FRUIT for THOUGHT = PART II

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Deuteronomy 29:17-19 (New Living Translation)
17 You have seen their detestable practices and their idols made of wood, stone, silver, and gold. 18 I am making this covenant with you so that no one among you—no man, woman, clan, or tribe—will turn away from the Lord our God to worship these gods of other nations, and so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit.
19 “Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, ‘I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.’ This would lead to utter ruin!

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Matthew 7:19-21 (Amplified Bible)
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. [underline, Italic, bold added]

As I was cutting up the fruit for my delicious lunch I came to the last melon - a beautiful green honey melon - perfectly formed on the outside. But when I raised the knife and cut into it - it actually exploded and blew out fumes of gas from the rottenness inside. Now there is some 'fuel' for more intense thought. Whew!

FRUIT can take us on a long journey of thought...
What thoughts does God bring to your mind when you see this picture of the rotten fruit [compared to the bowl from the last post]? What does God's Word say [speak to you] here? Can you grasp it? It's deep.

Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[JESUS - The One I THIRST For]

FRUIT for THOUGHT

This was my lunch yesterday. I've been doing a "fruit cleansing" for three days. The bowl looked so colorful - so inviting - so delicious and so nutritious - so luscious - so mouth watering - and the taste buds go on and on! And it WAS that GOOD going down!
It made me ponder about bearing [much] fruit.

I asked myself:
Do I bear fruit that is colorful and inviting?
Do I bear fruit that is delicious and nutritious?
Do I bear fruit that is luscious and mouth watering?
Is my the fruit I bear "in season"?
Is it fresh and ready picked?
Do I offer it to others freely?

We are all familiar with this passage from Galatians in one of the more common translations here:
Galatians 5:22-23 [NIV]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

but just ponder for a while this paraphrase - just how those fruit of the Spirit play out in our lives [or should]:

Galatians 5:22-23 [The Message]
22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

What is your 'fruit for thought'?
How does bearing fruit play out in your life?
What has God been teaching you about it?
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Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I THIRST For]

FAVOR, LORD?

Who may ask favor, Lord?

Exodus 32:11 [Moses DID]

But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 [Manasseh DID]
12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.

Who was favor granted to?

Genesis 6:7-9 [NOAH WAS]
7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless [upright] among the people of his time, and he walked with God.


Genesis 4:3-5 [ABEL WAS] 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Luke 2:13-14 [Those God chooses to give it... are]
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

Over and over this week the LORD has brought the word 'favor' into my conversations, my Scripture readings, books I'm presently reading and a newsletter which has caused me to continue to ponder about seeking the Lord's 'favor' in prayer over my family, my friends those on my prayer list.

A few days ago I had a conversation with my son-in-law. He and my oldest daughter [Becky] will be serving in Haiti as full-time missionaries [on the field] with RMI in Jan 2010, once they reach their full support status. In our conversation Rob told me that he had been in a meeting earlier with several mission board members when one man prayed for the Lord's 'favor' over Rob and Becky - that God would "show 'favor' in raising their additional needed support". Within a short time that same day - Rob received an e-mail and a phone call from two different 'regular' supporters who desired to 'RAISE their support' [they did this on their own]. Rob was blown away. It made a huge impact on him about prayer - and having someone pray 'favor' over him.

Last night I opened a newsletter 'monthly update' from a friend of mine named Susan Newall who is serving as a missionary in Galway, Ireland. Her letter [2 pages] was filled with the word 'favor'. Because of the changes in Visa status she has to come home from the field in Oct. and is not sure if she will be allowed to come back after that. She writes: "Please ask for our God, who directs the king's heart wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1), to grant me favor with the one who will process my request."

This week I have begun praying - asking the Lord to show 'His favor' over many different people on my prayer list. ALREADY I have seen amazing things happen in just a few short days.

I asked my Bible study group on Tuesday night, "Have you ever prayed "the favor of the Lord" over another person? Why? and how? Now I'm asking you that same question. Can you share any specifics about the results?

We are missionaries raising support to serve with Reciprocal Ministries International in Les Cayes, Haiti. http://www.robandbecky.com/

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For Susan Newall - Galway Ireland: her e-Mail address is: mailto:isionanewells@juno.com

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[JESUS - the One I Thirst For]

Back to the WORD of TRUTH

Daniel 9:4-19
[selected passages from Daniel's Prayer]

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands, 5 we [I] have sinned and done wrong. We [I] have been wicked and have rebelled; we [I] have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We [I] have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your Name to our kings [our presidents], our princes [our governors] and our fathers [parents, teachers pastors], and to all the people [me and my church body] of the land [my country & my church ].
9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him; ...
11 All Israel [me & our country and its leaders] has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You.

13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster [like 9/11, Katrina] has come upon us, yet we [I] have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your TRUTH [God's Holy Word].

17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name." [emphasis and bracketed words added for practical insight]

Beginning on Sunday this week, God has had one 'theme' in mind! HIS HOLY WORD! When I read verse 13 I saw a complete picture of repentance [turning from sin - to God] but then the word 'favor' stuck out to me. I asked myself how we gain favor of the Lord - and there it was right there in the middle of Daniel's prayer - "by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your TRUTH."

On Monday I had 3 messages from women who desired to share what God had done with them, shown them, loved them, all because they had dug deep into His Word. One message said, "I just called to share with you how GOOD our God is!"

My heart rejoiced with those who found themselves in the Presence of God through His Word...
Yet there was another that I heard about who has not opened her Bible for more than a year! She was someone I attended Bible study with about 5 years ago. My heart grieved! I asked the Lord, How can that happen?

I came across [in our Daniel study] a song title that Travis Cottrell wrote called:
Your Word is Life to Me!

I asked myself... Am I giving my full attention to Your Truth, Lord?
His Word is Life to Me! How about you? Can we ever really live a year without it - even a month - a week - a day - an hour?

Abba Father -

Your Word is life to us. Through it You sustain us, forgive us, cleanse us, renew us, wash us, restore us, heal us, bring joy to us, challenge us, discipline us, correct us, breathe on us - all for the benefit of Your kingdom purposes so that You can mold us and make us instruments for Your glory! Give us a hungering appetite to feast on it daily - and hourly, keep it in our hearts and on our tongues so that we can demolish strongholds that surround us in the heavenly realms. May we learn to wield the Sword You have given us!
Thank You for Your life-giving TRUTH!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!

Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I EXTOL]

A GREAT HARVEST

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Psalm 126: 5-6

5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves [from the harvest] with him.

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Artists, Sam and Kate Mylin, from "Pennsyltucky" were visiting here at Sweetbriar this weekend along with another guest from Florida. Study the page - and then follow the link to the Prayer Walk at Shepherd's Walk to see what this is all about! Can you find me in the picture?
I asked Sam to leave me a 'note' in my journal and this is what I found when I got home [after everyone had left].
Thanks, Sam - great job! I love it!

So what does your harvest field look like these days? Are you a willing participant in bringing in that harvest?

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Check out what's sizzlin' in the pan!

Here's the link: http://shepherdswalkatsweetbriar.blogspot.com/2009/07/living-sacrifices.html

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Jesus - the One I EXTOL]

GOLD ANYONE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John 16:32-33 

³²"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with Me.

³³"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. [emphasis added]

 

Is anyone out there suffering today?

Anyone afflicted?

Anyone in pain?

Anyone going through a great loss?

Anyone lose a loved one recently?

Anyone a caregiver for another who is suffering?

 

SUFFERING - it's everywhere you turn. The man on the street objects, "There is no God!" - all because of suffering.

Yet no one suffered more than God Himself - in the person of Jesus Christ on the cross. And IN HIM - we have purpose for our suffering - even when we can't explain it here. It has purpose there [in glory].

For our "light and momentary troubles" What? You call  this suffering light and momentary?

Yes! [in comparison to what's to come] they are achieving for us an eternal glory that is beyond measure!

 

May these verses of Scripture bring you comfort in your suffering and pain and... even JOY!

 

The greatest response to human suffering is to PRESS INTO GOD!

[paraphrasing Joni E. Tada]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

POST # 365 written here this day! My own personal goal has been achieved! Now I'm GOING GREEN!

What's the Difference In 'Spiritual Terms'?

 

 

 

 

                         

 

 

 

                             A PACIFIER

Focus on the first picture. What do you see? An object [a pacifier] and not much else, right?

 

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Now focus on the next picture and look what happens when you zoom out and you can see the bigger picture.

NOW - what do you see?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                              PACIFIED!

                           

Dictionary Definition:

paci·fy (pas′ə fī′)

transitive verb pacified -·fied′, pacifying -·fy′·ing

1. to make peaceful or calm;
2. appease; tranquilize
1. to establish or secure peace in (a nation, etc.)
2. ☆ to seek to neutralize or win over (people in occupied areas)

1 John 3:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁸Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity). ¹⁹By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence, ²⁰Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God's hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him]. [bold and underline emphasis added]

 

Isn't it amazing what God sees from "the bigger view"?

In spiritual terms there is only One Pacifier Who is also known as:

• SANCTIFIER
• JUSTIFIER
• SATISFIER
• CONSECRATOR

just to name a few...............

 

What is your thought?

 

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[JESUS - The One I Worship]

THE FULLNESS OF GRACE

John 1:16-18

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given though Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

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Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

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2 Corinthians 4:15

All this for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

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Jonah 2:8

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

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Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---- and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

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2 Corinthians 13:14

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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Will we ever truly know of the cost of our redemption?

Will we ever understand GRACE?

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GRACE =

God giving us what we did not deserve

= Eternal Life.

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From a Puritan Prayer:

I have no robe to bring to cover my sins,

no loom to weave my own righteousness;

I am always standing clothed

in filthy garments,

and by GRACE am always receiving

change of raiment,

for Thou does always justify the ungodly;

I am always going into the far country,

and always returning home as a prodigal,

always saying, "Father, forgive me,

and Thou art always

bringing forth the best robe."

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What does GRACE mean to you - this day?

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Choosing JOY and receiving His GRACE,

Stephanie

[JESUS - the One I Worship]