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A lion’s courage

The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion, Prov 28.1, ESV.

As God’s righteous saints, let us be bold and courageous:

  1. When it comes to prayer, 1 Chr 17.25; Heb 4.14-16.
  2. When it comes to evangelism, Acts 9.27; 23.11; 28.31; Eph 6.19-20; Phil 1.14; 1 Thes 2.2.
  3. When it comes to the truth of the gospel, Mic 3.8; 1 Cor 16.13; Gal 2.5, 14; Phil 1.15-18.
    • About Jesus as the only Way, Jn 14.6; Acts 4.12.
    • About the Bible as God’s Word, 2 Tim 3.16-17; 2 Pet 1.20-21.
    • About eternal salvation as the church’s work, Rom 6.22-23; 1 Pet 1.9; Heb 5.9; 9.12, 15; 1 Jn 5.11.

—JRMatheny

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Catching chickens and stealing bases

If you are a baseball fan the name Ricky Henderson is synonymous with “base stealing.” Henderson was so good at stealing bases that he reportedly would tell catchers, “If you don’t give me a pitch to hit, I’m going to end up on third base.” Translation: “If you walk me, I’ll steal second and third base.” In Henderson’s 25-year baseball career, he set major league records in unintentional walks, stolen bases, and runs scored.

Henderson was fast—real fast. But what is interesting is how he got so fast. Henderson tells how he lived in Arkansas as a little boy with his grandmother on a farm. He says that in those days “we had to catch a chicken to be able to eat a chicken.” Obviously, Henderson’s speed was partially God-given, but it also was improved through difficulty and hard work. The moral is, when life seems common-place, complex or confusing, God’s providence might just be training you for an opportunity to do something great later.

—Jason Moon, Waterview congregatrion, Richardson TX

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You must

I do not know the way, O Lord. You must show me.

I’m ignorant of your desires and pleasure. You must tell me.

I’ve no idea of how to live. You must guide me.

I lack the words to speak to others. You must give them to me.

I have no wisdom to succeed in life. You must enlighten me.

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Know her like a book?

Years ago I saw a TV interviewer talking to a couple who had just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.  He visited the delightful couple, more than 90 years old, in their nice home. As he sat with them on their little patio, he said to the man, “Well, I guess when you’ve lived with someone as long as you have, you know her like a book.”  The little man sat in thoughtful silence for a beat or two, then slowly said, “Well, you would think that, wouldn’t you? But every time I think I know all there is to know about her, she writes a new chapter!”

—Linetta McDonald, North Little Rock AR

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Power and Focus

In perfect measure, at pondered time,
You move and act and make from naught
Creations of your earnest heart.

My wandering thoughts need One direction,
Give power from heaven, point of focus,
And lasting fruit for lavish praise.

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Righteousness Will Reign Supreme

Confused the mind when fixed upon earth,
And earthly things turn eyes from heaven.
I’d see, O Lord, your saints abide
In eternal homes, where titles are dead,
And Mammon has lost its mad control,
Where love is pure, and labor is sweet.

What joys must circle our jealous Lord!
What peace surrounds your powerful Head!
Your kingdom at last will come to all,
That day that evil’s cast down to hell,
And righteousness will reign supreme,
The sea no more, in justice’ calm.

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God of all

God of all satisfaction, we don’t even know what we want. Let us find our true desire in you and the fulfillment of every need in your presence. Let our contentment be the guide to others who live in daily frustration.

God of all grace, thank you that your salvation has reached us. Use us so that this grace reaches all people. Continue reading “God of all”

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Mind, emotions, living

“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path” Psalm 119.104 NIV.

Love for and obedience to God’s word is the way to

  1.  A sound mind (understanding, grasping and discerning the truth),
  2. Reliable emotions (hate),
  3. Right living (path).

Points by J.A. Motyer, “Psalms” NBC21, p. 569.

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A miracle for mother

By John Henson, Dibrell congregation, McMinnville TN

Luke 4:38-40

  1. Jesus serves others. (Luke 4:38)
  2. Jesus cared for others. (Luke 4:38-39)
  3. Jesus never rested.  (Luke 4:40. While the sun was setting, he kept on helping)
  4. Jesus must be our example. (1 Peter 2:21)
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Illustration: Three stooges and three stewards

Over on The Fellowship Room, Eugene Adkins shares this good illustration from the mouth of a child:

A few days ago I decided to sit down with my four-year-old daughter and show her some Three Stooges videos. She’s a fan now. The first thing out of her mouth was, “Why isn’t there any color?” The last thing was, “I want to watch the 3 Stewards again.” I can think of a Bible lesson about 3 stewards where one acted like a stooge. Can you? Here’s a hint (Matthew 25:14-30).