I finally Blogged my jewelry last month! Have ya seen it yet? :)
http://aphylliscreationjewelry.blogspot.com
May 17, 2009
Sunday - A Dose of Daily Inspiration - Persecution
Week of May 17Persecution
You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side. ~ Psalm 71:21 (NKJV)
When we are persecuted whether in our workplaces or otherwise, our hearts turn to urgent cries and pleas for God's rescue. As we are in the midst of such suffering and pain, we can quickly forget about God's purpose, grace, hope, comfort and restoration. Yet the Bible reminds us that He is with us in tribulation and that after we suffer a little while, He will restore us (1Peter 5:10). This truth we must cling to.
I recall a season in my life of intense persecution that lasted 18 months. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this was a period of spiritual development. I learned that more than spiritual growth, spiritual development requires greater resistance, much like body building in the physical realm. And just as in an intense weightlifting workout, I anticipated the end of each strain and each pain because what truly lasted a little while seemed like an eternity.
As I cried out to the Lord to rescue me daily, my personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, encouraged me via scriptures, teachings, visions, prophecies and signs and wonders. In addition to Psalm 71:21, He gave me another key scripture, Romans 12:12 which says, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer" (NASB). He led me to proclaim this verse daily, to pray for understanding and to praise Him sacrificially.
Toward the end of this developmental journey, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that my heart had to be crucified in order for me to enter into a greater level of love for others and for God. He taught me to truly love those who persecuted me and to earnestly confess, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV). He also taught me that Christ Himself suffered greater pain, which humbled me and put my circumstances into perspective. In this light of understanding, I was able to choose to rejoice in having participated in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:13). And when the journey ended, I knew that I had come closer to the Father in a way that was new to me.
Indeed, the Lord brought me through a journey of greater dependence, comfort, patience and endurance (2Corinthians 1:7). He gave me a greater understanding and a greater vision of His perspective concerning love, and He restored my heart. Indeed, His glory was revealed.
If you are being persecuted, ask the Lord to reveal His purpose to you. Ask Him to fill you with His strength of joy in the midst and enable you to understand what is happening so that you may receive His full measure of glory.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the new God's Love at Work Businesswomen Select program and the Women's Fellowship gatherings.
May 16, 2009
Heart Healthy Spaghetti & Mushroom
Heart Healthy Spaghetti & Mushroom
Makes: Serves 6
Created by The MDM Team, Monday, January 14, 2008
The next time you're in the mood for Italian, use your noodle and cook up a batch of this heart healthy spaghetti. The fresh mushrooms lend an earthy flavor for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil, unsalted
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16 oz. can no-salt-added tomatoes, chopped
1 6 oz. can no-salt-added tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. sugar
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 8 oz. pkg. of spaghetti
Methods/steps
Melt butter in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and garlic. Sautee' until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients except spaghetti. Cover and simmer over low heat 2 hours, stirring occasionally. If sauce appears too thick, add additional water. Remove bay leaf. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain. Pour sauce over spaghetti and serve.
Additional Tips
Ready in 20 min
Makes: Serves 6
Created by The MDM Team, Monday, January 14, 2008
The next time you're in the mood for Italian, use your noodle and cook up a batch of this heart healthy spaghetti. The fresh mushrooms lend an earthy flavor for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil, unsalted
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16 oz. can no-salt-added tomatoes, chopped
1 6 oz. can no-salt-added tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. sugar
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 8 oz. pkg. of spaghetti
Methods/steps
Melt butter in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and garlic. Sautee' until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients except spaghetti. Cover and simmer over low heat 2 hours, stirring occasionally. If sauce appears too thick, add additional water. Remove bay leaf. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain. Pour sauce over spaghetti and serve.
Additional Tips
Ready in 20 min
Tuna, Asparagus and Feta Salad
Tuna, Asparagus and Feta Salad
1 Serving
This delicious salad provides about 3 portions of vegetables รข€“ a generous start on the daily recommendation of 5-7.
Ingredients:
2 cups romaine lettuce torn into pieces
1 Roma tomato, cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup steamed asparagus pieces
1/2 can (3 ounces) white albacore tuna, drained
1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 Tablespoon quality extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the romaine, tomato and asparagus. Add the tuna and feta cheese. Sprinkle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Add the balsamic vinegar and toss again.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving:
307 calories
16 g total fat (6 g sat)
62 mg cholesterol
16 g carbohydrate
32 g protein
4 g fiber
807 mg sodium
-Recipe reprinted with permission of DrWeil.com
1 Serving
This delicious salad provides about 3 portions of vegetables รข€“ a generous start on the daily recommendation of 5-7.
Ingredients:
2 cups romaine lettuce torn into pieces
1 Roma tomato, cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup steamed asparagus pieces
1/2 can (3 ounces) white albacore tuna, drained
1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 Tablespoon quality extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the romaine, tomato and asparagus. Add the tuna and feta cheese. Sprinkle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Add the balsamic vinegar and toss again.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving:
307 calories
16 g total fat (6 g sat)
62 mg cholesterol
16 g carbohydrate
32 g protein
4 g fiber
807 mg sodium
-Recipe reprinted with permission of DrWeil.com
Saturday - A Dose of Daily Inspiration
Day 137
GUARANTEED DEPOSIT
Now it is God who has made us for this very purposeand has given us the Spirit as a deposit,guaranteeing what is to come.2 CORINTHIANS 5:5
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, do you long to exchange your earthly clothes for heavenly garments? Do you know why death, illness, and difficult circumstances enter your life? Partly to make you homesick and keep you focused on what is to come, not what you see here. How do you know something better is coming? My Spirit, your guaranteed deposit, assures you. My Spirit bears witness that a wonderful future awaits you beyond this world!
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
How do I know Your promises are true? How can I believe in someone I've never seen or touched? Because I have Your Spirit, Lord - my guaranteed deposit, my down payment, the One who lives inside and testifies to Your goodness. Lord, You give wonderful dividends.
SIMPLE TRUTH
God has no faith-back guarantee. Once you're His child, you're His forever.
For more from Rebecca, please visit www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com
If you would like to purchase the Daily in Your Presence devotional, or Rebecca's newest devotional 40 Days in God's Blessing, http://www.crosswalkmail.com/lrksyhtdhw_esmwwvvmbnw.html
©2002, Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Daily In Your Presence, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved
Ministering the Word of God to Others
Ministering the Word of God to Others
(Mat 10:18-20 KJV)
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake,
for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
{19} But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak:
for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
{20} For it is not ye that speak,
but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(Isa 55:10-11 KJV)
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
{11} So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT PREPARING SERMONS, DEVOTIONALS OR BIBLE STUIDIES?
1) DO NOT ADD TO NOR DETRACT FROM THE WORD OF GOD
Do not write a sermon or devotional using your own opinions , but limit your study to what the Word of God actually says, and do not add anything to it or take anything away from it. Let your opinion be what is altered, let the immutable Word of God be unaltered.
(Prov 30:5-6 KJV)
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.
(Deu 4:1-2 KJV)
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes
and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them,
that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
{2} Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you,
neither shall ye diminish ought from it,
that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deu 12:32 KJV)
What thing soever I command you,
observe to do it:
thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
(Rev 22:18-19 KJV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
{19} And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in this book.
2) LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK OR WRITE THROUGH YOU
Let the Lord speak through you, moving you along by the Holy Spirit. One could write any number of your own opinions or clever poems or editorials or spiritual advice, but is that something that will really change a sinners life? Rather, seek to be a messenger of the Lord's teaching to those He has given you to minister unto. God looks into each person's heart and knows what that person needs. He has His own agenda of what they need to hear, and when they need to hear it. It is up to the minster or teacher to follow the Spirit's leading, and give out what He tells you to. Let Him be the Shepherd and the Teacher, and you be the scribe.
(Heb 4:12 KJV)
For the word of God is quick{Grk=living}, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
So here are a few more principles which a christian minister or teacher can add to their life and christian experience to be able to minister the Word of God to others, either by speaking or writing or by living the Christian life:
3) READ, MARK LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST THE SCRIPTURES
Read the Word in every spare moment of time that you have..lunch time, break time, bed time, quiet time...give up time from amusements or tv to study it. Listen to tapes or Christian radio preachers while driving or working. Read the Word in other translations. Get dictionaries, concordances, Bible commentaries. Listen to excellent radio and TV preachers. Use Bible searching software and any other Bible study helps that are available on the internet. Take classes at your church or elsewhere to help you learn more about the Word. Ask God for wisdom to tell you what the difficult passages mean, ask Him to explain scripture with scripture, so you get it as correct as possible. Let the understanding of God's word be your hobby, your obsession, your food, your life.
(Psa 119:11-16 KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
{12} Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
{13} With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
{14} I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
{15} I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
{16} I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.
4) PRAY FOR IMPROVED MEMORY TO RECALL THE SCRIPTURES YOU HAVE MEMORIZED
Claim this promise for yourself, which the Lord gave to the disciples:
(John 14:26 KJV)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
This promise was given to the apostles for the purpose of remembering what Jesus taught so that they could write down the Gospels; but it is given to all of us to claim when we are studying, witnessing, writing, or just meditating about God's Word atny time. Claim it as your own, and expect God to honor it. And remember, the Word has to be IN your soul, so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to your remembrance.
5) ASK FOR WISDOM...AS MUCH AS IT TAKES AND EVEN MORE THAN IT TAKES
Ask God for as much wisdom as He will pour into your hungry soul. The Bible says, Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived or ever would live. However, what's wrong with being number 2, or number 3, or number 100? How big is your faith? How much wisdom is enough for you? How much faith do you have to seek wisdom? This is a very important promise:
(James 1:5 KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
Who giveth to all men liberally, and will not criticize;
and it shall be given him.
6) PRAY THAT GOD WOULD REVEAL TO YOU WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT(S) SO YOU MAY USE IT TO DO GOD'S SPIRITUAL WORK
a) prophecy (in the sense of forth-telling God's Word and will),
b) teaching (instruction in sound doctrine, both for yourself and your hearers)
c) wisdom (application of truth to individual circumstances),
d) consolation, (empathy with the pain of another, showing genuine concern)
e) exhortation (calling near or encouraging people to hear God's message),
f) any other gifts the Lord may lay on your heart to ask for as described in these passages:
Romans 12: 6-18; 1 Cor 12: 1-31; 1 Cor 14: 1-33; Eph 4: 8-16
(Mat 25:14-15 KJV)
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
{15} And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability;
and straightway took his journey.
(Eph 4:11-13 KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
{12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
{13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
7) BE PREPARED TO EXPERIENCE SUFFERING, AND LET GOD TURN IT INTO WISDOM
The experience of enduring suffering, sorrow, pain, discomfort, disease, or loss, is the curriculum of University of God's Practical Learning. It is what He uses to allow us to feel the pain of others in a real way, to empathize with what they are going through, to have a practical knowledge of how to endure or overcome the adversity, how to understand where they are coming from, so we know where to start to help them and pray for them. Believe that at some future time, our painful experiences will be used by God to help someone else.
(James 5:10-11 KJV)
Take, my brethren, the prophets,
who have spoken in the name of the Lord,
for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
{11} Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job,
and have seen the end of the Lord;
that the Lord is extremely compassionate, and of tender mercy.
(2 Cor 1:3-4 KJV)Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
{4} Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
8) BE PREPARED TO BE HONEST AND OPEN ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS TAUGHT YOU.
This is related to the experience of suffering, i.e. the sharing of suffering experiences. It is not going around looking for sympathy because of what you are going through; or hiding some negative experience because it might be personally embarrassing; but be willing to open your heart and let someone peek in...at the appropriate time. Share with them how God delivered you, and how He can therefore deliver them too, then share whatever comfort you feel the Holy Spirit leads you to give.
(Luke 2:19 KJV)
But Mary kept all these things,
and pondered them in her heart.
(Mat 6:16-18 KJV)
Moreover when ye fast,
be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces,
that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
{17} But thou, when thou fastest,
anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
{18} That thou appear not unto men to fast,
but unto thy Father which is in secret:
and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
(2 Cor 11:29-31 KJV)
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
{30} If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
{31} The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
9) PRAY AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK THROUGH YOU THE VERY WORDS YOU SHOULD SPEAK.
Ask Him to hide you behind His Word, so that the reader or listener would not see you, but Jesus only.
(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(John 3:27-30 KJV) John (the baptizer) answered and said,
A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
{28} Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said,
I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
{29} He that hath the bride is the bridegroom:
but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him,
rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice:
this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
{30} He must increase, but I must decrease.
(Gal 2:20 KJV)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh,
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Mat 17:8 KJV) And when they had lifted up their eyes,
they saw no man,
save Jesus only.
10) WRITE OUT THE WHOLE BIBLE VERSE NOT JUST THE REFERENCE SHORTHAND.
Human nature, being what it is, is lazy. As such, if you just give the reference (example-Gal 2:20) instead of typing out the whole verse, you run the risk that people will just go on reading your tract with the intention to look it up later, but may just not get around to it. Also, when reading or quoting a Bible verse in a sermon, don't rapidly mumble 90% of the verse until you get to the "important stuff", It's all important! because the "unimportant stuff" is still infinitly more important and powerful than anything you or I have to say. NO MUIMBLIMG THE WORD !!!
(2 Tim 4:2-4 KJV)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
{3} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
{4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
11 REMEMBER, THE WORD OF GOD HAS ITS OWN INHERENT POWER ,
The Word of God is capable of convicting and changing people's minds. Our words, no matter how learned or clever they may be, are but a resultant of what we have already been taught...kind of a pre-digested form of the real food. If we consider our words are more important than God's words, we miss out on using this power to its fullest extent, and in effect demean the glory of the Word of God.
This is why we need to so extensively learn the Word, and quote it in its proper meaning and context. If we use a verse outside of the context that God has intended it to mean, we are not actually quoting the truth, and so God will not honor our words. Be sure to read some verses before and some after the verse that you quote, (ie. the context) , so that you can be sure the verse actually means what God has intended it to mean.
(Heb 4:12 KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And although the following verse is specifically warning against changing any of the content of The Book of the Revelation, you have to believe that God's Holy Zeal guards all of the scriptures with the same passion...
(Mat 5:17-19 KJV)
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
{18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
{19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so,
he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:
but whosoever shall do and teach them,
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Rev 22:18-19 KJV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
{19} And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in this book.
Luke 21:33 (KJV)
Jesus said:
Heaven and earth shall pass away:
but my words shall not pass away.
12) PRAY THAT GOD WOULD BLESS EACH PERSON THAT HEARS OR READS YOUR MESSAGE IN SOME WAY
(Rev 1:3 KJV)
Blessed is he that readeth,
and they that hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein:
for the time is at hand.
(Num 6:24-26 KJV)
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
{25} The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
{26} The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.
God Bless you as you seek to serve the Risen Saviour.
In Christ....brother bob.......<><
For further study, Check out these archives of past devotionals:
(Note: the devotionals may be under the headings of "discussions" "files" or "pages" )
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-part-2?msg=new&lnk=gcis&hl=en
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web?hl=en
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-archives-part-3/
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-4
IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS
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Feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want.
Please submit all questions, comments, suggestions,
or REQUESTS FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS to ixtheus@execpc.com
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"The God Who is Really There" from ixtheus@execpc.com
(Mat 10:18-20 KJV)
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake,
for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
{19} But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak:
for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
{20} For it is not ye that speak,
but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(Isa 55:10-11 KJV)
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
{11} So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT PREPARING SERMONS, DEVOTIONALS OR BIBLE STUIDIES?
1) DO NOT ADD TO NOR DETRACT FROM THE WORD OF GOD
Do not write a sermon or devotional using your own opinions , but limit your study to what the Word of God actually says, and do not add anything to it or take anything away from it. Let your opinion be what is altered, let the immutable Word of God be unaltered.
(Prov 30:5-6 KJV)
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.
(Deu 4:1-2 KJV)
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes
and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them,
that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
{2} Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you,
neither shall ye diminish ought from it,
that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deu 12:32 KJV)
What thing soever I command you,
observe to do it:
thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
(Rev 22:18-19 KJV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
{19} And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in this book.
2) LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK OR WRITE THROUGH YOU
Let the Lord speak through you, moving you along by the Holy Spirit. One could write any number of your own opinions or clever poems or editorials or spiritual advice, but is that something that will really change a sinners life? Rather, seek to be a messenger of the Lord's teaching to those He has given you to minister unto. God looks into each person's heart and knows what that person needs. He has His own agenda of what they need to hear, and when they need to hear it. It is up to the minster or teacher to follow the Spirit's leading, and give out what He tells you to. Let Him be the Shepherd and the Teacher, and you be the scribe.
(Heb 4:12 KJV)
For the word of God is quick{Grk=living}, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
So here are a few more principles which a christian minister or teacher can add to their life and christian experience to be able to minister the Word of God to others, either by speaking or writing or by living the Christian life:
3) READ, MARK LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST THE SCRIPTURES
Read the Word in every spare moment of time that you have..lunch time, break time, bed time, quiet time...give up time from amusements or tv to study it. Listen to tapes or Christian radio preachers while driving or working. Read the Word in other translations. Get dictionaries, concordances, Bible commentaries. Listen to excellent radio and TV preachers. Use Bible searching software and any other Bible study helps that are available on the internet. Take classes at your church or elsewhere to help you learn more about the Word. Ask God for wisdom to tell you what the difficult passages mean, ask Him to explain scripture with scripture, so you get it as correct as possible. Let the understanding of God's word be your hobby, your obsession, your food, your life.
(Psa 119:11-16 KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
{12} Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
{13} With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
{14} I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
{15} I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
{16} I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.
4) PRAY FOR IMPROVED MEMORY TO RECALL THE SCRIPTURES YOU HAVE MEMORIZED
Claim this promise for yourself, which the Lord gave to the disciples:
(John 14:26 KJV)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
This promise was given to the apostles for the purpose of remembering what Jesus taught so that they could write down the Gospels; but it is given to all of us to claim when we are studying, witnessing, writing, or just meditating about God's Word atny time. Claim it as your own, and expect God to honor it. And remember, the Word has to be IN your soul, so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to your remembrance.
5) ASK FOR WISDOM...AS MUCH AS IT TAKES AND EVEN MORE THAN IT TAKES
Ask God for as much wisdom as He will pour into your hungry soul. The Bible says, Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived or ever would live. However, what's wrong with being number 2, or number 3, or number 100? How big is your faith? How much wisdom is enough for you? How much faith do you have to seek wisdom? This is a very important promise:
(James 1:5 KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
Who giveth to all men liberally, and will not criticize;
and it shall be given him.
6) PRAY THAT GOD WOULD REVEAL TO YOU WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT(S) SO YOU MAY USE IT TO DO GOD'S SPIRITUAL WORK
a) prophecy (in the sense of forth-telling God's Word and will),
b) teaching (instruction in sound doctrine, both for yourself and your hearers)
c) wisdom (application of truth to individual circumstances),
d) consolation, (empathy with the pain of another, showing genuine concern)
e) exhortation (calling near or encouraging people to hear God's message),
f) any other gifts the Lord may lay on your heart to ask for as described in these passages:
Romans 12: 6-18; 1 Cor 12: 1-31; 1 Cor 14: 1-33; Eph 4: 8-16
(Mat 25:14-15 KJV)
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
{15} And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability;
and straightway took his journey.
(Eph 4:11-13 KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
{12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
{13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
7) BE PREPARED TO EXPERIENCE SUFFERING, AND LET GOD TURN IT INTO WISDOM
The experience of enduring suffering, sorrow, pain, discomfort, disease, or loss, is the curriculum of University of God's Practical Learning. It is what He uses to allow us to feel the pain of others in a real way, to empathize with what they are going through, to have a practical knowledge of how to endure or overcome the adversity, how to understand where they are coming from, so we know where to start to help them and pray for them. Believe that at some future time, our painful experiences will be used by God to help someone else.
(James 5:10-11 KJV)
Take, my brethren, the prophets,
who have spoken in the name of the Lord,
for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
{11} Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job,
and have seen the end of the Lord;
that the Lord is extremely compassionate, and of tender mercy.
(2 Cor 1:3-4 KJV)Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
{4} Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
8) BE PREPARED TO BE HONEST AND OPEN ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS TAUGHT YOU.
This is related to the experience of suffering, i.e. the sharing of suffering experiences. It is not going around looking for sympathy because of what you are going through; or hiding some negative experience because it might be personally embarrassing; but be willing to open your heart and let someone peek in...at the appropriate time. Share with them how God delivered you, and how He can therefore deliver them too, then share whatever comfort you feel the Holy Spirit leads you to give.
(Luke 2:19 KJV)
But Mary kept all these things,
and pondered them in her heart.
(Mat 6:16-18 KJV)
Moreover when ye fast,
be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces,
that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
{17} But thou, when thou fastest,
anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
{18} That thou appear not unto men to fast,
but unto thy Father which is in secret:
and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
(2 Cor 11:29-31 KJV)
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
{30} If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
{31} The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
9) PRAY AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK THROUGH YOU THE VERY WORDS YOU SHOULD SPEAK.
Ask Him to hide you behind His Word, so that the reader or listener would not see you, but Jesus only.
(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(John 3:27-30 KJV) John (the baptizer) answered and said,
A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
{28} Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said,
I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
{29} He that hath the bride is the bridegroom:
but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him,
rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice:
this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
{30} He must increase, but I must decrease.
(Gal 2:20 KJV)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh,
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Mat 17:8 KJV) And when they had lifted up their eyes,
they saw no man,
save Jesus only.
10) WRITE OUT THE WHOLE BIBLE VERSE NOT JUST THE REFERENCE SHORTHAND.
Human nature, being what it is, is lazy. As such, if you just give the reference (example-Gal 2:20) instead of typing out the whole verse, you run the risk that people will just go on reading your tract with the intention to look it up later, but may just not get around to it. Also, when reading or quoting a Bible verse in a sermon, don't rapidly mumble 90% of the verse until you get to the "important stuff", It's all important! because the "unimportant stuff" is still infinitly more important and powerful than anything you or I have to say. NO MUIMBLIMG THE WORD !!!
(2 Tim 4:2-4 KJV)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
{3} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
{4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
11 REMEMBER, THE WORD OF GOD HAS ITS OWN INHERENT POWER ,
The Word of God is capable of convicting and changing people's minds. Our words, no matter how learned or clever they may be, are but a resultant of what we have already been taught...kind of a pre-digested form of the real food. If we consider our words are more important than God's words, we miss out on using this power to its fullest extent, and in effect demean the glory of the Word of God.
This is why we need to so extensively learn the Word, and quote it in its proper meaning and context. If we use a verse outside of the context that God has intended it to mean, we are not actually quoting the truth, and so God will not honor our words. Be sure to read some verses before and some after the verse that you quote, (ie. the context) , so that you can be sure the verse actually means what God has intended it to mean.
(Heb 4:12 KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And although the following verse is specifically warning against changing any of the content of The Book of the Revelation, you have to believe that God's Holy Zeal guards all of the scriptures with the same passion...
(Mat 5:17-19 KJV)
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
{18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
{19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so,
he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:
but whosoever shall do and teach them,
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Rev 22:18-19 KJV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
{19} And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in this book.
Luke 21:33 (KJV)
Jesus said:
Heaven and earth shall pass away:
but my words shall not pass away.
12) PRAY THAT GOD WOULD BLESS EACH PERSON THAT HEARS OR READS YOUR MESSAGE IN SOME WAY
(Rev 1:3 KJV)
Blessed is he that readeth,
and they that hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein:
for the time is at hand.
(Num 6:24-26 KJV)
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
{25} The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
{26} The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.
God Bless you as you seek to serve the Risen Saviour.
In Christ....brother bob.......<><
For further study, Check out these archives of past devotionals:
(Note: the devotionals may be under the headings of "discussions" "files" or "pages" )
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-part-2?msg=new&lnk=gcis&hl=en
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web?hl=en
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-archives-part-3/
http://groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-4
IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS
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May 15, 2009
Friday - A Dose of Daily Inspiration
May 15, 2009
Closing the Door to Lust, Part Oneby Charles R. Swindoll
Judges 16
Samson was a he-man with a she-weakness. In spite of the fact that he was born of godly parents, set apart from his birth to be a Nazirite, and elevated to the enviable position of judge in Israel, he never conquered his tendency toward lust. On the contrary, it conquered him. Several things that illustrate his lustful bent may be observed from the record of his life in the book of Judges.
1. The first recorded words from his mouth were: I saw a woman (14:2).
2. He was attracted to the opposite sex strictly on the basis of outward appearance: Get her for me, for she looks good to me (14:3).
3. He judged Israel for 20 years, then went right back to his old habit of chasing women---a harlot in Gaza, and finally Delilah (15:20-16:4).
4. He became so preoccupied with his lustful desires, he didn't even know the Lord had departed from him (16:20).
The results of Samson's illicit affairs are familiar to all of us. The strong man of Dan was taken captive and became a slave in the enemy's camp, his eyes were gouged out of his head, and he was appointed to be the grinder in a Philistine prison. Lust, the jailer, binds and blinds and grinds. The swarthy pride of Israel, who once held the highest office in the land, was now the bald-headed clown of Philistia, a pathetic hollow shell of humanity. His eyes would never wander again. His life, once filled with promise and dignity, was now a portrait of hopeless, helpless despair. Chalk up another victim for lust. The perfumed memories of erotic pleasure in Timnah, Gaza, and the infamous valley of Sorek were now overwhelmed by the putrid stench of a Philistine dungeon.
Without realizing it, Solomon wrote another epitaph---this one for Samson's tombstone:
His own iniquities will capture the wicked,And he will be held with the cords of his sin.He will die for lack of instruction,And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray. (Proverbs 5:22-23)
The same words could well be chiseled in the marble over many other tombs. I think, for example, of the silver-throated orator of Rome, Mark Antony. In his early manhood, he was so consumed with lust that his tutor once shouted in disgust:
O Marcus! O colossal child . . . able to conquer the world but unable to resist a temptation!
I think of the gentleman I met several years ago---a fine itinerant Bible teacher. He said he had been keeping a confidential list of men who were once outstanding expositors of the Scripture, capable and respected men of God . . . who have shipwrecked their faith on the shoals of moral defilement. During the previous week, he said, he had entered the name ofnumber 42 in his book. This sad, sordid statistic, he claims, caused him to be extra cautious and discreet in his own life. Perhaps, by now, he has added a couple dozen more.
A chill ran down my spine when he told that story. No one is immune. You're not. I'm not. Lust is no respecter of persons. Whether by savage assault or subtle suggestion, the minds of a wide range of people are vulnerable to its attack. Sharp professional men and women, homemakers, students, carpenters, artists, musicians, pilots, bankers, senators, plumbers, promoters, and preachers as well. Its alluring voice can infiltrate the most intelligent mind and cause its victim to believe its lies and respond to its appeal. And beware---it never gives up . . . it never runs out of ideas. Bolt your front door and it'll rattle at the bedroom window, crawl into the living room through the TV screen, or wink at you out of a magazine in the den.
How do you handle such an aggressive intruder? Try this: when lust suggests a rendezvous, send Jesus Christ as your representative.
Have Him inform your unwanted suitor that you want nothing to do with illicit desire . . .nothing. Have your Lord remind lust that since you and Christ have been united together, you are no longer a slave to sin. (Read Romans 6.) His death and resurrection freed you from sin's stranglehold and gave you a new Master! And that new Master isn't afraid to slam the door in lust's face, no matter how far it has slinked in.
Reprinted by permission. Day by Day, Charles Swindoll, July 2005, Thomas Nelson, inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Purchase "Day by Day" here
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