Day 18
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
The Thank You Cure
A wise old doctor in South Wales often prescribes the "thank-you cure." When a patient comes to him depressed but without symptoms of serious woes, the doctor tells him, "For six weeks, I want you to say 'Thank you' whenever someone does you a favor. And to show you mean it, emphasize the words with a smile." When the patient complains that few do him favors, the doctor simply replies, "Seek and ye shall find." Six weeks later the patient usually returns with a new outlook, freed of his grievances against life, and convinced that people have suddenly become more kind and friendly.
Praise does far more for us than it does for God. Our Father is not some egocentric being Who needs to be told constantly how wonderful He is. He desires the praise of His people because it opens their hearts to God and their fellowman. The grateful heart is a gracious heart. We are to season our request with thanksgiving, and in so doing, our love for the Lord grows deeper.
Reading through this bible plan has been, very inspirational, uplifting and encouraging.
Journey through life: Learning and Growing in God's Word.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Draw Near: Day 17
Day 17
Philippians4: I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Public Rebuke
The same day the disastrous Chicago fire broke out, a forest fire started in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, which killed five hundred more people than the Chicago blaze. Called the worst natural disaster in history, the Wisconsin fire started when many small fires were sparked in the dry weather. The Chicago conflagration received more publicity because it caused far more property damage and because of the romantic story of Mrs. O'Leary's cow beginning the Chicago blaze. However, both fires were devastating.
Paul warn the Philippians of the false Prophets within the church. Paul also saw a potential danger to such a young church, the disagreement between individual. Often we need help from others to see our problems from a different point of view, and to defuse it immediately. When left unattended our little fires of anger can bring destruction and even spiritual death. Thank Lord for grace and mercy.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Draw Near: Guide to Greater Intimacy with God - Day 16
Day16
Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ
The Writer titles Innocent Victims;
The horror of Hitler often overshadows that of Mussolini. However, we must never forget how evil this little dictator was. He marched without mercy on Ethiopia and machine-gunned peaceful people who still hunted with bows and arrows. He stayed in power for twenty-one years by murder, intrigue, and exile. When German forces collapsed in 1945, the escaping Mussolini was caught and, along with his mistress, shot. Their bodies were taken to Milan and hung by the heels in front of a garage. It was an ugly end to an ugly and totally immoral man.
There are evil men in the world even in the church, who set their minds on earthly things, their end, like Mussolini's, will be disgrace and damnation. Paul warns the Philippians of these false teachers.
Pitted against the evil ones of this world are those who, like Paul, can say that their citizenship is in heaven.
These are men who live for eternity rather than the few years between birth and the grave. They refuse to live by the law of the jungle--"survival of the fittest"--but seek to fulfill their responsibilities to God and man. May our citizenship be rooted in eternity rather than in the gutters of this earth.
Its so important that we focus on the things in heaven and not on earth. There are many who set there sights on here, and now,what the world has to offer. It is starting to show, how a nation built on the foundation of God. The world seem to live by the laws of the jungle, survival of the fittest. Have we as a nation forgotten our first love and stray far that there is no redemption and no salvation. We need to wake up and smell the coffee before its too late and we are left behind.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Christian Bumper stickers! Approve or Disapprove
Draw Near; Guide to Greater Intimacy with God
Day 15
JUST HONK
A Catholic priest told of driving behind a car with the message "Honk if you love Jesus" on the bumper sticker. "I don't exactly approve of that sort of thing," he said, "but maybe it was the nice weather or something." While stopped behind the car at a traffic light, the priest honked and waved. The lady in the car stuck out her head and yelled, "Can't you see the light is red, stupid?" The priest laughed and said, "It serves me right."
This incident reminds us that we often are tempted to act out of character with our Christian witness. In the heat of busy days, we sometimes say or do things that are not a good testimony for the Kingdom. The lady's attitude was wrong, and she probably later regretted it.
Paul approaches the problem of being human he encourage us to behave like believers, when we do not God can and will call it to our attention. As true believer we are convicted of our wrong doings by the Spirit that dwells with in us. It is wonderful when we realize how much God loves us.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished into all good works.
Day 15
JUST HONK
A Catholic priest told of driving behind a car with the message "Honk if you love Jesus" on the bumper sticker. "I don't exactly approve of that sort of thing," he said, "but maybe it was the nice weather or something." While stopped behind the car at a traffic light, the priest honked and waved. The lady in the car stuck out her head and yelled, "Can't you see the light is red, stupid?" The priest laughed and said, "It serves me right."
This incident reminds us that we often are tempted to act out of character with our Christian witness. In the heat of busy days, we sometimes say or do things that are not a good testimony for the Kingdom. The lady's attitude was wrong, and she probably later regretted it.
Paul approaches the problem of being human he encourage us to behave like believers, when we do not God can and will call it to our attention. As true believer we are convicted of our wrong doings by the Spirit that dwells with in us. It is wonderful when we realize how much God loves us.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished into all good works.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Looking Back: How much Growth is there?
The Bible Reading plan; Draw Near; Guide to Greater Intimacy with God has been encouraging, uplifting.
Today I seem to be galloping forward at a fast pace, yet God reminds me, and this question arise, Am I moving to fast that somehow I am missing something?
Looking back, when I first started writing this blog, and much has changed, the person I was and the person I am has grown, God's word seem to breathe life and the words seem to walk off the page and I am still learning, and growing, I am a work in progress. Sometimes its good to step back take a deep breath and view your surrounding, to see the awesomeness of God's great creation, how majestic and intricate his creation. I am so blessed by God. I have much to be thankful and praise God. Thank you Lord.
Today I seem to be galloping forward at a fast pace, yet God reminds me, and this question arise, Am I moving to fast that somehow I am missing something?
Looking back, when I first started writing this blog, and much has changed, the person I was and the person I am has grown, God's word seem to breathe life and the words seem to walk off the page and I am still learning, and growing, I am a work in progress. Sometimes its good to step back take a deep breath and view your surrounding, to see the awesomeness of God's great creation, how majestic and intricate his creation. I am so blessed by God. I have much to be thankful and praise God. Thank you Lord.
Salvation is a divine interruption in man's heart
Draw Near : Guide to Greater Intimacy with God.
Day 13
TO MAKE A MIRROR
Madame Chiang Kai-shek tells of a young Buddhist monk two thousand years ago who looked pious, clasped his hands, and chanted "Amita Buddha" all day, believing he could thus acquire grace. One day, the Father Prior of the temple sat beside him and began rubbing a piece of stone against a brick. This went on for several days until the young monk asked, "Father Prior, what are you doing?"
"I'm trying to make a mirror," he replied. "But," protested the youth, "you cannot make a mirror of a brick." "That is true," the old man replied, "and it is just as impossible for you to attain grace by chanting all day."
This ancient Chinese story points to this truth: sinners cannot become saints unless their character changes. Paul understood this and frankly told the Philippians to have no confidence in the flesh, that is, not to consider themselves worthy of salvation because they had gone to the right schools, memorized the right things, and chanted the right prayers. Paul learned this from personal experience; he had done all these things, and they had not saved him.
Salvation is a divine interruption in man's heart. In Christ, we are made new creatures and become totally dependent, not on our own fleshly righteousness but on His grace. As the songwriter said, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe."
The writer uses this short story, to share Paul's writing to the Philippians "have no confident in the flesh. Meaning we can do nothing on our own, only with God can we attain grace. Paul who was named Saul throught experience. If you read the story of Saul before his transformation on the road to Damascus. Paul persecuted the Christians, he was a devout Jew, a leader in the synagogue. Paul grow up in the Jewish church learning the Laws of Moses, customs and the traditions. After Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus Paul's character changed. Paul became consume with share God's message that it became his mission and ministry to preach the word of God to the Gentiles. As Individuals we need to make the changes in us and only throught Jesus Christ are we able to attain Grace, and Mercy.
Father God Thank For your Love, Grace, And Mercy. In Jesus Name Amen.
Day 13
TO MAKE A MIRROR
Madame Chiang Kai-shek tells of a young Buddhist monk two thousand years ago who looked pious, clasped his hands, and chanted "Amita Buddha" all day, believing he could thus acquire grace. One day, the Father Prior of the temple sat beside him and began rubbing a piece of stone against a brick. This went on for several days until the young monk asked, "Father Prior, what are you doing?"
"I'm trying to make a mirror," he replied. "But," protested the youth, "you cannot make a mirror of a brick." "That is true," the old man replied, "and it is just as impossible for you to attain grace by chanting all day."
This ancient Chinese story points to this truth: sinners cannot become saints unless their character changes. Paul understood this and frankly told the Philippians to have no confidence in the flesh, that is, not to consider themselves worthy of salvation because they had gone to the right schools, memorized the right things, and chanted the right prayers. Paul learned this from personal experience; he had done all these things, and they had not saved him.
Salvation is a divine interruption in man's heart. In Christ, we are made new creatures and become totally dependent, not on our own fleshly righteousness but on His grace. As the songwriter said, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe."
The writer uses this short story, to share Paul's writing to the Philippians "have no confident in the flesh. Meaning we can do nothing on our own, only with God can we attain grace. Paul who was named Saul throught experience. If you read the story of Saul before his transformation on the road to Damascus. Paul persecuted the Christians, he was a devout Jew, a leader in the synagogue. Paul grow up in the Jewish church learning the Laws of Moses, customs and the traditions. After Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus Paul's character changed. Paul became consume with share God's message that it became his mission and ministry to preach the word of God to the Gentiles. As Individuals we need to make the changes in us and only throught Jesus Christ are we able to attain Grace, and Mercy.
Father God Thank For your Love, Grace, And Mercy. In Jesus Name Amen.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Seeking Our Own
Draw Near: Guide to greater Intimacy with God
Day 12 Used and Abused
Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Today reading the writer writes about a young man whom had gain noteriaty and fame at age 5 won the hearts of Americans in the Walt Disney movie Song of the South. At age 31, Bobby said, "I was carried on a silver platter and dumped into a garbage can." He was bitter because those who liked him as a child actor cared nothing for him when he could no longer entertain them. Shortly after, March 30 1968 Bobby Driscoll die after many years of drug abuse.
In today's society many seek things of the world fame, noteriety, money, status. we are reminded that we need to seek the things which are Jesus Christ.
Matt 6:19-21 (KJV)Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Writer and Paul noted; Timothy and Epaphroditus were men with a genuine love for the people of Philippi. Believers must see people as people, being neither awed nor appalled at their veneer.
Father God, Thank for loving me unconditional, help me to show that unconditional love to others even to those that have hurt me. to be genuinely loving and forgiving. In Jesus name amen.
Day 12 Used and Abused
Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Today reading the writer writes about a young man whom had gain noteriaty and fame at age 5 won the hearts of Americans in the Walt Disney movie Song of the South. At age 31, Bobby said, "I was carried on a silver platter and dumped into a garbage can." He was bitter because those who liked him as a child actor cared nothing for him when he could no longer entertain them. Shortly after, March 30 1968 Bobby Driscoll die after many years of drug abuse.
In today's society many seek things of the world fame, noteriety, money, status. we are reminded that we need to seek the things which are Jesus Christ.
Matt 6:19-21 (KJV)Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Writer and Paul noted; Timothy and Epaphroditus were men with a genuine love for the people of Philippi. Believers must see people as people, being neither awed nor appalled at their veneer.
Father God, Thank for loving me unconditional, help me to show that unconditional love to others even to those that have hurt me. to be genuinely loving and forgiving. In Jesus name amen.
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