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First Things.......

2/19/2024

FIRST THINGS FIRST

I once heard some sound advice about starting the day off right. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the rest of the day, begin each day with a smile!”

Over the years I’ve encountered numerous people that begin their days with similar rituals. One man begins his day by enthusiastically clapping and exclaiming, “It’s going to be a great day!” Another goes from his bed to his knees, earnestly thanking God for another day of life. Still others start their day by thanking God for seven to ten blessings.

King David apparently observed a similar ritual. “O God, You are my God; EARLY (first thing in the morning) will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.." (Psa. 63:1-4).

If you want to begin each day in the best possible way, try doing one (or more) of the following immediately after waking:

Count your blessings! Thank God for the day, His grace, His word, salvation, your family, health, home, heat, food, job, etc.

Read from God’s word. You can’t begin a day any better than listening to God first thing!

Spend a few moments telling God how much you love, need and appreciate him.

Sing a song of praise to God! Even “Jesus Loves Me” can lift your spirits at the start of a day!

Since the first 90 seconds will frequently set the tone for the rest of the day, begin your day with God in mind!

Live for the Lord in 2024!

Dennis

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How about some Exercise

2/16/2024

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EXERCISE, ANYONE?

Did you hear about the woman who met with frustration when she attempted to begin exercising at a fitness club? When she signed up for Beginning Aerobics, she assumed that everything would go smoothly. In describing her experience, however, she said, “I had no clue as to what lie ahead. I grimaced, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, gasped for air and perspired heavily for an hour. I had to stop, sit down and catch my breath at least seven times before continuing. By the time I finally got my leotards on, the class was over.”

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Being that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), we need to keep it as healthy as possible. For many decades medical experts have advised that regular exercise is essential to keeping our bodies fit and to help ward off disease. Even the Apostle Paul conceded, "bodily exercise profits a little" (1 Tim 4:8).

That said, we should be even more concerned with getting sufficient spiritual exercise, as it profits us both in this life and in eternity. Expanding on Paul’s words in 1 Tim. 4:7-8, “…exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

It's ironic that millions of people today devote substantial amounts of time, energy and money to maintaining their physical bodies. Yet many of them take little or no thought as to their spiritual condition, or where they will spend eternity.

Jesus once asked, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" (Matt. 16:26) We might also ask, "What does it profit a man to gain great health and lose his own soul?"

Taking care of our body is important, but taking care of our soul is CRITICAL. The healthiest people on earth will eventually die (Heb. 9:27), but only those that are spiritually strong through Jesus Christ will live forever in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4).

Live for the Lord in 2024!

Dennis

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Faith of a Child

2/16/2024

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Does God Live Under YOUR Bed?
(Revised, by Sally Cleghorn, Royal Oak, MI)

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it" (Luke 18:17).

My brother Kevin believes that God lives under his bed. At least that's what I overheard one night as he was praying aloud in his bedroom. "Are you there, God?” he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed." I giggled softly and tiptoed to my room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement, but that night I realized just how different his world is.

He was born 60 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons with the capabilities of a 7-year- old, and always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, and that airplanes stay up because angels carry them.

Is Kevin ever dissatisfied? He is up before dawn each day, off to work at a shop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, returning to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and then to bed. The only variation is laundry days, when he hovers over the washing machine like a mother with her child. He never seems dissatisfied.

Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His hands are diligent -- when he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He recognizes no differences in people, treating each as an equal. He believes that everyone tells the truth, and when you are wrong, you admit it. And when he prays, he comes before God as a child. God is his closest friend.

In my moments of doubt, I envy the serenity Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap -- I am. My fears, worries and foolish pride all become disabilities when fail to give them up to Christ.

Perhaps Kevin comprehends things I will never learn in this life. He has spent decades praying after dark, believing that any strange noise is God moving about. In times of stress, I sometimes wonder if God hears me. But I will never doubt that God hears every word of a boy who genuinely believes that God lives under his bed.

Live for the Lord in 2024

Dennis

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Power of an Invite.....

2/8/2024

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THE POWER OF ONE INVITATION
(Revised and adapted from The Leonard Street Light)

Glenn McCullough, a faithful Christian, owned a dairy near Tupelo, Mississippi. Mr. A.D. Prince, a salesman from Memphis, regularly called on brother McCullough with dairy supplies. One day Mr. Prince arrived later than normal. McCullough informed Mr. Prince that he was getting ready to attend a Gospel meeting at the church of Christ, so Mr. Prince would have to return the next day. But as the salesman turned to leave, brother McCullough invited him to stay for supper and attend the meeting. Mr. Prince agreed. In fact, he attended that night and two additional nights. Though he learned a great deal, he did not obey the Gospel during those visits.

Months later, Mr. Prince accepted a new job and no longer called on brother McCullough. Years later, however, McCullough read about an honor student at a Christian College named A.D. Prince III. Remembering the salesman from his past, he made several inquiries and discovered that the student was indeed the grandson of the salesman from Memphis. Further investigation revealed that after accepting a new job, A.D. Prince attended a church of Christ revival in Memphis. He was baptized into Christ the first night. Later, he led numerous relatives to the Lord, and eventually became an elder in the church.

Years later, both men were diagnosed with terminal diseases. With only months to live, brother Prince asked his sister to drive him to McCullough's home in Tupelo. After arriving, A.D. Prince said, "I want to thank you for inviting me to the Gospel meeting that night many years ago. If it had not been for your invitation, I probably would never have heard the gospel and become a Christian. It was your invitation that made it possible for my family, my grandchildren, and me to become Christians. I will be forever grateful. Thank you."

Jesus said: "Go therefore into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding" (Matt. 22:9). Never underestimate the power of an invitation. It might just result in the salvation of a lost soul.

Live For The Lord in 2024!

Dennis

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First Things.......

How about some Exercise

Faith of a Child

Power of an Invite.....

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