tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25456284516474259242024-02-18T20:09:03.152-08:00Our Daily CrumbOur Daily Bread is a great idea for a daily quiet time, but as a homeschooling mom/foster mom of three very busy kids, a daily crumb is about all I can handle right now....Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-89667174532040625052009-04-28T07:13:00.000-07:002009-04-28T07:14:15.874-07:00Jesus Touched the Untouchables<p>When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.”Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease. Matthew 8:1-3<br />I wonder… about the man who felt Jesus’ compassionate touch. He makes one appearance, has one request, and receives one touch. But that one touch changed his life forever….<br />I wonder about this man because in New Testament times leprosy was the most dreaded disease. The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcers and decay. Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skin would discolor and stink. Certain types of leprosy would numb nerve endings, leading to a loss of fingers, toes, even a whole foot or hand. Leprosy was death by inches.<br />The social consequences were as severe as the physical. Considered contagious, the leper was quarantined, banished to a leper colony.<br />In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear…<br />The touch did not heal the disease, you know. Matthew is careful to mention that it was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that cured the condition. “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, ‘I will. Be healed!’ And immediately the man was healed from his disease” (Matt. 8:3).The infection was banished by a word from Jesus.<br />The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus.<br />Jesus touched the untouchables of the world.</p><p>From <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=356779&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D25809" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">His Name is Jesus</a>© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009) Max Lucado</p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-9376681882316495262009-04-13T20:07:00.000-07:002009-04-13T20:10:02.732-07:00He did it just for you!<span style="font-style: italic;">Well, I can't believe that I haven't been on for forever, first off, and then also that I missed a chance to talk about one of the best days of the year - Easter!!!! Rather than me<span style="font-weight: bold;"> trying </span>to wax eloquent though, here's something by Max Lucado that will talk about the God who is the God of Easter... He did it just for you.....</span><br /><br /><p>When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound. Imprisoned in flesh. Restricted by weary-prone muscles and eyelids. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet.</p> <p>I wonder, was he ever tempted to reclaim his boundlessness? In the middle of a long trip, did he ever consider transporting himself to the next city? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment?</p> <p>If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave in to them. Not once. Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239678355_1">supernatural powers</span> for personal comfort. With one word he could’ve transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn’t. With a wave of his hand, he could’ve boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn’t. With an arch of his brow, he could’ve paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239678355_2">crown of thorns</span>. But he didn’t.</p> <p>Want to know the coolest thing about the coming?</p> <p>Not that he, in an instant, went from needing nothing to needing air, food, a tub of hot water and salts for his tired feet, and, more than anything, needing somebody—anybody—who was more concerned about where he would spend eternity than where he would spend Friday’s paycheck.</p> <p>Not that he kept his cool while the dozen best friends he ever had felt the heat and got out of the kitchen. Or that he gave no command to the angels who begged, “Just give the nod, Lord. One word and these demons will be deviled eggs.”</p> <p>Not that he refused to defend himself when blamed for every sin since Adam. Or that he stood silent as a million guilty verdicts echoed in the tribunal of heaven and the giver of light was left in the chill of a sinner’s night.</p> <p>Not even that after three days in a dark hole he stepped into the Easter sunrise with a smile and a swagger and a question for lowly <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239678355_3">Lucifer</span>—“Is that your best punch?”</p> <p>That was cool, incredibly cool.</p> <p>But want to know the coolest thing about the One who gave up the crown of heaven for a crown of thorns?</p> <p>He did it for you. Just for you.<br /><br /><span class="style1"><br />From<br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=353150&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D25809"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239678355_4">His Name is Jesus</span></a><br />© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009) Max Lucado<br /></span><span class="style1"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=353150&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D25809"><img src="http://www.maxlucado.net/images/details/HisNameIsJesus_L.jpg" alt="Great House of God" vspace="3" width="216" border="0" height="192" hspace="4" /></a></span></p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-32842283498789142682009-01-24T06:02:00.000-08:002009-01-24T06:02:00.237-08:00Just Wearing the Shirt<p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/rqkrlgglz_sfbfbjfcysb.html"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/A-Word-With-You-Devotion.jpg" border="0" /></a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbyhzjjzl_sfbfbjfcysb.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_10">Listen to Audio</span></a> (right click to save)</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">I have two adult friends who own <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_11">Princeton University</span> sweatshirts. Al has one because he put in four challenging years there and graduated from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_12">Princeton</span>. I ran into another friend, Dave, at the store one day and he was wearing his Princeton sweatshirt. I said, "I didn't know you went to Princeton, Dave." He informed me that he didn't attend that Ivy League school. He bought the sweatshirt at a discount store for 12 dollars! He said, "Oh, I didn't go there. I just wear the shirt!"</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Jesus has a lot of folks like my friend who got his shirt at a discount store; they're just wearing His shirt. In fact, our word for today from the Word of God describes people like that. And frankly, it's pretty unsettling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">In <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbyhzjjzw_sfbfbjfcysb.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_13">Matthew 7:21-23</span></a> Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many of you will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">This is a disturbing description, because the people Jesus says He never knew are not people who are only wearing a Jesus shirt. They have like a total Christian wardrobe. They have been Christian leaders, they're experts on Jesus, they've spoken for Jesus and they've done some impressive things in His name. Jesus says those who are truly His, who will end up in heaven, will not be "everyone who says" the right things but those who do His Father's will. Which is spelled out in John 6:40, "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life." See, it's your total trust in God's Son to rescue you from your sin that gets you into heaven and nothing else. It takes more than a Christian uniform.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">There may be someone listening today who says all the right words - maybe even publicly - but you've never surrendered your heart and your will to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_14">Jesus Christ</span>. The fact that you have Christianity but you don't have Christ can be concealed until you see the Lord. Could it be that you're just wearing the shirt, but your heart is still lost?</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">In Luke 6:46, Jesus addresses people who apparently really do belong to Him. But He asks, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Maybe your commitment to Jesus has deteriorated to being pretty much words like "Lord, Lord." My friend, Dave, had not really paid the price that goes with identification with the university. When my friend, Al, wears his shirt, it is backed up by years of sacrifice and work. Could it be that you're proud to wear a Jesus shirt, but you're not paying the price of really living consistently with Jesus first?</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">But by far the most important question you have to answer and answer correctly is this: "Do I really belong to Jesus? Have I really begun a relationship with Him by grabbing Him in total trust to be my Rescuer from my sin?" You see if it's only a Christian uniform, it won't make it past the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_15">throne of God</span> on Judgment Day. You need to be sure. You need to make sure that Jesus Christ rules in your heart.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">It may be hard for you to admit, but if you don't really belong to Jesus and you want to, would you tell Him that right now? "Jesus, beginning today, I really am Yours." And if you want to begin this relationship for real, I want to urge you to go visit our website at your first opportunity today. It's <a target="_blank" href="http://yoursforlife.net/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_16">YoursForLife.net</span></a>, and it'll walk you through how to be sure you have begun this relationship and that you truly do belong to Jesus. Or I could send you the free booklet Yours For Life if you just call for it at our toll free number. It's <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546503_17">877-741-1200</span>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">I think the most chilling words Jesus will ever speak are "I never knew you," spoken to people who knew all about Him but didn't know Him. I don't ever want you to hear those words. He doesn't ever want you to hear those words. He comes to you one more time. Please, let Him in.</span></p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-15621939434446762442009-01-23T05:55:00.000-08:002009-01-23T05:55:01.050-08:00Laws of the Lighthouse<em></em>The first of the year is known for three things: black-eyed peas, bowl games, and lists. Some don’t eat black-eyed peas. Others hate football. But everybody likes lists. <p>The Bible certainly has its share of lists. Moses brought one down from the mountain. </p> <p>There are lists of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546124_1">gifts of the Spirit</span>. Lists of good fruit and bad. Lists of salutations and greetings. Even the disciples’ boat got into the action as it listed in the stormy Sea of Galilee. (If you smiled at that, then I’ve got a list of puns you’d enjoy.)</p> <p>But the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546124_2">greatest day</span> of lists is still New Year’s Day. And the number one list is the list I call the Laws of the Lighthouse.</p> <p>The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.</p> <p>Smart move. The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.</p> <p>Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:</p> <p>– Love God more than you fear hell.<br />– Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.<br />– Make major decisions in a cemetery.<br />– When no one is watching, live as if someone is.<br />– Succeed at home first.<br />– Don’t spend tomorrow’s money today.<br />– Pray twice as much as you fret.<br />– Listen twice as much as you speak.<br />– Only harbor a grudge when God does.<br />– Never outgrow your love of sunsets.<br />– Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.<br />– ‘Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.<br />– God has forgiven you; you’d be wise to do the same.<br />– When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust his heart.<br />– Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.<br />– Don’t feel guilty for God’s goodness.<br />– The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.<br />– Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.<br />– Live your liturgy.</p> To sum it all up:<br />Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.<br /><br /><span class="style1"><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=323781&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D24974"><img src="http://www.maxlucado.net/images/details/B106P_S.jpg" alt="In the Eye of the Storm" vspace="3" width="94" align="left" border="0" height="141" hspace="4" /></a>From<br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=323781&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D24974"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232546124_3">In the Eye of the Storm</span></a><br />© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado<br /></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-54318360481683616122009-01-22T05:48:00.000-08:002009-01-22T05:48:00.195-08:00Overcoming Life's Monotony<div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/wsmdwfcgq_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/LtW_ebanner.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Week of Jan. 12</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong style="">Overcoming Life's <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_12">Monotony</span> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong style=""></strong>Consider for a moment an average person in an average home who wakes up early in the morning to beat everyone into the shower so that he can get ready and get on the road to get to work on time. He works hard all day and then jumps back into the car to beat the traffic home, so he can sit down to eat and watch television. He sets his alarm and goes to bed so he can begin the whole process all over again. Does this life sound familiar? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_13">King Solomon</span> says that there is <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/esznvmhwn_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_14">nothing new under the sun</span></a>. There is monotony, he writes, and there is boredom in our lives. But a life lived with God, in fellowship with Him, under His authority, is a life of joy and fulfillment. All humans can live a life of emptiness, boredom, and meaninglessness living without God, or they can experience a life full of joy, excitement, and contentment when they live it with Him. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon warns us saying, "Please, do not go where I went.<del> </del> Please, be forewarned about living your life the wrong way. Learn from my failures, and do not make the mistakes I have made. Live in fellowship with God. Live under the authority of God." He says the temptations we will face in life are not worth the trouble they will cause, and cautions us against falling prey to them. Much of our worldly pursuits in life will bring us nothing but emptiness, misery, and disappointment. A life without God's leading is a life without purpose and meaning. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">But thanks to God, there is a better way! A life that is lived in fellowship with God, a life lived under the authority of the Word of God, a life which is lived by the principles given to us in the Word--<em style="">that</em> life will be meaningful. That sort of life will be purposeful. That life will be joyful and fulfilling. That life will be a blessing to you and to others. Most importantly, that life will be a blessing to God. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">The good news is that those who are experiencing a personal relationship with the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_15">Son of God</span> will not only find contentment in this life--they will know with all assurance that the day is coming when they will have perfect knowledge, perfect bodies, perfect memories, and perfect stamina. And the reason that they can have this full life is that they know who they are and to Whom they belong. They know their purpose for living and they know their ultimate destination. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Are you experiencing emptiness, drudgery, or monotony? You <em style="">can</em> change direction, and you can do it today. You can begin a life of meaning, a life full of purpose, a life with the absolute and perfect assurance of your ultimate and eternal destination. If that is your desire, then you can say to the Lord, "Lord, I am tired of living a life of emptiness and monotony. I want to live a life of purpose; I want to live my life for You and for Your Kingdom." And God will answer that prayer--of that you can be sure. In His time, you will begin to live a life full of joy, peace, fulfillment, and contentment. Only God, His truths, His purpose, and His Word can give your life the meaning you have always wanted.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">*** </span></p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">In a world gone mad with relativism and political correctness... What can we do to ignite spiritual renewal in our lives and in our churches? Read the passion <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_16">Michael Youssef</span> has for this subject in our free resource--"We Preach Christ." <u><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/sffdjhlnb_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><u><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232545657_17">Download it today</span></u></a></u>.</span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-35052930165891348892009-01-21T04:55:00.000-08:002009-01-21T04:56:26.110-08:00Good or Evil?<p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbhkdjssp_aqjzjwzqtkj.html"> <div align="center"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/LWFDevoBanner.jpg" border="0" /></div> </a> </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">January 21</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong>Calling Good Evil & Evil Good </strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><em>"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" </em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbhkdjssl_aqjzjwzqtkj.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232542548_12">Isaiah 5:20</span></a><em> </em></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">People can become so warped in their thinking that they don't know the difference between right and wrong. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">I was listening to the radio one morning, and they were talking about what scientists want to do with the tissue of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1232542548_13">aborted babies</span>. They said that some women are thinking about having babies, aborting them, then selling the tissue for research. The scientific community is promoting this propaganda because of the good they say the research will have on the whole of humanity! But what about the whole of humanity that begins in the womb? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">People today will play enough tricks on their minds that they will literally approve evil with a good conscience. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Where do you stand on this issue? What is right and what is wrong? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Take some time this morning to read Psalm 139 and ask God to show you His truth.<br /></span></p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-32042084982085003172009-01-06T03:50:00.001-08:002009-01-06T03:50:19.913-08:00Guarding against extremes<span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbyhccqch_aqjzjwzqtkj.html"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/InsightForLiving.jpg" border="0" /></a></div> <p align="center"><strong>PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUARDING AGAINST EXTREMES<br /></strong>by <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231242580_11">Charles R. Swindoll</span></p> <p align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/kwqjmmsmk_aqjzjwzqtkj.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231242580_12">Romans 14:22 NLT</span></a></p> <p>Three suggestions come to mind as I think about living with the risks of grace and putting all this into balanced living. </p> <p>First, <em>guard against extremes if you want to enjoy the freedom grace provides</em>. Try your best to keep balanced, then enjoy it. No reason to feel guilty. No reason to be afraid. Try this first: Simply give yourself permission to be free. Don't go crazy . . . but neither should you spend time looking over your shoulder worrying about those who "spy out your liberty," and wondering what they will think and say. </p> <p>Second, <em>treat grace as an undeserved privilege rather than an exclusive right</em>. This will also help you keep a balance. Live gratefully, not arrogantly. Have fun, but don't flaunt. It is all in one's attitude, isn't it? It has nothing to do with financial status or where you live or what clothes you prefer or which car you drive. It has everything to do with attitude. </p> <p>Third, <em>remember that while grace came to you freely, it cost the Savior His life</em>. It may seem free, but it was terribly expensive when He purchased it for us. And who wouldn't want to be free, since we have been purchased from the horrors of bondage? </p> <p>Grace is God's universal good news of salvation. The tragedy is that some continue to live lives in a deathlike bog because they have been so turned off by a message that is full of restrictions, demands, negativism, and legalism. You may have been one of those held in bondage, victimized by a system that has stolen your joy and snuffed out your hope. If so, I have some wonderful news. You've gotten very close to the border. There's a flag flying. And on that flag is a cross. And if you come into this camp of grace beneath the cross, you'll never have to be in that awful bog again. </p> <p>You will be free... <em>free at last</em>.</p></span></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-40803433246813680302009-01-04T17:42:00.000-08:002009-01-04T17:44:32.499-08:00Reading the Bible<span style="font-style: italic;">I got this from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.davidwhiting.org/my_weblog/2009/01/how-long-does-it-take-to-read-the-bible.html">my previous pastor's blog</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, and, well, he makes a great point much more eloquently than I would, so I wanted to share... :)</span><br /><br /><p>How long does it take to read the Bible? The answer is 77 hours and 22 minutes. That is the length of the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231119696_2">NIV Bible</span> being read out loud by Max McLean. You can purchase it for your I-Pod.</p><p>So if Max reads the Bible in 77 hours and 22 minutes - that is a total of 4642 minutes. If you read at Max's pace (which is not fast since it is dramatic and out loud) - it would take 12 minutes and 43 seconds per day for you to read the Bible through this year.</p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-7274313488957901552009-01-04T16:41:00.001-08:002009-01-04T16:41:40.332-08:00It's just that simple!<span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span> <table width="100%" bg border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="7" style="color:#ffffff;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divContent"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divTitle" style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divAuthor" style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><p> </p> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xdfbmmssr_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"> <div align="center"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/faith/Devotionals/DailyDisciples_devotional_header.jpg" border="0" /></div> </a> </span><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong>Today's Reading</strong>: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/fwpvjjmmq_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_10">Genesis 10-12</span></a>; <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbhpzzqqs_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_11">Matthew 4</span></a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong>Today's Thoughts: </strong>It's Just That Simple </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><em style=""><strong>But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_12">children of God</span>, to those who believe in His name. </strong></em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/kwqvkkmmk_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_13">John 1:12</span></a><strong> </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">The "He" and the "Him" in these verses is <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_14">Jesus Christ</span>, the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_15">Son of God</span>. He came to earth to save His people, but many of His own people rejected Him. For those who "received Him," Jesus gave them inheritance into the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_16">kingdom of God</span>. All they had to do was "believe in His name." There was nothing else to do, not even their best religious works would be good enough to earn salvation. The same is true for us today as we have the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_17">Word of God</span> to teach us about Jesus. <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_18">The Gospel of John</span> was written so that we would <em style="">believe</em> in Him, a simple message that requires simple faith. But is it really that simple? </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">The short answer is "yes." <em style="">It is just that simple</em>. All anyone has to do to be saved and inherit eternal life with <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_19">God in heaven</span> is to believe in His Son Jesus and the work He did on the cross. If it is that easy, then why doesn't everyone believe? Jesus would compare the faith required of us to the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_20">faith of a child</span>. He desires for all of us to have childlike faith. Why? Because children just believe. They trust without proof of purchase. They do not carry baggage from years of pain, mistrust and betrayal. They do not know what it means to be skeptical, cynical or illogical. But we do. We get hardened by the world and its imprints on our lives. And, unfortunately, some have been hurt by Christians themselves. Even those of us who are Christians, who believe in Jesus, walk around without any power to change. Where is the victory that overcomes the world? In everyday life, it is not so easy to believe in a God we cannot see or hear or touch. When the world takes our time and attention, we have an even harder time believing beyond what we are dealing with at the moment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">If you feel overwhelmed with life, take a moment and set your eyes on Jesus. Ask Him to help you believe His promise to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Ask Him to help you believe that He has a future and a hope for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Ask Jesus to fill you with His peace that He promised to leave with you (John 14:27). Stop trying to work it all out for yourself. And if you are having trouble believing, ask the Lord to help you even to believe (Mark 9:23-24). We spend so much time on other things; why not spend some of it with the Lord today? </span></p> <p> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><em>Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_21">Holy Spirit</span>. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_22">God's Word</span>, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.<br /></em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/jttdkkwwt_zrtrtnrpbwt.html"><em><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1231116025_23">Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.</span></em></a><em> </em></span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-84864847486384143912009-01-01T10:42:00.001-08:002009-01-01T10:42:31.688-08:00Vision for the New Year<table width="100%" bg border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="7" style="color:#ffffff;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divContent"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divTitle" style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div id="_Article_divAuthor" style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><div> <span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span><p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbyzjqzqj_lrzyzgyfswz.html"> <div align="center"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/LWFDevoBanner.jpg" border="0" /></div> </a> </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">January 1</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong>A Vision for Your Life in the New Year </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><em>"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." </em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dbyzjqzlc_lrzyzgyfswz.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230835304_10">Proverbs 29:18</span></a><em> </em></span></p> <p><span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230835304_11"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Helen Keller</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> had vision even though she lost her sight at 19 months of age. A reporter asked Miss Keller, "Is there anything worse than being blind?" "Yes," she said, "It is to have sight and no vision." </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Do you have a vision for your life at the threshold of a new year? On <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230835304_12">New Year's Day</span>, I review the goals for my life. These are spiritual, relational, intellectual, physical, and financial goals. I pray over these and ask for God's will to be done in each one. I hold them in an open hand and ask that God would give me wisdom as to the direction He wants for my life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">I don't want to be a person without vision. I don't want you to be one either. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong style=""><em style="">Begin to think about some goals you would like for your life. Pray and seek the Lord's face as you ponder the future. </em></strong> </span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-21506501066774890782009-01-01T05:45:00.000-08:002009-01-01T05:45:01.630-08:00Losing Hope<span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><p align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/zrrvmttsm_kwrqrwqkmsr.html"><img alt="" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/crosswalk/faith/devotionals/finalBlogHeader2.gif" width="400" align="top" border="0" height="100" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"> <style> #yiv1873172467 st1:*{} </style><style> <!-- #yiv1873172467 _filtered #yiv1873172467 {font-family:Tahoma;panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;} #yiv1873172467 #yiv1873172467 p.MsoNormal, #yiv1873172467 li.MsoNormal, #yiv1873172467 div.MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";} #yiv1873172467 p.MsoCommentText, #yiv1873172467 li.MsoCommentText, #yiv1873172467 div.MsoCommentText {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";} #yiv1873172467 span.MsoCommentReference {} #yiv1873172467 p.MsoBodyText, #yiv1873172467 li.MsoBodyText, #yiv1873172467 div.MsoBodyText {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";} #yiv1873172467 a:link, #yiv1873172467 span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1873172467 a:visited, #yiv1873172467 span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1873172467 p.MsoCommentSubject, #yiv1873172467 li.MsoCommentSubject, #yiv1873172467 div.MsoCommentSubject {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:bold;} #yiv1873172467 p.MsoAcetate, #yiv1873172467 li.MsoAcetate, #yiv1873172467 div.MsoAcetate {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;} #yiv1873172467 span.GramE {} _filtered #yiv1873172467 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} #yiv1873172467 div.Section1 {} --> </style></p> <div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">December 31, 2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"> </span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(134, 46, 134); font-family: Arial;">The Night I Lost All Hope</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(115, 134, 57); font-family: Arial;">By Elaine Bonds, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/pwrkpggzz_kwrqrwqkmsr.html"><span style="color: rgb(115, 134, 57);">She Speaks</span></a> Graduate</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(188, 63, 0); font-family: Arial;"> </span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(188, 63, 0); font-family: Arial;"><span style=""></span>"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.<span style=""> </span>They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."</span></em><strong> </strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(188, 63, 0); font-family: Arial;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/uegqmppbd_kwrqrwqkmsr.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230730895_11">Isaiah 40:31</span></a><em> (NIV) </em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(134, 46, 134); font-family: Arial;">Devotion:</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I remember it so well -- the night I lost all hope.<span style=""> </span>I had been hoping that my prodigal son was not lying to me.<span style=""> </span>While I was 99% sure he was, I still clung to the 1% chance he was telling the truth.<span style=""> </span>My heart simply refused to give up that final <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; background-color: rgb(220, 238, 255);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230730895_12">thread of hope</span>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style=""></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As a condition of living in our home again, we asked that our 21-year old son attend a weekly support group meeting.<span style=""> </span>We wanted him back home; his other living choice was not a good one.<span style=""> </span>But we needed to establish boundaries, offering a safe place to live without tolerating or enabling his destructive behavior.<span style=""> </span>We wanted to start rebuilding the trust we had lost.<span style=""> </span>One building block was his Friday night support group meeting.<span style=""> </span>Though our son said he was attending, in my heart I felt something was wrong.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One night I just had to know if he was living up to his commitment.<span style=""> </span>I drove to the place where his meeting was held and my fears were confirmed: he was nowhere to be found.<span style=""> </span>I went right home and waited.<span style=""> </span>When he came home I asked about his meeting.<span style=""> </span>"The meeting was fine.<span style=""> </span>I'm tired and going to bed."<em style=""> </em><span style=""></span>I had caught him in a lie!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope left me and discouragement came quickly to replace it.<span style=""> </span>I couldn't even confront him -- at least not yet.<span style=""> </span>I needed time to wrestle with the loss of the 1% of hope.<span style=""> </span>It was just a tiny bit of hope.<span style=""> </span>No big loss, right? ... Wrong!<span style=""> </span>That last 1% of hope is what I held onto the tightest.<span style=""> </span>I was so angry and crushed.<span style=""> </span>But then, God spoke.<span style=""> </span>He chose a friend <span class="GramE">to</span> speak His Words to me the very next day.<span style=""> </span>She had no clue what was happening with our son.<span style=""> </span>She just prayed what God prompted her -- for me to have HOPE!<span style=""> </span>She emailed me her prayer:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em style=""><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Father, <span class="GramE">You</span> are the God of all hope.<span style=""> </span>Your Word tells us that those who hope in <span class="GramE">You</span> will renew their strength.<span style=""> </span>They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.<span style=""> </span>I pray this for Elaine this morning ... that she will place her HOPE in You and You alone ..."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Reading her prayer, it suddenly became clear to me.<span style=""> </span>My hope had been in my son and in that weekly meeting.<span style=""> </span>The hope I had lost -- that 1% I'd been clinging to -- was <em style="">human</em> hope.<span style=""> </span>That kind of hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and ...hopeless!<span style=""> </span>Oh, it may masquerade as "hope," but it is completely different from the hope that God provides.<span style=""> </span><em style="">God's</em> hope renews and refreshes.<span style=""> </span>It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens.<span style=""> </span>God's hope does not disappoint!<span style=""> </span>There is an unlimited supply of God's hope.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">God knew I had been clinging to human hope, and He knew that last 1% of weak, feeble hope would run out.<span style=""> </span>He wanted me to cling to Him, the God of true, lasting, unlimited hope.<span style=""> </span>So, as I wiped my tears, I waited as the winds of God's hope blew my way.<span style=""> </span>My circumstances were still the same, but my heart was now filled with the hope that only God can provide.</span></p></div></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-65144580791623055832008-12-31T09:22:00.000-08:002008-12-31T09:22:01.071-08:00Grace<span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/aqztztrvl_ohmcmbcjvfm.html"><img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/Crosswalk/SpirLife_DevoHeaders/InsightForLiving.jpg" border="0" /></a></div> <p align="left"><strong>December 27-28, 2008</strong></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p align="center"><strong>UNDERSTANDING GRACE<br /></strong>by <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230657679_12">Charles R. Swindoll</span></p> <p align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/ihlklkgcm_ohmcmbcjvfm.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230657679_13">John 1:14</span></a></p> <p>What exactly is grace? And is it limited to Jesus' life and ministry? You may be surprised to know that Jesus never used the word itself. He just taught it and, equally important, He lived it. Furthermore, the Bible never gives us a one-statement definition, though grace appears throughout its pages . . . not only the word itself but numerous demonstrations of it. Understanding what grace means requires our going back to an old Hebrew term that meant "to bend, to stoop." By and by, it came to include the idea of "condescending favor." </p> <p>If you have traveled to London, you have perhaps seen royalty. If so, you may have noticed sophistication, aloofness, distance. On occasion, royalty in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230657679_14">England</span> will make the news because someone in the ranks of nobility will stop, kneel down, and touch or bless a commoner. That is grace. There is nothing in the commoner that deserves being noticed or touched or blessed by the royal family. But because of grace in the heart of the queen, there is the desire at that moment to pause, to stoop, to touch, even to bless. </p> <p>The late pastor and Bible scholar <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1230657679_15">Donald Barnhouse</span> perhaps said it best: "Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace." </p> <p>To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn't deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God's acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver.</p></span></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-46925888048127792992008-12-30T04:13:00.001-08:002008-12-30T04:13:27.132-08:00Be still<span style="font-style: italic;">"Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." " <br />Exodus 14:13-14</span><br /><br />This is Moses speaking to the Israelites just after they've left their home, albeit their home filled with slavery and suffering, in Egypt. They are marching out into the desert, away from their captors, when the Egyptians decide they want them back and begin to chase. The Israelites are panicked. They are men, women and children, babies and grandparents. The Egyptians behind them are warriors. The Israelites are moving, carrying their possessions. The Egyptians are chasing, with nothing to slow them down. The Israelites are wondering if perhaps they should have "behaved" and just stayed in Egypt. They see no way out. Moses had to be panicking a bit too. He know that God was powerful. They all did. But what could even God do here, with the sea on one side of them and the army on the other? But Moses trusted God.<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />Do I trust like this? Do I grab hold of a promise God's given me and then "be still", knowing that He will keep that promise? Oh, that's hard for me to do!! But think what could happen if I did!<br /><br />For Moses it involved God parting a sea for the Israelites to walk safely away from the Egyptians. Parting a sea!!! For me I'm guessing He is fully able to see me through the problems of each day.... <br /><br />Be still, hmmm.....Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-86054959909263949912008-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:002008-12-29T09:19:17.901-08:00My purpose?I am plugging along, sporadically, but plugging nonetheless, through the Bible, and this past week was reading in Exodus. <br /><br />"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Exodus 9:16<br /><br />That's God talking to Moses. He has just let him know, basically, that the things He's done in Moses' life were for "this very purpose" - to glorify God. He didn't work out Moses being saved by the princess to give him a happy cushy life, or even to spare his mom the suffering of seeing her son killed. He didn't bring Moses to a place of power because he deserved it, or even because he thought he'd do a good job in it. His purpose for Moses' life was not for Moses to feel fulfilled or happy. His purpose for Moses' life was to glorify Himself. <br /><br />How self centered I am to think that God's purpose for me, for my life, might be something other than that! How many of my prayers ask God to help <span style="font-weight:bold;">me</span> feel better, help <span style="font-weight:bold;">me</span> stay comfortable, protect those <span style="font-weight:bold;">I</span> care about? How much time to do I spend taking care of the<span style="font-weight:bold;"> me</span> part of my life? How much time and energy, <span style="font-style:italic;">really</span>, do I spend thinking about how God might be glorified through me?<br /><br />Wow.....Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-51388538570282264332008-12-16T07:04:00.000-08:002008-12-16T07:05:29.584-08:00The Arrival<em>A good one for Christmas by Max Lucado</em>... <br /><p>God had entered the world as a baby.</p> <p>Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem that morning, what a peculiar scene they would behold.</p> <p>The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine, dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is hard, the hay scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling and a mouse scurries across the dirt floor.</p> <p>A more lowly place of birth could not exist.</p> <p>Off to one side sit a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor; perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him—so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.</p> <p>Near the young mother sits the weary father. If anyone is dozing, he is. He can’t remember the last time he sat down. And now that the excitement has subsided a bit, now that Mary and the baby are comfortable, he leans against the wall of the stable and feels his eyes grow heavy. He still hasn’t figured it all out. The mystery of the event puzzles him. But he hasn’t the energy to wrestle with the questions. What’s important is that the baby is fine and that Mary is safe. As sleep comes he remembers the name the angel told him to use … Jesus. “We will call him Jesus.”</p> <p>Wide awake is Mary. My, how young she looks! Her head rests on the soft leather of Joseph’s saddle. The pain has been eclipsed by wonder. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what he is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable. She can’t take her eyes off him. Somehow Mary knows she is holding God. So this is he. She remembers the words of the angel. “His kingdom will never end.” <span class="style1">(<em>Luke 1:33</em>)</span></p> <p>He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.</p> <p>Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.</p> <p>She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey!</p> <p>This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he had just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility.</p> <p>Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking.</p> Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?<br /><br /><span class="style1"><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=317855&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fmaxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D23403"><img alt="Cast of Characters" src="http://maxlucado.net/images/details/B103P_S.jpg" vspace="3" width="94" align="left" border="0" height="147" hspace="4" /></a>From<br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3947157&msgid=317855&act=P61I&c=129798&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fmaxlucado.net%2Fshopping6.00%2Fshopexd.asp%3Fid%3D23403"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229439849_0">God Came Near</span></a><br />© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado<br /></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-53906357398156528222008-12-14T13:32:00.000-08:002008-12-14T13:33:03.026-08:00Fool's Gold<p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">A neat one from Ron Hutchcraft...<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">My outreach trips to South Africa have been with some wonderful ministry experiences. We saw African young people coming to Christ. We had the privilege of training South African youth workers to reach lost young people. And we're even training people to reach the lost and the young through radio. One afternoon we were able to sneak away long enough to visit one of the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229290291_13">gold mines</span> that helped make <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229290291_14">South Africa</span> the richest country on that continent. Years ago this was the largest and richest gold mine in the world. Today, an old miner take guys like me, puts a helmet on them, gives them a light, and takes them on tours. It was fascinating to hear him describe how gold was uncovered and then extracted from deep inside the earth. At one point, he asked us to shine our light on one wall of the mine, and it sparkled with this bright, yellow gold! It was amazing - beautiful! The old miner told us, "Don't get too excited." He said, "Real gold is black. It doesn't even look like gold. That stuff that glitters, well, that's just fool's gold.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">It's "values clarification time," with the help of our word for today from the Word of God. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/bnplchgmr_njnlnflqrbn.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229290291_15">1 Timothy 6:8</span></a>, "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich (that's the people who go after the stuff that glitters) fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">It's so easy to buy the values of a world that measures worth by success, by how much of the glittery stuff you have - to spend major life-energy going after more house, more car, more wardrobe, more position, more prestige. It's gold - but it's fool's gold. Notice the words God uses to describe the pursuit of more: a trap, foolish desires, harmful desires, ruin and destruction, wandering from the faith, grief. The foolishness of all this is summed up in two words God uses to describe security that is based on earth-stuff "so uncertain." That's what He calls it in 1 Timothy 6:17.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">So God reveals the scam - what looks so valuable is so worthless, and the spiritual riches that may look so worthless are so valuable. Like fool's gold and real gold. The chapter goes on to describe the real gold. "But you, <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229290291_16">man of God</span>, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." Don't look for those on the Dow-Jones, but they are so much more precious than anything you'll find there and certainly a lot more lasting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">God says when you live your life to give instead of get, you will be one of those who "lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:19) or the gold that is really gold.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Take a moment for a priority check - not about what you believe, but about how you're spending your life. Honestly now, is most of the best of your life tied up in going after fool's gold? Do you even have much energy, much time, much resource left to pursue the gold of what will last for eternity like getting to know Jesus better, getting people to heaven with you, showing Jesus' love to people who really need it, absorbing <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229290291_17">God's Word</span>? It's time to live for what will last.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">With whatever years you have left, go where the real gold is. The stuff that glitters is what most of the people around you are going for. But remember, it's just fool's gold.</span></p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-9498973790746747392008-12-07T14:33:00.000-08:002008-12-07T14:35:11.722-08:00Joy to the WorldHere's a good one from Katherine R. Cottle...<br /><br />"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)<br /><br />Devotion:<br /><br />Uh-oh, my son had begun the dreaded potty dance. He had gotten so engrossed in the beautiful, giant, Christmas ornaments suspended from the shopping mall ceiling that he totally ignored his almost 4 year-old bladder. It was warning him to get to the potty. We were only seconds away from an accident, without a change of clothes.<br /><br />Doctors had recently given my little son a great big label: Pervasive Developmentally Delayed. Simple translation: he learns differently than most and things that "typically developing" children are able to do easily, he finds challenging. For example, being able to recognize that his body needs to go to the potty and communicating his need to me. I had 20 other things to accomplish in the mall and I was not prepared for this.<br /><br />Thanks to a mother's ability to quickly maneuver through crowds and leap tall mounds of Christmas presents in a single bound, we made it to the restroom just in time.<br /><br />Frustration began to overwhelm my heart. I wasn't just overwhelmed by the pressure of the things I had on my to-do list, but also by my son's struggle with being able to recognize and verbally acknowledge his needs. Lord, will he ever be able to tell me what is going on in his head? How are we going to reach him?<br /><br />As we were washing our hands, he suddenly began to sing with all his heart, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King." Where was this coming from? I wondered. Quieting my frustrated mind, I slowed down to listen. The song was playing over the intercom. I had totally tuned it out.<br /><br />My beautiful little boy with his great big label had heard what I had not. Women coming out of their stalls smiled and sang with him. I think the angels would have included us in their choir that day.<br /><br />In that moment I felt the Lord assure me that He had created my son and knew his needs and exactly how to reach him. After all, this is what Christmas is all about. Our loving Father, knowing our need of the gift of salvation, reached the world through Jesus Christ. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let us receive our King!<br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Lord, Thank you for knowing my needs, sending Your Son and creating a way to reach me. This Christmas, please help me quiet my frustrations and busy to-do list and listen to Your song. In Jesus' Name, Amen.Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-1846086763559527642008-12-05T07:44:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:45:52.235-08:00Being Part of God's PlanThis devotional was written by Jim Liebelt .<br /><br />The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.<br />Luke 1:35-38<br /><br />Mary has an honored place as being the mother of Jesus. In our Christian circles, we celebrate Mary as a virtuous young woman willfully taking on the responsibility of becoming mother of the Son of God. Still, it's easy to overlook the difficulties Mary faced in accepting this role. She was likely in her mid-teens at the time of the angel's announcement. An unmarried teen pregnancy in Jewish culture at the time would have been quite scandalous. She faced the prospect of being an outcast in her hometown. Further, imagine Mary attempting to explain the circumstances of her pregnancy to her parents and to Joseph, her fiancé. Being part of God's plan was no doubt very difficult for Mary.<br /><br />One of the characteristics that set Mary apart for her role was her willing obedience. "May it be to me as you have said," was Mary's reply to the angel. This is simply amazing.<br /><br />We, just like Mary, are part of God's plan to carry His light and love to a needy world. Each of us have been given different roles in His plan, but none are unimportant. It might be difficult to see ourselves as being active participants in what God is doing in the world. It's not always easy to say yes to God. Saying yes can mean facing difficulties and persecution. But, God always provides the means of sustaining us when we choose obedience to His desires for our lives.<br /><br />As we celebrate Christmas this year, remember Mary as an example of the obedience God desires of us.<br /><br />Going Deeper:<br />Put yourself in Mary's position. How do you think you would have responded to the angel's message? <br />What makes it hard to believe that you are part of God's plan for the world? <br />What can you do to become more obedient to God?<br /><br />Family Time: Watch the movie, The Nativity Story with your family. Afterward, use the content above to debrief, noting Mary's obedience and bringing home the concept that God calls us to similar obedience as well.Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-48743636058408342232008-12-03T10:55:00.001-08:002008-12-03T10:55:52.401-08:00"Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thornbush has roses."<br /><br /><div align="right">-German proverb</div>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-57783974056187826022008-11-19T17:00:00.000-08:002008-11-19T17:00:01.300-08:00Shield of Faith<span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><p><em>In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.<br />Ephesians 6:16 </em></p> <p>What is this <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226969994_10">shield of faith</span> Paul refers to? Remember, as he was writing this letter to the Christians at Ephesus, he was chained to a Roman guard. He had plenty of time to observe Roman armor. </p> <p>The shield would have been made of wood--a rectangular object about four feet high and two feet wide. </p> <p>Prior to an actual face-to-face engagement with the enemy, a soldier often would encounter a barrage of flaming arrows coming from all directions. The sole purpose of this was to demoralize and confuse. </p> <p>Thus, the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226969994_11">Roman soldiers</span> would put their shields together to protect themselves from this onslaught of arrows that had been set on fire. They needed their shields above and beyond what their breastplates could provide for protection. </p> <p>The same goes for us. The devil will direct his flaming arrows toward Christians. They could be arrows of immorality, hatred, pride, envy, covetousness, doubt, worry, or any other kind of sin. They will be delivered primarily in the realm of our thoughts. </p> <p>He will barrage us with his flaming arrows at strategic times, like when we decide to read the Bible or go to church. Flaming arrows will come our way during times of trial and hardship. </p> <p>It is during these times that you need to hold up the shield of faith--not the shield of feelings, not the shield of emotions, but the shield of faith. You base your faith on what God has done for you, not on how you feel at a given moment. </p> <p>Emotions come and go. Sometimes you feel great; and sometimes you don't feel anything. It is then that you learn to use the shield of faith. </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>For more relevant and biblical teaching from <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226969994_13">Pastor Greg Laurie</span>, go to </em></strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/aqwljwrzv_esbzbvzcrtb.html"><strong><em><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226969994_14">www.harvest.org</span></em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> </p> <p style="color: green;"><strong></strong><br /></p></span></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-68999428967209645642008-11-18T17:11:00.000-08:002008-11-17T17:14:12.848-08:00Prayer diary opportunity<div class="row"><br /></div> <script type="text/javascript" defer="defer"> if (typeof YAHOO == "undefined") { var YAHOO = {}; } YAHOO.Shortcuts = YAHOO.Shortcuts || {}; YAHOO.Shortcuts.hasSensitiveText = false; YAHOO.Shortcuts.sensitivityType = []; YAHOO.Shortcuts.doUlt = false; YAHOO.Shortcuts.location = "us"; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_id = 0; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_type = ""; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_title = "2009 Prayer Diaries Are Here!"; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_publish_date = ""; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_author = "books@ywampublishing.com"; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_url = ""; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_tags = ""; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_language = "english"; YAHOO.Shortcuts.annotationSet = { "lw_1226970340_0": { "text": "prayer life", "extended": 0, "startchar": 1558, "endchar": 1568, "start": 1558, "end": 1568, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 0.785277, "relScore": 8.53021, "type": ["shortcuts:/concept"], "category": ["CONCEPT"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "the Personal Prayer Diary and Daily Planner to integrate their prayer life, personal schedules, and Bible reading and meditation. The 2009 edition", "metaData": { "ambiguous": "true", "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_1": { "text": "prayer times", "extended": 0, "startchar": 2826, "endchar": 2837, "start": 2826, "end": 2837, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 0.780336, "relScore": 6.65408, "type": ["shortcuts:/concept"], "category": ["CONCEPT"], "wikiId": "Salat_times", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "about all the nations to increase awareness and assist in prayer times. Calendar pages are provided in several useful formats. Includes 2009-2011", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_2": { "text": "Click here to order by e-mail", "extended": 0, "startchar": 4085, "endchar": 4113, "start": 4085, "end": 4113, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/hyperlink/mailto"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "recharged with the right amount once we process the order. Click here to order by e-mail or call us with your order at 1-800-922-2143 Visit our", "metaData": { "linkHref": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "linkProtocol": "mailto", "linkRel": "nofollow", "linkTarget": "_blank", "linkYmailto": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_3": { "text": "1-800-922-2143", "extended": 0, "startchar": 4175, "endchar": 4188, "start": 4175, "end": 4188, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/phone_number/us"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "order by e-mail or call us with your order at 1-800-922-2143 Visit our website at www.ywampublishing.com Note: You have received this", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_4": { "text": "Visit our website at www.ywampublishing.com", "extended": 0, "startchar": 4280, "endchar": 4322, "start": 4280, "end": 4322, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/hyperlink/http"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "by e-mail or call us with your order at 1-800-922-2143 Visit our website at www.ywampublishing.com Note: You have received this e-mail because you have ordered", "metaData": { "linkHref": "http://www.ywampublishing.com", "linkProtocol": "http", "linkRel": "nofollow", "linkTarget": "_blank", "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_5": { "text": "Click here", "extended": 0, "startchar": 4616, "endchar": 4625, "start": 4616, "end": 4625, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/hyperlink/mailto"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "If you wish to unsubscribe from our e-mail list, please Click here and write \u0022remove me\u0022 in the subject line. You can", "metaData": { "linkHref": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "linkProtocol": "mailto", "linkRel": "nofollow", "linkTarget": "_blank", "linkYmailto": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_6": { "text": "This Link", "extended": 0, "startchar": 4816, "endchar": 4824, "start": 4816, "end": 4824, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/hyperlink/mailto"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "remove me\u0022 in the subject line. You can also use This Link to tell us of a change in your e-mail address", "metaData": { "linkHref": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "linkProtocol": "mailto", "linkRel": "nofollow", "linkTarget": "_blank", "linkYmailto": "mailto:books@ywampublishing.com", "visible": "true" } }, "lw_1226970340_7": { "text": "Seattle, WA 98155", "extended": 0, "startchar": 5003, "endchar": 5019, "start": 5003, "end": 5019, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 0.212233, "relScore": 1.4864, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/place/us/zip"], "category": ["PLACE"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "can also mail us at: YWAM Publishing PO Box 55787 Seattle, WA 98155 Phone: 1-800-922-2143 FAX: (425) 775-2383", "metaData": { "geoArea": "21.9156", "geoCountry": "United States", "geoCounty": "King", "geoIsoCountryCode": "US", "geoLocation": "(-122.29591, 47.755299)", "geoName": "98155", "geoPlaceType": "Zip", "geoState": "Washington", "geoStateCode": "WA", "geoTown": "Seattle", "geoZip": "98155", "type": "shortcuts:/us/instance/place/us/zip", "visible": "false" } }, "lw_1226970340_8": { "text": "(425) 775-2383", "extended": 0, "startchar": 5057, "endchar": 5070, "start": 5057, "end": 5070, "extendedFrom": "", "predictedCategory": "", "predictionProbability": "0", "weight": 1, "relScore": 0, "type": ["shortcuts:/us/instance/identifier/phone_number/us"], "category": ["IDENTIFIER"], "wikiId": "", "relatedWikiIds": [], "relatedEntities": [], "showOnClick": [], "context": "", "metaData": { "visible": "true" } } }; YAHOO.Shortcuts.headerID = "e5092b131d2e99641e350c9ea4654ba7"; </script> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/"><img src="http://www.ywampublishing.com/images/upload/ywamlogo%20high%20res.jpg" width="190" align="left" border="0" height="80" /></a> <center><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:darkblue;">It Is Time to Order Your<br /><i><span style="font-size:130%;">2009 Personal Prayer<br />Diary and Daily Planner<br /></span></i><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span></span></span></b><center><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:darkblue;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">from YWAM Publishing!</span></span></span></span></b></center></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:darkblue;">Introducing a fresh design - 16 extra pages - Exciting new format!<br /><br /></span></b></span></center> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.ywampublishing.com/p-576-2009-personal-prayer-diary-and-daily-planner.aspx"><img src="http://www.ywampublishing.com/images/product/medium/576.jpg" alt="2009 Personal Prayer Diary and Daily Planner" width="200" align="left" border="0" height="165" /></a> </span><center><span style="font-size:100%;">Retail price: $16.99<br /><b><span style="color:darkblue;"> <br />YWAM PRICE:<br />1-29 prayer diaries: $5.00 each<br />30+ prayer diaries: $4.00 each</span><br /><br />--- Order today! ---</b></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:darkblue;"><i>Join a 29-year legacy, a powerful prayer chain that extends around the globe! <i><b> It's not just a daily planner, it's a global experience!</b></i></i></span><br /><br /></span> <i>Over 30,000 Christians worldwide use the </i>Personal Prayer Diary and Daily Planner<i> to integrate their <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226970340_0">prayer life</span>, personal schedules, and Bible reading and meditation. The 2009 edition helps believers pray and live intentionally with focused intercession and thoughtful examination of their own lives.</i><br /><br /></center> Recognizing that God is reconciling all things to himself through Jesus Christ, in 2009 we will pray for God's will to be done on earth - in every dimension of human life and culture - as it is in heaven. We'll explore brokenness and redemption in nation-shaping domains like government, science, family, and art, and be challenged to take action in our communities and across the globe.<br /><br /> Far more than an effective organizer:<br /><br />Engaging monthly articles highlight God's work of redemption in domains like education, health, business, and family. Introducing a fresh design in 2009 Daily, weekly, and monthly prayer targets unite believers across the world in a powerful prayer network. Stunning illustrations of people from the spotlighted nations let believers pray face-to-face with the world. Captivating stories introduce readers to the realities that people living in crisis face. World maps and country statistics give important information about all the nations to increase awareness and assist in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226970340_1">prayer times</span>. Calendar pages are provided in several useful formats. Includes 2009-2011 long-range planner, 2009 month-at-a-glance planners, and a daily calendar designed in a handy week-at-a-glance format. Includes a leading plan for reading the Bible in a year, weekly Scriptures for meditation and memorization, and pages for prayer journaling.<br /><br /><center>Available in four popular colors:<br />Navy Blue Linen, Burgundy Linen, Green Linen, and Black Linen</center><br /><br /> <center><b><i><span style="color:darkblue;">The 2009 Personal Prayer Diary and Daily Planner unites thousands of Christians Worldwide in vital prayer for nations in crisis,<br />and they are great to use as gifts for your donors and supporters!</span></i></b></center><br /><br /><center><b>NOTE: If you order through our website, please make sure to write YWAM Base or YWAM Individual in the order notes. We will then adjust the prices when the weborder arrives in our system. You will not see the price change when you place the order, but your card will be credited and recharged with the right amount once we process the order. </b></center><br /><br /><center><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:books@ywampublishing.com" target="_blank" href="http://us.mc843.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=books@ywampublishing.com"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226970340_2">Click here to order by e-mail</span></a><br /><br />or call us with your order at <b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226970340_3">1-800-922-2143</span><br /><br /></span></b> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226970340_4">Visit our website at www.ywampublishing.com</span></a></center>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-90056619116770531192008-11-17T16:07:00.000-08:002008-11-17T16:13:45.725-08:00Praise and an Untrue Heart<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153); font-style: italic;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" > <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226966767_11">A hard, but good one from Michael Youssef...</span> </span><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Pride is not the only thing that can keep us from praising God. An untrue heart can squelch both the desire and the ability to develop a life of praise. An untrue heart is a heart that is insincere, hypocritical, or filled with doubt. The writer of Hebrews said:</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22). </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >There are some people who try to honor God with their lips while their hearts are full of anger, bitterness, or envy. However, God knows the status of our hearts and our weaknesses. </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >We cannot develop a life of praise alone or in our own strength. Instead, we must surrender our intellect, feelings, and will to the Lord. As we do this, God will empower us to develop a habit of praising Him--regardless of our circumstances.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >In Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, He was asking him to surrender the object of his love. He was asking Abraham to give up something that meant more to him than anything else.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Did God want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? No. God wanted to be certain that Abraham was willing to surrender everything to Him. Like Abraham, God wants us to surrender to Him. He wants us to praise Him. Praise is a sacrifice that costs us our pride, our plans, and our desires. True praise requires that we place everything on the altar to the Lord.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Don't let pride or an untrue heart keep you from a life of praise. Yield to the Lord, come before Him in humility, and God will give you His strength and power to live a victorious life.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><strong>Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (</strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/rqvzlgkrn_vpfmfkmgcjf.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226966767_10">Psalm 66:20</span></a><strong>). </strong> </span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Learn how praise can make all the difference in your life. <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226966767_11">Michael Youssef</span> explores this topic in our free resource this month--"Empowered by Praise." <u><u><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/oubfnmcpb_vpfmfkmgcjf.html"><u><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226966767_12">Download it today</span></u></a></u></u>.</span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-55079653071386574922008-11-15T08:23:00.000-08:002008-11-15T08:27:12.554-08:00Being Ready for Rough TimesI think everyone's a bit nervous right now... What's happening with our economy? What's going on politically? Are rough times coming? I just got an applicable email from Dr. Charles Stanley. Take a peek!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><p><strong>Being Ready for Rough Times<br /></strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/sfjsyyfcd_oumcmbcjvfm.html">1 Peter 1:13-14</a> </p> <p>The apostle Peter knew that hard days lay ahead for his fellow believers. So he reminded them about their security as children of God: they were chosen by Him, born into a living hope, given spiritual protection during this life, and guaranteed eternity in heaven with their Father. Peter then gave them specific ways to prepare for the coming trials. His words, divinely inspired by the Lord, can guide us as well. </p> <p>His first instruction relates to our minds: What we believe has a direct impact on our response to life's problems. If we trust that God is looking out for us, then we will feel less threatened by hard circumstances. But if we decide we must rely on ourselves, then we are more likely to react poorly to situations beyond our control. A negative attitude--whether from anger, fear, worry, or jealousy--can make a hard time worse. Preparation for the future starts with developing biblical thinking. </p> <p>A second lesson from Peter is to be "sober in spirit"--in other words, to maintain our balance in the midst of crises (v. 13). That requires resisting quick fixes to problems and refusing to embrace ungodly ideas or philosophies. Our enemy Satan is quick to offer suggestions designed to trip us up or turn us away from God's path. With the Spirit's help, we can learn to stand firm in a crisis and steadfastly follow the Lord. </p> <p>Our culture is increasingly distancing itself from Jesus Christ and opposing His followers. Are you preparing spiritually for whatever the future holds?</p></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-61782162978026096662008-11-10T05:03:00.000-08:002008-11-10T05:04:09.556-08:00Obey your thirst!Another great one, this time by Daniel Darling...<br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><p align="center"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/uefbmpdfg_pwgrgtryqmg.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_10">John 4:1-42</span></a></p> <p>It was the final minute of a close basketball game between my high-school and our rival. We were playing at a tournament in a hot gym in a small dusty Illinois town. </p> <p>My coach called timeout and the waterboy raced out to us players and offered a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_11">water bottle</span>. </p> <p>I cocked my head back and squeezed the bottle. Warm, sulfur-tasting water squirted out into my mouth. We had run out of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_12">Gatorade</span> and so all we had was water that tasted like it came from the fish-tank in the school lobby.</p> <p>But I was so thirsty, I downed half the bottle. </p> <p>Have you ever been thirsty? I mean parched to the point where you would drink anything? </p> <p>Well, Jesus was this thirsty when he stopped at a well in Samaria. He had just walked for two days under the hot, sticky Judean sun. Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, He was also human. He was looking forward to a tall, soothing glass of water. </p> <p>But Jesus was also here for another reason. At the other side of the well was a lady who was also thirsty. She had plenty of water available at the well, but she was still thirsty. </p> <p>Thirsty for approval. Thirsty for satisfaction. Thirsty for something more to her life. </p> <p>She had sought happiness in a series of relationships that wouldn't satisfy. Sound familiar? Maybe you're there right now. You've bought the lie that says, "If I could just get a guy to look at me" Or "If I could just get that hot girl to go out with me." </p> <p>But there is no human relationship that will satisfy your deepest longings. God designed you that way. We were created to find fulfillment and joy only in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_13">Jesus Christ</span>. </p> <p>Jesus offered something to this woman at the well. He offered her <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_14">living water</span>. Water that satisfies. By believing in Jesus Christ, God's <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_15">Holy Spirit</span> would allow her to have unconditional access to the God of the universe. </p> <p>Are you thirsty? If so, obey your thirst and discover Jesus' living water. </p> <p><strong>Think:</strong></p> <ul><li>Why can't I find satisfaction in life outside of God? </li></ul> <p style="color: purple;" align="center"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_16">Daniel</span> Darling is an author and pastor with a passion for young people. He is the author of <em><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/vpkzvfgmv_pwgrgtryqmg.html"><em>Teen People of the Bible</em></a></em>, a 100-day devotional for teens. Visit him at </strong><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/esvmhbczb_pwgrgtryqmg.html"><strong><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226322106_17">danieldarling.com</span></strong></a><strong>.</strong></p></span>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545628451647425924.post-34236628963600609602008-11-09T12:12:00.000-08:002008-11-09T12:12:00.697-08:00Hearing God in a Noisy World<p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><strong style=""></strong><br /><em>This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt<br /><br />Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. --</em> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/sfjhyssnb_njnlnflqrbn.html"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226175093_10">Romans 12:2</span></a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Some of my friends tease me about my so-called obsession with electronic gadgets. One of my favorite purchases of recent years was my noise-canceling headphones. I use them whenever I'm traveling by airplane. These headphones actually quiet much of the noise generated by the jet engines. The manufacturer suggests that noise cancellation reduces the stress and fatigue associated with air travel. The science behind the noise cancellation is that the headphones have microphones that monitor outside noise, then process those sound waves and generate into the headphones opposite sound waves, which cancel out the unwanted noise. It really, really works! When I use the headphones, and the jet noise is quieted, I am amazed how you can still very clearly hear the voice of someone speaking to you from the next seat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">This <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226175093_11">noise cancellation technology</span> reminds me that in our relationship with Christ and our interaction with the Scriptures, we have a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226175093_12">noise cancellation system</span>. When we study and apply <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1226175093_13">God's Word</span> to our lives; when we passionately pursue Jesus' Lordship daily, the noise of the world is quieted and we can hear Him clearly. Sure, you still know the noise is out there, but the level of the roar is reduced. But, when we ignore these basic disciplines, the noise of the world increases and can become deafening -- and our lives suffer because we no longer hear God's word. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Jesus didn't intend to remove us completely from the noise of the world with its temptations, hurts, injustices and evil. No, rather He intends to protect us in the midst of these dangers -- effectively canceling the world's noise -- to a point where we can hear and respond to God's Word and our lives can be lived joyfully and effectively for Him. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></p>Kathie Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646957346910880006noreply@blogger.com0