News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

A PASSION
FOR PEOPLE ~

2 Corinthians 5:9-21
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He died for all, that
those who live should
live no longer for
themselves, but for
Him who died for
them and rose again.
--2 Corinthians 5:15
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Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

This quote appears on a Web site intended to help people discover what they are passionate about so they can live with greater significance.

The apostle Paul's passion was largely driven by concern for the eternal destiny of others. In 2 Corinthians 5, he names three things that fueled his passion. First, he recognized that he was accountable to Christ for his service (vv.9-10). Second, Paul was driven by Christ's love and a desire that others would know the love that he had experienced. In verse 14 he wrote, "For the love of Christ compels us." Finally, he understood that a lost and dying world needs the Savior (v.20).

What are you passionate about? Paul's passion for people was fueled by the love of Christ--and ours should be as well. Let's apply Twain's words of challenge to our efforts in outreach: "Sail away from the safe harbor." Share the love of Christ with someone today. - B Crowder

Set us afire, LORD, stir us we pray!
While the world perishes, we go our way
Purposeless, passionless, day after day;
Set us afire, LORD, stir us we pray!

<><
TALKING TO CHRIST ABOUT OTHERS
HELPS US TO TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST. + + +

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag

For the love of Christ compels us..

In Isaiah 55:11 , he penned ,"My word that goes out from my mouth shall not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
The LORD is watching over His word.
Even in heaven the angels rejoice over ONE sinner, that repents!

Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray!

As Peter said in Acts 5:29 "We must obey God rather than men!"
We are on this earth primarily to give God glory.

Set us afire, LORD, stir us we pray!
Amen!

--ALL CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO 'GO AND TELL'~~

--Do I have a role to play in communicating God’s truth to others?
--(Matthew 28:19-20-NIV)

--"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

-God never wants us to keep what He teaches us to ourselves. Whether it is money, insight, or truth, He wants us to share it with others. There is a tremendous blessing to be gained by opening our hearts and lives to those who need to know about the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

The truth is Jesus commands us to “make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). Just before He ascended to heaven, He told His disciples, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He never intended for the disciples to keep the truth of His Word stored away in personal reservoirs of knowledge. Instead, He instructed them to give away all they received from Him. He commands us to do the same.

Paul also admonished Timothy, his young protégé, to communicate the truth he had learned to others who would, in turn, pass it along (2 Tim. 2:2). Elsewhere he noted, “We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). The sole purpose of an ambassador is to relay the policies and decisions of their superiors to the people of the countries where they serve. Likewise, we have an obligation to declare the divine plan and scriptural policies of our Master.
--IN TOUCH~='BLESSED ARE YOU--By: Paul Wilbur'
<http://youtu.be/HDhALE--Zvw>
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---DECISION / The Evangelical Voice of Today
--July/August 2014
We have a combination of July/August 2014 in this magazine. I hope we can bring it up on the page.
---'COWARDS--/ DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE'

--As Christians we should never be ashamed to share the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and alive today.
Today the 'church' has fallen away from the truth of Scripture. This magazine informs us that many ministries are being 'tested' by the secular world and the Bible is being misinterpreted. Please read what you can. If you can, make a donation, or order a subscription. The cost for the paper magazine to come through Postal Service is still just $15.00 ONE YEAR/ and $25.00 TWO YEARS.
<billygraham.org/Magazine>

<http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/>
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--A PASSION FOR PEOPLE~~
"Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners."

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
--John 1:1 ~
-----------

-What does “the Word was God” in today’s verse mean? It means “face to face with God.” It describes the most intimate kind of communion and union.

Christ left the intimacy and “face-to-faceness” with God… He left the glory of Heaven and the majesty of God’s presence… and came to earth.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus left Heaven to be born in a stable…. to walk among men on the dirty streets of Galilee. He lived and died and rose again as a human being.

Isn’t it amazing that God would walk among us? But why would He do this?

He did it because He loves you and me… and He wants you and me to come into a personal relationship with Him. But because we are separated from God by our sin, we can't know God or experience God or get near to God in His absolute holiness. So God came near. He came down in the person of Jesus Christ and paid the price for our sin by dying on the cross.

So let me ask you, how have you responded to Jesus Christ in your life?

If you’ve accepted Him your personal Lord and Savior, I praise God that you’ve made the best decision you will ever make. But if you haven’t made this decision, what’s stopping you from accepting God’s 'free gift' of eternal life right now?

--QUITE SIMPLY: GOD PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR SIN BY DYING ON THE CROSS.
--PP/JG
[We all are/were born into sin, since the fall of Adam and Eve. When Christ died on the old rugged Cross, He did it to pay the sin-debt that you and I owe. And when we become followers of Christ, we are to keep on sharing His Word with the people who come across our paths; emails, various web sites, by phone, letters. We have all the technology to usher in the Kingdom of God! Let's get moving!
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."
--(Matthew 24:13-14) Let's show our passion for other people by leading souls to Christ. "He that winneth souls is wise." "And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

--A Passion For People~~

---SOLITUDE AND SERVICE ~~

-Today's Bible Reading-
-[Luke 9:1-2, 10-17]
'He welcomed them and
spoke to them about
the kingdom of God,
and healed those who
needed healing.' (V.11)
---
-COMEDIAN FRED ALLEN said, "A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well-known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized." Fame often brings loss of privacy along with a relentless frenzy of attention.

When Jesus began His public ministry of teaching and healing, He was catapulted into the public eye and thronged by people seeking help. Crowds followed Him wherever He went. But Jesus knew that having regular time alone with God was essential to maintaining strength and perspective.

After Jesus' twelve disciples returned from their successful mission "to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick," He took them to a quiet place to rest (LUKE 9:2,10). Soon, however, crowds of people found them and Jesus welcomed them. He "spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing" (V.11). Instead of sending them away to find food, the Lord provided an outdoor picnic for 5,000! (VV.12-17).

Jesus was not immune to the pressure of curious and hurting people, but He maintained the balance of public service and private solitude by taking time for rest and for prayer alone with His Father (LUKE 5:16).

May we follow our Lord's example as we serve others in His name.
-'Dear Father, as Jesus Your Son and our Savior honored You in solitude and service to others, may we follow His example in our lives. ~amen'

--TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME OF LIFE ALLOWS YOU TO LISTEN TO GOD.
["Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33]

--ODB/DM --/ Our Father,...Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord...Jeremy Riddle & Amy Renee
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS5nb7WBn2A>

---LET'S VIEW PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY/ = (Through Jesus' Eyes)

Let’s view people differently. Blemished, perhaps. Unfinished, for certain. Yet once rescued and restored, we may shed light, like the two stained-glass windows in my office.
My brother found them on a junkyard heap. Some church had discarded them. A handy carpenter reclaimed them. He painted the chipped wood, repaired the worn frame, sealed the cracks in the colored glass. They’re not perfect. But if suspended where the sun passes through, they cascade multicolored light into the room.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. . .” (Colossians 1:1 You and I are going to come across some discarded people. Tossed out. Sometimes by a church. And we get to choose. Neglect or rescue? Label them or love them? We know Jesus’ choice. Just look at what he did with us!

**--God is With You Everyday/ML**

["For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.
And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His Cross: through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in Heaven.

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deed, yet He, (Jesus), has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach,-- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under Heaven, and of which I, Paul was made a minister."

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." --[Colossians 1:19-24]
[**Friends, we need to edify each other. Let's stop looking at people through our eyes, and look at them through the eyes of Jesus, who died and gave himself for them. He died to save the world (sinners), that's all of us!

Jesus said, "This is my commandment that you love one another, even as I have loved you." ]

--HELPING THOSE IN NEED~~
----(Please Read/ Luke 10:25-37)

--In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. The best way to demonstrate care for relatives, friends, neighbors, and church family is to follow the Lord’s example and bear their burdens. Not only did the Savior take our sin debt upon Himself at Calvary; He also shared in the hurts of those who sought His comfort: blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46), the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11), and those who were demon-oppressed (Matt. 4:24). Jesus doesn’t discriminate with regard to whose burdens He will carry.

We are often tempted to be selective in choosing which acquaintances to help. According to Jesus’ example, we cannot bear someone else’s burdens based upon whether that person has lived up to some standard we have set. There are people who will never dress like us, hold opinions similar to ours, or share our interests. But those same people might be hurting and in need of somebody to help carry their difficulties. A genuine expression of godly love can transform the life of a person weighed down by struggles. Let us shine for Him, and reach out to help others who are struggling. Reach out in Jesus Name and help others.
--IN TOUCH~-/ Crucified With Christ / Phillips, Craig, and Dean ~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_1jazh454>
-----

--WHO'S PUSHING YOUR SWING?

Children love to swing. There’s nothing like it. Spinning trees, a stomach that jumps into your throat. Ahh, swinging… As a child, I trusted certain people to push my swing. They could twist me, turn me, stop me. . .I loved it! But let a stranger push my swing, and it was hang on, baby!

Remember when Jesus stilled the storm? It was frightening enough to scare the pants (or robes) off a dozen disciples. So they ran to wake up Jesus. They ran to do what? Jesus was asleep? How in the world could he sleep through a storm? Simple. He knew who was pushing the swing.

--We live in a world of private storms; strained marriages, broken hearts, lonely evenings. Who pushes your swing? In the right hands you can find peace, even in the storm.

**--God is With You Everyday/ML~~**
[Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of time. You are Mine. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Me. I love you with an everlasting love and underneath are My everlasting arms." ~~]
-'Oceans (Where Feet May Fail--/ Hillsong~)
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoZE2RsthRg>
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--A REMOTE LOCATION ~~

-'My God will meet all
your needs according
to the riches of his
glory in Christ Jesus.'
--(Philippians 4:19)
------
-Tristan da Cunha Island is famous for its isolation. It is the most remote inhabited island in the world, thanks to the 288 people who call it home. The island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,750 miles from South Africa-the nearest mainland. Anyone who might want to drop by for a visit has to travel by boat for seven days because the island has no airstrip.

Jesus and His followers were in a somewhat remote area when He produced a miraculous meal for thousands of hungry people. Before His miracle, Jesus said to His disciples, "[These people] have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way" (Mark 8:2-3). Because they were in the countryside where food was not readily available, they had to depend fully on Jesus. They had nowhere else to turn.

Sometimes God allows us to end up in desolate places where He is our only source of help. His ability to provide for us is not necessarily linked with our circumstances. If He created the entire world out of nothing, God can certainly meet our needs-whatever our circumstances-out of the riches of His glory, in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)~~
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'Dear God, thank You for all that You have provided through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You know what my needs are. Please reassure me of Your care and power.' amen~~

--WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO WHAT WE CANNOT DO. TRUST HIM!
--ODB/JBS --'No Other Name' / Hillsong ~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Ts2pjH5as>
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--Absolute Dependency is Required by the Lord Jesus~

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.
—Ephesians 2:10 (TLB)

Happiness and all of the unlimited benefits which flow from the storehouse of heaven are contingent upon our relationship to God. Absolute dependency and absolute yieldedness are the conditions of being His child. Only His children are entitled to receive those things that lend themselves to happiness; and in order to be His child, there must be surrender of the will to Him.

We must admit we are poor before we can be made rich. We must admit we are destitute before we can become children of adoption. When we realize that all our own goodness is as filthy rags in God’s sight, and become aware of the destructive power of our stubborn wills; when we realize our absolute dependence upon the grace of God through faith and nothing more, then we have started on the road to happiness.

Man does not come to know God through works—he comes to know God by faith through grace. You cannot work your way toward happiness and heaven, you cannot moralize your way, you cannot reform your way, you cannot buy your way. It comes as a gift of God through Christ.
Prayer for the day

'Ever impress upon us, Lord Jesus, that it is through grace that we came to know You; that it is because of You that we stand righteous before You. --Amen~~'--
--Decision~~BGEA
'Take All of Me'/ Hillsong
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhzV3mLmVbU>
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--A PASSION FOR PEOPLE= CARING, LOVING, HELPING IN JESUS NAME~

--We are all on this earth to give glory to our Risen-Alive Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because there is most definitely a Heaven and a Hell. Jesus said the first Commandment is to "LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind." The second is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

We are to LOVE people. Show them that you truly care. Call someone you know who is lonely. Help someone if they are running low on finances. Bake a cake for a lonely neighbor. Write a card to someone who just needs to know they are LOVED. We all need this. Follow in Jesus' steps.~~
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--THE BLESSING OF LOVING OTHERS~~
--(Please Read/ 1 Peter 1:22)--
-"Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart."

--If we responded simply from natural impulses, we’d probably be nice when people were kind. At other times, though, we would likely be vengeful, angry, or hurtful.

Yet Jesus clearly teaches us to love even when those around us seem unlovable. And He lived out what He taught: Christ loved us enough to die for us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). Surely, out of gratitude for what He did, and with His strength, we—His followers—can love others (1 John 3:14).

While it’s hard to respond to unkindness with love, such godly behavior can lead to great blessing in our life. First, the Father is pleased. This realization should bring His children joy, peace, and a sense of accomplishment. Next, believers ought to feel excitement and anticipation to watch how God will move in the relationship. Finally, there will be an awareness that the Holy Spirit is working from within, enabling divine love to flow through yielded human lives.

John 13:35 tells of an important benefit: Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Since unconditional godly love is uncommon in our world, people will notice.

Treating others as we want to be treated is what builds the deep, satisfying connections that all people desire. Without significant relationships, life lacks meaning—regardless of how many possessions or acquaintances we have. So think about the people you come in contact with throughout the week. Are you treating them the way that Jesus modeled?
--IN TOUCH~~--/'POUR MY LOVE ON YOU' - / By: Misty Edwards~~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81VquT1yXu0>
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----BEING A TRUE FRIEND~~

-Poet Samuel Foss wrote, "Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man" ("The House by the Side of the Road"). That's what I want to be -- a friend of people. I want to stand by the way, waiting for weary travelers. To look for those who have been battered and wronged by others, who carry the burden of a wounded and disillusioned heart. To nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word and send them on their way. I may not be able to "fix" them or their problems, but I can leave them with a blessing.

Melchizedek, both the King of Salem and a Priest, blessed Abram when he was returning weary from battle (GEN. 14). A "blessing" is more than a polite response to a sneeze. We bless others when we bring them to the One who is the source of blessing. Melchizedek blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth" (V. 19).

We can bless others by praying with them; we can take them with us to the 'Throne of Grace' to find help in time of need (HEB 4:16). We may not be able to change their circumstances, but we can show them God. That's what a true friend does.~~

'Jesus, teach us to be a friend of people as You are with us.
Give us eyes to see others and their needs and to take the time to listen.
Help us to take them to You, the Source of life.' ~ amen~

----A BIG PART OF LOVING IS LISTENING.

--ODB/DR ---'GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS'/ DON MOEN~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iZzsrwf_aE>
------

--DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR PEOPLE?

--There are many people who have never heard the Name, JESUS. When Jesus left this earth to go sit at the right hand of His Father God, interceding for us, He told us in (Mark 16 verses 15-20), "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all Creation.
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
They will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the Word by the signs that followed." --(MARK 16: verses 15-20 NASB)

If you are truly saved, and born again (Matthew Chapter 3 verses 3-8), the Lord Jesus has given us a 'Commission' to spread His Word. He will come to gather us, His church (people) AFTER His Word has been spread to the ends of the earth. I read an article last week and a teenager asked a Missionary in China, "Who is Jesus?" Many people still do not know our Lord, Savior, Redeemer and blessed King above all kings. Please tell others of Redemption from sin, only through the blood of Jesus. He paid our sin-debt by dying on the Cross. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." Jesus was the only Man who lived and never sinned, the God-Man. So He was the perfect sacrifice. He died so we can live forever with Him.

Please help by spreading His Word. --"ADORE"/ Chris Tomlin~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa-kaUWSbvo>
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---THE GIFT OF TEACHING / AND SERVICE~~
----Please Read/ Romans 12:6-8--/

---God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift to build up the body of Christ and to minister in this hurting world. If our gift is prophecy, we’ll proclaim God’s view of right and wrong. If it is service, we will desire to meet others’ needs. The gift of teaching has these characteristics:

**Organized. Whether in conversation or in a more formal setting, we will seek to communicate information clearly so the listener can follow. God has wired us to analyze material and present it logically.

**Thorough. We want others to understand not simply the conclusion but the steps leading up to it. We also desire to help them think matters through.

**Accurate. Our priority is to know the truth, so we ask questions in an attempt to validate the accuracy of what we learn. We will also inquire about the trustworthiness of our source of information.

**Studious. We derive great delight from studying and researching and are strongly motivated to share what we learn. Truth is presented not simply to share knowledge but with the goal that God will transform the hearer’s life.

**Bible-oriented. With this gift comes a strong desire to know what the Lord has to say. While we may recognize the value of others’ experiences, we are less motivated by personal illustrations than by the actual words of Scripture. Follow in the Lord's steps.

All of the spiritual gifts can be used in the workplace, in our communities, and in our homes. If your gift is teaching, allow the Spirit to direct your ability for God’s glory and others’ gain. Always be willing to serve others. We also have the gift of helps. We need each other. ~~
-IN TOUCH~~ --/ 'King of Majesty' / Hillsong~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfeubqXLc4g>
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--THE GIFT OF THE MAGI~~

"We saw His star
when it rose and
have come to worship
Him." (Matthew 2:2)

--A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE had more love than money. As Christmas neared, both struggled to find a gift that would show how much they cared for the other. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Della sold her long, knee-length hair to buy Jim a platinum chain for the watch he'd inherited from his father and grandfather. Jim, however, had just sold the watch to buy a set of expensive combs for Della's hair.

Author O. Henry called the couple's story 'The Gift of the Magi.' His creation suggests that even though their gifts became useless and may have caused them to look foolish on Christmas morning, their love made them among the wisest of those who give gifts.

The wise men of the first Christmas story also could have looked foolish to some as they arrived in Bethlehem with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). They weren't Jewish. They were outsiders, Gentiles, who didn't realize how much they would disturb the peace of Jerusalem by asking about a newly born King of the Jews. (V.2).

As with Jim and Della's experience, the magi's plans didn't turn out the way they expected. But they gave what money cannot buy. They came with gifts, but then bowed to worship the One who would ultimately make the greatest of all loving sacrifices for them--and for us. ~~

-"Father in heaven, please help us to learn what it means to give what money cannot buy.~~ LOVE~~

--GOD'S GIFT OF GRACE IS PRICELESS. ~~

ODB/MD~-/'We Three Kings of Orient Are' / Jennifer Avalon~~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mjRxkMBkE>
-----

--IT'S IN THE ATTITUDE ~~

-"Consider it pure joy
...whenever you face
trials of many kinds."
--(James 1:2)--

--REGINA DROVE HOME from work discouraged and tired. The day had started with tragic news in a text message from a friend, then spiraled downward in meetings with coworkers who refused to work with any of her ideas. As Regina was talking to the Lord, she thought it best to put the stress of the day aside and made a surprise visit with flowers to an elderly friend at a care center. Her spirits lifted as Maria shared how good the Lord was to her. She said, "I have my own bed and a chair, three meals a day, and help from the nurses here. And occasionally God sends a cardinal to my window just because He knows I love them and He loves me."

-Attitude. Perspective. As the saying goes, "Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it." The people James wrote to were scattered because of persecution, and he asked them to consider their perspective about difficulties. He challenged them with these words: "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds" (JAMES 1:2).

We are each on our own journey of learning to trust God with hard circumstances. The kind of joy-filled perspective James talked about comes as we learn to see that God can use struggles to produce maturity in our faith. ~~

--GOD CAN BRING TIMES OF GROWTH OUT OF OUR TIMES OF HEARTACHE.~
["But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice." --(Psalm 68:3)]
--ODB/AC --/-Cheri Keaggy/ "There is Joy In the Lord"~~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsfC2V2s_rg>
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--MAINTAINING A QUIET SPIRIT ~~
---(PLEASE READ/ Proverbs 26:4)

When conflict arises, we oftentimes want to rush in and defend our position. Perhaps we even feel justified in blaming others. However, James 1:19 gives different advice for dealing with tension and disputes: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” In other words, more can be accomplished through a calm approach to the situation. Scripture also suggests that we ...

**Pray. First, we should ask the Lord to guard our mouth and give us the right words to say (Luke 12:12). Also, we ought to request discernment with regard to the root issue and insight as to whether we might be at fault.

**See with divine perspective. Our sovereign Lord works every situation for the believer’s benefit (Rom. 8:28). Not only does God use difficulties to teach us, but He also allows us to demonstrate the life of Christ by the way we respond.

**Forgive. Even if someone has hurt us by causing the conflict, we should forgive. Jesus died to pardon all of our sin, and we, in turn, should forgive others. In fact, if we don’t, our lives will become burdened by resentment and broken relationships.

**Respond. If we have done something wrong, we must apologize and ask forgiveness. We should express appreciation that the other person took time to share his concern. Then we ought to acknowledge his feelings and carefully consider his comments.

---How do you respond to conflict? Pray for the strength to stay calm and do what is right­—even during difficult, emotional situations.~~

[Read About Jesus's time spent in 'The Garden of Gethsemane--LUKE 22: Verses 39 thru 46]
-IN TOUCH~--/ The Garden / By: Kari Jobe<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8lVfyfgkHI>
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---SIDE BY SIDE~~

-"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor."
(—Ecclesiastes 4:9)--

In ancient times, a city with broken walls revealed a defeated people, exposed to danger and shame. That is why the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. How? By working side by side, an expression that can well describe Nehemiah 3.

At first glance, chapter 3 might appear to be a boring account of who did what in the reconstruction. However, a closer look highlights how people worked together. Priests were working alongside rulers. Perfume-makers were helping as well as goldsmiths. There were some who lived in nearby towns and came to give a hand. Others made repairs opposite their houses. Shallum’s daughters, for example, worked alongside the men (3:12), and some people repaired two sections, like the men of Tekoa (vv. 5, 27).

Two things stand out from this chapter. First, they all worked together for a common goal. Second, all of them are commended for being part of the work, not for how much or little they did as compared to others.

Today we see damaged families and a broken society. But Jesus came to build the kingdom of God through the transformation of lives. We can help to rebuild our neighborhoods by showing others they can find hope and new life in Jesus. All of us have something to do. So let us work side by side and do our part—whether big or small—to create a community of love where people can find Jesus. —

--ODB/KO

"Dear Lord, help me to work with others, side by side, by showing love and pointing others to Jesus."

---Let’s work together to build the kingdom of God.
--"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" / Rachel Scott ~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKJ5exVTe1g>
------

--DEPOSIT SLIPS~

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
--(Matthew 5:43-46 NIV)

It’s easy to love the people who love us back and pray for people who we know will pray for us too. But why should we love and pray for those people who don’t like us, even the ones who intentionally try to do us harm? Because we get a reward! Make a list of the people who cause you the most pain and begin to pray for them&#8213;not that they would do what you want, but that God would show them mercy and shower them with blessings.

Love them with the strength that God will give you. Pray for them until you can do it with the compassion that Jesus modeled as He looked down from the Cross and said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” The soldiers certainly knew what they were doing as they tortured Him. But they didn’t realize the full ramifications of what they were doing, so Jesus interceded for them. Love and pray for those who persecute you and trust that you are stacking up deposit slips in God’s economy.

**THINK ABOUT IT

**What is your attitude toward those who cause you pain? Do you love them and ask God to shower them with blessings? Let's show others the way to walk with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Many have not even heard the name 'Jesus'. What a shock to have read this last week.

**PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to love and esteem others above myself. Provide new opportunities to practice blessing those who cannot return the same kindness to me. Show me, Lord, who needs expressions of Your love today. In Jesus’ name, amen.


**Blessings,
***Pastor Allen Jackson
**Intend Ministries
---"SHOW ME YOUR WAYS"/ DARLENE ZSCHECH <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQwmddjRnc>
------------

--A MORSEL OF KINDNESS~~

-"Suppose someone has enough to live and
sees a brother or sister in need, but does
not help. Then God's love is not living
in that person." -- (1 JOHN 3: 17)--

~~~Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tostoy turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give."

The beggar brightened and said, "You have given me more than I asked for--you have called me brother."

To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.~~

--He Still Moves Stones/ML~~
--"HIDING PLACE"--(Don Moen)--<https://youtu.be/T--ahOB9WIk>
------

--Spend Time With Jesus~~

"The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still."
---(Exodus 14:14 / NIV)--

--MY BEST friend came to visit me in New York. It was her first time to vist, so I wanted to pack all the sights, food, and fun I could into our four days together..

The first day we took a train into Manhattan at ten in the morning. We walked crosstown, hopped on the subway, and headed uptown to the Cloisters. It was a meditative spot to start our adventure. Then, back on the subway, we went down to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We both love Impressionist painting, so we spent time gazing at the works of Edgar Degas and Vincent van Gogh. Next, we headed farther downtown to a favorite barbecue place. Along the way, we window-shopped and gawked at the towering buildings. Finally, we took a train home at ten thirty that night.

My friend was pooped, not used to so much walking. She suggested we stay closer to home the next day.

In the morning, she came down for breakfast with her knitting in hand. She suggested we sit on the patio and knit. I put on a pot of tea, and we spent all morning catching up and renewing our friendship.

My agenda for the visit had been to rush around and see as much as possible. I forgot that what I needed most was time with my friend. ~~

--"Lord Jesus, slow me down. Open in me the desire to spend time with You and my fellow-friends. Help us to grow together in love for You, our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. Thank You, Jesus. amen" ~
--DAILY GUIDEPOSTS~-- [This Is the Air I ] "BREATHE" / By: Michael W. Smith<https://youtu.be/tdkIuPxgjMI>
-----------

----PRAYING THE DISTANCE~~

-"Devote yourselves to
prayer, being watchful
and thankful."
--(Colossians 4:2)

"You are my hiding place;
You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs
of deliverance.~ "
--(Psalm 32:7) --

---KEVIN WIPED A TEAR from his eye as he held out a slip of paper for my wife, Cari, to read. He knew Cari and I were praying for our daughter to return to faith in Jesus. "This note was found in my mother's Bible after her death, and I hope it encourages you," he said. At the top of the note were the words, "For my son, Kevin." Below them was a prayer for his salvation.

"I carry this with me in my own Bible today," Kevin explained. "My mother prayed for my salvation for more than thirty-five years. I was far away from God, and I'm a believer now." He looked intently at us and smiled through his tears: "Never give up praying for your daughter--no matter how long it takes."

His words of encouragement made me think of the introduction to a story Jesus told about prayer in the Gospel of Luke. Luke begins with the words, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1).

In the story, Jesus contrasts an "unjust judge" (v.6) who answers a request merely because he doesn't want to be further bothered, with a perfect heavenly Father who cares deeply for us and wants us to come to Him. We can be encouraged whenever we pray to know that God hears and welcomes our prayers. ~~

--"Abba, Father, thank You that no request is too large or too small for You.
Help me, Lord, to pray faithfully for those who do not yet know You. In Jesus Name, amen."~

--ODB/JB--"You Are My Hiding Place" / Selah ~ <https://youtu.be/uUx2WcC9JKo>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---WHO WE ARE~~

--"This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name."
---(Acts 9:15)--

---I’ll never forget the time I took my future wife to meet my family. With a twinkle in their eyes, my two elder siblings asked her, “What exactly do you see in this guy?” She smiled and assured them that by God’s grace I had grown to be the man she loved.

I loved that clever reply because it also reflects how, in Christ, the Lord sees more than our past. In Acts 9, He directed Ananias to heal Saul, a known persecutor of the church whom God had blinded. Ananias was incredulous at receiving this mission, stating that Saul had been rounding up believers in Jesus for persecution and even execution. God told Ananias not to focus on who Saul had been but on who he had become: an evangelist who would bring the good news to all the known world, including to the gentiles (those who weren’t Jews) and to kings (v. 15). Ananias saw Saul the Pharisee and persecutor, but God saw Paul the apostle and evangelist.

-We can sometimes view ourselves only as we have been—with all of our failures and shortcomings. But God sees us as new creations, not who we were but who we are in Jesus and who we’re becoming through the power of the Holy Spirit. O God, teach us to view ourselves and others in this way!

--"Heavenly Father, help me to find my full identity in You. Allow me to humbly see others through Your eyes of grace! Help me, Lord, to never be ashamed of You and Your Word. In Jesus Name. Amen" ~
--ODB/PC--/ ---"MADE ME GLAD"-(You Are My Shield) --Hillsong~ / <https://youtu.be/ytE8um04l24>
----------

--THE CHOICE IS OURS~~

-"I will make you my promised
bride forever. I will be good and fair;
I will show you my love and mercy."
---(Hosea 2:19)

~~~For all its peculiarities and unevenness, the Bible has a simple story. God made man. Man rejected God. God won't give up until he wins him back.

God will whisper. He will shout. He will touch and tug. He will take away our burdens; he'll even take away our blessings. If there are a thousand steps between us and Him, He will take all but one. But He will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.

Please understand. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you His. His goal is not to get you what you want; it is to get you what you need. ~~

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." ~~"Whoever will call on the Name of the LORD will be saved." ~~[Romans 10:13] ~~
[Friend, if pictures of Jesus offend you, just listen to the music. We do not know what Jesus truly looks like. But soon we will be with Him. "Even so, Come Lord Jesus!"]
~~"A Gentle Thunder"/ML~~ ~~~"My Heart Is Yours" =Kristian Stanfill ~<https://youtu.be/Hs4-ISAbTRo>
~~~~~~~~~~~

----OUR GOAL / HIS REQUIREMENTS~~

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O G-D, You
will not despise." -(Psalm 51:17)

--"COME AS YOU ARE"~

--G-D is in the business of changing the face of the world.

Let me be very clear. This change is His job, not ours. Our goal is not to make our faces radiant. Not even Jesus did that. Matthew says, "Jesus' appearance was changed" not "Jesus changed his appearance." Moses didn't even know his face was shining (Exodus 34:29). Our goal is not to conjure up some fake, frozen expression. Our goal is simply to stand before God with a prepared and willing heart, broken over past sins, and then let God do His work, through the Holy Spirit by Christ Jesus our Lord.

And He does. He wipes away the tears. He mops away the perspiration. He softens our furrowed brow. He touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship Him, the Sovereign One of the Universe. ~~
~~"Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.~~ [Matthew 11:28,29,30] COME TO JESUS AND LIVE FOREVER!
~~Just Like Jesus/ML~ ~~--"COME AS YOU ARE" + by: David Crowder =<https://youtu.be/4vG4f85AHtg>
~~~~~

~~"IMMERSED IN GRACE"~~

~~"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear
Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He
removed our transgressions from us."
---(PSALM 103:11-12) ~~

~~~To believe we are totally and eternally debt free is seldom easy. Even if we've stood before the throne and heard it from the King himself, we still doubt. As a result, many are forgiven only a little, not because the grace of the King is limited, but because the faith of the sinner is small. God is willing to forgive all. He's willing to wipe the slate completely clean. He guides us to a pool of mercy and invites us to bathe. Some plunge in, but others just touch the surface. They leave feeling unforgiven....

Where the grace of God is missed, bitterness is born. But where the grace of God is embraced, forgiveness flourishes...

The more we immerse ourselves in His grace the more likely we are to give grace. Friend, Jesus has forgiven you (us), completely. Let's take Him at His Word. "You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms."

--"Voice Of Truth"/ Casting Crowns ~ / <https://youtu.be/JYytbMmU1m4>
~~~~

---HOLY DESPERATION ~~

--"[Jesus] turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"
---(Mark 5:30)

--~~WHEN Jesus stood in the midst of the crowd and asked who had touched Him, the disciples must have thought He had lost it. So many people pressed in, yet He wanted to identify just one (Mark 5:31). Eventually, the woman trembled forward with a confession, stunning everyone (v. 5:33).

Jesus knew this woman needed Him. Doctors had drained her resources,and the nonstop bleeding condemned her to be unclean. To avoid contamination, family and friends had to keep away. She couldn't enter the temple. And this had been going on for twelve years! Jesus was her only hope (Mark 5:26-28). So she touched Him. And He knew it.

How do we "touch" Him? Do we approach God with the understanding that He's our only hope? Or do we come carelessly, browsing for blessings?

--In Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 15:8, the Scriptures address the problem of making a verbal show of faith without a true heart commitment. Jesus sees past the facade to what lies beneath. With true sincerity and in dire need, let's seek Him and His loving touch today. ~~
Yes, always, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." --[Hebrews 13:8] Give Him praise! Jesus is the WAY MAKER!

--'God Hears Her'/ Devotions~
--"Way Maker"/ Ruthie Ridley / <https://youtu.be/aNH0m6JV23k>
~~~~~~

---REACHING CLOSED MINDS ~~

---(Please Read/ Acts 26:1-20)--

--Do you know someone whose mind is closed to the Gospel? That describes a lot of people, and we often find it discouraging that despite our prayers for them, they can’t see their need for the Savior.

Responses to the Gospel vary. Some people are quick to respond in faith while others resist. Those who reject Christ may respond with polite indifference, or they could be aggressively antagonistic toward those who speak of Him. At times we might wonder if God’s message of salvation can penetrate those whose minds are shut.

The answer is yes, and the proof is in Acts 9:1-18—the story about the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (later known as the apostle Paul). Saul was a devout Pharisee who professed faith in God the Father but rejected Jesus as God the Son. Hating all those who followed the Messiah, Saul went to great lengths to persecute believers and coerce them to recant their faith in Christ.

But Saul was no match for the omnipotent God. The Holy Spirit convicted this violent man of his sin, gave him an awareness of his own need for salvation, and revealed that Jesus was the only Savior. Then Saul’s spiritually blind eyes were opened.

Today the Holy Spirit is still working to bring men and women under conviction. He uses believers’ lives and testimonies to reveal the truth about Jesus to those with closed minds and hard hearts. If you are currently trying to reach someone like this, be encouraged and continue to pray for that person’s salvation. Then rest in God’s ability to save.

--IN TOUCH~~--"God Is In Control" // Point of Grace / (click this link to hear song)/ <https://youtu.be/AE8p0BZevHk>
~~~~~
[Dear Friends, don't give up hope. We all have unsaved loved ones. We must pray for them. Yes, G-D is in control. Jehovah Yahweh, our loving, covenant keeping God wants to save others. Our job is to be obedient and leave the results to Him. We pray for the lost. We try (by the Holy Spirit), to be His light and salt. We must trust Him. Otherwise it becomes a burden on us. God wants us to be useful for His service. Come on, believers, LET'S PRESS ON FOR JESUS! The Holy Spirit will convict and convert others. He did it for us, and He is still in control. "Thank You, Lord Jesus, for sending laborers in the path of our unsaved loved ones, and opening their eyes to Who you truly are. Jehovah G-D, Elohim, the God above all gods. Blessed be Your Name. Thank You, our Lord and Savior. ~amen~" ]

---THE STAR STILL SHINES~~

~~~ Just as the Light of the world, Jesus, still shines down on us, we are to carry His light to others.

~~The Light of the Star of Bethlehem shone through the darkness and guided the Magi from the east, so today the light of God's love leads us to the Babe in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, to come and bow down and offer Him the thing He wants most...our worship. The shepherds offered their adoration and praise. The Wise Men knelt and offered these gifts and their worship. Today, we are to offer Him a living sacrifice of our hearts laid down in surrender. God's first gift of Christmas is truly made complete in us when we offer our love back to Him. "For all things are from Him, through Him, and back to Him" (Romans 11:36).

In this world we will have trouble. We will face trials of many kinds. we may experience pain and loss. We may experience loneliness, confusion, and anxiety for the future. But just as the Messianic prophecies and the angels broke into the darkness over 2000 years ago, so God's Word breaks in on us in our day. We are not alone. He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to come to us by the Holy Spirit and meets us where we are, bringing comfort, hope, and peace. He also promises that He will "work all things together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Wherever you are, God is with you. His name is IMMANUEL, G0D WITH US. ~~ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020 to each and every one of you, in Jesus Name.
~~A special 'Thank You' to Russ and Laura for allowing the Lord's Word to go forth on this, their website. ~~

--'The Vine and Branches'/ RB~ --[The song below, "Here I Am To Worship" does not have the words on the screen. So please, turn up your volume and be blessed!]
--"Here I Am To Worship"/ Grace Larson Brumley (FWC/) --<https://youtu.be/xH8Ol0SX-Cw>
~~~~~~

~~~SOIL CULTIVATION / CHRISTIANS ARE TO SPREAD THE 'GOOD NEWS' = JESUS SAVES ~~
---[Luke 8:5-8 (NLT) ]

---“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

~~Jesus describes a man whose harvest had nothing to do with the seed or the sower, but the kind of soil where the seed fell. If you buy seed and throw it out in your yard, you’re not going to have a garden. If you want a garden, you’ll need to invest time in preparing and tending the soil. The same is true in our spiritual lives. If we just show up on the weekend and expect our lives to bear great fruit for the Kingdom of God, we will be disappointed. We have to prepare and tend the soil of our hearts in order to receive what God has for us.

THINK ABOUT IT
What steps could you take to “prepare the soil” of your heart? What might need to be weeded out? What would enrich your ability to hear His voice?

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, help me prepare my heart to follow You. Take out the hard places of unbelief that hinder Your Word rooting firmly in me. Help me pull out any “weeds” that are crowding You out. I desire to be fruitful for You. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[Why are we here on planet Earth? We are told in Matthew Chapter 7 verses 17 thru 19, (a parable about people) = "Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can an bad tree produce good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them [Jesus' followers], by their fruits."~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please help spread the Good News of Jesus Christ's soon return. When a person is twice born (see John 3:3,5,6), That person will want to tell others about Jesus and how to spend eternity in Heaven.~~ ]

~~A Passion For People ~~

--"Lord God, light my way along Your path so that all I do leads
me toward the destination You have in mind. Help me, Lord to
never be ashamed of You and Your Word, in Jesus Name. ~amen"
~~~~~~~
~"Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"
---(Romans 9:20/ RSV)--

~~~WHILE waiting for my son Ross at the library, I picked up a book and started reading about James Naismith. In the 1880s, he spent three years in a seminary but never became a pastor. He earned a medical degree but never practiced. As a teacher at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, he invented a game he hoped would hold his students' interest in the gym during the long winter months. With a soccer ball and a couple of peach baskets nailed to the balcony above the hardwood floor, Dr. Naismith invented basketball and changed the world of sports.

I'm intrigued by his story for a couple of reasons. One, he didn't become what he set out to be. His life moved in an entirely different direction from what he had planned. I can't help but think of the direction my own life has taken. I'm not starring in a Broadway musical or hosting a morning talk show. Those were dreams of mine at one time as I studied singing and then later began a career in TV news. But God led me in other directions. Some days I wonder what might have been, but I can't say I'm disappointed. God knew that marriage and children were in my dreams, too, and those have come true beautifully. Now my stage is the church's fellowship hall.

Still, as I'm midway along life's adventure, I'm trying to imagine where God's plan for me is headed. That's where the second and even more intriguing aspect of Dr. Naismith's story comes to mind. When "the Father of Basketball" died in 1939 at age seventy-eight, he had no idea what he had created. The game's phenomenal appeal was still decades away. Like Dr. Naismith, I may never know how what I've done on earth reaches into the future, but God does. On days when I can't see beyond the end of my driveway, I'm comforted by this: God knows well the road I'm on because He set me on it, and He knows where I'm heading because He's leading me there. I simply must follow in His steps, and trust in His Word to guide me. ~~

--Daily Guideposts/GB~~

~~A PASSION FOR PEOPLE~

---NEVER IN VAIN~~

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at
the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do
not give up." ~[Galatians 6:9/ - NIV]

~~~"Hi. It's Bonnie," said the voice on the phone. "I just wanted you to know that I've come back to the Lord." The ring of excitement in her voice when she said these words identified her as the Bonnie who once attended a Bible study I'd taught. Bonnie asked to come over to my house to tell me more.

That afternoon, her voice rang with joy as she told me of her ministry with people new to Canada. "And you won't believe this, but I'm helping with a ladies' Bible study." Women from many countries now gather in Bonnie's living room to study God's Word.

Bonnie's story warmed my heart and reminded me that the time and energy I had spent in our Bible study mattered. When things or people don't turn out as we'd hoped, we may feel as if our work has been in vain. We may even become discouraged and give up. But that day, I learned that nothing we do in the name of Jesus is meaningless. If we do not lose heart and give up, then someday when we've forgotten our efforts or written them off as a loss, our "reward" may just ring the doorbell and tell us stories of grace that will fill our hearts with praise. ~~

-"Dear Lord Jesus, help us to stay faithful in the work you've given us, always remembering its eternal value. Our efforts for You, Lord, are never in vain. ~amen"

--UPPER ROOM/RMB--"Only Jesus" // Casting Crowns~//<https://youtu.be/TAtx1y58jS0>
~~~~~~~~~~~

---CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ~~

---"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
---(Ephesians 2:10 / NLT) --

~~~It’s been said that there are three kinds of people in the world: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who wonder what happened. All of us have probably been in each of those categories at some time. But if I have a choice, I’d rather be in the group that is making things happen, particularly in the context of the Kingdom of God. God has called every one of His people to make a difference in His Kingdom, not just to sit and watch as other people make a difference. To that end, He created us purposefully and gifted us specifically so that we can accomplish the things He has planned for us to do. Let’s not be content to be observers as others grow, serve, and reap the blessings. So let’s determine in our hearts to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and then step out in faith as we follow His leading and accomplish the purposes He has set for us.

THINK ABOUT IT
Our “connected” culture encourages sitting and watching. Accept the Holy Spirit’s challenge to go beyond being a spectator by becoming a participator. Make it your priority to connect to God as He redirects your path.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to participate in Your Kingdom endeavors and accept Your assignments. Sharpen my hearing as I listen for Your voice. Give me the confidence and courage I need as You lead and empower me to make a difference. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson--"Only Jesus"//Casting Crowns // <https://youtu.be/TAtx1y58jS0>
~~~~~

--Knowing the Love of Christ ~~

--"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all fulness of God."
---(Ephesians 3:19 / KJV)--

---We press on, ever striving for the goal in Christ Jesus. "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" -(Philippians 3:13).

--All faithful warriors must remember that they are fighting for the King. "No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2Timothy 2:4). Many successful soldiers in the Lord's army may be gaining new victories each day, although in the bigger picture these may go unrecognized by others and sometimes even by the individual soldier. But these efforts and soldiers will be commended by the One for whom we are fighting.

Our endeavors must always be bathed in prayer as we seek to gain His favor. Our supplication must be "Lord, grant me victory over any sin which besets me. Provide me favor today as I press on in your service. Give me opportunity to teach your Word to those in need. Use me, O Lord, for Your glory." An earnest plea that touches God's heart has great power, and we can look forward to seeing it work mightily.
--ICR/JDM`

--PRESS ON, SAINTS! When we meet the King of glory, we spread His Word. He has called YOUR name,... run out of the grave!
--"Glorious Day" ( live concert/ no lyrics/ turn up your speakers~//Passion //<https://youtu.be/LfzpfqrPUDo>
-------

----We All Are Peacemakers for Jesus~

--"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called children of God."
---(Matthew 5:9) --

~~Blessed are the piecemakers." So reads a small framed needlepoint hanging on my mother-in-law's kitchen wall.

--"Did you know this is spelled wrong?" I ask.
"I never really noticed, I guess," she says, laughing.

I laugh, too. Then I wonder if it really is a mistake. It's certainly true. I think of all the people who do their small part to make our world spin around, including each one of us.

I'm taking care of my small piece, raising my children, singing in the church choir, helping with church activities, cooking, etc. No matter how small or insignificant the matter may be, we do it unto Jesus.

Then I think of my brother-in-law Danny. He's mentally handicapped, employed at a sheltered workshop with hundreds of other people like him, at all levels of ability. They're working on a huge order for one of the big automobile makers. Dan's job is to separate foam pieces Then a more skilled person stacks the pieces. The next person, more skillful yet, staples them to a plastic form. The next attaches those forms to other forms by machine. And on it goes, each worker doing what he or she is capable of: the seemingly smallest piece but at that moment the most important. Then all of it goes back to the manufacturer, and by the time they're done, they've built a car! Each worker is part of the whole, making a piece of the needed product. Just as we all are part of the building of God's kingdom.

Yes, blessed are the piecemakers, each one of us for His Kingdom. And one day we will see Him face to face. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. ~

"Lord, help me to be content to do my small part, knowing I'm a "piecemaker" in the work of Your larger creation. In Jesus Name~ amen~"

--GUIDEPOSTS~/GB~
---"Glorious Day"// Christian Stanfill // (you may need to get the song on youtube/ blocking some)//<https://youtu.be/LfzpfqrPUDo>
~~~~~~~~~

--The Lord Keeps Me Safely~~

---"Lord, Let me dwell in Your tent forever."
--"Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.~~Selah~"
--(PSALM 61:4) --

---When Keith and I first discussed moving out of Los Angeles after he retired, I had mixed feelings. I loved our home. We'd remodeled it so that it was exactly what we wanted, and it was really the only house I'd ever lived in where I was altogether happy. The idea of selling it made me uneasy. "I think of our home as a place of safety, a place that surrounds me with its walls and holds me gently," I said. "I'm afraid to go away from it."

Keith smiled, the way he does when I get frantic over something and he has to point to the terra-cotta plaque on our wall that reads: "Be still, and know that I am God." Keith said, "It's not the house that shelters you."

And I knew that he was right. It was God who held me safely when I was at home--and also when I went away from it. And God would continue to shelter me, whether I lived in Los Angeles or anywhere else. ~

--"Thank You, Lord God, for the loving shelter in which You are letting me live my life. I know that You are always with us. In Jesus Name~ amen"

--Daily Guideposts/RB~
--"Only Jesus"// Casting Crowns // (there may be an ad, be patient, maybe skip it.) <https://youtu.be/TAtx1y58jS0>
~~~~~~~~~~

--Laughter is Good Medicine~~

---"Lord God, I'm thirsty for laughter. Please show me how to pour some refreshing humor on the minor irritations life may bring my way today." ~

--When I walked into the break room at 8:00 a.m. and saw that the coffee machine was broken, I gasped. "What am I going to do without my coffee?" My coworkers laughed, pointing to the huge, hand-printed sign tacked to our barren coffee pot:

'Yes, the coffeemaker is broken. No we don't know what's wrong with it. Yes, we've ordered another one. No, we don't know when it will arrive. And no, we don't know what you are going to do without your coffee?'

We all got a good laugh. Obviously, I wasn't the first to utter those remarks.

My coworkers and I were still huddled in the break room when the next caffeine-deprived soul entered. And when Anna wailed, "What will I do without my coffee?!" I need coffee in the morning!" We all were laughing by this time. We all began singing 'I need coffee in the morning' to the tune of "I Love Paris in the Springtime."

When our manager walked in and said, "Oh no, the coffee machine's broken!" the whole room roared. And then almost as one, we stood up ready to begin our workday fueled by laughter...almost as good an energy-giver as caffeine!

--Guideposts/LN~

---Be On Guard // Live For Jesus ~

--"He said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;
life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." --

~~~FRIENDS INVITED us to spend a weekend at their cabin. Tall trees framed a beautiful view of the lake, and the call of loons invited us to leave behind the worries of the city. Our friends had hung a few hummingbird, feeders from the roof of the screened porch. We sat and relaxed, entertained by the buzzing visitors as they hovered for a drink.

"One of them is a real bully," our friend Jon told us. Sure enough, one plump bird dove aggressively at the others near the feeder and chased them away. There was a generous amount of sugar water in the feeder, and plenty of room for all the birds. Yet, the one greedy bird insisted on harassing everyone else and prevented them from eating. The irony was, he was so busy being sure no one else got more than he did, that he didn't have time to eat either.

I shook my head at his antics but acknowledged that sometimes I'm not that different. Jesus has filled my life with blessings, and I need to share His love with others.

Jesus is so wise to warn us to be on guard. Greed can slip in and become a regular thought and habit before we realize it. He calls us to a life of much greater joy than what possessions can bring us. Let's be sure to share this great love and hope found only in Jesus. ~


--Guideposts/SH~
--"Hope Has A Name" // River Valley Worship //<https://youtu.be/jTYsapLrOto>
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