Praying for America--through the Psalms of David #3
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Dec 1, 2016 09:04:07 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Crosswalk.com Home
Crosswalk the Devotional
Fools for Christ
by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Editor
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. – 1 Corinthians 1:27
I was leaving the grocery store and had just started my car, when I was approached by a man pushing a stroller. I assumed he was going to ask for directions, but it turned out that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
"Hey man, I really need some help. My daughter and I just got evicted from our apartment." He proceeded to rattle off his story as I listened uncomfortably. He had contacted Social Services but they wouldn’t be able to help him until tomorrow. His wife had left when things got tough. He was afraid of losing his daughter. He'd found a cheap motel to stay in, but he still needed seventeen dollars to pay for the room.
Now, several things began to buzz through my head as he talked. The first was how I didn’t trust a thing he was saying. In Asia, I’d seen female beggars use their children to garner sympathy from passing strangers. In South America, older men would hold Bibles or crosses, not because they were Christians but because it encouraged people to give more generously. Everything about his story felt rehearsed, staged, right down to the toddler in his stroller.
The second thing was that the man had said he needed $17, which was the exact amount I had in my wallet. I had been hoping to use that money to grab a lunch out or maybe see a movie, but could I really justify being so selfish if this guy really needed it? I considered giving him a few bucks just to make him go away, but withholding the rest didn’t seem any better than giving him nothing. It felt like I was trapped between two choices, would I be stupid or heartless. Eventually, I considered what Christ would have me do, and handed over the money along with my best wishes.
I don’t know what became of that man. Maybe he was telling the truth, maybe he was lying, and to be honest I don’t really care. God has called us to love, and you cannot love others if you are afraid of looking foolish. Remember what the Bible says in the book of Matthew,
“’You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.’” – Matthew 5:38-42
Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider this: Love is like dancing, you'll never do it well if you're afraid of how you look.
Further Reading
1 Corinthians 4
v
Crosswalk the Devotional
Fools for Christ
by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Editor
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. – 1 Corinthians 1:27
I was leaving the grocery store and had just started my car, when I was approached by a man pushing a stroller. I assumed he was going to ask for directions, but it turned out that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
"Hey man, I really need some help. My daughter and I just got evicted from our apartment." He proceeded to rattle off his story as I listened uncomfortably. He had contacted Social Services but they wouldn’t be able to help him until tomorrow. His wife had left when things got tough. He was afraid of losing his daughter. He'd found a cheap motel to stay in, but he still needed seventeen dollars to pay for the room.
Now, several things began to buzz through my head as he talked. The first was how I didn’t trust a thing he was saying. In Asia, I’d seen female beggars use their children to garner sympathy from passing strangers. In South America, older men would hold Bibles or crosses, not because they were Christians but because it encouraged people to give more generously. Everything about his story felt rehearsed, staged, right down to the toddler in his stroller.
The second thing was that the man had said he needed $17, which was the exact amount I had in my wallet. I had been hoping to use that money to grab a lunch out or maybe see a movie, but could I really justify being so selfish if this guy really needed it? I considered giving him a few bucks just to make him go away, but withholding the rest didn’t seem any better than giving him nothing. It felt like I was trapped between two choices, would I be stupid or heartless. Eventually, I considered what Christ would have me do, and handed over the money along with my best wishes.
I don’t know what became of that man. Maybe he was telling the truth, maybe he was lying, and to be honest I don’t really care. God has called us to love, and you cannot love others if you are afraid of looking foolish. Remember what the Bible says in the book of Matthew,
“’You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.’” – Matthew 5:38-42
Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider this: Love is like dancing, you'll never do it well if you're afraid of how you look.
Further Reading
1 Corinthians 4
v
Dec 1, 2016 11:20:45 #
BearK wrote:
b Prayer for 11/30/16 /b br br Heading home fr... (show quote)
In Jesus' name....Amen
Saw this article pertaining to this devastating event:
Dollywood employee finds lone Bible page while cleaning up after fire
Posted: Tue 5:39 PM, Nov 29, 2016
(WYMT) - As Dollywood employees cleaned up Tuesday after a close call with forest fires, one man says he found something many are finding inspiring in the midst of tragedy.
Isaac McCord posted a page from a Bible he says was found under a bench in the park. It was badly burned but still preserved some verses providing hope, centuries after they were written.
Here are some verses from the page.
Joel 1:15
The day of the LORD is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be!
Joel 1:19
To you, LORD, I call, for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.
Joel 1:20
Even the beasts of the field pant for you because the water brooks are dried up,
and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
Joel 2:1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand
McCord says he plans on framing the page.
Source:
http://www.wymt.com/content/news/Dollywood-employee-finds-lone-Bible-page-while-cleaning-up-after-fire-403653886.html
Lone Bible page found during the clean-up
Dec 1, 2016 11:47:11 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
bdamage wrote:
In Jesus' name....Amen br br Saw this article per... (show quote)
Amazing signs from THE LORD. Time has come to return to God and obey His word. We have turned away for way to long.
AMEN
Dec 1, 2016 14:11:45 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Amazing signs from THE LORD. Time has come to return to God and obey His word. We have turned away for way to long.
AMEN
AMEN
And AMEN!
Dec 1, 2016 17:53:00 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Crosswalk.com Home br Crosswalk the Devotional br ... (show quote)
Amen and Amen
Dec 3, 2016 14:19:57 #
bdamage wrote:
In Jesus' name....Amen br br Saw this article per... (show quote)
Moving how the hand of God works. Amen
Dec 3, 2016 16:18:48 #
Dec 5, 2016 16:06:24 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Why Joy Is Never Dependent on Our Circumstances
By Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com Writer
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
Many of us may have heard this verse over long years. But what's interesting to know is that it's set right within a Psalm where the author is writing about huge adversity. It's not written about when times are good, but when times are hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy, he felt pushed back, and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles shared, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever." v. 1,29
Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. We can still choose to give thanks. We can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through all difficult seasons.
We might be facing the toughest of times, but the truth is this, He's still given us today. He's with us, and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us, His peace sustains us, and His joy gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings.
May His blessings overwhelm you today as you look to Him and choose joy.
Give thanks.
For He is good.
His love endures.
Forever.
Intersecting Faith & Life: No matter what you’re facing today, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you. If He’s given us today, then we still have breath left within us to bring honor to Him. Choosing joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. May He help us this day, to choose well.
Further Reading: Psalm 118: 1-29, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 28:7
By Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com Writer
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
Many of us may have heard this verse over long years. But what's interesting to know is that it's set right within a Psalm where the author is writing about huge adversity. It's not written about when times are good, but when times are hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy, he felt pushed back, and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles shared, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever." v. 1,29
Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. We can still choose to give thanks. We can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through all difficult seasons.
We might be facing the toughest of times, but the truth is this, He's still given us today. He's with us, and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us, His peace sustains us, and His joy gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings.
May His blessings overwhelm you today as you look to Him and choose joy.
Give thanks.
For He is good.
His love endures.
Forever.
Intersecting Faith & Life: No matter what you’re facing today, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you. If He’s given us today, then we still have breath left within us to bring honor to Him. Choosing joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. May He help us this day, to choose well.
Further Reading: Psalm 118: 1-29, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 28:7
Dec 6, 2016 13:30:51 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Why Joy Is Never Dependent on Our Circumstances br... (show quote)
Amen and Amen and there have been many days where this was almost impossible and at times was impossible not because of God but because of me and at the time my faith. When losing my 19 year old son and when dealing with the terminal cancer that my had those are the times that it becomes almost impossible to rejoice in the Lord even though I did toward the end of each I could see the Lord at work in my life as well as theirs. It is very difficult at times though so hang in there.
Dec 9, 2016 12:24:33 #
Well, Hello Everyone.
Its been a while. But the Lord has been working in my life, I'd say in overtime.
I got a paper route back in February where me and another friend of mine turned into a business.
At the same time it helped me pay for some of the living expenses as I completed my associates degree at ITT-TECH. Man Obama shut that institution down and I now ask Mr. Obama where is NASA and places like Raytheon, Honeywell, Boeing, going to get their people? Both the salary engineers and the hourly techs? These companies relied heavily on ITT-TECH. Well its going to be interesting watching what Trump will do.
Any way, back in June I graduated Itt-Tech
and Today I'm working for Raytheon Missile Systems. Wow what an interesting Year.
God answered our prayers, and I've got my degree and Donald is president. Now it is up to us, to make America Great again! and We can do it, we have the chance and opportunity. So lets make it good.
Its been a while. But the Lord has been working in my life, I'd say in overtime.
I got a paper route back in February where me and another friend of mine turned into a business.
At the same time it helped me pay for some of the living expenses as I completed my associates degree at ITT-TECH. Man Obama shut that institution down and I now ask Mr. Obama where is NASA and places like Raytheon, Honeywell, Boeing, going to get their people? Both the salary engineers and the hourly techs? These companies relied heavily on ITT-TECH. Well its going to be interesting watching what Trump will do.
Any way, back in June I graduated Itt-Tech
and Today I'm working for Raytheon Missile Systems. Wow what an interesting Year.
God answered our prayers, and I've got my degree and Donald is president. Now it is up to us, to make America Great again! and We can do it, we have the chance and opportunity. So lets make it good.
Dec 9, 2016 14:55:21 #
Dec 9, 2016 17:52:11 #
Ranger7374 wrote:
Well, Hello Everyone. br br Its been a while. But... (show quote)
Way to go Ranger!
You have indeed been truly Blessed.
And I, for one, couldn't be happier for ya!
Dec 9, 2016 18:16:39 #
While I may not post much I read this thread frquently...
Today I wish to say Thank You Dear Father, as I believe you are working extraordinary miracles for this great Nation...
Please hear the needs of this Nation..Bring within us the calling of You in all we work to achieve..
Please give us guidance and merci as we step forward making the error to learn from..
Bring unity to the forefront of this Nation and help us to reach out in your grace to those in need of separating anger and uniting instead..
Nothing is impossible when asked through Jesus Christ and Faith..
I believe!!!
Amen....
Today I wish to say Thank You Dear Father, as I believe you are working extraordinary miracles for this great Nation...
Please hear the needs of this Nation..Bring within us the calling of You in all we work to achieve..
Please give us guidance and merci as we step forward making the error to learn from..
Bring unity to the forefront of this Nation and help us to reach out in your grace to those in need of separating anger and uniting instead..
Nothing is impossible when asked through Jesus Christ and Faith..
I believe!!!
Amen....
Dec 9, 2016 21:06:39 #
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