Monday, August 29, 2011
"It Is Completed"
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Do You Know Why You're Living?
Do You Know Why You're Living?
Jesus knew exactly why He lived. He said in John 18:37, "For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." That's what He thought about, prayed about, planned for, worked towards, sacrificed for, died and rose again for, and finally accomplished. By fulfilling His destiny He changed the world forever.
So, do you know your destiny? What are you doing to achieve it? "We are... created... to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) Does that sound like a life of aimless wandering with no known destination? The Bible says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9) Plan well, but always stay open to God's direction. "...All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16) God's plan for your life was set before you were a twinkle in your parents' eyes! If you fail to follow His path you'll miss His best for your life.
The Bible is full of examples of people who crashed and burned at some point. King Saul is a great example. Recalling it, David his successor prayed first, "I desire to do Your will..." (Psalm 40:8) Your desires are the driving force in life, so make sure they're in harmony with God. Secondly he prayed, "Teach me to do Your will..." (Psalm 143:10) When it comes to doing God's will, the Psalmist acknowledged he needed God's help. You do too.
from firstIMPRESSIONS Vol. 11.31
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The Search Is On
The Search Is On
by Alan Smith
The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, "Hello?"
Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes", whispered the small voice.
"May I talk with him?" the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, "No."
Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes", came the answer. "May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No."
Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.
"Is there anyone there besides you?" the boss asked the child. "Yes", whispered the child, "A policeman."
Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he's busy", whispered the child. "Busy doing what?" asked the boss. "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman", came the whispered answer.
Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"
"A hello-copper", answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?" asked the boss, now alarmed.
In an awed voice the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper!"
Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, "Why are they there?"
Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, "They're looking for me!"
It reminds me of how we act toward God at times. When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God. Not physically, of course. But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God's people, Bible study, and prayer. We try to avoid God, hoping He won't notice.
But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back. And even at times when I've done something I'm ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?... Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?" (Luke 15:4,8)
Is Somebody looking for you today?
This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com
Friday, August 12, 2011
A thought from the Pentecostal Evangel
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"A dying world waits for the gospel. Four billion people have never had an
adequate witness of salvation in Jesus Christ. How will you respond? If
Jesus is calling you to be a part of His mission .. and you are willing to
pay the price ... there is room for you."
"Room for You," Randy Hurst
Pentecostal Evangel, August 7, 2011
http://www.pe.ag.org
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
"Seek After God"
Monday, August 8, 2011
"Learn From Mistakes"
Thursday, August 4, 2011
"There's A Famine"
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
"Growth Is Obvious"
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
"Choose The Way of Escape - Part 2"
Coffee Break
Monday, August 1, 2011
"Choose The Way of Escape"
Coffee Break