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#33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 #41 ^ click on number to see issue ^ #42 <><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> 2 Chronicles 24:1a Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he
reigned in Jerusalem forty years. 1st Timothy 4:12 Don’t let others look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith
and in purity. - NIV ~~~ (=THINK IT OVER=) In the verse from 1st Timothy,
Paul is writing a letter to Timothy. He is encouraging him not to let the
elders look down on him and tell him that he doesn’t know what he is talking
about just because he was young. But
he tells him to set an example to all of the other believers in speech -
speak good words and leave out profanity, in life – use your life as a light
for Jesus, in love – love others just as you love yourself, in faith – put
all of your faith in Jesus, and in purity – dress yourself with modesty, and
love, and keep yourself pure. There is it, how you should live your life in
one verse! How to be an example for believers your age, younger, AND older
than you. Joash was only seven years old when
he became a king. And he got to rule Jerusalem for a whole forty years! My
point is, he was only seven years old and got to have a big job like that! Another example of this would be us
we are only 13 and 14. And our way of spreading the word is through Internet
Christians. We don’t really know whom we help by doing this, but we are
pretty sure we are helping SOMEONE!!! Otherwise the time we spend on this
newsletter would just be a waste of time- and I am certain that this is not
the case! ~~~ I am encouraging you right now just as
Paul encouraged Timothy, never ever let others look down on you because you
are young, but set a GOOD example to the other Christians around you! And do
it the way Timothy was told: in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in
purity. ~~~ &+PRAY ABOUT IT+&: Dear Lord, I pray that I will be able
to be an example to the believers around me. I just pray that you will help
me as I set an example to my Christian friends. In Jesus’ name, amen. ~~~
<><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though
we have rebelled against him; Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by
faith, that is in me. Matthew 18:21-35 The Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my
brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven. For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a certain king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he had begun to settle them, there was brought to
him one who owed him ten thousand talents. But since he did not have the
means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and
children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. The slave therefore falling down, prostrated himself before
him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.” And the
lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found on of his fellow slaves
who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and bean to choke him,
saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell down and began to
entreat him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ He was unwilling however, but went back and threw him in
prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when the other fellow slaves saw what had happened, they
were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had
happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave;
I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me. Should you not also
have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the
torturers until he should repay all was owed to him. So shall my heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you
does not forgive his brother from his heart. ~~~ (=THINK IT OVER=) Who is the most powerful, wonderful, merciful, plain ol’
great thing ever? Can we say Jesus! We’d be right if we did! Last week we talked about how Jesus was
our original superman. And he really really is! He will always forgive us! He
is the best thing on earth, and he can still find it in His heart to forgive
the lowest things on earth! Ever had a grudge against some one and you thought that you
could never forgive them because what they did was just so horrible?? Jesus
said in that verse that “how can God forgive us, if we can’t even forgive?”
God forgives murderers… and if God can forgive someone for doing such a horrible
thing, then shouldn’t we be able to forgive some one who has done something
to us, which probably isn’t as bad? Peter was frustrated because he was
having, to forgive a lot. So he asked Jesus “How many times am I going to
have to forgive people? Up to seven times??” Jesus came right back and told
him “seventy times seven” that’s 490 times!!! Now it would be pretty hard to
pass that limit, and that’s just the point! We need to forgive and forget,
just as God does with us. When some one asks for our forgiveness we need to
forgive them. When we ask God to forgive us for sinning against him, don’t we
expect to be forgiven? And doesn’t he forgive us every single time, and it
never ever comes up again? Of course! So we should do just as Jesus told
Peter, forgive, forgive, forgive! Before Jesus we used to have to give an
animal sacrifice. The blood would be our forgiveness. Then Jesus was hung on
the cross. His blood is now our forgiveness. If we ask Jesus to forgive us,
and we honestly want to commit our lives to the Lord then we can go to
Heaven. Can you believe that? Well, most of you have heard it enough you can
easily believe it! But if you hadn’t heard of Jesus’ love so many times you
would realize how rare it is for someone to, 1 be perfect and never sin, 2 to
have a long painful death on the cross, 3 then to say that if anyone believes
his life was true, and is thankful can come be with him in paradise! I’m
sorry, that’s not just rare, it’s a one-time thing that will happen exactly 1
time. And Jesus is the only person loving enough to do it. ~~~ *~TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE*~: Do you currently have some one that
you think you should forgive? We encourage you to go up to that person and forgive
them of everything! It can be very hard to forgive some one especially when
they have really hurt your feelings. But it needs to be done. ~~~ &+PRAY ABOUT IT+&: Dear Lord, I thank you that you
forgive me when I ask to be forgiven. If someone down here didn’t forgive me
when I asked I am sure that I would feel horrible. I pray that you will
enable me to adjust my feelings and forgive my friends whenever the need
occurs. In Jesus name, amen. ~~~
<><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> Luke 18:41-42 “What do you want Me to do for you?” and he said, “Lord, I
want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your site, your
faith has made you well.” Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to SAVE that which
was lost.” John 11:43-44a And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud
voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” He who had died came forth… John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee today thou
shalt be with me in paradise. ~~~ (=THINK IT OVER=) A popular Christian rock group called “Pillar” has written a
song called “Original Superman”. I would like to talk to you all about this
really awesome song. Here are the lyrics. Pillar Original Superman He heals the sick, he saves the lost
and died for you incase you’ve forgot man. He’ll jump a building in a single
bound, I once was lost but now I’m found. He needs to mask or cape or gown, all
he needs is his holy crown. It’s time for you to understand, Jesus Christ the
original superman. He’ll be your hero in the end He is
that one true super-friend. Kryptonite can’t slow Him down
nothing can at all. He’s always there for you He’ll pick you up if you should
fall. He came to earth in the flesh and
performing miracles and died for man. A forty-day fast is more than I could
take, he did it for you, and he did it for my sake. Ye of little faith He said to them
raised his hand and all was calm again. It’s time for you to under stand
Jesus Christ the Original superman. Up up and away He’s saving souls in a
new way. Just like superman was there He’s always there to save the day. He works through all of us through
Him we have the power. It’s time to unify so we can constantly devour the
devil and all his games. We need not be ashamed of anything we can do that we
can glorify His name. Many names He has been given Prince
of Peace, Son of Man, here’s one for His list, Original Superman. ---- Jesus really was the Original
superman, and he still is today. Jesus and superman will both be
remembered for a long time. But no doubt Jesus will be remembered a million
times longer Jesus has saved more people than
superman ever could! Hundreds upon hundreds of people get
saved every day, but thousands more are born and thousands also die. Through Jesus we DO have the power to
stop the devil! We need to tell every one about Jesus – our ORIGINAL SUPERMAN. ~~~ *~TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE*~: Do you know people who don’t know the
Lord?? Of course you do! Everyone does! When you talk to people, you need to
let them know that they have a friend in Jesus. That there is some one who
loves them, and wants to be their friend, and wants to take care of them
whenever they need help! If people heard about him that way, and heard all
that he did out of LOVE FOR THE WORLD then I think that we
could touch a lot more lives than we do today. So go out there and tell your
friends! ~~~ &+PRAY ABOUT IT+&: Dear heavenly father, I am soooo not worthy
of you sending your ONLY son to die for me. I thank you so much for sending
Jesus to earth to be my superman. I want to Jesus to be my friend, I want to
have a relationship with you Lord, and know that my life is in very good
hands. In Jesus precious name, amen. ~~~
<><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the
Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings; in all your
ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Job 36:15 He delivers
the afflicted in their affliction and opens their ear in time of oppression. Psalm 147:6a The Lord
supports the afflicted. Galatians 1:10: Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am
I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be
a servant of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you, except such as is common
to man. But the Lord is faithful, and with all temptation there is a way of
escape that you may be able to bear it. ~~~ (=THINK IT OVER=) Do you sometimes wish you were part
of the “in” crowd – that, you were really cool and were seen special by your
peers? Jesus and His friends weren’t exactly part of the cool group either. Some people might have even seen then
as rejects, but God didn’t. God saw them as a bunch of ordinary men and women
of all ages who weren’t afraid to admit that they didn’t have it all
together. They wanted more out of life than posing and pretending everything
was all right. So, whom are we really trying to
please?? Are we trying to please our best friends, or are we trying to please
God? Are we trying to fit in with man, or are we trying to fit in with God?
You tell me. Peer Pressure is a powerful thing. Sometimes you can’t do both.
Actually most of the time you can’t do both! It’s really hard. Just remember
though, God is the one you get to spend an eternity with. You probably won’t
even have a century with humans. Next time you are pressured to do something
remember that! Don’t give into peer pressure! Being
cool might turn out different from what some people make it out to be. It’s
so hard not to give in, but hang in there! You’ll get through this, and God
will help you! When you’re stuck in a position where
you don’t know what to do, just ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” It helps
a lot! It may not be easy – at all. But what would you prefer: being “cool”,
disappointing God, and making yourself feel guilty; or walking away, putting
a smile on God’s face, and feeling like you have pleased God and are happy
with yourself? ~~~ *~TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE*~: I know it’s hard when you’re faced with
peer pressure, so start right now by praying every night for God to give you
strength to stand up for what you believe in and walk away from peer
pressure. And then when you are faced with peer pressure, it may be a lot
easier to walk away. ~~~ &+PRAY ABOUT IT+&: Dear Lord, I pray that you will give
me the strength I need to walk away when people put me under peer pressure. I
thank you that you always provide a way to get out of things, and I pray that
I will be able to see the way out and go through that open door. In Jesus
name, amen. ~~~
<><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> Ecclesiastes
7:7 For oppression
makes a wise man mad, and a bribe corrupts the heart. Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or
am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not
be a servant of Christ. Romans 14:1-3
and 13-21 Now accept the
one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his
opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak
eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt he who does
not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has
accepted him. 13-21 Therefore let
us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this – not to put an
obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know I am convinced in
the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks
anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For because of food your
brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy
with your food for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a
good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not of eating and
drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who
in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then
let us pursue the things, which make for peace and the building up of one
another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things
indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offence.
It is good not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything by which your
brother stumbles. ~~~ (=THINK IT OVER=) This week we’re going to talk about;
putting others under peer pressure. And then next week we will talk about
being under that peer pressure. Usually you think about when you are
under all the pressure, but today… this week… we want you to think about
putting the pressure on others. Peer pressure comes in so many shapes
and sizes; whether it’s wearing “cool” clothes, or listening to the popular
music, it’s out there, and sometimes you don’t even notice when you’re
putting some one under that kind of affliction. You just kind of, go with the
flow. We as Christians are taught: by the
Bible, to raise each other up, and not to knock down beliefs of fellow
believers. In the passage from Romans that you
see up there, it gives us the example of a vegetarian. Just because he
believes one way, doesn’t mean he is wrong about it, God still accepts him!
You don’t have to get him to do what you do or believe what you believe just
because you think that it’s not “cool” or that it goes against what you
believe. If that is his way of following what he believes God has told him
to, then it’s perfectly fine! Because God accepts the way that the vegetarian
is praising Him with. Lets just say… that you have a
vegetarian friend and you invite him over. What do you do when he arrives? Do
you serve meat, and tell him that there is nothing that is unclean? NO WAY! You
don’t serve meat at all… encourage what he believes! Peer pressure is such a big issue,
its everywhere! It always has been. But we usually don’t look at the times
when we put the pressure on other people. We just go along with what we think
is right… or cool… or whatever we are thinking. But God calls us to go
against the flow – be un-normal – with the crowd that can put a positive
stamp on some one else’s heart. Haven’t you ever tried to do anything to please one of your
peers? Maybe: to get them to like you more? C’mon don’t lie to me! I know you
have! I am pretty sure just about everyone has! But you know; when you go out
and smoke or something? When you go out and get tattoos- do you think that
God really likes that? Do you think that he approves of these things? I doubt
it! When we do these things are we trying to win the approval of men or of
God? Even though we’re unaware of it WE’RE actually sometimes
the ones giving out the pressure. So next time you do something that is bad,
remember this newsletter. Remember that you’re not doing what you’re doing to
please the Lord. And remember that you maybe influencing someone else to do
it too. ~~ *~TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE*~: Look at this past week… have you put
anyone under any kind of pressure?? Pressure that you know goes against what
you believe as a Christian? Go over what you were doing, what do you stand
for? Did your friend also fall under pressure? Go to your friend and
apologize for the way you have acted and talk to God about it also. ~~~ &+PRAY ABOUT IT+&: Dear Lord, Please forgive me if I have put any of my friends under any kind of peer pressure, I pray that the next time you will give me the strength to stand up for what I believe in and not fall under it also, and make my friend do the same. I thank you and praise your name, in Jesus name, Amen.
<><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> 1 Peter 1:24 -
25 For all men are like grass and all their glory
is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but
the word of the LORD stands forever. It is my
favorite because it was given to my little sister and me when we lived in
North Carolina. By our landlord whom we adopted as part of the family. Our
'grandma' presented me with a bible the day we left for Missouri (11/4/1984)
with that verse written on the back cover as a reminder of our love for one
another and the eternal presence of GOD. -- Kaci Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the
LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your
ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. We rarely
know/understand why certain things happen or what tomorrow holds - but when
we trust in Jesus, he'll guide us and make everything work out for good. -- Kelly Ephesians
6:13-18 Therefore put
on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able
to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm
then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate
of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield
of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil
one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the saints. Each and
every day we all need to remember to put on God's armor on in order to get
through the day successfully and to let the light of Jesus shine through us
for the world to see. -- Todd Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace
ye have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift from
God not of works lest any man should boast. I like this
verse because it reminds me that by the grace of God we have been saved from
hell… we can’t do it ourselves because God gave eternal life to us as a gift.
So since it was a free gift, we can’t say “I’m going to go to Heaven because
I am a good person.” --
Danielle 1 Corinthians
13:1 "If I
speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a
resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." I like this
verse because if I am ever feeling superior or inferior to someone, I can
remember that what really counts is love, not accomplishments or talents. -- Megan =^..^= Editor’s comment: I think that you put that in such an
awesome way! Colossians 1:9 - 14 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have
not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His
will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in
order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord, and may please Him in
every way: Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that
you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the
Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the Saints in the
Kingdom of Light. For he has rescued us from the Dominion of Darkness, and
brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins. I just think it's cool. --- Mark =^..^= editor’s comment: I think that this is a really good verse. It shows us how we
should live our lives and why. And it also gave the people who were in that
time comfort, and we can know now that we always have some one praying for
us. 1 Corinthians
13:4-7 Love is
patient love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Love is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it does not get easily angered, it
keeps not record or wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with
the truth. Love always protects, always hopes, always trusts, always,
perseveres. I like 1 Cor.
13:4-7 because since it talks about love, and God is love, so it's like
talking about what God is like. I also like it because it reminds me to love,
and how to love other people (ex: by not holding grudges). -- Laura =^..^= editor’s comment: I believe that love is so many different
things. As it says in Corinthians it’s patient, and kind. Yet it doesn’t
envy, boast, or be proud. It’s not rude, self-seeking, or get angered easily.
Also it doesn’t record wrongs or delight in evil. However it does rejoice
with the truth. It protects, always hopes, always trusts, and always lasts. So don’t be scared to love people. If it’s true love then it
will be like above. ~~~ <><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> Psalm 18:30 As for God His
ways are perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless. Psalm 12:6 The words of
the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth purified
seven times. Revelation
22:5b “Write, for
these words are true and faithful.” (Also
Revelation 22:6 and 19:9) Revelation
22:18-19 I testify to
everyone who hears the words of this prophesy of this book; is anyone adds to
them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if
anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God shall take away from his
part of the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this
book. Psalm 119:160 The sum of Thy
word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting. Galatians 2:5 But we did not
yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
might remain with you. Proverbs 30:
5-6 EVERY WORD OF
GOD IS FLAWLESS; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. DO NOT ADD
TO HIS WORDS, OR HE WILL REBUKE YOU AND PROVE YOU A LIAR. Isaiah 40:22a It is He who
sits above the CIRCLE OF THE EARTH. ~~~ (= THINK IT OVER: =) Ever have some one try to convince you
that the Holy Bible has been changed? Like they tell you “Well it’s been
through so many people and translated so many times, how can it still be the
same?” Well I have, and here are some verses that can back you up when you
are faced with that kind of thing. What kind of Christian would want to
make a change in the Bible? Surely not a real Christian, a hypocrite; sure,
but no godly person could do such a thing. I think that even if some one
tried to make it different, they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and
they wouldn’t change a single thing and they would translate it as close as
any one possibly could. And also the verse about the earth being
a circle is there for a purpose. How old do you think the Bible is, or just
the book of Isaiah rather? 2,000? 4,000 years? That was a long time ago! And
most people didn’t discover that the world was round until some guy sailed
around the world!! Which was only about 400-500 years ago! And that just
proves that the Bible is true… just look around you… there are so many things
happening today that are predicted in the Bible. I am more than
100% sure that the Bible is completely flawless. Some non-believers don't
believe a book re-written and translated so many times can possibly be
completely flawless. But do you guys REALLY believe that Jesus would keep an
inaccurate book around for so long? One that we are supposed to base our
whole lives by? I think not. ~~~ ~*~*TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE:*~* Next time some one is talking to you
about that, and they tell you that it is just a bunch of fairy tales, show
them these verses, don’t press on them, but show them and talk to them about
it, after that all you can do is pray. ~~~ **&**PRAY ABOUT IT:**&** Dear Lord, I thank you that you have given me this book to read and the assurance that all of it is true. Thank you again, I love you Jesus, in the heavenly name of Jesus, amen <><
FROM THE TEXT: ><> 1 Corinthians
7:7b However, each
man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. Exodus 4:12-17 “Now go; I will help you speak and will
teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to
do it.” Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about
your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on
his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall
speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and
will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will
be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this
staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.” ~~~ (= THINK IT OVER: =) Everyone has a purpose in life, a
meaning. You were not put on this Earth for no reason. No. God did have a
plan for you when he made you. He knew what you would be, how many sins you
would commit, and so much more. He knew every detail about you, every crease
in your skin, every freckle on your face, and every hair on your head. He
also knows what you will grow up to be. For some people, like Moses and
Aaron, they are meant to go out and preach the Word. Some are able to sing
well and should join a choir to help inspire people. Some can draw like no
tomorrow and can help certain people understand stuff through the art. Some
people can write, and they can help put stuff in ways other people could
understand it. There are just so many different ways you can serve God. You
were meant to do something. Your life is definitely worth quite a bit, so
please don’t throw it away. Go out there and search for that special talent.
Every person I’ve met and known for a while, I’ve been able to find some sort
of talent in them. My mom has the prettiest voice, my dad is SO logical and
easy to talk to, and my brother is the World’s best artist. Danielle can
write and sing. My friend Cassie has this wonderful heart for animals, should
I go on? There are soooo many things you can be good at. So many talents the
Lord has blessed you with. Don’t let those go to waste! Everyone has a “gift” whether it is
singing, dancing, writing, preaching, counseling, etc. Every one has one.
When we received the Holy Spirit, we also received a gift from God. You may not have discovered your
gift yet, but you will. And the gift that God gives you will glorify Him, if
you use your gift in the wrong way, He Gifts come in all shapes and sizes,
they can be a gift that He gives you to use in your home, or in can be
something that will lead you nation wide. ~~~ ~*~*TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE:*~*~ Is there something that you believe that the Lord has given you
as a gift to glorify Him with? How are some ways that you can use your
spiritual gift for God? Have you even discovered your gift yet? Think about these things and ask God to
reveal to you your gift, and that you would use it for the glory if Him. ~~~ **&**PRAY ABOUT IT:**&** Dear Lord, I thank you that you have given me a
spiritual gift, though I may not have discovered it yet, I pray that you
would reveal it to me, and that I will use it to glorify you. I want to serve
you in anyway I can, and use the gift that you have given me to bring praise
to you. In Jesus’ name, amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <>< FROM THE TEXT: ><> John 11:4a But when Jesus heard it, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but
for the glory or God.” Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons
all sins; who heals all of your diseases. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not look anxiously about you for I am
your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely, I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand. 2 Chronicles 15:7 But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for
your work. Psalm 147:6a The Lord supports the afflicted. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Praise be to
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from
God. For just as the sufferings of
Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort
overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort overflows. If we are
distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is
for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same
sufferings we suffer. And our hope
for you is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings so
also you share in our comfort. ~~~ (= THINK IT
OVER: =) This is
basically a summary of the 1st Corinthians verse: Give praise to
Jesus who comforts us when we have problems, so we can comfort others when
they have problems. We will be able to do this cause God has given us the
comfort in the 1st place.
Just like bad things happen in our lives (illness), so does Christ’s
comfort- it too is part of life. If
you’re upset it is because of your comfort and salvation, if we are
comforted, it’s cause of your comfort cause I think you gave it to us. But we
hope for you the best because we know you share in all of our pain, and all
of our comfort/blessings. Does
that help at all? Basically I’m thinking we should praise Jesus because he
blesses us so much. When we get sick the only way we get better is through
him. We should use the comfort he helped us with, to help others. That’s his
way of working through us. But everyone up there hopes for us good things.
Because they all know what it’s like to go through being sick, having the
flu, having diseases. They also know how nice it is when you finally feel
better. I have
been going through a lot of health problems in the past 4 months. In all
of the sickness, pain, and going from doctor to doctor, I have not given up
hope. Without
God, I would be a mess, but with him here helping me I am able to endure
anything that comes my way. Even in sickness God has used me to be a light
unto the world. I have
been a good influence on others, it has helped my relationship with the Lord,
and I just don’t know what I would do without Jesus in my life helping me
every step of the way. And
every time I am in pain or feeling really bad, even when no one else is
around, I always have God right by my side, holding my hand and helping me
through it. Some
things I have learned are: NEVER take your eyes off of Jesus, and NEVER doubt
that He is helping you through your sickness, using it for the good, and
healing you. Being
sick is never fun, but it will always work out for the good. When you’re sick
and you need some one to talk to, just call upon Jesus and he will listen,
and will comfort you while you are in your affliction. I know many others who receive this newsletter that are
in poor health, and if you could just pray that God will heal all of those
that need it, I am sure it will make them all feel a lot better, and
comforted that people are praying for them. Kelly
was recently kind of sick. She is feeling better now. It’s because she asked
God, prayed to him. I’m pretty sure if she hadn’t she would still feel awful.
Amen to God! Remember:
God is always there when you need Him, and He will never leave your side. Jesus loves you and cares for you, and will help you
through anything and everything. You cannot do anything by yourself: God
is the one who is helping you every step of the way. ~~~ ~*~*TAKE ON
THE CHALLENGE:*~*~ When your
sick you don’t feel like doing anything. You get lazy and most of the time
you don’t look at the good things but instead you complain at how bad it is instead
of how fortunate you are that you only have what you have and not something a
lot worse. The next time you are sick, and if you are sick now, whenever you
feel like giving up… pray and talk to God about things, read your Bible, it
will make you feel a lot better. ~~~ **&**PRAY
ABOUT IT:**&** Dear Lord, I am so
thankful that you are here with me and helping me through my sickness, I
praise you that I am only in mild illness and that your hand is over me even if
it is not a mild illness. You are with me and you will do everything to
comfort my heart as my body goes through pain and suffering. I thank you that
in that, you keep my heart, soul and mind content to you. In Jesus name I
pray, Amen. ~~~ <>< FROM
THE TEXT: ><> 1 Chronicles 15:16 When David spoke to the chiefs
of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of
music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of Joy. 2 Chronicles 7:6a And the priests stood at their
posts and the Levites, with the instruments of music to the Lord, which King
David had made for giving praise to the Lord. Psalm 150:3-6 Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre, Praise Him with timbrel and
dancing; Praise Him with stringed
instruments and pipe, Praise Him with loud cymbals, Praise Him with resounding
cymbals, Let everything that has breath
praise the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:14 And David was dancing before the
Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. Revelation 19:5 And a voice came from the throne
saying “Give praise to our God all you his bond-servants, you who fear Him,
great and small.” ~~~ (= THINK IT
OVER: =) The
Lord desires worship. There are many ways to do it, and definitely no certain
way that you should or shouldn’t do it. Some of the ways of worshiping God
are, singing, dancing, and the playing of instruments. Some people think that
they only need to worship at church on Sunday mornings and that that’s enough
for a while, but God wants a deeper worship than that. He wants you to have
all of your mind and energy focused on Him. The way
you worship doesn’t matter, whether it has a fast pace or slow, or it is loud
or soft. As long as the music is giving glory to God all music is “good”.
Many people have many ways of giving glory to God, and all are unique and
wonderful. When we
worship it really comes from the heart, and the Holy Spirit will just
orchestrate us (the body of Christ) into one song. I have
been asked “Is rock music bad?” my answer is no, there are many rock bands
that use their music as a worship tool, and also to minister to people. And
then there was the question, “When you praise God, does he only want your
voice and no instruments?” Again
my answer would be no. Clearly in Psalm 150 it says that you should praise
God with instruments, as well as your body and your voice. BUT there are some
people who believe differently, and that’s O.K.! As long as you are
worshiping God I am sure it doesn’t matter. And
also another, “ Some people say that dancing is of the devil,” Well I
will disagree yet again. Samuel danced to the Lord in praise, surely that
wasn’t of the devil. And again
in Psalm 150 it says to praise God with dancing. BUT there are some kinds of
dancing that are not pleasing in God’s sight, and this dancing you should
stay away from. Above
all, I want to encourage you to go into a divine worship and to just let your
heart flow forth. ~~~ ~*~*TAKE ON
THE CHALLENGE:*~*~ Do you have
a worship CD or tape? It doesn’t have to be slow and churchy, it can be third
day, sonic flood, etc. I want you to go into your room and play your favorite
song on that CD or tape and sing along to the music. Just close your eyes and
let the Holy Spirit guide you’re heart. ~~~ **&**PRAY
ABOUT IT:**&** Dear Lord, I want to
go into a deeper worship with you. I want to worship you and seek your face.
I want to come closer to you while I am giving you praise and glory. I love
you Lord Jesus, please come closer to my heart and fill me with your presence
as I seek a deeper worship with you. In Jesus’ most heavenly name amen. ~~~
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