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Morning Devotional...




That ye may know...what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead. Ephesians 1:18-20

What is our reaction when we come face to face with those whose lives are ruined by Satan--drugs, alcohol, immorality, etc?

Do we write them off with the feeling that "there is no hope for them"?

Remember that the gospel is the "power of God unto salvation."

The power which raised Christ from the dead, is able to overcome all the Satanic forces which are ruining that life.
                                                                         --David Croudace

I like your devotion this morning.  So many times we are quick to judge based on appearances.  Instead of looking at "wild" appearances and thinking, "That person is no good."  I try to remember that their appearance is really saying, "Tell me the story of Jesus."

Whether people know/admit/believe it or not, that void they try to fill with drugs, alcohol, immorality, etc can only be filled with Jesus.  And they won't know it if we don't show them that love, and give them some of what we've got!

Before I sign off for the night, I'd like to thank you all again for the lovely birthday greetings posted both in here and in private emails to me.

You are a terrific group of people for sure.

Thanks again!

Hi Karma!

That was quite the birthday greeting from you!  I expected a cake from you!

I got two neat gifts!  I got a garlic roaster/baker.  Does anyone know of these?

Also, from Rebecca I got a....


made of ceramic to put in the garden!

Cakes are only when you least expect it, Pat.  

I want you all to know that I've heard from Mieka!

She can read CP but can't post from her boat that she's on.

She wrote to wish me a Happy Birthday!  

I'm so happy now!


Hi Mieka!  We love you so much!

Something that we need to remember, is that even when people who are in our lives, whether wanted or not, if they aren't Christians they NEED Jesus!  Sometimes this is really difficult to remember.  Sometimes the unwanted involvement in our lives, even from people who aren't Christians, is something that God has allowed to give us the opportunity to show them the love of Christ.  We don't always have to say anything.  We don't always have to "preach" about His love to them, and their need to have Him in their lives.  Sometimes just allowing them to see that we are walking in integrity, and standing in our righteousness, is all that they need to see that they are missing something.  Believe me, this is not the easiest thing to do, especially when the person who has made themselves a part of our lives, is doing everything to persecute us, whether it be emotionally, spiritually or legally.  This is something that I have come to realize after court was over.  I left the court house feeling totally persecuted.  The information that we received last week from the worker who supervises our visits was really positive, and then today it was totally negated, by the lawyer, and the worker who is actually in charge of our case.  I don't have to dwell in the anger of the injustice.  I don't have to dwell in the depression of not having the kids home.  What I do have to dwell on is Jesus, and His love for me, and everyone in my family.  I have to dwell on the fact that it is never in God's will to have a family separated permanently.  Although we are going through this time right now, there is a lesson to be learned.  I have always believed that I have a ministry to families in the future, and perhaps this is one way that God is allowing me to be able to be empathetic to families in the future.  So that I can truely say to them that I totally understand what they are going through, and that I can help them manage their feelings.

I feel that I have learned alot today.  God has not abandoned me, or my family.  We are going to make it through this crisis, and we are going to be ok.

God bless all of you, and have a great day.  Remember that there is nothing that God will bring you to, that He will not bring you through.  A very big lesson to learn.

Love,
Heather

Pat - Praise the Lord that He did not leave me in the gutter. He found me in the depths and He raised me to dwell in heavenly places.

Heather - Sorry, I am new here and I do not know your circumstances, yet please be assured of my prayerful support for you. Jesus forgave all my sins in an instant and my life changed completely. My family did not change with me! It took a long, long time to gain their trust and respect, and perhaps even longer for their forgiveness. You are learning valuable lessons dear sis and you have the best Teacher. Listen to Him.

Larry - My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you meet with your cardiologist. More prodding I guess! Your heart as well as mine is in the safe hands of the King. Be strong in the Lord brother.

Here are a few thoughts that came to mind this morning:

'Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?' Luke 24:32

I was reading this morning in Matthew Chapter 28 and was struck by these words : 'fear and great joy.' What a strange combination? That was what the women had felt having been met by an angel, told their Lord had risen from the dead, and were now on their way to tell His disciples.

I remember well the first time that I was called upon to pray in public. My knees were knocking together, there was a knot in my stomach, my brain was in overdrive and my tongue in slow motion! It was a great honour and privilege to be found in the Master's service and to be calling upon Him in public, yet great fear accompanied my joy.

How often have I heard, 'I would love to do more for the Lord, but....!' Opportunities for service lie all around us. We dream of being bold in His service, able to go to our neighbours, friends and relatives and speak freely and lovingly about our Beloved Saviour Redeemer. What stops us? Fear and not a little pride!

Fear of man, fear of our own inabilities and perhaps even a fear of letting The side down. I wonder how many of our reasons come under the heading of 'Excuses?' We are not alone though. Moses, that great leader, wanted God to send someone else instead of him. When we sit down and reason things out, it is folly for us to argue against God. It is folly for us to say to the One who formed our lips that we cannot speak!

It is our duty to present ourselves as living sacrifices, seeking God's Will alone and willing to do whatever He bids us do. It is with 'fear and great joy' that I commit my way to Him each morning. Remember my friend we are on a spiritual adventure with Jesus leading the way. Listen to His words today. 'Follow Me.'

The reason I chose the above text is because there are times when I can feel the disciples disappointment, and none more so than when I join with them on the road to Emmaus.

I remember well the great dreams and desires that I had when first I believed. What was I not going to do for Him? Today, over twenty years on, I cringe when I think of how little I have done in His Name.

The disciples had great plans and great hopes as they followed the Master. The cross however shattered all their dreams. Their lives lay in ruins. The One they had given everything up for, was dead! What now?

I love the way the Lord binds up their broken hearts. They seemed exhausted by the time they reached Emmaus, yet when light arose and they realised that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead their weariness turned to energy and they headed back to tell the others.

There is never a time when the Lord is not walking by our side. We may not realise this as we experience difficult times. How often though does a portion of Scripture come into our minds when we are sorely pressed? How often do silent requests rise from our troubled souls? My friend our duty is to follow Him. We must be confident that He is with us each step of the way. We may feel as discouraged as the disciples on this road felt, yet they were in the company of the King.

I pray that your heart and mine will burn within us today. That we would be aware of the Master's company as we walk life's highway. Even if we feel as though our hearts are in our boots, we never know the moment when light will arise and the blind are given their sight. All things are in the Hands of Him with whom we have to do. He is risen. Jesus is not dead, He is alive and we have a story to tell.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Good morning

Pat & Iain you both have said it all.

Heather I will still be praying for you.

Pat:
A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Good morning MIEKA I would love to be there with you.

Blessings Ruth

 Another beautiful day is coming...even though the tem will reach a humid 100.  

Pat's devotion this morning has a powerful punch behind it.  I doubt that there is anyone here who has not personally experienced either being addictive or having a loved one who is addictive and lost from Christ.  I know that many a person has been brought "into the fold" through these experiences. Fanny Crosby's hymn tells us to "lift up the fallen ones and weep over the erring ones"  
My prayer for myself today is to see Jesus in these who are fallen.

Iain  Thank you for your input into today's devotional.  I know that when I get here in the AM
I will have received a blessing from these devotionals. (are you & I still "newbies"...   --it seems like I've been here a long time to be a "newbie" and it is a compliment to me at my age.)
I just checked and you are NOT a newbie!  Oh well, my mistake.  By the way--what does your Greek motto say in English?  

Hi Kathy - My Greek motto is actually Gaelic!  

Roughly translated is means:-

'The eyes of love see nothing but good.' (that is how I want to live my Christian life.

Good Morning Everyone!

Rushing around here but wanted to say "Hello" to you all.

We're praying for you Heather.

Thanks so much, Iain for the devotional today.  I'm going to come back later when I have a few more minutes and read it again.  I appreciate your words more than you'll know.  Thanks!

Kathy, the "Newbie" will automatically change to "Jr. Member" when you've posted 50 messages.  It's all done by the software.  It's not the time you've been a member but rather the number of posts so keep on posting!!  Iain is still a "newbie" too.  

Thanks Ruth for the belated birthday greeting.

Good morning, friends,

Heather, we'll continue to pray for strength and wisdom and guidanceand sustaining grace as you endure this terrible trial.

Your comment about being able to truly empathize with those you hope to help is such a good one. Even with illnesses, etc., I find that at some point in my life, I'm able to use the experiences I've lived through to make suggestions to others to sometimes ease their transition through similar circumstances.

Mieka - how GREAT to know you can read, but we certainly miss your contributions. Enjoy your lovely cruise, and come back to us well rested and happy.

Y'all have a good day today.

Ruth Ann

Pat:  Thanks for sending on today's devotion.  I was thinking about a once beautiful woman I met for one moment in a railway station in Copenhagen when the devotion mentioned coming face to face with the ravages of sin and evil.  She was begging for money - "Madam" - she called me.  I don't believe in handing out money to anyone who begs especially because we have cults around here who send their people out to the streets and we have so many services there is no need for begging.  This woman was dying - from drugs that are so liberally dispensed in Copenhagen.  As we were in such a rush to get to a train - all I could do was pray for her.  It was such a helpless feeling and why did she approach me? I always felt that I could have done more somehow.  

Iain:  You mentioned that we can do more of the Lord's work - that there are little opportunities all around us.  So true.  Those little acts of kindness to a stranger - we can do these things and say a short prayer for them at the same time.  I feel that my big job is to do the right things and set an example for grandchildren.

Carol

Pat and Iain, great thoughts to carry with us through the day.  It is so much easier to just turn away when we see someone who is (from outward appearances) a mess (for lack of a better word) but they may be the Lord's  way of blessing us, if we will look at them through His eyes of love.  How many times could we be a blessing to others, and we fail to see the opportunity?  I know that I am as guilty as anyone, and for that I truly repent.  Lord, help me to see each person I meet with your eyes of love and compassion!

MIEKA!!  Do you have any idea how much we miss you?  Do enjoy your wonderful vacation, and come back safely to us.  We all love you so much!

Around 11:00 I am going to Hugoton to get Abby.  If I'm there during lunch, I can get a little time with Curtis, too, and I'm really needing some great Curtis hugs!!  I hope to see Mark as well.  They are working in different areas, so I might have to go hunting to find Mark.  He wants to go to the reunion, too, but his boss (Dad) won't let him off work because he had a long weekend last week.  He and Curtis both went camping with the Boy Scouts.  Curtis is a leader now, and Mark is plugging away toward his Eagle.  Oops!  Too much info?

We have to finish loading the camper, get a few last-minute groceries, check to see we have everything we need, and we will be off early in the morning for Family Reunion.  We will return home on Sunday night.

Talk to you later, folks!

Carol, we were posting at the same time.  I agree that setting a good example for our grandchildren is SO important.  I pray to be only and always an influence for good and for God in the lives of my grandchildren.  Bless you!

I hope you all have the link for Creation Moments.  Sorry I've been lax in putting the links up top but life just suddenly got hectic for me in the past couple of weeks!

Ruth Ann, what you say about former illnesses in our lives is so true.  Jack thanked the Lord for his condition so very often.   Sometimes I didn't understand but he gently, so gently took me aside and told me that if the Lord hadn't blessed him with this condition, he'd know nothing about it and wouldn't be able to help others who suffered from similar circumstances.  

Oh, that I'd have that thankfulness that Jack had and others!


Here's today's Creation Moments for those who didn't listen to it...

Take Heart! Be Bold![/size]

2 Corinthians 3:12

"Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech..."

Do you believe in a recent, special creation by God?

Those of us who do are often ridiculed as being on the fringe. The suggestion is that only a small minority of people believe in a recent, special creation by God. A Gallup Poll shows that those of us who believe a recent, special creation actually outnumber those who believe in atheistic evolution or even those who believe that evolution was directed by God.

When people believe that they are in the majority they usually feel their beliefs are justified and try to show that those who disagree with them are in a minority.

Those who have felt this way can now take heart. A Gallup Poll released in November of 1991 has shown that only 9 percent of the U.S. population believes in atheistic evolution. Another 40 percent believe in some form of God-directed evolution. However, the fastest growing segment is also the largest, those who believe that God recently created all things as described in Genesis!

Your belief in creation may be ridiculed by some people as a fringe view. However, the common-sense view of special creation by God is gaining new followers every day. So be bold in your witness of the truth that God created the heavens and the earth, not billions of years ago, but only a few thousand.


Prayer: Dear Lord, make me bold and unafraid to speak Your truth to others. Help them to understand that because You made us, you hold us responsible for our actions. And because You love us, you earned forgiveness for us on the cross. Amen.



REF.: John D. Morris. 1992. Do Americans Believe in Creation? Back to Genesis, no. 33, Feb, p. d.

Hi Janet and Carol!
Janet, enjoy those hugs from that good-looking grandson of yours!

What a couple of lovely poems that our Mercychild (Jen) has posted in our Poems area...

Grace


My Friend

Wow! Already 2 pages of responses this morning.

Pat and Iain thank you so much for the devotional this morning.

I have found that my testimony is a good witnessing tool to those who are still stuck in the throes of their addictions. I always tell them that if God did for me He will do it for them. All they have to do is ask Him. I wish I could do more for them, but I have found that with an addiction that person has to "hit bottom" so to speak and also "be TIRED" of that life; when they reach that point they are ready for the  Lord to come in and change them. It's like God is the last resort. As a former addict please know that this is truth. I have been there and done that, not proud of it either.

I've talked and prayed with/for many but until they are ready, there is nothing we can do except to pray for the without ceasing. It took 5 years of praying for my ex boyfriend before he "saw the light" and God was his last resort. He had burned all his bridges and had nowhere else to turn.

Be Back Later

The devotion this morning reminded me of one of my husband's most favourite verses in the Bible is, "He died for all."  It is so good to remember that Christ died for all people, at all times, not just for those that look good or act correctly or whatever.  All that believe in Him are saved.  That's so good to know.

Ursula

I liked this and wanted to share it with you--sort of gives you a new perspective!


A PIECE OF CAKE

-Author Unknown

Sometimes, we wonder "What did I do to deserve this", or
"Why did God have to do this to me." Here is a God-sent
explanation!

A little boy was telling his Grandma how everything was
going wrong. School, family problems, severe health problems,
etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma was baking a cake. She asked her grandson
if he would like a snack, which, of course, he did.

"Here, have some cooking oil."

"Yuck" said the boy.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Grandma!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

To which Grandma replied: "Yes, all those things seem bad
all by themselves, but when they are put together in the
right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would
let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God
knows that, when He puts these things all in His order,
they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and,
eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring,
a sunrise every morning and a sunset every evening. Whenever
you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the
universe, and He chose your heart.

Hope your day is a "piece of cake!"
====================

HELLO MIEKA WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!  

Pat, thank you for the devotional thoughts this morning.

Iain, I especially appreciated your thoughts today.  I was reminded of the first time I preached which was in 1947, 56 years ago.  I was glad for the pulpit stand I could hold on to and my knees were knocking like yours.  As time went on I didn't need to hold on to the pulpit but I have been holding on to Jesus and He helped me through the years in all kinds of situations.

It is good to know that Mieka can read our posts.  Mieka, we DO miss you.  Have a good time.  Make some good photos to share with us.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Gosh, our new home is 2 months old!  That is wonderful.  Hopefully we will soon say it is 2 years old!!  And it is just as God wants...all of us to be thankful for each other and tolerant to our differences.  We all believe in Christ Jesus.  That is what counts for eternity.  Thanks, Pat, for reminding us of the anniversary!

Janet ~ Sounds like you are going to have a fun time on your trip.  I pray it will be safe and eventful.  I see you posted some photos of Beth and John.  Can't wait to see them.

Marilyn ~ I pray that your letter to your landlord is taken the way it is meant to be.  Let's pray that your last days in the desert are happy ones.

Jane ~ You are a poet and don't know it!  Love your uplifting posts!

Paulette ~ It does seem as if we are all busier....perhaps enjoying all of God's creations since it is warmer so we can be out and about.

Papa John ~ Always glad to see your posts and read your words of wisdom.  It amazes me how you find just the right scripture at the right time.

Judy McKenna ~ Yes, it doesn't seem possible that we have been in our new home two months.  And just think, in two months and two days, we will meet in Calgary!  Thanks for comment on my 'one-liners'. They are on a calender by Barbara Johnson.

karmat ~ What a unique greeting for Pat's birthday!  Stop in more often....you are missed.

Jen ~ You can spout your mini-sermons anytime.  We are here to listen.

Now for replies to today.

In reply to the Daily Devotion....isn't it wonderful that God is so powerful that any of Satan's forces can be overcome with His love for us?  It sure gives hope for the future to have faith that this, too, shall be overcome!

Mieka ~ I am so glad that you can read these posts.  We want you back soon but I know you are thrilled to be where you are with your friends.  But know that your friends on CP are waiting patiently to hear all about your vacation!!

Heather ~ My heart goes out to you.  You have a wonderful attitude that only God has put into your heart.  

Larry ~ I must have missed that you are seeing your cardiologist today. I pray that his findings are favorable.

Iain ~ Thank you for your thoughts today.  It is very comforting to know that Jesus is with us always....not sometimes...but always!!!  Even when we may not want him with us.  Your motto is great.  I love the fact that I see the good.  Maybe too trusting but, so far, God has let me see the good and not the bad.  I like it that way.

Ruth ~ Good morning, Ruth.

Kathy ~ Newbie?  There is a way to remedy that....it is called....POST!  POST!  POST!

Pat ~ It does seem that we are rushing around since summer came upon us!  We should stop and smell the roses.....or look for toads, at least!!

Ruth Ann Bice ~ The longer I am living for Christ, the more I find that he certainly works in all ways for us to glorify Him.....even through illnesses.

Carol ~ Good morning, Carol.  I have never traveled to Europe.  Probably won't.  Do you have pictures of Copenhagen?  Would love to see them.

Ursula ~ Good morning.  So true.  Christ didn't single out anyone....he died for all.

Papa John ~ Good morning....my knees shake and my gets quivery if I need to speak before more than a few people.  I am great...one on one ...on the telephone....on posts...but face to face with a bunch....no way!  

Whew!  Sorry this is so long.  But I felt the need to address each of you individually today.  I pray that you are blessed reading this as I was blessed writing it.  

It is pizza today with Ivalou and Lydia at noon.  Perhaps, I can get a picture to show you my very cute 4-year old g-niece, Lydia.

?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`
"You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there."

Hi Heather,

I was away when you first joined so I did not get a chance to welcome you.

A BIG welcome; your posting above was a wonderful tribute of your love for our Heavenly Father.

You have already ministered to someone HIS great love--to me:  and I was touched.

I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.

Love in CHrist,
Joyce

Hi everyone.  This has been a busy day and this is my first opportunity to read the postings.  Pat and Iain, both of the devotional pieces are so full.  

We had to be at the downtown hospital at 9:30 this morning and so left the house at 8 am.  We got there with a few minutes to spare but I went into the wrong door for the Cardiologists (it looked like the waiting room and I signed in).  In a little bit my wife and daughter found me and the staff located me and so I was able to fill out the papers.  This was just an evaluation they require before starting the EECP treatments, which I will do tomorrow.  The cardiologist did prescribe another medication as she thinks I may be having a little heart failure that is causing some shortness of breath (just what I need is another pill to take) and told me she felt I was certainly a candidate for the EECP treatments since there is really not much else for them to try to do for me.  So I will start the treatments tomorrow at 1:30 back at the same hospital.  Hopefully in the middle of the day the traffic won't be as bad as it was this morning.  I came home exhausted and took a nap and am still tired.  Thanks to all of you for your expressions of concern and especially for your prayers.  

Meika, I was happy to see you have been able to read the postings.  We all are missing you but know you must be having a wonderful time on your vacation.  

Not going to write anymore comments this afternoon as just don't have the energy.  

How about a smile or two?

BURNING BUG BUNS

What is the deal with Lightning bugs? I mean, here is
this rather ordinary looking flying insect, but wait...
it has a glow-in-the-dark rear end. What was God thinking?

I'm sure science has all kinds of explanations about how
this fluorescent fanny is useful for mating and other stuff,
but why did God choose to make the lightning bug glow?

There may be some crucial purpose for the Lighting bug I
don't know about, but I have a feeling it may be quite
simple. I wonder if, when God was creating all the animals
and everything around us, He came up with the idea of the
Lightning bug and said, "The kids are gonna love this."

We know that God loves us enough to create all the things
we need to survive, but does God loves us so much He created
some things just to make us smile?

Just seeing Lightning bugs takes me back to those warm
summer nights of my youth. I'd be running around the back
yard with my empty Mason jar, racing toward the flashing
lights all around me. I can still feel the joy and hear
the laughter echoing through my memories. Lighting bugs
were as much a part of summer as fireworks, fresh tomatoes
and big, ice-cold slabs of juicy watermelon. (I also have a
theory of why God created watermelon seeds the perfect size
to spit, but that is another story.)

God created so much diversity in this world, much more
than is needed for mere survival. He made all of this for
us, and He wants us to enjoy it. We can get so busy
surrounding ourselves with man-made goods that we don't
notice the living tapestry God has laid out all around us.

I guess Lightning bugs do have a purpose after all. They
are a reminder of a creative God who loves us so much, He'd
even paint the rear end of a bug... just to see us smile.

© 2002 Phil Morgan  filmorgan@aol.com
====================

Larry ~ I hope you are able to get some rest so you can start your treatments tomorrow. I will be praying for your remission from the heart failure and pray you are soon able to do more without tiring so much! I know the feeling when you are short of breath and so tired you don't think you can even put one foot in front of the other to walk! I have been doing so well for the last year or so that I sometimes forget how I felt before I found the doctor that I have now and the help he has given me. God Bless Brother.

Larry, my thoughts and prayers are with you as well.  May God richly bless and restore you.  You are a special brother in the Lord.  Hugs to Pat and you!