Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Formula for Personal Growth...James 1:22-25 (Early Lights Daily Devotional)

God was gracious enough to provide us a sure formula for personal spiritual growth: Instruction plus involvement equals spiritual growth.

James tells us that the first step is to be an effective, involved listener of the Word. If we just read the Bible or listen to a sermon and do not concentrate on the material, or if we allow ourselves to be distracted, then we are not absorbing the instruction God intends for us. There are two kinds of listeners, one who is careless and one who is intent and attentive.

However, instruction alone does not grow the Christian. Unfortunately, many believers mistakenly assume that more factual knowledge of the Bible equals more intimate knowledge of God and His ways.

The only way to grow spiritually is to make the truth you learn your very own, to grasp it and apply it to your life. You are to become a doer of the Word.

Jesus involved Himself in the lives of people, from the "elite" to the most despised and rejected sinners. We are to use Him as our model as we love others (the Great Commandment), witness to others (the Great Commission), and serve others (the Great Commitment).

All believers have the life of Christ living within them through the Holy Spirit. And, remember, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

--- Leo Buscaglia

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Background text: Genesis 22.

God spared Isaac when He saw that Abraham was willing to give back even his most precious possession, that Abraham's love for God and his obedience to God were the motivating factors in his life, nothing else.

Abraham's submission to the will of God in this regard foreshadowed the time when the Father would offer up His only Son on Mt. Calvary. In this case, He did not stay the hand of the executioner, but gave all because He loved all. "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." (John 3:16)

When we consider the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, our own problems in life, whatever they might be, fade in comparison. It is never a sacrifice to serve Him. It is a privilege to be chosen as His ambassadors. To think that He places such responsibility in the hands of imperfect men and women, such as you and I, is an awesome thought. We, who are God's people, have been chosen "for such a time as this." How can we do less than love Him and serve Him? When Isaac questioned his father, "Where is the lamb?" (Verse 7), Abraham answered prophetically, "God will provide himself a lamb." He was speaking by the inspiration of the Spirit of God and indicating that God would one day send His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for sins, the Lamb whose death would result in redemption for all mankind.

God knows what He is doing. His way is best. Trust Him and you will have victory in your own personal life and will become a blessing to all those around you.

Source: Learn God's Word Receive His Rewards - by Dr. Jerry Kirchner

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

BY CHANGING YOUR THINKING

By Changing Your Thinking,
You change your beliefs;

When you change your beliefs,
You change your expectations;

When you change your expectations,
You change your attitude;

When you change your attitude,
You change your behavior;

When you change your behavior,
You change your performance;

When you change your performance;
You Change Your Life!

...Author unknown

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.

--- Albert Einstein

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by God's grace, I will do.

--- Edward Everett Hale

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

PSALM 23 with thoughts
This an eye opener; probably we never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though we say it over and over again.

The Lord is my Shepherd
- That's Relationship!

I shall not want
- That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
- That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
- That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
- That' s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
- That's Guidance!

For His name sake
- That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
- That's Testing!

I will fear no evil
- That' s Protection!

For Thou art with me
- That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
- That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
- That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
- That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over
- That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
- That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
- That's Security!

Forever
- That's Eternity!

What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Sublime Intimacy

"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" John 11:40

Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of, belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.

Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.

--- My Utmost for His Highest: August 29th

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about....Author: Henry Ford (1863-1947)

[Lala]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

I love this thread!

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

People who matter don't judge, and people who judge don't matter

--- Anon

To laugh often; to win the admiration of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the respect of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to apprehend beauty; to find the best in others; to leave this world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived....that is said to have succeeded.

--- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Love In Action

"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

--- John 3:16-21, KJV

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Character

"Temperament refers to the mode of reaction and is constitutional and not changeable; character is essentially formed by a person’s experiences, especially of those in early life, and changeable, to some extent, by insights and new kinds of experiences. If a person has a choleric temperament, for instance, his mode of reaction is “quick and strong.” But what he is quick or strong about depends on his kind of relatedness, his character. If he is a productive, just, loving person he will react quickly and strongly when he loves, when he is enraged by injustice, and when he is impressed by a new idea. If he is a destructive or sadistic character, he will be quick and strong in his destructiveness or in his cruelty. The confusion between temperament and character has had serious consequences for ethical theory. Preferences with regard to differences in temperament are mere matters of subjective taste. But differences in character are ethically of the most fundamental importance."

--- Erich Fromm

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

The Sacrament of Sacrifice

"He that believeth in Me . . out of him shall flow… ." John 7:38

Jesus did not say - "he that believeth in Me shall realize the blessing of the fulness of God," but - "he that believeth in Me out of him shall escape everything he receives." Our Lord's teaching is always anti -self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a man; His purpose is to make a man exactly like Himself, and the characteristic of the Son of God is self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that counts. It is not that God makes us beautifully rounded grapes, but that He squeezes the sweetness out of us. Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all.

When Mary of Bethany broke the box of precious ointment and poured it on Jesus' head, it was an act for which no one else saw any occasion; the disciples said it was a waste. But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said that wherever His gospel was preached "this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." Our Lord is carried beyond Himself with joy when He sees any of us doing what Mary did, not being set on this or that economy, but being abandoned to Him. God spilt the life of His Son that the world might be saved; are we prepared to spill out our lives for Him?

"He that believeth in Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water" - hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. It is time now to break the life, to cease craving for satisfaction, and to spill the thing out. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

---My Utmost for His Highest: September 2nd

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Chickens Can't Fly

Don't spend major time with minor people. If there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break promises, stomp on your dreams, too judgmental, have different values and don't have your back during difficult times...they are not your friends.

To have a friend, be a friend. Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go. Surround yourself with people who reflect your values, goals interests and lifestyle.

When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to GOD from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends that enrich my life. Over the years my phone book has changed because I changed for the better.

At first you think you're going to be alone, but after a while new people show up in your life that make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure.

Remember what the elders used to say, Birds of a feather flock together. ...Author unknown

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Sometimes it helps to see things through the eyes of a child. In a survey of some 4-8 year olds, they expressed their opinion on love.

* Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way.
* When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.
* When someone loves you, the way she says your name is different. You know that your name is safe in her mouth.
* Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.
* Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.
* Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.
* Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is ok.
* Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents for a minute and look around.
* Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no.
* When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared she won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only does she still love you, she loves you even more.
* Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.
* Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they've known each other so well.
* Love comes from people's hearts, but God made hearts.