Whatever is Pure Archives
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Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort by Spurgeon By Roy Clarke In times of doubt, alarm, or discomfort, this year-long devotional book gives you a steady source of comfort, hope, and healing, delivered fresh from the pages of Scripture and in the timeless words and writings of Charles H. Spurgeon. Beside Still Waters is more than just a devotional book. Each reading is indexed by topic, allowing you to locate specific passages for all the pressing needs in your life. So let The Shepherd lead you to a place of safety and calm. Be refreshed by His peace, and encouraged by His presence. Beside Still Waters will help you find comfort and encouragement for almost any challenge you may face.
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God Is In Control: My Unshakeable Peace When the Storms Come By Charles Stanley God Is In Control is inspired by a series of fresh messages from pastor and best-selling author Charles Stanley. His powerful message is simply that we can recognize, appreciate, and rely on God's sovereignty even when our whole world seems out of control. God is always at work for His beloved. In addition, Stanley blesses the reader with his own nature photography, offering unique glimpses of the natural beauty crafted by our very own Creator. Whether a graduate, parent, or simply someone going through a challenging time, Charles Stanley offers direction, trust, and hope. Let him show you how blessed you are to have a God who is always in control. |
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Cultivating Contentment: Women of Faith Bible Studies
Life can be so hard, so frustrating, and so daily! Women face disappointments, disarray, downfalls, delays, drawbacks, and doldrums. It's unavoidable. But that's life! The trick is to face life's twists and turns with grace. It doesn't come naturally, and isn't learned quickly. But it can be learned! Come, and allow God to cultivate a heart of contentment in you. In this Women of Faith study, you'll learn how to find satisfaction in daily living, hopping over the pitfalls along the way. Included within the 12 weeks of lessons are illustrations and insights from Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Barbara Johnson, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells, Patsy Clairmont, Nicole Johnson, and a thorough leader's guide. Contents Include: Forward Intro Theme Verse Discontent Restless Souls The Complainer in all of us Constant Drip The Verdict What's The Alternative A Way of Seeing Keeping Your Focus The Source of Contentment Evin If Satisfied A New Creature Shall we review Leader's Guide |
Whatever is Pure - August 2006
Peace! Be Still!
Mark 4: 36 - 41 (KJV) And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?As a child, I adored all storms. Thunderstorms, blizzards, wind, rain and hail. The wilder the weather, the more excited I would become. My parents had to eventually place bolts high up on the screen doors to keep me inside as I'd try to escape, longing to be one with the elements. There is still much of that child within me, I must admit. A thunderstorm will find me with my nose plastered against my window as I watch lightning shoot across the sky. Walking against the wind with my cane is a challenge but it's a challenge I embrace. I've been known on occasion to head out in the middle of a snow storm on my scooter for the disabled to go fetch a litre of milk.
Even I have my limits however and in July of 1987, without warning, I was face to face with the awesome destructive power of a tornado that blew through my city, killing dozens, injuring hundreds and destroying millions of dollars of property and land. As I listened to the radio, huddled in the basement, I definitely was not excited by this storm, every hair on my body stood on end as this strange weather pattern blew through a city that had never witnessed a tornado before in living memory. Several of my friends barely escaped with their lives as the storm hit during afternoon rush hour.
Without warning. Chaos hits our families, our work places and our churches. Unemployment hits, children suddenly are in trouble with the law, a severe illness or sudden death strikes with lightning speed. Wars and acts of terrorism. Awful truth coming to the light within a local congregation that threatens to tear the church apart. Terrible storms that are utterly beyond our ability to control and we are caught up in the vortex, being tossed like ragdolls, bruised and tattered by emotional debris as it rips against our heart.
What can we do? We can cry out to the Lord of the heavens, he who calmed the sea. He who created the universe out of chaos of nothingness (Gen 1:2). We do not need to fear, we only need to ask, for we live on the other side of cross and the cross is our assurance of His great love for us. He will calm the seas in our lives, he will bring the emotional chaos to a place of peace, if we cry out to him. Although the physical storms of our lives may rage around us still, we can be at peace in the center of the storm, safe from harm to our spirits, if we cling to the Lord of Creation.
Lord Jesus, we cry out. "Calm the waters of our hearts, keep us within your peace as the circumstances of our world rage against us. We trust you, we know that you are our redeemer, our saviour and our Strong tower in times of trouble. We will obey you, when you give us the directive. "Peace, be still."
© 2006 Katherine Walden
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A Breath Away
In Your scripture I readWords phrases
Where does it all lead?
Your voice that I so long to hear
Imprinted on the page
Reminds that You are ever near
A breath away
Through battles all life long
Sins triumphs
Still yearning to hear victory's sweet song
Inspiration yields a greatful heart
Yet to inspire Your breath!
That You have to impart
Eludes but You still persuade
A breath away
Maybe I'm not ready
Holy Spirit life
Enter keep me steady
Transform my life through Your gifts
Breath upon me that I may live
Hope power joy
A breath away
© 2006 Peggy Ann Kennedy
kennedypeg@msn.com
Contact directly for permission before using in any format.
Love In Any Language
Our church is blessed to be multi cultural as we have several families from Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other non-English speaking nations fellowshipping with us. As I was in missions for several years, something deep within me is fed as I look across the congregation, seeing upturned faces of every colour under the sun as we worship together.Two women from Sudan have recently joined a small group that I attend. They come faithfully every week, enjoying the worship and fellowship as far as they are able. One real obstacle stands in their way as they try to enter deeper in. Pure English is not their first language and the English that they do know is a 'pigeon' dialect and almost impossible for us to understand. As they are both young mothers, they can only attend language classes on a part-time basis. I know they struggle to understand us and it breaks my heart as I see that struggle. Yet, each week they persevere. Fighting past their shyness and fear of being ridiculed for their broken English, they share prayer requests and pray for the needs of others, often blessing us by praying in their own language, giving us their hearts. They have joined with us for potlucks and have not only tried our 'strange' food but they have been truly grateful as they shared with us around the dinner table.
I think in some ways, my early years with the Lord shared much the same struggle spiritually as these young women have in the natural. I didn't know the language of God's heart. I was hopelessly confused by many scripture passages that seemed to contradict each other. How often I've heard that same complaint by those who struggle with English grammar. Not only was the language different, the culture was so different for me. Different music, different focuses, different values. I had a hard time hearing when God spoke to me and I was never quite sure if I was hearing correctly. Even now, I find myself slipping back into my old 'culture' until the Lord reminds me that I am now in His kingdom. I am forever grateful for the instructors I had along the way as I learned more about my new 'kingdom'. Patiently answering my questions, they taught me to read the word. By example, they welcomed me into what for me was a foreign culture of integrity, love, forgiveness and mercy.
I pray that when the unchurched enter into my life that I will extend the same grace and love that was bestowed unto me and that I will gently guide them into the ways of the new Kingdom. The Kingdom of God.
© 2006 Katherine Walden
Contact for permission to reprint or use in any format.
Receive a free weekly
devotional by Katherine .
As Your Words Flow
Whatever you say, wherever you go,
Someone is listening as your words flow.
The person you are, the views you share,
The love you have that shows you care,
It all comes forth in what you say
Or what you write along the way.
So be creative, be gentle and kind,
Be bold or adventurous, but always find
A way to show love and faith and hope
In a world where so many just can't cope.
Never allow the words you share
To hurt or anger, defy or dare.
Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Say nothing to make them feel defeated.
Build them up. Don't tear them down.
You too may need friends as life turns around.
So let your words smile, and laugh, and play,
Then save a few, and kneel, and pray!
©2006 Ruth Y. Nott
ruthnott@bellsouth.net
Contact directly for permission before using in any format.
God's Healing Grace
©2006 Maureen O'Brien
maureen-obrien@excite.com
Contact directly for permission before using in any format.
How hungry do you have to be before you start stealing?
How hungry do you have to be before you begin to covet your neighbour's belongings?
"To the hungry, even moldy bread looks good."
How do you keep from being hungry? How do you feed yourself? Is it up to you to feed yourself? What if you are a child,
dependent on someone else to bring you food? What if you are a wife dependent on your husband to bring you some? If it's
in short supply do you go out and forage for yourself? How hungry do you have to be?
What is the cessation of hunger? Is it just in the eating? How come some people just eat and eat till their body shows
they've eaten too much? What about when it doesn't show and they still can't get enough? What's too much? What's hunger?
And, when is window shopping dangerous? Window shopping is dangerous when you're hungry and it makes you drool. It might
make you want to grab and run.
When is it right to steal? Ah that's a trick question.
Proverbs 6:30-32 "[Men] do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is
caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery lacks
judgment; whoever does so destroys himself."
So, of the question stealing versus being hungry, stealing is bad, but hunger gnaws at you.
Maybe the trick is not to think about your hunger, itself. Think about the birds and trees, pancakes and hot dogs, no don't
even think about food. Don't think about the places where food is made and eaten. And it doesn't work to pretend you're
eating because you just miss it all the more when you snap back into reality.
Who says you have to eat just because you're hungry? Maybe it's okay not to eat when you're hungry. Hunger comes in waves.
If you wait this time, perhaps there will be free food later --some where you don't have to pay a price.
You don't have to eat just because you feel hungry. It's okay not to eat. You can wait.
"Hungry, I come to You for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry. So, I wait for You. So, I
wait for You. I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, you're all this heart is living for." — Kathryn Scott.
© 2006 Cara Van Ing
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