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Keep on "Keeping on"

7/28/2013

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He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.  
                                                                                  
Luke 4:44 (NIV)
   
                                                                                               
 
Hello Friend,
           This morning I woke with the realization that I had to continue to do yard work today. Of course, Jim
always cuts and edges the lawn, but in this July heat and with all this rain, there is much to be done. In
addition to the usual trimming of bushes and weeding, something is eating our front lawn and a portion of sod needs to be replaced.  I can’t with a clear conscience let Jim try to do it by himself.  I would rather do a million other things, but I must keep on.
 
            
          
Our Scripture this morning says that, “Jesus kept on.”  I am wondering if He ever felt like doing something else.   Like taking a day off.  Or going for a swim in a Lake Galilee.   Even when dining with friends, I imagine the topic was always about His ministry. Remember the story of Jesus dining with his best friends and Mary sat at His feet.  Doesn’t seem like they might have been talking about town gossip?  Or discussing politics?  I can’t imagine Him complaining about his sore feet from so much walking.  “He kept on preaching.”  
       
             Is there a task that you would rather not do today?  Perhaps you need to organize your closet or do the laundry again.  Jesus says, “Keep on.”  Some tasks are endless, yet must be done.   Maybe you should re-define your thoughts about what must done today.  Can doing the dishes be ministry   Is your work your calling?  
In all things you do, glorify God.  Thank Him for your able body.  Thank Him even for bushes and weeds.  He created them for a purpose and we get to tend to them.  We are God’s gardeners today. Choose a good attitude toward your to-do list and “keep on.”      
                                                                                                                                  Linda

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What words are you saying over your life?

7/14/2013

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And now let the weak say I am strong.  Joel 3:10

Hello Friend,
     I hope that you are having a great summer relaxing and enjoying life.  I am plunked down in my easy chair with my computer on my lap writing my Thanksgiving sermon.  Talk about OCD!!!  I like to be prepared in advance.  You think?  However, it is what I enjoy doing.  Leisurely reading Scripture and filling my head with music and ideas for messages is totally awesome.  Now I could be saying, "All my friends are at the beach."  Or, I wish I had time to take a cruise."  Or, "Gee, I am so bored today."  And then my feelings would follow and depending upon my thoughts, I could be feeling envious, or sad, or depressed.  You see, our words have power.  Proverbs 18:20 reads, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
          What words are you saying over your life?  I know many of you are facing adversities in your life:  health challenges, financial woes, relationship issues, etc.  Let me challenge you this morning.  Use your words to change the situation.  Declare victory over your life.  Say:  "I am well able to meet this challenge."  Or, "I have the favor of God."  Or, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."  And then believe what you are saying.  Jesus said that you could speak to a mountain and tell it to move and it would!  A song that my congregation sings before the pastoral prayer is called ""Only Believe."  It has a simple, yet powerful refrain:  Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe.  Do you believe in the power of God to change your situation?  Then SAY it!  PROCLAIM His greatness.  DECLARE health!  SHOUT the victory!  Let the weak SAY I am strong!  Let the redeemed of the Lrd, SAY so!  I am saying, "A shower of blessing is coming my way."  What are you saying?

      My words have great power and I choose them carefully,  Linda
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God has good plans for you!

7/7/2013

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For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm,to give you a future with hope.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Jeremiah 29: 11-12

Hello Friend,
          Right now I have a multitude of friends and relatives super suffering from a variety of maladies.  And I want to fix them all.  Of course, in my mind, I believe I know exactly what they need: what they should do, what changes they need to make, what attitudes need adjustments, and if they just . . . their lives would be so much happier. Now don’t get judgmental on me.   I'll bet that you have suffered from the “I know best” syndrome at times. But in my saner moments, what a comfort it is to know that I can “let go and let
God.”  
         
What stress it causes me when I try to heal, counsel, and direct other’s lives. 
My desire to help comes from a heart of love.   Iwish all our lives could be filled with joy, but the reality is that Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Scott Peck  in his book The Road Less Traveled advances the premise that once you
realize that some things in life will be difficult, you can celebrate everything that isn’t, and you can address the things that are difficult more rationally. And Jesus told us that we would have trials so that “we will have peace.” That peace comes from the sure knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world; God has the answer to every problem. Our universe is not falling apart; it is falling into place—all according to Divine Order. With God leading the way, I am free from all worry and fear.  All  I have to do is follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and trust.                       
          
 Won’t you seek His guidance?  You’ll feel better, I promise.   

                                                                                                              Linda
   



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