Thought for the Day

Decending Doves

Thought for the day: "We stumble over pebbles, not mountains."
OUR DAILY BREAD
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Each morning I feed the birds. It's a family tradition. For years and years (70 yrs.) my grandmother Dorothy Dake fed the birds in the same spot outside the window by my desk. Just like the generations of birds that come to feed, our generations continue to feed them. We give to them in seed, they give to us in beauty. With around 40 inches of snow this year so far, they have been very hungry.
Today I became aware of the different approaches they have to the feeders. The smaller birds seem to fly down and then level off for a landing. The doves seem to drop from above and flutter to the ground. The doves remind me of when Jesus asked John to baptise Him, how the people "saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him" (Matthew 3:16 NIV). With the eyes of my heart I see flutter after flutter, wave after wave, of the Spirit of God descending on Jesus. After this experience Jesus had power. He also told the disciples and us through them "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:4 NIV). Seek the Spirit.......this Power is not for personal gain, but power to withstand what ever may come our way. May God's blessings be manifested in each of us today...............JRE
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Withdraw into the calm of communion with God. Rest in that calm and peace. When the soul finds its home of rest in God, then it is that real life begins. Only when you are calm and serene can you do good work. Emotional upsets make you useless. The eternal life is calmness and when you enter into that, then you live as an eternal being. Calmness is based on complete trust in God. Nothing in this world can separate you from the love of God.
HAZELDEN....................Twenty-Four Hours A Day
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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ROMANS 8:38-39 NIV

WHAT A PROMISE TO STAND ON!!!!...................JRE

thelema (will)

Thought for the day: "To will what God wills is the only science that gives us rest." HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
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The Greek word "thelema" (will), taken from Romans 12:2 NIV.
Paul writing to the Church at Rome:

"DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD'S WILL IS, HIS GOOD, PLEASING AND PERFECT WILL."

Strong's Ref. # 2307

Romanized thelema
Pronounced thel'-ay-mah

from the prolonged form of GSN2309; a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination:

KJV-- desire, pleasure, will.
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GOD'S PERFECT PLAN
The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every life, and that if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of this plan.
God does not reveal His plan through fortune-tellers, astrologers, soothsayers, and workers of hocus-pocus. His perfect will is reserved for those who have trusted Christ for salvation. He shares His secrets only with those who are redeemed and transformed, and who humbly seek His will for their lives.
You cannot know the will of God for your life unless you first come to the Cross and confess that you are a sinner and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Once you do come to Him, you begin a whole new life, life not lived for yourself but for Christ. From that moment on God wants to show you His will. Whatever decisions you face today, commit them to God and ask Him to guide you, and He will.
BILLY GRAHAM
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There was a time when I did not know what God's will was for my life. I just could not pin it down so I could understand it exactly. After reading the Word of God for several years I had the revelation that if I was looking for God's will in my life, it could be found written down in the words of the Bible. And so it is, everything I want to know about God's will for my life is found "In the Book."
God's will for my life is: to know God, to pray, to love my fellow man, to honor my parents, to teach my children of God's will in their lives, to forgive, to ask forgiveness, to make amends, to be healthy, to pray for healing in others, to carry the message, and on and on and on............................JRE

Prayer request for my cousin Shelly, my friend Tammy, and a friends son-in-law Alvin. "and with His stripes we are healed" ISAIAH 53:5

Serve

Thought for the day: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." PROVERBS 3:5 NIV
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The Greek word "douleuo" (serve, as in bondage or slaves), taken from Galatians 5:13 NIV.

Paul writing to the Galatians:
"YOU, MY BROTHERS, WERE CALLED TO BE FREE. BUT DO NOT USE YOUR FREEDOM TO INDULGE THE SINFUL NATURE; RATHER SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE."
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Most of the words translated "serve" in the New Testament come from the Greek word diakoneo which means to serve or give service as a friend would do. In Galatians 5:13 Paul uses the word douleuo which means to serve as slaves (in love). A slave doesn't have any choice but must do what the master says. We should feel the same obligation towards each other. No choice. It's not a matter of "if" I want to serve you. It's about what the Master says..................JRE
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CHARLES SWINDOLL...................Improving Your Serve

Our world has become a large impersonal, busy institution. We are alienated from each other. Although crowed, we are lonely. Distant. Pushed together but uninvolved. No longer do most neighbors visit across the backyard fence. The well-manicured front lawn is the modern moat that keeps barbarians at bay. Hoarding and flaunting have replaced sharing and caring. It's like we are occupying common space but have no common interests, as if we're on an elevator with rules like: "No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management."
Painful though it may be for us to admit it here in this great land of America, we're losing touch with one another. The motivation to help, to encourage, yes, to serve our fellow-man is waning......And yet, it is these things that form the essentials of a happy and fulfilled life.
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"RARELY HAVE we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed out path." AA Big Book page 58

Unity

Thought for the day: "The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing the disciples feet." OSWALD CHAMBERS
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Paul writing to the Corinthians:

SO I WILL VERY GLADLY SPEND FOR YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE AND EXPEND MYSELF AS WELL. IF I LOVE YOU MORE, WILL YOU LOVE ME LESS?
2 Corinthians 12:15 NIV
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THE DESTITUTION OF SERVICE

Natural love expect some return, but Paul says, I do not care whether you love me or not, I am willing to destitute myself completely, not merely for your sakes, but that I may get you to God. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor." Paul's idea of service is exactly along that line, I do not care with extravagance I spend myself, and I will do it gladly. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
OSWALD CHAMBERS.........My Utmost For His Highest..2/25
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"It's not until we get involved in service work that we realize the importance of the unity of the fellowship." (paraphrased from the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text).
The way I see it, one of the biggest problems in the Church (all the believers in Jesus Christ the Son of God) is unity. How are we going to wash the feet of the disciples, when we can't agree on how it should be done? One of the last prayers and acts of Jesus on the earth was to pray for the unity of believers (17th Chapter of John). As believers we are missing it totally if we don't have unity. Tear down the walls, reach out as one body to the lost and hurting. Get involved!
The Church could learn a lot from the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, but the truth is they don't really care for us much. (I might regret saying this later, so I'll say I'm sorry now).
Jesus didn't become poor as in money. For us, He left His heavenly home to walk on dirt.....that's becoming poor. He did it for us, that's service. That's what it's about.....service...................JRE
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Jesus was a gentle and compassionate person. When He came into the world, there were few hospitals, few places of refuge for the poor, few homes for orphans. There were no hospitals for the mentally ill, no shelters for the homeless. In comparison to today, it was a cruel world.
Christ changed all that. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and opened the eyes of the blind. He commanded His disciples, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 19:19), and taught them to observe what we have come to call the Golden Rule: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matt. 7:12, NIV). Wherever true Christianity has gone, His followers have performed acts of kindness, love, and gentleness.
Do others see Christ's gentleness and compassion in you?
BILLY GRAHAM
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AA Step 12: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs

Summer school

Thought for the day: "I sought my soul and could not see. I sought my God and He eluded me. I sought my brother and found all three." ____
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The Hebrew word "zera" (children), taken from Psalm 37:25,26 NIV.

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

Strong's Ref. # 2233

Romanized zera`
Pronounced zeh'-rah

from HSN2232; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:

KJV--X carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing- time.
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This is literally true in all generations. His seed is so blessed (verse 26) there is no need to beg. If a truly righteous man appropriates the smallest part of the promises of God he cannot be considered forsaken of God; nor does he need to beg bread.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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THE SCHOOLROOM OF LIFE
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!
2 CORINTHIANS 13:5

Life is a schoolroom. In it we encounter pop quizzes and periodic examinations. You can't have a schoolroom without tests, at least I've never seen one.........Throughout the education process our knowledge is assessed on the basis of examinations. The curriculum of Christ-likeness is much the same. Our Christian maturity is measured by our ability to withstand the test that come our way without having them shake our foundation or throw us unto an emotional or spiritual tailspin.
The wonderful thing about God's schoolroom, however, is that we get to grade our own papers. You see, He doesn't test us so He can learn how well we're doing. He tests us so we can discover how well we're doing.
CHARLES SWINDOLL...................Hope Again
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I had to go to summer school after the 4th, 6th, and 11th grades. I had failed basic tests not because of ability but because "I just didn't care." I could not see much farther than the end of my nose. My military experience and the Vietnam War taught me discipline which I was able to use in college studies. What a difference it made when I learned to do what I was told. The problem was not gone though. I just covered one attitude with another. Later in life when I mixed a little alcohol and drugs with self and the sum of my experiences and stirred well, everything became mixed up. When life settled again the old attitude of "I just didn't care" came floating to the top like oil on water. I found myself being tested again with the same tests from the 4th, 6th, and 11th grades. All along it was not about school grades but about attitude. Fifty years later I try to do much better when tested, but find at times I must take a test again. I find the answers in knowing a Loving God of my understanding...................JRE
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AA Step Ten: "Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong promptly admitted it."

Spiritual Axiom

Thought for the day: "God gives strength in proportion to the strain."
OUR DAILY BREAD
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Words of Jesus from John 12:24 NIV.

"I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, UNLESS A KERNEL OF WHEAT FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DIES, IT REMAINS ONLY A SINGLE SEED. BUT IF IT DIES IT PRODUCES MANY SEEDS."
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SPIRITUAL AXIOMS
Websters Dictionary defines axiom: coming from the Greek word axioma meaning authority, authoritative sentence.
(1) A statement universally accepted as true.
(2) An established principle or law of a science, art, etc.
(3) A statement that needs no proof because its truth is obvious

When a seed is planted it receives moisture, minerals, and other elements from the surrounding soil. The life within the seed takes root and heads for the sunlight. The seed in the origional form is gone, it has died, but the results of that seeds existence produce many more seeds just like it. And so it is with ourselves, we must die out to self, (the old hard outer shell), take root and head for the light of the SON.
In our early education of scientific principles we are not taught about spiritual principles. They sound false to the scientific ear, but they do work, bring growth, and produce fruit and seed.
Here are some spiritual axioms: You must surrender to win; You must die to self to live; It is by giving that we receive; You've got to give it away to keep it.

Thanks for letting me share......................JRE
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FROM TRIAL TO TRIUMPH
Walk in wisdom.......redeeming the time. COLOSSIANS 4:5

The master musicians knows that suffering precedes glory and acclaim. He knows the hours, days, and months of grueling practice and self-sacrifice that precede the one hour of perfect rendition when his efforts are applauded.
The master craftsman knows that years of work, sacrifice, and suffering as an apprentice precede his being promoted to the master of his trade.
The student knows that years of study, self-denial, and commitment precede the triumphant day of graduation with honors.
Astronauts spend years training for a flight that can be as short as a few days.
The Bible teaches that sacrifice and discipline are necessary if we are to be faithful servants of Christ. Paul wrote, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:27).
Discipline your time.......discipline your eyes............discipline your mind.........discipline your body.......all for the sake of Christ.
BILLY GRAHAM
AA Step Three: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

The ninety-nine

Thought for the day: "The storm has passed. I've learned a little more about peace. It was inside all the time." AA Grapevine Jan. 1980
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THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

Words of Jesus, Matthew 18:10-14 NIV.

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
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Angels minister to each believer. THE DAKE BIBLE
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The NIV leaves out verse 11 from the King James version. I don't know why. So here it tis......."FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST." .................JRE
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A GENTLE LAMB
Where God's love is, there is no fear; because God's perfect love drives out fear. 1 JOHN 4:18

A lot of us live with a hidden fear that God is angry at us. Somewhere, sometime, some Sunday school class or some television show convinced us that God has a whip behind his back, a paddle in his back pocket, and he's going to nail us when we've gone too far.
No concept could be more wrong! Our Savior's Father is very fond of us and only wants to share his love with us.
We have a Father who is filled with compassion, a feeling Father who hurts when his children hurt. We serve a God who says that even when we're under pressure and feel like nothing is going to go right, he is waiting for us, to embrace us whether we succeed or fail.
He doesn't come quarreling and wrangling and forcing his way into anyone's heart. He comes into our hearts like a gentle lamb, not a roaring lion.
MAX LUCADO.......................Walking with the Savior
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A loving God, who after I walked away time and time again opened up His arms and said "Come Here." I am learning from the grace that has been shown to me, to return the same to others. This learning experience does not come easy, and I struggle with it daily. I am growing. And when I feel growing pains because I have to do something that I don't want to, I try and realize that the next time it will be easier because of the lesson of the experience. And it does become easier. I thank God for having left the ninety-nine, and went with others searching for the one that was lost. Many people were sent my way to let me know that a Loving God of my understanding was waiting for me with open arms............................JRE

Rich young ruler

Thought for the day: "When your too busy for prayer and meditation, that's probably when you need it most." ANONYMOUS
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LUKE 18:18-23 NIV

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"WHY DO YOU CALL ME GOOD?" Jesus answered. "NO ONE IS GOOD EXCEPT GOD ALONE. YOU KNOW THE COMMANDMENTS: DO NOT COMMIT ADULTRY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER."
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him. "YOU STILL LACK ONE THING, SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN. THEN COME FOLLOW ME."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
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God does not want us to be broke, poor, and sad. This Scripture does not have anything to do with having nice things and money in the bank. Jesus wanted the young man to give up what was holding him back spiritually. And Jesus knew what it was, the greatness of his wealth. Notice that Jesus did not tell him to give everything to the poor. But to just give. He would have received more than he had because the spiritual principle of giving would have been put to work, and spiritual principles do not fail. Just like natural principles (gravity and such) do not fail in the natural.
Jesus did not directly ask many to follow him. This young man missed a chance to be part of the greatest ministry staff ever put together. No doubt the young man knew something about finances, and could of had the job of treasurer after Judas did his thing...............JRE
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One of the saddest passages in all literature is the story of the Rich Young Man who missed one of the great opportunities of history, and "turned away sorrowful because he had great possessions." this is really the story of mankind in general. We reject the salvation that Jesus offers us, our chance of finding God, because we "have great possessions"; not in the least because we are very rich in terms of money, for indeed most people are not, but because we have great possessions in the way of preconceived ideas, confidence in our own judgment, and in the ideas which we happen to be familiar; spiritual pride, born of academic distinction; sentimental or material attachment to institutions and organizations; habits of life that we have no desire to renounce; concern for human respect, or perhaps fear of public ridicule; or a vested interest in worldly honor and distinction. And these possessions keep us chained to the rock of suffering that is our exile from God.
EMMET FOX.................The Sermon on the Mount
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Pretty deep stuff.....I need to think about "things" in my life that are keeping me from drawing closer. I desire to "Follow Him".......JRE

Sharp Sword

Thought for the day: "It's not the hours you put in, but what you put in the hours that counts." OUR DAILY BREAD
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The Greek word "ekdikeo" (revenge), taken from Romans 12:19-21 NIV.

Paul is writing to the Christians who were in Rome. They no doubt suffered persecution by the government and other citizens during those times. Paul sounds like Jesus when he says "it is written" he uses the Word of God to fight the enemy. The Word is the sharpest sword I have found. It will bring victory......................JRE

ROMANS 12:19-21 NIV
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay." says the Lord.
On the contrary: "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO DRINK. IN DOING THIS, YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Strong's Ref. # 1556

Romanized ekdikeo
Pronounced ek-dik-eh'-o

from GSN1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish:

KJV--a (re-)venge.
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LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD'S WRATH: Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 to show that only God has the right to avenge, and He certainly will avenge. HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD (Proverbs 25:22): This may refer to a sense of shame or remorse engendered when we treat an evildoer kindly. Paul is discussing personal, not national enemies. He is not teaching pacifism.
NELSON KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE
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MARVELS AND MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP
The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10

Deep things are intriguing. Deep jungles. Deep water. Deep caves and canyons. Deep thoughts and conversations.
There is nothing like depth to make us dissatisfied with superficial, shallow things. Once we have delved below the surface and had a taste of the marvels and mysteries of the deep, we realize the value of taking the time and going to the trouble of plumbing those depths.
This is especially true in the spiritual realm. God invites us to go deeper rather than to be content with surface matters.
CHARLES SWINDOLL............Intimacy with the Almighty
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One lesson I have learned through working the 12 Steps of AA, is that I can not afford the luxury of resentment and anger. Others may be able to go there, but for me it's results could mean death. I am learning that when I have a resentment I must pray for that person, place, thing or situation. I must pray for them to have everything I would want for myself, peace, health, prosperity, and salvation. It is hard at first to pray for someone you don't like, but if I do it anyway I find that it changes me.......Praise God. And this takes me deeper in my spiritual walk.
Thanks for letting me share.......................JRE

Religion/Spirituality

Quote for the day: "One's real life is often the life
one does not lead." OSCAR WILDE

Thought for the day: "True freedom is the freedom to be
the real you." ANONYMOUS
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Don't let anyone intimidate you into feeling that living for Jesus and putting God first in your life is religious, and not worthy of first place in your life. Living for Jesus is a spiritual existence not a religious experience. There is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. Religion has rules and regulations that must be followed and obeyed. No matter how hard I try I cannot obey all the rules. In living a spiritual existence I try to do right and draw closer to God. When I get my eyes off God and stumble, I get up, realize I'm wrong, stand before God, and God's Amazing Grace tells me to walk again. Oh what great love the Father has shown to us, by having Jesus take the punishment that I should have received.
God is Spirit....I have a spirit.....we are spiritual. True freedom in my life is the freedom to worship truly free..............JRE
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Words of Jesus from Matthew 5:9 NIV:

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD.
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ABIDING PEACE
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
ISAIAH 41:10

Whenever I think of God's faithfulness in the midst of suffering I am reminded of my dear late friend Corrie ten Boom, the remarkable Dutch woman who (with her family) hid Jews from the Nazis. After being imprisoned in Ravensbruk, the infamous concentration camp, Corrie traveled the world telling her story of suffering, forgiveness, and joy.
For thirty-five years she never had a permanent home, but when she was eighty-five and in declining health, some friends provided her with a lovely house in California. It was a luxury she never dreamed she would have (and one she never would have pursued on her own).
One day her friend, the late movie director James Collier, was visiting. He said, "Corrie, hasn't God been good to give you this beautiful house?"
She replied firmly, "Jimmy, God was good when I was in Ravensbruk, too!"
Most of us will never experience the horrors Corrie knew. But no matter what we face, we can depend on God's promise: "Fear not; I am with you."
BILLY GRAHAM
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AA Step two: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." The word Power has a capital P.
.................JRE...............

Listening

Though for the day: “Truth spoken in love is hard to refuse.
OUR DAILY BREAD 2-14-03
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The Hebrew word “lebab” (heart), taken from Psalm 111:1 KJV

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

Strong's Ref. # 3824

Romanized lebab
Pronounced lay-bawb'

from HSN3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also like HSN3820:

KJV--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ([faint], [tender-]heart([-ed]), midst, mind, X unawares, understanding.
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OPEN HANDS, OPEN HEARTS
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
ROMANS 8:25

That word persevere is very important. It is an archaic word and we don’t hear much about it in our day of bailing out and giving up. We don’t hear about staying power! But there is more to it than merely enduring. It’s one thing to stand grim-faced, tightfisted, and staring at God with anger, saying, How DARE YOU! What right do you have?” or “Look at what I’ve done for you! And look at what I get in return!” That’s one kind of perseverance. But there’s another kind. The kind that stands with an open hand and open arms, that looks into the face of God and replies, “I submit myself to You. I’m trying hard to hear what You’re saying. I wholly and completely admit my dependence. I’ve run out of answers. I’m waiting.”
CHARLES SWINDOLL…………….Perfect Trust
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Hearing God is not easy for me. But I’m learning and growing everyday. Each day that I listen I do hear. My problem seems to be one of listening not hearing. I know that they seem to be the same thing, but they are not. You can hear something and have it go in one ear and out the other, but when you listen you hear with your heart. Sometimes when I read the Bible I just read. Other times when I read and listen, I hear. God speaks to me. When I listen to people who have a place of respect in my life, I hear. When I see a beautiful sunset, I hear. When I see friends and family, I hear. When I see someone in need, I hear. When I see someone who doesn’t believe God speaks, I hear. My inner ears, the ears of my heart, are my true ears……if I listen…………………….JRE

LOVE NEVER FAILS

Turn into light

Thought for the day: "The sleep of the laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much." ECCLESIASTES 5:12 NIV
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The Hebrew word "nagahh" (turn into light), taken from Psalm 18:28 NIV.
YOU, O LORD, KEEP MY LAMP BURNING; MY GOD TURNS MY DARKNESS INTO LIGHT.
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Verse 28 is an idiom meaning bringing one out of trouble and darkness.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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A CLEARED CALENDER
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. LUKE 5:16 NIV

How long has it been since you let God have you?
I mean really have you? How long since you gave him a portion of undiluted, uninterrupted time listening for his voice? Apparently, Jesus did. He made a deliberate effort to spend time with God.
Spend much time reading about the listening life of Jesus and a distinct pattern emerges. He spent regular time with God, praying and listening. Mark says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35 NIV)....
Let me ask the obvious. If Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless Savior of humankind, thought it worthwhile to clear his calendar to pray, wouldn't we be wise to do the same?
MAX LUCADO............................Just Like Jesus
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PEOPLE OF PRAYER
Lord, teach us to pray. LUKE 11:1

Thousands pray only in times of great stress, danger, or uncertainty. I have flown through bad storms and found myself surrounded by people praying for the first time in their lives. It is instinctive for us to pray in times of trouble. Only then do we realize our helplessness.
But Christ instructed His followers to pray at all times, both by His teaching and His example. So fervent and so direct were His prayers that once, after He finished praying, His followers pleaded, "Lord teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). They yearned to be in touch with God, as they knew Christ was.
Have you ever said, "Lord, teach me to pray?" Prayer shouldn't be casual or sporadic, dictated only by the needs of the moment. Prayer should be as much a part of our lives as breathing. Never has our world stood in greater need of people who will pray. Will you be one of them?
BILLY GRAHAM
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Lord teach me to pray, teach me to draw closer to you. Teach me to open my heart and let Your love enter. May Your love wash away all pride, doubt, and fear. It has been said Lord, that if there was a thousand miles between You and I, You would take all the steps but one. May I take that one step toward Your great love............JRE

AA 11th Step: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out

"zeteo" (seek)

Thought for the day: "Feelings are not facts." anonymous
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The Greek word "zeteo" (seek) taken from Luke 19:10 NIV

Jesus was going into the city of Jericho and a crowd had gathered as He came to the city. The chief tax collector who was a wealthy man could not see because he was short, so he climbed a tree. This is how Luke described the situation..............JRE

Luke 19:5-10
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "ZACCHAEUS, COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY. I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE TODAY." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE, BECAUSE THIS MAN, TOO, IS A SON OF ABRAHAM. FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE WHAT WAS LOST."
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The words seek, save, and lost all appear elsewhere in Scripture in a shepherd context. This verse may be taken as a kernel statement of the central theme of Luke: Jesus is the compassionate, searching Herdsman who seeks to save those who can by no means save themselves.
NELSON KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE
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MAKING GOOD DECISIONS
Tragically, many people are the victims of their own bad decisions. Faced with choices every day, they turn their backs on what is right or what is best and decie instead on what is wrong or what will bring them harm. Only afterward do they realize that bad decisions always result in bad consequences.
King Rehoboam stubbornly rejected the wise advice of his nations elders and instead followed those who told him only what he wanted to hear. As a result, conflict broke out and the nation divided. The Bible warns, "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).
Life is filled with decisions, some minor, but some life changing. How will you make them? The most important thing I can tell you is this: Seek God's will in every decision. Pray. Turn to the Scriptures. Seek the advice of godly friends. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. God loves you, and His way is always best.
BILLY GRAHAM
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I must be honest, with others and also with myself. I must speak the truth. As I write this I realize that this has not always been the case, and I know that in the future I probably will be confronted by some form of dishonesty in my life. I am not perfect. But I am growing. I am so thankful for the grace of God which allows me some room to grow in. I have learned that when I am honest and express myself to another and they become hurt, this is not good. My honesty has no right to inflict pain on another. Even if I "feel" that I am right. Thanks for letting me share this.........................JRE

AA Step 9....."Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."

Trust

Thought for the day: "It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding." KAHLIL GIBRAN
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The Hebrew word "batach" (trust), taken from Isaiah 12:2

BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION, I WILL TRUST AND NOT BE AFRAID; FOR THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG.

Strong's Ref. # 982

Romanized batach
Pronounced baw-takh'

a primitive root; properly, to hie for refuge [but not so precipitately as HSN2620]; figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure:

KJV--be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust.

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The 12th chapter of Isaiah has only 6 verses. For me it reads more like a Psalm. I recommend it for an uplifted short read when needed. It speaks of trust, forgiveness, strength, joy, praise, songs, singing, and shouting about what God has done for us, that we could not do for ourselves....................JRE
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TRUST WITHOUT RESERVATION
Christianity is trusting Christ, not self. Most people are trying to reach God, find God, and please God through their own efforts. But perfect trust is resting all of one's weight on something else, not on self. It's like resting on crutches to hold you up when you twist an ankle. You lean on them as your strength. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
In other words strength comes from proper perspective. Elton Trueblood put it this way, "Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation." Strength comes from choosing to fully trust, pray, and praise. Our circumstances may not change, but in the process we change.
CHARLES SWINDOLL..................Perfect Trust *********************************
The inward peace that comes from trust in God truly passes all understanding. That peace no one can take from you. No person has the power to disturb that inner peace. But you must be careful not to let in the world's worries and distractions. You must try not to give entrance to fears and despondency. You must refuse to open the door to the distractions that disturb your inward peace. Make it a point to allow nothing today to disturb your inner peace, your heart-calm.
HAZELDEN....................Twenty-Four Hours A Day
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My Sponsor once told me that, "Life is like a path. Once we've made the decision to go the right way and enter upon the path, we find it wide and very rough and bumpy. After traveling the path for a while we find it becomes narrow but smooth".
How true I've found this to be. I can't do the things that I used to do. But I don't get bumped around like I used to either.............JRE

The Spirit falls, the glory rises

Thought for the day: "Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer, and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble
PHILIPP SCHWARZERT MELANCHTHON
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The Hebrew word "kabowd" (glory), taken from Isaiah 60:1 KJV.

ARISE, SHINE, FOR THY LIGHT IS COME, AND THE GOLRY OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON THEE.

Strong's Ref. # 3519

Romanized kabowd
Pronounced kaw-bode'

rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from HSN3513; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness:

KJV--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
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The Spirit falls, the Glory rises...................JRE

AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD FELL UPON ME, AND SAID UNTO ME, SPEAK: THUS SAITH THE LORD; THUS HAVE YOU SAID, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL: FOR I KNOW THE THINGS THAT COME INTO YOUR MIND, EVERY ONE OF THEM. Ezekiel 11:5 KJV
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THEN YOU CAME

A young husband was desperate. His wife had abandoned him and their two children weeks before. Though she still called occasionally, he had no idea where she was. On the phone, he pleaded with her to come home and told her how much he and the children loved her, yet she continually rebuffed him. Was it time to give up and move on?
No. The husband used his meager savings to hire a detective, who found his wife living in a third-rate hotel across the country. The husband borrowed money for a plane ticket. Soon he was on her doorstep saying, "We love you so much. Won't you come home?" She fell apart in his arms, and they went home together.
Weeks later he asked why she hadn't come when he expressed his love repeatedly on the phone. "Because," she answered, "those were only words. But then you came."
True love is more than words.
JAMES DOBSON......................Night Light
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For centuries the prophets foretold of One to come who would be called Emanuel, God with us. They spoke only words......but then "He came." The world has not been the same since "He came" to show the way. My life has not been the same since Jesus came into my heart. I am learning from Jesus' example the meaning of "One day at a time."
The Spirit falls, the Glory rises. May we experience both today. Thanks for sharing this with me...................JRE

"Being" Humble

Thought for the day: "Is it not by love alone that we succeed in penetrating the very essence of a being? IGOR STRAVINSKY
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The Greek word "tapeinoo" (humble), taken from James 4:10 KJV.

HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP.

Strong's Ref. # 5013

Romanized tapeinoo
Pronounced tap-i-no'-o

from GSN5011; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart): KJV--abase, bring low, humble (self).
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Of all "things" in my life: The realization of sin and sins, repentance, asking and giving forgiveness, making amends; trying to do the right thing, thinking the right thoughts; Giving credit where credit is do, putting God first, praying, praising, being of service to others. Of all the "things" in my life, this thing called "being humble" is by far the hardest spiritual work that I've got. I can't even think about it without having it slip away. A revelation just came to me while writing this, "being humble" doesn't have anything to do with thinking, it's about "being" and doing. It's about action the same way that love is not a thought, but an action. Thanks for letting me share, and coming to this conclusion within myself...............JRE
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Try not to give way to criticism, blame, scorn, or judgment of others, when you are trying to help them. Effectiveness in helping others depends on controlling yourself. You may be swept away by a temporary natural urge to criticize or blame, unless you keep a tight rein on your emotions. You should have a firm foundation of spiritual living which makes you truly humble, if you are going to really help other people. Go easy on them and be hard on yourself. That is the way you can be used most to uplift a despairing spirit. And seek no personal recognition for what you are used by God to accomplish.
HAZELDEN...................Twenty-Four Hours A Day
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I'm thinking about what I just put down in this email. As in all of my "thoughts for the day" the only direction they point is back. My problem seems to be more thinking than doing. "We claim spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection" (AA Big Book), there's something I can use today......thanks Bill W. ...............JRE

Hinged statement

Thought for the day: "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down." PROVERBS 26:20 NIV
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The Greek word "apaggello" (tell KJV; report NIV), taken from Matthew 11:2-6 NIV.

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

Strong's Ref. # 518

Romanized apaggello
Pronounced ap-ang-el'-lo

from GSN0575 and the base of GSN0032; to announce:

KJV--bring word (again), declare, report, shew (again), tell.
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All who are born again by the Spirit of Almighty God, have new sight, a new way of walking, a different expression on their face, the ability to listen from the heart, experience newness of life, and carry the message to others less fortunate. "Blessed is the man who does not fall away." This statement that Jesus made is hinged and will swing one way or the other. If we do not fall away, we will be blessed.........JRE
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JESUS' PRAYER PROGRAM
Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. JOHN 16:23

One of the most amazing things in all the Scriptures is how much time Jesus spent in prayer. He had only three years of public ministry, yet He was never too hurried to spend hours in prayer. He prayed before every difficult task confronting Him. He prayed with regularity, not a day began or closed in which He did not unfold His soul before His Father.
How quickly and carelessly, by contrast, we pray. Snatches of memorized verses are hastily spoken in the morning; then we say good-bye to God for the rest of the day, until we rush through a few closing petitions at night.
This is not the prayer program that Jesus outlined. Jesus pleaded long and repeatedly. It is recorded that He spent entire nights in fervent appeal. No one could have been busier, but He was never too busy for prayer.
What keeps you from making prayer a priority in you schedule?
BILLY GRAHAM
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LOVE NEVER FAILS..............................JRE

The lenses in my glasses

Thought for the day: "God gives us the nuts, but He does not crack them." GERMAN PROVERB
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WE LOOK TO GOD
"Lord, if it's you," Peter says, "tell me to come to you on the water." MATTHEW 14:28 NIV

Peter is not testing Jesus; he is pleading with Jesus. Stepping onto a stormy sea is not a move of logic; it is a move of desperation. Peter grabs the edge of the boat. Throws out a leg........follows with the other. Several steps are taken. It's as if an invisible ridge of rocks runs beneath his feet. At the end of the ridge is the glowing face of a never-say-die friend.
We do the same, don't we? We come to Christ in an hour of deep need. We abandon the boat of good works. We realize.....that human strength won't save us. So we look to God in desperation. We realize.....that all the good works in the world are puny when laid before the Perfect One.
MAX LUCADO.........In the Eye of the Storm
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Do not become encumbered by petty annoyances. Never respond to emotional upsets by emotional upset. Try to keep calm in all circumstances. Try not to fight back. Call on the grace of God to calm you when you feel like retaliating. Look to God to calm you when you feel like retaliating. Look to God for the inner strength to drop those resentments that drag you down. If you are burdened by annoyances, you will lose your inward peace and the spirit of God will be shut out. Try to keep peaceful within.
HAZELDEN................Twenty-Four Hours A Day
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The last week I have had the opportunity to build some mountains, out of mole hills. I had the lenses in my glasses turned around. I was looking at others when I should have been looking at myself. The reading above speaks to me. I have lost some inner peace and I choose to get it back. I choose the Spirit of God to keep me peaceful within. I thank you for letting me serve and therefore adjusting my glasses today.....................JRE

Praying without being told

Thought for the day: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." REINHOLD NIEBUHR
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"Show us the way, O Lord, and let us walk in Thy paths." there seems to be a right way to live and a wrong way. You can make a practical test. When you live the right way, things seem to work out well for you. When you live the wrong way, things seem to work out badly for you. You seem to take out of life about what you put into it. If you disobey the laws of nature, the chances are that you will be unhealthy. If you disobey the spiritual and moral laws, the chances are that you will be unhappy. By following purity, unselfishness, and love, you can expect to be reasonably healthy and happy.
HAZELDEN..................Twenty-Four Hours A Day
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At the present time I am reading the autobiography of Billy Graham. This man probably has preached Jesus Christ to more people than any person that has ever lived. Awesome job Mr. Graham, my hat is off to you. I am also amazed at how normal his life is. He grew up in a Christian home like many of us and experienced some of the same feelings and thoughts that we all have. He rededicated his life to Jesus around the age of 17 by going forward to the alter at a revival near his home town. He said there was no flash of light, no thunderous voice, only the hand of a friend who had come to pray with him. Later his father reassured him in the decision he had made. That evening his mother also did the same. In the quietness of his room with the moon shinning over the hay fields of his North Carolina home, he said he prayed for the first time with out being told.

Here are two paragraphs from his book that I found interesting .....share this with me................JRE

"Our barns had tin roofs. On rainy days, I liked to sneak away into the hay barn and lie on a sweet-smelling and slippery pile of straw, listening to the raindrops hit that tin roof and dreaming. It was a sanctuary that helped shape my character. Whenever I visit a bustling city anywhere in the world now, I like to retreat from noisy boulevards into an open church building and just meditate in the cool, dim quietness. At our home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, my favorite spot is a little path above the house where I walk alone and talk with God.
We always had a collie, at least one, and what would any farm be without plenty of cats? Not knowing any better, I once took a cat and shut it in the doghouse with the dog. They hated each other with some ancient instinct when they went in, but after spending the night inside they came out as friends forever. Maybe that is where the seeds of some of my ecumenical convictions got planted, wanting to help people at odds with each other find ways to get along together."
BILLY GRAHAM

spiritual glue

Thought for the day: "We are today the choices we made yesterday."
DD@CTC 2-2-03
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The Hebrew word "amar" (said), taken from Ruth 2:4 KJV.

Ruth was a widow who made the choice to stay with her mother in law Naomi. The name Ruth means beauty. Ruth was not a Hebrew but was from the land of Moab. Her dead husband, who was a Hebrew had a relative named Boaz who married her as was the custom in those days. From this relationship came the grandfather of David the King, and through the lineage of David came Jesus the Savior of all men..............JRE

RUTH 2:4
"And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
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DAILY GREETING IN ISRAEL (2:4)
This was the daily greeting of godly men and their servants in Israel. The master would say, The Lord be with you and the servants would say the Lord bless you. It was equal to the master asking for the presence of God with the workers, and for their divine protection and preservation as they labored; and the same as the servants expressing a desire for the master to be blessed of God that he might enjoy the increase of the field and have wisdom regarding how to use it for His glory. If such mutual love and respect were shared alike by employer and employees in all lands it would be as near the days of heaven on earth as possible.
THE DAKE BIBLE
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SERVING IS ESSENTIAL
Through love serve one another. GLATIANS 5:13

Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy institution. We are alienated from each other. Although crowded, we are lonely. Distant. Pushed together but uninvolved. No longer do most neighbors visit across the backyard fence. The well-manicured front lawn is the modern moat that keeps barbarians at bay. Hoarding and flaunting have replaced sharing and caring. It's like we are occupying common space but have no common interest, as if we're on an elevator with rules like; "No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management."
Painful though it may be for us to admit it here in this great land of America, we're losing touch with one another. The motivation to help, to encourage, yes, to serve our fellow-man is waning.......and yet, it is these things that form the essentials of a happy and fulfilled life.
CHARLES SWINDOLL................Improving Your Serve
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Today I choose fellowship......the spiritual glue in life is found in the words "one to another."................JRE