Unlike Any Other Word
God’s Word is unlike any other word. It’s alive. God’s Word generates life; creates faith; produces change; frightens the Devil; makes miracles; heals hurts; builds character; transforms circumstances; imparts joy; overcomes adversity; defeats temptation; infuses hope; releases power; cleanses our minds; bring things into being; reveals truth; illuminates darkness; feeds our hunger; quenches our thirst; cleanses our heart; renews our mind; strengthens our resolve; saves our lives; builds our trust; comforts us; give us peace; rebukes us; corrects us; and guarantees our future forever!
Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon
A Surrendered Life
Matthew 16:24
Life is a struggle but what most people don’t realize is that our struggle, like Jacob’s, is really with God. We want to be God.
A.W. Tozer said, “The reason why so many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they have not yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us.”
We aren’t God, and we never will be. Jesus said, “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the good news will ever know what it means to really live (Mark 8:35 TLB). There is a moment of surrender and there is a practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment, and life-long. When you decide to live a totally surrendered life, that decision will be tested. It may mean doing the opposite of what you feel like doing. We are by nature self-centered. It is a natural inclination to hurt back when you are hurt and to hide your mistakes when you are criticized.
But significance doesn’t come from self. It comes from service. Only by giving your life away, can you feel that your life has significance.
Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon
Where Everybody Knows His Name
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Matthew 16:26A KJV
Almost everywhere we go Beau runs into someone that he knows, or someone who knows him from the neighborhood, or a work relationship, or some social event. It’s amazing because I don’t know that many people, and not too many people know my name. I’m ashamed to tell you that I don’t know many of my neighbors. I come and go, and my neighborhood has changed over the years.
As strange as this may sound, I enjoy reading life stories, or biographies because I am fascinated by the way that people live their lives. For some reason, it is at the close of their life that we learn of the impact they’ve had. I love it when we go out as a Church family and Pastor is introduced. I am encouraged by the things that other preachers say about him; even things they may never have said to him. I find it amazing that his life has so much impact, that so many people are blessed by his gift.
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