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A Daily Thought
10/17/07 - God’s plan for our lives is unfolding before us. Sometimes the road seems closed, or it opens up so slowly that we have to hold ourselves back. It is because we are caught in time, but spiritual growth occurs by everyday starting a creative new thing that will sponsor a never boring walk with Christ. We are His partners and He puts us in communities. Then when the time is right, the way before us suddenly clears--- through no effort of our own. What you have longed for and worked for He presents to you freely as a pure gift. You see the ease in which He operates in the world. You see that your weakness is the stage on which His power and glory shines out most brilliantly. You are prepared, ready to lean on His strength to sustain you, expecting to see miracles. Miracles are not often seen by the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. “For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) Live by faith and not by sight and you’ll see to walk in His steps.
10/10/07 - “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Eph. 6:13-18 MSG.)
You have to wrestle against the things that prevent you from getting to God. Then you wrestle in prayer for others souls, but we never wrestle with God in prayer, or you will end up like Jacob who was crippled the rest of his life. We are to wrestle before God with things, until the mind of Christ is given to us on the matter. Ask Him to show you the difference between His order and His permissive will. It is our reaction to His permissive will that gets us to His order. We must put up a glorious fight to receive the strength that He promises to do His will. “It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there is no one to help, tough!” (Ecc. 4:9 MSG.)
10/4/07 - When we are filled with the Spirit, we are in God’s way and we don’t have to ask for guidance because we have it, but when we choose to be disobedient or we are choosing wrongly there is an intuitive jar in the spiritual domain. When He gives the check, we must stop immediately “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.”(James 1:5MSG.) When we look back we’ll see the presence of an amazing design which we will credit to God. It is through spiritual discipline and humility that we see God’s hand in every detail. God has an appointed order for your life, be ready to discover the Divine designs anywhere. Each one of us is like a diamond put in a setting of gold when we are working with the body of Christ, but beware of doing things your way, instead of asking for God’s wisdom. It is only with Him that we are to be consistent; when we live a Divine life we discover the Divine mind
9/22/04 - God often works from the bottom up, not from the top down. Jesus knew the cost of divine restraint. He endured the cross and the redemption of His suffering and of ours. Peter’s suffering ridded him of his worst faults. Suffering opens our spiritual eyes to see the valuable, and we become thankful for the goodness of God in and all around us. It is the tenderizing of our souls, and the equipping of our service. It is valuable to us.There may be weeping for the night, but there will be joy in the morning. It is Jesus that opens up the way before us, one step at a time, one day at a time. Our part is to keep our eyes on Him and our ears open to His voice, and our feet in His steps.
9/16/07 - Let this truth trickle down through your mind into your heart and soul. Whenever you feel fearful let God’s promise that nothing can separate you from His love wash over you; He will never leave you or forsake you. His presence watches over you continually, He has engraved you in the palm of His hand. His peace is not an elusive goal hidden from you. Actually, you are always enveloped in His presence and as you look to Him you become aware of His precious peace that passes your understanding.
9/3/07 - He plans out each day and has it ready for us. Stay in touch with Him so His strength flows freely into you through your open communication. Don’t waste energy on worry, whenever you start to feel afraid remember He is always alert and active, watching over you continually. Trust in God never dreams that He is not standing by you. -Dee Dee Talbot ‘He proved He’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with Him.” “When I get afraid I come to You in trust. I’m proud to praise God; fearless now I trust in God. What can mere mortals do? (Ps. 28:7; 56:3-4 MSG)
8/27.07 - When the focus of your life is on Jesus, He will be the initiator of your thoughts and desires. He will be the Lord and director of your life. Ask Him for His perspective today. Life is like a diamond. You can’t see all the facets or facts of your circumstances from your point of view. Being God-centered instead of self-centered will change your attitudes, thoughts, and feelings. You’ll find wisdom and love enough for everything. Review your day. Did you handle things better? Did you find yourself more comfortable in your own skin? Daniel was given instruction for the good of others. -Dee Dee Talbot “You had no sooner started your prayer when the answer was given. And now I’m here to deliver the answer to you. You are much loved! So listen carefully to the answer, the plain meaning of what is revealed.” (Daniel 9:23, MSG)
8/18/07 - We have a covenant, a partnership, an intimate marriage vow with the Lord Jesus. He always keeps His part perfectly. Take time to think about how He partnered with Abraham, telling him that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He came to Moses and told Him that He was going to deliver His people from Egypt. In both of these situations God and man went into discussions of understanding and requests. Could this be their cry for intervention? God invites us to “Come now, and let us reason together.” (Isa, 1:18) When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on the problem so intensely you lose sight of your Good Shepherd, your Husband. (Isa. 54:5) You pit yourself against the difficulty, you think the battle is yours and has to be fought immediately. Your body becomes tense and anxious. Bring it all to Jesus, reason with Him and get His perspective and guidance. It puts much needed space between you and your concerns. You will be surprised at the result; you may find yourself laughing at yourself for being so serious about the insignificant things. We’ll always face troubles in this life, but we have a Helper in whatever we encounter. When we are with Jesus we’re in the light. Dee Dee Talbot
8/10/07 - God is with you and within you. Learn to hide in the secret of His presence and the peace that passes understanding will keep your heart focused on Jesus where only goodness dwells. He goes before you to make your path straight, He walks beside you, and you will hear a voice behind you saying “This is the way, walk in it.” You’re never alone, there should be a lightness in your step, and a song in your heart for others to see. Roll your burdens on your Great Burden Bearer, for He has conquered the world and deprived it of the power to hurt you. In Him is your peace. Dee Dee Talbot (John 16:33 Isa. 30:21)
6/22/07 - Our victory lies not in our strength or our achievements, but in our ability to reflect the love and grace of God in our daily life. :)WTT
5/11/07 - There is nothing so amazing nor so reassuring than meditating on the character of God. No matter what we have done, nor what condition the world is in, he never changes who he is. We can count on him, on his love, on his faithfulness and on his mercy. :)WTT
5/8/07 - Even when I am trying to get it all right and my whole desire is to grow and mature in my faith I can’t fulfill that desire unless I strengthen and build my relationship with Jesus. Still times come when I feel like a spiritual failure. The only thing I can rely on is God. He will never fail me. His character does not change. I am confident that he will never give me more than I can bear. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is with me and will bring me through every circumstance. :)WTT
5/7/07 - Instead of maneuvering myself into a ministry and seeking work that makes me feel significant I look around to see where God has placed me now. What are my circumstances and who is there before me today? Today I draw close to him to feel his spirit and open myself to his will for my life. Today I am confident that if I am faithful in my circumstance he is pleased. On my own I can do no work for God, though he may choose to use me for his purposes. For that I am grateful. :)WTT
5/5/07 - Though I know that everything I do must come from love, I cannot forget or set aside truth. With God’s love there is judgment. I will be judged. We will be judged. Through that knowledge comes my understanding of the gospel. I need a savior. The world needs a savior. When I tell people about my faith, I must tell the whole truth of the gospel. Only then can the Holy Spirit bring an individual into a true relationship to God through repentance and redemption by grace. :)WTT
5/4/07 - How much of my intercessory prayer is really self-focused prayer – what I want for that person, how I think God should handle their situation and how much is God-focused prayer? I have to live my life intimately connected to God. I do this by meditating on the character of God and studying his word. Than I can pray in harmony with the good work God is trying to do in my life and in the lives of others. :)WTT
5/1/07 - How much better life is when I take the focus off of what God is doing in my life and focus instead on what I am doing in the lives of others. How am I allowing myself to be used by God? What is my work and the fruit of my labor? It is not about what happens on the mountain, but how I live my life here in the valley. :)WTT
4/30/07 - The love I give to others must never be a response to a set of rules or expectations. Rather love that can transform lives must be the natural overflow of Christ's love which he pours into my heart through his Holy Spirit. To increase my ability to love others I empty myself and open my heart to the Holy Spirit who desires to fill me with God's abundant love. :)WTT
4/26/07 - I know that you want to purify me. I must be willing to go through the refiner's fire. You want me to let go of everything that keeps me from growing in my knowledge of you and my service to you. It is reassuring to know that you will work this in me as long as as I abide in you. :)WTT
4/25/07 - I must keep trying even when I don't "feel" holy or righteous or worthy. You are with me always, in the everyday things of life. You are forming me and using me even when I can not sense you or understand. I trust and go forward. :)WTT