Christian Photographers Community

 



Morning Devotional





"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:44-45)

Love your enemies...turn the other cheek...to most people that sounds like a pretty weak way to handle somebody who's causing them trouble. But, the truth is, it's the most powerful way there is. It's the way Jesus did it-- and His way never fails.

Do you remember when Jesus went back to Nazareth and the religious folks were angry with Him and wanted to push Him off a cliff? What happened? He just walked right past them, and no one could lay a finger on Him. Another time they decided to stone Him, and He didn't retaliate that time either. He just walked off. No one could touch Him.

When Jesus walked through that crowd, He wasn't afraid. He knew they couldn't hurt Him because He was walking in the love of God.

When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, He didn't mean for you to stand there and have your brains beaten out. He meant for you to stand there in love and in faith believing that the protecting power of God that accompanies that love would keep you safe. He meant for a man to swing at you and not be able to hit you!

The story of Nicky Cruz as recorded in David Wilkerson's book, The Cross and the Switchblade, is a perfect example of that. Nicky was reputed to be the most ruthless gang leader of his time. Yet, when David Wilkerson stood in front of him, telling him about Jesus, Nicky was totally unable to hurt him. He thrust his knife at David several times. But every time he did, David just said, "Nicky, you can cut me into a thousand pieces and every piece will still say, 'I love you and God loves you.'" Because of love, Nicky couldn't get his knife close enough to David to hurt him. A supernatural force always stopped it short.

"But I don't have that kind of love!"

Yes, you do. Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is make the decision to be motivated by that love rather than your own human feelings.

My friend, love never fails! You don't have to be afraid of failure anymore. In fact, you don't have to be afraid of anything. If you're walking in the love of God, you're living the most powerful kind of life there is.

Scripture Study: Matthew 5:38-48 



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#1 today ... Whooo Hoooo !!

Janet~The devotional today is so "right on."  I so believe Love never fails ... God is love and He will NEVER fail.  Thanks for the reminder.  And please know that I am praying for you, Darrel and Beth.  God is in control. 

QuoteJane, I see that the weather is supposed to be nice on Friday and Sat., but the weather people have not been too accurate lately.  Will pray for sunshine and dry weather and hope that it will be a delightful visit for you folks.  If I am outside when you call, leave a message & number & time when it would be best to return your call.  I will look forward to hearing from you.....

Liz ... I'm all packed and just waiting until time to leave to pick up my daughter at the Eugene airport Wednesday night.  I'll call you. 

Larry and Etta Sue I am really getting excited (yup, that's what I said) about the next couple weeks with my girls.  It should be a very good time for all.  Each of the girls have reasons to need a get-away and I'm praying that God will abundantly bless them as they find time for rest and relaxation as well as bonding with each other.  When Joy and I get to California I am praying the bonding and spirit of reunion will carry over to my grandkids and great grand kids... Jean's family, as well as Bryan.  We need to be united in love and I know that will erase the scars of the past.  I'd appreciate it if y'all would keep us in prayer.  [/b]

Hi everyone.  I am awaiting the casserole that Pat made come out of the oven.  Today is our monthly luncheon at the Senior Center.  I don't think Pat will attend as she has a physical therapy appointment and then had an errand to run so will get back too late.  I offered to bring her a plate but she declined.  I have another luncheon on Thursday with my retiree's group.  Hard to believe I have been retired for 10 years.

Janet, that was really a fine devotional this morning.  It is a lesson we need to be reminded of over and over.  I hope the testing and procedure have been accomplished with great success and that you all will have had a good trip home by the time you see this posting.

Jane, I believe the older we get the more we recognize the importance of family.  Perhaps with time we learn that what we once considered important (such as a disagreement or separation within families) we realize that it is really not important at all. 

Jen, sorry to read you had such a bad day yesterday.  Hopefully today is looking brighter.  Sometimes after we sleep on a problem it doesn't have the significance the next day.  Hope that will be the case for you.

Many good postings yesterday.  Hope everyone will have a good day.

Good Morning to one and all. Not much to say yet today.

Thank you Janet for the wondeful devotional. I am praying for you and your family.

Pat I hope you will soon feel beter I am praying for you sister.

Praying for you also Larry.

TTYL

Good Morning to all,

Janie, have a great time--will wait for all the news about your visit.

Not to much to say --awaiting the doctors to call to tell us whenmy husband's surgery will be

getting anxious because pain is setting in while we wait.

My daughter sent this email and I thought I would share.

Dear God....from kids

Dear God,
I went to a wedding and they kissed right in
church. Is that o.k.?

Dear God,
Who draws the lines around the countries?

Dear God,
Did you mean for the giraffe to look that way or was it an accident?

Dear God,
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything  before, you can look it up.

Dear God,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms.
It works with my brother.

Dear God,
(this is my personal favorite)
I think about you sometimes, even when I'm not praying.


Dear God,
If you watch me in church on Sunday I'll show you my new shoes.


Dear God,
I bet it is hard for you to love all people in the world.
There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.


Dear God,
We read Thomas Edison made light.
But in Sunday school we learned that you did,
I bet he stole your idea.


Dear God,
I do not think anybody could be a better God.
Well, I just want you to know that I'm not
saying this because you are God already.

Just a short post as I have a neighbour on her way.  She just phoned and I put the coffee on.

Jane, I hope you have a wonderful two weeks.  I hope you get lots of photos too.  If you manage to meet up with Liz, please give her a hug for me.

Neighbour is at the door now.

THE DAILY GUIDE

++++  by Pastor Simon

*******************************************

Glorious refreshing

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come
before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

1 Chronicles 16:29 - NKJV

Some of the world's most beautiful cathedrals, I believe, were designed
by men who'd received a divine vision. They saw in their spirits the
beauty of holiness and wanted to express this vision in a physical form.
They'd seen what it was like to worship the Lord in the beauty of
holiness. As a result, they desired that people might worship in that
place. Perhaps they thought it was physical place but in truth it's
spiritual place open to us all. Joh.4:21-23.

"Teach us, Lord, to worship in the beauty of holiness!" Worship like
this brings an awesome refreshing and restoration from the presence of
the Lord. Engaged in it you realise again you are a spiritual being
created by God with an eternal existence. Entering into it the events of
your life take on their true perspective and you experience God's rest.
Such worship is an activity of the heart, not the mind. As a result,
there is repentance in true worship. In the presence of the living God
you recognise the dead works you've performed and desire they are put
out of the way and glorious change occur. Acts 3:19-20.

Have you had a time of worship today? Your worship can be a reverent but
fond connecting with God from your innermost being. In it you will have
a spiritual experience of God. Give thanks to Him with your whole heart.
Go before your Heavenly Father via the new and living way consecrated
for you by His Son Jesus. Heb.10:19-20.

Larry ~ So far we haven't received much of that much needed rain.  It was said we would have rain today but the sun is shining bright.  I had a small puddle in front of my garage door when I got up but it is dried up now. 

Sarah ~ That news is hard on anybody but I can't imagine how hard it would be on someone so young.  My prayers are with ya both!

Karma ~ Two plus two is four.  Did I pass or have they changed math since the '40's?

Ruth ~ Good advice.  We all have our trial during our lives.  Reach out to God and he will pull you through.

Al ~ I have found that when we receive love from others, it is so much easier to give love to others.  Some people just want to receive (have never been taught to give) but when a tragedy/problem/concern happens and you 'feel' that love that others give to you....you just want to give that 'feeling' to others.  That, in my opinion, is growing in the ways of God.  And each time you smile, give a hug, sometimes not even say a word with a hug, tell people you love them, tell them you are praying for them and so on and so on, it gets easier each time. 

Marilyn ~ That CD sounds wonderful.  I am amazed when people can write, sing and play several instruments.  Me, I tap my foot.

Judy Mc ~ Being on the 'Welcome' team is a great way to meet your new members.  Even if you don't remember each others names, you will remember faces and next week you will see more familiar faces. 

Samantha ~ I understand your stand on being sick and not attending church and then after services are over, they are well enough to go to WalMart or eat out.  I felt that same way when people called in sick for work and on my way home from work, I would see them out all dressed up or a new perm or such.  Grrrrr! 

Boots ~ Good morning.  Send some of that rain my way.  The farmers are praying for rain around here.  All the corn and soy beans have stopped growing.  My Tulip tree has yellow leaves.  So dry....but I don't have to mow the lawn either.

Jen ~ As someone once said on CP....The one who made you understands all your problems and He can make them right!  Trust in God....he will see you through.  God is good...always.
I am praying for you and yours.

JudyB ~ Great advice for Jen.  It is always helpful to find someone to talk to that is understanding but not giving advice. One who listens and lets you figure out what to do.

Melaura ~ So great to read your post.  When I grow up, I want the wisdom you have.    You are so true....we all need someone to talk to to tell them our happy times as well as our sad times.  Some one to listen...some one to let us vent.  That helps.

Liz ~ Your situation is a perfectly example for people who watch Sunday morning TV.  It is great for you.  We can read the word ourselves but hearing it emphasizes the word.  I find the ministers on TV have sermons that are scripturely based.  That is great.  All ministers should do that.

Janet ~ Wow!  My son and DIL are still going through hard times with her kids and this devotion really says it all.  I copied it and put it in an email for them to read.  It is there by now.  I am praying that it will give them hope as it has given me.  Thank you so much.

Jane ~ I know you are jazzed for the 'reunion' of your girls and grandkids.  I know I cannot imagine the joy you will receive when this is accomplished.  Remember the smallest joy is better than the past.  I am praying for the largest joy for you ever! ! ! !

Joyce ~ So sorry to hear of your husband's upcoming surgery.  I will have him in my prayers.  Kids....they sure tell and ask it as it is!

Pat ~ I know you enjoyed your coffee with your neighbor.  Isn't that fun?  Unexpected company. 

I went with a new friend and her sister-in-law to Kilbuck Photography Guild last evening.  They showed pictures...up to 5 for each person...on the overhead that were on CD's and slides.  Also some that were matted that are ready for the State Fair.  Everyone gently critiqued the photos.  Awesome photos.  One thing I really liked was that Kitty introduced me to two gentlemen when I went in and later, during snacks, they remembered my name.  That is a plus for me with a name like Etta Sue.    I told them my photography was for self-gratification and that I shared my photos with people on websites online.  I seldom print out my photos and then not even on photo paper.  And that I was getting a new camera.  I had the specs on it and they seemed impressed.  I would like to go again after I am familiar with my camera and take some photos done with it.  They use Photo Shop for their photos.

Cloudy, then sunny here today.  A good day to watch TV or read a book.

Sanna

---

blaze

Thank you all for the encouragement.  I really needed to hear from some supportive believers.  Things are going to work out alright, but I have a really daunting task ahead of me.  But I really did need to be reminded that God is still in control and He's got plans for us.  I'm ashamed that I wasn't minding that.  Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom, comfort, and encouragement.  Thank you also for your prayers.

Jen.

QuoteWhen Jesus walked through that crowd, He wasn't afraid. He knew they couldn't hurt Him because He was walking in the love of God.

This really isn't a fair statement because Jesus is able to do this because God wouldn't allow Jesus to be hurt at this time.  We can't walk away sometimes or we will get stones thrown at our backs.  It says to have faith and trust God but when we do we get more hurt.  Why is that?

That quote popped out at me and was just wanting some answers or maybe I am reading to deep into the scripture again.

Good evening folks.  The weather here has been really HOT.  Humidex is in the 40*C+ .  WOW even I am feeling it!  Mom is having a hard time.

For our wonderful neighbors the other side of the border.  Her is your math lesson for the day.

40*C equals 40 X 9 divided by 5 and 32 added to the total.  That gives you the F*.

I need to make sure I water the garden tonight.  The soil is powder dry. If this hot spell doesn't break the farmers will suffer. We do not have those massive irrigation systems that you have in the states particulatly in the mid west.  We are trying to rig up something to do the same job.

Well time to sign off.  Melaura wants the computer for a while tonight.

God bless all

Like Marilyn, I just don't want to leave the wrong impression.  When people really can't attend the gathering of God's people, then it's great that there are some good Christian programs on TV.  But the problem I have is with people merely making excuses about substituting TV for really attending.  Indeed, we Christians should always be ready to specially minister to shut-ins, etc. - to go to them and pray, read the Word with them, etc.  Oh may our God thus bless all of us!

For those of you who know Mark Sherer (Rusty's Paw) on SN, he found his beloved Rusty in the backyard behind a bush dead today. Mark tells me that last month Rusty was in good health. SO Rusty has gone to Rainbow bridge. Mark is hurting and need prayer.

TTYL
here is the email I got from Mark

Rusty was I believe a kindred spirit to Bonny. I read him letters
from Bonny and read him letters written to Bonny. Rusty was examined
just last month and I was told he was in good health. He went out behind
his favorite bushes and that is where I found him. He will be in my
heart forever. Thank you for you kindness.. love Mark.

soni -- thinking about what you wrote.  will respond later, when my thoughts are actually semi-coherent

I'm sad for Mark - he and I had a conversation last night and I asked about Rusty. Yes, he truly will miss him.

I'm dealing with a really sore throat today. So, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic. I got home late because of waiting for the pharmacy to fill the Rx.

Y'all take care.

Ruth Ann

   



Hello All:   

Al:   About the church situation I feel that we are all agree with what the other is saying but here in Canada I do feel that with the stores now open 7 days a week we neglect our Heavenly Father - shopping etc.now seems more important when before we managed to have all of that done on Friday evening or Saturday and then we had the time to worship.


Both Mel & I went to a retirement luncheon in Hamilton these luncheons are a monthly affair but for us it is a 2 hr. drive to get there so this could very well be the last one we attend for another year. After lunch they had a special speaker giving a brief talk on driving - very good.


Ruth

Oh Oh I am in trouble!!!

I put the sprinkler on the garden and forgot to set the timer and forgot to turn the tap off ! ! !  It was on for over 2 hours and Kassie had a shower before bed.   At least with the new submersible pump it will be easier to get water back in the lines.

Today was John's birthday and he has been away the entire week so far.  We will celebrate this weekend.

Talking of this weekend, we will be spending the entire weekend at the North Bay military base for the Provincial truck roadeo championships.  There will be a static display on the waterfront.  John has made arangements for his truck to be on display.  The company has a new trailer and that will be included in the desplay. 

We are going as part of an Open Road Chapel delegation.  This is a ministry aimed at truck drivers.  The chaplins pray to be sensitive to the spiritual, physical. and social needs of the drivers they have contact with.  Truck driving is a very lonely job and often the drivers just need  to sit down with someone for a coffee.  This interaction leads to spiritual things and more than one driver has accepted Christ, or rededicated his life to Christ.  Be praying that we are able to meet spiritual needs on the weekend as well.

Well it is late so I must get some zzzzzz's

Night all

Good Morning Everyone.  I have a few minutes before leaving for the morning.  After coffee this morning, I am following my friend to take his car to the garage for service and while that is happening we are going up to Fry's Electronics for awhile.  I still have my gift certificate that my son gave me for Father's Day so if I find something I "just have to have" I will be able to get it.

Not much new down this way.  We didn't have much rain here yesterday and it is sunny this morning.

JudyB, the truck rodeo sounds like a lot of fun.  Hope you all have a great time.  Wish we could share some of the rain we have had as we have received over 50% of the normal years rainfull in just the last week.  Needless to say things are very green down here. 

Good Morning All!

It's a beautiful day in the Lord, but cloudy in NE Mississippi!  I've had my coffee and cereal, read my bible, and got my husband off to work, so now I can play on the computer.

I'm taking my daughter, Olivia, to an allergist today.  All of her life she has had some type of allergy, but this season nothing seems to help her at all.  She is dreading it and so am I (she hates shots).  I am not sure what they will do on the first visit, but I have a friend who took her son and they drew blood from him.  Please say a quick prayer for her that whatever goes on she will be able to handle it.

Hope everyone has a great day,

Samantha

                                                         July 13, 2005


THE PRICE OF VISION

     In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord.

     Isaiah 6:1


Our soul's history with God is frequently the history of the "passing
of the hero." Over and over again God has to remove our friends in
order to bring Himself in their place, and that is where we faint and
fail and get discouraged. Take it personally: In the year that the
one who stood to me for all that God was, died - I gave tip
everything? I became ill? I got disheartened? or - I saw the Lord?

My vision of God depends upon the state of my character. Character
determines revelation. Before I can say "I saw also the Lord," there
must be something corresponding to God in my character. Until I am
born again and begin to see the Kingdom of God, I see along the line
of my prejudices only; I need the surgical operation of external
events and an internal purification.

It must be God first, God second, and God third, until the life is
faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account whatever.
"In all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but
thee." Keep paying the price. Let God see that you are willing to
live up to the vision.

Quote from: Sonifo on July 12, 2005, 07:11:45 PM

QuoteWhen Jesus walked through that crowd, He wasn't afraid. He knew they couldn't hurt Him because He was walking in the love of God.

This really isn't a fair statement because Jesus is able to do this because God wouldn't allow Jesus to be hurt at this time. We can't walk away sometimes or we will get stones thrown at our backs. It says to have faith and trust God but when we do we get more hurt. Why is that?

That quote popped out at me and was just wanting some answers or maybe I am reading to deep into the scripture again.

I think sometimes we have to distinguish between physical pain and emotional/mental pain, and then look at it with an eternal view rather than a temporal one.

True, Jesus could not be "hurt" at this time, His time had not yet come.  But is it talking just of physical pain?  Possibly.  I imagine that Jesus was hurt emotionally; He loved these people - they hated Him.  That hurts.  That is probably the worst kind of pain.  To love someone with all your heart, yet they despise and reject you. 

What did He do?  He kept walking.  He kept loving them.  And probably kept getting "hurt" in the process.  BUT, he had a view based on eternity, not on time.  He knew that these people were mad at Him, and hated Him, but for God's plan to come to fruition, that is how it had to develop.

Sometimes, we have faith and trust, and it seems we still get hurt.  Sometimes it hurts so bad that we wonder if God even remembers we are here.  I know when I just knew that my father would get well again (I had the faith), but he passed on, it hurt, and I did question God about it.  My "answer" was that God wanted me to have the faith and know that God could heal my daddy.  He didn't, on this Earth, but God's plan was bigger than me.

I know that sounds like a cop out to someone hurting, right now, but if we (and I am including myself in this in a major way) could ever grasp that God is so much bigger than us, and that our time on Earth is so short compared to eternity, a lot of ways that we view things would change, I think.

Instead of retaliating (but, oh, that can be so much fun), we could step aside and let God handle it.

Instead of reacting, we could wait and see what God does.

Instead of getting mad and demanding our way (which is what I do most of the time) we could wait and  see what better things God has in store.

Jesus didn't have to be scared, He knew (and knows) the future.  But, when we can walk in the love of God, and know 110% that we are doing what he has commanded us do, and we are following His guidance, we don't have to be afraid either, because then we will know that whatever happens is temporary, and God is not temporary.  whatever pain or suffering or bad things that happen to us here on Earth are but for a season.  God can use those things to be glorified in everything for eternity.

Does that help at all.  Obviously, to me, it is clear, but I fear I may not have addressed the question you were actually asking.

Have a great day, all!

hey, Karmet,  how old are you??  So very wise for such a young lady.

May I shrink you and put you in my pocket and take you out to repeat this
to me in my time of distress??

OK I know you are needed at home; so I will just print out your post and
show it to my husband while we are going through our medical problems.

I am posting an update about his surgery in a little while.

But, I had to say, I was moved by your words, understood your words,
and you restored my trust and faith in HIS love for us.

Sometimes, it is so hard to see HIS love when we are hurting and we
need to be reminded by others --that is just what you did.

Thank you so very much for sharing.

Love in CHrist,

Joyce

That does help, Karma.  I was reading into the scripture way to far again.  I really like the way you laid it out for me.  I know I am a little slow sometimes.  Thanks

I have some prints to get ordered soo I am going to stay busy on the computer but not have anytime to play. hehehe. 

have a wonderful day folks.

hola, I am here before work... another night of closing but until monday its my last night of closing tomorrow i work short shift and saturday i work split to short ( 12-2 then 5-11) yeah maybe some rest will do me good i still haven't got ahold of my friend yet  hopefully i will sometime... well hey i need to get going so i can get ready and gone to work before i am late bye
sarah

I see we are still on yesterday's NEM....hmmmmm! 

Not much to say today.  Cloudy and raining.  That is good.  The farmers were praying for rain.  Everything is green again.  Funny, no matter how much water you water from a hose, it doesn't do near as good as God's water from the skies. 

Be back later! 

th0r

Hi, friends,

I just had opportunity to come here. I've enjoyed the various discussions posted here both yesterday and today.

I don't have much to add right now - feeling kinda puny from the store throat and fever.

Ruth Ann

Hello Everyone.

It's been a terribly hot day today.  My daughter has been rather cranky because of it, and I have to admit that I have been too!  And it's supposed to be like this all week!  I guess it's the humidity more than the heat that kills me.  I have chronic bronchitis, and it really irritates my breathing.

Karmat - that was a wonderfully simple, yet deeply insightful response.  Something we definitely all need to remember.  I know I needed to hear it.  I personally tend to get so wrapped up with what's going wrong for me, I forget that there's a plan at work that's so much bigger than I could ever conceive, and I'm playing but a small part in it.  And yet it's a miracle to eventually see how each small part worked together for God's plan.

Ruth Ann - I am sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather.  I hope you're feeling better soon.  A cold in the summer-time is definitely no fun, on top of your leg being casted as well.  I do hope things get better for you soon.

I suppose I might as well share what was bothering me.  My daughter has not quite turned four months yet (not until Friday) and I found out this past weekend we're expecting again.  To me, the timing seemed horrible.  I didn't feel anywhere near ready or able to deal with another pregnancy, since my last one was difficult and dangerous.  My due date is the day after Mercy's first birthday.  When I got the results, I went home and cried for three days.  I thought God had finally given me too much.  I couldn't understand why He didn't choose someone stronger.  I know it might sound silly, but it was really a test of my faith.  However, after removing myself and my feelings from the picture, it was easier to remind myself that, A) God promised not to give me more than I can handle, B) He is with me always, no matter what, and C) children are a gift from the Lord.  I still have many doubts as to my ability to cope, but I am delving deeper into His Word and prayer.  I wanted to thank you all again for your encouragement.  God bless you.

Jen.

mercychild, your post brought back memories of my own...being pregnant so early after you just had a baby.  Mr first 3 boys were all 14 mos apart..to the day!  Then we waited 3 yrs before having that 'girl'. I wondered each time if I would be able to cope and still be the mother I needed to be...but our God is sooooooo good and with Him to be my strength & guide...it  became easier to bear.  I will be praying for you and for that new life growing in you.  God Bless you....

I'm back here after missing 3 or 4 days.  Have tried to catch up some...but need to go back even further to Sunday.   

We had a big storm this afternoon.  There was debris on the road home and some small limbs down in my yard and driveway. 

I'm getting sleepy and now is the time for me to 'hit the hay'.