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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 11, 2018 6:33:55 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- II Peter 1:3-8 ---------- His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotional ---------- How do you become an effective vehicle in participating in God's kingdom? Read once more the progression Peter describes for effectiveness to come into being - faith is supported by goodness, goodness is supported by knowledge, knowledge is supported by self-control, etc. You may want to design a chart of this progression to put on your desk or bulletin board so that you can be reminded often as to where you should put your attention in being more effective in the kingdom.
Prayer ---------------- Give me the desire and the will to pursue my discipleship growth, gracious God. Amen
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Dec 12, 2018 11:24:00 GMT -5
This is really good. He has given us everything we need through Him for all situations. It certainly may not seem like it at times, but he is true when he says that he won't tempt us beyond our control. We have no excuse.
We should see this fruit in our lives. He never said it would be easy, just that he has provided everything we need.
I venture to guess that not many have really been pushed to the point where they just can't bear anymore. For me, this point came long after I thought I couldn't take anymore during my wilderness period. The most difficult part of it all was that it "felt" as if He had left me. Once you know him; it's terrifying to feel that he has left.
He won't leave us; this is his promise. However, when he lifts the fence of protection around us, it feels like he is no where around. It's.not true, but it feels like it and has a purpose. This is all part of the test as he did with Job.
The most righteous man in the land (Job) cursed the day that he was born. He knew what the wilderness felt like.
During mine, I would rock and cry out for hours for God to kill me. I didn't think that I could take anymore. Eventually, when he knew that I was at my breaking point, he lifted the torment. I was in so much physical and emotional pain that I cried out with a loud voice, "I can't take it anymore!"
Immediately, I felt his touch like a washing flooded over me from my head to my toes, and it was all gone. The pain was gone, and a peace that passes all understanding settled upon me. I had truly reached a point where I could not bear anymore. He is true to his word.
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