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Give God 11-28-15

11/28/2015

GOD DESERVES BETTER!
The following account has appeared in countless bulletins, including ours.

It’s worth rereading.

Paul Harvey told the story of a man who was preparing for Thanksgiving. While searching through his freezer, he came across a small turkey. Examining it, he was stunned to find that the turkey had been frozen 20 years! Not certain if it was safe to eat, the man called the Butterball Turkey Company to inquire. A customer service agent replied: “As long as the turkey has remained frozen at zero degrees or less, it is probably edible.” In all honesty, however, it…may taste like cardboard.” “That’s okay”, the man responded. “I needed something to donate to the church, anyway!”
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Although humorous, this story depicts a growing problem in the church – the tendency to give God the “leftovers”. This is noticeably true when it comes to monetary contributions. In many congregations, 55% of the members give 5 percent (or less) of their gross income to the Lord. (Sad to say, a large percentage of Catholics, along with members of various denominations, give twice that amount.)
The temptation to give God the “scraps” also carries over into other areas. For example, from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, approximately 65% of Christians attended every service, including Bible classes. Today, only about 40% do so, and that number is declining. Moreover, FEWER members are doing MORE of the work of the church. Surveys indicate that only 1 in 7 Christians is actively involved in a work of the church weekly. Although most Christians are physically able to assist in some aspect of the Lord's work, the majority only serves sporadically.
Not only do the paltry contributions of some Christians hamper the church, they essentially insult our heavenly Father. He has given more to us than we can imagine – and has an eternal reward awaiting us. He deserves better. Don't make God settle for leftovers. Give Him your best, and keep the “scraps” to yourself.
"Give to the LORD the glory DUE His name; BRING AN OFFERING, and come into His courts." (Psa. 96:8)
"HONOR the Lord with your POSSESSIONS, and with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Prov. 3:9-10)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

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10 Steps... Nov 22 2015

11/23/2015

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10 STEPS TO DEFEATING PORN (and other) ADDICTIONS (Pt. 2)
In my last article, I shared 5 initial steps to overcoming porn addiction. They were:
1. Acknowledge that pornography is sinful.
2. Admit your addiction to yourself.
3. Confess your addiction to God.
4. Don’t play the blame game.
5. Commit to overcoming your addiction, no matter what.
----------------- 5 Additional Steps -----------------
6. MEMORIZE SCRIPTURES CONNECTED WITH THE SIN OF PORNOGRAPHY.

David wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I MIGHT NOT SIN against you…”

(Psa. 119:11)
Pertinent passages include Mt. 5:28, Rom. 6:12-13, Gal. 5:16; 19-21 & 1 Jn. 2:16.
7. DETERMINE TO SAY “NO” JUST FOR TODAY.

Don't worry about how you will resist tomorrow, next week or next month.
Addictions are defeated 1 day the time.
“…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Mt. 6:34)

8. DON'T LET PAST FAILURES (regardless of how many) DISCOURAGE YOU.

One of Satan's strategies is to discourage us with mistakes from the past.
Paul wrote, “…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching

forward to those things which are ahead…” (Phil. 3:13)
9. REPLACE THE ADDICTION WITH A GOOD HABIT.

Repentance not only means to turn away from sin, but to do good in its place.
Check out Eph. 4:25-32.

10. CONSIDER CONFIDING IN A TRUSTWORTHY CHRISTIAN.

James wrote, “Confess your trespasses to one another (even one person), and pray for

one another, that you may be healed.” (Jam. 5:16)

Many Christians are reluctant to confide addictions to others for fear of being looked down

upon.

Please consider 2 things:

1. No trustworthy Christian looks down on those that confide personal struggles. (I’ve had Christians confide sins from suicide attempts to embezzlement to statutory rape. I've yet to “look down” on anyone or betray their confidence.)
2. Studies indicate that those that share struggles with trustworthy associates are more likely to overcome their issues.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

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Overcoming 11-15-15

11/15/2015

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10 STEPS TO DEFEATING PORN (AND OTHER) ADDICTIONS

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT VIEWING PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL IS SINFUL.
·   The Bible contains numerous passages that fundamentally condemn the viewing of
pornographic material.
·   Jesus said, "…whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery
with her in his heart…”  [Mt. 5:28]
·   Paul warned, "…the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
UNCLEANNESS (worldly or immoral behavior), LEWDNESS (acts connected with illicit lust)…” [Gal. 5:19]

2. ADMIT YOUR ADDICTION.
·   No problem can be solved unless one first admits that a problem exists.
·   Due to pride, less than 20% of porn addicts admit that they are addicted. This partially
explains why many continue this vile practice.
·   How do you know if you're addicted? If you have earnestly tried to quit 3 (or more) times
without success, you are likely addicted.

3. CONFESS YOUR ADDICTION TO GOD.
·   "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them
will have mercy.." [Pro. 28:13]
·   “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.” [1 Jn. 1:9]

4. DON'T PLAY THE BLAME GAME.
·   Many attempt to justify, excuse or down play their addictions by blaming others.
·   Only a small percentage of those that continually blame others experience long-tern success
in defeating addiction.
·   The more one focuses on WHO is to blame, the less attention he or she will give to the
REAL problem – ADDICTION.

5. COMMIT TO OVERCOMING YOUR ADDICTION, NO MATTER WHAT.
·   Addictions are tenacious, adversely affecting a person's life, and possibly jeopardizing
their salvation.
·   Defeating an addiction requires determined, persistent commitment.
·   ECCL 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with ALL of your MIGHT.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Lord, Prop Us Up 11-1-15

11/1/2015

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LORD, PROP US UP!
An elderly deacon, when called upon to lead public prayer, always added, “And Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.” After hearing these words countless times, someone finally asked him what he meant.
He answered, “Well, I’ve got an old barn on my property. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of storms, and it's stood for many a year. One day I noticed that it was leaning to one side, so I got some poles and propped it up so it wouldn't fall. Although it's still standing, I keep an eye on it to see if it needs more support.
Some years back I got to thinking about how much I am just like that old barn. I've been around a long time; I've withstood a lot of hard times, and by God's grace I’m still standing. But sometimes I get to leaning – toward anger, doubt, impatience, criticizing – things I shouldn’t. I figure I'm not alone. So I ask the Lord to PROP US UP on our LEANING SIDE.”
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Every Christian needs to frequently pray the same prayer. As strong as we might think we are, we tend to lean in a direction that may displease the Lord. “…let him who thinks he stands TAKE HEED lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12
Fortunately, our loving heavenly Father is ready to hear and is able to answer prayers to correct our "leanings".
“…the L is faithful, who will ESTABLISH you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith… But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN, and SETTLE you.” 1 Pet. 5:6-10
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

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Give God 11-28-15

10 Steps... Nov 22 2015

Overcoming 11-15-15

Lord, Prop Us Up 11-1-15

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