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Morning Devotional...


Ye also, as  stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5

Man has created some marvelous things. The reality, though, is that even in his greatest achievements, there are flaws.

There is One though, who achieves perfection every time. That is God. He created us. We are His workmanship. We can be so quick to find fault in others, pointing out their imperfections and flaws.

Let's not be so quick to judge. After all, where someone doesn't excel, another does.

God doesn't make mistakes. Silencing criticism, let's work together and use our gifts for the glory of our Father.
--Jonathan Tempest

QuoteThe anvil, the fire and the hammer
are the making of us.

This is SO true!  And the anvil and fire may indeed be the sicknesses and hurts we've been discussing - the ones God allows in our llives.  Then He wields the hammer to straighten out the dents, smoothe out the rough places, and make us into His work of art.  Oh how great and glorious is our God!

Thanks for your generous responses to my question.  I am waiting and hoping to hear from more of you.  It is good to be able to discuss things; and Mieka isn't here to ask her questions which used to spark good discussions.

We are ready to leave for Sunday School.  See you later!

Good Morning: I went to visit Al yesterday and interrupted his baseball game.

Janet I am curious as to why you asked that question.  Was it to stimulate discussion or has someone asked you that question? Or did you just want to know what others believe?

I wish Papa John would come back and Where are Karma and Nards. Papa John and Nards always have some very good answers to the questions we ask.

TTYL

One thing I didn't think of (but Marbeth did) was the example of Job.  God allowed (how about that) Satan to afflict Job.  Job used every means he had to overcome the affliction, though none of it worked.  But God restored him at the end.

Aen Al that what I was referring to when I said that Satan is the one who afflicts us.

October first.....can you believe it??

Good afternoon.  Church was great.  Today the topic of the sermons was 'Loving Your Enemies'...Matt 5:38-48.  When we are hurt by someone, we tend to want revenge.  Too retaliate.  But Jesus says to love your enemies.  Not an eye for an eye but when you get slapped, turn your cheek for another slap.  So hard to do but in the long run, it is best to treat being hurt in this manner.  It is God's will.

Another beautiful day in Indiana.  Lots of sunshine and the temps are higher so guess what...?  My A/C is back on.  I have a few degrees that I am happy at...too hot if above 72° and too cold if below 68°.  Remember in the old days when we didn't have the luxury of A/C?  And the only means of a fan was open the windows and hope for a breeze?  I do. 

I agree with Al and Marilyn...God allows....Satan sends....when it comes to things that happen beyond our control.  I agree we do do things that brings pain and maladies upon ourselves but I believe even that is Satan gradually sending afflictions.  But God is good, he turns it around for His good...and ours...if we look for it.

I feel a Sunday afternoon nap coming on....ZZZZZzzzzzz!

Chilly morning here on the island.  We were having lovely warm nights for awhile last week....so warm that the newest additions to the garden (frogs) were singing songs of delight.  Along with a chorus of crickets.  Croak, Croak, creek, creek.....even Misty was kept awake at the foot of my bed.
Wendy is happy about the frogs and tells me that when frogs come it is the sign of a very healthy garden!  Hah!  That morning I sent Misty out on a mission with instructions to ..... well, you know what!

After many battles, money was refunded on that super wonderful coffee maker and they got another brand at a different store.  Now all are happy!  Especially me, as I don't make that many really expensive purchases and felt terrible.  Did a lot of asking for help on that one....Personally believe in praying about things and not getting angry.  Someone once wrote:

Prayer doesn't always change things for you,
But it does change you for things!

Makes sense to me.  Interesting discussions lately.  I am with Al and also believe that God doesn't send bad things such as sickness.  He will allow illness and problems.  Our bodies are not made to last forever.  Satan and the lack of Godliness has brought our world into the present state of despair, not God.

I like this old poem by J.H. Yates.  God always holds out hope of good things to come if we only believe and trust in his goodness.

Our life is like a stormy sea
Swept by the gales of sin and grief,
While on the windward and the lee
Hang heavy clouds of unbelief:
But o'er the deep a call we hear,
Like harbor bell's inviting voice;
It tells the lost that hope is near,
And bids the trembling soul rejoice.
"This way, this way, O heart oppress'd,
So long by storm and tempest driv'n,
This way, this way, lo, here is rest,"
Rings out the Harbor Bell of heaven.

There isn't any person alive who has all the answers.  I simply trust and try to learn what answers are available to help a current problem....That may be medical, spiritual, financial......always listening for God's voice in the matter.

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless,

Liz

I really like your quote, Liz.  I'm going to write it out so that I can see it often...

 

Monday morning!  I love Mondays.  It's the start of my "weekend", so... .

I read through your discussions yesterday about illness and things, and whether God sends or allows this or that.  And this was all touched off by the text from Paul that I posted.

Since you folks covered all the bases, I don't need to jump in this late in the game.   Yeah, I know, I'm chicken.

I do realize though, that God can do great works in me and through me, in my limitations, like he did with Paul, while Paul was in prison.

That's as far as I'll go this morning.

Here's some more from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians.  When I get excited about a book of the bible, those around me get to "enjoy" it, too.  Just ask my wife and sons.

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter.  May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence,  put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Liz - I sure liked that poem.  It's beautiful - and true.  I also liked the quotation - may our God change me for all His things.

Over in the central valley, down slightly west of Sacramento, is a town called Davis.  It's the location of University of California at Davis.  It's also the location of a church called Grace Valley Christian Center.  What a testimony to God's working they are!  They began just a few years ago with seventeen fellows, mostly from the college, who wanted to learn Theology, and they asked my seminary buddy P.G. Matthew to teach them.  Things proresssed from one thing to another, with more and more people attending, and they finally asked P.G. to form a church.  He did, and now, not many years later, they have a Christian elementary and highschool with a very nice gymn.  Their evening services are attended by approx. 450 people, many of them students.  Every one has his/her notebook to take notes on the sermon.  Their singing and worship is mavelous!  It's energetic and heartfelt.

Pastor P.G. is from India originally, and the church sends him over there approx. once each year to minister for a few weeks.  It's then that yours truly gets invited to come and preach for him, and what an experience I receive!  It's wonderful.  So, this year, I'll be going down on Nov. 22, preaching that evening for a Thanksgiving service, then staying down through the following Sunday to preach morning and evening.  I sure look forward to it.  Please pray for me - and for them.  They love the Word.

Kevin, I was really hoping to get your insight on the question!  So how about it?  Don't be chicken. 

I must say I am glad you all agree that it isn't God who sends sickness, trouble and distress.  I have heard people say that God sends those things to punish us.  I emphatically disagree with that opinion.

We had good services both morning and evening, also we started practicing for our Christmas Cantata this afternoon.    How time flies!

This afternoon I made a table cloth/skirt for Curtis' DJ table.  He told me what fabric he wanted and how he wanted it to be; I had no idea how to do it, but it turned out right well, I think.  I hope he agrees when I take it to him tomorrow.  It is part of his 23rd birthday gift.  He said he got to DJ a Military Ball on Friday night in Junction City.
He really enjoys that work, and it pays well, helping him pay for his final year of college.

I have a really busy day again tomorrow, how about you?

Hi everyone...

Here I am sitting at my new computer looking at a monitor that is certainly a different colour from before.  Boy!  Will I ever get used to it.

I dont have MSN, Yahoo, Skype or anything like that hooked up yet as I have my 80 gig hard drive sitting here beside me and the files are flipping over to the new hard drive.

I can't do much of anything actually till tomorrow night.

It's so nice to read your posts.  My friend was here for a few hours so I couldn't get near the computer and now he says I can do this as long as I don't close a specific window he's set up here to copy files. 

I can't check my email either. 

So, there you are!

We have a member, Kon, who lives in Malaysia.

I just received an email from him and I don't think he'd mind my putting most of it here for you all to read.



Subject: URGENT PRAYER REQUEST



Mashad, Iran

Would you please join us in interceding on behalf of Fereshteh Dibaj and her husband Amir Montazemi who were arrested by secret police on Tuesday September 26, 2006, in Mashad, northeast Iran.  Fereshteh is the daughter of Rev. Mehdi Dibaj, an Iranian church leader who was martyred in 1994.  Amir and Fereshteh have faithfully served the Lord Jesus for many years.

At about 7:00am local time several men from the Iranian secret police raided their apartment and confiscated their computers, Christian literature, and other items they thought may be of interest to them.  Thankfully Amir had a chance to quickly phone his mother to ask her to come and take their six year old daughter, Christine. By the time she arrived, Amir and Fereshteh had already been forced into the police car.

When Amir's mother went into the apartment to get Christine, there were still two men there searching the apartment. She asked them why this was happening and where they were taking Amir and Fereshteh to. She was told they were being taken to a certain police station, which later turned out not to be the case. They were in fact taken to a secret police station belonging to the notorious Revolutionary Guard.

Amir's parents have made repeated attempts to find out why their son and Fereshteh have been detained, but so far have not received any reply, other than being told that the interrogation is still continuing.  On September 28, the authorities informed Amir's parents that the couple was to appear before a revolutionary court at a certain time and location, but when they went to witness the trial, Amir and Fereshteh were not there and they were told to come back on Saturday for a possible trial then.

On Friday September 29, Amir made a very brief phone call to say he was fine, although he had no information about Fereshteh. No one has heard from Fereshteh since her arrest.

Fereshteh is the youngest daughter of Rev. Mehdi Dibaj who was martyred for his faith in the summer of 1994 when he was killed while on his way to Fereshteh's birthday party.  Mehdi Dibaj had spent over 9 years in prison on charges of apostasy.  Six months prior to his martyrdom he had been sentenced to execution but was freed due to international pressure. 

Please pray for Amir, Fereshteh and Christine at this time.  Pray also for the persecuted church in Iran.

§         Pray that God the Father would protect them and give them the right words to speak as they are interrogated. Pray for divine peace, wisdom and courage as they go through this trial.

§         Pray for six year old Christine, who is currently being looked after by her grandparents.  Pray even at her young age she will know the peace, presence and power of Jesus and that she will soon be reunited with her parents.

§         Pray for other family members and Christians in the region who may also face increased pressure and harassment. Pray for courage, peace, joy and wisdom.

§         Please pray also for the wider Christian community in Iran as they face increasing pressure from the Islamic regime.  Pray that the One whose power surpasses all earthly rulers would give them the courage and strength to stand firm in their faith despite the persecution.

Thank you for praying for our brothers and sisters in Iran.  We will send updates on this case as and when they are available.

Grace and peace,

The Pray for Iran Team

www.prayforiran.org

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