Thermostatic Living

House Beautiful

Thermostatic Living

Martha Meister Kiely

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world." 1 John 5:4

A thermostat controls the temperature of the home. A thermometer simply registers the temperature. The difference between practicing and nonpracticing Christians is as simple as that. A Christian who finds himself in an unfavorable environment will go to work to change it. A weak and wavering Christian will adjust himself and his thinking to suit the occassion.


David Riesman, social scientist, suggests that our desire to be popular leads us to act as if we had radar sets attached to our heads, constantly informing us of what the group expects of us. Instead of being strong inner-directed persons, we are becoming outer-directed conformists. A handful of dedicated Chrsitians were once accused of turning the world upside down. Christians today could turn their topsy-turvy world right side up, but it would require courage, dedication to God, and a spirit that refuses to be swayed by sin.


Today set the pace for those around you.


SCRIPTURE READING 1 Timothy 4

Now the Holy Spirit clearly says that in the later times some people will stop believing the faith. They will follow spirits that lie and teachings of demons. Such teachings come from the false words of liars whose consciences are destroyed as if by a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and tell them not to eat certain foods which God created to be eaten with thanks by people who believe and know the truth. Everything God made is good, and nothing should be refused if it is accepted with thanks, because it is made holy by what God has said and by prayer.

By telling these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will be made strong by the words of the faith and the good teaching which you have been following. But do not follow foolish stories that disagree with God's truth, but train yourself to serve God. Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too. What I say is true, and you should fully accept it.

This is why we work and struggle: We hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. Until I come, continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands onn you. Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Devotions for Women at Home by Martha Meister Kiely, Abingdon Press, ISBN 0-6787-10679-6 page 81, Scripture: New Centry Version

It's Been A Rough Week....

The Wolf Howls by Gregory Chernov

s

s

The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.

OooooooHhhh! post by Observer

.

When life knocks you on your knees,

pray there!

IT'S BEEN A ROUGH WEEK . . . post by peasant

God calls us to get into the game,

not to keep score.

LOOKING FOR WOOLWORTHS! post by jchip8

Faith is a journey, not a destination.

Remember Those In Bonds

IRAN TODAY post by Halex

.

Remember Those In Bonds

This Sunday, November 8, is the International Day to Pray for the Persecuted church. Christians are being asked to pray particulary for the persecuted church around the world.

Churches across the United States and around the world are preparing to “remember those in bonds” (Hebrews 13:3). Begun in 1996, IDOP is a day for intercessory prayer and citizen action on behalf of persecuted Christian communities worldwide. “

As our staff meets with persecuted Christians around the world, their first request is that we pray for them,” says Todd Nettleton, Director of Media Development for The Voice of the Martyrs - USA. “IDOP is a day when the collective Body of Christ joins together to answer their request.”

Some churches devote the entire day to persecuted Christians, while others hold a special prayer time during their regular services. It is estimated that more than 100,000 churches have taken part in IDOP activities since 1996, and churches in more than 130 countries have participated.

"Our persecuted family is not asking us to pray that the persecution will stop,” says Nettleton. “They’re asking us to pray they will remain faithful to Christ in spite of the persecution and pressure they face.”

The Voice of the Martyrs has developed a special IDOP Church Resource kit, including a four-minute video presentation, that encourages church congregations to pray and that provides ideas about practical ways to help persecuted Christians. Visit www.persecution.com/idop for more information on the resource kit, as well as downloadable resources to help your church pray effectively.

This is an important day in the church calendar,” says Nettleton. “But we don’t want it to be something a church crosses off their list and doesn’t think about for 12 more months. Our hope is that this one day of prayer leads to 364 more days of prayer and action on behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters.”

s

Pray for the Persecuted Church In Iran

Since the 1979 the Islamic Revolution Christian churches have been consistently intimidated in Iran? During that time frame eight church leaders have been killed; hundreds of Christians taken in for questioning in prison; and some churches closed? There was a brief respite during the Khatami years, but the hostility began again after the election of President Ahmadinejad in 2005. In 2008 there were over fifty arrests, with some Christians being kept in prison for several months, and to date in 2009 there have been over 30 known cases, including that of Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Esmeilabad. And as from the end of October the government have forced the central Assemblies of God church in Tehran to close two of its services.


This year in particular Christians in Iran would like you to intercede in prayer for the following three items:

1. Maryam and Marzieh, eight months in prison for loving ‘Jesus’

Arrested on March 5th, these two Christian women have been detained in Evin prison for over eight months. Their sole crime is being born into Muslim families and later choosing to follow Jesus Christ. In prison they have suffered ill health and periods in solitary confinement which they described as being ‘like a grave’. Initially there was a political charge, but this has been dropped and now the only issue is their supposed ‘apostasy’ from Islam. It has been made clear to them that if they recant their faith in Christ, their situation will improve. They have refused.

Please pray for

The immediate release of Maryam and Marzieh
Their health in prison
Their plight to put more pressure on Muslim countries to reform the ‘apostasy’ law


2. Friday services in Tehran’s largest church, forced to close

On Friday October 30th Rev. Sourik, overseer of the Assemblies of God Churches in Iran, announced at the Central Church in Tehran that their two weekly Friday services, held since the 1960’s, had been forced to close by government officials. The congregation were stunned, some wept openly. This church has long been the largest for Iranians and these services, held in Persian, have been attracting the large number of Iranians for many years: the worship is exuberant, the preaching Biblical, the praying passionate. Extremists have long wanted to end them as many Persian speakers have come to faith in Jesus, and so become ‘apostates’. This action underlines the determination of hardliners to enforce the belief that Christianity in Iran is only for ethnic Christians – the Armenians and Assyrians – and that Christian services should only be in their ethnic languages. Historically these attempts to stop the Gospel spreading among all peoples in a country have always failed. Jesus Christ’s orders to make disciples of all nations, including Persian speaking Iranians, will still be obeyed whatever temporary orders come from men who think they know better than Him.

Pray for

That this closed door will lead to a thousand new ones opening
Wisdom for the leaders of the Assemblies of God Churches in Iran and around the world and that those who used to attend these Friday services to be able to meet with believers
The authorities who acted against the church to fear Jesus Christ


3. New Islamic Penal Code Might Make Death Sentence Mandatory

In a vast new Islamic penal code currently going through the legislative bodies, there are clauses that would make Shari’a punishment for apostates from Islam compulsory. This is the death sentence for the man and life imprisonment until ‘repentance’ for the woman. In July there was a report from one official that these clauses would be dropped, but there will be no guarantee about this till the whole penal code enters the statute book, especially as the Guardian Council that has the final say on all legislation is composed of strict conservatives. Though Iran’s courts have always had the powers to use the death sentence in the cases of a man found guilty of apostasy from Islam, to date this has only happened once: in the case of Mehdi Dibaj, sentenced to death by the local court in Sari in 1993. If this legislation passed and made Shari’a punishments mandatory, there could be a dramatic increase in these sentences. And most would be directed against Christians as the hundreds of Iranians who are turning to Christ these days are from Muslim families.

Please pray for

The anti apostasy clauses to be permanently deleted from the code
Courageous politicians to demand the reform of the apostasy law
Christian to know boldness, despite the risks.

Thank you.

Christians are being persecuted worldwide

Read Your Life Backward

REFLECTION by asiatic

Read Your Life Backward
by Max Lucado

God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NCV

What God said about Jeremiah, he said about you: “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work” (Jer. 1:5 NCV).

Set apart for a special work.

God shaped you according to yours. How else can you explain yourself? Your ability to diagnose an engine problem by the noise it makes, to bake a cake without a recipe. You knew the Civil War better than your American history teacher. You know the name of every child in the orphanage. How do you explain such quirks of skill?

God. He knew young Israel would need a code, so he gave Moses a love for the law. He knew the doctrine of grace would need a fiery advocate, so he set Paul ablaze. And in your case, he knew what your generation would need and gave it. He designed you. And his design defines your destiny. Remember Peter’s admonition? “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies” (1 Pet. 4:11).

I encountered walking proof of this truth on a trip to Central America. Dave, a fellow American, was celebrating his sixty-first birthday with friends at the language school where my daughter was studying Spanish. My question—“What brings you here?”—opened a biographical floodgate. Drugs, sex, divorce, jail—Dave’s first four decades read like a gangster’s diary. But then God called him. Just as God called Moses, Paul, and millions, God called Dave.

His explanation went something like this. “I’ve always been able to fix things. All my life when stuff broke, people called me. A friend told me about poor children in Central America, so I came up with an idea. I find homes with no fathers and no plumbing. I install sinks and toilets and love kids. That’s what I do. That’s what I was made to do.”

Sounds like Dave has found the cure for the common life. He’s living in his sweet spot. What about you? What have you always done well? And what have you always loved to do?

That last question trips up a lot of well-meaning folks. God wouldn’t let me do what I like to do—would he? According to Paul, he would. “God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him” (Phil. 2:13 NCV). Your Designer couples the “want to” with the “be able to.” Desire shares the driver’s seat with ability. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4 NIV). Your Father is too gracious to assign you to a life of misery. As Thomas Aquinas wrote, “Human life would seem to consist in that in which each man most delights, that for which he especially strives, and that which he particularly wishes to share with his friends.”

So go ahead; reflect on your life. What have you always done well and loved to do?

Some find such a question too simple. Don’t we need to measure something?Aptitude or temperament? We consult teachers and tea leaves, read manuals and horoscopes. We inventory spirtual gifts andancestors. While some of these strategies might aid us, a simpler answer lies before us. Or, better stated, lies within us.

The oak indwells the acorn. Read your life backward and check your supplies. Rerelish your moments of success and satisfaction. For in the merger of the two, you find your uniqueness.

From Cure for the Common Life

Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2006) Max Lucado

s

One night in Portland, Bebo Norman

nearly walked away from his music career.

This is his deeply personal story about and answered prayer

that refocused him on faith and family.

Transforming Your Workplace

Manila Harbor Bay, Philippines post by Lord Sid Valera



Transforming Your Workplace
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

c
This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9-10).

What would your workplace look like if this prayer were answered today where you work?

"Transformation" is a powerful word. Just hearing it, you almost automatically think of radical conversions and incredible change. But is it possible to transform your workplace into something Christ-like? Jesus thinks so.

One example involves a story told in Ed Silvoso's book, Anointed for Business, about a Filipino business man who owned a hotel chain. God saved this man and began an amazing transformation in his life and his large scale hotel.

The man owned a 1600-room hotel that covered three buildings. Because of its rates and location, the hotel had become a haven for prostitution, with the rooms being used as much as five times a day. There were over 2000 employees, and the primary clientele were more than 3000 prostitutes. One of Silvoso's associates shared with the owner a formula for winning the lost, so he hired 40 pastors and told them to follow these instructions:


a. Speak peace to the wolves. Bless those who curse you.

a

b. Eat and drink with the sinners. Become their friends.

a

c. Pray for them and their needs.

The pastors were not to share the gospel until they'd met these three requirements for two years. What an investment. But ultimately, it paid off. The pastors followed these three rules and saw every single one of the 2,000 employees become saved. The hotel was upgraded to an executive level, raising the rates and forcing the prostitutes out because they could no longer afford it. They even added a prayer chapel with 24/7 prayer available to anyone by dialing '7' on the telephone. Two years later, 10,000 guests had received the Lord on the property.*

a
That's transformation! And that's the kind of transformation we can see in our workplaces. We just have to find the vision and the willingness to ask God, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?"

s

s

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise you and lift up your name for you are great and greatly to be praised. Today I am reminded of the many and awesome responsibilities of my country's President and leaders. I pray that you will work in their lives to bring about your will. I pray that you will provide wisdom and knowledge and unction from on high for each day, each decision, each challenge they face. I pray for protection from harm and from evil influences. I pray for your intervention where needed. Please bless those who serve you and seek your will. And may you receive the honor and glory for all the good that is done. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

s

The Testing of Your Faith

DANGEROUS LANDING post by PK

The Testing of Your Faith

Pastor Adrian Rogers

s

s

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." 1 Peter 4:12

Has something bad happened to you and you said, "Oh me. What did I do? I must have done something terrible. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened!"

And before you knew it, you fell headlong into a pity party of morbid introspection — taking yourself apart piece by piece to see where you went wrong. If you're like most people, you have.

But have you ever thought that maybe you've done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith? This is an important truth for you to understand, because if you don't, you may get discouraged. The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.

Read Exodus 16 about the testing of the Lord in the lives of the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. What applications can you give to your life?

d

d

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit http://www.lwf.org/.

s

d

WORDS TO WARM THE HEART

s

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:5 NIV

s

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways higher that your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV

s

"When evil thoughts come into your heart dash them at once on the rock of Christ." St. Benedict

s

"A man is what he thinks about all day long." Ralph Waldo Emerson

ss

"As soon as man does not take his existence for granted, but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious, thought begins." Albert Schweitzer

s

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." Sir William James

s

"Even in good thoughts there is a flickleness and inconstancy which may well be called vanity. It concerns us to keep a strict guard upon our thoughts, because God takes particular notice of them. Thoughts are words to God, and vain thoughts are provocations." Matthew Henry

S

Sss

God Is Not About YOUR Success

PERCH ANYWHERE post by Kev

God Is Not About YOUR Success
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

s

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."

Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.


Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

s

We all make mistakes, all humans that is. We all pay consequences, often not easy to deal with. Some mistakes affect our health, our jobs, our rights, our futures, our comfort, our ministries. They usually touch other people's lives, not just our own. All mistakes give opportunity for life-changing lessons. I pray for anyone and everyone who is spending time with your through this devotional, and for their family members, who have made mistakes and are facing the consequences. May the result be a life that is more dedicated to you, one that is pleasing to you, and a clarity of purpose and calling in the lives that are affected. I pray for mercy, grace, and help in any way needed. May you be glorified. May new ministries and opportunities for witness be evident...and may each one of us be yielded and in tune with your will. Please help us all to become what you have planned for us. Thank you, Father, for your work in our lives and for your protection and blessing. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Not Where You Want to be in Life?

(Part 3 of 4)

Pastor Andy Stanley

Reversible Failure

Today's devotional comes

from Anne Graham Lotz' new book

The MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

Words of LIFE - Weekly Devotional

Reversible Failure

by Anne Graham Lotz

“From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.” (Genesis 13:3-4)

While speaking at an international gathering, I missed several opportunities to exalt Jesus because I was afraid. I was unsure as to what was considered appropriate participation for a newcomer at such a prestigious gathering. I had been informed by former attendees that evangelical Christians were viewed with great skepticism; therefore, my instructions were not to further the negative perception by saying something “stupid.” To make sure I complied with their advice, I just didn’t say anything at all.

While compliance seemed the best course at the time, it later caused me great misery. I desperately wished to have a “do over.”

On my way to my next engagement, as I dozed on the plane, even my unconscious thoughts seemed nightmarish. I just couldn’t shake the sick feeling of shame that engulfed me because of my failure during the week. I had confessed my sin and returned to the cross for cleansing many times during the past thirty-six hours but seemed to get no relief from the guilt and pain.

I became aware of a famous couple seated about ten rows in front of me. They were hard to miss because everyone around me was pointing and giggling and straining to catch a glimpse of them. I tried to block out what was going on around me, and just wallowed in my own misery and guilt.

As we neared our destination, the comments of those around me grew louder. The ogling of the famous couple had increased. Then the thoughts began to come: I wonder if everyone who meets them either grovels at their feet or giggles in their faces or tries to take advantage of them in some way. I wonder if anyone has ever shared the gospel with them.

As those thoughts lingered, I also remembered seeing a television special about the woman in the celebrity couple before I had left the States. She had led a very wicked, immoral life. As I was wishing she could know the Savior, His distinct soft voice whispered in my heart, Anne, why do you think you’re on this plane? Is it random coincidence? Or could it be My divine arrangement? You know the gospel. Why don’t you share it with them?

My stomach turned over and fear gripped my pounding heart. Not me! I wanted to shout. I’m a failure!

But I was on the plane, and I did know the gospel, and hadn’t I just been wallowing in guilt for having missed opportunities that very week?

Just as I started to tell the Lord I would speak to them, the pilot announced we were beginning our descent. We were to remain seated with our seatbelts fastened. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, I relaxed and prayed, “Well, Lord, You know I would have done it, but now there’s no time. If I get up now, the flight attendant will tell me to sit down and I’ll cause a scene. If You had just given me some time, I would have done it.”

Then, after a moment’s pause, I added, “And even now, if You give me the time, I’ll do it.”

No sooner had I told the Lord that I would do it than the pilot came back on the intercom. He said that our plane had been put into a holding pattern, and we would be circling for ten minutes. Before I could have another fearful thought, I unsnapped my seat belt, walked up the aisle, and straight into the lavatory!

My knees were knocking, my heart was beating, and then the entire plane started lurching, as though it too felt my panic. As I held on to the safety handles, the warning light flashed, instructing all passengers to take their seats and buckle their seat belts. I told the Lord how embarrassed He and I would be if the plane crashed with me in the lavatory! But I also told Him I was going to stay in the bathroom as long as it took for the plane to settle down, and then I would go speak to the couple.

The plane immediately became calm and the flight smoothed out. I opened the door, took two long strides to the front row where the young couple was sitting, crouched down beside the woman who was seated on the aisle, and asked if I could speak with her. Her eyes widened as she looked at me, but she nodded yes.

As I shared the gospel in a nutshell, her beautiful eyes softened, and I knew she was listening intently. My heart was calm, my manner was gentle, my words were confident, and I was actually filled to overflowing with an awareness of God’s love for her.

I wish I could report that she prayed to receive Christ. Or that she promised to begin reading her Bible. All I know is that she thanked me softly. But I also knew I had turned the corner. I had reversed the downward spiral of my failure. I had rebuilt my altar once again in front of the Canaanites, and it felt good!

This Week
Do you want to start all over again, too? Then would you tell God about your sin and failure? God is so gracious and merciful to sinners. And He has never turned away anyone who comes to Him in humble repentance at the foot of the cross.

Prayer
“God, I’m so sorry! I’ve made a mess. I just want to come back to You. I want to get right with You. Thank You for receiving me. Thank You for taking my sin and failure to the cross. Thank You for giving me new opportunities to exalt Christ. Amen.”


Anne Graham Lotz joins James and Betty this Tuesday, November 3, on LIFE Today

DO YOU CARE ENOUGH TO SHARE . . .

THE WORD - SARA GROVES

Relating to those Different from Us

Relating to those Different from Us
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

"The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?'" (John 4:9).

Do you find it difficult to relate to others who are different than you? Do you shy away from interacting with those who may have a different belief?

Jesus interacted with his culture and especially those who thought differently than He. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well it was much like a Christian speaking to a Muslim or a Jew speaking to a Palestinian. Jesus built a relationship with the woman instead of taking an adversarial position.

In order to influence our culture it is vital believers engage with those unlike us. We often assume others who come from other cultures do not want to engage with us. This is a deception from Satan. Many who grow up in other faiths do so as a cultural tradition, not because they have strongly held beliefs. For instance, many Muslims do not know what is in the Quran and simply believe what they are taught based on tradition.

Every person is looking for a genuine relationship with God. Jesus operated based on that assumption. Notice how Jesus engaged with the woman.

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet (John 4: 13-19).

Once Jesus established a rapport with the woman He began to engage with her. He spoke supernaturally into her life which broke through the religious spirit which prevented a theological debate. This led to faith in Christ and even the city being impacted.

Why not seek out a relationship with someone different from yourself. You'll be surprised how God might use you.

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being able to commune with you through prayer. Thank you for speaking to me through your Word and teaching me through life's circumstances. Thank you for the beautiful birds that sing such a lovely song, for the sun that shines, for the rain that cools and replenishes the thirsty earth...and provides water for us to drink. I pray for those in lands where there is famine or flood; that you would balance the weather and provide their needs. Please reveal your power, your love, your presence to them in a mighty way; that they would know that you are God. With love and happiness that comes from the peace you give, In Jesus name. Amen.

d

The Munsters Tribute

The Tipping Point

TREE FROG ON STILTS post by Lilly

The Tipping Point
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers..." (Eph 4:11-12).

Malcolm Gladwell authored a secular marketing book entitled Tipping Point. A tipping point is when an idea, product or movement becomes accepted by the masses. Gladwell says "It is the best way to understand the emergence of fashion trends, crime waves, or unknown books becoming bestsellers." He says ideas, products, messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do but he has discovered there are usually three types of people involved in the marketing process for this to happen. He calls them connectors, mavens, and salesmen.

Connectors are people with a special gift for bringing the world together. They know lots of people who have an ability to make impact.

Mavens are people who accumulate knowledge about a particular area. They are information brokers who like to get information and share it with others to help solve their problems.

Salesmen have an ability to persuade when we are unconvinced of what we are hearing. They are critical to the tipping point for word-of-mouth epidemics.

I believe these three people correlate to the apostle (connectors), often defined as "one who is sent"; the prophet (mavens), defined as 'one who proclaims truth" and the evangelist (salesmen), "one who wins the lost" - all described in Ephesians 4:11.

John Wesley founded Methodism in the 1780s . He went from 20,000 followers to 90,000 in five years. However, he was not the most Charismatic preacher compared to Martin Luther or John Calvin who were recognized as the leading theologians. His genius was organizational. He was a maven (apostle) who stayed in a city after he preached to form small groups of the most enthusiastic of the followers. He used connectors (apostles) and salesmen (evangelists) to get people to his meetings. This created a community around his beliefs in order to practice those beliefs in the context of daily life. This contributed to his success and ability to start a movement.

Mavens, Connectors and Salesmen make an idea contagious by working together to spread the message. Consider bringing these three types of people together to see real success on your next project.

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father - If it's true . . . that I may be the only "Bible" someone ever reads. Then Lord please help me to be a living testament that is worth reading. Please work through me and help me be a light and a shelter for my non-believing friends, neighbors, coworkers. I am sitting here today, yielded to your will, and asking you to use me open the eyes of someone who has been blind his or her whole life. What an incredible blessing it would be to know I am the instrument you used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God.

Lord I want to hide your Word in my heart so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to remembrance at all the right times, that the words that come forth from my mouth would honor you and point other people to you. May you be lifted high and exalted, praised, and worshiped above all. In Jesus' name. Amen. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen (Isaiah 32:3).

The Poem Of Your Life

Michael Card

Unfailing Love

Unfailing Love
by Max Lucado

c
“Love,” Paul says, “never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8 NIV).

The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God’s love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.

Love “will last forever” (NLT).

It “never dies” (MSG).

It “never ends” (RSV).

Love “is eternal” (TEV).

God’s love “will never come to an end” (NEB).

Love never fails.

Governments will fail, but God’s love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.

How could God have a love like this? No one has unfailing love. No person can love with perfection. You’re right. No person can. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his never fails. His love is immensely different from ours.

Our love depends on the receiver of the love. Let a thousand people pass before us, and we will not feel the same about each. Our love will be regulated by their appearance, by their personalities. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will fluctuate. How they treat us will affect how we love them. The receiver regulates our love.

Not so with the love of God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us. The love of God is born from within him, not from what he finds in us. His love is uncaused and spontaneous.

Does he love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, he loves us because of his goodness, kindness, and great faith. John says it like this: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10 NIV).

Doesn’t this thought comfort you? God’s love does not hinge on yours. The abundance of your love does not increase his. The lack of your love does not diminish his. Your goodness does not enhance his love, nor does your weakness dilute it. What Moses said to Israel is what God says to us:

The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the LORD loves you. (Deut. 7:7–8 NLT)

God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.

He loves you when you don’t feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what.

This is his sentiment: “I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved” (Rom. 9:25 MSG).

This is his promise. “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (Jer. 31:3 NLT).

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Who Hopes For What He Already Has?

Who Hopes For What He Already Has?
Romans 8:17-28

Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 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.

The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers
Dr. Charles Stanley
Luke 24:26-52

S
Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life--one that is contrary to the world's thinking. In our own strength, it is hard to say no to ungodliness because our flesh yearns to say yes. To live the Lord's way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, we need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseveravance.

s
God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out His strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.

When we feel too weak to resist temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord's plan, we must persevere in prayer. That will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us. Then, as we praise our Father for His almighty nature, proclaim His sufficiency for every circumstance, and declare His goodness, His Spirit will help us move past our weaknesses and fears to a place of strength.

Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence on our culture as our lives often reflect the world's values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He will empower us when we do.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

s

Jeremy Camp

I Almost Missed the Blessing!

FROM THE HEART OF

DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

I Almost Missed the Blessing!

He was standing near the exit of a department store in the shopping mall - a quiet, unassuming man, neatly dressed in casual clothes. As I walked past him on my way out of the store, he glanced in my direction - then quickly looked again, obviously recognizing me.

"Mrs. Van Impe?"

"Yes, I'm Rexella Van Impe."

"It's so nice to see you in person. I feel like I've known you and your husband for many years - I used to attend your crusade services. Could you spare just a moment? I have a little story to share with you."

"Of course," I replied, stepping out of the doorway and to the side of the corridor. I felt perfectly comfortable and at ease with this "old friend" I'd never met before - he was no longer a stranger. "I'd love to hear your story."

The man stretched out his right arm and pulled back the sleeve of his coat. His arm was atrophied and shorter than normal, with an extremely deformed hand. "I was born this way - with a right arm and hand that were shriveled and useless. As I grew up, I became more and more aware of my deformity. I felt that I was 'damaged' and worthless. I became as handicapped emotionally and mentally as I was physically.

"As a little boy, I started praying, 'Oh, God, heal my hand and arm. Help me and give me a normal life.' In my mind, I felt the only way my prayer could be answered would be to get a whole new arm and hand.

"Over the years, doctors performed three major operations on me - very involved, complicated reconstructive surgeries. The operations were successful in that they enabled me to gain much use of my right arm and hand. I learned to do lots of things - almost anything I wanted - with my repaired hand."

As he spoke, the man demonstrated how he could move his arm freely and deftly use his still-twisted hand to pick up and manipulate various objects with obvious strength and dexterity.

With a wry smile, he continued his account. "But the surgeries didn't help my mind and my feelings. They continued to be 'deformed' because my arm was still short and my hand was still twisted - not totally whole in appearance. Instead of being thankful for the tremendous improvement, I found myself thinking, 'Why didn't God answer my prayer and heal me? I still don't have a right arm and hand that match my left side.' And I went on feeling frustrated and limited for years.

"Then one day during my personal devotional time, I finished my Bible reading and was meditating. I again began to wonder why God hadn't answered my boyhood prayers. Suddenly I became intensely aware of God's presence, and He seemed to speak to me."

"'I answered your prayer!' the Lord said. 'You are whole. You can do just about anything with your right arm that you can do with your left. You have a good marriage and beautiful children. You have a profitable business. I have blessed you and met your needs. Why do you feel that your prayers were not answered?'"

"I was astonished at those words, Rexella. I jumped to my feet and shouted, 'Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes. You did answer my prayer. You have made me whole! But I almost missed the blessing!'"

Isn't that a remarkable experience? Hearing our friend's tremendous story stirred my heart and started me thinking. How many times do we risk missing out on God's blessings because they may not arrive in the exact package we're expecting? How should we act, what should we do while we're waiting on the Lord to answer prayer?

I love the way The Living Bible instructs and encourages us with Psalm 27:14 - "Don't be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you."

Are you waiting for God to answer the cry of your heart and meet some special need for you or a loved one? Here are some suggestions for you.

Wait in prayer.

First of all, I believe that when we're waiting on the Lord, we should wait in prayer and allow ourselves to be comforted by the Holy Spirit. Too often we allow ourselves to be anxious and apprehensive after we've prayed and are waiting. By not allowing the comfort of the Holy Spirit to overwhelm us, we make ourselves vulnerable to the ravages of doubt and fear.

One of the first times I remember hearing "Wait, Rexella" was when I was just a little girl, maybe four years old. My mother had left me with my grandmother for the day. For a while I watched as she worked in the kitchen preparing to bake a pie.

When I grew restless, my grandmother said, "Rexella, as soon as I finish baking this pie, we'll go down and get an ice cream banana split. But for now I want you to sit here on the counter and wait."

A few minutes later I asked, "Are you almost done, Grandma?"

"No, honey, you have to wait."

"Yes, but I want to go get my banana split now!"

"No, I'm not finished here. You must wait a little longer."

In another moment or two, I was asking again, "Are you through yet?" So my grandmother decided to use the waiting time to teach me something new. Spreading some flour across the counter, she taught me how to form the letters and spell the word B-A-N-A-N-A. I was so delighted at my new accomplishment that I momentarily forgot my impatience.

I believe that God sometimes has lessons to teach us as we wait. There can be great value to be gained just by waiting, although it's hard for people in today's age of instant gratification to appreciate this truth.

We've all heard the old joke about doctors telling patients to "take an aspirin and call me in the morning." Well, current medical research suggests that maybe these medics weren't just ignoring their patient's needs. The truth is that God has put a miraculous healing force within our bodies that, with just a little time, will begin to heal a high percentage of maladies.

It's also true that time is a great healer in incidents of loss and grief. What seems unbearable and inconsolable today will become less painful and easier to bear as time goes by. As the Psalmist David expressed so beautifully, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Don't misunderstand me - I'm not saying that we should pray about something, then just wait until we get over it naturally. We've all experienced those wondrous times when God came upon the scene and moved in our behalf almost instantly. In fact, there are times, God says, "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).

If we need an instant answer, God will not forsake us or fail. But there are times when we need to wait - not impatiently, but bravely, stoutheartedly, and with courage. In those times the Holy Spirit will come to us ... and teach us ... and help us. Don't miss what God wants to do for you!

Wait in faith.

When you pray, wait in faith. Be confident in God. Believe in His love and goodness. Trust the Lord to keep His Word. Jesus said, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). Let your confidence be based on the knowledge that He will answer your prayer - God will take care of you.

Perhaps you're saying, "But Rexella, sometimes that kind of faith is a little bit hard to come by." I understand exactly what you mean.

I heard an illustration about a woman whose view from her kitchen window was blocked by an ugly old mountain that she often wished was gone. One day she read that if she had faith as big as a grain of mustard seed, she could pray for the mountain to be removed and it would go. So she decided to try it.

"Oh, God, if you love me, remove that mountain. I have faith that You can do this, so tonight I'm asking you to take it away."

The next morning the woman got up, walked into her kitchen, and looked out the window. "There's that mountain," she said, "just as I expected!"

Do you expect God to answer when you pray? Do you have faith that He will hear and respond to your prayers according to His will? Has God answered your prayers in the past? Do you know others whose prayers have been answered? Yes, of course!

When you know who God is and what He is like, you can have faith in Him. I believe that real faith is not something you try to believe - it is something you cannot doubt! You must reach a place in your Christian experience where you discover the bedrock truths that require no convincing. And on that Rock you take your stand.

Getting to that place may require you to do some waiting - in prayer ... and in faith. Be willing to do it! Don't miss the blessing!

Wait patiently!

My third suggestion for learning to wait on the Lord is to be patient - not murmuring, not saying, "Why is this happening to me?", not rebelling. For forty years the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, missing out on the blessing of going into the Promised Land.

As a matter of necessity, the road out of Egypt's slavery led through the desert. But the Israelites did not go through the desert patiently. They griped, complained, doubted, and rebelled! The more they murmured and rebelled, the longer they had to wait.

The land God had promised was out there, just an eleven-day march away (see Deuteronomy 1:2). It was wonderful country - almost literally "flowing with milk and honey." But most of the Israelites died in the desert, wandering around and around in the wilderness until they missed out on the blessing. It was real! God had intended for them to have it! But their lack of prayer, lack of faith, and lack of patience ultimately destroyed them.

Forty years later, when the doubters and murmurers were dead, Joshua led the new generation - and a handful of faithful old-timers - into the land of Canaan.

Oh, my dear friend, there have been times in my life when I was tempted to focus on the problem and not on the solution God was going to give me. In those moments, I was becoming part of the problem! Have you had that experience?

Isn't it wonderful that God is faithful? He keeps on reminding us to pray ... to wait in faith ... to be patient and not to give up or rebel. And as we wait, the Spirit of God comes to us, teaches us, helps us, and meets our need!

When it happens - when the darkness falls away and the power of God breaks through the limitations of our lives and sets us free - how we rejoice! We gratefully discover that - in the words of Solomon and David, "The Lord is our salvation, our refuge, and our strong tower!" (See 2 Samuel 22:3; Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 61:3).

"Thank You, God," we exclaim. "We almost missed the blessing!"

s

s

To subscribe to this weekly newsletter please go to www.jvim.com

Celtic Woman

Lisa Kelly and David Downes

The Blessing

Regaining the Art of Community

Fall Dinner Party - Southern Living Magazine

Regaining the Art of Community
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

s
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

I have a friend who spent three months living in Israel with Jewish believers. During one of their conversations the Jewish man noticed how often my friend came to visit him only to discuss a project. He turned to my friend during dinner and admonished him: "You western Christians! You always seem to need a program or an event to get together. Why can't you fellowship with one another just because you love each other!?"

My friend was convicted by his assessment. They began to talk about how Jesus modeled love for the disciples and how they simply hung out together because of their love for one another. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Jesus often spent unhurried times of fellowship with the disciples. They shared countless meals together. It is often during such times we get to know others at a deeper level.

Love for one another is one of the greatest signs of faith in Christ. However, the pace of life often contributes to a life being lived for the next event instead of a relationship rooted in the love or Christ.

How many relationships do you have in your life that would allow you to fellowship simply because you cared for one another?

Today's Prayer

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto You" (Matthew 6:33). God, I want to seek you with all my heart. I want to be covered in the righteousness of Christ. I know that the things of this earth shall all pass away and only the treasure laid up in heaven will count. Please let my life count for Your Kingdom. May my rewards be spiritual blessings. Thank you, Lord.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Sunrise at Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, by Pedro Olivo

d

This photograph is in tribute of my

Aunt Connie Cantrell

who when home to be with the Lord yesterday.

d

Years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer

that went into remission and then came

back in the form of lung cancer two years ago.

d

Connie had a loving heart that showed on her face

because she was ALWAYS smiling.

Not only was she a University Professorin Puerto Rico,

but she was a wonderful wife to my Uncle Richard,

and mother to Myra, Ricky and Sharon.

From my family to yours my deepest sympathy.

d

Words of LIFE - Weekly Devotional

How Much Time Do You Have?

by Edward John

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

x
Life can be like a boxing ring. We have to learn to "roll with the punches" by knowing when to duck, move to the side or throw a punch. It's a constant battle and one of our biggest opponents is time.

Everything seems to move at a faster pace today. Family, work, school, social activities and even church and demand our precious time. There does not seem to be enough hours of daylight to complete our daily chores. Our lives are dictated by a list of things to do. In order to rest, we have to put it on our schedule! We often find ourselves saying, "I need more time."

One would think that with all of our technology, we could save a little time. But it often adds to the load, as we e-mail people around the world, manage our Facebook account, Twitter our thoughts and emotions, and text each other on our cell phones (sometimes while driving!) It is ironic, because we think we're saving time when in reality we make it easier for the world to bombard our lives with more things to do and consume our precious time.

We need to ask ourselves, "Where has time gone? And what are we really here to accomplish?"
It is time to wake up and enter the real arena of battle. We must recognize our real enemy and understand his strategy. We need to reclaim our ground and regain our positions as leaders under the command of our King, Jesus Christ.

The first step towards doing this is realizing that busyness is not necessarily effectiveness. Our time may be consumed with activity, but that does not mean that we are accomplishing everything that God has planned for us. God wants us to be effective, fruitful and peaceful, not busy, stressed and annoyed. The Word of God is a double-edged sword and when we learn to live our lives by His word, we can cut, slice and divide our lives into proper portions and begin to effectively live for His Kingdom. When we live by His word, we are able to differentiate right from wrong, good from bad, wide from narrow, and straight from crooked.

This is where time is redeemed and effectiveness is achieved. Jesus holds time in his hands, so He is the master of making our lives effective. Jesus was never swayed by what men thought was right or wrong. Even well-meaning people sought to tell Him what to do, but He only did what He saw His Father doing. This is the key to life! We must learn how to operate by the same standard as Jesus. We must learn to say "yes" to God and "no" to everything else.

We tend to fight battles that are of no consequence, beating aimlessly into the air. We don't recognize our true enemies, so we don't know what battles to fight. We must learn to redeem our time on this earth by choosing to fight the right battles.

So how do we know which battles are ours? How do we know how to spend our precious time? The Psalmist heard the Lord say, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8) We need wisdom to know how to use our time -- wisdom that can only come from above. Once again, the greatest source for wisdom is the Word of God. "Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life." (Proverbs 4:13)

Time is short. In fact, it's running out! But we can be Christians of excellence. We can be effective for his Kingdom. We can be consumed with a peace that passes understanding, instead of the stress of this world. Godly wisdom and direction will not only bring each of us more personal fulfillment, but it will help us better serve the Kingdom of God while making the most of our time.

THIS WEEK Take stock of your days. What is consuming your time? Ask the Lord where you should increase your focus. Leave behind those things that needlessly bring you stress and rob you of your time.

PRAYER "Lord, help me spend more time in Your Word so that my life can be a double-edged sword. Divide those things that are essential from those that are not. Give me Your wisdom to make the most of the time You have given me here on earth."

Grace Like Rain - Aaron Keyes