Friday, September 2nd
Job 33:12-18
12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words?
14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,
17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,
18 to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.
I think that sometimes we do this, me especially, I really can’t speak for anyone else, but I think I am better than God. I may not logically think it, but my actions would speak for me. I take on major things without praying, seeking advice, or fasting, and still expect results as if God is supposed to make it happen. What kind of thinking is this? It’s futile.
James 1:22-25
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
I am working so hard to do what God’s word says. It is a tough challenge, but one I am up for taking on. The prize is too great to pass up. I look at verses 16 and 17, and I think that God not only tells us things both good and bad, to encourage us as well as keep us from sin. At the same time, I think Satan is right there tempting me in my dreams. Romans 7:21 “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” James then comes in, to battle this, to make the right decision, I have to do what the bible says, not what I want to do, not want Satan wants me to do, but what God wants me to do. I hope this encourages everyone who reads this, but regardless, I am encouraged. I will be in Houston over the weekend, but will still be having my QTs. I will update when I get back home, either Sunday night, or Monday morning. Johnny Out.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Friday, September 2nd
Posted by Weather Man at 9:26 AM
Labels: Johnny Ray's Quiet Time
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6 comments:
Good morning brothers how is everyone this morning? I am doing great and fired up and at the same time sad to go to Houston this weekend with all of this craziness going on. I have been praying hard for those people and that their needs would be met. We have so much to be grateful for what we have and really have to search our hearts on how much we can give and donate to the needs of the people. I asked myself "what would Jesus do?" this morning and I know the answer, meet the needs of the people and be selfless in His acts of giving. I would just like to encourage all of us to remember who died for us and let's die to ourselves and give. While we are eating plenty of food, washing our clothes and lounging in our homes with no worries about what we will eat or wear or even where we will sleep, remember those who are walking on highways and empty streets wondering and searching for help. Take a moment right now and say a prayer for those who in distress. I love all of you and I pray that all of you has a great day and God bless. A friend shared this scripture with me this morning and I thank him.
James 2:14-19
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.
All,
My wife and I have made the decision to not go down to the seminar in Houston this weekend. We have been wrestling and praying with it for several days and we both feel that the money that we would have spent on Gas, Food and Lodging can be used better to help the victims of this terrible disaster with a monetary contribution. We have also found out from the Red Cross that they are planning on bringing 25,000 people here to Dallas and to house some of them at Reunion Arena, several thousand have already arrived. We will be getting more information later but our plan is to go down there and serve in some capacity. I would assume they will need clothes, shoes, a friendly face and most certainly our prayers. (I would advise that if you want to give clothes or food, anything other than your time, it should be channeled through a proper relief organization for not only your safety but more stream lined distribution.)
I send this only to communicate to you all what our plans are so that you are not wondering where we are this weekend. I am not advising or trying to influence anyone one way or the other it is just our personal decision. The Church in Houston I am sure has financial commitments to the hotel and convention center for the ballrooms and meeting rooms, we have already registered and paid and have informed the Houston Church to use the registration fee as they see fit.
Love Your Brother in Christ
You guys please forward to your team and or your circle of friends so that this can get to the people that need it! This is a friend of mine.
If you meet or know a family that is now homeless. There is some housing available.
Free housing available for 2 months at Montfort Oaks located on the corner of Spring Valley and Monfort (tollway area). If you refer anyone please tell the office that you know Carla Burrell (referred). The office will verify all information.
1bd will allow up to 3 people
2bd will allow up to 6 people
Only 1bd apartments are available on the Montfort Oaks property. However, they do have 7 other properties with 2bd they may be able to refer you to if you inquire.
Ask to speak with Lisa or Carmen (972) 980-7717
Everyone:
I wanted to take a moment to drop a line to many of you, who I have known throught the church, to mention where I have been and why I am not at the DFW ICOC church services. After the divorce, my ex-wife and I went through, I wanted to give her space to work through the hurts of the divorce and to not displace son and daughter from their spiritual friends. So, I chose to go to the Pitman Creek Church of Christ. I am glad God led me there. He has helped me to grow back closer to him through the church there and from their similar commitment to the DFW ICOC. So, that is where I am at. I also am dating a divorcee mom (an Arlington, TX 911 Paramedic at AMR). Also, I see the kids multiple times weekly. I have taken the stance to never speak a mean word about ex-wife or the divorce. I respect her as a mom and the difficult charge she has with raising the kids to love God. I also take very serious my commitment to help the kids and to be there for them and to love them.
I wanted to take a moment to comment on New Orleans and Katrina. I was stunned by the hurricane and the devastation. I travel to New Orleans once every 8 weeks. Customers I have known and people who I have met there may be dead or totally wiped out. One of the first things that came to my heart afterwards is how can I help. I am convinced that the Red Cross is the best way to help. I have donated there and will continue to do so. We can't go there to help physically due to the criminals and looters who are shooting at even the emergency response people. This is a horrible thing. Please remember them. Even after the initial help responses. It will take them years (if ever) to rebuild their lives. Who knows the fate of fellow Christians in the New Orleans Church. Or our other churches in the areas. They need our prayers, love, and support.
Take Care,
Thanks for your spiritual thoughts and your pursuit of God. I pray you will be blessed as you seek him and help others to realize He is truly greater than we are. The force of the hurricane reminds us of our mortality and dependence upon God.
A Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia. educated in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, a Pharisee, zealous for God and the law, with a conscience void of offense toward God and man, a persecutor of the church of God, Saul of Tarsus appeared a most unlikely prospect for salvation in Christ and of the apostleship to the Gentiles. Had not this "chief of sinners" shut up many of the saints in prison? Had he not persecuted Christians even unto foreign cities? Had he not participated in stoning of Stephen? How could Christ used a man like this? Later in life, Paul said: "...by the grace of God I am what I am." (1 Cor.15:10) With the authority and the commission of the chief priest, Saul left Jerusalem for Damascus that he might bring back bound the
Christians he should find there. For the complete account of Saul`s
turning to Christ read Acts chapters 9, 22 and 26.
As Saul and his associates neared Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone round about them a great light from heaven. All
fell to the earth. A voice said, "Saul, Saul, why persecuteth me." Saul answered, "Who are thou Lord. And the Lord said, I am Jesus who thou persecuteth." Saul then inquired of Jesus: "What shall I do Lord." And the Lord said that he should arise and go into Damascus, and that there it should be told him what he must do. Blinded by the glory of the light, Saul was led into Damascus by the hands of those that were with him.
Saul was not saved on the Damascus road. For he was instructed to go into Damascus, and there, he would be told what he must do. (Acts 9:6;22:10). If Saul was not saved on the Damascus road why did Jesus appear to him? The answer is found in Acts 26:16 where Jesus said unto him: "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;" So Jesus appeared to Saul to qualify him as an apostle. For three days on the street called Straight, in the house of Judas, Saul fasted and prayed. (Acts 9:9). Ananias, a disciple of the Lord, came unto saul, laid his hands upon him, and his sight was
restored. Then Ananias said: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Saul arose and was buried with him (Jesus) by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so (he) also should walk in newness of life. (Rom.6:4)
Thus Saul of Tarsus, through the grace of God, turned to the Lord through faith in Christ, confession, repentance, and baptism into Christ.
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