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My goodness, we are already in Philippians. Seems like we just started to read in Ephesians. The closer we get to the end of the year the faster the time seems to go, almost like we are picking up steam going down a big hill lol. Again like in Ephesians Paul wrote Philippians while he was in prison. In this letter Paul writes to the people at Philippi, he is wanting them to know how special they are to him and that they help him in a big way to be stronger in Christ while he is there in prison. Christ obeyed God so completely that he died on our behalf. Paul wants the Christians at Philippi to obey God completely too. He wants them to be like Christ. Paul is afraid that they might listen to false teachers. The false teachers were teaching wrong ideas. Paul wants the Christians to do the things that make God happy. They must continue to believe God. They must continue to obey God, even when other people are not kind to them.
Also, Paul thanks the Christians at Philippi for the gifts that they had sent to him. He tells them that he will send Timothy and Epaphroditus to Philippi. These men will tell all the news about Paul to the Christians there.
I think we are going to find that Philippians will be some really interesting reading, as all the other books have been. The devotional sort of ties in with what Paul has to say in our readings the next few days. It’s basically saying we need to keep our skills sharpened so that we can do the best we know how to do for God. I know I have some sharpening I need to do on myself.
Today’s Reading
Isaiah 57:15-59:21
Philippians 1:1-26
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 24:9-10
Daily Devotional
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings…"
Proverbs 22:29, NIV
Too often, it's easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same thing the same way over and over every day. But if we are going to live at our absolute best, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day because when you stop learning, you stop growing. When you stop growing, you stop living.
What are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don't get trapped into thinking that "good enough" is good enough. You are created for more than just average. Today is a new day, and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you'll rise up higher and higher. You will stand before leaders and rulers, and you'll live the blessed life God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
"Father in heaven, today I choose to rise out of mediocrity. I choose to give my very best to everything I do. Teach me to live skillfully so that my life is a continual praise to you. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I've been having a lot of achiness. My cardiologist took me off the lipitor last week and I'm still having a lot of pain. There's also been some tightness in the left part of my chest. I have an apt with another cardiologist, in the same office as mine, tomorrow morning. (My Cardiologist doesn't have an opening until 10/14). I'm hoping they can figure out something to stop the pain I've been in and that it's nothing too serious. Please keep me in your prayers.
David's job is still in turmoil. He does have a couple different irons in the fire so we're going to keep on trusting the Lord to take care of us. Our neighbors across the street just put their house up for sale. He lost his job at Sprint about a year ago and has been trying to sale insurance. Their boy who is a year older than Jake just told us they had to move and he didn't know where they were going to move to. It really breaks my heart! Please keep my neighbors in your prayers as well. They have a boy who is a junior in high school, a girl who is a freshman in high school and a little girl who is 3 years old.
If it wasn't for David's Mom leaving us what she did we would have lost our house a long time ago. If David doesn't get a better paying job before too long we're going to have to sale this house too. Not even sure if we could sale it...the market is still so unpredictable. Gotta keep reminding myself to keep my eyes on the Lord and not on my cir****tances...just hard to do at times.
They called me to sub for a Kindergarten class the morning...I turned it down! Two days of First Graders about did me in, I can't imagine an entire day of Kindergartners! I was suppose to sub 1/2 day for a reading class tomorrow but have to cancel that one due to my appointment...just not sure I'll be out in time.
Well, I guess I'd better get off here. I'm way behind on my bible reading so am going to try and get caught up on that. I'm thinking I'll go out to a local park and read. The sunshine will do be good.
Hope all of you have a GREAT Wednesday!
Love ya all!
Debbie D.
hey listen folks where have you all been yesterday and today so far...I know i didnt post either but was just wondering where everyone else was...the board was dead....dont like to see that ,reminds me of what it was like 4 years ago ...
sorry i didnt get the post done yesterday, had the day off and we took off on the bike it was so pretty out. we road and road until about 2 and then turned around and came home lol ....the trip to nowhere. The weather couldnt have been more perfect for bike riding...
i have been getting up at my usual time and within about a half hour going back to bed cause im so sleepy and sleep till 10...i just got up about 15 minutes ago...dont knwo what is going on i have never in my life slept like that. feels good tho except on the days i have to go to work, i dont get anything done...like today, now i have only 3 hours before i have to leave the house. ....
not a lot of news here on the home front so going to close this so i can start getting ready for work and get some other things done .....love you all...take care...
http://community.webshots.com/user/mimicook?vhost=community
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY
JAN COOK
What really stood out to me in our reading today is in Ephesians. The amazing part of the book of Ephesians is that Paul is writing this from a prison cell. Paul knows that he is in a war, a spiritual war with satan. Satan wants to destroy all that God has done through Jesus Christ and as we all know satan will stop at nothing to try to do just that. Paul is trying to tell us that we really do have one important need in order to fight this war and that is the Power of God. We cannot make ourselves strong, we have to get our strength from God, that’s the only way we will be able to fight against satans tatics. In verses 10 through 19 Paul tells us how we can withstand the firey darts that satan is throwing at us. This is something I’ve learned to do just about every day because satan just doesn’t know when to stop until we make him stop. These verses have changed my life these last few months especially.
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[c] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[d] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[e] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[f]
I really think if we’ll put on the full armor of God on a daily basis we’ll be equipped and ready for anything. I sure know when I don’t put on the armor of God, my day just don’t go as well as it could of that’s for sure.
Daily Devotional
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors…"
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)
As believers in Jesus, we are called to be His ambassadors or representatives in the earth. In the natural, ambassadors are privileged. They are diplomats with the highest rank. They walk in the authority of the name of the one who sent them.
As God's ambassadors on this earth, we walk in His power and authority. We are to promote relationship with Him. The Bible also calls us "ministers of reconciliation," which means we are the ones to bring the message of hope in Jesus to the world. When you see yourself as God's ambassador, it will change the way you think. It will change the way you act. It will change the way you approach people.
Today, remember, that you are a representative of Almighty God. Look for ways to promote relationship with Him. Speak words of healing that will draw people. Show kindness because it's His kindness that leads people to repentance. Look for ways to bless others as we work together to build His kingdom.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me as Your ambassador. Help me to understand the authority You've given me. Show me ways to reach out and be a blessing to others and build Your kingdom in the earth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hugs
Barbara
Lap RNY ~ 4/22/2003
5'0" ~253 starting wt. 130 lb loss!
************************
Extended Tummy Tuck with KU Residency Program
01/08/2010 ....Lost another 7 lbs with TT.
Things are calm around here now ,we will see how long that lasts. I know I am not sleeping and I got some sleeping pills from the doctor and they do nothing. I guess I will go till I drop. I try to sleep but just cannot. Thank God for coffee or I couldn't function in the mornings.
Susan good to see you on here. You are still part of us so don't be a stranger.
grab an extra blanket tonight and I hope I sleep tonight.
Hello to all.sorry i have not been on here in a while.we are doing great here in tulsa.the weather was warm for a little while but now it has cooled off some.we dropped to 52 here last night.supposed to be in the 60's at night all this week and daytime in the 70's will sure be nice.we have our sliding glass door open letting in the fresh air.but if the cool weather keep's up we will need to get out the long john's.lol.
my dad is doing better.he has made friend's and the nurses and aides love to take care of him.they changed his diet to mech soft.he cannot go in the car with us for rides anymore.his legg's just will not let him stand up enough to get into the car.if he has any app he goes in the wheelchair van so he can stay in his wheel chair.other wise he is doing good.
jan sound's like the home sure is keeping you busy.bet you and joe are ready for your winter trip.how is rebel?how is school and work going for your grandson.
jo glad to hear your eye's are doing better.how are thing's going in your woman cave.
debbie d bet thoses little ones sure do keep you busy.my sister in law has a class of kindergarden kids this year.
jeanie rae how did your test go for you.
lana are you being good these day's.lol.
susie are you still teaching school?
everyone have a great evening.andy and i are getting ready to go out.today is our 24 wedding ann.we are praying for all the need's here on the board.we love you all.god bless.susan
I'm back to work. My vision is still a little fuzzy in that eye but so much better than a week ago. The lighting bothers me so most of them are off.
Jan, my vitamin D was low last year and I added more but it's still low. He gave me a prescription I take once a week for 8 weeks. I was charged $10 for 4 pills......grrrr. I guess the OTC not working for me is because we're all so different. What works for one doesn't always work for someone else.
Yesterday I worked out in my 'woman cave' and got it a little more organized. I bought a couple pairs of pants at the thrift shop for $5. One fits perfectly but the other one was 4 1/2" too long. I shortened them and the sleeves on a top. I've been catching up on my reading the last few days. I'm so grateful that I can read.
Max's Neuro Stimulator is working great. It has no pain now.
~Jo~
RNY: July 8, 2008
Dr. John Price
Kansas City, MO
have to work again today. and have to go into town early, a friend that i work with wants me to come and tell her what the little plants are all over her flower beds , im pretty sure they are balsum since i gave her several plants this past spring of them , it is about time that they have blown their seeds everywhere i know mine have. hopefully they will get up big enough to have flowers on them again before it freezes but who knows with the crazy weather we are having all the time.
and they are really delicate when it comes to frosts...even a light one will take them out...
Im still sore from pulling weeds all day in the flower beds on Saturday...the backs of my legs are especially sore. will have to do it some more tomorrow when i am off to get them back in shape.
you would think that as much as i do this that they wouldnt get sore but if i lay off just a few days doing it they are sore again like i have never done it.
Haven heard from Dr. H about my blood work i had faxed to him....i need to go by the dr. office here and pick up a copy too so i can see how it is doing and if it is lower or higher or the same as last time.
Jo i dont know why they say that Vit D over the counter doesnt work , it works for a lot of us...you have to make sure it is Vit D 3 ....mine has been good ever since i added that to my list of meds i take it was down a little when i first noticed it and started taking the OTC one and it is up and good.
She was right that we dont absorb much of it especially if you are past 50 the gland or hormone or what ever it is that absorbs it from the sun and utilizes it doesnt work well and then with our malaborsiton we dont add any thru foods so we are double whammied....I take 10000 units of vit d 3 daily and my d levels are all good....
Glad your eye is doing better.....take care of them girl....all we have , that always scares me about going blind that is. would hate that a lot, to not be able to see Gods beauty....
Jeanie so tomorrow is the day you go for some test? let us know how you do ....I know you will be ok ...hope all of your dreams do come true with getting back to what you love.
How are you doing on the cig. smoking or the lack there of? am keeping you in my prayers too
Susie how are things going with you? problems dissapearing any ? calming down ? You know we are always here for you
Debbie D...sounds like you are keeping busy too with those little ones. They can sure wear us out after we arent use to having them around all the time. lol....
Well i will talk to all of you later....
Oh Yes Andy thank you for those web sites ...they are wonderful and really uplift the spirit dont they?
Love you and Susan....hope we get to see you in Oct.
http://community.webshots.com/user/mimicook?vhost=community
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY
JAN COOK
Today’s Reading
Isaiah 48:12-50:11
Ephesians 4:17-32
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 24:5-6
Daily Devotional
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing"
(Proverbs 12:18, NIV)
The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of our words. We can use our words to build people up and encourage them, or we can just as easily bring destruction with our words.
When we use our words to bring healing, the Bible says that we are wise. Choose to be wise today and choose healing words. Look for the best in others and build them up. Choose healing words over gossip; choose words of freedom and peace over anger and judgment. Let your words encourage the people in your life by speaking strength, hope and victory.
Remember, words are seeds. When you use your words to bring healing, you'll reap a harvest of health, strength and life in return. As you are faithful with your words, God will increase your influence. He will increase His favor and blessing upon you and lead you in the good life He has prepared for you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I choose to be wise and bring healing to others with my words. I ask for an increase of Your power and ability in my life so that I can live to honor You in all I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
