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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 13:1-31

New Testament Revelation 22:1-21

Psalms/Proverbs Pslam 150-1:6

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflections

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN
THE CITY OF GLORY
The Instruments of Worship


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Psalms sermon

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A FEW THOUGHT ABOUT "RESOLUTIONS"

"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" - Proverbs 24:16

If you make a New Year's Resolution chances are the resolution will fall by the wayside in a few weeks. We tend to have the attitude that once we fail at our "resolution" it's all over. One strike, then you're out.

One problem is our definition for resolution. The root word for "resolution" is not resolute (firmly determined in purpose or staunch) but rather the definition is to resolve (the act or process of resolving, or solving by breaking up into small parts to analyze).

I'm not saying never make resolutions, they can be a good thing. Just make them wisely, understanding that your goal is a life change attitude that comes from inside; not seeing how long you can carry out a new activity.

Spend some time in quiet meditation and ask yourself if you are satisfied with where you are in the Lord. Are you comfortable with how often you pray or read The Word? I hope not. I believe every one of us has room to improve and deepen our relationship with our Lord and Savior. The day we quit growing is the day we start dying. The Lord is always ready to show us something new and fresh.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

By Cheri Thomas
from www.witandwisdom.org
Used with permission


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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts perspective resolution faith

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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 9:38 - 11:21

New Testament Revelation 20:1-15

Psalms/Proverbs Psalm 149:1-9

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflections

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:
THE NEW RESOLVE
THE WAYS GOD WORKS
ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE
NEW SONGS OF JOY


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Psalms sermon

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THANK YOU, FATHER

Thank you, Father, for all You have given me,
much more than I could even count.

For sunlight that streams into my window
and warms my weary heart.
For moonlight on the nights I called out to You
and let You wash away my tears.

For people who love me when I seem most unlovable
but when I need their love the most.
For giving them the grace.
For holding my heart when it is trembling.

For being that guiding Light when I am lost in the
dark, with nowhere to go.
For caring enough to send the very best.
For the peace that my prayers are answered.

For the power you give to such a weak soul as mine
when I reach out and touch you.
When I say "Dear God..." and You flow through me
and suddenly everything makes sense again.

For taking away the confusion when my heart is
aching and when I do not understand.
For soothing the fears that plague me so I can
hardly move.

For putting a smile on my face and laughter in my
heart at the strangest times.
For music which causes my very soul to sing
and soar on the clouds towards You.

For eyes to see the beauty of Your world,
each towering tree and misty sunset, each smiling face.
For voices which communicate love.
To a heart so dry and hungering, they are like water.

For being the foremost of those voices, Lord,
and the One who causes the rest to sing.
For the thrill of a new idea.
For the sweet serenity of a prayer answered, a
sweetness I hold close to me like a treasure, and
I say "My God loves me."
For loving me enough to not answer all my prayers.

For wisdom to know what's best for me,
and the never-ending love to always dispose it.
For miracles, and the joy of knowing You ever deeper.
For loving me in the midst of my sin and bestowing blessings
I could never deserve.

For the peace that enfolds me
with the simple knowledge that
"Jesus cares."
For having the awesome power to move even the most
formidable mountains.
Mountains against which I struggle and rage and
cry, they are too big for me and I stand defeated.

But You who made the stars and the earth and all
the heavens can move them with the snap of a
finger. And leave me awe-struck with nothing to do
but bow down to You majesty
with "Praise the Lord!" on my lips.

And you say,
"I'm not through with you yet, my child.
Show me the next mountain..."
For the great adventure of a life lived with You!

Thank You for being there when my spirit cries
For wiping the tears away from my eyes
For holding my heart close
For loving me when I need it the most

For touching me with moonlight
When I call out to You in the empty night
For the stars and the peace and for my tears
And the feeling of You that surrounds me, soothing my fears

For the times when You have sustained me
And I didn't even know it was You,
too blind to see that over all I do
is the guiding touch of Your hand
Jesus, thank you for allowing me to understand

Author unknown


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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts perspective gratitude faith

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Just Pedal ...

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the
things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when
I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized his
picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on, when I met God, it seemed as though life were rather like
a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was at
the back, helping me pedal.

I don't know when it was that he suggested that we change places, but
life has not been the same since. When I had control I knew the way. It
was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between
two points. But when he took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up
mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I
could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I worried and was
anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't
answer! and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and
entered into the adventure. And when I'd say "I'm scared," He'd lean
back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed; gifts of healing,
acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey. And we
were off again. He said, 'Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage,
too much weight.' So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in
giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd
wreck it; but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take
sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly
to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the
strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool
breeze on my face with God as my delightful constant companion.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says,

"Just Pedal!"

Author Unknown

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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts perspective God faith

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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 9:1-37

New Testament Revelation 19:11-21

Psalms/Proverbs Psalm 148:7-14

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflections

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:
LET US BOW BEFORE OUR MAKER
THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
UNIVERSAL PRAISE


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Psalms sermon

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Remember the Duck?

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.
He was given a slingshot to play with,
but only in the woods.
He practiced in the woods,
but he could never hit the target.
Getting a little discouraged,
he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw grandma's pet duck.
Just out of impulse, he let it fly,
and hit the duck square in the head and killed it.
He was shocked and grieved.
In a panic, he hid the dead duck in a woodpile
only to see his sister watching.
Sally had seen it all, but said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said,
"Sally, let's wash the dishes."
But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help
in the kitchen today didn't you Johnny?"
And then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?"
So Johnny did the dishes.

Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing,
and Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper."
But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help."
And she whispered again, "Remember the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed home.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's,
he finally couldn't stand it any longer.
He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck.
She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said,
"Sweetheart, I know that. But because I love you, I forgive you.
But I was wondering just how long would you let Sally make a slave of you."

I'll bet Jesus sometimes wonders the same thing!
How often we allow ourselves to be enslaved
by our unwillingness to confess our sins.
We just go on living and sacrifice all
of the peace and forgiveness that God wants to give us.
It leaves us so that we cannot even enjoy the good that is in our lives.

God knows how we have fallen short of His glorious perfection
and has sent His son to die for our sins.
If we confess them and turn to Him,
we will be washed clean and set free from guilt.
But as long as we claim we haven't sinned
there can only be bondage to our past
and our need to cover it up from ourselves.

He is waiting to hear from you..

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."
1 John 1:8-10.


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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts perspective sin grace faith

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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 7:4 - 8:18

New Testament Revelation 18:17b - 19:10

Psalms/Proverbs Psalm 148:1-6

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflections

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:
THE SHINING LIGHT
THE DRAGON LADY
THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
UNIVERSAL PRAISE


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Psalms sermon

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Food For Thought

God didn't promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow, sun without rain,
but He did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road humps,
they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards.
Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want,
just sit tight and be happy,
because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means.
There's a purpose to life's events,
to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you,
all you can do is be someone who can be loved,
the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

What the heart gives away is never gone... It is kept in the hearts of others.
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risks.

Secure a special place in your heart. A certain place only you can enter.
For there will come a time when you need to find yourself and only
your heart will show you the way.

The measure of love is when you love without measure.
In life there are very rare chances that you'll meet the person you
love and loves you in return.
So once you have it don't ever let go, the chance might never come
your way again.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the
one you love because of pride.
We spend so much time looking for the right person to love or
finding fault with those we already love,
when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

When you truly care for someone, you don't look for faults,
you don't look for answers, you don't look for mistakes.
Instead, you fight the mistakes,
you accept the faults, and you overlook excuses.

Never abandon an old friend.
You will never find one who can take his place.
Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

Author Unknown


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Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall; Price: $10.77(23% off) Customer Review: This book has totally changed my life. RT Kendall offers an amazing piece of work that, as you discover from the book, was born out of his own personal experience. The book is full of practical teaching about what our misconceptions of forgiveness are and what true Godly forgiveness is..... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: daily-thoughts encouragement perspective attitude living

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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 5:1 - 7:3

New Testament Revelation 18:1-17

Psalms/Proverbs Proverbs 31:10-20

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflections

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflection 365-Day Bible

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:

DON'T BACK DOWN -- BUILD UP
DON'T VACILLATE -- PERPETUATE!
THE DRAGON LADY
THE NOBLE WOMAN


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Proverbs sermon

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The Auction

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection imaginable, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.” The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes in the portrait that were so like his sons that his own eyes now welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle.

Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later.

There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their own collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?” Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting ... We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.

“I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have $10, who will bid $20?”

“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”

“$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?”

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once ..., twice ..., SOLD for $10!”

A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now let’s get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “My apologies, the auction is over.”

“What about the paintings?”

“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until after the auction was concluded. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?”

Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out God is all you need . . .

Author Unknown


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Precious Memories by Alan Jackson; Price: $9.76 (49% off) Customer Review: A few decades ago nearly every country singer had at least one--often more--gospel albums in their catalog. Today, aside from gospel veteran Amy Grant, who balances the sacred and secular, and Randy Travis, that concept has long faded. For Alan Jackson, however, treating the musical past as present has been a way of life, as it is with these 15 tim... [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts father son God perspective christian

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Daily Bible Reading

Double click on the verses to read the verses online. In the new window, click on the speaker icon to listen to the verses.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 3:1 - 4:23

New Testament Revelation 17:1 - 18

Psalms/Proverbs Psalm 147:12-20

Based on NIV Seasons of Reflection 365-Day Bible

Messages referring to the Bible Reading:

DON'T BE PARALYZED -- GET ORGANIZED!
DON'T BACK DOWN -- BUILD UP
THE DRAGON LADY
THE AFFLICTED WILL BECOME THE AFFLUENT


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How to Read the Bible Book by Book Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart; Price: $11.04(35% off) Customer Review: This book provides specific guidance for reading each book of the Bible by providing an introduction and summary of each book. This title also tries to tie together the big picture and how each book fits ... [Buy from Amazon]

Categories: Daily Bible Nehemiah Revelation Psalms sermon

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Sometimes

Somtimes when all life's lessons have been learned
And sun and stars forever more have set
The things which our weak judgements here have spurned
The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet
Will flash before us out of life's dark night
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue,
And we shall see how all God's plans were right
And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

Then be content, poor heart
God's plans, like lilies pure and white unfold
We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart

Time will reveal the chalices of Gold
And if, through patient toil we reach the land
Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest
Where we shall clearly see and understand
I think that we will say "God knew the best"

By May Riley Smith

Wishing you a joyful Christmas celebrating Jesus, our Saviour's birth, and a blessed New Year.


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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts perspective faith attitude

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A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort…
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger…
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears…
To shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection,starvation and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness…
To believe that you can make a difference in this world.
So that you can do
What others claim cannot be done.

Amen

(A Benediction – origin uncertain, described by
some as Franciscan)


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Praying with the Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson; Price: $10.01 (-23%) Customer Review: If you're familiar with "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, you will enjoy this daily devotional. I love what he says in his introduction, "We are most ourselves when we pray" and "When that deep, deep center of our lives is exposed -- our core humanity, which biblical writers so vigorously designate as "heart" -- [read more]

Categories: daily-thoughts prayer blessing faith

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