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Morning Devotional...




Wherever the Gospel is preached there will be opposition. If you are an effective witness for your Lord and Saviour then you may be sure that the forces of Hell will do their utmost to prevail against you. Peter and John, having preached boldly were now threatened by the local council.

Peter's reply against their threats was clear.   'We cannot but speak of the things which we have seen and heard.'   It is impossible for you to shut us up! We have a story to tell and neither you nor any other council will prevent us from telling it.

I love Peter's boldness! True, it had not been long since he had let His Saviour down by denying Him, now he made it absolutely clear that no man was going to stop him from proclaiming the truth.

We may accept opposition from various quarters but being wounded by our own brethren is hard to accept. Many wound through jealousy, envy, pride but primarily because their own faith and witness is stagnant.
It is the easiest thing in the world to find fault in our fellow brethren, but what good is that doing for the church of Christ?

We have enough to cope with in this world without hypocritical brethren spouting forth. If we have nothing good to say about our fellow man then it is better if we keep our mouths shut. It is simple. The Lord gave us two ears and only one mouth for a reason!

Thankfully there are only a few in this sad condition. I am most grateful to the Lord for the love and kindness that my brothers and sisters across the world have shown me. I fail them and my Lord daily, yet they do not hold it against me, nor criticise my feeble attempts to encourage.

We all need encouragement. It is vital and let us learn to do good when it is in our hand to do so. Let us encourage one another in the faith, and let us strive to love one another fervently out of a pure heart. Then will Christ be reflected in our lives.

Having faced the threats they do not pray for deliverance, they pray for a greater measure of boldness! Being assembled together in one mind and spirit, they received the answer to their prayers. These same men were about to turn the world upside down through the preaching of the Gospel.

We may also ask for such boldness. May the Lord open our mouths that we may speak the truth in love. The fear of man is often a snare to our witness.

The day will soon come when we will all have to give an account of the things that we have done in the body. Often I have been silent when I should have spoken, and spoken when I should have kept my mouth shut!
I yearn to serve my Lord with a more effective and lasting witness. Will I ever see anything but weakness and failure in this department? To have boldness to declare His riches, to speak of amazing grace and to tell those who are fast heading to a lost eternity that there is a way of escape.

We have a wonderful story to tell. A story of power, of love, of grace and of a Saviour who laid down His life for sinners. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. They that are whole need not a physician, but they who are sick. We are all sick. Sick with and through sin. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

It is the Word of God that we seek to declare. Our words are vain at best. His Word is life! Speak the word, in season, out of season. Throw your loved one, your son, your daughter, your friends and your enemies a lifeline. Tell them today about Jesus. Tell them what He has done for your soul.

May we pray the prayer in verse 29. 'And now Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.'

                                                                                 ~Iain~

Your attempts to encourage are anything but feeble Iain and this person has come to look forward to your devotional each day.

I guess we all experience hurt by other Christians and it seem so much worse...So it is best to look up at Christ, instead of at people.

When I first became a Christian some thirty years ago, a very wise minister told me that if one gives the devil a little finger, he will take the whole hand.  That seems to still be good advice today.  God Bless.

Good Morning Mr Iain,

I so love to read your thoughts here each day.

Me they do encourage.

I find something in each one you write that I take with me on my path each day.
Not long ago the stones in my path were much a bother to me. I did not undarstand why so many are they in my way each day. Today I see these stones much more clear each day. I stop and sit. I look up to God and I ask him why is this in my path today.
Mr Iain, Mr Moak, Papa John, Ms Pat, all of this devotionals have help me to stop at each stone in my path. I no longer just go around them. I ask God each day why are they there. I have learn so much here in how I am to do what is Gods wish in every tiny thing.
You have all been such a great help to me in the thoughts and words you share here with me.

God is Love and I find him here in each of you.

Hi Ms Elizabeth. I like what you say here to Mr Iain. and I think too, if one will give to God a hand, he will also take your heart.

Mr Jerry your smile has make me cry today. It is a wonderful sadness of my friend here that I know only in type and pictures.  I wish you well today.

Ms Pat, I know you are gone away soon, and I miss you already.  

I do love you all so much.

Jenny. England. 11.30 a.m.

Ian..... dear Brother. Welcome "home" again.
Thank-you for this Devotional, as ever "spot on" for us all. "Let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone". Gal 6:4

Elizabeth...Hello, Thanks for your input....every blessing.

Meika, that was a lovely reply.  Bless you. "I will lay thy stones with fair colours......and make all thy borders of pleasant stones". Is 54:11,12.

I too tend to speak first  and think afterwards at times and in  retrospect, realise I have hurt or upset someone.  I do try to apologise when I become aware of this lack of wisdom in myself  and am sometimes upset when the apology is not accepted.  I pray about such things and am shown that there are people who have a problem  forgiving. It hurts !

We must be careful as Christian brothers and sisters to watch out for that "bitter root"...see  Heb 12:15.....it's those little foxes, how they love to spoil the corn.

Jesus bless all of you,
Love Jenny.

Good morning all..
I have missed you the past 2 days. Things have been very busy and productive. Accomplished many tasks that have been put off for far too long.  And took lots of photos! The storms have been coming in fast and furious. The cloud formations have been incredible. Last evening I stood under the center of the storm as it was forming and watched the magnificent power displayed as the clouds swirled and darkened in front of my eyes.  God shows Himself in the most awesome of ways!

Iain- thanks for this mornings reminder of our "task" here on earth. So many are lost and searching these days- prime time to get busy with God's agenda!

I am praying for all the needs I have read from the last days postings.

Marilyn- Have you called the animal shelters to see if there is a vet who would look at Gitsy at no charge or let you pay next month?

God is doing a mighty work in my life. Had plans to go out to a bar with a couple of lady friends tonight and have decided to cook dinner at my place instead. Realizing I'm really not missing anything and the bar scene is wasted tiime in His economy.

Oh- I had a customer come into the store where I work yesterday looking for carpet....
for a local church's new building!
Found out they are meeting at the middle school while the building is being finished, and the doctrine is very similar to the church I attended in Ft Lauderdale.
My plans are to check it out Sunday morning. Please pray that I follow through!
I am posting this because the accountability is very important right now. Wouldn't want to face you all on Monday and say I didn't show up!
Well, time to jump in the shower and prepare for a new day at work. Can't wait to see what wonderful things God has for me today.
I pray you will all have a blessed day and be nearer to Him at day's end than you were when you woke up this morning.


SOME COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE ROSE HAS THORNS; SOME GIVE THANKS BECAUSE THE THORNS HAVE ROSES.

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Good morning everyone.  I slept in this morning!

Judy McKenna-my mom is around still, she's been reading the posts, just no time to reply.  She's been still busy with the course she went away to take.  She's home, but doing homework.  Also, she's been ordering Hannah's curriculum.

Etta Sue-yep, I'm doing the everything-sitting.  It'll be good though.  We live in a very small, very crowded house, so the break will be nice, as will the quiet!  To give you an idea...we have eight people in a two and a half bedroom, 800 sq foot house.  

Pat-glad to hear things are moving along for you.  It's tough to enjoy a trip when things are rushed.  

Well, I'm off, I have some phone calls to make about jobs and such.  By the way, thank you all for your prayers about my job situation.  I still have found nothing, but I am confident that God is using this "off" time well.  God bless you.  Jen.

Pat Scott:  Thanks - I missed you too!  

Mieka:  Stones in your path - I am glad to read that your stones are becoming smooth and clearer.  

Mercychild:  Now, that is a cozy home!  I pray that the right job will appear for you - we have some experience in that area.  Once,  my husband was unemployed for a year and a half while I did temporary jobs.  Faith kept us going and I know that you have the Faith!!!

Carol

Hi everyone from sunny and rather warm Georgia today.  We do have a chance of showers later today.  Just hope it might be after I get back from the long trip downtown but that is a very minor thing and I don't worry about it.

Iain, another fine devotional and as others have said we missed not having your message yesterday.  

A friend sent me something in the e-mail that I want to share as thought it was good.  Unfortunately I don't know the source of it to give credit other than from a friend:

QuoteSubject: Why Go To Church?
 
Why go to Church?

 A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and
complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.
"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard
something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a
single one of them. So I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are
wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column,
much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone
wrote this clincher:   "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked  some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire  menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all  nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife  had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.   Likewise, if I had not  gone to church for nourishment, I would be  spiritually dead today!"

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Running low on faith?  Stop in for a fill-up.

You May Be The Only Bible Someone ever reads !

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Mieka - I pray that our Father will bless His Word to your deepest soul.  I pray He'll do this through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Good Morning: Thank you Pat for posting Iain's devotional today. Iain your devotionals are thought provoking to say the least. They are all so profound and right on the mark every day.

I have prayed so many times for the Lord to open my mouth to be a sufficent witness to my Son and Daughter in Law. When I do It seems to be a lesson in futility as their minds are so set against what I am telling them about Jesus.

They are more or less new agers and  don't belive in the Virgin Birth or that Jesus is God or even the message of the gospel. Her father is a Preacher, this is so difficult for me to understand, when both my son and DIL have heard  the message.

She has been in church all her life until 10 years ago. My son was in church until  he  was 12.  I am almost desperate for them to "hear" and "see" that Jesus IS Lord of their lives as  well as her parents and my life.

I am going to take Gitsie to the vet this morning before I go to work. I can't stand to see her the way she is, this morning she refused to eat. This is not good.

I don't know how I am going to pay for it. Maybe they will give me payments or perhaps gratis. Please pray that it is gratis.

Oh Lord grant me favor with the vet, Please help my little dog. She is so special to me. She has been through so much, losing her 2 previous owners to death.

TTYL

Jenny.

Marilyn.
I have been praying all day since you e.mailed.
I am sure this is just a device of the enemy...you are mightily used of the Lord. This is one of satans devious plots and it will not achieve it's aim.

In Jesus' Name I plead the covering of His precious blood for Marilyn and her little pets.

God bless Marilyn,
I will contact you later.
Jenny.

Iain, thanks for the thoughts today.  As always, you gave us something practical to apply in our lives today.

I have a busy day today, as I am going to Sublette to judge children's arts and crafts at the Haskell County Fair.  And I must do a couple of errands and fill my car with gas before heading that way.

Hi, Mieka!  I always enjoy your posts, and Jen's as well.  You young folk sure brighten up our forum.....and our lives!

Talk to you later!

Good morning everyone and thank you, Iain, for the morning devotional.  God Bless You.

Jo ~ It does seem you are being guided by powers stronger than humans.  Good for you that you stayed home and cooked for yourself and I just know you will really enjoy your new church Sunday.

Elizabeth ~ It is so true that the devil will grab all he can.  But I like Mieka's reply that we give God a hand and he will take the whole heart.  

Jenny ~ It seems that typing is taken more out of context than the spoken word.  We can't see the eyes or hear the other person.  It breaks my heart if I know that I have hurt someone in what I have said or done.  It isn't in me to do so intentionally but even unintentionally, I have to RUN and apologize.

Jen ~ My mobile home...Jerry's now...was only two bedroom, 700+ sq. ft.  I can't imagine 8 people in it.  It was crowded with Jerry and I.  And I learned long ago not to collect 'stuff'.  This home now is around 1200+ sq. ft. and what helps is so many built ins, thanks to my Mom and Dad's designing in the late '50's.  I am sure you will enjoy your peace and quiet while at Pat's.  Just don't spoil the pets!!!

Carol ~ Glad you are home and your home computer allows you to get on here without the freeze up!  I am not computer savvy.  It works or it doesn't!!!

Larry ~ I, too, had received that email about going to church.  I had forgotten about it....just like a sermon...but it refueled my thinking about what church does for our spiritual growth and we don't even realize it.  I truly miss going to church when I can't make it one Sunday.  

Al ~ Good morning.  I love your words of wisdom.

Marilyn ~ I remember when anyone talked about God or Jesus to me, that it was a complete turn off.  Maybe now is the time for you to just let your light shine and let your son and DIL see that light.  Somewhere, the Bible says that God chooses you to come to him.  We sure don't want to push our loved ones the wrong direction.  Just nudge them and let God speak to them.  It took my son 10 years of living with a Christian and going to church to accept Christ.  And, I am sad to say, he didn't have a church background growing up.  Also, I am praying for Gitsie.  She is so precious to you....

I don't know what today will bring.  I just know that I need to make notes .... what to take to Calgary...what needs attention here while I am gone...keys to Jerry's daughter, Lynn...need my yard mowed...have to have someone feed and care for Ali...notes!!!  I just want all my stones turned upright!!

God Bless You All!!!

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"Good sense is easier to have than use."

Once again thanks Iain for the article

Marilyn I have an old yorkshire terrior and I love her very much. She has been a great source of comfort to me after my Heart Bypass when my wife Margaret was at work. I know how you must feel. I hope all goes well.

Ken

Love to you all

Ken!

So good to see you.  I was going to drop you a line today.

We want to see more photos!!!

I see that Jenny is now a Junior Member!

Great job posting, Jenny!

Meika, you have such a wonderful spirit.  I love your postings and agree that God will take the whole heart if we give the opportunity....Satan is clever tho' and we have to be aware of the dangers.  Not dwell on them, simply be aware.

Marilyn, Etta Sue gives great advise and it might be wise to simply let your faith shine in quiet ways around the children.  I have had to do this and find that makes a strong impression on it's own.  Also was turned off for years by intense believers and it was the quiet, faithful strength of friends, that led me to Jesus.
Love of Christ shines in your face and words and they will see this in your daily walk.  God Bless.

Well, it's so nice to see everyone gathering in here today!

Hi Elizabeth!  I've been praying for you!  

What a lovely post by you today, Mieka!  Al Moak's prayer for you is truly special.

Thanks Larry for that quote.  I hadn't seen it before and I really enjoyed it.

Great to see you Carol.  I'm glad you're home.  Not sure why you can't get CP with your laptop.  

Jen, I know that you'll have lots of time to study and pray and dig into God's Word while you're here.  I know that Geordie and Lauren will be happy having you and Geordie is a great pal on walks!

It won't be long now, Etta Sue till we see each other out in Calgary!  Are you going to go up in the gondola ride to take pictures?  I sure am.


Janet, I'd love to be with you when you go judging.  I'd really enjoy that.

I'm so happy to read, Shinenlite, that you're getting your life in order.  That's so important.  We all have to do that sometimes.  Little things start to crawl into our line of focus that once used to be pointed just to our Heavenly Father and our vision becomes blurred.  But how happy I was to read that you aren't going to the bar tonight.  Glad you posted that, Jo!

Marilyn, I'm glad you're taking the dog to the vet.  I, too, am very short of cash but if this happened to Geordie, I'd not even think twice about it.  I'd just HAVE to go to the vet with him.  

I'm thrilled to read that you've all enjoyed Iain's devotional today so very much.  I did as well before I ever posted it.  I pray that we'll all keep Iain in our daily prayers as he suffers over there in Scotland with his health problems but still tries to maintain his photography business and website building.  He's a very special person.


Now, I'm back to my corn.  I'm freezing corn for the winter!

I took Gitsie to the vet and was there at 8 a.m. when they opened. They are going to anestethize her and work on  getting the wound cleaned up, give her a couple of shots and send her home with antibiotics, sew it up as best they can since it is a oly wound. The estimated cost is going to be around $300. They had me fill out a Care credit application that is only good at the vet for pet care. I was approved for $500.

Praise the Lord for His Goodness and Kindness, for giving me favor with the expenses. The payments will be about $20 a month. Now I will be able to get  Happydog neutered too.

He did tell me that the maggots in the wound were a good thing because they keep the wound clean. Who woulda thunk it!!

I am ready for work but still need to get something to eat and fix a snack to take with
me.

Thanks Ken, Etta sue, Jenny, Judy
B, Karma, and all the rest who have prayed for this situation with my dogs. It means a lot to me to know that you all care so much and that God cares about those that we love, human or pets.

Marilyn

I have heard that before about the maggots, Marilyn.  I had forgotten about that.  Isn't that something to learn once again?

That sounds like a really good plan that your new vet has.  I don't think mine has any plan like that.

Just great news.

Thanks Pat; This is the first vet I have had in quite a number of years. I din't have one in Lucerne Valley. When I got the females neutered I had it done at the pound. I always doctored them myself.

This is sure a relief off of my mind though, to know that she is being cared for properly.  Diane Church from SN had said that she thought maggots were a good  thing but didn't know why. Now we have all learned something new today.

God is so God all the time.

ttyl when I get home for work, I have to be at class at 6 p.m. won't get home until after 9 p.m.

Good day everyone..
so sorry that I have been away from the computer for soooo long....but I have the little ones to contend with and when summmer comes along....who wants to be stuck inside when there is so much to do outside???

Anyway......thanks for the great devotions again....Pat and Iain.....they are sooo uplifting and encouraging and help me get my day off to a great start.

MARILYN  maggots....my goodness i had never heard of that before.....sounds kinda yucky but I guess if the vet says it is good then so be it.

Etta Sue.....we are still keeping you and Jerry in prayer.......take it easy with that mower girl.....
take care ya all and God bless....
Paulette.

Hello to all,
This is my first post in 3 days in NEM.  I enjoyed the devotional and have printed it out to take to church tonight.  Our new pastor wants to have visitation on Tues & Thurs.  We'll see what new ideas he has.  So far, visitation has not worked at our church.  I wonder is it not because we have forgotten to pray over the ones we will visit before we go out.  I think that is important.  Well, I am anxious to see how this will turn out.  We need to be as bold as Peter & John. At Sunday night church we are studying this very thing in Acts.  I think the LORD is telling me something. Thanks, Iain
Pat, Etta Sue and others going to Calgary, I pray that your trip will be safe and meaningful. Of course, we will be expecting pictures.
I was so thankful to hear of your new vet, Marilyn, and how you could afford him. I know it puts your mind at ease.
Now, back to catching-up!

Hello Pat

There on their way

Love in Him

Wonderful, Ken!  I'll be looking for them.

Paulette!!!  It's so good to see you in here.  You've truly been missed!

I just received this in an email - and with all the talk of pets- I thought I'd share it with you...



Puppy Size

"She keeps repeating it over and over again.  We've been back to this shelter at least five times.  It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the woman told the volunteer.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" she asked.

"Puppy size!"

"We have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."

"I know.  We have seen most of them," she said in frustration.

Just then the young child came walking in the office.

"Well, did you find one?"

"No, not this time," she said with sadness in her voice.  "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

"You never know when we will get more dogs.  Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.

The young child took her mother by the hand and headed to the door.

"Don't worry, I bet we'll find one this weekend," the child said.

Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her.  They both felt she was being too particular.

"It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about 'puppy size' either," mom added.

Sure enough they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning.  By now, the young child knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages.  There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

The young girl walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look.  One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.  One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup.

The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely.  This time she took a little longer.

"Mom, that's it!  I found the right puppy!  He's the one!  I know it!" she screamed with joy.  Mom, startled by all the commotion, came running.

"What? Are you sure?  How do you know?" she asked.

"It's the puppy sighs!"

"Yes, it is the same size as all the other puppies you held the last few weeks," mom said.

"No, not 'size' ... 'sighs.'  When I held him in my arms he sighed," she said.

"So?"

"Don't you remember?  When I asked you one day what love is, you told me "Love depends on the sighs of your heart.  The more you love, the bigger the sighs!"

The two women looked at each other for a moment.  Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  As she stooped down to hug her child she did a little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me I sigh.  When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other you both sigh.  I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said.

Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me.  I heard the sighs of his heart."

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh.  I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.

They are the sighs of God.

~ Author Unknown ~
=========================

My arn't we chatty today... and thats good.  Marilyn - I sure learned something today.  Sure never knew maggots could be a good thing!

Wonderful way the Lord intervenes isn't it?  I am so glad you are able to have Gitsie cared for properly., and have the other dog neutered.  You must have a very caring vet.  I don't think there are any vets around here who has a payment plan.  Thats great news!

Iain:  Your devotionals are such a blessing!  I do pray for you each day too., that you will be able to continue posting such enlightening devotions.  I would truly miss it, and you as well, should you not continue to post.

Norm has a very swollen knee.  He is putting hot packs on it.  I tried to suggest ice for the swelling; but he won't hear of it!.... i think ice is better....oh well...

You're right, Judy...  Ice will take the swelling down.  You say "Ouch!" but it's best or at least alternate them.  Heat swells but gives you a nice "warm fuzzy"!  LOL

Thanks for that, Shinenlite.  

Now, you must all see what Chris in England did to one of Janet's lovely photos of Kansas!  

Click here

I hope you will all excuse me for not showing up very much lately.  I am still having some problems and when I don't feel well it is hard to keep up with everything.

I have read the posts and I enjoy them all.  It is good to see each one.  I won't try to call each one of you by name.  It is good to see Mieka with us a little more.  I always miss Sonja when I don't see her posts.  It is good to see Ken, one of our members from England.  And of course we appreciate Etta Sue's keeping us updated on Jerry.

If I had a thought for today it would be these verses from the writing of the beloved apostle John:

I John 4:9-11 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  (KJV)

--- Papa John              <)))><<