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There a time for everything...
Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Often we wait until it's too late to hold the hurting person in our arms; to offer
encouragement; to bring flowers to the sick; to say "I appreciate you" to a dear
one; to write a note to someone who is literally dying of loneliness.
We can't wait until we have the time or it is convenient for us. We must meet that
person's need in their time, not ours. It's too late to bring flowers and praise at the
funeral. Today is the day of cheer and hope, love and approval. It takes such little
effort to say, "I love you."
Pat Nordman
February 5
"Your beauty...should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle
and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" 1 Peter 3:3,4.
"How shall we become lovely? By loving Him who is ever lovely." St. Augustine;
"Some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces, who dwell in true meekness.
There is a harmony in the sound of that voice to which Divine love gives utterance, and
some appearance of right order in their temper and conduct whose passions are
regulated." John Woolman, Daily Strength for Daily Needs, page 73.
The Christian woman's true makeupher characteris one of nurture, calm, and service. These
are the ornaments that shine more brightly as we get older.
Christian character should become exquisite with age. The Christian spirit is a tempered
spirit, not a spirit of temper. It is tempered with the heavenly alloy of Christlike
refinement, disposition and habits. It is only by ardently beholding Christ that we can
"makeup" such a character.
A story is told of a girl who was ugly. She became the target of cruel remarks from her
classmates. She became bitter and vindictive. One day her French teacher asked her,
"What is wrong, little one?" "I am so ugly," the girl cried. The
teacher took her to her room and handed the sad little girl a round and brown thing that
looked as ugly as the girl. She told the girl to plant and water it carefully. In time a
golden Japanese lily grew out of that ugly thing. The little girl then realized that
beauty and fragrance are inside; that she, ugly on the outside, could share her inner
loveliness and balm, and no one would even notice what had so bothered her. As the adage
reminds us, beauty is only skindeep; the radiance of character lies in our depth.
"The King's daughter is all glorious within" Psalm 45:13 NAS.
Pat Nordman ©
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Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions |
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Spurgeon's Morning for February 5 |
Spurgeon's Evening February 5 |
"The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" - 1 John 4:14 |
"At that time Jesus answered." - Matthew 11:25
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It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth without his Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. He was sent of the Father, that he might be the Saviour of men. We are too apt to forget that, while there are distinctions as to the persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honour. |
It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was, in this world, so are we; let us therefore learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning him teaches us. ... |
T |
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But my mouth would
encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Job
16:5 (NIV) by Cathy Vinson What words came to trouble Mary so? Surprisingly, they were
words of greeting from the throne of God, words of His favor. They were to be accepted
into her heart during the moments of this divine encounter. As might happen with us, this moment caught Mary offguard and
met her abruptly. But her initial response isn't what mattered in the end. Given a few
moments for these awesome words to assimilate, her soft, willing heart was soon unearthed
into obedience. The news of God's favor can be troubling! Caught in many an
unworthy moment, news of His goodness and favor can be deeply troubling..."Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man" (Lk 5:8). Still, God's affections remain undeterred. If Mary could receive the greeting of heaven into her initially
troubled soul, much would be opened up! She would actually receive the Son of God. As believers, we, as Mary, have been chosen to receive the seed
within (1 Jn 3:9). Mary accepted the greeting; then she accepted His Seed. In letting His
favor in, she allowed entry of His Seed as well. If we are at first not inclined to the Father's initiative, may
we nevertheless proceed. For it isn't the one who says "yes" that does His will,
but the one who DOES it, even if he is initially perplexed and troubled (Mt 21:31).
Mary
was greatly troubled at his words. (Luke 1:29) Send
a note to Cathy
Vinson , the
writer of this devotion. Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions
are found HERE Religion
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February 5 Leviticus
11:1 - 13:59
Linked to Bible Gaitway TM
Today's Devotion
Initial
Response
... this moment
caught Mary off guard and met her abruptly. But her initial response isn't what mattered in
the end.
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