Jesus: The Everliving One - Creator of All

Jesus: The Everliving One - Creator of All

Of old You laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

They will perish, but You will endure;
Yes, they will all grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will change them,
And they will be changed.

But You are the same,
And Your years will have no end.

The children of Your servants will continue,
And their descendants will be established before You."

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In the beginning was the one
who is called the Word.
The Word was with God
and was truly God.

From the very beginning
the Word was with God.

And with this Word,
God created all things.
Nothing was made
without the Word.

Everything that was created
received its life from him,
and his life gave light
to everyone.

John 1:1-4 CEV

Welcome to the In Touch Devotional.

The Lord wants us to make wise decisions based on sound principles. But choices that follow His will aren't always compatible with the world's way of doing business. Some people may be surprised that the foundational concept of God's financial plan is to give rather than to save or invest.

First, give sacrificially. When the average person decides how much to donate toward charity, he considers his income versus his expenses. He chooses an amount that feels comfortable. In contrast, a sacrificial offering can mean a believer follows the Holy Spirit's leading to pledge resources beyond his means. Initially, some Christians may feel worried about exercising their faith in this way. But thankfully Philippians chapter 4:19 says God has promised to meet His children's needs. God's totally trustworthy.

Also, give compassionately. Psalm 24:1 tells us all resources belong to God. Believers with a generous spirit hold their material possessions loosely. They desire to use their share of the Lord's wealth to spread His blessing. A missionary, charity, or pastor does not have to beg them to part with their money.

God's financial plan differs from any we'll see in the world. But His principles have proven effective. The Bible and church history show this for thousands of years. His followers have chosen to give from a compassionate heart and a sacrificial spirit. And He rewards them with increased faith and enough material goods to meet their needs.

How to Be a Fountain of Life

(Author: John Piper) Every Christian should want to be a "fountain of life" for others. How does that happen? Here is a group of passages that answer this question. The answer is in the order. Psalm 36:9, For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Proverbs 16:22, Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly. Proverbs 14:27, The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. Proverbs 10:11, The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Proverbs 13:14, The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.

I am off to a Ladies Retreat with my girlfriens from church. Looking forward it!

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT   --   http://www.heartlight.org/
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                                                        April 17, 2008

VERSE:
   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to
him it is sin.
    -- James 4:17
       http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=James+4:17&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
   Jesus taught this principle when he healed on the Sabbath (Mark
3:1-7) and told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).
Our Lord made it clear that to neglect to do a good deed for
another in need, even if we had a religious excuse for not doing
it, was to do evil. Let's be a people known for doing good deeds
and sharing kindness. Let's not let any excuse, especially a
religious excuse, interfere with our glorious and holy
opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus.

PRAYER:
   Dear Father, please use me today to bless someone in need so
that they may know your grace and so that Jesus, your Son and my
Savior, will be glorified. In Jesus' sweet and precious name I
pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20080417&ver=kjv

I often have to allow the Lord to curb my hot red-headed temper. After all, it is the meek not the the demanding that will inherit the earth.

Blessed are the meek

Meekness Isn't Weakness...
Meekness Is gentleness - power under control...

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Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5 KJV

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For evil men will be cut off, but those
who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

Psalm 37:9-11 NIV

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness), self-control; against such things there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:22-24 NASB

I pray daily for a servant's heart and a gentle spirit.  This is only possible for me to obtain by continuing to humble myself and pray.

My heart is broken for the condition of our proud nation. It is time for us to get into the word and start living it.

Make straight paths for your feet

No ifs, ands or buts...

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:1-4 NIV

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And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:13,14 KJV

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Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9:22,27-28 RSV

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We need a Saviour because we are sinners...
And the wages of sin is death.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Let us seek and Know Him!

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When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night-- then I saw all that God has done.

No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning.

Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

Ecclesiastes 8:16,17 NIV

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As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.

If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28:9 NASB

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Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:31-33 KJV

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

            Jesus' last meal with His disciples took place during the celebration of Passover. Giving them bread, He said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Next, offering wine from a shared cup, He told them, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28). Believers today observe the Lord's Supper as a symbol of cleansing, consecration, and communion. 

            Jesus' blood cleanses us of sin. Starting with Adam and Eve, God required a blood sacrifice to cover transgressions (Gen. 3:21; Lev. 17:11). But this was just a temporary solution, as the next offense required another sacrifice. Jesus was God's permanent answer to the problem: He took upon Himself all sin--past, present, and future--and died to pay the full penalty. 

            When a believer receives salvation, he is consecrated--or set apart to the Lord. His sin is forgiven, and he receives eternal life as well as the indwelling Holy Spirit. But if he at times forgets that he belongs to the Lord, he may give in to temptation. The bread and the cup provide an opportunity to remember what the Father expects of His children and to renew one's commitment to obey. 

            The Lord's Supper is also a time to be in communion. We are connected not only with the Lord who saved us but also with past and present believers. Among members of God's family, we find comfort and support, just as the disciples and the early church did. 

            The Lord's Supper is a good time to stop and recall what Jesus has given us. Partake solemnly and gratefully.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT   --   http://www.heartlight.org/
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   VERSE:
   What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have
before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
    -- Romans 3:9-10
       http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+3:9-10&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
   Paul is driving home the point in Romans 3 that none of us can
even approximate the perfection and holiness of God. So how do we
get there? How do we escape the stranglehold of sin? God's answer
is Jesus! I believe that must be our answer, too!

PRAYER:
   Holy and Righteous God, I acknowledge before you the sinfulness
in my life. Please bless and empower me to live as your victorious
child. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Do good, tell the truth, be kind...

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Say not unto thy neighbour,
Go, and come again,
and tomorrow I will give;
when thou hast it by thee.

Proverbs 3:27,28 KJV

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The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.

Psalm 37:21 NASB

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When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.

Proverbs 16:7,8 NIV

Dead to sin... Alive to Christ!

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:1,2 NASB

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In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Romans 6:11,12 NIV

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Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1 John 3:4-6 KJV