Good From Evil 10.31.14

GOOD FROM EVIL

BREAD

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)

17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

Isaiah 38:17 (NIV)

11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

BUTTER

“Somehow in the wonder-working providence of God, our worst problems become our best pulpits. God turns our tragedies into testimonies and our emergencies into evangelism. Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel.”
Robert J. Morgan

“The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tests that He may crown.” Ambrose

“To the child of God, there is no such thing as an accident. He travels an appointed way…..Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God’s hidden providence.” A.W. Tozer

“Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world’s tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, “It is I, be not afraid.” He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, “If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it.” “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer’s heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, “Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as it comes from Thee; never came there an ill portion from Thy table to any of Thy children.” C. H. Spurgeon

HEART SAVOR

• God is a Master at making beauty from ashes.
• My pain has purpose.
• There is no such thing as chance or happenstance.

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Trifle Not With Temptation – Flee 10.29.14

TRIFLE NOT WITH TEMPTATION – FLEE

BREAD

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 (NIV)

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15 (NIV)

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6:1-3 (NIV)

BUTTER

“Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you.” Richard Baxter

“Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight. He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage you, to defeat you. He pursues you with the intensity of Pharaoh. He may use your old friends, a spot of persecution, or discouraging responses by your family. He may show you a hypocrite in the church or afflict you with a general slacking of zeal. He may launch a missile of temptation right at your heart or fire a volley of trials and troubles into your life.” Robert J. Morgan

“Every time we resist the slightest temptation, we honor God. Every time we overcome even the smallest problem by trusting and obeying our Lord Jesus, God is glorified in our lives. Whenever we choose character over convenience, faithfulness over ease, or honesty over deceit, we bring honor to the Lord Himself.” Robert J. Morgan

“We need to keep our heart full of a sense of the love of God. This is the greatest perspective available to us against the power of temptation in the world…Fill your heart with a sense of the love of God in Christ, and apply the eternal design of grace and shed blood to yourselves. Accept all the privileges of adoption, justification, and acceptance with God. Fill your heart with thoughts of the beauty of holiness…then in the ordinary course of walking with God, you will experience great peace and security from temptation.” John Owen

“To realize God’s presence is the one sovereign remedy against temptation.” Francois Fenelon

“I entreat you, give no place to despondency. This is a dangerous temptation – a refined, not a gross temptation of the adversary. Melancholy contracts and withers the heart, and renders it unfit to receive the impressions of grace. It magnifies and gives a false coloring to objects, and thus renders your burdens too heavy to bear. God’s designs regarding you, and His methods of bringing about these designs, are infinitely wise.” Madame Guyon

“Contrary to the world’s beliefs, the spiritual fruit of self-control does not come about through the discipline of self-mastery, but rather through surrendering ourselves to God’s control. None of us fully have the power, capability, or wisdom to master our own lives. You cannot resist all the temptations that are hurled at you, control the behavior of those closest to you, or limit the ideas that pop into your mind. What you can do is surrender your life to the Holy Spirit. You can control how you respond, yield, and submit to Him.” Michael Youssef

“Temptation has its source not in the outer lure but in the inner lust.” D. Edmond Hiebert

“Every temptation leaves us better or worse; neutrality is impossible.” Erwin Lutzer

HEART SAVOR

• I am to watch and pray to keep myself from falling into temptation. One falls into sin but holiness is a pursuit.
• God does not tempt me it is my own evil desires.
• God always shows me a way out of temptation – a door of escape. I am to flee through it.

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Thoughts 10.27.14

THOUGHTS

BREAD

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 63:6-8 (NIV)

29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways. 30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:29-30 (NIV)

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

BUTTER

“The future of civilization depends on our overcoming the meaninglessness and hopelessness that characterizes the thoughts of men today.” Albert Schweitzer

“His wisdom’s vast, and knows no bounds, a deep where all our thoughts are drowned.” Isaac Watts

“We must be aware of the various ways sin pulls us to wrong thoughts about God, righteousness, grace, ourselves and sin itself. Only the truth of God’s word and meditation in prayer can reveal the deceitfulness of sin.110 Sin works against God. Sin will either deceive us into thinking God is a cruel taskmaster, or, if that will not work, will deceive us into thinking He is like a doting grandfather who really does not care what we do. Sin affects every Christian’s view of God and leads us to worship idols, figments of our own imaginations, and not the true God. Sin will deceive us concerning grace. We will either be deceived into thinking it is too good to be true, or we will buy into cheap grace and think that ethics are unimportant.” Dr. Bob Flayhart

“We need to keep our heart full of a sense of the love of God. This is the greatest perspective available to us against the power of temptation in the world…Fill your heart with a sense of the love of God in Christ, and apply the eternal design of grace and shed blood to yourselves. Accept all the privileges of adoption, justification, and acceptance with God. Fill your heart with thoughts of the beauty of holiness…then in the ordinary course of walking with God, you will experience great peace and security from temptation.” John Owen

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles. Men understand this law in the natural world and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating. A person’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, than an abundance of useless seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.” James Allen

“Think through me, thoughts of God.” Amy Carmichael

“He that rides to be crowned will not think much of a rainy day.” John Trapp

“We are justified if we have accepted Christ as Savior. But present communion with God requires continual bowing in both the intellect and the will. Without bowing in the intellect, in thinking after God; without acting upon the finished work of Christ in my present life; and without bowing in the will in practice, as the waves of the present life break over me, there is no sufficient communion with God. Without these things I am not in my place as the creature in a fallen and abnormal world. These three things are absolutely necessary if there is to be real and sufficient communion with God in the present life.” Francis Schaeffer

HEART SAVOR

• I am to dwell on things above – true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things – not earthly things.
• A prudent person will give thought to their ways.
• No earthly wisdom will ultimately succeed against the Lord Who makes known the end from the beginning.

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Honorable Honesty 10.24.14

HONORABLE HONESTY

BREAD

17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.

Proverbs 12:17 (NIV)

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:16 (NIV)

11 Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. 12 ‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:11-12 (NIV)

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Psalms 51:6 (NIV)

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Psalms 101:5-7 (NIV)

29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

Psalms 119:29-30 (NIV)

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God;

2 Corinthians 6:3-7 (NIV)

BUTTER

“Every time we resist the slightest temptation, we honor God. Every time we overcome even the smallest problem by trusting and obeying our Lord Jesus, God is glorified in our lives. Whenever we choose character over convenience, faithfulness over ease, or honesty over deceit, we bring honor to the Lord Himself.” Robert J. Morgan

“Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it.” Charles Swindoll

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” John Wesley

“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” Blaise Pascal

“Where truth is, there is God.” Miguel de Cervantes

“To have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence there is no room for another god; if, then, He reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified, and live alone for Him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear Thy Name.” C. H. Spurgeon

“Subtle distortions of the Truth, when left undealt with, will always grow into severe deceptions.” Michael Youssef

“There’s no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity.” Tom Peters

HEART SAVOR

• God desires truth in my inmost being. I am not to practice deceit.
• I am to be helpful not harmful to my neighbor which does not bring dishonor to Christ in me.
• There is no such thing as a harmless lie.

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The Evil of Envy

THE EVIL OF ENVY

BREAD

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:16 (NIV)

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

Proverbs 23:17 (NIV)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ 21 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”

Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)

BUTTER

“All the commandments of God are commandments of love tending to our real good and great happiness; far from being grievous to those who have faith and love, the practice thereof is life and peace. The world may think it a grievous burden; but this is a great mistake indeed. Sin is grievous. In hatred, envy, anger, revenge, pride, there is nothing but torment and slavery; but in love there is a sweet rest and pleasure. Thus a sinner always punishes himself, and is robbed of great peace and blessing, by transgressing the commandments of God.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

“Let us note how far from satisfactory is the state of those who are content with sound doctrinal opinions, and orthodox correct views of the Gospel, while in their daily life they give way to ill-temper, ill-nature, malice, envy, quarrelling, squabbling, bickering, surliness, passion, snappish language, and crossness of word and manner. Such persons, whether they know it or not, are daily proclaiming that they are not Christ’s disciples. It is nonsense to talk about justification, and regeneration, and election, and conversion, and the uselessness of works, unless people can see in us practical Christian love.” John Charles Ryle

“Envy is a denial of providence.” Stephen Charnock

“Envy of another man’s calling can work havoc in our own.” Watchman Nee

“Many aspects of the flesh are disarmed and eliminated by a deep apprehension of our justification by faith. Faith in Christ cures unbelief, anxiety, and insecurity, and in so doing it cuts the roots of envy, jealousy and a host of related egocentric fleshly patterns.” Richard Lovelace

HEART SAVOR

• In Jesus there is sweet rest and pleasure but envy rots my bones.
• My words and my actions must match. I will practice what I believe to be Truth as my actions are the true telling of what I believe.
• Envy will work havoc in my life and my calling. My focus is to be upward not outward and inward. It is His approval I seek. I am to live my life for an audience of One.

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Wonderful Wisdom 10.20.14

WONDERFUL WISDOM

BREAD

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Proverbs 2:1-10 (NIV)

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17-18 (NIV)

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV)

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5 (NIV)

BUTTER

“His wisdom’s vast, and knows no bounds, a deep where all our thoughts are drowned.” Isaac Watts

“Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God…..God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.” A. W. Tozer

“Wisdom is man’s true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to humankind the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence, by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass’s colt, running here and there, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which we are to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it we are derelict vessels, the sport of winds and waves.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.” Charles H. Spurgeon

HEART SAVOR

• Godly wisdom guides me right – always.
• If I am lacking in wisdom I am to ask God Who generously gives what I am without.
• Godly wisdom prevents my folly and my falling.

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Passionate Pray-er

PASSIONATE PRAY-ER

BREAD

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)

12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

BUTTER

“There comes a time, in spite of our soft, modern ways, when we must be desperate in prayer, when we must wrestle, when we must be outspoken, shameless and importunate. Many of the prayers recorded in Scripture are ‘cries,’ and the Hebrew and Greek words are very strong. Despite opinions to the contrary, the Bible recognizes such a thing as storming heaven- ‘praying through.’ The fervent prayer of a righteous man is mighty in its working.” Cameron Thompson

“Being free means that, in prayer, we don’t have to work for slave’s wages…Being free means that we don’t have to worry about every word and every thought that is uttered in the presence of God…God says…You aren’t a slave. Quit acting like one.” Steve Brown

“Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers.” J. Sidlow Baxter

Prayer is not so much a formula as it is a friendship – rote as it is relational. Prayer is a 24/7 access to “Abba” (Daddy) Father Who loves us with an everlasting love as well as rejoices over us with singing. Further, He “brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.” He is all love and all ability – all achieving power – nothing is too hard for Him. Prayer is coming into His Presence with singing and into His courts with praise. It is listening with Faith for His “still, small voice” as well as pouring out our hearts in Trust resting our heads gently “between His shoulders”. It is knowing His answer always has our best interest at heart because He loves us. It is an unspeakably high gift from the Creator to the created. Prayers moves the hand and heart of God. BHY

“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” Samuel Chadwick

“‘Dost thou want nothing, O poor soul? Hast thou nothing to ask? Oh yes! You say, a great deal. Well then, draw near to thy gracious King and Bridegroom without fear. Lo! He holds out His golden scepter to thee, saying, ‘Only ask: not the half, but the whole of My kingdom shall be granted; nay, I will give myself unto thee!’ O dear soul, pray, and tell Him everything that is wanting, be it ever so great or ever so small. His loving-kindness will hear even the least petition; nay, He will seem to be ignorant of what thou dost not tell Him. But whatever is poured out before Him is actually addressed and lodged in its proper place, and does not lie upon thy heart any longer, but upon His heart, which cannot rest till you are relieved. And if you have experienced His help aforetime in great or small things, you may depend on His readiness to help you out of troubles hereafter; only be earnest in prayer for His help. We often imagine we were willing and drawing near to Him, but He was unwilling, and refused our request; but it is not so: He rather draws us, and desires our relief more than we do; for it is He that works even this willing mind.” K.H. Von Bogatzky

HEART SAVOR

• I am to pray continually.
• In every circumstance I am to petition until peace permeates.
• God is not unwilling to hear my prayers. He delights for me to pour out my heart to Him. My supplications never take Him by surprise. His desire is to walk with me through this life and eternally.

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The Pleasantness of Perfect Peace

THE PLEASANTNESS OF PERFECT PEACE

BREAD

3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV)

14 For he himself is our peace,

Ephesians 2:14 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

BUTTER

“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” Alexander Maclaren

“Peace isn’t the absence of the dark. Peace is the assurance of God’s presence in the midst of the dark. And when we want peace – we only need to say yes to God’s purposes.” Ann Voskamp

“To added affliction He addeth His mercy, to multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.” Annie Johnson Flint

“Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.” Thomas a Kempis

BUTTER
• Perfect peace comes with a steadfast mind and heart trusting in the Lord Who never wavers or changes like shifting shadows. 6 “I the LORD do not change.” Mal 3:6 (NIV)
• Jesus offers a peace far superior than the world gives. It’s like comparing a diamond with a paste gem.
• I am not to be anxious about anything rather I am to pray and be thankful about everything. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

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The Treasure of the Trial 10.13.14

THE TREASURE OF THE TRIAL

BREAD

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

BUTTER

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” George Mueller

“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.” George Mueller

“We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths – they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the ‘city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.’ ‘All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.’ Let’s put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, His purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy…..His dear love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“The gem cannot by polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” Anonymous

“Jesus, draw me ever nearer as I labor through the storm. You have called me to this passage and I’ll follow, though I’m worn. May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith. And at the end of my hearts testing with Your likeness let me wake. Jesus, guide me through the tempest keep my spirit stayed and sure. When the midnight meets the morning let me love You even more. May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith. And at the end of my hearts testing with Your likeness let me wake. Let the treasures of the trial form within me as I go. And at the end of this long passage let me leave them at your throne. May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith. And at the end of my hearts testing with Your likeness let me wake.” Keith and Kristyn Getty – Lyrics to Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer

HEART SAVOR

• Jesus loves me as He did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He is right there in the fire with me during all my trials just as He was with them. He knows the temperature of the fire. Not a hair on my head can be singed apart from His allowance.
• God is more concerned with my holiness than my immediate happiness. He knows that as righteousness is achieved in His children it brings with it extraordinary blessing which far outweighs a bauble of happy today. I can trust His wisdom over my life. That is the treasure of the trial. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
• I delight of speaking highly of my Jesus.

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Never Give Up 10.10.14

NEVER GIVE UP

BREAD

5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5 (NIV)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Joshua 1:7 (NIV)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:5-8 (NIV)

BUTTER

“I am not enough. But God is. God is more than enough.” Michelle DeRusha

“There is a great and wonderful truth embodied in these words. The whole victory of life is in them – ‘Trust in the Lord and take heart.’ That means the exercise of courage, the consciousness of being linked to one mightier than ourselves, and it helps one to keep smiling, to keep sunshiny, and to have not only a song on the lip, but one in the heart.” Fanny Crosby

“And we will never stop being the boldface brave who show up when it would be easier to give up, who go do hard & holy things when it would be easier to just go do happy things, who do not quit when we don’t know how to keep going on. You can hear it about this time of September, breathing warm courage into our exhausted places: ‘Just Call to Me, I guarantee I will answer you. I will make you strong & brave.’ (Psalms 138:3). Be Brave. Hold out your Light to hold back the flood of dark. Be Brave. Your bravery wins a thousand battles you can’t see because your bravery strengthens a thousand others to win their battles too. Be Brave. And do not pray for the hard thing to go away. But pray for a bravery to come that’s bigger than the hard thing.” Ann Voskamp

“If there is one doctrine I have preached more than another, it is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints even to the end.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“What is needed is not mere present professions, but perseverance to the end in the power of faith.” Ignatius of Antioch

“The perseverance of the saints is only possible because of the perseverance of God.” J. Oswald Sanders

HEART SAVOR

• God desires for me to stay the course with a firm belief that He always has my best interest at heart, His ways are perfect, His plans are to prosper and not harm me.
• My God will supply all my needs. His grace being more than sufficient to meet every circumstance He allows in my life. I am assured of this wonderful truth which dispels my fears.
• God desires for me to finish well. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8 (NIV)

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