Comment

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 3, 2011 at 9:36am

	Thriving Every Day TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God doesn’t want you to live with a “barely-get-by” attitude. He has new seasons of increase in front of you. He wants you to thrive, to live an abundant, overflowing life! Sometimes when things seem difficult, it’s easy to slip into “survival mode.” When times get tough, it’s tempting to just “hunker down” and settle where we are. If you’re not careful, you’ll develop a survival mentality that will keep you from growing and releasing your faith. You’ll be happy just to “break even.” But as God’s children, we’re not supposed to just break even; we’re supposed to break through to a new level! We’re supposed to believe for more of God’s favor, increase and promotion no matter what is happening in the world around us. Make up your mind today that no matter how difficult things seem, you are going to thrive every day! Take hold of God’s promises and declare that you are rising higher. As you continue to expect His favor and increase, you’ll see His hand of blessing in your life, and you will t

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 2, 2011 at 4:49am

Plan for Good TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness” (Proverbs 14:22b, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the scripture tells us that we find love. We know that God is love which means that when we plan for what is good, we will find God in the midst of our plans. Today, don’t let the negative voices of the world steal your focus or get you off course. Don’t start planning for a bad day; choose to plan for good. The scripture doesn’t say, “Plan for good as long as the economy is booming.” It doesn’t say, “Plan for good as long as the housing market is strong.” It doesn’t say, “Plan for good as long as you aren’t facing any adversity.” No, we can plan for good because we serve a God who is good, and He is ready, willing and able to bring us through any adversity we face! Boldly plan for good today and watch God show up in the midst of your plans!

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 2, 2011 at 4:14am

	He Gives Strength TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Oftentimes, when we are facing a difficulty, it’s easy to become weary in our minds and emotions. Trying to figure it all out in our own strength can be exhausting. But we weren’t meant to try to figure everything out, we were meant to trust. We were meant to call on Him and let Him be the hero of our story! The Bible says in Isaiah that when you cry to God for help, as soon as He hears, He will answer you! He will give you strength when you are weary and increase your power when you feel weak. No matter what is going on in your life today, God is greater than any obstacle or difficulty you may be facing. Do you need strength to overcome a challenge in your life? Do you need power to stand strong in the midst of a storm? Call on Him and He will hear you. Open your heart, and by faith, receive His strength and might. Let Him empower you to live in victory and overcome all the days of your life! A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 1, 2011 at 12:33am

GREAT THOUGHT TO PONDER ARE YOU LETTING satan PLAY WITH YOUR EMOTIONS

Take Charge of Your Emotions

Inspiration   >  Bible   >  Take Charge of Your Emotions

 

Take Charge of Your Emotions

 

The danger of failing to manage your emotions is enormous. If you respond to a slight (real or imagined) negatively, it is possible not only to turn a friend into an enemy, but also to damage your own soul—and body. Even storing “bad” things in memory and recounting them can harm your health.

 

Of course, the rewards of self-control are also spiritual and eternal. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25). And Ecclesiastes 7:9 warns us, “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”

 

The good news is that it is possible for you to change your habits and control your emotions, regardless of how deeply embedded those habits may be.

· Watch out for negative feelings such as fear, anger, worry, resentment, and jealousy—and refuse to give in to them. Concentrate on the positive emotions and attitudes of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

· When you do become angry or tense, do something to distract  yourself. Go for a walk or run. Listen to soothing music. Do some deep breathing exercises. Relax. Cool down!

· Use the resources of your faith. Keep a Bible close by. And, remember, prayer works for every mood.

· Mentally picture the advantages of being in control of your emotions. Then, with God’s help, start being in control!

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 27, 2011 at 5:32pm

MATTHEW HERNY COMMENTARY ON 1THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

Verses 13-18

In these words the apostle comforts the Thessalonians who mourned for the death of their relations and friends that died in the Lord. His design is to dissuade them from excessive grief, or inordinate sorrow, on that account. All grief for the death of friends is far from being unlawful; we may weep at least for ourselves if we do not weep for them, weep for own loss, though it may be their fain. Yet we must not be immoderate in our sorrows, because,I. This looks as if we had no hope, v. 13. It is to act too much like the Gentiles, who had no hope of a better life after this; whereas we Christians, who have a most sure hope, the hope of eternal life after this, which God who cannot lie hath promised us, should moderate all our joys and our sorrows on account of any worldly thing. This hope is more than enough to balance all our griefs upon account of any of the crosses of the present time.II. This is an effect of ignorance concerning those who are dead, v. 13. There are some things which we cannot be ignorant of concerning those that are asleep; for the land they are removed to is a land of darkness, which we know but little of and have no correspondence with. To go among the dead is to go among we know not whom, and to live we know not how. Death is an unknown thing, and the state of the dead, or the state after death, we are much in the dark about; yet there are some things concerning those especially who die in the Lord that we need not, and ought not, to be ignorant of; and, if these things be really understood and duly considered, they will be sufficient to allay our sorrow concerning them.1. They sleep in Jesus. They are asleep, v. 13. They have fallen asleep in Christ, 1 Co. 15:18. Death does not annihilate them. It is but a sleep to them. It is their rest, and undisturbed rest. They have retired out of this troublesome world, to rest from all their labours and sorrows, and they sleep in Jesus, v. 14. Being still in union with him, they sleep in his arms and are under his special care and protection. Their souls are in his presence, and their dust is under his care and power; so that they are not lost, nor are they losers, but great gainers by death, and their removal out of this world is into a better.2. They shall be raised up from the dead, and awakened out of their sleep, for God will bring them with him, v. 14. They then are with God, and are better where they are than when they were here; and when God comes he will bring them with him. The doctrine of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ is a great antidote against the fear of death and inordinate sorrow for the death of our Christian friends; and this doctrine we have a full assurance of, because we believe that Jesus died and rose again, v. 14. It is taken for granted that as Christians they knew and believed this. The death and resurrection of Christ are fundamental articles of the Christian religion, and give us hope of a joyful resurrection; for Christ, having risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those that slept; and therefore those who have fallen asleep in him have not perished nor are lost, 1 Co. 15:18, 20. His resurrection is a full confirmation of all that is said in the gospel, or by the word of the Lord, which has brought life and immortality to light. 3. Their state and condition shall be glorious and happy at the second coming of Christ. This the apostle informs the Thessalonians of by the word of the Lord (v. 15), by divine revelation from the Lord Jesus; for though the resurrection of the dead, and a future state of blessedness, were part of the creed of the Old-Testament saints, yet they are much more clearly reve

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 25, 2011 at 1:57pm

CON'T OF CONTROLLING SINFUL APPETITES

• When you have surrendered to the Lord’s will in the past, what have been the results? Try to give a specific example.

 

• What would surrender to Him look like in your current situation?

 

Address the root problem

Prayerfully analyze why you indulge certain appetites. For the most part, sinful behavior has its root in legitimate needs, such as loneliness, sadness, exhaustion, insecurity, discomfort, etc. (For example, stress might trigger a desire to binge on junk food.)

• After his affair with Bathsheba, another man’s wife, David’s real need was for God’s forgiveness. Instead of turning to the Lord with his guilt, how did he attempt to hide his sin (2 Sam. 11:6-25)? 

 

• According to Psalm 32, written by David, what are the consequences of failing to ask God’s forgiveness? What are some benefits of confession? 

 

• What are the root problem(s) that prompt you to give in to sinful appetites? If you’re unsure, pray that God would reveal them to you.

 

Find a replacement

In general, the more a person focuses on not giving in to a temptation, the more he or she will want to indulge that particular sinful appetite. The solution is to ask the Lord for healthier ways to respond to life’s challenges. (For instance, God may lead an anxious person to call a friend and pray instead of turning to unhealthy snack food.)

• What advice did Paul give believers in Colossians 3:12-17?

 

• Choose one command from the passage that could impact how you resist temptation. How would taking that advice change the way you react to life’s stressors?  

 

• What do you think the Lord would have you do instead of indulging your appetite(s)? You will probably have different solutions for each need.

 

Worship

Humans are designed to worship. Either we will live for the Creator, or we will passionately sacrifice for possessions, people, power, accomplishment, appearance, comfort, or something else. As believers, we are not immune to this tendency.  

• Read Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”?

 

• How can you worship God in practical ways as you go throughout your daily routine?

 

• Read Psalm 16:11. Why does worship fill a person with joy and pleasure?

 

• Contrast the way you feel after worshipping and praising the Lord with how you feel after overindulging an appetite.

 

• Why do you think believers continually fall into the same sin when its fruit is always bad?

 

Prayer: In your time of prayer, confess any areas where your appetites are out of balance. Ask God to open your eyes to the emptiness and dissatisfaction sin brings. Pray for His help in breaking the unhealthy

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 25, 2011 at 1:47pm

Controlling Sinful Appetites

Appetite can be defined as “a strong desire or urge.” While we typically associate it with food or drink, this word refers to any powerful wish, including the longing for security, a craving for wealth, or a sexual desire.

Most of our appetites, in their purest forms, are God-given. The problem arises when we allow them to usurp His rightful place on the throne of our hearts.

• Aside from the ones listed above, name some appetites that can get people into trouble.

 

• Which of your desires sometimes get out of control?

 

God’s Path to Freedom

According to worldly wisdom, the way to overcome unhealthy desires is by adhering to a series of rules and guidelines. Although moral absolutes do provide us standards for behavior, they are not the means to godliness. God wants us to depend on Him to find relief from our fixations. Here are a series of helpful steps in addressing any appetite that gets out of control.

Confession

Admit before God that indulging a wayward appetite is disobedience. Agree with Him that not only are the effects of sin painful, but the sin itself is a risky and ineffective way to attempt meeting your needs.

• In explaining how believers should treat one another, what does Ephesians 4:32 imply about the way God treats us?

 

• What reassurance does Romans 8:1-2 give about your relationship with Christ despite your weaknesses?

 

Take a moment to confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness.

Surrender

You must admit that you can’t conquer a harmful appetite on your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to provide the strength you need to resist it.

• Why do you think Paul says that rules such as “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” are of “no value against fleshly indulgence” (Col. 2:21, 23)?

 

• Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing” (John 5:30). Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Is there a contradiction in these two statements? Explain.

 

• Believers are “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). Since we are still alive physically, what do you think this means (see also Luke 9:23-24)?

 

• Why does weakness give us an opportunity to be strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10)?

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 22, 2011 at 10:14am

ThoughtstoPonder] Adultery...

	... View Contact
	Thoughts to Ponder <thoughtstoponder@yahoogroups.com>

---

It is a fact that the human mind can't comprehend God in His fullness, however, I think sometimes we make it too hard to understand Him, or don't even really try. What I mean by that is that I think we get so taken by the fact that He is God and His thoughts are so far above us and His ways are so far above us that we give up and don't realize that at least in some areas He has given us pretty clear pictures of His thoughts and His ways.   God often uses word pictures so that we can understand Him. We have emotions, such as joy, sadness, jealousy, and anger among others. Well God gave us those emotions and He often uses them to explain His ways and likes and dislikes, because we can understand them, and thereby in at least some small way understand Him.   In the Old Testament God calls Himself the husband of Israel:   Isaiah 54:5     For your Maker is your husband--         the Lord Almighty is his name--     the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;         he is called the God of all the earth.  [NIV]   In the New Testament the Church is called the Bride of Christ. These are meant to convey to us how God looks at our relationship with Him. He is our Lord and our God, our Master and our Savior, and yet He tells us that He wants a marriage relationship with us.   I want to look at this marriage relationship because it will tell us a lot about who God is and what He expects of us. In looking at this I think we also see why Satan hates human marriage so much and has tried and continues to try to pervert it and destroy it. God instituted marriage:   Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.  [NIV]   Because marriage has been weakened even in the Christian community to the point where it is disposable to many people, let me show you what traditional Jewish thought was on marriage:   In traditional Jewish literature marriage is actually called kiddushin, which translates as "sanctification" or "dedication." "Sanctification," indicates that what is happening is not just a social arrangement or contractual agreement, but a spiritual bonding and the fulfillment of a mitzvah, a Divine precept. "Dedication," indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, that involves total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming, as the Kabbalists state, "one soul in two bodies." (Quoted from http://ohr.edu/1087)

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 17, 2011 at 4:39am

Add Prayer to Your Everyday Routine

Inspiration   >  Add Prayer to Your Everyday Routine

Add Prayer to Your Everyday Routine
by Norman Vincent Peale

 

“Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17) doesn’t literally mean to pray constantly, but rather to be in a continuous attitude of prayer. By investing even the smallest and most routine details with spiritual meaning you will profoundly increase your spiritual development.  How do you do this?  Try the following suggestions to bring faith to your everyday routines.

1. Be a Channel of God's Grace.
When you learn about an account of sorrow and tragedy in someone’s life, in a newspaper, through a co-worker or friend, pause and pray for that person. In this way, you compassionately identify yourself with the human sorrow and become a channel through which God’s grace may be extended.

2. Be an Instrument of God's Will.
When you read or hear of critical conditions in national or international affairs, especially those emphasizing potential negatives, counter those projections with the affirmation of a positive attitude. Ask that God’s will be done in all human affairs. And offer a prayer that God may use you as an instrument of His will.

3. Employ Spiritual Strategy.
Before writing a letter or email say a prayer, “Lord, help me to say what You want me to say.” As you stamp and seal or hit send, bless your message in Christ’s name, and bless the person to whom it is addressed. When you pay a bill, thank God for material blessings, and bless the store owner and the clerks, too.

4. Send Up Sincere Prayer.
While driving your car, if you become annoyed by impolite and careless actions on the part of another driver, instead of reacting in kind, remain affable and send up a sincere prayer for that driver. You can never know what pressures motivate his actions. Perhaps your prayer will reach his problem. One thing is certain, it will reach you.

5. Bless Your Home.
When working around the house, “sprinkle” some love and faith on the clothes you are laundering. Put a dash of both into the meals you cook. And as you go through your daily chores, bless every room with the peace of God. This is a most effective way to improve the atmosphere of the home.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on January 24, 2011 at 6:50am

Don’t Let Fear Defeat You

Inspiration   >  Bible   >  Don’t Let Fear Defeat You

 

Don’t Let Fear Defeat You

 

Fear, like every emotion, can be used either negatively or positively. Healthy fear keeps you from being careless when you face danger. Unhealthy fear occurs when you allow your apprehensions and concerns to unduly take over your life—threatening your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

 

What can you do about fear?

1.     Face your fears squarely. What three things do you fear most? Write them down and think about them. Fear often vanishes when you take a hard look at it. Then destroy the paper and banish those fears from your mind. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

2.     Substitute faith for fear. Saturate your mind with the great Scripture verses that assure you of the love and care of your heavenly Father—verses like Deuteronomy 31:8: “The LORD…will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

3.     Learn to relax and trust God to guide you in all your decisions. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

4.     Give God your fears. “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• …
• 34
• Next ›
• Page