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Welcome to a place where Christ should be exalted and "Self" should be abased!!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all here and I hope this day brings peace and happiness to everyone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to one & all! Attended a beautiful Christmas eve service last night at 11:00 p.m. Just before it started, all the lights were dimmed in the church and the only bright spot was the Christmas tree at the front, as well as the manger. Then the pianist played John Lennon's "Imagine" -- brought tears to my eyes right away. What a beautiful dream to think that the whole world might actually be at peace someday! :-x
Good morning to each and all.
I hope everyone enjoyed good times during the holidays. And that Santa found you ...
Wanted to share another devotional with you this morning. I have experienced some of this myself in various ways and know others who have as well. I hope it will be a blessing to some one. Take care and have a great day.
YOUR CONSOLATION BROUGHT JOY
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19
The believer is not exempt from the adversities of life. He faces the same trials, afflictions, and testing that the unbeliever faces. He encounters reverses in business, exclusion from choice opportunities, and opposition from those who oppose him. But there is a major difference in the resources of each. The unbeliever stands alone to encounter these difficult times in his own strength and resources. He may have courage, fortitude, and be able to endure with determination. The believer has a refuge in Jesus Christ that supersedes anything this world has to offer.
Several years ago I had just returned from a visit to see my urologist who had diagnosed a small tumor as being malignant. This had to be treated at once. The Lord brought Psalm 94:19 to my attention: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." I had thoughts of all the ramifications of cancer, its treatment, its devastating effect, and the prognosis of the future. Then God focused my heart on this verse and made it a reality in my life.
Regardless of all the anxieties that encompassed my mind, God's comfort, care, concern, and sovereign control were the great joy of my heart. God brought His truths home to my heart as I found that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear" (Psalm 46:1-2). He led me to many portions of His Word that proved to be a great consolation to my heart. What joy it is the rest with confident trust in the One who promised, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
How true God made the words of Psalm 40:1-4 to my heart: "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; and set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." This is the refuge, comfort, joy, and encouragement the believer has when he turns in child-like faith and finds His sufficiency in Another, One outside of himself in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
It is not how much faith we have, but in WHOM we place our faith. Paul testified that "my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). The Scriptures are a "well of salvation, from whence they draw water with joy" (Isaiah 12:2). There we find the Shepherd that leads us beside the still waters and restores our soul. It is there we find the "exceedingly great and precious promises, that by these you may be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). It is in these devastating encounters that God imparts to the believer His richest communications, giving us the comfort and blessed presence of the Holy Spirit.
Amidst all our of difficulties we have One who will put His loving arms around us and assure us that He is in control, that He is still on the throne, and that HE LOVES US! However great our difficulty may be...HE IS GREATER! I trust you will find this blessed refuge in Christ by daring to believe in the One who never fails and loves you with an everlasting love. Dare to trust Him!
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
I hope everyone enjoyed good times during the holidays. And that Santa found you ...
Wanted to share another devotional with you this morning. I have experienced some of this myself in various ways and know others who have as well. I hope it will be a blessing to some one. Take care and have a great day.
YOUR CONSOLATION BROUGHT JOY
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19
The believer is not exempt from the adversities of life. He faces the same trials, afflictions, and testing that the unbeliever faces. He encounters reverses in business, exclusion from choice opportunities, and opposition from those who oppose him. But there is a major difference in the resources of each. The unbeliever stands alone to encounter these difficult times in his own strength and resources. He may have courage, fortitude, and be able to endure with determination. The believer has a refuge in Jesus Christ that supersedes anything this world has to offer.
Several years ago I had just returned from a visit to see my urologist who had diagnosed a small tumor as being malignant. This had to be treated at once. The Lord brought Psalm 94:19 to my attention: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." I had thoughts of all the ramifications of cancer, its treatment, its devastating effect, and the prognosis of the future. Then God focused my heart on this verse and made it a reality in my life.
Regardless of all the anxieties that encompassed my mind, God's comfort, care, concern, and sovereign control were the great joy of my heart. God brought His truths home to my heart as I found that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear" (Psalm 46:1-2). He led me to many portions of His Word that proved to be a great consolation to my heart. What joy it is the rest with confident trust in the One who promised, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
How true God made the words of Psalm 40:1-4 to my heart: "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; and set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." This is the refuge, comfort, joy, and encouragement the believer has when he turns in child-like faith and finds His sufficiency in Another, One outside of himself in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
It is not how much faith we have, but in WHOM we place our faith. Paul testified that "my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). The Scriptures are a "well of salvation, from whence they draw water with joy" (Isaiah 12:2). There we find the Shepherd that leads us beside the still waters and restores our soul. It is there we find the "exceedingly great and precious promises, that by these you may be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). It is in these devastating encounters that God imparts to the believer His richest communications, giving us the comfort and blessed presence of the Holy Spirit.
Amidst all our of difficulties we have One who will put His loving arms around us and assure us that He is in control, that He is still on the throne, and that HE LOVES US! However great our difficulty may be...HE IS GREATER! I trust you will find this blessed refuge in Christ by daring to believe in the One who never fails and loves you with an everlasting love. Dare to trust Him!
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
hello nikki ... yes back from travelling ...
hope your day is going well.
there was just something about that devotional that said I should post it ...
take care ...
hope your day is going well.
there was just something about that devotional that said I should post it ...
take care ...
I think it was posted for me, not to be too bold.
I live with several(4) medical conditions that can cause me great pain; sometimes the pain is bearable, at other times it isn't. I pray to God to give me strength, but I would be lying if I didn't say that sometimes I feel like a lesser child of God.
Your post left me inspired to depend even more on our God and the spiritual relief of pain. I tell myself that He understands the shape I am in and that I don't have to answer to strangers for my limitations.
Thank you, Andrew.
Hi nikki!!!! 3 Doves Nellie and others.
I live with several(4) medical conditions that can cause me great pain; sometimes the pain is bearable, at other times it isn't. I pray to God to give me strength, but I would be lying if I didn't say that sometimes I feel like a lesser child of God.
Your post left me inspired to depend even more on our God and the spiritual relief of pain. I tell myself that He understands the shape I am in and that I don't have to answer to strangers for my limitations.
Thank you, Andrew.
Hi nikki!!!! 3 Doves Nellie and others.
Your timing is excellent, BTW. The last few days have not been my best!
