyejVbW_OTc94YykU1tfYuiqBvrKqDAMN8r4WNu_ezt_czxtLESAgZg7ZWRhwDIGd3axuBH/s1600/give-wisely.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Give Wisely" border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYQqnI2d0WhqL_stXyv2snj-SZNT0GvJ3eJUkCCiThXHyvYMPagrQ778vqoNkE_RYfDs82NyejVbW_OTc94YykU1tfYuiqBvrKqDAMN8r4WNu_ezt_czxtLESAgZg7ZWRhwDIGd3axuBH/s320/give-wisely.png" title="Give Wisely" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can we imagine how it would be like if we, out of the goodness of our hearts, helped the prodigal son and provided him with food, lodging and perhaps clothes? Very likely, he would have continued to live his life on charity for a time before he would think of returning to his father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Bible teaches us to give as we have purposed in our hearts, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Nevertheless, when we give, we need to verify and know whether our giving is for the right cause or meeting the needs of the people whom the Spirit has placed in our hearts to reach out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know of a church that had been regularly giving financial help to an overseas mission ministry. Later, however, that ministry decided to embrace atheism in place of Christianity, and the church discontinued its contribution to redirect its sponsorship to another Christian mission organization. Nevertheless, there are still individual Christian contributors who continued to sponsor the mission organization that turned atheist, unaware of the change. When we give, perhaps, we should consider doing it through the church as it is more in touch of what's happening on the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, we thank You for giving us hearts that desire to meet the needs of others. Yet sometimes, our good intent may do more harm than help another. Lead us, therefore, by Your Spirit to know the right thing we should do when helping others and grant us an attentive heart to hear You and know Your will and direction.</i></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-71823507028091568212020-05-08T07:25:00.000+08:002020-05-09T17:51:48.800+08:00Rest in His Favor<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJ)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvGNVrIXqDgFWQp3uUwzfv9edpYN23MuFCLmhFSw2KnCPmpiSTHllDsNQglYpg9psrXMJGCtT32PbfFvpr9TCByy0N9XD4Cy4-CUGXoQ1HpAoVyxCdI68cfPkNfydI-gqoVjNm2Q0sMsK/s1600/rest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvGNVrIXqDgFWQp3uUwzfv9edpYN23MuFCLmhFSw2KnCPmpiSTHllDsNQglYpg9psrXMJGCtT32PbfFvpr9TCByy0N9XD4Cy4-CUGXoQ1HpAoVyxCdI68cfPkNfydI-gqoVjNm2Q0sMsK/s320/rest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Livelihood is a concern for many, especially for those who are struggling to make ends meet. Whether we have enough to eat, drink or wear are matters of genuine concern. Even if we know life is more than just food and clothing, we cannot help but to sometimes worry about our next meal or how we can have enough to feed ourselves and the people under our care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some years ago, I was met with the situation of hitting rock bottom, unable to provide for myself and my dependents. When I cried out to the Lord, He heard me and answered my prayer. Amid seeking and waiting for a job, He led me to opportunities for freelancing, which sufficiently tied me and my family through for a period before I finally landed on a God-given job. God-given because it met every aspect of my request in prayer—a perfect fit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is why in Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus said to us not to be worried about our life; what we will eat, drink or wear. The birds do not plant or harvest or store food in barns, yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not far more valuable to Him than them? Which of us by worrying can add a cubit to our stature? If God cares even for wildflowers, will He not care for us much more?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even when we hear bad news suggesting a year or two of downturn, we need not have to worry, because as children of God, we are favored by Him, and need not walk according to the world’s economy. Because of Jesus’ finished work at the cross, we are now qualified to receive His unmerited favor of blessings. Rather than worry extensively or do many things to try and remedy the situation, let us rest in the Lord, because when we rest, God works; when we work and attempt to solve our own problems by our own effort, God rests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Therefore, do not worry because God knows our needs. He cares for us and will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).</span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-79178032746299491892020-05-01T07:25:00.000+08:002020-05-09T17:38:12.273+08:00Self-Doubt<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJ)</span></blockquote>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xtxIyg6qJJFjqg0EEjjGsSZA1fepVKGDAKaebIehGmlvMTedi3y-kYgvncPaTuC6CjkzRl3PpPhrcEsPl3EigKkXth8Qrr5FSCA-gH8wYv4Ka5iV4vI1Ob4T2oiIJ7jFGtsNsiqmHmEn/s1600/self-doubt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="800" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xtxIyg6qJJFjqg0EEjjGsSZA1fepVKGDAKaebIehGmlvMTedi3y-kYgvncPaTuC6CjkzRl3PpPhrcEsPl3EigKkXth8Qrr5FSCA-gH8wYv4Ka5iV4vI1Ob4T2oiIJ7jFGtsNsiqmHmEn/s320/self-doubt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For many years, my work at a corporation had been highly valued. After the team of people I worked with was absorbed into another department, however, things became seemingly difficult with the change in culture under a new boss and a new supervisor. It took me several months ironing out conflicts and differences adjusting from a team working environment to top-down management. Before long, I became greatly distressed and began questioning my own self-worth and values. I failed to realize then that it was God’s plan leading me to something better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Questioning our own worth when we feel inadequate or when in self-doubt is not uncommon. Moses, when he was called by God to deliver His people out of Egypt, said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) Solomon, when he was crowned king, prayed, “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” (1 Kings 3:7) When told to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites, Gideon said, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thankfully for all of them, they eventually became overcomers, not because of their abilities, but because they came to realize their lack and weakness. That qualified them for God’s unmerited favor. It is when we come to realize we cannot but God can, that God says to us, His grace is sufficient for us and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rather than measuring our worth based on the words of people or on the things of this world, let’s lay for ourselves a sure foundation on the Lord’s unchanging love for us. Even if for our entire life we have not had anyone affirmed our value, we need not feel insecure because in the eyes of God, we are worth more than we can ever imagine for Him to sacrifice the life of His Son to save us.</span><br />
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</span>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-87173337290151862012020-04-24T07:25:00.000+08:002020-05-09T17:36:53.130+08:00God Gives and Does Not Take Back<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">… The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 NKJ)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUjxVvWwds-pE403SByeuwkSupjl0gMWlSlZQEcWCELbQ-KGPgp0BwKTiMyEOfBx1Kn4spQaxdTFvL6L7myZWcGQuJbRfyBxY7fzPYpgTaL7Hhd_i-aZnw9gc8lg-IdX5RbwNe5ZHhJAq/s1600/take-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="800" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUjxVvWwds-pE403SByeuwkSupjl0gMWlSlZQEcWCELbQ-KGPgp0BwKTiMyEOfBx1Kn4spQaxdTFvL6L7myZWcGQuJbRfyBxY7fzPYpgTaL7Hhd_i-aZnw9gc8lg-IdX5RbwNe5ZHhJAq/s320/take-back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>God had given to me the best things in life in the past, but now He has taken it back because I have not been faithful walking with Him.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>My job was God-given, but now He has taken it away, perhaps, because I have disobeyed or failed Him in some areas of my life.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My friend, if you believe that God is the One who gives (good things) and takes back, you believe wrongly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Job was mistaken in believing his misfortune came from God. In reality, it was Satan who took away Job’s loved ones, property and health (Job 1:8-2:7). God was the One who blessed Job’s latter days with much more (Job 42:12-17).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whether we are facing problems with our health, finances, career or grieving over the loss of someone, know that God understands what we are going through and He cares for us. He loves us so much He gave His Son to die on the cross so that through Jesus’ finished work, we can have all the blessings He died to give us.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Help us, dear Lord, to change our misconception of Your love for us to think that it is conditional. Remind us when we are in doubt that You loved us so much, You bore all our wrongdoings and died on the cross to save us, so that today we can cry out, "Abba Father, thank You for loving us, and for giving us Your Son.</span></i></div>
Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-51416824231205178602020-04-17T07:25:00.000+08:002020-04-17T17:58:16.910+08:00A Testimony of God’s Grace <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx2FdQze-YEIIHV-2UgvTW7nRbhixA2nQ-8PoaqSmXh7Xfbi8FVqTO01thIijAjUXykLxtxJUnvZXeUpt6qtrFp2sNeHjblNFP24hEPUoc8qnGLKgaJDsbUMl1nEPs3YGY3Qs7ynieS0K/s1600/gods-grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Testimony of God's Grace" border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="800" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx2FdQze-YEIIHV-2UgvTW7nRbhixA2nQ-8PoaqSmXh7Xfbi8FVqTO01thIijAjUXykLxtxJUnvZXeUpt6qtrFp2sNeHjblNFP24hEPUoc8qnGLKgaJDsbUMl1nEPs3YGY3Qs7ynieS0K/s320/gods-grace.jpg" title="A Testimony of God's Grace" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I used to attend a church that emphasizes works beyond grace, and a salvation that requires maintaining till the end to be saved (Matthew 24:13). Such teachings frequently led to guilt and condemnation, especially when I fail to meet up to my own, God’s and others’ expectations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After joining a grace-based church that preaches God’s unmerited favor without attempting to balance or mix with the law, I have come to understand more in-depth how much Jesus loves me, and the completeness of His finished work at the cross. When storms come blowing on my door and things around me get crazy, I know I can rest in Him. In my weakness, He is my strength, and what I can’t, I know God can. To me, the Christian life is not about what I can do (for God), but what God had done (for me).</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=10876" target="_blank">Edmond Ng</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)</span></blockquote>
<br />Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-75191320700596320402019-01-04T07:25:00.000+08:002019-01-04T07:25:00.565+08:00New Beginnings<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">‘The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.’ Mark 1:1 (NRSV)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQWV5Wi0PSofP7ojmszf_5vAZrxzzeKgPay0NGr7nj3xrXFC5DGDXwFJnh8BVq0H2zPdAv2eC3ek33rMH9N_FD0pg-NgVTRVgoHkibN531XlGx3HFnz7JPsxJMUsZnW-aMeSFi5R2_D3/s1600/new-beginnings.jpg" target="_blank" title="New Beginnings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="New Beginnings" border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="800" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQWV5Wi0PSofP7ojmszf_5vAZrxzzeKgPay0NGr7nj3xrXFC5DGDXwFJnh8BVq0H2zPdAv2eC3ek33rMH9N_FD0pg-NgVTRVgoHkibN531XlGx3HFnz7JPsxJMUsZnW-aMeSFi5R2_D3/s200/new-beginnings.jpg" title="New Beginnings" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Jesus makes his appearance as a small baby it is both the arrival and the beginning of the good news. It has come for all people, for all times and as Jesus proclaims his message to all who will listen, the news just continues to get better and better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Has the good news arrived and begun growing in our lives? Have we had the joy of meeting Jesus Christ yet? There is no really good news until he makes his initial appearance in our hearts; though we can look for it elsewhere in a multitude of people or places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And once Jesus has been invited to begin sharing his life with us, his presence, his words and his promises will bring an exponential growth of good news in our lives. What holds us back from receiving all his goodness? What false narratives are causing us to resist him? A transformed life can be found in no other person, in no other place, in no other way. He is the answer and a life invested in Christ is the good life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beginnings can be difficult places to breach. They may be places of doubt, fear and questions. Allow Christ to calm our fears and satisfy our questions. A new beginning, full of good news is waiting for us.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Jesus, forgive me for looking elsewhere and neglecting the good news you offer. I offer myself to you. Help me to walk closely with you each day from this moment onward. Thank you.</span></i> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=189460" target="_blank">Jennifer Woodley</a></span><br /><br />Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-45268917846480504652018-12-28T07:25:00.000+08:002018-12-28T07:25:01.211+08:00New Heart, New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW3j9DlX6RyM5DLbptOmg0PAle63XHHo9uJyRdEDjYc7iHZ0QnZRfXUkOgRfLGUxkCjW01DBvKwtEvFb9lvznn7qHdfgX4kRro8GQ8NrVHK2Y8cglEzzsM39BrFwtXLfkxWT_lGF2hKz7/s1600/new-heart-new-year.jpg" target="_blank" title="New Heart, New Year" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="New Heart, New Year" border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="800" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW3j9DlX6RyM5DLbptOmg0PAle63XHHo9uJyRdEDjYc7iHZ0QnZRfXUkOgRfLGUxkCjW01DBvKwtEvFb9lvznn7qHdfgX4kRro8GQ8NrVHK2Y8cglEzzsM39BrFwtXLfkxWT_lGF2hKz7/s200/new-heart-new-year.jpg" title="New Heart, New Year" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We read in Ezekiel 36:25-27 of a wonderful promise that each of us can take and hold onto if we desire to see our lives changed and it starts by allowing God to change us from the inside out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love this passage of scripture because it explains to me one thing that apart from God I will never really get where I am going. You see He was talking to Israeli about being redeemed from all of their failings and He has promised you and me the same things if we will submit to His will for our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What we see here is that when we chose the path that leads to God he begins a work in us that cleans us up. Not that you or I have to have everything right before we come to him we just have to take the steps in the right direction and he will begin that work. That comes through the conviction of our sins and the repentance of our heart. It is God who strengthens us to put aside those things that are keeping us out of His will no matter what it might be. He has promised to cleanse us and bring us closer to Himself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then God shows Ezekiel that the problem is not that we are just unclean but our hearts are hard as stone and this keeps us from continuing on the path that he has set before us. We are unable to enjoy what he has given us because we are dry inside. There is a difference between the words rock and stone within scripture. We call Jesus the rock of our salvation this is something permanent that will with stand everything that comes against it. While a stone is something much smaller that is often used by man. Sometimes it was used to honor God when altars were built but most often you see it used to destroy men and women as they are stoned to death for sins against God. So for us to try to follow after God with something that is man-made will never work it requires we allow Him to give us a heart transplant. This is the only real way for us to grow closer to Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He has also promised us something else in these passages a source of power to stay the course. He has promised to provide you with a new Spirit and that Spirit will help us stay on the path that he has called us to. It will give you strength in times of weakness. It provides direction when we are lost. It strengthens us when the load gets heavy and He guides us in our interactions with others. This new heart and spirit that have been promised; you will receive as you walk with God on the path he has chosen for you in the New Year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One last point and verse I want to share with you today. When we have accepted this New Heart and Spirit God has promised us something in verse 28;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:28 (ESV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God has something prepared for us that is greater than anything we can imagine. It requires though that we start traveling in the right direction and that we submit to His will in our lives so that we will be blessed and be a blessing to others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope you have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word. <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=165671" target="_blank">Rev Brian Mathis</a></span></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-38623180435133752012018-12-21T07:25:00.000+08:002018-12-21T07:25:01.160+08:00Manger Bed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHnP2ivVeStwiHBxgBizDbXe1QPeZIfm2g33Brxt7r8wCSoQFyUqmUA45frPZvc31XeBXc1fabE7GTbY2l4LP4CNhZqN-AURXmeuZoECpOy1zr9psOQyBvvCY2Am9HIwxRn5m5F9V1r4I/s1600/manger-bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Manger Bed"><img alt="Manger Bed" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHnP2ivVeStwiHBxgBizDbXe1QPeZIfm2g33Brxt7r8wCSoQFyUqmUA45frPZvc31XeBXc1fabE7GTbY2l4LP4CNhZqN-AURXmeuZoECpOy1zr9psOQyBvvCY2Am9HIwxRn5m5F9V1r4I/s200/manger-bed.jpg" title="Manger Bed" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Parents desire the very best for their newborn child, desiring to make them feel comfortable and secure. Babies are so small; they can sleep almost anywhere when they are newborns. A standard crib is nice, but not a necessity. Often they sleep in a cradle, bassinet or portable crib next to the parent’s bed. The baby gets the attention it needs for frequent feeding and diaper changes; and it is convenient for mom and dad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mary and Joseph wanted the best for Jesus; but circumstances prevented that from happening. If he arrived in their hometown Joseph could have constructed a beautiful cradle in his carpenter’s shop. Mary and her Mother might weave beautiful delicate coverings for a padded foundation. Such luxuries were not to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mary gave birth in a stable and necessity led them to choose a manger for Jesus baby bed. A manger is a feeding trough for horses or cattle. It is not a piece of fine furniture; but it is probably constructed to last. I’m not sure if Mary found time to clean it out well and place clean hay inside, or if Joseph tenderly handled the preparation. She would have brought some essential clothing articles and coverings. The needs of the Son of God were met. He who feeds the souls of hungering worshipers lay securely in the place animals found nourishment. A manger held a King. <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=108984" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-26083707433278244292018-12-14T07:25:00.000+08:002018-12-14T07:25:05.056+08:00Me and My Big Mouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq0XpYKlIVqV9bkNpXvwTCjhVU6yP0i6lHAnyFe1Z0Dt5b_bf0X-f47xIprFrGiHINpv-q4Z9qXe_iElqwWafZ-hGFXTp3U3ii4sKKosMSkEPzchIYK1zscwlplxHzddaQjr1c8tMwg-M/s1600/me-and-my-big-mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Me and My Big Mouth"><img alt="Me and My Big Mouth" border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="800" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq0XpYKlIVqV9bkNpXvwTCjhVU6yP0i6lHAnyFe1Z0Dt5b_bf0X-f47xIprFrGiHINpv-q4Z9qXe_iElqwWafZ-hGFXTp3U3ii4sKKosMSkEPzchIYK1zscwlplxHzddaQjr1c8tMwg-M/s200/me-and-my-big-mouth.jpg" title="Me and My Big Mouth" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whatever we believe in our heart and possess with our mouth, will eventually become ours. We are the prophets of our own lives. This is called self-fulfilling prophecy. We can manifest something by believing that it is going to happen. There are two ways we believe something will happen. We believe true faith (What we want), and through fear (What we don’t want that we believe will happen).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If we say something long enough, it would eventually happen: Job 22:28 - “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways”. Both Faith and fear can result in self fulfilling prophecy. Both make us focus on issues. We always invite into our lives, whatever we focus on. Our focus creates our desire. We always think about what we focus on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our focus usually becomes our thoughts, while our thoughts become what we talk about. What we talk about usually become our actions. When we repeat our actions a few times it usually becomes our habits, whether good or bad. Habits can be developed by repeating something daily, for 21 days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Self-fulfilling prophecy can be good or bad, depending on what we are predicting. There is great power in what we say. Words can make or break a person, let us use our words to manifest what we want, and not what we don’t want: Proverbs 18:21 - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Let us shape our life with words that will manifest into abundant living, and not words that would drag us down. Our mouth is connected to our heart, and whatever gets to our mouth, will eventually get to our heart. And whatever gets to our heart, will eventually come out of our mouth: Romans 10:8a - “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">11 Points About Possessing Our Possession:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we feel weak, we must confess strength. God is our strength, and he is never weak: Joel 3:10b - “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we confess the word of God to our life struggles, we will become a stronger person. An example of such scriptures is: Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we are broke, we must remind ourselves, who our God is: Philippians 4:19 - “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we’re not well, we must keep confessing the good health His Word promise us: Isaiah 53:5 - “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We must learn to re-condition ourselves, with positive words and reject the negative confessions: Isaiah 50:4 - “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We can use our mouth to create our victory: Mark 11:23 - “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have the same divine nature as God. He created everything with his Word. We can call things into existence like him: Romans 4:17 - “who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our words are alive. We must use our mouth to give life to only what we want, and not what we don’t want: John 6:63b - “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We must avoid negative talking, even in jest, we must learn to speak only words that build us up: Matthew 15:18 – “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just because other people don’t believe our dreams, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t come true. We must not quit, if what we are confessing take time to manifest. It will manifest: Proverbs 23:9 - “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God uses the waiting time to strengthen us, so that we are not overwhelmed, when we receive what we are asking for: Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=71886" target="_blank">Henrietta Elegunde</a></span></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-87167681860427422242018-12-07T07:25:00.000+08:002018-12-07T07:25:03.736+08:00Me First<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." (Matthew 20:20-21 NIV)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FEFTu61kXeWSkkhKIhJDQhLjicgeCRD_g-9RIVom6DuQ89DhpTdWrJb7-HNkkT6BUHt0kDmTs-GB906E1UG-AGlMuK5vcYTyx8MYQ1kCCew6JT_qHkFEkc5rzDs_3E3x_IrjfWQfI2X9/s1600/me-first.jpg" target="_blank" title="Me First" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Me First" border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="800" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FEFTu61kXeWSkkhKIhJDQhLjicgeCRD_g-9RIVom6DuQ89DhpTdWrJb7-HNkkT6BUHt0kDmTs-GB906E1UG-AGlMuK5vcYTyx8MYQ1kCCew6JT_qHkFEkc5rzDs_3E3x_IrjfWQfI2X9/s200/me-first.jpg" title="Me First" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">James and John’s mother asked Jesus if they might be given places of honor at his right and left. After the indignation and jealousy erupts among [the disciples], Jesus simply states the principle: To be great one must learn to serve others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently read a wonderful little story that describes how many of us think in regard to this position of service. It seems a mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.'" Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is easy for us to imagine someone else serving us isn’t it? However, the real test of discipleship is our willingness to serve others. Isn’t it strange how often we fail to recognize that this is the first step to greatness?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is said that during the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!" The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again." It was none other than George Washington.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What kind of servant can you be today? <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=74680" target="_blank">Don Emmitte</a></span></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-24102823862506026282018-11-30T07:25:00.000+08:002018-11-30T07:25:01.442+08:00Mandatory Transfer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3376JFX_JWWBctxWEc4vEKnZyZaSB0jIk_2cUS7ilUTd_ul1iYu9Z0jlp6cxJ3y4B8nRZ1S8HFLT4nqVosC8MnJd4y3_88fFSdeNDIuDee2ozqVmFFp91isyjTAvBSggtzyxqkEksGxCP/s1600/mandatory-transfer.jpg" target="_blank" title="Mandatory Transfer" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Mandatory Transfer"><img alt="Mandatory Transfer" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3376JFX_JWWBctxWEc4vEKnZyZaSB0jIk_2cUS7ilUTd_ul1iYu9Z0jlp6cxJ3y4B8nRZ1S8HFLT4nqVosC8MnJd4y3_88fFSdeNDIuDee2ozqVmFFp91isyjTAvBSggtzyxqkEksGxCP/s200/mandatory-transfer.jpg" title="Mandatory Transfer" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Commuters may not be fortunate enough to find a direct trip to their place of employment. Ticket agents map out the best route and explain where they will need to make proper connections. Split second timing is observed; passengers transfer from one bus or fast rail train and clock in at the job right on time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God has arranged for our mandatory transfer from one kingdom to another. “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians1:13-14 NRS) He does not depend us to rescue ourselves and make the critical transfer. We simply accept his forgiveness and follow him to Jesus' kingdom! <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=126712" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-7341833330466814002018-11-23T07:25:00.000+08:002018-11-23T07:25:01.767+08:00A Time for Reflection and Giving Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvANfRJ6Ju6ee-PGyIoXrd4mnG9iN24j4q-KoXXbRRKh-zEkKNktQdNCpCedYJmnVuJbT1oxev9SAVmMMYIq2nfSjx1yfdlLo9d3zKGtDOzbagciBPmYbyqKJNHl5pvsJTbvDw5b9B_gb/s1600/reflection-and-giving-thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="A Time for Reflection and Giving Thanks"><img alt="A Time for Reflection and Giving Thanks" border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvANfRJ6Ju6ee-PGyIoXrd4mnG9iN24j4q-KoXXbRRKh-zEkKNktQdNCpCedYJmnVuJbT1oxev9SAVmMMYIq2nfSjx1yfdlLo9d3zKGtDOzbagciBPmYbyqKJNHl5pvsJTbvDw5b9B_gb/s200/reflection-and-giving-thanks.jpg" title="A Time for Reflection and Giving Thanks" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">November, what a wonderful month! Fall is a time for us to stop and see God’s beauty in the world around us. It’s a time to be with family, to have fellowship with one another, a time to laugh and a time to make memories. It’s a time to stop and reflect on our blessings for the year and to give thanks to God for all He has given us. Even if our loved one isn’t with us we can still thank God for those memories we have and thank Him for the time spent with the one who meant so much to us. It is a time of reflection and a time for thanks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I reflect on the month of November lots of things come to mind; football games, lots of food, sharing, birthdays, and even death. As I take time to give thanks, I find my blessings are so bountiful. I sometimes feel like God has blessed me more than I deserve. I have health, a wonderful family, beautiful grandchildren, a home, a car, and the list goes on and on. I also thank the Lord everyday for my Church family. My church, as well as another church, has played an important part of my life and for that I am blessed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the dictionary thanks is described as “an expression of gratitude”. Gratitude is explained as “an appreciation for favors received”. The dictionary explains favor as “a kind act, a small gift or token”. We could go on and on, but to get to the point, being thankful means appreciating what people has done for you or given to you. Most of the time in church we are asked to stop and give “Thanks” for our blessings. One of the first responses always seems to be our family, our home, etc. Somewhere down the list we finally get around to mentioning God and what He has done, but for most people He is not on the top of the list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since November is a time of reflecting, I think we should stop and reflect on what God has done for us. If you are reading this then you are alive. We each should be thankful for the time we have here on earth. We are never promised tomorrow, so we should live life each day to its fullest and be thankful at the end of the day. If you are reading this then you are blessed with eyesight; even though it may not be what it was a year ago we should be thankful for the eyesight we do have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another favor we have received from God that we didn’t deserve, or ask for was the giving of God’s son, Jesus for our sins. God gave each of us a token of His love by sending His only Son to this earth to die for us. When He died on the cross we became new creatures, our sins were not only washed away, but God forgot about them. This Thanksgiving look around your table; look at your family and friends. If God asked you to sacrifice one of your family members just as He did could you do it? Which one of the family members would you be willing to give up?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As you ponder this remember one thing, the one you choose will not be a sacrifice for just your family, but for all of humankind. That includes prostitutes, murders, the guy at work who you don’t get along with, the people you don’t know, the thugs sitting in jail, or your next door neighbor. It will be a sacrifice for everyone. The sad part of it is even though you offer your relative for a sacrifice not everyone will accept the free gift. Now how does that make you feel? Even though God offered His Son as a sacrifice to wipe away every sin committed there are people who still don’t know Him or won’t accept Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is not one of us that would be willing to make that sacrifice, but God did. He did it for you and me and everyone else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This Thanksgiving as we are once again asked to stop and give “Thanks” let us thank God for His ultimate gift of life and His forgiveness of our sins. November is a time for reflection and thanks. Let each of us take a few minutes and reflect and give thanks to God “for His goodness” to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him”. John 3:16-17</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Lord, as we sit around the table looking at our family and friends we know in our hearts we can't sacrifice them. We aren't willing to let them die a death for people we don't know or for those who we don't think deserve life. Yet, God that is what You did. You sent Your only Son to die for each of us. Not only for us but for those who we don't know, those who we judge as not deserving Your love. You died to wash away the sins we have committed and those we will commit. You died so we might have life; live eternally. All You ask in return is our love and to love unconditionally those You have put in out midst. You ask us to forgive and be forgiven. You give so much to us, yet You ask for so little. We thank You for Your Son, our family and friends. We thank You for the blessings You pour out on us each day. We honor You with our lives and our love. We lift Your name in Praise and Thanksgiving for all You do for us. In Jesus Name. Amen.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=71482" target="_blank">Becky Brown</a></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-49943962916289032412018-11-16T07:25:00.000+08:002018-11-16T07:25:01.872+08:00Manifesting the works of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyuvqskWprbZ0ogQvygnUpu2WnHXMXjE-hi42pxWwog6hV2Pg62UcdfOhAXB7QkWUIKm11rqqKcpvOLyNoeb5yc_lQaCPeVvNtq4w-qdUmNFMAPmcoeB_xpe91Y2n96VR6kS3rdQ4fFpr/s1600/manifesting-works-of-god.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Manifesting the works of God"><img alt="Manifesting the works of God" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyuvqskWprbZ0ogQvygnUpu2WnHXMXjE-hi42pxWwog6hV2Pg62UcdfOhAXB7QkWUIKm11rqqKcpvOLyNoeb5yc_lQaCPeVvNtq4w-qdUmNFMAPmcoeB_xpe91Y2n96VR6kS3rdQ4fFpr/s200/manifesting-works-of-god.png" title="Manifesting the works of God" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In John 9:1-7, Jesus’ disciples wanted to know whose fault it was that this man was unable to see. Instead of trying to help them find someone to blame, Jesus had them take a different look at the situation. He told them that through this man’s affliction, the works of God were going to be manifested.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Too often we face challenges, or see others who are facing challenges, and wonder who is to blame for the situation. Maybe we ask God, “Why does this person have to go through this?” Perhaps we wonder, “What bad thing did this person do to end up with this challenge?” Or we might wonder if that person is suffering because of someone else’s faults and failings. Instead of looking for someone or something to blame, we should take to heart what Jesus told his disciples here: “This is a situation where the works of God can be manifested.”</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Challenges, trials, difficulties, and tough times of life are something that we will all encounter. When you’re experiencing things you can’t change or don’t understand, take those problems to God and seek to have his works manifested through your challenges. He won’t fail you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)</span></span></blockquote>
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<em><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lord, as we face the challenges of life, please help us to remember that as we allow you to manifest yourself through them, others can be blessed and drawn to you.</span></em> <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=64370" target="_blank">Misti Chancellor</a></span></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-90866602541865604252018-11-09T07:25:00.000+08:002018-11-09T07:25:00.463+08:00Manufactured Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi504hiO0cOv-C7eKwzo5P4kPeC4reQ_wNX33oKsZX1iOPvdxsL6l2nFji7xNub6J30TjbR8ABe77zP7Z94TY-sBWcqMwnDJQavLLl0OaX_QRFfSmxwDrc1BwyRW1VkWmJOESnsIX6fm_vY/s1600/manufactured-blessings.jpg" target="_blank" title="Manufactured Blessings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Manufactured Blessings" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi504hiO0cOv-C7eKwzo5P4kPeC4reQ_wNX33oKsZX1iOPvdxsL6l2nFji7xNub6J30TjbR8ABe77zP7Z94TY-sBWcqMwnDJQavLLl0OaX_QRFfSmxwDrc1BwyRW1VkWmJOESnsIX6fm_vY/s200/manufactured-blessings.jpg" title="Manufactured Blessings" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you ever thought about your blessings and where they come from? Some blessings are manufactured and some come from God. Now I know you’re wondering how blessings can be manufactured. Let me share what God has been teaching me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what are those manufactured blessings? Far too often they come in the form of material things and things that we think will bring us happiness. We are a nation of people that has abundance and we have an abundance of activities. We have so much we now build storage facilities to keep our stuff in that we don’t have room for in our homes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am reminded of this story found in Luke 12:16-19, “Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We buy bigger homes and we still have leftovers. We have a lot of stuff. Our lives are full of activities too. We are so busy running here and there and doing this and doing that. Some years ago it was reported Americans were taking the fewest vacations in four decades. We are too busy to go on vacation. Now I am not opposed to material things. I have some myself and I am guilty of being too busy. These are what I call manufactured blessings. Blessings we created through our own doing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now these are not bad things, but if you stop and really think about it we did not do these things on our own. God gives us new breath every day. God allows us to experience life once more when we get up. Now I don’t believe God causes death or brings on bad things, but I do believe He knows how many days we are to live on this earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think each day when we rise we should stop and pause and say thank you to our creator for another day of life. I think we should thank him for surviving in this crazy world another day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am afraid for too many of us we have the mindset that it’s all about what I accomplish and we don’t give God a second thought. You may not agree with me, but who chose you to be born in the family you were born in or even the country that you were born in? God planted us where he wanted us. We could easily have been born in a country where there is no hot water, luxuries, or opportunities. Instead he placed us where we could have those things, yet often times we never go to church and give Him back a portion or say thank you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am very aware of the blessings God has given me. Every time I get in the shower and the hot water is the perfect temperature and it runs down my body I feel blessed. I think about those who cannot take a hot bath. I have to make an effort to do this. It’s not something that comes natural. I have to make myself aware of the blessings God has given me. If I don’t make myself aware of who has given me those blessings then I won’t ever offer a word of thanks. I can get smug and think it is all about me when in reality it isn’t. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God has blessed us in so many ways. He has blessed us in giving us his love and grace when so many times we don’t deserve it. He has blessed us with a mind that can work, hands that can function and feet that can carry us to work or wherever. I am afraid we are a nation of people with an overabundance of things and activities and an under of abundance when it comes to acknowledging who God is in our lives and lack of appreciation and gratefulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are moving into a time when we think about harvesting this month and next month thanksgiving. When it comes to harvesting are you reaping blessings that come from God or are you reaping manufactured blessings? Do you offer thanks for those blessings or do you just carry on each day not giving a thought about those blessings? It takes an effort to think about how blessed we are and where those blessings come from. I challenge you today to make the effort to give thanks and then to make an effort to have a relationship with the one who has blessed you.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear God, I do thank you for each breath I take, each hot shower I am able to have and for the many little blessings that you give me each day that I often take for granted or miss. Thank you for reminding me I can fall into the same trap as the rich man who had to build bigger barns. May I never take blessings for granted and may I remember it is you who sends us showers of blessings. Amen</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=186321" target="_blank">Becky Brown</a></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-51430641422980668482018-11-02T07:25:00.000+08:002018-11-02T07:25:00.153+08:00Mandatory Evacuation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_FwsctX-bLijCnRIPSK3CtFejOLYqYi5IZ3x1lmr-vPQLSvah1L2OTPezDRU2qi9Qd9PTqpdLlHtq1y_FIvlABvNYM_WiftIwf1MyeWlOQ8NX9Gbj-pUVc0g14_OdpZrToTD3iaI2qC6/s1600/mandatory-evacuation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Mandatory Evacuation"><img alt="Mandatory Evacuation" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_FwsctX-bLijCnRIPSK3CtFejOLYqYi5IZ3x1lmr-vPQLSvah1L2OTPezDRU2qi9Qd9PTqpdLlHtq1y_FIvlABvNYM_WiftIwf1MyeWlOQ8NX9Gbj-pUVc0g14_OdpZrToTD3iaI2qC6/s200/mandatory-evacuation.jpg" title="Mandatory Evacuation" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Life in the Sunshine State is not always paradise. Even there, residents have to face the reality of nature. In this case, that means the strong possibility of hurricanes. Their power and destruction is deeply embedded in personal memories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our family evacuated before the impending arrival of Hurricane Opal. We took warnings very seriously. A hurricane can level structures and devastate entire communities. We took no chances; we made our evacuation plans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When leaving, we had to make rapid decisions. What would we take? What should we leave behind? We are often unaware of the grip possessions have on us. At the approach of a hurricane, priorities become clearer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Florida Department of Transportation & Walton County Emergency Management worked hand-in-hand. Evacuation routes were clearly marked. Locals and tourists needed to only follow instructions and evacuate to a safer location. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the spiritual realm, a force more powerful than a hurricane is lurking …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Evil forces and temptations are growing and gaining strength as they approach our homes, communities, states and nations. Do we see the coming destruction? God freely gave us His evacuation route! He made a way of escape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A reminder, hurricanes are named alphabetically.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our way of escape is J E S U S, the Alpha and the Omega, A-Z! <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=186317" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span><br />
<br />Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-58070839185135596432018-10-26T07:25:00.000+08:002018-10-26T07:25:11.757+08:00Making History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuou3K6w1wdoovKnaTp5aaQCa2cSZoYw-eRJWyUmOkiFUrqD7tP1om101RPv0AEJsKOg2sl1wtT9vFrcm2YvVtWveDLzyTkMEzgHb8JSElumzYvGWI3trexUwSGjokTs2fx2o78E_bxAv/s1600/making-history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Making History"><img alt="Making History" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="621" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuou3K6w1wdoovKnaTp5aaQCa2cSZoYw-eRJWyUmOkiFUrqD7tP1om101RPv0AEJsKOg2sl1wtT9vFrcm2YvVtWveDLzyTkMEzgHb8JSElumzYvGWI3trexUwSGjokTs2fx2o78E_bxAv/s200/making-history.jpg" title="Making History" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the most well-known and recited Bible verses during Christmas time is Luke 2:11 (NKJV) </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s an interesting verse that ties to this one in II Samuel 2:1: It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up… to Hebron.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">David asked God where he should take his family and live. He did not lean on his own understanding by settling for the Mediterranean coastal life. Nor did David seek out peace in mountain-living. He sought God first. Soon after settling in Hebron, David would conquer Jerusalem, and build the City of David. If David had made his decisions on his own, our Christmas verse would today include nothing about a city that David rebuilt. However, David sought God first, and made history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s amazing how surrendering all to God our Father places everything on course, in God’s will, in His perfect plan. We may not see how our children finally surrender their lives to Jesus, or how our decision with work impacts so many other people, or how our daily tasks and decisions, placed in God’s hands, unfold His mighty, glorious plans. God encourages us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8) Thank You, Father!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Seeking God first in everything is more divine and monumental in building God’s kingdom than we may be able to understand. Inquire of God. Seek HIM first. —<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=192085" target="_blank">Katy Foster</a></span><br />
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-8608005294630479732018-10-19T07:25:00.000+08:002018-10-19T07:25:10.521+08:00Make Mine a la Mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLWVLJLU5YfyJw0FMMQ9jTGvfc4ahV_5l8Dt3H1ixS1AciHvkKeeUV6szS8lhH3EdsTnr_CFn5whuhbJQf4yB2MDy6NMYB0etlxmUrkTsec0MEF2oWkPh-oT-ww8roXkV8Jea5ZcRAGjD/s1600/a-la-mode.jpg" target="_blank" title="Make Mine a la Mode" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Make Mine a la Mode" border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="800" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLWVLJLU5YfyJw0FMMQ9jTGvfc4ahV_5l8Dt3H1ixS1AciHvkKeeUV6szS8lhH3EdsTnr_CFn5whuhbJQf4yB2MDy6NMYB0etlxmUrkTsec0MEF2oWkPh-oT-ww8roXkV8Jea5ZcRAGjD/s200/a-la-mode.jpg" title="Make Mine a la Mode" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Make mine apple pie `a la Mode!” Separately, both the apple pie and vanilla ice cream is good, but together they are very good. I feel like I am getting an extra special treat. Why not splurge? The opportunity does not arise often and I will rise to the occasion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God rewards us when we seize each opportunity to pray. “Make mine prayer `a la Mode!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Any good pie begins with a crust foundation, prayer starts on the foundation of faith; God hears and answers prayer. The pie filling is a perfect blend of apples, sugar and cinnamon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We fill our prayers with praise, confession, thanksgiving and requests. I have used the easy reminder in the acronym A-C-T-S.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adoration</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Confession</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Supplication</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scoops or dollops of ice cream sit atop the apple pie. I top off prayers with portions of God’s word and pray In the name of Jesus, God’s Son.(1 John 5:14) <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=147476" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-16811845213746969942018-10-12T19:25:00.000+08:002018-10-12T23:33:47.640+08:00Making Amends<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. (John 21: 7 NRSV)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIOOM9bjbTz45VFd0DyISQQoEuBThyDXh_KyINr23TWv8HNx1PWbQ9LZ7KnEqf0w7AJH_Ff2ubslzH2sBnkB38hpvZdlQ3R_rwZbUz8BdjEWt-DuZ_pP4H2nPKWRSZlnHvC_uno43nLJ2/s1600/jesus_peter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Making Amends"><img alt="Making Amends" border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="338" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIOOM9bjbTz45VFd0DyISQQoEuBThyDXh_KyINr23TWv8HNx1PWbQ9LZ7KnEqf0w7AJH_Ff2ubslzH2sBnkB38hpvZdlQ3R_rwZbUz8BdjEWt-DuZ_pP4H2nPKWRSZlnHvC_uno43nLJ2/s200/jesus_peter.jpg" title="Making Amends" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is the man who had betrayed his Savior three times just days before. Here is the man who had carried the heavy weight of that betrayal and had probably felt deep conviction, sadness and confusion, but was now eager to make amends for his wrongdoing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This story, in which Jesus appears to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, reveals a different Simon Peter. His enthusiasm to be with his Lord erupts into a hasty decision to jump from the boat and swim to shore. With no hesitation he is ready for reconciliation. Ready to be united with Jesus, so that they may be one. And Jesus waits to receive him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Perhaps sin has kept us from Christ; from being reunited with him. Hesitate no longer. Jesus stood patiently waiting on the seashore as Simon Peter crossed the threshold of pain and conviction to be accepted and forgiven by his Savior. Christ waits for us to take make the same move and be reconciled with him. His arms are open wide. Like Simon Peter, can we too be willing and eager to make amends? To come back to that place with Christ where there is deep consolation and joy. <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=189363" target="_blank">Jennifer Woodley</a></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Father, I have sinned and ask for your forgiveness. Help me to remain in you, to be one with you. Thank you in Jesus name. Amen.</span></i><br />
<br />Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-91602201536607918272018-10-05T07:25:00.001+08:002018-10-05T07:25:01.812+08:00Make Believe and Reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKykxO2FrayeqxYIbvyKv_h6gs0s_i_yC8znmVjs_vvVHZ90zaLrB5crhznYNY7ztZQ1pKLuDPDSwv_fYJhyphenhyphenjmVW49pkqmZNJnm8afO6WOSYrHRrpHNpfxDEjU8UJyFklhrd5GGRmBWUrz/s1600/make-believe-reality.jpg" target="_blank" title="Make Believe and Reality" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Make Believe and Reality" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKykxO2FrayeqxYIbvyKv_h6gs0s_i_yC8znmVjs_vvVHZ90zaLrB5crhznYNY7ztZQ1pKLuDPDSwv_fYJhyphenhyphenjmVW49pkqmZNJnm8afO6WOSYrHRrpHNpfxDEjU8UJyFklhrd5GGRmBWUrz/s200/make-believe-reality.jpg" title="Make Believe and Reality" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I like fairy-tales; they allow young and old to stretch their imaginations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet, I know there is a vast difference between make believe and reality. Fiction and non-fiction are decidedly different. There is not a real fairy godmother waving a magic wand and granting wishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To many, Esther is one of their favorite books in the Old Testament. It is a true story with drama, intrigue, love, conspiracy, and a beautiful woman’s bravery. The king did not wave a magic wand over his realm. He extended a golden scepter of grace to his beloved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. (Esther 8:4 KJV)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Approaching the king uninvited was punishable by death. In grace, he granted Queen Esther’s entrance and urgent requests that followed. It also served as a word picture of God’s amazing grace. <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=180538" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)</span></blockquote>
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-64627473366791975462018-09-28T07:25:00.000+08:002018-09-28T07:25:01.598+08:00Lucky Charms<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him. Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that you are wearing, and bring them to me." So all the people took off their earrings and brought them. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." (Exodus 32:1-2 NIV)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl_nFEuPsD0BV0x7ALn3aJodXpnt_QwWa3rCS95KQ_YPaXjD1RFv8q__SHRzj236fu8WdXxsqiHsD_O83USpkNnQu2-1sn9eGPeWs1uGX_Qi4a-SOCFnpUfk4vMPwPg5e_9ZtCJryqiDU/s1600/lucky-charms.jpg" target="_blank" title="Lucky Charms" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Lucky Charms" border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1200" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl_nFEuPsD0BV0x7ALn3aJodXpnt_QwWa3rCS95KQ_YPaXjD1RFv8q__SHRzj236fu8WdXxsqiHsD_O83USpkNnQu2-1sn9eGPeWs1uGX_Qi4a-SOCFnpUfk4vMPwPg5e_9ZtCJryqiDU/s200/lucky-charms.jpg" title="Lucky Charms" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, has God been so long in coming down the mountain to meet with you? Have you become bored in your endeavors and with each passing day, your growing more impatient and discontented? What have you been playing with to ease your confusion? What charms have you fashioned that you're hoping will bring you comfort and fulfillment?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cereal Lucky Charms was created in 1963. An advertising company employed by General Mills suggested marketing the new cereal around the idea of charm bracelets. The saying that we associate the cereal with is;"It's magically delicious."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Great concept, good advertising. But the truth is, there is nothing magical about them. Lucky Charms, is nothing more than just wheat and oats with pretty colors of sugar in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Israel was delivered out of Egypt by God, they were then led to a desert. God had prepared a Promised Land for them, but before He would allow them entry, He took careful steps to route them through a desert.The desert would prepare them for their destiny. Furthermore, God appointed a leader, Moses, who would lead, guide and instruct them on the ways of the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But Israel was stubborn, not a trusting people. Maybe being in bondage, abused and mistreated for 400 years had taken it's toll. Let's face it, that's a long time to keep taking punches. It's kind of hard to trust anyone, when you've been hurt. Repeatedly, day after day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As God brought Israel out of their oppression, He displayed mighty works on their behalf. Just imagine for a moment what it must have felt like to have been crying out for help and finally, help shows up and does exceedingly more than they could think, ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, have you witnessed God move on your behalf? Do you remember the excitement and hope it gave you? To not only know in your mind that God "IS," but to know it in your very heart. There is nothing like it, absolutely nothing can compare to the awakening of the eyes of our heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But then, do you also know what it is to come out of something with great power and then be led into an isolated, dry, even dirty place? The days are all the same, it's hot, tempers flare and unbelief slithers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While Moses went up a mountain to meet with the Lord, the people were left to themselves. The signs that magically appeared on their behalf were no longer in front of them. All they could see was a dry, dusty, desert. Because they weren't familiar with the Lord, when He wasn't directly in front of them, they quickly forgot him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, are we any different? Have pleas and prayers met with silence? Have your circumstances discouraged you? Do you feel like you are wandering? Nothing new, hope waning, fear winning?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are not alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">People from the beginning of time until the end of it, will all encounter the "Desert Dilemma." Every one of us will have to walk through this valley. It is a reality none of likes, maybe we don't agree but at some point, we will have to confront the dry, barren places within our souls. We will have to confront the unbelief that we have hid in our hearts and the charms of deceitfulness we wear on our person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, when we encounter the "Desert Dilemma," let's remember what Israel forgot. It was the LORD God who delivered us from Egypt, not some trinket we have fashioned to suit us. It was God who brought us through. Not our jobs, titles, our looks, friends, or family. Drugs and alcohol won't deliver you, but God will. Having someone new won't bring you completion, your desert won't magically disappear with someone who is magically delicious ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God is the only filler to any void we are suffering. Maybe He has taken longer than you'd like, hold on, bear down, wait it out, for surely He's coming!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, God knows our desert. He gets it. He even knows the things we don't, and yet, He beckons us daily to come up higher. Luck has nothing to do with it, leave the charms alone, they might sparkle and shine but in the end, all they can do is sit there and rot. Come to him, cry out to him, scream if you have to. He loves you and longs to help you. He is willing, He is able and He is the Lord your God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful One, just believe, not in something that will magically disappear, but in the One who brought you up out of Egypt ... <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=96442" target="_blank">Shannon Heiden</a></span></span>Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2771627531133083272.post-18301345445492098802018-09-21T07:25:00.000+08:002018-09-21T07:25:05.692+08:00Make a Wish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJnZXxqnnlM7hMsBN8pfB50eTQW_hVyMUdSjZfw3FiLQLC0HPl2LVludsrJXT2R9Wz1xnDFK6CsH-h67WrgAjX303smosur0lzNpq7DAJ-mai4Ib_tbY2sRPhYKFY64m0JJnNMmYH3s6N/s1600/make-a-wish.jpg" target="_blank" title="Make a Wish" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Make a Wish" border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1024" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJnZXxqnnlM7hMsBN8pfB50eTQW_hVyMUdSjZfw3FiLQLC0HPl2LVludsrJXT2R9Wz1xnDFK6CsH-h67WrgAjX303smosur0lzNpq7DAJ-mai4Ib_tbY2sRPhYKFY64m0JJnNMmYH3s6N/s200/make-a-wish.jpg" title="Make a Wish" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Make a wish …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No, I’m not suggesting that you wish on a star. Nor am I inferring it’s time to wish after blowing out flickering birthday cake candles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instead, I speak of a great concern for the lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?" "I wish before God," replied Paul, "that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains." (Acts 26:27-29 HCS)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Apostle Paul was persistent and passionate in his witness. He was not twisting the king’s arm but he was trying to persuade him to place his trust in the resurrected Christ. Paul was wishing but his hope rested in God. He had a burden for the lost, both Jew and Gentile. <span style="font-size: small;">—<a href="https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=183860" target="_blank">PamFord Davis</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation! (Romans 10:1 HCS)</span></blockquote>
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Living Waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09271414551615932559noreply@blogger.com0