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See What’s Right with This Picture
Lord, so often I have prayed for something and didn’t even recognize the answer to my own prayer when I received it, because it did not happen the way I thought it would. Forgive me when I have been ungrateful because of my lack of perception. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Help me to see Your goodness in all things.
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
-Book of Prayers
(195)
Be Grateful in God for all things.
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Whatever our hands touch---
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.
Oh please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heart prints!
Heart prints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heart prints of kindness
and genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!
I shall go out today
To leave heart prints,
And if someone should say
"I felt your touch,"
May that one sense be...
YOUR LOVE
-Unknown
Have you leave your heartprints in someone’s life today?
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(29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Note that a process is moving from stage to stage. The goal of that process is to be conformed to the image of His Son! The firstborn, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God! Others are to be conformed to His image--they are to be God as well! When a baby is born, is it any less human than its parents? Certainly, it lacks the age, the experience, and the authority of its parents. It is less developed, its skills are not honed, and it lacks the knowledge the parents have. But is it any less human? No, it is not. The Greek word for 'firstborn' is prototokos. The Greek prefix, proto, means 'first; earliest; in front; beyond; ahead.' In every case, it indicates others are following. The proto is out in front and others are following. (We use this same Greek prefix in an English word, 'prototype,' the model after which everything that follows it is based.) Jesus Christ is the prototokos, the firstborn (the root word in prototokos means 'born'--thus, firstborn). He is in front of others who are going to be born. They will be conformed to the image of the One who was firstborn. We can tie to this Colossians 1:18, where Paul says Jesus was '. . . the firstborn [prototokos] from the dead [by a resurrection]. . . .' The others who follow will follow exactly the same pattern as the One who went first. The archegos (Hebrews 2:10) who passed through all the trials of life, died, and was resurrected as the firstborn of God, into the Family of God (Ephesians 3:15). Behind Him are many sons who will follow exactly the same pattern and be born, by means of a resurrection, into the exact same Family that He was born into. As Christ was transformed and renewed and glorified by the resurrection, so will His younger brethren! The thought in Hebrews 2:11-12, 17 shows that Jesus Christ, as a human being, fully shared in our human lot. Romans 8 is the reverse side of the coin--that even as Jesus shared our human lot, we will share his godly lot. Even as He was human, we are going to be God! It is a beautiful, clear, awesome picture! John W. Ritenbaugh Are you willing to be a part of God's family? | | |
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When I Struggle with Doubt
I worship You, Almighty God, and give You all the glory that is due Your name. I praise You, Lord of heaven and earth, and thank You that with You all things are possible. The things that are impossible with men are possible with You (Luke 18:27). Thank You that You give faith as a gift to those who ask. Because of You, I don’t have to live in doubt. I ask You to increase my faith to believe for bigger and greater things. Help me to always ask in faith, with no doubting. May I never be like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind because I have doubt (James 1:6-8)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
-Book of Prayers
(135)
Have faith and hope in God for in Him, all things are possible.
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Nurturing a friendship is like caring for your garden.
You spread the seeds, you water them and pull out the troublesome weeds. Eventually the seeds take root and your garden grows and flourishes. Come harvest time you find that all the love and care you have shown your garden has produced a bountiful harvest beyond your expectations.
You're never alone, I'm always near,
When your troubled, down or blue.
Pick up the phone or send me a note,
I'm always here for you.
It doesn't matter where I'm at,
It doesn't matter when.
When you need someone to talk to,
I'm here to be your friend.
If you need someone to hold your hand,
or a hug to say I care.
If you need a shoulder to cry on,
for you I will be there.
Never feel you are a burden,
when the weight is too much to bare.
You might find if you look close enough,
a good friend will always be there.
You're never alone, I'm always here,
through the good times and the bad.
I'm always here to be your friend,
I don't like to see you sad.
Each day as we walk through our gardens enjoying the beauty that they provide, we find that there are those special few that need a bit of tender loving care.
This page was created to help spread the Friendships Seed far and near. By using the links below, you may spread some seeds of your own, nurture seeds that have already been planted. Or read how others here are tending to this garden of friendship.
-Unknown
Be a true friend to someone today and make a positive impact in their life.
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True
