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| Interests sports, reading, travel, listen to music, and church | | Movies action and comedy | | Music | | Books |
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Pastor_Ken_and_Aminata says ...
Happy Birthday to you and may the Lord bless you with many more. Pastor Aminata |
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Pastor_Ken_and_Aminata says ...
T'was The Night Before Christmas Not a Sign of Baby Jesus T'was the night before Christmas and all through the town Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. The people were all busy with Christmas time chores Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores. No one sang "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed". Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red. Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap. As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap When what from the TV did they suddenly hear? 'Cept an ad.. which told of a big sale at Sears. So away to the mall they all flew like a flash Buying things on credit and others with cash! And, as they made their way home From their trip to the mall, Did they think about Jesus? Oh, no... not at all. Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King. There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake. How could they stop and remember who died for their sake? To pray to the Savior they had no time to stop. Because they needed more time to "Shop til they dropped!" On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On Target! On Penney's! On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny's From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall They would dash away, dash away, and visit them all! And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder. He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl. Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus... Light of the World. Christ's eyes... how they twinkle! Christ's Spirit... how merry! Christ's love... how enormous! All our burdens... He'll carry! So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight Let's put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good nights! Merry Christmas, my friends! Author Unknown Submitted by Pete We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed and Happy New Year. Pastor Ken and Aminata
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: Romans 7:9-11
At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me.
THOUGTHS: Where there is no law, there is no sin, because people cannot know that their actions are sinful unless a law forbids those actions. God's law makes people realize that they are sinners doomed to die, yet it offers no help. Sin is real, and it is dangerous. Imagine a sunny day at the beach. You plunge into the surf; then you notice a sign on the pier "No swimming. Sharks!". Your day is ruined. Is it the signs fault? Are you angry with the people who put the sign there? The law is like the sign. It is essential, and we are grateful for it--but it doesn't get rid of the sharks!
Thank you Jesus!
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for showing us the way You want us to live. Thank You for using Your Law to warn us of danger ahead. Praise You Jesus for saving us from our sin. You are the only one who can cleanse us from our lawless deeds. May we always look to You and to Your Word for the path we need to take. In Jesus' Name, Amen..
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: Leviticus 11:44 NIV: I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
THOUGHTS: The Lord requires a holy and clean lifestyle from His people that He called out of this sinful world and into His service. We must constantly repent of our sins daily, and ask the Lord to transform and renew our minds. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we had to come to Him with a humble heart, and without any expectations of our own agenda. Holiness is a lifestyle, not another religious movement, and our lives must be circumspect before a holy God who is offended by any sin. May we daily walk closer to God, so He can help us to sin less, and less, and less.
PRAYER: God, I know that my physical health is of importance to You as well as my spiritual health. I want to dedicate my mind, body and spirit to Your service and glory, so please help me to be in the best over all condition possible. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12
THOUGHT: What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart? ... by-pass surgery? ... angioplasty? ... artificial heart? ... transplant? How about the Word of God? You see, while these other techniques can be of great aid to the physical heart of people, God's tool for heart surgery is his Word. This sharp scalpel can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. So how much of your heart are you offering to God and his powerful heart-healing tool to touch? As you open God's Scripture, as you hear the message of God preached, why not ask for the Holy Spirit's help to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught? Let's offer our hearts to the Great Physician to do his work in us!
PRAYER: Holy God, I ask that as I open your Scriptures and hear your Word preached and taught, that the Holy Spirit penetrate my heart and convict me of sin, discomfort me in areas where I need growth, and stir me in areas where I need motivation to be more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -- Romans 8:28
THOUGHT: Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a major part to play in the bad stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a part. The rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love bring hurtful things into our life. Sometimes, God even disciplines us to awaken us out of lethargy or to correct some sinful problem in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his call in our lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of the things going on in our life for our good.
PRAYER: Father, I appreciate your promise to work out all things in my life, both good and bad, for my good. I ask, dear Father, for faith to believe this promise is true during painful and difficult times. I ask for patience, O God, to hang on to my convictions when trying times persist. I believe your promise, dear LORD, and look forward to what you will eventually make of me when you are finished with your work. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE:
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? -- Romans 8:31-32
THOUGHT: We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus. If he has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right and holy? So if God answers our prayers "No!", then it is for our good and the eternal well being of those for whom we've prayed. His intent is to bless, not wound. His desire is to redeem. His commitment is to work things out for our ultimate good (cf. Rom. 8:28) as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Rom. 8:29).
PRAYER: Dear Father, I confess that I am sometimes impatient and disappointed when my prayers do not seem to get the response I desire. Please calm and quiet my doubting heart. Please remind my spirit of your rich grace. Bring your comfort and assurance through the ministry of your Holy Spirit to my human spirit. I do believe that you want to bring me your blessing and grace, so while I may not always understand the bad things that happen in my life, I do trust that you are at work to make them all turn for my good and your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. -- Proverbs 10:9
THOUGHT: "Tell the truth the first time and then you won't have to remember what you said." That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the House (U.S.A. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
PRAYER: Please forgive me, dear God, for those times that I have been secretive and dishonest. Purify me of deceit. Help me speak only what is true and appropriate. Transform my evil secrets, through your holy grace, into a holy character that is the same both in public and private. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
VERSE: Luke 12:13-15 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
THOUGHTS: We all must get our priorities in order. We are told in one place (1 Cor 12:31) to covet earnestly the best gifts but we are not to covet that which belongs to another. It's one thing to ask that our needs be met. Another to get greedy and ask for things we don't need. Spiritual life does not consist of the abundance of material things. Here is what the Word of God says about those who desire to be rich in material things and not spiritual blessings. 1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Notice it was not the devil that hurt them, they did it to themselves! Material things, some times, bring many sorrows as well. Some who covet money have erred from the true faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord God, help us to learn to be content with what You have supplied and not become greedy. Give us a heart to work at what we have to do, as unto You, knowing You will bless all we do; if we keep You first in all things. Thank You for supplying all our needs. We ask and give thanks in Jesus name, Amen.
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Contemplating Life says ...
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