Thought for the Day

Thought for the day: "To listen well is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well." Chinese proverb
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The Greek word "dorean" (freely), taken from Matthew 10:5-8 NIV.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "DO NOT GO AMONG THE GENTILES OR ENTER ANY TOWN OF THE SAMARITANS. GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL. AS YOU GO, PREACH THIS MESSAGE: 'THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR.' HEAL THE SICK, RAISE THE DEAD, CLEANSE THOSE WHO HAVE LEPROSY, DRIVE OUT DEMONS. FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE."

Strong's Ref. # 1432

Romanized dorean
Pronounced do-reh-an'

accusative case of GSN1431 as adverb; gratuitously (literally or figuratively):

KJV--without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain.
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The reason men cannot freely give is because they have not freely received. THE DAKE BIBLE
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THE SECRET IS ACCEPTANCE

I will put my trust in Him. HEBREWS 2:13

Helen Roseveare was a British Medical Missionary in the Congo years ago during an uprising, Her faith was strong and her trust was confident, yet she was raped and assulted and treated brutally. Commenting later, she said, "I must ask myself a question as if it came directly from the Lord. 'Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience even if I never tell you why?'"
What a profound thought. God has trusted each of us with our own set of unfair circumstances and unexplained experiences to deal with. Can we still trust in Him even if He never tells us why?
The secret to responsible trust is acceptance. Acceptance is taking from God's hand absolutely anything He gives, looking into His face in trust and thanksgiving, knowing that the confinement of the hedge we're in is good and for His glory.
CHARLES SWINDOLL..........Perfect Trust
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"Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today" (Big Book of AA). To live life on life's terms. Acceptance allowed Jesus to enter and live in my heart. Through a series of circumstances that humbled and broke my selfwill I was able to accept the strong hand of God that reached down to help me up. I still battle the "self" but not alone. I am accountable to God, and to friends who are not afraid to be honest with me. What a fellowship it has turned out to be....I'm very grateful for what was done for me that I could not do for myself.........JRE

Thought for the day: "To avoid being drawn into error, keep a firm grip on the truth."
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At the last supper of Jesus and His disciples (after Judas had left), Jesus talked to the disciples about His betrayal, Peter's denial, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also calls them friends and tells them that they (we) can use His name. What a gift this was. This is the Christian's Power of Attorney..............JRE

John 15:15-17 NIV
Words of Jesus:

"I NO LONGER CALL YOU SERVANTS, BECAUSE A SERVANT DOES NOT KNOW HIS MASTER'S BUSINESS. INSTEAD, I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR EVERYTHING I THAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU. YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT, FRUIT THAT WILL LAST. THEN THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME. THIS IS MY COMMAND: LOVE EACH OTHER."
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I am not going to make you bondslaves. I make you full partners and My personal representatives on earth. You are to represent Me and reproduce My works as I represented God and did His works. You will share equally with Me in My inheritance if you share in sufferings and work (Rom. 8:17). You are to share with Me all things the Father has made known to Me. THE DAKE BIBLE
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A HEALING WORD

Christ came into a world that had problems much like the ones we grapple with today. Life was short, disease rampant, nations chafed under the heel of Roman rule, slavery was universal. Widows, orphans, the disabled and chronically ill had no social "safety net" to see them through the rough times.
To those without the joy of living, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
To those who bore the chafing burden of the guilt of sin, He said, " Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matt. 9:2).
To the friendless He said, "No longer do I call you servants........but I have called you friends" (John 15:15). He had a healing word for each one.
On the surface the world has changed radically since that first Christmas. But deep inside, our problems are the same, for they are problems of the heart. And Christ still comes to us to cleanse our guilt, give us hope for the future, and heal our hurts with His love.
BILLY GRAHAM
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"What a Friend We Have in Jesus".........As I sit here in this quiet time of my day, the occasional dog bark, the distant sound of a truck on the highway, the hum of the computer and the striking of the keys.....As I sit here, I am not alone. I have a Friend who shares all my thoughts. Who encourages me through The Word, and gives me hope and strength to reach out to others. My relationship is vertical and horizontal......THE CROSS...............JRE

Thought for the day: "God is a circle whose center is everywhere, and it's circumference is nowhere."
EMPEDOCLES
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One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE," answered Jesus, "IS THIS: HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. THE SECOND IS THIS: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. THERE IS NO CAMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with al your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "YOU ARE NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOMOF GOD." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
MARK 12:28-34 NIV
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Quoted from Dt. 6:2-4. the Hebrew for "one" is echad, from achad, to unite, be united as one, one in number. The Greek heis also has the same meaning. Whether one in number or one in unity is meant must be determined by Scripture and by the subject matter. that these words are used in the sense of unity is clear from Gen. 2:24; 11:6; Jn. 10:30; 11:52; 17:11. There are three separate persons called "God and Lord' in Scripture, so one in unity must be the true meaning here. On the other hand, "one" could refer to the head person of the Divine Trinity, who is the Father and head of Christ and the Holy Spirit......Both ideas are true.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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MARK YOUR MEETING PLACE
My soul waits for the LORD more than the watchmen for the morning.
PSALM 130:6

To meet regularly with God, you need a place. the house in which I was reared was very small. My mom's place to meet with God was the bathroom. She put her books near the little stove that heated the room. When she met with God she put a little sign on the door that said, "Do not disturb."
Busy mothers can't have their time with the Lord at breakfast or suppertime. That creates havoc.........So if you're a mother, you have to be practical about this. Choose a time that works for you, but remember, you need time with God.
If your a business person, your best place might be your office. I know a businessman who goes to his office early every weekday morning just so he can spend time with the Lord.......
Where is your place? You need such a place where you can sit down and enjoy some uninterrupted fellowship with your Lord. I warn you, if you don't arrange an appropriate place, you probably won't meet regularly with God.
CHARLES SWINDOLL.............Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication
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After the hustle of the season may we take time to reflect and be grateful. To thank God for the peace and rest found in the routine of our daily work and walk. The unity and oneness of knowing the One who knows how we feel. The security in knowing that God will "never leave us or forsake us."...........I'm grateful for what was done for me that I could not do for myself..............................JRE

BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AN HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR PEOPLE; THAT YOU SHOULD SHOW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO HAS CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELLOUS LIGHT. 1 Peter 2:9
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The Greek word "peripoiesis" (peculiar) is found in this verse of Scripture. It's root is in a Greek word meaning acquisition. The word peripoiesis is translated in the Bible several ways: Peculiar, Purchased, Possession, Saving. I like to think of being "Purchased" by a great price, the shed blood of Jesus. The Lamb of God. The last Sacrifice. One drop of that blood was enough to cover all sin. The price to us is paid in our hearts as we come to the Cross and say "Yes LORD," "I know that I know that I know........................JRE
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A peculiar people, purchased, not peculiar as in dress, speech, or manner of life.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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When it came time for God to send His Son to earth, He did not send Him to the palace of some mighty king. He was conceived in the womb of an unwed mother - a virgin! - who lived in the lowly village of Nazareth.

In choosing those who would represent Christ and His church, God picked some of the most unusual individuals imaginable: unschooled fishermen, a tax collector (!), a mystic, a doubter, and a former Pharisee who had persecuted Christians. He continued to pick some very unusual persons down through the ages. In fact, He seems to delight in such surprising choices to this very day.
CHUCK SWINDOLL

Thought for the day: What is better than a "white Christmas?" A " right" Christmas. Remember Jesus this year.
BM@CTC 12-22-02
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The Greek word "kataluma" (inn), found in Luke 2:7 KJV

AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRST BORN SON, AND WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LAID HIM IN A MANGER; BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN.

Strong's Ref. # 2646

Romanized kataluma
Pronounced kat-al'-oo-mah

from GSN2647; properly, a dissolution (breaking up of a journey), i.e. (by implication) a lodging-place:

KJV-- guestchamber, inn.
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ROOM FOR JESUS

No room for Jesus? No room for the King of kings? No, but room for others and for other things. There was no room for Jesus in the world that He had made----imagine!
Things have not really changed since that Bethlehem night over two thousand years ago. God is still on the fringes of most of our lives. We fit Him in when it is convenient for us, but we become irritated when He makes demands on us. If God would only stay in His little box and come out when we pull the string.
Our lives are so full. There is so much to be done. But in all our busy activities are we in danger of excluding from our hearts and lives the One who made us?
"Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus; there is room in my heart for you."
BILLY GRAHAM
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GOD BECAME A MAN
He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.
PHILIPPIANS 2:7

It all happened in a most remarkable moment........a moment like no other..........
God became man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.
The omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The one who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
God had come near.
MAX LUCADO.................................God Came Near
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Jesus is the Gift and the Giver. The Father so loved the world that He gave...........For me I have found that it is not so much about "presents" but about "the Presence." To seek and to find His Presence has and still is the greatest gift in this present day. Also we must "present" ourselves as a living sacrifice..............."Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." (found on a Family Circus cartoon stuck on my Granny's refrigerator door)..............Remember Jesus.....................JRE

Though for the day: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go." ABRAHAM LINCOLN
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Jesus having been baptised by John and the Spirit descending upon Him as a Dove from heaven, then spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting. When the fast was over the Devil tempted Him first with food because of the hunger. Jesus spoke the Word of God to bring the victory. Jesus returned to His home town "in the power of the Spirit," and on the Sabbath stood to read as was the custom. He read from the book of Isaiah.......................JRE

"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT FOR THE BLIND, TO RELEASE THE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORDS FAVOR." Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1-2

What a promise to stand on, thank you LORD.........................JRE
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The spirit upon one indicates His moving one to do some supernatural work. Not an example is given of the Spirit coming upon one who remained powerless to do what he was called to do. THE DAKE BIBLE
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A STEADY STREAM OF LOVE
"That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love."
COLOSSIANS 2:2

What is Christ like? He is characterized by love and forgiveness. An insightful person once said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive."......Everyone of us can blame somebody for something that has happened in our lives. But don't waste your time. What we need more is a steady stream of love flowing among us. Love that quickly forgives and willingly overlooks and refused to take offense.
Some people are so easy to love that you just naturally fall into their arms. But others are so hard to love, you have to work overtime at it............Some are the opposite of magnets. They repel. Yet even they need our love, perhaps more than the others. How very important that we "stretch fervently" to love each other!
CHARLES SWINDOLL................................Hope Again
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THE DEVINE "FIRE"
"I will give them a new heart and a new mind."
EZEKIEL 11:19

When a person comes in contact with the living God, he or she can never be the same again. 'This divine "fire" either draws in or drives away, saves or destroys, helps or hinders. Accepted and utilized, it becomes a boon and a blessing. Rejected, it becomes a bane and a curse.
One dying thief was drawn to the warmth of the Savior; he responded in faith and was saved. The other dying thief turned away and rejected God's compassion; he was lost forever.
God takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the vile and makes them clean. He takes the worthless and makes them worthwhile. He takes the sinful and makes them pure.
With this in mind, Ezekiel said, "Thus saith the LORD God.........I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart" (Eze. 11:19).
No, you will never be the same once you know Christ. What difference will He make in your life today?
BILLY GRAHAM
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I thank God for a "new pair of glasses" and vision to see in the Light that is given. I am grateful for what has been done for me that I could not do for myself............................JRE

Thought for the day: "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
PROVERBS 27:6 NIV
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The Greek word "hudor" (water), taken from John 3:5 NIV

Words of Jesus:

"I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNLESS HE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT. FLESH GIVES BIRTH TO FLESH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO SPIRIT. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED AT MY SAYING 'YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.' THE WIND BLOWS WHEREVER IT PLEASES. YOU HEAR ITS SOUND, BUT YOU CANNOT TELL WHERE IT COMES FROM OR WHERE IT IS GOING. SO IT IS WITH EVERYONE BORN OF HE SPIRIT."

Strong's Ref. # 5204

Romanized hudor
Pronounced hoo'-dore

genitive case, hudatos {hoo'-dat-os}, etc.; from the base of GSN5205; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:

KJV--water.
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Water is used in a figurative sense of salvation (John 4:14), of the Spirit baptism (John 7:37-39), and of cleansing by the Word of God (John 15:3, Eph. 5:26). Since men are cleansed and born again by the Word (James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23), it's clear that being born of water means being born again by the Word of God.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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SHARED JOY IS DOUBLE JOY
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9
There's an old Swedish motto that hangs in many a kitchen: "Shared joy is a double joy. Shared sorrow is half a sorrow."........The secret of survival is not simply enjoying life's joys and enduring its sorrows, it is in sharing both with others.
We gain perspective by having somebody at our side. We gain objectivity. We gain courage in threatening situations. Having others near tempers our dogmatism and softens our intolerance. We gain another opinion. We gain what today, in our technical world, is called "input."
In other words, it is better not to work or live one's life all alone. It's better not to minister all alone. It's better to have someone alongside us in the battle. For that reason, during my days in the Marines, we were taught that if the command "dig in" were issued, we should dig a hole large enough for two.
CHARLES SWINDOLL........................Living on the Ragged Edge
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I give God praise for my family, my church family, my friends, and the two fellowships that I have as support groups. The words "one to another" are found through out the New Testament. They are the glue that binds the Book. If we feel that we are "wounded" by a true friend, we need to listen and observe because there is a lesson to learn and growth to be made. At the command to "dig in", make the hole large enough for someone who doesn't know how to dig. (Credit to Mr. Swindoll for the paraphrase).

Kimmie and I thank all for the prayers for her Mom in Independence Mo., she is out of surgery and recovering well. Jesus is the reason for the season.........................JRE

Thought for the day: "God calls us to get into the game, not to keep the score."
OUR DAILY BREAD
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A TREE AND ITS FRUIT
Words of Jesus: Luke 6: 43-45, NIV

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by it's own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
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RUN THE RACE
Let us run the race that is before us and never give up. HEBREWS 12:1

The word race is from the Greek agon, from which we get the word agony. The Christian's race is not a jog but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. It takes a massive effort to finish strong.
Likely you've noticed that many don't? Surely you've observed there are many on the side of the trail? They used to be running. There was a time when they kept the pace. But then weariness set in. They didn't think the run would be this tough.............
By contrast, Jesus' best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step. Our Master is the classic example of one who endured..........He could have quit the race. But he didn't.
MAX LUCADO...........................Just Like Jesus
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SCARED SERENDIPITY
I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous. ISAIAH 29:14

Seren-dip-ity--the dip of the serene into the common responsibilities of life. Serendipity occurs when something beautiful breaks into the monotonous and the mundane. A serendipitous life is marked by "surprisability" and spontaneity. When we lose our capacity for either, we settle into life's ruts. We expect little and we're seldom disappointed.
Though I have walked with God for several decades, I must confess I still find much about Him incomprehensible and mysterious. But this much I know: He delights in surprising us. He dots our pilgrimage from earth to heaven with amazing serendipities............
Your situation may be as hot and barren as a desert or as forlorn and meaningless as a wasteland......But all I ask is that you........be on the lookout. God may very well be planning a serendipity in your life.
CHARLES SWINDOLL.....................The Finishing Touch
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The good stored up in the heart.......may I learn to store up and store up and store up. Please pray for Kimmies Mom in Independence Mo. who is recovering from surgery today........................JRE

Thought for the day: "One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness, it is usually returned."
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The Hebrew word "yad chazakah" (mighty hand), taken from Deuteronomy 26:8 KJV.

AND THE LORD BROUGHT US FORTH OUT OF EGYPT WITH A MIGHTY HAND AND WITH AN OUT-STRECHED ARM, AND WITH GREAT TERRIBLENESS, AND WITH SIGNS, AND WITH WONDERS:

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WITH A MIGHTY HAND: one that is strong to deal blows is irresistible in it's operation; grasps enemies so they cannot escape; and one that holds friends in such a powerful way that they cannot suffer harm.

THE DAKE BIBLE
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I am reading a book by Chuck Swindoll titled Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication. At the same time my study has taken me to the first five books of The Word of God. What a feast this has been. I recommend it to all. From the chapter The Desert: School of Self Discovery, I found this part interesting........................JRE
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God must break through several hard, exterior barriers in our lives before He can renovate our souls. His persistent goal is to break through to the inner person. As David acknowledged, "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).
What are those resistant layers in our hearts, and how does He break through to that hidden part? First, He finds pride. And He uses the sandpaper of obscurity to remove it ever so gradually.
Then He finds us gripped by fear, dread of our past, anxiety over our present, and terror over what may lie ahead, and He uses the passing of time to remove that fear. We learn that things aren't our of hand at all; they're in His hand.
He next encounters the barrier of resentment, the tyranny of bitterness. He breaks down that layer with solitude. In the silence of His presence, we gain a fresh perspective, gradually release our cherished rights, and let go of the expectation that held us hostage.
Finally, He gets down to the basic habits of living, so close to our inner person, and there He brings discomfort and hardship to buff away that last layer of resistance. Why? So that He might renovate us at the very core of our being. "Our dross to consume..........our gold to refine."
CHARLES SWINDOLL
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98.6 is very good, to God be the glory. I love all of you.......tis the season........JRE

Thought for the day: "How much you love God, is how much you are willing to change."
Dale Begley at CTC 12-04-02
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The Greek word "kerusso" (preach) taken from Matthew 4:17 KJV.
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."

Strong's Ref. # 2784

Romanized kerusso
Pronounced kay-roos'-so

of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):

KJV--preacher(-er), proclaim, publish.
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Lit. kingdom from the heavens headed by Jesus Christ for the purpose of re-establishing the kingdom of God over this rebellious part of God's realm. Only found in Matthew because it is the gospel of Jehovah's King. It is a dispensational term and refers to Messiah's kingdom on earth. Offered by both John and Jesus (Mt. 3:2). It was rejected so was postponed until Christ comes to set up the kingdom (Mt. 11:12,20,24; 27:22-25).
THE DAKE BIBLE
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INVINCIBLE, IMMUTABLE, AND INFINITE
Now the the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever:
1 Timothy 1:17
Whoever is sovereign must have total, clear perspective. He must see the end from the beginning. He must have no match on earth or in heaven. He must entertain no fears, no ignorance, and have no needs. He must have no limitations and always know what is best. He must never make a mistake. He must possess the ability to bring everything to a purposeful conclusion and an ultimate goal. He must be invincible, immutable, infinite, and self-sufficient. His judgments must be unsearchable and His ways unfathomable. He must be able to create rather than invent, to direct rather than wish, to control rather that hope , to guide rather than guess, to fulfill rather than dream.
Who qualifies? You guessed it.......God, and God alone.
CHARLES SWINDOLL..................The Mystery of God's Will
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GOD'S PLANS ARE BEST
As for God, His way is perfect. Psalm 18:30
Things didn't always work out the way Paul planned.
Expecting to preach in Asia Minor, "they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit" (Acts 16:6). Looking forward to instructing the new converts in Philippi, Paul and his companion instead found themselves thrown into prison (see Acts 16:11). Encouraged by the response to the Gospel in Thessalonica, he was suddenly assailed by a mob and accused of having "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). As a result he was forced to flee.
But in every instance God was in control! Paul was forbidden to preach in Asia Minor, because God was opening the door to Europe. Paul found himself in jail, and as a result the Philippian jailer and his family were converted. Paul had to flee Thessalonica, and Berea, the next town, "received the word with all readiness" (Acts 17:11).
Things don't always work out the way we plan. but if we commit our way to Christ and walk in Obedience to Him, we discover His plans are always better.
BILLY GRAHAM
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I am so thankful that when I head in the wrong direction, I am able to repent, re-group, and through prayer and meditation find the path again. "As I reached out, what I thought was a flimsy reed turned out to be the strong hand of God Almighty" (AA Big Book).........................................JRE

Thought for the day: "Life must be understood backwards. But it must be lived forwards."
Soren Kierkegaard
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The Greek word "aphiemi" (forgive), taken from Mark 11:25 KJV.

" AND WHEN YOU STAND PRAYING, FORGIVE IF YOU HAVE OUGHT AGAINST ANY."

Strong's Ref. # 863

Romanized aphiemi
Pronounced af-ee'-ay-mee

from GSN0575 and hiemi (to send; an intensive form of eimi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):

KJV--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
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FREE YOUR FAITH
Few people realize just how closely connected faith and forgiveness are. Jesus taught about that connection in His sermon on mountain-moving faith that's recorded in Mark 11:22-26.
He said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive."
Jesus backed those two sentences up together on purpose. He wanted us to know that releasing those who have wronged us is fundamental to receiving from God. He wanted to impress on our hearts the fact that we cannot have our prayers answered and hold grudges in our hearts at the same time.
Unforgiveness clogs the faith channel and keeps you powerless against the mountains in your life!
If you've been praying for something and you just can't seem to get an answer, check your heart for unforgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring any grudge that's hidden there to light. Unclog the channel of faith and you will soon see things you've been praying for come to pass.
KENNETH COPELAND.......................From Faith To Faith.........December 2nd
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AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..............And be thankful".
Colossians 3:15 NIV

Thankfulness isn't our usual response when something goes wrong. We may have a hundred good things for which to be thankful, but let one bad thing happen, and it's all we think about!
But the Bible says, "in everything give thanks" (1 Thess. 5:18). No matter what happens, we are to give thanks. Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving in your life. Thank God for every blessing He gives you. Thank Him for Christ and what He has done for you. Even when things go wrong, thank Him that they aren't worse, and you are still in His hands.
Having an attitude of thankfulness in all of Life's circumstances will help you react as old Matthew Henry did when he was mugged. He wrote in his diary, "Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and forth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who was robbed."
I wonder if I could be that thankful!
BILLY GRAHAM
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I have been forgiven, God is a God of second chances....third chances......forth chances....on and on and on and on. My prayer is to understand this great act of grace more deeply. May I forgive...........I am grateful for what was done for me, that I could not do for myself.......................JRE