Every Day

Every day is a good day,
For God has made it so;
Enjoy your time upon the earth,
And let your spirit grow;
Reach out and touch someone whose near,
With the power of your love,
Whatever gifts that you may have,
Came down from up above;
So, keep compassion in your heart,
And readily share His Word,
Give thanks to God, praise His name,
For He alone deserves.
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Selection from: "Pieces of My Heart"
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Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

Unfortunately, we tend to live in a way that draws attention to ourselves...our cars, our clothes, our careers, our position, our cleverness, our success. And when life is all about us, it's hard for people to see Jesus in us. Jesus saved us to be reflections of His glory (Rom. 8:29), but when we live for ourselves, our shadow gets cast on the canvas of His presence in us. (Our Daily Bread, Joe Stowell)

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down...those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice."

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. It is because of Him that we are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God...that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Don't get in the way of a great painting in progress. Live to let others see Jesus in you. (Our Daily Bread, Joe Stowell)

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Supporting Source and Scriptures: Our Daily Bread, Joe Stowell; Rom. 8:29; I Cor.1:18-21,27, 30; Is 29:13-14;21.

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It Does Not Matter

It does not matter what the skeptics say,

For I'll continue to watch and pray;

I know it was His voice that I heard,

When I read and believed His Holy word;

His Holy Spirit resides in me,

Protecting my soul and keeping me free;

Skepticism is of the mind of the flesh,

A haunting foe determined to crush;

But not this soul of mine,

Will I allow skepticism to bind;

Now I'm free as the roots of a tree,

Running l o n g and growing deep;

I know in whom and what I believe,

The blood of Jesus washed my sins away

And I have the faith of a mustard seed;

Skeptics, be still...hear this...Jesus also loves you,

And He gave His life for your deliverance too;

No, it does not matter what the skeptics say,

For my footsteps are ordered day by day;

I'm determined to keep standing tall,

I may lean, but will not fall.

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Even so let your light so shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ---Matthew 5:16

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Birth Pains

Paul has warned that false teaching would increase and be embraced by many because false teaching caters to the needs of their flesh. There are many who have a craving to be entertained and desire teaching that leaves them with good feelings about themselves.

According to God's word...this age will end, and we must watch and pray. We will hear of wars and rumors of wars; nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. Brother will betray brother to death. Father his children and children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate us because of Jesus. He who stands firm will be saved.

God did not give us the spirit of timidity,but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

If we died with Him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, because He cannot disown himself.

As believers we are called to teach and obey the word of God, not to scratch the itches of our culture. (Our Daily Bread, Marvin Williams)

Let's do our best to present ourselves to God as approved workmen who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Let's avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.

God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription:

"The Lord knows those who are His," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must

turn away from wickedness."

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Supporting Scriptures: Mark 13:5,12; II Timothy 1:7; 2:15,19; 4:34

Other Source: Our Daily Bread

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