Today’s thought – Keep Going

a_woman_climbing_a_mountain

Good Morning

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

During a long race,
it is easy to get discouraged.
But what most runners know is that being familiar
with the course helps to keep up momentum and motivation.
When you know what to expect,
you’re able to pace yourself and not become discouraged
when the road seems endless.

God doesn’t map out for us the exact course of our lives.
But there are some things we can know
without a shadow of a doubt.
We know troubles will come.
We know that God will never abandon us.
We know that He has good plans for us.
And we know that He will ultimately overcome evil in the world.
That knowledge and faith helps us persevere
when the going gets tough and the race gets long.

Hebrews 10:22
Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. AMP

Keep going . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 30, 2014 at 11:06 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Just for Me?

feb10 evning light 002Evening Light

Good Morning

2Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Why did He do it?
A shack would have sufficed,
but He gave us a mansion.
Did He have to give
the birds a song
and the mountains a peak?
Was He required to put stripes on the zebra
and the hump on the camel? . . .
Why wrap creation in such splendor?
Why go to such trouble to give such gifts?

Why do you?
You do the same.
I’ve seen you searching for a gift.
I’ve seen you stalking the malls and walking the aisles.
I’m not talking about the obligatory gifts . . .
I’m talking about the extra-special gifts . . .
Why do you do it? . . .
You do it so the heart will stop.
You do it so the jaw will drop.
You do it to hear those words of disbelief?
“You did this for me?”

That’s why you do it.
And that is why God did it.
Next time a sunrise steals your breath
or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless,
remain that way.
Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers,
“Do you like it? I did it just for you.”

The Great House of God
Max Lucado

2 Corinthians 9:15
Now thanks be to God for His Gift,
[precious] beyond telling
[His indescribable, inexpressible,
free Gift]!
. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 29, 2014 at 11:52 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Emmanuel, God With Us

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Good Morning

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, “If Christ had not come.” It was founded upon your Saviour’s words, “If I had not come.” the represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, “I have something here that will comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of home and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only “dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that “He had not come,” and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

‘O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.”

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because, “He has come.” And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

“He comes to make His blessing flow,
Far as the curse if found.”

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Because He Lives . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 27, 2014 at 12:12 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Born This Day

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Merry Christmas

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord

“Unto you is born this day a Saviour”
Which is Jesus Christ the wondrous Lord;
Not a “teacher,” not a “good example,”
But the Son of God, the Living Word.

No “philosopher,” his fancies weaving,
Waarp of dreams and woof of visions vast,
Not a “prophet,” peering down the future,
Not a “scholoar,” delving in the past.

BUT

“Unto you is born this day a Saviour”
Earth’s one hope, the Life, the Truth, the Way;
Mighty God and glorious Redeemer,
esus Christ the Lord is born today.
~~~Annie Johnson Flint

Glory to God in the Highest . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 25, 2014 at 1:55 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – A Saviour, Christ the Lord

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Good Morning

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Jesus Christ was born in the meanest of circumstances,
but the air above was filled
with the hallelujahs of the heavenly hosts.
His lodging was a cattle pen,
but a star drew distinguished visitants
from afar to do Him homage.
His birth was contrary to the laws of life.
His death was contrary to the laws of death.
No miracle is so inexplicable as His life and teaching.
He had no cornfields or fisheries,
but He could spread a table for 5,000
and have bread and fish to spare.
He walked on no beautiful carpets,
but He walked on the waters and they supported Him.
His crucifixion was the crime of crimes,
but, on God’s side, no lower price than His infinite agony
could have make possible our redemption.
When He died few men mourned,
but a black crepe was hing over the sun.
though men trembled not for their sins,
the earth shook under the load.
All nature honored him;
sinners alone rejected Him.
Sin never touched Him.
Corruption could not get hold of his body.
The soil that had been reddened
with His blood could not claim His dust.
Three years He preached His gospel.
He wrote not book,
built no church,
had no money back of Him.
After 1,900 years,
He is the one central character of human history,
the perpetual theme of all preaching,
the pivot around which the events of the age revolve,
the only Regenerator of the human race.
Was it merely the son of Joseph and Mary
who crossed the world’s horizon nearly 2,000 years ago?
Was it merely human blood that was spilled on Calvary’s hill
for the redemption of sinners and which has worked such wonders
in men and nations through the centuries?
What thinking man can keep from exclaiming:
“MY LORD AND MY GOD!”
~~Keith L. Brooks

In Awe of God’s Plan . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Apologies to those who may have come and found nothing new.
May your Christmas be blessed.

Published in: on December 24, 2014 at 11:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Todays thought – Before They Call

Dec 6 porchTwo of my favorite things, Hydrangeas and Spider plants

Good Morning
Isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Did you ask the Lord for patience?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
Then tribulations great befell you,
And you thought He didn’t care?
Oh, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
“Tribulation worketh patience,”
That’s the gen you longed to wear.

Did you ask Him for submission?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
And such suffering great o’ertook you
That you thought He didn’t care?
Ah, my dear, He heard and answered
That true prayer with bitter fear;
For we only learn obedience
By things we suffer here.

‘Twas unselfishness you wanted,
Asked for it in prayer,
And the sacrifices He asked for
Seemed too great for you to bear?
Ah, He cared. He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
For we learn to be unselfish
By the sacrifice we bear.

Did you ask the Lord for victory,
Plead for it in prayer.
And life’s battle surged around you,
Hid His face so fair?
Ah, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered your own prayer;
For we learn to be victorious,
By the daily cross we bear.

Did you ask to be made humble,
And for strength its fruit to bear;
Then the way you were tormented
Made you fell He didn’t care?
Well, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered deepest prayer;
Humility and strength to bear it
Come to those who know life’s care.

We count not things we’re seeing,
But the things which are above,
For things we see are fleeting,
But above is God and love
The big things beyond this earth life
And unseen by us today;
But there everlasting beauty
Will be ours to keep for aye.
~~~Josephine Hope Westervelt

Before I call . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 9, 2014 at 12:31 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Joshua’s Instructions

Dec 6 leavesA fall find on Saturday

Good Morning

Joshua 23:6-11
So be very courageous and steadfast to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning not aside from it to the right hand or the left, That you may not mix with these nations that remain among you, or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them. But cling to the Lord your God as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; and as for you, no man has been able to withstand you to this day. One man of you shall put to flight a thousand, for it is the Lord your God Who fights for you, as He promised you. Be very watchful of yourselves, therefore, to love the Lord your God. Amplified Bible

Everything depended on whether or not Israel would continue to be faithful to the covenant. Joshua’s words do not conceal his apprehension. Seven times he refers to the idolatrous nations still left in Canaan. He knew the snare they would be to Israel and he therefore prescribed three safeguards.

First, there must be brave adherence to God’s word (Joshua 23:6).

Second, there must be a vigilantly continued separation from the Canaanite nations (Joshua 23:7).

Finally, there must be a cleaving to the Lord with real and fervent love. (Joshua 23:8-11).
~~~ J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore the Book

Joshua 23:1-1
And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.  And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:  And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.  Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.  And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.  Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;  That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:  But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.  For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.  One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.  Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. KJV

Consider the instructions . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring your. Leslie
 

Published in: on December 8, 2014 at 12:41 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – The Power in Praying

nov23 015I find beauty in grape vines every season of the year.

Good Morning,

“The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4, Good New Bible).

We have an arsenal not made by human hands, but is stocked full with the powerful weapons fashioned by God Himself. They aren’t for marketing or manipulation of any sort, but are specifically designed to demolish demonic strongholds — putting down every false argument raised against Truth. These weapons have the power of God to destroy the enemy’s efforts against our Faith.
Prayer is one of these weapons, and when it is coupled with the Word of God it possesses a power that is invincible. That’s why the early disciples said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.” When we follow their example, we will experience the same results that happened for them.
Let’s look at a remarkable example found in the Scriptures.
When Joshua was battling the armies of the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim, the Bible tells us that Moses was on the mountain lifting up the Rod which God had given him. As long as the Rod was held up, Joshua advanced in battle. When Moses’ arms grew weary and he lowered the Rod, the enemy began to make advances against Joshua. Aaron and Hur, two of Moses’ friends, stood beside him and held his arms up — the result was a overwhelming victory for Joshua. (see Exodus 17:8-13).
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Jesus said that when we pray in secret, God will reward us openly. An example of this happened in Jerusalem when the disciples gathered in prayer and “the place where they were assembled was shaken.” They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and preached the Word of God with boldness — even in the face of death threats.
This brief scan of the biblical record proves the age old adage — “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!” (James 5:16). Prayer makes tremendous power available, the kind of power that is dynamic in its working and effective in its results; great power that produces wonderful results.
Why not pray today and look for happens as a result. You just might find yourself praying every day! Rylie

2Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Praying more . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 5, 2014 at 11:21 am  Leave a Comment  
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