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alt.christnet.prayer

If you have access to newsgroups you might want to subscribe to alt.christnet.prayer.  It's visited by many solid Christians who share stories and pray for one another.  The following stories, scriptures, and prayers are from this newsgroup. 

Please note: the purpose of this page is to bless visitors with words of wisdom from a Christian point of view.  It is not our intent to plagiarize the work of any individual or group.  If any of the writings on this page are not in the public domain, please let us know at drlen@familymartialartscenter.com and we will immediately remove it.  Thank you.

March 8, 2006
Daily Success Key
What You Learn On Sunday Will Be Stopped By Your Worry On Monday. Matthew 13:22 (NLT)

"The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced."

The Bible tells us that worry will choke the Word of God and make it of no effect. Can you imagine that? Worry can actually stop the powerful Word of God from working. We must understand that worry is not something to be played with or to be taken lightly. Worry is the proof that faith is absent!

We cannot worry and walk in faith at the same time. The moment faith enters is the moment worry must exit. It is interesting to note that when we worry we are documenting that we don't believe what God said. Remember, God's greatest pleasure is to be believed and His greatest disappointment is when He is doubted. What does our worry say about our faith in God?

Although we may get excited about the principles taught to us on Sunday it will take us refusing worry on Monday to see God's Word manifest in our lives. Never forget, when worry knocks at your door let the Word of God answer! Trust me, worry will flee in terror.

Confession
"I walk by faith and not by sight. I refuse to look at my circumstances knowing that whatever I focus on will multiply. I will have Jesus answer the door when worry comes knocking. I stand on the Word of God and I refuse to allow worry to enter my home."

Scripture Reading
Proverbs 8
Psalm 68

March 9, 2006
Daily Success Key,
Faith Is The Magnifying Glass Through Which We Must View God's Word.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
"So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

What looks bigger in your life - your circumstance or God's Word? God's Word was true yesterday and it holds true today. Regardless of the struggles we may face, God's Word does not change. I thank God that He doesn't lie; I know that I can stand on His Word and watch Him set me free. He is faithful and He desires to show Himself strong on our behalf.

There is an interesting aspect many people seem to ignore when believing God's Word during a time of contrary circumstances: He never told us when, He just told us what He was going to do. We must remember that God is not a man that He should lie. What He said…He will do!

The question is - Are we going to view His Word through the eyes of the magnifying glass called 'faith' or the blindfold called 'sight'? We must choose how we will perceive life. Our perception will ultimately determine our destination.

Confession
"Father, I thank You that You don't lie. What You said, You will do. I refuse to look at the troubles that I can see. I look at what I cannot see through the eyes of faith. I understand that Your Word does not change. I will walk by faith and not by sight in Jesus' name.

Scripture Reading
Proverbs 9
Psalm 69-70

March 10, 2006

Daily Success Key

God’s Timing Can Only Be Destroyed By The Deadly Enemy Of Doubt.

Hebrews 6:12   (NAS)

“That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” 

2 Peter 3:9   (NKJV)

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness…” 

There are times that what we are believing for seems to take longer than what we expected.  Since the beginning of time, Satan has been attempting to convince us that God is not going to come through for us.  We must understand something about believing the promises of God:  God told us what was going to happen, He just never told us when.

God’s timing is the right timing no matter when it is.  We live in a world that is run under the economy of evil. God has given us the power and authority to live above the world’s system.  He has given us His Word so we can walk by faith and not by sight.  If Satan can keep us walking by what we see he will destroy us.  But, if we stay in the realm of faith we can thwart all of his diabolical strategies.

The Scriptures tell us in Matthew 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”  That is exactly what we must do.  The reason we are called to take God’s kingdom is because Satan is attempting to take it from us.  He is going to put up roadblocks, send every demon, and lie to you every day about how God is not going to come through to keep His own promises.  At that point many fall away and never receive what God promised.

We must stand strong and continue to press in and believe God, knowing that He is not a man that would lie, but what He said He will do.  Through faith and patience we will receive what is promised.

Confession

“Father, I thank You that I am full of faith and I am patient.  I will receive what is promised for You are not slack concerning Your promise.”

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 10-12

March 13, 2006

Daily Success Key

Promotion Is Never Granted By Performing The Tasks You Are Already Paid To Do.

Matthew 5:41   (NKJV)

“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

You have to do more than what is expected of you. “Yes, but I’m so busy,” you may say. I understand, but you have to realize that everyone is busy, not just you. If you are overloaded when a task is asked of you, go to your supervisor and ask him to prioritize your assigned tasks for you.

There are endless opportunities available to a person who is willing to go beyond the confines of their P.R.D. (Project Results Description). Taking on extra work by your own initiative shows your superiors that you are determined to succeed, both as an employee and in your personal life. Chances are that your company is looking to grow. If you can add fuel to that fire, in time you’ll be rewarded for it.

Confession

“Father, I thank You that I go above and beyond what is required of me. I chose to do everything as if I were doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 13

Psalm 71-72

February 27, 2006
Daily Success Key

Progress Is Guaranteed The Moment You Commit Your Life Into The Hands Of God.

Romans 12:1   (NKJV)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

It is only a matter of time before we see those who have yet to commit their life to God cry out for help. Although they may have all the possessions one could want, their internal life is in shambles. God always begins on the inside before He ever manifests on the outside. True progress is when one commits their life and their plans to the Lord and allows Him to lead and guide their steps.

As you commit your work to the Lord, your plans will succeed. You must choose today to give God not part, but your entire life. He deserves it! God desires to make you great; all He requests is your compliance! John the Baptist said (and we must do the same), “I must decrease and He must increase.” That means the more we pursue God, the less we desire the pleasurable things this world has to offer.

Confession
”Father, I thank You that I am a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to You which is my reasonable service.”

Scripture Reading
Proverbs 27
Psalm 60-61

February 24, 2006

Daily Success Key, February 24, 2006

In today's issue of the Daily Success Key my desire is to offer valuable, relevant and insightful revelation of God's Word that is applicable to your everyday life. My mission is to help you achieve in every area.  You deserve the best as well as those around you.

Daily Success Key
 

The Only Time It Is Right To Look Down Upon Another Is When You Are Bending Over To Pick Them Up!

Romans 12:10   (NKJV)
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

There is no need to boast or brag of your advancement because true greatness never boasts. You shouldn’t have to. Whenever you find one who sings his own praise, you can be sure insecurity and doubt are in his heart. Allow your attitude to convey a message that you are a man or woman of excellence, and you will continue to excel in everything you do.

As you begin to cultivate this attitude of increase, refuse to allow yourself to look down upon another. Always seek to see yourself as lesser than those you are around. Take the posture of a servant. Samuel Milton Jones said, “What I want for myself I want for everybody.” With that intent, promotion chases us!

Confession
“Father, I am kindly affectionate toward others with brotherly love. In honor I give preference to others.”

Scripture Reading
Proverbs 24-26

September 3, 2005

Am I A Fireman Yet? 

HOW  BIG  OUR  GOD  IS

Stop telling God how big your storm is.

Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is!

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared

down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with sadness,

she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams.

Now that was no longer possible.

The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked,

"Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?

Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."

Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona,

where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.

She explained her son's final wish and

asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year old son a ride around

a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that.  If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning,

we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day.

He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls,

the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes,

we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy --

one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it,

a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.

They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform

and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station.

He was in heaven.

There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car.

engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true

with all the Love and attention that was lavished upon him,

so deeply touched Billy,

that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse,

who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone,

began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman,

so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a

fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, "We can do better than that.

We'll be there in five minutes.

Will you please do me a favor?

When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system, that there is not a fire?

It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time.

And will you open the window to his room?

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------

16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.

With his mother's permission,

they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.

With his dying breath,

Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,

Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief,

Jesus, is holding your  hand," the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said,

"I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.."

He closed his eyes one last time.

My instructions were to send this to anyone that I wanted God to bless, and I picked you.

December 23, 2004

To Meet Such  Man

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square.  The food and the company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street.  There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back.  He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him.  Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind.

We finished our meal and went our separate ways.  I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them.

I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor.  I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response.  I drove through town and saw nothing of him.  I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square."

Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town.  As I turned the square's third corner.  I saw him.  He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on.  The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park.  I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

Looking for the pastor?" I asked

"Not really," he replied, "just resting."

"Have you eaten today?"

"Oh, I ate something early this morning."

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"

"Do you have some work I could do for you?"

"No work," I replied.  "I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch."

"Sure," he replied with a smile

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.

Where you headed?"

"St. Louis."

"Where you from?"

"Oh, all over; mostly Florida."

"How long you been walking?"

"Fourteen years," came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual.  We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier.  His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years.  His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling.   He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story."

Then Daniel's story began to unfold.  He had seen rough times early in life.  He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.

Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona.  He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment.  A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly.  He gave his life over to God.

"Nothing's been the same since," he said, "I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now."

"Ever think of stopping?" I asked.

"Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me.

But God has given me this calling.  I give out Bibles.  That's what's in my sack.  I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads."

I sat amazed.  My homeless friend was not homeless.

He was on a mission and lived this way by choice.  The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?"

"What?"

"To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?"

"Oh, it was humiliating at first.  People would stare and make comments.  Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome.  But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me."

My concept was changing, too.  We finished our dessert and gathered his things.  Just outside the door, he paused.  He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you.  For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in."

I felt as if we were on holy ground.  "Could you use another Bible?" I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation.  It traveled well and was not too heavy.  It was also his personal favorite.  "I've read through it 14 times," he said.

"I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see." I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

"Where are you headed from here?" I asked.

"Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon."

"Are you hoping to hire on there for a while?"

"No, I just figure I should go there.  I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next."

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission.  I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining.  We parked and unloaded his things.

"Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked.  "I like to keep messages from folks I meet."

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched My life.  I encouraged him to stay strong.  And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah,   "I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a future and a hope."

"Thank you ," he said.  "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you."

"I know," I said, "I love you, too."

"The Lord is good!"

"Yes, He is.  How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked.

"A long time," he replied.

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.  He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and

said, "See you in the New Jerusalem."

"I'll be there!" was my reply.

He began his journey again.  He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles.  He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"

"You bet," I shouted back, "God bless."

"God bless." And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong.  The cold front had settled hard upon the town.  I bundled up and hurried to my car.  As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw

them...  a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle.  I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words:

"If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.  They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry.

"See you in the New Jerusalem," he said.

Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!

"I shall pass this way but once.  Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

Love Your Enemies

 During one of Mr. McKinley's congressional campaigns he was followed from place to place by a reporter for a paper of the opposite political party.  The reporter was one of those shrewd, persistent fellows who are always at work, quick to see an opportunity, and skilled in making the most of it.  While Mr. McKinley was annoyed by the misrepresentation to which he was almost daily subjected, he could not help admiring the skill and tenacity with which he was assailed.  His admiration, too, was not unmixed with compassion -- the reporter was ill, poorly clad, and had an annoying cough.  One night Mr. McKinley took a closed carriage to a nearby town at which it had been announced he would speak.  The weather was wretchedly raw and cold.  He had not gone far when he heard that cough and knew that the reporter was riding with the driver in the exposed seat.  McKinley called to the driver to stop so he could get out.  "Get down off that seat, young man," he said.  The reporter obeyed, thinking the time for the major's vengeance had come.  "Here," said Mr. McKinley, taking off his overcoat, "You put on this overcoat and get into the carriage."  "But Major McKinley," said the reporter, "I guess you don't know who I am.  I have been with you the whole campaign, giving it to you every time you spoke, and I am going over tonight to rip you to pieces if I can."  "I know," said Mr. McKinley, "but you put on this coat, and get inside and get warm, so that you can do a good job."

Prayer, Faith, and Repentance

1 Samuel 12:21-25 (NKJV):
"And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV):
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Matthew 5:43-45 (WEB):
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

Mark 11:22-26 (WEB):
Jesus answering said to them, "Have faith in God. For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions."

John 3:21-24 (WEB):
Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness toward God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

Miracles Follow Belief

Throughout the ministry of Christ, Jesus asked those seeking healing, "Do you believe that I am able to do this..." and such.  It was only after they said yes that He did miracles among them.  Peter walked on water only when he believed.  There was even a town that Jesus refused to do miracles in because they didn't believe.

Is that town your town?  Do you doubt God and then blame Him for not coming to your aid?  That is because you refuse to let Him be God and to do things His way.  You want to be God and make God respond to you as a genie.  The fact that He won't do things your way should be proof enough that you aren't God and don't control Him.

If you want God to work in your own life, it begins with belief...

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6
 

Victory Over Temptation

Why are we tempted? To learn to rely on the Lord. We can never have victory over temptation in our own strength.

There is no temptation too great that God can not sustain us if we trust Him. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Jesus quoted scripture specific to the temptations brought by Satan.  My favorite scripture is the Lord's prayer.

Now the temptations of Christ included the same things we are tempted by. And, Jesus is able "to sympathize with our weaknesses." Hebrews 4:15

While the Lord never sinned, His temptations were not easy: "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

We need to be alert to the stirrings of temptation in our hearts.  Temptation, if unchecked early-on, can snowball into a nearly
overpowering urge to sin.

Jesus recognized our need to be watchful:

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Matthew 26:41

What Do You Get Out of Church?
Have you heard the story of Jim Smith and Ron Jones?  Jim went to church one Sunday morning.  He heard the organist miss a note, and he winced.  He saw a teen talking when everyone else was praying.  He felt certain the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him boil.  Five times, by actual count, he caught the preacher in slip-of-the-tongue mistakes.  During the invitation, he slipped out the side door, all the while muttering to himself, "What a waste of time!"
 

Ron went to church, also.  He heard the pianist play an arrangement of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," and he was stirred to worship by the majesty of it.  A special missions offering was received, and he was glad his church was doing what they could for people around the world.  He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday; it really spoke to a need in his life.  He thought, as he shook the preacher's hand and left, "How can anyone come here and not feel the presence of the Lord?"
 

Both men were in the same church the same day.  Each found what he was looking for.  It has been said that churches and banks are much alike in one respect:  "What one gets out is, for the most part, dependent upon what one puts in."

Things You Will Never Be Sorry:

    For telling the truth;
    For living a pure life;
    For your faith in Christ;
    For acknowledging your sins;
    For doing your best;
    For thinking before judging;
    For forgiving your enemies;
    For helping a fallen brother;
    For being loyal to the church;
    For standing by your principles;
    For being courteous and kind;
    For money given to he Lord's cause;
    For being honest in business.

Contending With The Flesh

In the lifelong struggle with temptation and natural desire, believers are told to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ.  This becomes a daily activity by which you decide who is going to live your life for you today.  Are you going to live in the flesh, or is Jesus going to have the privilege of living His life through you?

People have different terms for the "flesh," but simply put, it is the natural part of each person that desires to operate in opposition to God.  It usually manifests itself by challenging the restrictions that the Lord set for mankind's good.
 

Once we are saved, we fluctuate between two mindsets--that of the Spirit leading toward God and that of the flesh leading away from Him.  While we will always retain old fleshly patterns of thinking, we do not have to succumb to living by them, because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  But since our two ways of thinking are in opposition to each other, conflict and warfare naturally result.
 

We are in a real battle, which requires real weapons.  The Lord has given us the helmet of salvation so that we will not surrender our minds to ungodly thinking.  The breastplate of righteousness protects our emotions from giving way to natural desires.  We also put on the belt of truth, which enables us to walk in keeping with godly principles rather than according to the flesh.  And the Lord has provided a true shield of faith for us because there are actual darts of doubt.  In other words, we are at war, but we are well equipped for it.  God always leads us in triumph.

InTouch Ministries

Galatians 5 (NLT)
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

26 Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

Setting The Example

Part of the disciples' training was practical application.  Jesus would teach; then He would bring the lesson to life through a parable or a real-life experience.  By walking on water, He displayed supernatural abilities. Withdrawing to be alone with the Father, He portrayed His devotion and set an example for His disciples to do likewise.
 

A group of people gathered, numbering more than four thousand; they were hungry, and Jesus willingly fed them.  It was His way of saying, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:48).  Peter, overwhelmed by all he had witnessed, made the following confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matt. 16:16).
 

Jesus came to point men to God.  He also came to identify personally with each one of us.  The people prayed that Jesus was the  One who would set Israel free from years of Roman oppression. They didn't understand His greatest desire was to restore the love that man had lost for God.
 

What is your greatest desire? Is it to know God's love and affection?

During the Transfiguration, Peter was so overcome with emotion that he could only whisper his heart's desire:  "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles"  (Mark 9:5).
 

Jesus was much more than flesh and bone; He was God, and Peter wanted to be found hidden in His love.

Prayer:  Lord, my greatest desire is for You. Hide me in Your love.

    "That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
    that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be
    able to comprehend with all the saints what is the
    width and length and depth and height--to know the
    love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may
    be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephe. 3:17-19)

A Gift of Love
Reflections for the Tender Heart
Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Timothy 3-5

Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious, they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God, they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject it's real power. Keep away from such people.

1 Cor. 15:58 (NLT)

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."

Exodus 23:20
"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off."

There are many truths that you can gain from this...

1.  God know the enemies that we will face in our path.
2.  God sends help to fight our enemies for us (we are not alone).
3.  God knows the best way for us to go.
4.  God prepares a place (reward or goal) for us to achieve.

Would you like a closer relationship with God?  You are a single prayer away from seeing a miracle in your life.  When you pray this prayer from your heart, you'll bring yourself into an immediate, personal and eternal relationship with our Lord.  Remember, not a single life has every been miraculously transformed by atheism.

If you've just prayed that prayer, please let someone know.  Then, find a modern day translation of the Bible that you can understand.  A good place to begin reading is in the Gospel of John.  Finally, find a church near you that teaches the full gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we can help in any of these matters, please contact us at: missbrenda@familymartialartscenter.com or (978) 342-9911.

God Bless!