July 9, 2004

Devotional guides to help strengthen your walk in Christ

July 9, 2004

Postby Rev. Doc » Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:29 pm

Suffering

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

We all suffer at some point in life. Some seem to face more trials than others. But God's mercy has provided someone to walk through those difficult valleys with you. You do not suffer alone. Christ walks with you. And He points you to the eternal promise of peace.

The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman -- a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It's better higher up." The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation the shut-in responded, "It's better higher up." She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.

Prayer: Ask God to help you see past the sufferings in this life, and focus on the joys awaiting in that place He is preparing for you.

"I don't deserve this, but then I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either." ~Bob Hope accepting an award
"The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible."
~George Burns
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Postby true_noir_chloe » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:11 pm

A timely message. Thank you, Rev.doc. ^___^

[size=84][color=seagreen]YOU SEE


You see into the deepest part of me ---

beyond the fog I hide behind.

You cast your light upon the shadows

that stretch like cobwebs in my mind.

You ease the pain when I am hurting,

and morbid visions from my past

pierce into the realm of Reason

as though I danced on blades of glass.

You grant me strength when I have fallen

and, once again, I've lost my way.

You take my hand in Yours and lead me

into the promise of a brand new day.

You bring order to all my chaos,

yet set my well-laid plans awry.

You place me on a firm foundation ---

then give me wings so I can fly.

You sand away my roughened edges

and polish all the dullest parts

until I stand before Your presence...

a newly-sculpted work of art.

You see into the heart within me,

right through my motives and selfish will.

And yet, in spite of all You see

You say You love me even still.


~by D.M.~

[/color][/size]
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Postby shooraijin » Fri Jul 09, 2004 4:50 pm

Date on thread fixed ^^
"you're a doctor.... and 27 years.... so...doctor + 27 years = HATORI SOHMA" - RoyalWing, when I was 27
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Postby Rev. Doc » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:33 pm

shooraijin wrote:Date on thread fixed ^^



Yikes! Did I get the date wrong?
"The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible."
~George Burns
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