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July 5, 2013

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Love & Works, Obedience, Salvation: A New You

THE CHOICE IS OURS

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. [Deuteronomy 30:19-20a (NLT)]

If only all of our options were this clear-cut! If only every contract we sign was this concise! There is no money down or fine print, no hidden qualifications, and no undisclosed obligations. Even pre-existing conditions don’t matter. Our choice is well-defined for us: love, obey and commit to God or not. Life or death; the choice is ours.

 

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July 4, 2013

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Holidays & Holy Days

GOD BLESS AMERICA – INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

2013-7-4Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help. [Psalm 9:10 (GW)]

 Thank you, Father in Heaven, for the nation in which we live. Flawed as it is, it is still the best place to be. Please bless this nation and its people.

 

“God Bless America”  [Irving Berlin]

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home.

 

When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect. [Adlai Stevenson]

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July 3, 2013

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Prayer, Trusting God

BE DIRECT

Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? [Matthew 7:7-11 (MSG)]

If it is important to us, it is important to God; if it troubles us, it troubles Him, too. Just as no problem is too big for prayer and the Lord’s work, nothing is too small or trivial. It’s not up to us to decide what concerns God; we need to bring everything to God in prayer. Let Him decide what, if anything, to do about it.

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July 2, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Thanks & Praise

A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. [Hebrews 13:15 (NLT)]

It’s easy to support the local team when they’re on a winning streak. When they’re in a slump, however, the fans often change their loyalty and speak disparagingly about the owners, coach, manager and players. It’s easy to believe in and praise Jesus when everything is going smoothly in our lives. The real challenge is to remain faithful in the face of hardships and trouble. Jesus wants committed full-time followers, not fickle fans.

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July 1, 2013

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Faith & Hope, Thanks & Praise

Hope

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! [Psalm 42:5 (NLT)]

Fill my heart with gratitude, O Lord, and keep my lips from complaint. Fill me with hope and optimism so that I can see the positive in all things.

 

 

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June 30, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Wisdom & Guidance

Listening and Learning

Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall. [Proverbs 16:18 (GW)]

Today, if the answer is, “I don’t know,” that’s exactly what I’ll say.

Lord, help me let go of the mistaken belief that I shouldn’t admit my ignorance. Stop me from barging ahead when what I really need is guidance or assistance. Help me accept that I am not nearly as smart as I think I am or want to be. There is still a great deal I have to learn.

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights. [Proverbs 18:15 (MSG)]