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Morning Devotional






"And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water."
(Matthew 14:28-29)

It's easy to be so afraid of making a mistake that you never get around to stepping out on faith. You can spend all your time wondering, "Is this faith? Or is it presumption? What if I exercise my faith for something and find out later I've missed God's will?"

Don't worry. God can handle any mistake you can make. I know because I've made plenty of them. When I did, I'd just go to the Lord and He'd tell me, "Stay on the Word, daughter. Together we'll overcome this thing." And we always did.

If you act on the Word out of the sincerity of your heart and you steadfastly stay with the Word, Jesus will never let you down...no matter how many dumb mistakes you make. He proved that the night Peter jumped out of the boat in the middle of the lake.

Have you ever stopped to think about that incident? Peter hadn't been praying or seeking God's will before he did that. On impulse he just blurted out, "Lord, if it's You bid me come."

What was Jesus supposed to say? He couldn't very well say, "It's not Me." I suppose He could have said, "Wait a minute now. You don't have the faith to get out here. You'd better stay in that boat or you're going to drown for sure."

But He didn't say that to Peter--and He won't say it to you. If you want to get out and walk by faith, He'll get out there with you and pick you up when you start sinking. He'll walk you back to the boat if He has to.

It's better to risk being presumptuous than to waste your life in the boat of unbelief! If you have to, just dive into the water and say, "God, help me!"

Don't let fear keep you from taking that step of faith. Come on, get out of the boat today!

Scripture Study: Matthew 14:22-33 [/b]

Thanks for that devotional Janet.  When I was in college and suffering from depression, I would often agonize over God's will for me.  I would literally shut down because I was so afraid that I would do something wrong.  Analysis causes paralysis[/b].  What I learned is that when I truly seek God's will for my life, and my heart is pure before Him, I can walk in confidence.  I'm not saying that I can just run full steam ahead and do whatever I want, but I don't have to worry that I will totally screw up either. 

Question for ya (and before you read it, there are no "right or wrong" answers).

What is your role in the church?  Not the building where you worship, per se, but the body of believers that makes up the bride of Christ.

May 17 - The Preeminence of Christ

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"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

Throughout the precious book of Colossians we see Christ presented in great majesty. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only reigns supreme over His first creation (the created universe), but also over His new creation (the Church). He is the universal sovereign Creator "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature" (1:15). "And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence" (1:18).

Christ is also preeminent in our reconciliation, "having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself" (1:20), so that He can "make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (1:27).

Additionally, our Savior is unsurpassed in wisdom, as it is Christ "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (2:3), far above man's "philosophy and vain deceit . . . the tradition of men . . . the rudiments of the world" (2:8 ).

Christ furthermore transcends all religion, invalidating man's rules, regulations, and ritualistic observances that are of no added value to our Lord's sacrificial work on the cross. All the ceremonial dietary restrictions, festivals, and sacrifices were simply "a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (2:17).

Finally, Christ is preeminent in our daily Christian lives, that as we "seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (3:1), we can then do everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (3:17). MDR

Good Morning, I didn't sleep at all last night. I am all stuffed up this morning. I do not feel well and still have to go to Eureka to sign  up for subsidised housing. It is raining again today too.

Janet thank you for the devotional this morning,  I wish I felt better so I could comment on the devotional on walking in faith.

TTYL

Janet, I listen to a Southern Gospel station a lot, and one of the songs they play is "Step Out of the Boat."

I really appreciate the devotionals I read here.

Karmat, I certainly understand depression and some of the problems it causes. Ofttimes, its' so stealthy it creeps up on us "like a thief in the night." And, oh, the heartaches is can cause!

Marilyn, I certainly hope you feel better soon. The symptoms you describe certainly DO sound like allergies. Maybe when you get moved your health will improve radically.

I have a day long business meeting today - am wearing an "old new" blouse that folk won't remember 'cuz it's been so long since I could wear it!!!

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

I'm thankful to say that I actually got some sleep last night!  Six hours during one stretch!  Unheard of!  Thank You, Father!  Don't worry, Marilyn, that's not rain.  It's just precipitation.  But don't get any of it on you.

Oh thank you for that advice Brother Al, you are so wise. 

Good morning!  Are you ready to walk on the water? 

I did 50 sit-ups in addition to my upper body workout routine today.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!  That's what Kristi tell me!    But it is so strange----after I work out, I feel so energized, and ready to tackle whatever the day may hold.  This day holds taking Beth to the doctor, for starters.

Karma, strange you should ask that question!  That is what I am asking God about at this time in my life.  I don't fully have the answer yet, but I'm sure He will show me as I step out in faith and do what I know to do.

Congratulations, Ruth Ann!  Do you want to tell us how much weight you have lost?  (You don't have to, we are proud of you anyway!)

Gotta run, see you later!

Mer

melba1

What wonderful devotions today.  Really great!

Janet ~ Are you calling the kettle black?  YOU telling ME not to overdue it?  Just remember my spurts of energy is LIKE your relaxing time.  50 situps?  Ha!  I doubt if I could do two!!!!!!!!  But right now, I wish I could go swimming.  I remember going swimming as a kid with a bad cold and well, that water just washed it out of my head!!

Marilyn ~ Do take care.  I promise I did not send what I have to you.  I promise.  Just don't let it get you down.  Here, it is warm one day, hot the next, almost freezing the next.  You never know how to dress let alone whether to open windows, turn on the furnace or turn on the A/C.  And I have done all three in the same day just trying to keep a constant temperature. 

Small groups was wonderful.  No Bible study.  Just getting together and talking.  A year and a half ago, we were all strangers and now we are family.  What a great feeling.  Now June 20th, they are all coming here for a weiner roast back in the woods.  That should be fun if I have some boy scouts than can light a fire.  Done it before but that was a looooooong time ago. 

Judy, my classmate called and tomorrow we are going out for breakfast.  I love eating out for breakfast.  Love it!!!  This year is our 45th year since graduation and we have found out that we aren't having a reunion so Judy and I want to make a list of people to call and 'just go out to eat together'.  Do you see a theme going on?  Eating?

Laundry today.  How does one person dirty so many clothes?

Hi everyone.  

Janet, I know what you mean about looking at your photo and not feeling like the photo shows.  However, there are some days or times when the image fits.  Fortunately, I am not subject to depression and am usually pretty upbeat.  I do experience times when I am very tired but don't think that is depression.

Karmat, you ask an interesting question.  I am sure I often fail to do what God would want me to be doing.  However, I try to do those things that I feel I can handle at the time.   IT is nice to hear of little boys and girls playing in the dirt.  I still remember being a small child and making many mud pies in the dirt.  I lived on a farm and we had lots of nice really dark black earth and it made great mud pies.  I sometimes wonder if all the allergies that our kids experience are, at least in part, caused by the fact that we are too clean and thus never allow our bodies to build up natural immunities.  

Etta Sue, going out to eat with your former classmates will provide a much better opportunity to visit than to have a big get together where you have little time to talk to anyone.  Sounds like a great idea.

Marilyn, sorry to read that you are feeling so "under the weather".  I do hope it doesn't get any worse.

Al, good to see you are getting some good rest.  I am a very sound sleeper and seldom have a problem sleeping so really can't emphatize (sp).

Think it is time for a little nap.  Hope everyone has a good day.  Thanks for the devotional thoughts today.
Not much new here today.  After my marathon day yesterday I am just taking it easy today.  I did have to do some grocery shopping this morning but don't plan to go out again today.  

In the chiropractors office yesterday I read some cute little stories and thought I would share some of these.  Here is one you may have heard before.

The little girl had been giving her mother a hard time all morning.  Finally her mother said, "Please behave yourself.  Don't you know that every time you misbehave, I get another gray hair in my head?"

"My," the little girl said, "you sure must have been a bad little girl.  Just look at all the gray hairs Grandmother has!"

Larry -- I hadn't thought about the cleanliness thing.  It is true though.  Kids don't seem to be outside as much as they once were.  Travis would stay out there if I would let him.  Unfortunately, we don't have a good yard to play in, and what we do have is buggy and stuff. 

It is absolutely beeeeeeUUUUUUUUtttteeeeeeefullllll here today (that's beautiful for those of you that can't read southern).  I, however, am set upon thoroughly cleaning my kitchen.

Have a good 'un ya'll!!!

Karma

I am back at home after my little trip to Eureka, no line to wait in I was the first and only one there, then I stopped at Winco to get  bread and butter and at Walgreens to get nasal spray, Tylenol, PM and more cough drops. Now I am going to rest for the rest of today, take a Tylenol PM and try to sleep for a bit.

TTYL

Karma, there was a time I thought I knew exactly my gift and purpose within the Body of Christ.  (And some believe I should still be there).  I also remember when I became sick of myself and what I could do, and asked the Lord to please remove all from me that I could do without him.  That is not a prayer to be offered lightly, believe me!  I didn't know just how thorough He would be.  I actually thought I might be losing my mind at one time.  I couldn't do the books for church, and I was SURE I could do that, I hated the sound of my voice in worship.  I've gone through a long time of feeling depressed, unable to be anything to anyone, everything around me fell apart, my reputation within the Body changed to unreliable, and still I know it's Him.  Today I only know that each day is His and He has allowed me to be in it. 

And now......I don't know who I am in the Body.  I've been labeling myself "simply His" because, until He leads me into only what I can't do without Him,  I don't know anything.   I know I'm something, because people seem to want me around, haha, but they must know more than me.

What good discussion in here today!  Karma, that's a great question.  It's got me thinking for sure.

By the way, our member Matt is a brand new Daddy!  His little girl arrived yesterday!  Only 20 minutes of labour!

Here's a picture of her:  http://www.photography-cafe.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-5742

Oooooooh!  Hi, little princess!  She is so sweet, Matt.  We need all the particulars, of course. )  Congratulations, mama, on such a short time of labor!

Pat, I've noticed my posting times on here are actually off an hour from my real time.  For instance, it's 10:35 am now.  Can I fix this somewhere?

edit: ok.  I found it. 

Nita ... your posting times are the same as mine here .... did you reset the time on your computer for Daylight Saving?

Jane, I corrected it here, and then that made all my posts correct.   It was showing all my posts an hour behind before.  And all of yours and all of everyones.   I've caught up with the rest of you now.  Just muddlin' along, ya know.

May 17   
Preaching: Old-fashioned Horse Sense
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And
he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and
manifest Myself to him. 
--John 14:21
When they want to get blessed, some people try getting worked up
psychologically....
Some people try group dynamics....
What is needed is some old-fashioned, salty horse sense. I am sure
there are 189 mules in the state of Missouri that have more sense
than a lot of the preachers who are trying to teach people how to
get the blessing of God in some way other than by the constituted
means. When you get people all broken up, dabbing at their eyes and
shaking, what is the result? It does not bring them any closer to
God. It does not make them love God any better, in accordance with
the first commandment. Nor does it give any greater love for
neighbors, which is the second commandment. It does not prepare
them to live fruitfully on earth. It does not prepare them to die
victoriously, and it does not guarantee that they will be with the
Lord at last.
The Lord has constituted means. Jesus said in the Gospel of John,
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves
me" (John 14:21a).  Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the
Church, 51-52.
"Father, keep me from the false ways of attempting to secure Your
blessing. Help me to boldly declare the importance of old-
fashioned obedience to Your commands. Amen."
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What a precious little bundle of joy!  Congratulations, Matt!

I feel like if I don't move I will fall asleep on my keyboard here! zzzzzzzzzz..............   I guess the world wouldn't stop turning if I did take a nap, though, would it?

Karma, I agree with Larry that people are too sanitized now.  They are saying now that people should NOT use those sanitizing hand cleaners, they kill the good bacteria along with the bad.  There are situations where they would be good, but not for general, every day use.  I remember making (and tasting-- ) mud pies, too!  I played in the dirt a lot as a kid.  My favorite thing was playing "Little farm".  This involved digging a hole in the ground, covering it with a piece of tin or a board, making cows and horses out of a big gourd, four rusty nails for legs, one for a neck, small gourd for a head, making people with insulators with marbles for heads, and a lot of imagination.  I played that for many, many hours alone on the farm.  Do kids develop their imiginations as much with all the electronic toys they have now?  I have often wondered about that.

I must be about getting ready for a birthday party for my Mom --her 89th-- coming up on the 29th; Mark's graduation next Saturday, Ulysses' all school reunion Memorial weekend, my week long painting class over in Fowler the first week of June, and then family reunion the 17-19th of June.  Plus, we will be keeping Abby while her parents go on a cruise to Alaska for their 25th anniversary.  I don't have much to do, huh?    Maybe I SHOULD take a nap while I still can! 

See you all later!

Hi, friends,

I've certainly enjoyed the lively discussion today. The meeting seemed to go off well, and then I went to "begin" my crown on my tooth. Instead they found still more infection, so now I need to go to ANOTHER doctor. Who knows what's ahead!

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

Speaking of mud and dirt and playing outdoors.  Here in Oregon, in my area of childhood, boys played "logging".  I remember seeing banks dug out, mud everywhere because of the rain,  guylines out of wire, tongs for lifting "logs". The really lucky guys had dad's who bought them Tonka log trucks and bought store bought logs for them.  All in a day's "work".

I never "logged", but Oregon playing always meant getting muddy somewhere.  Kid's love dirt.

I'm having a really bad evening tonight so I've changed the date on today's NEM to tomorrow.

Sorry folks.

Thank you Pat  do hope and pray you will get better.  My temp is 102.3 at this time I haver a cool wash cloth laying on the back of my neck. I hope I feel better tomorrow.

Here is a devotional for tomorrow.


May 18 - Redeemed!

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"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18-19).

How glibly we use the terms redeemed, redemption, and ransom. But what do they mean, and more importantly, what did Christ's act of redemption mean?

Three Greek words and their derivations are used in the New Testament to denote various aspects of this truth. In our text, "redeemed" comes from the Greek word, lutroo, which means to set free, to buy back, or to ransom. Christ's innocent blood, sacrificed for us, bought us back. "By His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).

But redeemed from what or from where? From slavery to sin. Jesus taught, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34). Thankfully, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13). The Greek word used here is exagorazo, meaning to buy up, to ransom from the market place (i.e., agora), which could be called "the slave market of sin." He ransomed us, He redeemed us from the horrors of slavery to sin by His death on the cross.

The final root word is apolutrosis, which means "to ransom in full." He has paid the full penalty! Nothing more need be paid or done! Indeed, "It is finished" (John 19:30), He said as He died. In Him, and in Him alone "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

Each of us needs to appropriate His plan, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24). JDM

I am feeling better than I did yesterday but not much. Fed the dogs now going back to bed.

TTYL

Good Morning

Marilyn, I'm glad you are feeling a little better.  Hopefully the extra rest you are taking will get you all better.

Janet, I like you new photo.

Congratulations Matt on the safe new arrival of your daughter.

Pat, I hope you feel better soon.

I know I've missed others, so hello everyone!

I have a short shift at the store today, and some errands to run after so have a great day all.

Congratulations, Matt and Mommy.  What a little princess!

I am waiting for my classmate.  She should be here any minute.  My cold is a lot better and I am not taking anything right now.  Just the normal stuff with colds....blowing....spitting....coughing....

Nice and sunny today.  A little chilly right now.  Ha!  My WeatherBug says it is -15°.  It sure has dropped since I took out the trash.  I think there is something wrong with the WeatherBug.