Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...[/b]

COLOSIANS 2:11-14[/color]

Not What We Do[/b]

"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.  And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."  Col. 2:11-14

Circumcision was given as a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and the Jews after him.  It was to remind them that they belonged to God and, specifically, to God’s special people Israel.  Of course, like any outward sign, it didn’t really mean anything eternal unless there was an inward work of the Spirit, a work that moved the heart to trust in the coming Messiah of God.

But, with or without that inward work, it was a sign that sealed its wearer as a member of the covenant people of God.  As such it resulted in some great advantages.  Paul mentions them in Romans 3.  He says, "What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?  Much in every way!  Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God."  The advantage of circumcision was that God had given His (circumcised) people the Word, "the oracles of God."  The advantage for the circumcised person was that, as a member of covenant Israel, he was under the teaching of the Word, the teaching of the sacrifices that looked forward to Christ, the revelation of God through the law and prophets.

But what about Gentiles in our own day?  Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, said, "In Him you (non-Jews) were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of Gold, Who raised Him from the dead."  Baptism has replaced circumcision.  The baptized individual has been made a member of God’s people, the Church.  That person is therefore placed under the teaching of the Word of God, the teaching that reveals God in Christ as Savior and Lord.  It’s a tremendous advantage.

But without the working of the Spirit, it is of no avail.  If all it does is make you feel superior, then you are a hypocrite, you spend your time judging others when, actually, you yourself will be judged.  But the advantage can be great.  By placing you in the Church where the Gospel is preached it could lead you to repentance and faith.

What shall we do then, dear ones?  Let us pray that God may grant that our churchianity may become Christianity by the work of His gracious Spirit!  God grant that our baptism may signify not only membership in His church, but true relationship to Christ Let us often do what Paul suggests in his letter to Corinth when he says, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified?"  Dear people - self examination like that has eternal consequences!


~Al Moak~


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I'm going to post this again just in case our newest member missed it in Nov. 3rd's NEM...

GOODMORNING ALL 10.57 in HOLLAND

AL thank you very much for your devotional very good
Also the hymn A MIGHTRY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD thank you for that hymn on of my lovely hymns.
And once you say to me a lovely picture you have God Bless you it is or i the trumphets can hear
that have i also, but there shall be a day then we shall hear the trumphets.And sometimes is my wish that this day soon shall come that Jesus is coming back.


Have been to the doctor tuesday my bloodpressure was good but my heart is going to soon.
Now i must have a bloodtest on everything but special for my thyroid.

My father has yesterday been to the hospital and his hip is still not good he must go on with therapie but over 6 weeks he must back to the hospital when is hip then is not good then he get bedrest or again a operation his hip out and a new hip in. But i say they must give him a new hip when he was broken then he now can walk but now not.
The last days he was not so depressed but yesterday the doctor is now thinking about medicines for his depressions.
But i have sleepless night from this my own doctor will me give sleeping tablets but i want that not , medicines for my depressions is enough.

We have not a lot seen on the Dutch TV from who shall be President of America
there is killed a moviemaker on street in Holland trough a moslim.
He has maked a movie about moslim woman and he has help had from a moslim woman she is in our gouverment. She is also now in danger. In the houses of friends from the killer are found papers for attacks they all are arrest.
It is going not good  special in the great city's between Dutch people and moslims.
But there are a lot problems the last time here.

It is beautiful  harvest weather here i still wear my summercoat not wintercoats to warm
I love the weather so.


2 Samuel 22:2-3
The Lord is my rock, my fortress
and my deliver; My God is my
rock, in whom I take refuge.

                       THE HEAVEN OF MY HEART

                        In every storm, He is unshakeable,
                        In every struggle, He is steadfast.
                             In every season of sorrow,
                            He is the haven of my heart.
                      In the shelter of His love, I will abide.

Bye Love
Ria   


                                 

   




                 BarbaraG to CP

                 
                     RIA

Good morning .

Thank-you Al.  God bless you.

Goedemorgen Ria.  Mij klein zuster.

I got up early today and have cleaned the entry, washed the rubbish bin,put some more washing out,ordered some greengroceries from a shop up at the precinct and have made a cake.

The sun is shining here and it's very cold.....

God is so good, all the time.  Praise Him!

Huggies,
Jenny.

Good morning all.  It's 4:30 AM here, and I couldn't sleep again.  I'm up because I thought I heard a little noise at my bedroom  door, and opened it.  Sure enough there sat Amy and her little family.  It was such a funny site I had to laugh and that made me want to get the day started early.  They are all confined to one area of the living room, their sleeping area, play area,surrounded by a plastic fence, but managed to escape somehow.     I do believe they were all relieved to get back to familiar quarters. lol  The pups, I mean.  Amy is out a lot.  She's used to coming into my room and seeing if I'm awake, but this time the pups followed her.

They always make me smile.   Janet, I'd like to see pictures of your puppies.

Ria,  please take care of your heart.  I'm so sorry to hear of the violence in your area. 

Jenny, good morning.  You've been quite busy already.  What time is it there anyway?   I don't think you're baking a cake at 4:30 in the morning.   But then again......haha

Yesterday was sunny and coldish.  It's dark out, so I don't know what the day holds.  I'd still like to get out sometimes and get pictures.  JANE, are your swans still posing?

Thank you to those who prayed for my grandson.  He told me yesterday that he's started running again.  He left early to run before school.  I think this is encouraging.   God is good.  Great is His faithfulness!      love, nita

Welcome to Christian Photographers, BarbaraG.  [/font][/size]

As you make your way around CP, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  I'll be looking for your posts so I can say hello again.   There are such loving people here, and you will be welcomed with open arms. 

Suzanne........oooh, that's so pretty.

Quote from: Nita on November 04, 2004, 08:41:31 AM
Suzanne........oooh, that's so pretty.

Thank you, Nita! Playing in PSP 

Good morning, friends,

Today's the day the dentist sets my new crown. I think I know why they call it a "crown" - it's because the price of each one is probably equal to a pretty princess' tiara!

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning. Thank you Al for the devotional this morning.

Good Morning also to Jenny, RuthAnn, Ria, Nita and Suzanne. That Rose is lovely Suzanne.

Did I tell you that I went to visit Fay yesterday and she said she is coming home next Tuesday whether they like it or not she is leaving that nursing home?. Such a shame that  our elders are treated so shabily in there.

Ursula, I do pray that you will not let anyone elses political views keep you away from CP.

TTYL

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther hammered into the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, his 95 theses against the Roman Catholic Church. Among the things for which Luther became famous:

• The scriptures to be translated in the common languages of all men
• The doctrine of salvation by faith alone
• The birth of congregational singing
• The hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" was written by Martin Luther around the time when the term Protestant was first heard. This hymn became the battle cry during the Protestant reformation.

Thank God for men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldreich Zwingli and others who led the way during the reformation and gave us the basis for our evangelical faith.

The hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," written by Martin Luther, was the battle call for the Protestant Reformation. It is based on Psalm 46. Luther said of music, "After theology, there is nothing that can be placed on a level with music. It drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. It is a gift that God gave to birds and to men. We need to remove hymn singing from the domain of monks and priests and set the laity to singing. By the singing of hymns the laity can publicly express their love to the Almighty God."

Hi everyone,

Missed coming by yesterday.  Busy schedule.  Thanks, Al.  You always have such a great way of presenting thoughts and insights. I enjoy your postings.

Pat, I haven't had time to post in the Inspirational Pictures yet, but hope to do so soon. 

Enjoy this beautiful day everyone.

Ria, I can sympathize with you.  My mom had to have three hip replacements -- twice on one hip.  She's now 88 and although on a walker, still going strong.  Praise the Lord!!!

Gwen

Good day, folks!

I am off to start my day.  I hope you all have a wonderful day.  Keep your eyes upward.

soni

Two of my posts were lost in the last two days.  I must not have anything important to write.

Ursula:  I have been registered under both major parties and even Ind. twice, but then not allowed to vote in the primary.  I still vote for both sides - so do believe that only God can determine who is a Christian in their heart. 

Ria:  Thinking of you and all you have been through.  Stay strong!

Carol

Carol, I'm sorry you've lost posts.  I have no idea why that happens sometimes. 

Want a treat?

Go to our Gallery and see the photos!  They are wonderful and such a variety!

CLICK HERE 

The button above to click on at any time looks like this... 

Anyone is welcome to open a gallery there but we only ask that you upload only FOUR photos per day and keep them small so that my space isn't used up too quickly.

Hello all!!

I hope you are having a wonderful day, and are, as Soni said, "Keeping your eyes upward."  It's been rainy here, but now  the sun is out and it is looking ot be a beautiful couple of days.  I hope it stays that way.  We are wanting to go to the Celebrate Freedom Foundation Airshow in SC Saturday.  The USAirForce Thunderbirds are going to be there, as is some form of Jay Jay, the Jet Plane. 

Bernard is home sick today.  :-(  Hopefully, he will get better quickly.  I also hope that it is not contagious.

Otherwise, everything is going fine here in Western NC. 

Pat -- I think you are missing a bracket in your sig, so it is showing all of the code instead of a link. 

Actually, Pat, now I can't see your signature at all.

Hello, good morning!  It's partly cloudy and cool in the interior BC.  I am listening to a beautiful piece by Jan Sibelius on streamed radio - internet is great!

PAT - THANK YOU for posting one of my most favourite hymns today.  We had Reformation Day last Sunday in church, and it was my turn to play the music, so I got to play "A Mighty Fortress"!  I really enjoyed it.  I also got to play a variation on the tune for offering time.

Last week Tuesday we took the Confirmation Class to see the new "Luther" movie.  I really enjoyed it (even though I think it was a bit "heavy" for the kids).

Anyway, back to work here, databases need constant upkeep.  I'm glad that people here feel that political views are not a deterrent from participation at this site.  Thank you all.

Ursula

Ursula, I'm glad you enjoyed that hymn.  I love it as well.  It was also one of Jack's favourites and since Al Moak had it in today's devotional, I thought it would be good to post.

Karma, yes, I was trying to figure out the sig.  I'm thinking of putting a different proverb there each day.  I love the book of Proverbs and it's full of wonderful verses so I thought I'd share that way.  I think it's ok now.  Sorry about that.  LOL

Here's one I don't know very well.  Do you all know it?

HI BETH!!

Janet ~ Is this trip to Thailand a pleasure trip or business trip or missionary trip?  You have probably said but I don't remember.  And when are you leaving and for how long?  Curious minds want to know....

Another rainy day here....and cold.  Glad I am inside.  I must get off of this computer because I have been at it too much in the last couple of days.  My neck hurts.  Sure don't want to have the neck pain I had last year and have to have another injection.  Not fun and too costly besides. 

?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`
"Remember when you worried because you didn't know where your children were?  Now you do.  They're back in their old rooms."

Dear Pat

Thank you very much for the lovely hymn "A Mightry Fortress Is Our God"
We have it sing in the church on 31 octobre we have the same melodie as you

We call Octobre 31 Reformation day or Martin Luther Day that weekend have a lot people from
the Luthern churches been to Wittenberg in Germany.

I am not going to a Luthern Church i am Christian Reformed my son Marcel can not find it there he is going to the Free Baptist Church that is a new church in Holland to there are going a lot young people
every sunday there is playing a combo he is happy there then he must go there say i.

But i thank you Pat i have listen 3x now and tomorrow i go listen again the hymn is famous in Holland  {A LOT HUGS FOR YOU PAT}

I go now take a look to TV
and about 1 1/2 hours to bed

Wish you all a nice time

But i say now GOODNIGHT 

November 4   

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: Throw Off Hindrances

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith.... 
--Hebrews 12:1-2

Is Satan giving you a hard time in your life of faith-in the
Christian race you are running? Expect it if you are a believing
child of God!

Satan hates your God. He hates Jesus Christ. He hates your faith.
You should be aware of the devil's evil intentions. He wants you
to lose the victor's crown in the race you have entered by faith
through grace....

When by faith we have entered this lifelong spiritual course, the
Holy Spirit whispers, "Do you truly want to be among the victors
in this discipline?" When we breathe our "Yes! Yes!" He whispers
of ways that will aid us and carry us to certain victory.

The Spirit tells us to throw off everything that would hinder us
in the race. He tells us to be aware of the little sins and
errors that could divert us from the will of God as we run. But
here is the important thing: He tells us to keep our eyes on
Jesus, because He alone is our pacesetter and victorious
example.  Jesus, Author of our Faith, 75-76.

"Father, let me see Jesus this morning. Then go with me today and
help me to keep my eyes fixed on Him. I'm going to encounter all
kinds of diversions; I'll look to You to keep my eyes and heart
focused on my 'pacesetter and victorious example.' Amen."

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Just a quick check in today. 

Tomorrow morning I have to go and have an ultrasound test done in preparation for the seed implant in December.  Don't dread the test, just the long drive over to the hospital area.  While we have hospitals close by here in our county our insurance works only with one that is about an hour from where we live and involves driving the busy Interstate highways here in the Atlanta area.

Hope everyone has a good evening.  Maybe I will feel more chatty tomorrow. 

A big welcome to our new members, glad to see you here.

Just got a weather alert in my email...  It's going to snow in Ottawa, Ursula!