bluidkiti
03-03-2020, 03:08 PM
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5
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To overcome a difficulty in your life: believe in the character of God . . . He is good; believe in the power of God . . . He will bring you through; believe in the love of God . . . He cares for you deeply and He will not abandon you. --Roy Lessin
Failure doesn't mean God has abandoned you, it does mean God has a better idea! --Robert Schuller
Young and old and in between, we all need God.
When we look for Christ in those around us, we see them differently.
God's love can soften the hardest heart.
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell your storm how big your God is."
God answers prayers in three ways -- yes, no, and wait. May each one of us be able to call on and listen to the Lord today, whatever is happening in our lives.
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Oh No! More Snow! by Sharon Greer
Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you
with unfailing kindness." (NIV)
Looking out the window first thing this morning, I see that it is snowing again. I can almost hear the moans and groans of
the commuters.
Normally, I would be moaning and groaning right along with them at the thought of more shovelling. But this time, my
mind went in a surprisingly different direction.
The gently falling flakes brought to mind the innumerable blessings that God pours out on us every day. Sometimes,
they come like a quiet whisper, and we fail to notice them until after the fact.
For example, in February, many of us were blessed with lovely valentine cards sent to us by those who care about us. I
wonder how many of us thought about the fact that God sends us valentines in the form of innumerable blessings, not
just on one specific day of the year, but every day, reminding us again and again how much He loves us.
Unfortunately, we all too often take this love for granted and come to accept it as a sort of entitlement, never thinking to
say, "Thank You!"
May I suggest that the next time you wake up and see softly falling snow, take the opportunity to thank Him for His
countless blessings, instead of moaning and groaning? I guarantee you that you will be blessed and will start the day in
a much better frame of mind. I know that I did.
If we began to write down our blessings the moment we woke up, I wonder when we would finish writing. I leave you with
a challenge. When you have a few spare hours, see how many pages of blessings you can accumulate. You will be
astonished at what the Lord has done.
Forgive us, Lord, for our lack of awareness, for taking so many of Your blessings for granted, and for wasting our energy
complaining instead of thanking You. Help us to count our blessings, to name them one by one, and to give You praise
for what You have done, what You are doing, and what we know You will yet do in our lives. This we pray in Jesus'
matchless and powerful name. Amen
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GETTING THINGS DONE by Steve May
PSALM 90:12
Three things I've noticed about productive people.
1. They're protective of their time. They don't waste their time and they don't let others waste their time. They tend to ask
themselves, "Is this the best thing I can be doing at this moment?"
2. They know how to say to no. Productive people spend most of their time doing things that take them in the direction of
their goals. They know how to make the distinction between a good use of their time and the best use of their time.
Productive people know that their time and strength and resources are limited. You can't do everything that everyone
else wants you to do; you can only do what God has called you to do. It's important to know how to say, "no."
3. They limit the number of projects they pursue. I've never met a truly successful person who was spread too thin. They
tend to dig deep, not wide. Productive people invest more of their time in fewer projects. The result is that they get more
done.
Some people I've known who were supposedly good with managing time were, in fact, abrupt and impatient, always with
the impression that you're imposing. It doesn't have to be that way.
Effective time management doesn't mean that you're always in a hurry. It means that you're always focused on doing
what matters. This includes, sometimes, just hanging out with your kids and doing nothing. It includes, sometimes,
swapping stories with co-workers and employees. It includes, sometimes, sitting in a park and just thinking about what's
happening in your life.
William Penn said, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." Using time well is a lifelong pursuit, a never-
ending process of weeding and pruning.
Psalm 90:12 in the New Living Translation says, "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in
wisdom." May your use of today bring God glory and lead you closer to him. [SM]
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Taste Test By Sally I. Kennedy
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8
We pulled into a packed parking lot and looked for a slot. This particular turnpike stop had an eye-catching fruit stand out
front. The salesperson encouraged me as she held out a plate of samples, "Take a taste; they're so juicy!"
I didn't need much pressuring. They looked beautiful, now for the taste test. They were as delicious as they were pretty
to look at.
We bought a bag, and opened them as soon as we got back on the highway. Peeling off the skin, separating the
sections of the orange, I ate a piece still attached to the peel. The fruit was seedless and sweet, but the inside of the
peel was bitter. The acrid taste lingered.
The bible verse popped into my mind, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34). Then another, "Test the spirits
to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4), because Even the elect (believers) can be deceived (Matthew 24).
Just because something is a 'good thing' doesn't necessarily mean it's a 'God thing'. In addition to choices between
good and not good, there are sometimes choices between good, better, and best. Thankfully we don't have to determine
this just on intuition; Holy Spirit guides us.
That is good news.
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SALESMAN -- a man with the ability to convince his wife that she'd look fat in mink.
Each of us, in our own way, is a salesman. We are trying to promote ourselves, our ideas, our preferences. We may
not consciously think about it, but in one subtle way or another, even the most timid among us wants to feel important
and liked. We want to be respected for who we are.
Is it wrong to have a feeling of self-worth? Is it wrong to want to have a feeling of self-worth? Of course not! It is when we
feel we are superior to others that our self-worth opinion has crossed the line. In Romans 12:3 (niv) we read, “…Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the
measure of faith God has given you.”
We should not have an inflated opinion of ourselves, but neither should we have a deflated valuation of our worth. As I
stress so often, the keyword is balance, and I hope that by God’s grace you will find that important balance in your own
life. You may not be an Einstein, but neither are you junk, so lift your head up high. You are special to God, therefore, you
should be special to yourself. --Dave George
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Old People
The LORD says, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will
carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4
MY mother gave me some old family pictures that I could copy for our children. There are pictures of my grandmother's
grandparents, aunts, and uncles. When I was a child, I thought a couple of my aunts were really old. Now that I am on
the far side of 60, I realize how wrong I was when I looked at these family pictures. The people in them looked very
young, as my parents do in the photo from their 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Another misconception about
aging I had was that seniors slow in their walking were also old-fashioned in their thinking.
Now I am one of the "old people" to children. Recently a first-grader at a school where I volunteer said, "You are really
old." I don't feel that way. My mind still seeks to embrace new learning, although my body is reluctant to move as swiftly
as it once did. Regardless of our age, we are all children in God's sight. What a wonderful concept to consider! I am a
beloved child of God. I can depend on God to meet my needs and curl up at rest in God's loving arms, no matter what
my age. --V. Louise Cunningham
Prayer: God of all ages, help us to remain open to the new things you want to do in our lives, no matter what age we
are. Amen.
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Quieted With His Love by Tom Norvell
As I worked my way through some devotional readings, I came across this passage: The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17) I thought of my life. I thought of what the passage says about God and how He feels about me. He is
mighty to save. He will take great delight in me. He will quiet me with his love. He will rejoice over me.
I confess that although I do not know if I fully understand what it means to be quieted by His love, I do know that there is
something inside me that says, "I need that, Lord!" As I pondered more, I prayed, "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, I get loud sometimes. Not so much verbally loud, but my spirit gets loud. My heart gets loud. My mind gets loud.
The world around me gets loud and the loudness overwhelms me to the point that everything within me and around me
seems to be loud. So, Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In these times of unrest and confusion in our nation and world, I need to be quieted by your love, dear Lord. Decisions
are being made that may well change the way we live and function as a people. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"As the years pass more rapidly than my mind can comprehend, I need to be quieted with Your love. I cannot keep up. I
try, but I seem to fall farther and farther behind. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times when I fear for my very life and for the lives of my family and friends, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when my spirit is under attack by the Enemy to such an extent that I begin to wonder if You are still there, I need to be
quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of discouragement when I have failed to live like You have asked me to live, I need to be quieted by Your love.
In times of disappointment over dreams that have faded and when other people have failed to live up to my expectations,
I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of loss and my heart has been broken, I need to be quieted by your love. In times of sadness when a joyful
spirit seems too much to consider, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of suffering and pain as the result of another's actions or my own, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when others are suffering because of my actions and I am helpless to undo what I have done, I need to be quieted by
Your love. And they need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of distress and anxiety over all that I must do, or feel that I must do, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when life is so loud that I cannot hear my own thoughts, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with
Your love.
"Unless You quiet me with Your love, dear Lord, my life will surely be filled with noises that may drown Your voice from
my ears. Lord, I need to be quieted by Your love.
"When I remind myself that You are with me, when I contemplate Your power, when I consider that You take great
delight in me and when I think of You rejoicing over me with singing because of Your love for me, I am quieted. My heart
is quieted. My spirit rests.
"Lord, You have quieted me with Your love."
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he
will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
You, beloved, are My ambassadors sent to represent Me on the earth. Make sure that your lives are an accurate
representation of My kingdom. Your true heart will be revealed not just by what you say but by what you do. See that
you treat others with kindness and love, says the Lord. Be a vessel where My Spirit can dwell. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 You
are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
You can make great progress spiritually at this time, but you must be willing to let go of everything that will keep you
where you are. Your stubborn refusal to let go of whatever represents comfort or security will become a stumbling block
to your own personal liberty. Be willing to rise up from where you've been and soar in the Spirit on your thermals of faith,
says the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
When you find yourself in a position of correcting others, make sure that you do not do so from a haughty position, or
one of lording your power over them. Rather, keep an attitude of humility that stems from a desire to help and
strengthen others. Problem-solving is most effective when all parties involved are assured of their liberty and equality.
Exercise your respect for others, says the Lord. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Beloved, let the light of My truth shine in you to expose the darkest recesses of your being. There are still things hidden
that must be revealed for the purpose of setting you free, says the Lord. Righteousness must be restored before your
own light can shine unhindered by the darkness of carnal living. Set your heart on purity. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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The Trumpet by Bill Burns
"Set the trumpet to your mouth!" Hosea 8:1
I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying: You have heard, now apply My word. You have seen and, therefore, know the way
that is prepared for you. Walk in that way, and all things will come to a place of victory in your life. For, if you have
recognized your potential in Me this day then that foundation of faith, that great foundation of faith, will release all things
that are necessary for you to live a victorious life. Your faith will be intact when the devil comes in like a flood, and you
will raise up the standard of victory even before he comes into your house. So, run to the wall, raise the standard and
declare your freedom. Declare that you are victorious in all situations, ruling over your circumstances, for they shall
come to a place of application and accountability in Me. And, when that happens it will become an opportunity for you to
come higher than ever before.
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Teach me How to Pray
Please teach me, God ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.
I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?
Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off?
Maybe ... candle light?
Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?
What do you think About the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?
I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear That I am in Your sight?
And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine ...
Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"
"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.
Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."
"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.
My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."
--Virginia Ellis
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Divided
Looking through the fog trying to see the other side.
Wondering how I got here, in the middle of this divide.
Between comfort and pain. Between joy and sorrow.
Between insane and sanity. Between today and tomorrow.
GOD I cannot move. I'm in a trap without release.
I struggle against its grip. Lord I need peace.
Tears are in vain. And I cry out one word.
Jesus .......
Praying I will be heard.
Suddenly the fog shifts. A veil falls in its place.
I am enveloped in peace. Tears are dried from my face.
HE heard my cry for help.
HE took the uncertainty away.
HE filled me with peace.
HE is in my heart to stay.
--Marica Friday's Child
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"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
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"Holding Patterns" Author Unknown
Many times, God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our
spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly
of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us.
God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends
to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interferences, and no interruptions. He had plenty
of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray.
When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He
can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.
A few of God's holding patterns:
1. When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but you're not yet healed, you are in a holding pattern.
2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them
yet, you are in a holding pattern.
3. When you have been praying for a loved one to return to God, and they have not come back yet, you are in a holding
pattern.
4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a
holding pattern.
5. When the doors slam shut before you can even knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.
When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we
can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. Like Jonah, we cannot run from God, because there are no mountains that are
high enough, valleys that are low enough, rivers that are wide enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are
hidden from Him.
We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting, and remember three things:
1. The pattern has a purpose.
2. The pattern has a plan.
3. The pattern has a process.
So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear
Him say, "I love you."
Suggested Prayer: Father, forgive my unbelief. I know you love me and I will come to see the benefit of everything in my
life, even this holding pattern, and the manifestation of my Good is assured through You. You have planned nothing for
me but victories and I am ready to receive them regardless of how difficult the path.
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Teach us justice, Lord. Remind us to love and respect all your children the same, as you do. Amen.
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Read Through The Bible
Proverbs 30
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. 4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? 5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. 11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. 15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. 17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. 18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. 20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. 21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; 23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. 24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. 29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: 30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; 31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. 32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. 33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
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God, I give you my life, I am letting go. When given a life situation that requires choice, I will ask "What would my God do?"
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: https://bluidkiti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130 .
Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.
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To overcome a difficulty in your life: believe in the character of God . . . He is good; believe in the power of God . . . He will bring you through; believe in the love of God . . . He cares for you deeply and He will not abandon you. --Roy Lessin
Failure doesn't mean God has abandoned you, it does mean God has a better idea! --Robert Schuller
Young and old and in between, we all need God.
When we look for Christ in those around us, we see them differently.
God's love can soften the hardest heart.
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell your storm how big your God is."
God answers prayers in three ways -- yes, no, and wait. May each one of us be able to call on and listen to the Lord today, whatever is happening in our lives.
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Oh No! More Snow! by Sharon Greer
Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you
with unfailing kindness." (NIV)
Looking out the window first thing this morning, I see that it is snowing again. I can almost hear the moans and groans of
the commuters.
Normally, I would be moaning and groaning right along with them at the thought of more shovelling. But this time, my
mind went in a surprisingly different direction.
The gently falling flakes brought to mind the innumerable blessings that God pours out on us every day. Sometimes,
they come like a quiet whisper, and we fail to notice them until after the fact.
For example, in February, many of us were blessed with lovely valentine cards sent to us by those who care about us. I
wonder how many of us thought about the fact that God sends us valentines in the form of innumerable blessings, not
just on one specific day of the year, but every day, reminding us again and again how much He loves us.
Unfortunately, we all too often take this love for granted and come to accept it as a sort of entitlement, never thinking to
say, "Thank You!"
May I suggest that the next time you wake up and see softly falling snow, take the opportunity to thank Him for His
countless blessings, instead of moaning and groaning? I guarantee you that you will be blessed and will start the day in
a much better frame of mind. I know that I did.
If we began to write down our blessings the moment we woke up, I wonder when we would finish writing. I leave you with
a challenge. When you have a few spare hours, see how many pages of blessings you can accumulate. You will be
astonished at what the Lord has done.
Forgive us, Lord, for our lack of awareness, for taking so many of Your blessings for granted, and for wasting our energy
complaining instead of thanking You. Help us to count our blessings, to name them one by one, and to give You praise
for what You have done, what You are doing, and what we know You will yet do in our lives. This we pray in Jesus'
matchless and powerful name. Amen
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GETTING THINGS DONE by Steve May
PSALM 90:12
Three things I've noticed about productive people.
1. They're protective of their time. They don't waste their time and they don't let others waste their time. They tend to ask
themselves, "Is this the best thing I can be doing at this moment?"
2. They know how to say to no. Productive people spend most of their time doing things that take them in the direction of
their goals. They know how to make the distinction between a good use of their time and the best use of their time.
Productive people know that their time and strength and resources are limited. You can't do everything that everyone
else wants you to do; you can only do what God has called you to do. It's important to know how to say, "no."
3. They limit the number of projects they pursue. I've never met a truly successful person who was spread too thin. They
tend to dig deep, not wide. Productive people invest more of their time in fewer projects. The result is that they get more
done.
Some people I've known who were supposedly good with managing time were, in fact, abrupt and impatient, always with
the impression that you're imposing. It doesn't have to be that way.
Effective time management doesn't mean that you're always in a hurry. It means that you're always focused on doing
what matters. This includes, sometimes, just hanging out with your kids and doing nothing. It includes, sometimes,
swapping stories with co-workers and employees. It includes, sometimes, sitting in a park and just thinking about what's
happening in your life.
William Penn said, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." Using time well is a lifelong pursuit, a never-
ending process of weeding and pruning.
Psalm 90:12 in the New Living Translation says, "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in
wisdom." May your use of today bring God glory and lead you closer to him. [SM]
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Taste Test By Sally I. Kennedy
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8
We pulled into a packed parking lot and looked for a slot. This particular turnpike stop had an eye-catching fruit stand out
front. The salesperson encouraged me as she held out a plate of samples, "Take a taste; they're so juicy!"
I didn't need much pressuring. They looked beautiful, now for the taste test. They were as delicious as they were pretty
to look at.
We bought a bag, and opened them as soon as we got back on the highway. Peeling off the skin, separating the
sections of the orange, I ate a piece still attached to the peel. The fruit was seedless and sweet, but the inside of the
peel was bitter. The acrid taste lingered.
The bible verse popped into my mind, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34). Then another, "Test the spirits
to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4), because Even the elect (believers) can be deceived (Matthew 24).
Just because something is a 'good thing' doesn't necessarily mean it's a 'God thing'. In addition to choices between
good and not good, there are sometimes choices between good, better, and best. Thankfully we don't have to determine
this just on intuition; Holy Spirit guides us.
That is good news.
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SALESMAN -- a man with the ability to convince his wife that she'd look fat in mink.
Each of us, in our own way, is a salesman. We are trying to promote ourselves, our ideas, our preferences. We may
not consciously think about it, but in one subtle way or another, even the most timid among us wants to feel important
and liked. We want to be respected for who we are.
Is it wrong to have a feeling of self-worth? Is it wrong to want to have a feeling of self-worth? Of course not! It is when we
feel we are superior to others that our self-worth opinion has crossed the line. In Romans 12:3 (niv) we read, “…Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the
measure of faith God has given you.”
We should not have an inflated opinion of ourselves, but neither should we have a deflated valuation of our worth. As I
stress so often, the keyword is balance, and I hope that by God’s grace you will find that important balance in your own
life. You may not be an Einstein, but neither are you junk, so lift your head up high. You are special to God, therefore, you
should be special to yourself. --Dave George
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Old People
The LORD says, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will
carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4
MY mother gave me some old family pictures that I could copy for our children. There are pictures of my grandmother's
grandparents, aunts, and uncles. When I was a child, I thought a couple of my aunts were really old. Now that I am on
the far side of 60, I realize how wrong I was when I looked at these family pictures. The people in them looked very
young, as my parents do in the photo from their 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Another misconception about
aging I had was that seniors slow in their walking were also old-fashioned in their thinking.
Now I am one of the "old people" to children. Recently a first-grader at a school where I volunteer said, "You are really
old." I don't feel that way. My mind still seeks to embrace new learning, although my body is reluctant to move as swiftly
as it once did. Regardless of our age, we are all children in God's sight. What a wonderful concept to consider! I am a
beloved child of God. I can depend on God to meet my needs and curl up at rest in God's loving arms, no matter what
my age. --V. Louise Cunningham
Prayer: God of all ages, help us to remain open to the new things you want to do in our lives, no matter what age we
are. Amen.
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Quieted With His Love by Tom Norvell
As I worked my way through some devotional readings, I came across this passage: The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17) I thought of my life. I thought of what the passage says about God and how He feels about me. He is
mighty to save. He will take great delight in me. He will quiet me with his love. He will rejoice over me.
I confess that although I do not know if I fully understand what it means to be quieted by His love, I do know that there is
something inside me that says, "I need that, Lord!" As I pondered more, I prayed, "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"Lord, I get loud sometimes. Not so much verbally loud, but my spirit gets loud. My heart gets loud. My mind gets loud.
The world around me gets loud and the loudness overwhelms me to the point that everything within me and around me
seems to be loud. So, Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In these times of unrest and confusion in our nation and world, I need to be quieted by your love, dear Lord. Decisions
are being made that may well change the way we live and function as a people. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"As the years pass more rapidly than my mind can comprehend, I need to be quieted with Your love. I cannot keep up. I
try, but I seem to fall farther and farther behind. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times when I fear for my very life and for the lives of my family and friends, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when my spirit is under attack by the Enemy to such an extent that I begin to wonder if You are still there, I need to be
quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of discouragement when I have failed to live like You have asked me to live, I need to be quieted by Your love.
In times of disappointment over dreams that have faded and when other people have failed to live up to my expectations,
I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of loss and my heart has been broken, I need to be quieted by your love. In times of sadness when a joyful
spirit seems too much to consider, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of suffering and pain as the result of another's actions or my own, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when others are suffering because of my actions and I am helpless to undo what I have done, I need to be quieted by
Your love. And they need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of distress and anxiety over all that I must do, or feel that I must do, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times
when life is so loud that I cannot hear my own thoughts, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with
Your love.
"Unless You quiet me with Your love, dear Lord, my life will surely be filled with noises that may drown Your voice from
my ears. Lord, I need to be quieted by Your love.
"When I remind myself that You are with me, when I contemplate Your power, when I consider that You take great
delight in me and when I think of You rejoicing over me with singing because of Your love for me, I am quieted. My heart
is quieted. My spirit rests.
"Lord, You have quieted me with Your love."
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he
will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
You, beloved, are My ambassadors sent to represent Me on the earth. Make sure that your lives are an accurate
representation of My kingdom. Your true heart will be revealed not just by what you say but by what you do. See that
you treat others with kindness and love, says the Lord. Be a vessel where My Spirit can dwell. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 You
are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
You can make great progress spiritually at this time, but you must be willing to let go of everything that will keep you
where you are. Your stubborn refusal to let go of whatever represents comfort or security will become a stumbling block
to your own personal liberty. Be willing to rise up from where you've been and soar in the Spirit on your thermals of faith,
says the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
When you find yourself in a position of correcting others, make sure that you do not do so from a haughty position, or
one of lording your power over them. Rather, keep an attitude of humility that stems from a desire to help and
strengthen others. Problem-solving is most effective when all parties involved are assured of their liberty and equality.
Exercise your respect for others, says the Lord. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Beloved, let the light of My truth shine in you to expose the darkest recesses of your being. There are still things hidden
that must be revealed for the purpose of setting you free, says the Lord. Righteousness must be restored before your
own light can shine unhindered by the darkness of carnal living. Set your heart on purity. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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The Trumpet by Bill Burns
"Set the trumpet to your mouth!" Hosea 8:1
I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying: You have heard, now apply My word. You have seen and, therefore, know the way
that is prepared for you. Walk in that way, and all things will come to a place of victory in your life. For, if you have
recognized your potential in Me this day then that foundation of faith, that great foundation of faith, will release all things
that are necessary for you to live a victorious life. Your faith will be intact when the devil comes in like a flood, and you
will raise up the standard of victory even before he comes into your house. So, run to the wall, raise the standard and
declare your freedom. Declare that you are victorious in all situations, ruling over your circumstances, for they shall
come to a place of application and accountability in Me. And, when that happens it will become an opportunity for you to
come higher than ever before.
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Teach me How to Pray
Please teach me, God ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.
I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?
Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off?
Maybe ... candle light?
Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?
What do you think About the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?
I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear That I am in Your sight?
And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine ...
Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"
"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.
Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."
"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.
My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."
--Virginia Ellis
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Divided
Looking through the fog trying to see the other side.
Wondering how I got here, in the middle of this divide.
Between comfort and pain. Between joy and sorrow.
Between insane and sanity. Between today and tomorrow.
GOD I cannot move. I'm in a trap without release.
I struggle against its grip. Lord I need peace.
Tears are in vain. And I cry out one word.
Jesus .......
Praying I will be heard.
Suddenly the fog shifts. A veil falls in its place.
I am enveloped in peace. Tears are dried from my face.
HE heard my cry for help.
HE took the uncertainty away.
HE filled me with peace.
HE is in my heart to stay.
--Marica Friday's Child
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"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
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"Holding Patterns" Author Unknown
Many times, God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our
spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly
of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us.
God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends
to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interferences, and no interruptions. He had plenty
of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray.
When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He
can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.
A few of God's holding patterns:
1. When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but you're not yet healed, you are in a holding pattern.
2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them
yet, you are in a holding pattern.
3. When you have been praying for a loved one to return to God, and they have not come back yet, you are in a holding
pattern.
4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a
holding pattern.
5. When the doors slam shut before you can even knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.
When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we
can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. Like Jonah, we cannot run from God, because there are no mountains that are
high enough, valleys that are low enough, rivers that are wide enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are
hidden from Him.
We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting, and remember three things:
1. The pattern has a purpose.
2. The pattern has a plan.
3. The pattern has a process.
So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear
Him say, "I love you."
Suggested Prayer: Father, forgive my unbelief. I know you love me and I will come to see the benefit of everything in my
life, even this holding pattern, and the manifestation of my Good is assured through You. You have planned nothing for
me but victories and I am ready to receive them regardless of how difficult the path.
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Teach us justice, Lord. Remind us to love and respect all your children the same, as you do. Amen.
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Read Through The Bible
Proverbs 30
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. 4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? 5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. 11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. 15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. 17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. 18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. 20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. 21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; 23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. 24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. 29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: 30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; 31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. 32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. 33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
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God, I give you my life, I am letting go. When given a life situation that requires choice, I will ask "What would my God do?"
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: https://bluidkiti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130 .
Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.