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| Be CAREFUL!!! |
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5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise, 5:16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
“You’ve got to be careful!!” I say this so often to my kids! And I’m usually tellin’ em right after I catch them doing the opposite, being care-less. That is, living thoughtlessly, recklessly, even dangerously! They simply must put more thought and care into the way they live, lest they break things and hurt themselves. Or worse, hurt others.
I too have learned to live carefully. When my mind isn’t focused on the counsel of God’s word, that is when it is easiest to miss opportunities God gives me, to stray into territories of sin, and depart from the hedge of God’s protection. I need to put careful thought into each step I take, seeking to love the Lord with all my mind (Luke 10:27).
But thoughts of what? As I walk, I am either approaching my destination, or getting farther from it. As I see it now, as Christians our destination is perfect fellowship with the Lord. This state cannot be achieved without perfect obedience (John 14:23), which cannot be achieved without perfect knowledge (Heb. 5:13), which cannot be achieved without a perfect desire (or heart) to persevere in the study of God’s word. Ok, maybe perfection (the end state of Christian maturity) is a little much to ask for in this lifetime, but if perfect fellowship with God is our greatest desire, we’ll at least be continually, and gradually, getting closer to that goal throughout the course of our days!
Indeed the days are evil, and there are many harmful influences that would distract the careless disciple from his devotion to the Lord. If we are wise, then we will be careful, and these distractions can be avoided!!
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| To add a comment to "Be CAREFUL!!!" |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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| Very true and easy to get off track in today's society. Thanks for the reminder! Great message :) |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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Very good word, we must work toward perfection,
and be very careful..not to stray..it a hard walk.
that is why it takes faithfulness, and dedication,
and plenty of praying and PRAISING..real good. |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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Good Word Mike - there are so many temptations out there now |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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Great Word Mike.
Everyday I ask God to "Order my steps" |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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| THIS WAS A WONDERFUL------- MIKE |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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| Great teaching Mike, thank you for sharing this, it is really important, To keep reminding us to be prudent, because sometimes life gets in the way... I learn so much from you, and from our Lord... Great post. God bless you and your family |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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Marilyn, Denise, Terry, Janie, Joe, Lynne...THANK YOU for your encouragement and your warmth. You are wonderful!! I pray that you will tread carefully with me through this difficult and dangerous world, as we make our way toward a glorious eternity with the Lord!
(Thanks to you too Dave, LaT, Penny, Jimmie, and Michael -- you guys are included in that prayer too!)
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| November 20, 2008 |
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Great word,the word says The footsteps of righteous are order by
GOD |
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| November 20, 2008 |
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That is an excellent, excellent verse The Answer. And Terry, you also get bonus points for that one!
Thank you Mama Strout. In the army of blessings, you are a sergeant major!! Really I just pray those who most need to hear this do. One of them being me! |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Awesome word Mike and it is true that you do need to be careful. |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Yep--we do need to be careful...the days are evil...that's why I don't watch the news anymore. I'd rather live in my little bubble and believe in the world and it's inherent goodness. :) I think that we can attain perfect fellowship, perfect obedience, perfect knowledge, and perfect desire before God...because He gave us the perfect gift! We are perfected in Christ! YAY! |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Thanks mike- I think we all sometime forget to be careful! SMILE |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Mike, great blog. It is so easy to become care-less in this very busy world of ours. Thank you for the encouragement to keep on going with the Lord and keep focused on Him. |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Excellent words of wisdom and admonition....I loved this one Mike ;o) |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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We are influenced by so many things in this world today and we have to stay FOCUSED ON THE WORD... It gets to be hard but if our hearts are in the right place so are our heads....
Great word lil brother |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Amen Mary, yes we must focus on the word of God! (it's a pleasure to be called lil brother, though "youngster" wouldn't be so bad either, LOL!) Thanks Marjay! Coreena, amen to "focus" yet again! Careful thought, measured steps...loving God with our mind! Indeed Keith it is so easy to become careless. God bless you my brother! Birdie - sometimes our fellowship just feels perfect, doesn't it?? Another testimony to the power of God! (btw, what a cute profile pic!) |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Yes! 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. Something to look forward to as we press on toward that high calling! Craig |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Amen Craig, thanks! Can you even imagine "making the most of every opportunity"?? Every single one! I can't now, but want to! |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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Mike, I truly believe that we'd get much farther toward that goal if we'd turn that desire into an expectation that we have of the One who dwells in us...that way He gets all the glory. So the need gives birth to a desire, the desire reveals the lack, and the lack is the opportunity (e.g. weakness) for the manifestation of His life. The desire is to be fulfilled by looking to our all in all. Think about it. :-) Craig |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| "lack is the opportunity" Hmm, interesting way of putting it Craig, and yes, I can see it! Thanks for sharing that. |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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| Very wise words Mike. I try to live carefully, but you need to stay on your toes all the time, because the devil is constantly trying to mess you up! |
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| November 21, 2008 |
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This is a good post Mike. I'm an absent-minded kind of person, so it takes big effort to be alert to stuff. I'm sorta like a dog, though. The hairs on the back neck go up when something ain't right. Know what I mean? |
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| November 22, 2008 |
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Making the most of every opportunity.
F or
O ur
C lear
U nderstaning
S cripture
Goliath was an obstacle to the Israelite army. To David he was an opportunity.
Babylon was a place to either mourn what was lost or compromise and enjoy to most of those "prisoners of war". But Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego remained true to GOD and did not compromise.
Joseph, whose resume included slave and prisoner, continued to be faithful to his GOD in whatever place life brought him. He became a ruler in Egypt second only to Pharoah.
Esther, who remained humble and innocent in the midst of the treachery and conniving all around her in the harem as everyone else was doing whatever they had to do to get what they wanted got what they wanted. She became queen.
None of these aspired to greatness. They simply remained faithful against overwhelming odds in the midst of terrible circumstances. They did not lose hope nor their identity.
They made the most of the opportunites given them.
Saul of Tarsus had it all. Position, power, and potential for more. And then he met Jesus. Saul, who became Paul, "lost" it all. He became poor in this world but enriched the lives of many. Paul saw that all (not some) things work together for good to those who are in Christ Jesus, who are called according to His (not Paul's) purpose.
Paul made the most of the opportunities given him.
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Each day I have the opportunity to touch lives in little, "insignificant" ways. Ministry is not "out there". If I neglect the needs in my own home (spouse, child, parent) I neglect Jesus. If I am too busy doing much to have time for the least I neglect Jesus.
We have to be careful to not be so careful that we actually neglect to care.
The wisdom of this world says to guard your time. Pick and choose your opportunities. The wisdom from above sees opportunities in the most inoppurtune times and unlikeliest of places.
E nemy
V ieled
I n
L ies
Yes, the days are evil. May GOD grant us the wisdom to not be deceived and not make the most of every (not just the good) opportunities.
.....peace.....
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| November 22, 2008 |
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| Gordon....excellent!! Thanks for posting this truth-saturated comment. I came to a similar conclusion in Unfortunate Circumstances. Have a great weekend! |
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| November 22, 2008 |
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| Indeed the days are evil...I have been watching the morning news and cannot believe all the attention the movie "Twilight" about a Vampire is getting. Thousands of young girls...and their mothers... are waiting in line and screaming. How sad this is the world we are living in...where Christians are mocked and Vampires are superstars! |
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| November 22, 2008 |
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I just posted this comment on another blog.....The connection is.....[Uni-Form] & [You-Nited].
"Grant's" Blog.
It is Absolutely Dangerous without This Garment, Blanket, Perfect Covering, that [insolates] Us from the
Harm of Evil....& yet not in [isolation] of contact with the World...Be-Cause We are to Heal The World.
We [Be-Come] Everything [PERFECT] in Him in His Uni-Form.
These are those that are in the White Robes that have washed their Garments in the Blood of the Lamb.
Jesus Paid for Our New Garments 2000 years ago.
Special Made & Fitted for each & Everyone.
This is a Voluntary Army [Uni-Form] We get to Decide if We will Serve in this Army or Not .
He does not Force Us to Serve Him, or wear the uniform.
The Great Co-Mission is To Fully Equip The Saints, Making All Men Disciplined in Everything Jesus is.
Jesus if The Perfect Form, [example] & We put Him on....He is The Garment, Hence United Form.
[Uni-Form]..... Clothes.
If We neglect or ignore Our Appearance He Will not Appear but to only evict.
When He Appears We shall Be Like Him.
When We are Like Him in Our Appearance..... He Will Appear. |
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| November 22, 2008 |
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Oh & Yes....another Perfect Blog.
Perfect in The Encouragement That EVERY Christian Needs to Hear & Agree & Get Busy Doing.
Great Fatherly Advice.
Love Ya |
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| December 02, 2008 |
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| Hey, this is a AWESOME blog!! |
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| December 03, 2008 |
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Great words.....it reminds me of the Casting Crowns song "Slow Fade" |
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| December 03, 2008 |
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| kk, thank you so much! |
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| December 16, 2008 |
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| How true it is that we must becareful. Each time I tell my children this I will rememvber your blog! |
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