The Bible tells the greatest story ever told...
You will read about the making of paradise, how it was horribly lost, and the struggle to regain it.
There is a worse-than-usual bad guy, a glorious Hero, and the ultimate happy ending. But best of all, the Bible is a true story.
Inside you'll find>>>
-Warnings of disaster, dramatic rescues and wonderful victories!
-How God began working with one nation to reclaim his lost creation!
-Down to earth wisdom for living!
-The good news of Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection and what it means for you!
-Stories about the first followers of Jesus and how they began a worldwide adventure of faith!
-Spectacular visions of the future of our world and the new world that is to come!
The Bible is the story of God's great love for all people!
READ IT AND FIND GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU!!
(International Bible Society)
Tuesday
Wednesday
From The Diary of John Adams
John Adams, one of America's Founding Fathers, served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. He recorded the following thought about the value of Christianity in his diary 20 years after he signed the Declaration of Independence.
"ONE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IS THAT IT BRINGS THE GREAT PRINCIPLE OF THE LAW OF NATURE AND NATIONS - "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF, AND DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD THAT OTHERS SHOULD DO TO YOU - TO THE KNOWLEDGE, BELIEF, AND VENERATION OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE. CHILDREN, SERVANTS, WOMAN AND MEN, ARE ALL PROFESSORS IN THE SCIENCE OF PUBLIC AS WELL AS PRIVATE MORALITY. NO OTHER INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATION COULD DIFFUSE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION."
"ONE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IS THAT IT BRINGS THE GREAT PRINCIPLE OF THE LAW OF NATURE AND NATIONS - "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF, AND DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD THAT OTHERS SHOULD DO TO YOU - TO THE KNOWLEDGE, BELIEF, AND VENERATION OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE. CHILDREN, SERVANTS, WOMAN AND MEN, ARE ALL PROFESSORS IN THE SCIENCE OF PUBLIC AS WELL AS PRIVATE MORALITY. NO OTHER INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATION COULD DIFFUSE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION."
Friday
FREE! Israel My Glory Magazine!
Hey Guys,
For those of you who weren't at last nights meeting, I recommended everyone taking advantage of a FREE YEAR of this fantastic magazine. It comes every 2 months and its packed full of great Biblical lessons, commentary, regional news from Israel, reports our secular news stations will NEVER report. I've gleaned so much from the few mags that I've read through.
Click the link below and sign up!!!
http://www.foi.org/imgsignup
Have a great weekend!
Mike P
For those of you who weren't at last nights meeting, I recommended everyone taking advantage of a FREE YEAR of this fantastic magazine. It comes every 2 months and its packed full of great Biblical lessons, commentary, regional news from Israel, reports our secular news stations will NEVER report. I've gleaned so much from the few mags that I've read through.
Click the link below and sign up!!!
http://www.foi.org/imgsignup
Have a great weekend!
Mike P
Demon's Footholds
Hey Everyone,
I know its been a while since I posted, but I thought I'd share some parts of a phenomenal book that Michael Lewis and I are reading would spark some thought for this weekend. The book name is "FIGHT" by Kenny Luck.
"DEMONS ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING TO ATTACH THEMSELVES TO THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS IN AREAS THAT ARE UN-SURRENDERED TO HOLY SPIRIT CONTROL. THE FLESH AND THE WORLD ARE ABLE TO CONTROL GOD'S MAN, AND DEMONS HAVE THE SAME POTENTIAL. GOD'S MAN MUST RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PRACTICAL AND PERSONAL REALITY AND TAKE STEPS TO DEFEND AGAINST, REBUKE, AND RESIST THEIR PRESENCE AND PURPOSES."
-They attach themselves to a believer's life, seeking to control whatever area is NOT under control and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
-They are given permission by believers to influence, control, and oppress them by compromising or compartmentalizing areas of life away from Christ's control.
-They have NO authority or control over a believer who is in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
*Anyone wish to share what thought came to mind after reading this?
Mike
I know its been a while since I posted, but I thought I'd share some parts of a phenomenal book that Michael Lewis and I are reading would spark some thought for this weekend. The book name is "FIGHT" by Kenny Luck.
"DEMONS ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING TO ATTACH THEMSELVES TO THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS IN AREAS THAT ARE UN-SURRENDERED TO HOLY SPIRIT CONTROL. THE FLESH AND THE WORLD ARE ABLE TO CONTROL GOD'S MAN, AND DEMONS HAVE THE SAME POTENTIAL. GOD'S MAN MUST RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PRACTICAL AND PERSONAL REALITY AND TAKE STEPS TO DEFEND AGAINST, REBUKE, AND RESIST THEIR PRESENCE AND PURPOSES."
-They attach themselves to a believer's life, seeking to control whatever area is NOT under control and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
-They are given permission by believers to influence, control, and oppress them by compromising or compartmentalizing areas of life away from Christ's control.
-They have NO authority or control over a believer who is in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
*Anyone wish to share what thought came to mind after reading this?
Mike
Thursday
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Hey Everyone,
As we've all read before, Paul talks about the "fruit of the spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
I came across these definitions to be mindful of when focusing on these.
LOVE - Genuine self sacrifice for the good of others.
JOY - A feeling of great pleasure and delight in who God is and what he has provided.
PEACE - A sense of well-being; rest; tranquility; contentment.
LONGSUFFERING - Stability under pressure; self control under provocation.
GENTLENESS - Kindness towards others; reasonableness; flexibility.
GOODNESS - Benevolent thoughts and actions towards others; generosity.
FAITH - Faithfullness; reliability.
MEEKNESS- Willingness to be governed; submissive attitude
TEMPERANCE - Self control, especially of one's passions.
See everyone tonight,
Mike
As we've all read before, Paul talks about the "fruit of the spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
I came across these definitions to be mindful of when focusing on these.
LOVE - Genuine self sacrifice for the good of others.
JOY - A feeling of great pleasure and delight in who God is and what he has provided.
PEACE - A sense of well-being; rest; tranquility; contentment.
LONGSUFFERING - Stability under pressure; self control under provocation.
GENTLENESS - Kindness towards others; reasonableness; flexibility.
GOODNESS - Benevolent thoughts and actions towards others; generosity.
FAITH - Faithfullness; reliability.
MEEKNESS- Willingness to be governed; submissive attitude
TEMPERANCE - Self control, especially of one's passions.
See everyone tonight,
Mike
Friday
Ingredients To Add To Your Faith : Peter's Prescription
Hey Guys,
Been reading through 2nd Peter and spent some extra time on this section.. 2 Peter 3-8
Peter says to be sure and add these 7 ingredients to your faith in Christ so you will "keep from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
GOODNESS (towards others) / KNOWLEDGE (Of Christ) / SELF CONTROL (of own desires) / PERSEVERANCE (in all things that matter) / GODLINESS (in mind and actions) / BROTHERLY KINDNESS (towards all people)
He goes onto to say "But if anyone does not have them (7 ingredients) he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (v.9)
Pretty simple and straightforward.
See ya next week..
Mike
Been reading through 2nd Peter and spent some extra time on this section.. 2 Peter 3-8
Peter says to be sure and add these 7 ingredients to your faith in Christ so you will "keep from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
GOODNESS (towards others) / KNOWLEDGE (Of Christ) / SELF CONTROL (of own desires) / PERSEVERANCE (in all things that matter) / GODLINESS (in mind and actions) / BROTHERLY KINDNESS (towards all people)
He goes onto to say "But if anyone does not have them (7 ingredients) he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (v.9)
Pretty simple and straightforward.
See ya next week..
Mike
Sunday
How To Lead Someone To Christ
Hey Everyone,
The Lord spoke to me while reading my Bible today and prompted me to find something that gives a step by step game plan about how to lead someone to Christ.
I personally have heard men in our group talk about not being sure of what we should say, or how to properly show non believers relevant scripture pertaining to the necessity of repentance and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.
I found this simple web page, and feel it's exactly what I was looking for:
http://tinyurl.com/yctuggy
I wrote down the relevant themes and verses on some note cards for easy reference.
I hope this site proves helpful to other men in our group.
Mike
The Lord spoke to me while reading my Bible today and prompted me to find something that gives a step by step game plan about how to lead someone to Christ.
I personally have heard men in our group talk about not being sure of what we should say, or how to properly show non believers relevant scripture pertaining to the necessity of repentance and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.
I found this simple web page, and feel it's exactly what I was looking for:
http://tinyurl.com/yctuggy
I wrote down the relevant themes and verses on some note cards for easy reference.
I hope this site proves helpful to other men in our group.
Mike
Friday
A Reminder : The Declaration of Indpendence
Hey Everyone,
I thought about what Rob brought up last night regarding the "attacks on Christianity". It doesn't take a scholar to realize that this country was truly founded by Godly men and on the foundation's of God, our Creator.
Here are the first two paragraphs of our Declaration of Independence. The last line of the second paragraph is very convicting:
"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Let us not forget this. Especially as Christian men.
I thought about what Rob brought up last night regarding the "attacks on Christianity". It doesn't take a scholar to realize that this country was truly founded by Godly men and on the foundation's of God, our Creator.
Here are the first two paragraphs of our Declaration of Independence. The last line of the second paragraph is very convicting:
"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Let us not forget this. Especially as Christian men.
Tuesday
Test for Author Lesson
Hey Guys..
This is a post for the lesson that I'm doing to teach how to become an author on the blog.
Check your email soon for the video..
Mike
This is a post for the lesson that I'm doing to teach how to become an author on the blog.
Check your email soon for the video..
Mike
Friday
Man's Quest
Good morning guys,
In response to Mike's challenge to post something meaningful, I thought you all might get something out of this Swindoll daily devotional...I found it both interesting and comforting.
Have a great day and God Bless.
Rob
Thursday
Might To Save - Hillsong
I never tire of this song..
CLICK THE LINK.. GREAT SONG.. GREAT LYRICS.. GREAT REMINDER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
See you all tonight!
CLICK THE LINK.. GREAT SONG.. GREAT LYRICS.. GREAT REMINDER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
See you all tonight!
Wednesday
Faith Without Action Is DEAD
Hello Everyone,
Reading through James right and I've been reminded that as a Christian I cannot just put my faith my God and sit back and expect progress in my walk Christ.
I must take action towards what I feel God is prompting me to do. I can't wait for all green lights. I need to take that "leap of faith".
I'm reminded.. "Take The Leap and The Net Will Appear"
Some quotes from James 2:14-26
*What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
*In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
*You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless.
*Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
*You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
*As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
See everyone on Thursday!
Mike
Reading through James right and I've been reminded that as a Christian I cannot just put my faith my God and sit back and expect progress in my walk Christ.
I must take action towards what I feel God is prompting me to do. I can't wait for all green lights. I need to take that "leap of faith".
I'm reminded.. "Take The Leap and The Net Will Appear"
Some quotes from James 2:14-26
*What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
*In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
*You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless.
*Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
*You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
*As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
See everyone on Thursday!
Mike
Saturday
We Cannot Be Shaken..
The last line of this passage from Psalms always gives my heart of small shot of spiritual adrenaline...
Psalm 16-7-8
"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me:
even at night my instructs me.
I have set the Lord before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken."
Have a good weekend everyone..
Psalm 16-7-8
"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me:
even at night my instructs me.
I have set the Lord before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken."
Have a good weekend everyone..
Monday
Suffering for The Cause of Christ
Hey Guys..
Recently read a section of a book that talks about how as Christians, we are to nobly except "suffering" for the cause of Christ. Here is the section that I thought relayed that message so well..
"The turning hour of a man's life is when he nobly accepts suffering for something greater than himself. This noble willingness makes men out of boys. It is responsible and mature. It is driven by a belief that some greater context encapsulates the suffering and gives it meaning. The cause becomes more significant than this suffering. So he endures it willingly, patiently and aggressively."
Recently read a section of a book that talks about how as Christians, we are to nobly except "suffering" for the cause of Christ. Here is the section that I thought relayed that message so well..
"The turning hour of a man's life is when he nobly accepts suffering for something greater than himself. This noble willingness makes men out of boys. It is responsible and mature. It is driven by a belief that some greater context encapsulates the suffering and gives it meaning. The cause becomes more significant than this suffering. So he endures it willingly, patiently and aggressively."
Your Personal Verse For 2010
Hey Everyone,
I thought it would be interesting if we all shared which verse(s) is/are really at the forefront of our minds as we all dive into 2010.
I can say personally that I usually pray up to the new year asking God to reveal a single purpose, direction or mindset that He'd like me to have for the new year; kind of like a "reset" of the mind to get myself back on track with his plan/will.
The verse for this year (and YES!.. I do have a post it of this on my computer at work..hahaha) is Matthew 6:33. I believe since God knows my needs, desires, thoughts, strengths, weaknesses, temptations, and concerns.. I could go on, but I'll stop there.. he has given this verse to to meditate on. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about not worrying about the things of this world, but to set their minds on the kingdom of the Lord and all these things will be provided/taken care of.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."
I'd love it if we ALL shared something on this post to start the new year off like my email stated. Its simple.. Go ahead.. Don't be shy.. It only takes a minute.
Who knows..your post may just be what someone else in our group needs to read :)
Mike
I thought it would be interesting if we all shared which verse(s) is/are really at the forefront of our minds as we all dive into 2010.
I can say personally that I usually pray up to the new year asking God to reveal a single purpose, direction or mindset that He'd like me to have for the new year; kind of like a "reset" of the mind to get myself back on track with his plan/will.
The verse for this year (and YES!.. I do have a post it of this on my computer at work..hahaha) is Matthew 6:33. I believe since God knows my needs, desires, thoughts, strengths, weaknesses, temptations, and concerns.. I could go on, but I'll stop there.. he has given this verse to to meditate on. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about not worrying about the things of this world, but to set their minds on the kingdom of the Lord and all these things will be provided/taken care of.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."
I'd love it if we ALL shared something on this post to start the new year off like my email stated. Its simple.. Go ahead.. Don't be shy.. It only takes a minute.
Who knows..your post may just be what someone else in our group needs to read :)
Mike
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