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Trusting God

Recently I was confronted with a ministry challenge that reminded me that I desperately needed the Lord’s help in order to accomplish what I had to do.  He gave to me the verse,“I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).  I memorized that verse as a child and quoted it many times to myself and to others.  It has a tendency to become a cliche-something we quote but never truly experience.  Yet over the past few weeks I have experienced the strength of Christ daily.  I needed his strength and he supplied.  I needed his comfort and he was there.  I needed his wisdom and he spoke to me.  I can do what God has called me to do, because he has given the strength to do it.


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Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone

 
Fasting is often a solitary practice.  I have fasted many times and in sundry ways and the one thing that stands out in my mind is the loss of conversation and connection at the table.  My wife and I stop eating together because it is at home where fasting is the most difficult.  As long as I am active and busy and away from the refrigerator then I am not tempted to check and see what there is to eat.  Our evening usually include some early evening snack like popcorn or chips and dip so fasting interferes with that connection.  We become single adults living together during a fast and the connection is sorely missed.

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Prayer for Greater Things

Jesus was talking to his disciples about the future when he made the statement in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”  This year we are believing God for “Greater Things”.  In January we have fasted and prayed for 21 days.  Many people accepted the “Daniel Fast” of eating no meat and no sweets, or some other version.  The testimonies are encouraging.  One person talked of how God has revealed his purpose in her life.  Another spoke of how God was confirming a call in ministry.  One person had a breakthrough in her work conditions.  One husband has  begun to seek God’s presence in his life.  God is moving.

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Ten Commandments for Men

1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-22 PLUS

1. Find a spiritual leader for your life and learn from him.

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 

13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.
It’s difficult to make it spiritually on your own, without help from someone.  Find someone you trust and follow them.

2. Learn to get along.  13 b And live peacefully with each other.     If you are always in conflict with others, or even if others are in conflict with you, then you need to check if you are the problem. (compare /Romans 12: 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.


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The Peace of God

I preached recently on the greeting “Grace and peace to you…” which Paul uses in his letters. I understand grace, and thought I understood peace. In preparing for the sermon I reflected in my own life the times in which God’s peace was overwhelming present in my life. The most profound experience of peace occurred as I sat in a four seater airplane as it glided to the earth from 8000 feet in the air. We had engine problems, it was night with clouds at 1000 feet, could not find the airport, the pilot was inexperienced, and me, the passenger was all of eighteen years old.

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Those Who Get Married Will Have Troubles

Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:28 “…“However, those who get married at this time will have troubles,….”   So I am pretty sure that each relationship has some measure of adjustment, difficulty and challenges.  One question is how to make the best marriage possible.  I am writing these devotionals based upon the principle that change doesn’t happen naturally, without some kind of intervention. There is a principle in science that everything left to itself will decay.  I occasionally have watched “Life After People” a History Channel show which predicts what would happen to cities and buildings if man were to disappear from the earth.  One episode showed Wrigley Field completely covered in ivy after many years.  Its an interesting study in what happens when no one is there to “maintain” buildings and infrastructure. 


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The Flowing of the River-Report of Revival in Far East

I received an email from friends overseas this week further reporting on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Far East. They report that during a three day conference nearly 300 people were baptized in the Holy Spirit. These had never been taught about the Holy Spirit, of spiritual gifts and definitely had not heard of speaking in other tongues. Yet they received immediately the teaching and the Spirit came upon them. Praise be to the Lord!

 


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