United We Serve: January 18th - The deadline to sign up for the opportunity at Belvedere Middle School (Los Angeles, Ca) with me, has been extended to January 13th at 8a. Please reply to this email (or the original email sent January 1st) if you're down to commit. Confirmations will now be sent January 14th.
For other opportunities: www.volunteermatch.org
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...
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2010 Prayer (just in case you missed it): Father, when You test my heart, may You be pleased with my honesty. In everything I do, may I set an example by doing what is right and good from this moment going forward. May this very real change make a visible difference in this new year.
Every where I step, from my workplace to my home, may I show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose me may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about me. I purpose to conduct myself, as David did as he ran from Saul, with integrity of heart, and with skillful hands before the people who observe me.
Father, I thank You that the integrity of the upright guides me. May I be blameless in Your sight so that I will receive a good inheritance. Let it be said of me by all men, "We know you are a person of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth" (Matthew 22:16 NIV).
O Most High, make me secure and guard me in Your righteousness. In my integrity uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.
In this new year, a time of new beginnings from a God who loves to make all things new; teach me how there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Help me to keep my priorities in order. Help me to fulfill my call and responsibilities at home. Also, help me to take time to find rest for my mind, body and soul. You are a deliberate God and there is enough time to do what You have called me to do. I lose time when I get caught up doing things not purposed nor righteous. LORD, help me to know what I am to do because it is what You have created me to do; and to not do anything just because it's good or tempting. Let all that I do be purposed.
I cast all of my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all on You, for You care for me affectionately and care about me watchfully. I affirm that I am well-balanced; temperate and sober of mind, vigilant and on guard at all times; for the enemy of mine, the devil, roams around like a lion seeking someone to seize upon and devour. In the name of Jesus, I withstand him; firm in faith.
Father, You are in charge of my work and my plans. You alone make me able to live this life. You alone direct my steps. Help me to organize my efforts, schedule my activities, budget my time and money, and relax. It pleases You when I am not preoccupied with getting, so I can respond to God's giving. I steep my life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God provisions.
By the grace given me, I will not worry about missing out, and my everyday human concerns will be met. I purpose in my heart to seek first of all Your Kingdom, LORD, and Your righteousness. Father, may Your Word continue to be my compass on this journey, and help me see my life as complete in Christ. Not complete because of the job I have, the person I date or marry, not because of the material things I attain- but complete in Christ alone. I tune my ears to the Word of wisdom, and I set my heart on a life of understanding. I make insight my priority.
Father, You sent Jesus that I might have life and have it more abundantly. My desire is to live purposefully and worthy and accurately as a wise, sensible and intelligent servant unto You. Help me remember that my relationship with You and pure relationships with others is more important than anything else. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen
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www.biblegateway.com
Mark 4:26-29 (NLT)
Parable of the Growing Seed
26 Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.27 Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come."
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This parable about the Kingdom of God, recorded only by Mark should give us hope. It should release the burden of having to be perfect and know it all. This parable is about our spiritual growth, we can understand this process by comparing it to the slow but certain growth of a plant. Jesus reveals that spiritual growth is a continual and gradual process that is finally consummated in a harvest of spiritual maturity. As long as we live on this earth we will never reach the peak of spiritual growth, because there will always be something to learn, or refine, and/or develop until that Day when Jesus returns. Just because you don't get it today, doesn't mean you won't get it- nor does it mean that the particular seed planted won't grow. What God plants in us will grow.
Sometimes we won't understand it, but this shouldn't keep us from living the Word of God. Revelation comes only when God is ready to reveal it, and we have to be open and patient to receive it. Don't get frustrated with yourself or with others when it doesn't seem like growth is happening in our spiritual life; and definitely don't get complacent with your spiritual life. We're all on different levels and in different stages of our spiritual growth, and will continue to raise to more levels and stages throughout our lives. If we're trusting in God; trust we're heading in the direction of spiritual maturity daily. Just make sure you keep your spiritual life THE priority. Our relationship with God should always come FIRST! Before EVERYTHING!
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Personal Prayer: May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen
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TGN GIVEAWAY: Nick Jr. Dora & Boots backpack and sports water bottle is going to Marylou Semper.
Answer: When we were studying the Gospel of Matthew, we took the time to discuss Peter and his actions during Jesus' arrest. The 3 key things that TGN suggested that we all remember when seeking God's answer: (1) God knows how you receive and will speak to you in that matter. (2) God will confirm it. You won't just hear it once. (3) IT WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH HIS WORD. If it doesn't; if it steps out of God's Word in the slightest form. IT IS NOT FROM GOD. Yes, the LORD will use unconventional ways and methods that make absolutely no sense to us. But it will NEVER disagree with His Word.
TGN sent August 11, 2009: Matthew 26:50-54. (Answer could be found in the archives at www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com)
Thank you to those who participated!
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Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, Life Application Study Bible, Prayers That Avail Much For Singles.
Spread The Good News: www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
What makes us special is... The signature of God on our lives. To the new beginnings of 2010.
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