Friday, November 9, 2018

Devot. The End of Humility

Hi Folks,
 
I hope you had a good week!   
 
I have several things for you below. Our devot. for today is on humility and how Christ set the example for us.
 
I think that it is far easier for someone to become prideful and braggadocios, rather than to become humble.   Our sinful, human nature longs to boast of accomplishments and make ourselves look good.  It's hard to take the back seat and let someone else share what they have succeeded at or stay silent  if we are the type that  likes to talk about ourselves.  
 
Now, is it wrong to share when we have accomplished something?  No, not at all!   But do we do
it in a boastful "look at me" sort of way or a "I'm thankful that this happened and I'm so excited for this blessing!"  Do we give credit or thanks(even on the inside) to the One who helped get us to this point?   Jesus said in John 15:5, "for without me ye can do nothing."  (That includes anything!)
 
Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
(The Lord has a way of knocking us down to size when we need it.)
 
In Proverbs 6:16-19, the Lord states that there are 6 things that He hates and 7 that are an abomination to Him.  [Abomination "repugnance" or "disgust"]. Look at the first one on the list in verse 17,"  These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look,..." 
 
1 Peter 5:5-6, says in regards to authority or authority within the structure of a church, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:(spiritually wear it!)  for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"
 
The Lord takes seriously a prideful spirit or even a prideful look.   I know pride it isn't easy to conquer, but if we are to model Christ,  humility needs to be apart of our nature.  
 
Pray the devot. is a blessing to your weekend.
 
 
(Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)
 
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Devot. Godly Servanthood/Final Verdict for Asia Bibi

Hi Folks,
 
I hope you had a good week and are staying well!  
 
Do you know someone who is a very giving person, who has a "servant's spirit?"
They are willing to do anything for anybody?  Our devot. for today is entitled "Godly Servanthood"
and it encourages us to look for someone who has a servant's spirit, and learn from them.
 
Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember them which have the rule over you, (those who are leaders in the church) who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (think about the Christian testimony and example that they have)."
 
You know the expression that some things are better "caught than taught."  Someone we can be a good servant by learning selflessness through someone who is already actively serving the Lord. 
The spirit of being a servant is contagious when you are around someone who loves to be a blessing, I can attest to that.
 
Pray that this devot. encourages you this weekend!
 
I also have an amazing update below on Asia!  It's truly an answer to prayer, so keep them coming! 
 
Lord bless you and yours this weekend.
 
(Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org)
 
ACLJ
 

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Breaking: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has just overturned Christian mom Asia Bibi's death sentence.
The court just issued its decision in her appeal, overturning her blasphemy conviction and sentence of execution by hanging.
This is a massive victory for this Christian mother of 5, who since 2009 has been imprisoned because of her faith. She was arrested on false accusations of blasphemy, because she (who as a Christian is considered unclean) offered a Muslim co-worker a cup of water.
For years, we have been aggressively advocating across the globe for her freedom - through our office on the ground in Pakistan (where we have successfully defended numerous Christians in court), at the U.N., and on Capitol Hill.
However, there is still cause for concern. Islamic radicals in Pakistan have been threatening to kill Asia Bibi upon her release. And there are reports that mobs are blocking traffic and burning tires, angered over her acquittal.
We must urgently demand that the Pakistani government ensure Asia Bibi's safety. Please continue to pray and be heard.
Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel

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Devot. The Pattern for Servanthood

Hi Folks,
 
I hope you had a peaceful week.
 
The devot. for today is showing us Who set a pattern of servanthood for us, Who blazed the trail of thinking of others ahead of ourselves, who gave His very life  because of the servant He was.  
 
Mark 10:45 states, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. "  [Ransom: "a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.]   Matthew 20:28 echoes these same exact words.
 
 We see all through the New Testament Gospel the Lord Jesus' selfless acts of love and kindness toward the outcast, the downtrodden, the sinner.  The pinnacle of this was His death for us, dying in our place when each of us deserves to pay our own sin debt and taking our hell for us when we really deserve to go there instead.   
 
Christ set the example of servanthood, and He asks us to do the same.  Practical ways would be opening the door for someone when you want to get into the store quickly, giving up a parking spot, letting someone change from the shoulder into your lane ( I know that's a tough one:), being patient with a slow checkout line.   I know these are simple areas, but an easy place to begin:)  I pray the devot. below gives you food for thought this weekend.
 
I have also included below an email I received from Marty Goetz (I have shared his music in the past).  He is a Messiah Jew who offers some words of comfort and reality as he mourns with God's Chosen People their recent loss 2 weekends ago (shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh PA). 
(Scripture says that the Jewish people are God's "chosen" special people and our Saviour was born into/came from the Jewish race.)  Pray it offers you some comfort as well.
 
Also as a closing note, this past Sunday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
The link gives some info. in how to get your church involved  (for the future) and also shows a video clip of a Christian brother who is serving overseas in Pakistan in spite of persecution.  
Pray it inspires you this weekend!
 
Lord bless and keep you and yours this weekend.

Article below written by http://www.martygoetz.com/
 
IMG 1720
 

It's a Terrible Day in the Neighborhood

A longtime friend, whom I met while a student at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, wrote in an e-mail that the horrible shooting at the ‘Tree of Life’ Synagogue occurred in—literally—Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood! The Squirrel Hill community, home to the late Fred Rogers, is in mourning— and we share in their sorrow; sadness for lives so tragically lost and concern for the condition of our national life.
Anti-semitism is an ancient and historic hatred. Still, we are shocked to see it erupt in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood on a Saturday like so many others; a day of rest shattered by gunfire, hatred and death.
This ‘terrible day in the neighborhood’ is another reminder that we do not live in a land of make-believe ruled by a beneficent and kindly king; a sweet and childlike world springing from the imagination of Mister Rogers.
But—one day—we will live in an even better world; a ‘world to come,’ ruled by ‘Sar Shalom,’ our ‘Prince of Peace!’
We who believe in Yeshua-Jesus- look for His return to this place of violence, tears and fears; we long to live in HIS Kingdom of love; an eternal ‘shabbat’—an eternal sabbath rest.
However, we are aware those eternal promises may provide little solace for the dear people at ‘Tree of Life.’ For them, Shabbat has been forever altered, and their lives will never be the same.
And so, we join with all those who pray that the God of Israel will surround the people of Pittsburgh—particularly the Jewish community—with His help and His comfort; may He speak hope to their hurting hearts and whisper a promise for a better, a more beautiful day in their neighborhood, their country, their world.
In His Shalom, His Peace,
Marty Goetz and family
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©2018 Goetz | 1136 Holly Tree Farms | Brentwood, TN | 37027
 
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Devot. Disciples and Servants

Hi Folks,
I hope you had a blessed week! 
 
Have you ever read the words "servant" and "disciple" in the New Testament and thought the were synonymous for the same word?  They are not, and this devot. will enlighten us a bit more on how we can be a servant of Jesus and what that means.    Pray you learn something spiritually valuable!
 
Lord bless you and yours this weekend!
 
Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/21011 (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/homepage/)
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Devot. Sermon, Petition

Hi Folks,
 
I hope you  are having a good week!   
 
Our devot. is from our Series Today is Your Best Day"  and focuses on being the Lord's servant.
 
Many of the New Testament  Men of Faith that the Lord inspired to write His book started their letters with their name and  "A servant of the Lord Jesus Christ."    These men saw themselves as humble servants who were given the very great privilege  by the Lord to write His words, share them with others and have their lives used for His glory and praise no matter the cost.
 
Have you ever had someone say that they felt "called" to be a missionary, pastor etc...?   All through the New Testament, men and women of faith were "called" (had God lay on their heart) and commissioned by the Lord Himself to serve Him with their lives.  We are called to do the same.
 
I have included another sermon link below entitled "Die Right."   The sermon from last week I included was entitled "Live Right."  The pastor who gave the message stated that in order to Die Right, we have to Live Right and also have a right perspective of death.   I can promise you that this sermon is not depressing,but rather practical, encouraging and has moments of humor.  It's only about 20 minutes long, so please check it out.
 
Lastly, remember the young lady (Leah) I mentioned last week that is still being held by Boko Haram because of her faith in Jesus.   I just had a petition and update sent to me by the American Center of Law and Justice.   Please sign, pass on and pray for Leah!   If only we had the same spiritual strength and fortitude to stand fast in our faith in Christ as this 15 year old has!   Lord help us all!
 
Lord bless you and yours this week!
 
 
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Devot. Reasonable Service

Hi Folks,
 
I hope you had a good week! 
 
The devot. for today is on our current topic of serving the Lord.
 
This devot.'s passage is from Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech (beg)you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,  that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove  what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
 
When we have received Jesus as Savior, are lives are not longer our own to do with us we please or live however we feel like.
 
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not (Don't you know?) that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,  which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: (Christ's death) therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."  
 
Wen we have trusted Jesus, we become God's dwelling place.   He bought our lives from the penalty of sin and hell with His own.  Jesus died for us so ,the very least we can do is live for and please Him with our lives. 
 
The sermon link below is the one I included on Tuesday, in case you haven't watched it yet.  It's only about 20 minutes, but it's practical and goes into more explanation of what living for the Lord looks like.  I hope you will watch it through your weekend.
 
Lord bless you and yours this weekend!
 
Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/20053  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)
 
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Devot. Today is Your Best Day Because You Serve the Lord!

Hi Folks,
I hope you had good week!
I have several resources for you this week!  We are still in our series "Today is Your Best Day." Today is your best day because you been given the privileged to serve the Most High God.  
 
Because we are one of His children by your faith in Him (Gal. 3:26), you have also been made an ambassador for Him (2 Corinthians 5:20)and we are called to serve Him with our lives as well (Romans 12:1).  
 
I heard someone say, "If Jesus died for me, the least I can is live for (serve) Him with my life."   This Biblical truth is a throwback to last Tuesday's devot. on living for the Lord.   

Our second resource is as sermon link, different from what I sent last week. 
I heard the sermon over the weekend and thought it was perfect, as it explains Galatians 2:20 which I shared last week, "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." The sermon isn't long, about 20 minutes, but it was VERY good.

Below is a an update on Pastor Brunson.  If you haven't seen the news, he was released from Turkey on Friday!  This is a MAJOR PRAISE AND ANSWER TO PRAYER! 
With that in mind, I have a link/prayer request below for a young Christian girl sill held captive by Boko Haram  due to her refusal to deny her faith in Jesus.
 

I pray these resources will be a big blessing and useful to your weekend.
Lord bless you and yours!

Devot.https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-08-16?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-08-16&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion  (Read and share.  Taken from  https://www.dayspring.com)

Sermon: https://touchinglives.org/resources/sermons/ 
(Taken from https://touchinglives.org/)
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