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Do you remember a toy that came out in the 70s called Weebles? The slogan they used in advertising was: “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”. They were little egg-shaped people that stayed standing no matter how much they got knocked around.
I wish that were true for believers, but the truth is we all fall down. Look at what God’s word has to say:
How do we keep from falling as well as help others not fall?
We need one another. Bro. Joe Suggested Readings: Sunday - Hebrews 10:22-25 Monday - 1 John 1:8-9 Tuesday - Colossians 3:13 Wednesday - Mark 11:25 Thursday - Psalm 37:23-24 Friday - Hebrews 12:10-13 Saturday - Psalm 40:1-2 Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me to stand firm. Thank you for putting people in my life who have helped me up when I have fallen. Thank you for lifting me up and planting my feet on solid ground. Thank you for your forgiveness and love. Help me to see others around me who need my help. Let me see them through your eyes and your heart. Amen
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What have you done this week…this month…this year that could not have been done without the power of God working through you?
In chapter 3 of the book of Acts, Peter and John were about to enter the temple when they encountered a beggar who had been lame since birth. When he saw them, he was hoping to get some money, but he got so much more. Peter said he didn’t have any money to give him, but he would give him what he had. Then he said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Peter helped the man up and he was healed. Later, when standing before the council of all the rulers, elders and teachers of religious law, Peter and John were asked, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” Peter said, “Let me clearly state to all you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene…” This raises the question for us: by what power, or in whose name, do we do what we do? As we live out our lives, do people see what those religious leaders saw: ordinary people doing extraordinary things that could not be done in our own power or strength? Let’s choose to live our lives according to the power and authority of the name that is above all names…Jesus Christ the Nazarene. In Jesus name…may it be so. Bro. Joe Suggested Readings: Sunday - Acts 3 Monday - Acts 4 Tuesday - Acts 1:8 Wednesday - Philippians 2:9-11 Thursday - Philippians 2:13 Friday - Colossians 1:15-20 Saturday - Philippians 4:13 Prayer: Jesus, I choose to live my life by the power and authority of your name. Not in my own strength, but yours. Not following my own will, but yours. Jesus, I can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit within me. Help me to closely follow you in all I do. Amen Do you struggle with finding true contentment in life…contentment that lasts? Many people do because the world around us perpetuates feelings of discontentment.
The world perspective is constantly telling us to seek something better in life. We want a better job with better pay and a better boss. We want better relationships and a better marriage. We want a better car and a better house. Better isn’t bad, but it’s not the source of true contentment. Contentment is defined as being satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else. Paul, the apostle, wrote, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Philippians 4:11. How could he make such a bold statement? Because he knew that true contentment was found not in what he had, but in whose he was. When I come into a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus Christ, I understand whose I am and what I have. A lack of contentment causes me to look horizontally - at what others have. When I do this, I am never satisfied. True contentment invites me to look vertically - at God. When I look in his direction, regardless of my possessions or lack of them, or my status or lack of one, I know that he is enough. Look to the one who truly satisfies…Jesus. Bro. Joe Suggested Readings: Sunday - Philippians 4:11 Monday - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Tuesday - Philippians 4:12-13 Wednesday - Philippians 1:21 Thursday - Philippians 3:13 Friday - Philippians 4:19 Saturday - Philippians 4:13 Prayer: Lord, there are times I take my eyes off of you and find myself struggling with discontentment. Forgive me. Help me to keep my focus on you, Lord. I am learning to be content in you. Jesus, you are enough. You are all I need. Amen Throughout the years a variety of TV game shows have centered around the way people respond to questions. The answer given determines victory or defeat.
In reading the New Testament accounts of the life of Christ, we’re often drawn to encounters where people asked Jesus questions. In these cases, we’re usually interested in how He responds, but what about when He asks questions? Do we only read these questions in context with how they applied at the time Jesus asked them, or are we willing to read them as if Jesus is asking us the questions today? How will you respond to Jesus’ questions for you?
Do your answers reflect a response of victory or defeat? Walk in victory with Jesus. He’s got all the answers, but He also has some questions for you. Bro. Joe Suggested Readings: Sunday - Matthew 8:23-27 Monday - Matthew 20:29-33 Tuesday - John 5:1-13 Wednesday - Matthew 9:27-34 Thursday - Luke 6:46-49 Friday - Matthew 16:13-20 Saturday - John 21:15-19 Prayer: Jesus, I’m often fearful because I take my eyes off of you and focus on my circumstances. Help me to look to you. Lord, I need you in every area of my life. I believe that you are able to do all things. Jesus, you are my Lord…my redeemer…my savior. Thank you for loving me. I love you Lord. Amen July 4, 1776, fifty-six men representing the thirteen American colonies gathered in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House. They signed a document that declared the colonies were now thirteen independent, sovereign states no longer under British rule. The following statement became one of the foundational elements on which the Declaration of Independence was based:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Liberty…Freedom. As Americans, we value freedom. Our nation was founded on the principle of “liberty and justice for all.” Our First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and freedom to petition the government for redress. While our freedom of religion is under assault today more than ever before, it is the foundation of our nation. Political freedom is a wonderful thing, but spiritual freedom is even better, because you can experience it no matter the governing policies under which you live. And true spiritual freedom lasts forever. But, what is true spiritual freedom? “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’…”So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:31&36 Freedom always comes with boundaries and choices. True spiritual freedom comes by understanding the boundaries that God has established and making the choices in life God wants you to make. This can only be accomplished by living in the state of a “Declaration of Dependence”. So, here’s mine: I hereby declare that I am utterly and totally dependent on God to guide my life, and I choose His ways and desires for me…to walk in the freedom of my Father in heaven. Let Jesus set you free today. Bro. Joe Suggested Readings: Sunday - John 8:31-31 Monday - Ephesians 1:7 Tuesday - John 14:6 Wednesday - Romans 6:7 Thursday - 2 Corinthians 3:17 Friday - Galatians 5:1, 13-14 Saturday - Galatians 3:22 Prayer: Lord, I choose to walk in the freedom of your grace, your forgiveness, your blessings and your light. Thank you for true freedom found in Jesus. Amen |
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May 2019
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