Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


What About Sanctification?


Accordiing to Romans 8:29, our destiny as believers is to be conformed to the character image of Jesus Christ!  Simply put, our lives are destined to become holy as His, and the process begins now!

How can it possibly be?  Rom. 8:2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Here the word “law” should not be defined merely as a set of rules, but as “regulatory power.”  So then we read, “The regulatory power of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the regulatory power of sin and death.”  Put more simply, it's just telling us that, for those who are in Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit has freed us from the otherwise unbreakable bonds of sin!

In other words, Christians can become holy! It says, “But if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.”  The law couldn’t do it, simply because the flesh was too weak to keep the law.

But it goes on to say, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh (of His own Son), that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  He’s telling us that by “walking . . . according to the Spirit” we can actually fulfill “the righteous requirements of the law!”

It’s extremely important to remember that every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9).  So if you're really a Christian at all, then you're set free from slavery to sin by the indwelling of God’s Spirit. It goes on to say, “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  It’s really possible for every Christian to “put to death the deeds of the body!”

In fact, every Christian WILL put to death the deeds of the body.   To be led by the Spirit means to be engaged in spiritual warfare, to be putting to death sinful practices and replacing them with God-glorifying ones.

Of course, as every Christian knows very well, spiritual warfare sometimes involves long, hard battles that involve pain and suffering.  But we can't be glorified with Him if we don't suffer with Him (Rom. 8:23-25).  As these verses tell us, He suffered for sin - our sin - and we too must suffer through long, hard battles - but they are battles He's made it possible for us to win by His Spirit.

One Holy-Spirit-led solution to our present-day frustrations is prayer. But there are times when even that, rather than being a solution, is actually part of the problem - because we often don't know how to pray nor what to pray for as we ought.  But the encouragement is that He Who indwells each and every believer - prays for us!

When all we can do is groan, then He Who knows both God and us - perfectly - intercedes for us perfectly according to the will of God!  It's a powerful encouragement to know that there are perfect prayers perfectly taking care of us even when we are least able to pray.

Finally, there's one last encouragement we need to take with us: all those things that happen to us, all those painful or even terrifying events in our lives, can only do us ultimate good.  God has destined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and, as God, He is absolutely determined that we will be glorified at last and that the process shall begin now!

Let me summarize.  The Holy Spirit of God indwells every Christian.  YOU are indwelt.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I CAN actually break the power of sinful habits.  The process can and will be painful, long, and hard - but successful.  God has predestined you to that success!  You've already begun to move toward it because of the Holy Spirit working within you.  If you're not moving toward it, you're not a Christian at all, because only “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”  So - if you're suffering through battles over sin in your life, then you're being led by the Spirit of God!  If you weren't alive by the Spirit, you wouldn't suffer.[/color]

Al Moak

Good Morning everyone, I hope Dec, 1 finds you all well. Busy to day see you later

Al, thank you for a great devotion.  Very insightful.

All, I posted my blood test results in the Weight Loss area.  Some of my results were fantabulous and some, I still can't figure out why.  Oh, well.  No matter how healthy we are, a doctor can find something wrong for us to keep us going back...and back...and back.

Jane, glad you are warm again and do follow up with what the doctor says about your mammography. 

Thanks to all who commented about yesterday's devotion.

Bright and Sunny here in Central Indiana.  But the sun is deceiving.  It is 32°F.  While walking my trash to the road, it was soooooo cold.  And it is windy so the chill factor is below freezing.  My resin deck was icy.  The moisture doesn't absorb in the resin so it lays on the deck until it evaporates and when it is cold, it doesn't evaporate so it results in a skim of ice.  I have porch salt and that helps a lot. 

I was up early and already I feel a nap coming on.

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"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on--and then swing!"

Al:  Thank you for the devotion.  It is good to be reminded that the Spirit is in us. 

Beth:  Larry's suggestion of putting heat tape on the pipes is really a good one.  We had a place in the mountains and after  applying heat tape, never had the frozen problem again.  Also, we like to keep doors open anytime the temp. is really freezing (I mean doors under the cabinet with pipes).  Bet your parents are feeling warmer especially in higher humidity!

Larry:  I believe that some people carry the grudge forever gene - nothing can change for them. 

Ursula:  We have used wireless on our laptop but cannot do the banking that way because of fear that someone can get into the system.  At least, that is what warnings are about that I have heard. The lighting sounds interesting. 

Larry:  I bought an early present for Don's birthday - it is the Ott floor lamp.  Using the coupon for the fabric store, I wanted to get this for him for reading and it makes a world of difference.  He was using my little Ott lamp so often that this seemed to be a perfect gift. 

We have been heavy into the holiday preparation and Don stood in the workshop and made four pepper grinders yesterday.  He said that he had a huge job with the vacuum.  I am making hot pads for the table for each family.  Also, the cards are on the table and we wander over and work on a few at a time.  Also, making hot fudge sauce and peanut brutal for them.  I picked up a book co-written by Peter Marshall yesterday and lo and behold, it is the son of the Peter Marshall of Washington D.C.  Probably, you are all too young to remember his story.  An inspiring minister who died very young. 

Carol

Good Morning Everyone !!

Well, it's COLD here in OHIO.  They called for SNOW but the LORD just blessed us with rain & wind & so I am sorta glad that it did not snow because we do not have any shovels or our plow here at thee new house so ... I want to be prepared when it does come. 

I think that I have said tht I want a little for MY BIRTHDAY & CHRISTMAS so ... we will see what thee Lord give's us this year !!  I am wanting a MILD WINTER since I have a little longer drive this year & so, we will see what happens & I will keep everyone posted !!

So, it's church day around these parts & so I have housework to do before tonight so ... I am going to make this short & head back upstairs to get some MORE CLOTHES WASHED & START MY CHRISTMAS CARDS so take care & I will do my best to come back in later today if I get the time !!

Here is my official Welcome to all the newcomers that I have failed to properly
To all who have recently joined Christian Photographers.

Good  Morning, Thanks you Al for today's devotional. You always give us something to really think on for the day.

Can't stay for coffee today, must run now got to go to work early.
TTYL

December 1   

Trials and Pain: The Dark Night of the Soul

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide
Your face from me?
--Psalm 13:1

Some of you know something of that which has been called "the dark
night of the soul." Some of you have spiritual desire and deep
longing for victory but it seems to you that your efforts to go on
with God have only brought you more bumps and more testings and more
discouragement. You are tempted to ask, "How long can this go on?"...

Yes, there is a dark night of the soul. There are few Christians
willing to go into this dark night and that is why there are so few
who enter into the light. It is impossible for them ever to know the
morning because they will not endure the night.  I Talk Back to the
Devil, 80-81.

"Lord, You know the dark night that I endured for a number of years--
and I know I'm not alone. I pray for any who are suffering today and
struggling. Bring Your deep-seated peace and the assurance that the
morning is coming. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient. Amen."

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Morning Peeps! 

A softbox is a box with a light in it that is covered with a light material on the open side to let light through with a soft glow so your portrait lighting isn't  so harsh.
Picture of one!

I will get a picture of my homemade one today. 

I'll be pretty much all day, so won't be in here much.  I will try to pop in to see what everyone is doing.

I can't believe it is December already!  I have no clue what I am going to get the boys for Christmas this year.  Anyone have any ideas? 

Cute graphics, TBear!

Great devotion, Al!

Hope you all have a wonderful day! 

Oh yah! If you want a Christmas card from me, would you PM me with your address?  Thanks! 

---

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   Thanks Al for the great devotion,no word yet from my mom ,guess she's too busy.My pipes did not stay frozen they are wrapped by a heat tape andit was replaced a yr ago, this happens every yr reguardless.I do have my water dripping and cabnint doors are opened with a babygate blocking underneath to keep my 4 leggeg kids out.The snow is about gone and it seems to be fairly warm out it was like that yesterday too not so cold.I have not been out tho I hope to get a ride this week to church as I am suffering from  'being trapped  at home" thats about how it feels.My dogs are all snoozing ,Miracle in my lapand George by my feet.My brother called me last night and I do get to see him sometime this month and he will get to check out this fellow he has heard allabout but even if John does not pass the "test" I'm going to keep him anyway.Miracle is dreaming and barking in her sleep with little growlswonder what she is chasing or what is chasing her.I had my cockatoo out this morning she was startled by something,flew off her stand so the chase began she went in my room hid under the bed the after I got her out she got down again and hid out of my reach so finally when I retrieved her she was returned to her cage where I told her she was staying.Ok guess thats all my  animal adventures for the day,I'll post some pcs of my dogs,bird and myself and John sometime after mom returs most likely as I do not have them off my camera and never done it before soo you know how that is.Well God Bless and take care all of you,hey Sonja I am older than you I am 162,thats what I tell people anyway,Beth

WHERE IS EVERYONE??  Let's sing loudly and maybe we'll have some posts.  I'm getting ready to leave for the evening so hopefully there will be lots of messages to read when I get home.




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LA LA LA LA LA ... that's all the words I have coming out of my mouth Pat ... but I am sure that I will have something good to share with you & other's when we get home from church tonight ... take care & sending over lots of hugs for you tonight !!

TBEAR

Well, LA, LA, LA is better than nothing!  HAHAHA! 

Quote from: Logar on December 01, 2004, 06:53:13 AM


Good Morning everyone, I hope Dec, 1 finds you all well. Busy to day see you later

Hi Logar...  For some reason your little graphic doesn't show so I'm wondering if the site you're using won't allow linking.  You'll see it because it's in your cache.  Anyway, I uploaded it to the CP server for you and if you use this URL, that will be fine.

http://christianphotographers.com/forum/graphics/hdr_pooh.1.jpg

http://www.fishermansnet.com/midi/Misc-mid/ChristmasMIDI/EMMANUEL.MID

WAKE UP EVERYONE!

Sonja
I didn't know it was your  Bday yesturday.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

Chris, that's a nice one.  I'm not sure if I have that or not.  At first I thought it was going to be just one note but then the full organ started.  I like that.

I liked it very much too, Chris.  This new computer plays sound much, much better than the old one did.

Hey Soni - I'm awake.  Is someone sleeping?

Hi everyone just had to come in and post after reading Beth's post and wondering what Kind of "Test" I have to pass. glad you decided to keep me regardless since I'm not going anywhere anyway. can't wait to see the pictures once you get them posted.I'll be in kansas, if all goes on schediule in 16 days 17 hours 48 minutes and30 seconds

HI John, Beth, Pat, Chris, Al and matt! 

Thanks Matt! 

I am off to dance.  I will be back later to say goodnight. 


I think I woke up a few folks. hehehehe...

Well folks this is my final installment for the night so I just wanted to say GOOD NIGHT & so I will be here in the morning so take care & have a wonderful night ( what is left of it ) to all of my new friends that I have met here ...

* AL
* LARRY
* PAT
* ETTA
* JUDY
* SONIFO
* KREATIVE ... I could not forget you sis ( since your the one that brought me here )

that's for all the notes & good words ... so take care & see you all next time !! Blessings upon all of you !!

TBEAR

hello everyone
today's beena  long frustrating day and it all started when the alarm clock went off.... i was late to my 8am college class... couldn't do anything good in practice... oh well it's night time and about bedtime.... i'm exhausted....ttyl
sarah

Hi everyone.  It is past my bedtime but this is the first opportunity I have had to get in to read postings today.  I spent a lot of time on our church webpage as am having difficulty getting our Church Newsletter, which is prepared with Publisher, to display properly when I publish it to the web.  It looks good in Firefox but only page one wants to show in Internet Explorer.  It was rather frustrating.  I had choir practice tonight.  We have only a few more practices before we sing our Christmas Cantata on the 19th.  We are having several instrumentest perform with us so it should be very pretty. 

Carol, I noticed the mention of the Ott lights.  Pat and I each have one of the floor lamp models next to our recliners and they provide wonderful light by which to read.  We just had to replace the light bulb in one of them recently and that was a major expense but I was lost without it.

I am not going to make inidividual comments tonight as am just too tired.  I will try to do better tomorrow.

Hi, here's another tired 'un. By Nashville time, I had to get up at 2 a.m. (while in London) to make that flight. Plane had problems in Detroit, so didn't get in this evening until almost 9. Very tired.

More tomorrow.

Ruth Ann

Welcome Home, Ruth Ann!  Great to have you home again.

Now it's time to lock the door.

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