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firstIMPRESSIONS
Cautiously, he asked the school’s long time custodian, “Do you think it’s wise to keep the stockroom unlocked and to let the teachers take things without requisitions?” The custodian looked at him gravely and said, “We trust them with the children, don’t we?” Trust. A simple and short word, but one that implies so much. If I trust someone in one area, but not in another, have I really trusted them? Can trust be area specific? I know confidence can be, but trust implies the whole package. How do you trust God? Do you, as many people do, trust Him for your salvation, but you don’t trust Him to take care of your daily needs? Do you trust Him to forgive you of your sins, but not to help you in personal areas that you lift to Him in prayer? In other words, do you trust the Lord for the big things, but doubt Him (distrust) for the relatively little things? We need to make a decision right now! Do you trust God for everything or do you pick and choose where you trust Him? How does God want you to trust Him? I’m so glad that God forgave me of all my sins, not just the ones He thought about, rationalized, and made a decision based on my life experience or my worthiness. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths.” God can be trusted in ALL things; we need to show Him that we trust Him in ALL areas by giving Him our WHOLE life, not just certain areas. Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 7.38. Live for God, on purpose, placing your complete confidence in Him to in every area of your life. |
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A disciple is an individual who has made a conscious decision, confirmed by definitive action, to be a commited follower. They are called a “disciple” because they discipline themselves to the principles, teachings, and actions of the one they follow. Discipleship is the action of becoming a disciple. If this is indeed true, then the question every Christian must ask themselves is who or what they are following! The answer to that question is not as painfully obvious as it may seem. Throughout the ages, there have been many Christians who have been followers of the leader of a particular church, whether it be a denominational leader, a certain evangelist, their pastor, or some other individual who has gained respect in their eyes. The Bible itself mentions that there were disciples of John the baptist. In 1 Corinthians 1:12, Paul mentions that some were saying “I follow Paul"; another, “I follow Apollos"; another, “I follow Cephas.” This Sunday morning, we continue our preaching series on “True Disciples,” as we look to Luke 6:40, and consider just what the best measure should be of a disciple of Christ. The very life of Christ Himself must be the standard we strive to attain. Jesus said “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” A true disciple is called to be like Christ. In this message, we will learn three critical areas where Christ serves as an example for each and every disciple. Don’t miss this message that can shape your life in the Lord! (top)  Are You Ready for Bigger Things?
“You...enlarged me when I was in distress.” – Psalms 4:1 (Amplified Bible) Did you know that the hermit crab looks for a shell that fits him, then lives in it until he outgrows it? At that point he has to scurry along the ocean floor and find a bigger one; it’s a process that repeats itself throughout his entire life. Are you clinging to something that no longer fits you, just because it’s easy and familiar? David said, “You... freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress.” To develop and grow spiritually you must be willing to move out of your comfort zone and deal with a little “distress.” What worked for you yesterday may not work today. Maybe it’s a job you’ve outgrown, a relationship you need to re-examine or a behavior you need to change. Regardless of what it is, never become so “settled” that you can’t let go and move on when you need to. Patience and persistence are admirable, but they won’t work in situations you’ve outgrown. Instead of hanging in and trying harder, at certain points you have to stop and ask yourself, “Is this situation good for me?” If you’re not sure, ask God for “an understanding mind [to]...know the difference between... right and... wrong” (1 Kings 3:9 TLB). His Word says, “If you need wisdom... ask [Him], and He will [gladly] give it to you.” (James 1:5 NLT). When God says it’s time to move on, it’s because there’s another shell out there that will fit you even better. But you can’t take occupancy until you vacate the old one. So how about it – are you ready for bigger things? (top)  The Butterfly Principle
by Os Hillman “The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.” – Exodus 14:8 Overprotective parents do their children a great injustice. The caterpillar that lies inside the cocoon will never become the beautiful butterfly if someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely. It is the struggle itself that allows the butterfly to emerge as a strong, new creature of nature. God understands how necessary this process is. That is why we are allowed to experience difficult, often life-changing events. He even orchestrates them-all for our benefit. What the Israelites thought was a cruel joke when Pharaoh sent troops to pursue them after they had been freed and penned against the shore of the Red Sea became the stage for the most publicized miracle of all time-the parting of the Red Sea. Generation after generation has heard this incredible story of deliverance. God puts us against the “Red Seas” in order to show His power in and through us. If we do not know God can deliver, then we can never learn to trust Him. Circumstances that go beyond our capabilities of solving them place us at God’s complete mercy. This is how He likes it. Do not fear the calamity that comes your way. If you are faithful to Him in the test, you will see God’s power manifested like never before. Just as the Israelites were able to sing a song of deliverance, you too will have your own testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness; and you will be able to recall it for others to build your faith and theirs. as seen in Os Hillman’s TGIF – “Today God Is First.” To subscribe to TGIF, go to: www.TodayGodIsFirst.com (top)  God Knows...
When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish... If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn... When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing... (top)  Getting What We Ask For
by Alan Smith A man asked his wife, “What would you most like for your birthday?” She said, “I’d love to be ten again.” On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and off they went to a theme park. He put her on every ride in the park – the Death Slide, The Screaming Loop, the Wall of Fear. Everything there was, she rode. She staggered out of the theme park five hours later, her head reeling and her stomach upside down. Into McDonalds they went, where she was given a Double Big Mac with extra fries and a strawberry shake. Then off to a theater to see Star Wars — more burgers, popcorn, cola and sweets. At last she staggered home with her husband and collapsed into bed. Her husband leaned over and asked, “Well, dear, what was it like being ten again?” One eye opened and she groaned, “Actually, I meant dress size.” That story reminds me of what happened to James and John. They came to Jesus with a request. Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36). “They said to Him, ‘Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.’” (Mark 10:37) Jesus told them they really didn’t know what they were asking for. He asked them, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38) Their response? “Of course!” However, what they had in mind (prestige, power and glory) wasn’t the same thing Jesus had in mind (persecution, suffering and servanthood). Jesus gave them exactly what they asked for, but it wasn’t at all what they were hoping for when they made the request! So often, the same thing happens in my life. God has a way of answering my requests, my prayers, in ways I never even dreamed of — not always in a pleasant way, not always in a way I would have chosen, but always in a way that He sees best. This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com (top)  Don’t Waste The Grace
by Jon Walker “As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” – 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) Have you ever wanted to quit being a Christian? Or at least just get away from God’s commands for a while? If you have, you’re in good company – Jonah and Jeremiah come quickly to mind. God gives us grace sufficient for our needs each day, and He gives us that grace every day. In 2 Corinthians 6:1, Paul, in effect, says, don’t waste the grace God has given you. He says don’t receive God’s grace “in vain” – rejecting it in order to nurture frustrations and disappointments. In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases the Corinthian passage by saying we’re to stay at our posts, alert and unswerving, because “our work as God’s servants gets validated – or not – in the details” of our lives. In other words, the very power of God – the very strength we need, the very testimony we were meant to model – emerges in troubles, hardships, and distresses (2 Corinthians 6:4). Let’s pray together that we stay at our posts in these uncertain times and not waste the grace God has given us. What now? Receive God’s grace now Accept that life is hard Squandered? Validation Jon Walker is a pastor-advocate living in Tennessee and the former pastor of communications at Saddleback Church. As seen in The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional. View the online archives at http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx (top)  True Wealth
A tax assessor came one day to a poor pastor to determine the amount of taxes the pastor would have to pay. The following conversation took place; “What property do you possess?” asked the assessor. “I am a very wealthy man,” replied the minister. “List your possessions, please,” the assessor instructed. “First , I have everlasting life, John 3:16. The tax assessor closed his book, and said, “Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation.” (top)  The Last Impression...
A florist went to a barbershop to get a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill and the barber replied, “I’m sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I’m doing community service this week.” The florist was pleased and left the shop. The next morning when the barber arrived at his shop to open, he found a thank you card and a dozen roses waiting for him at the door. Later, a policeman came for a haircut. When he started to pay his bill the barber again replied, “I’m sorry, I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.” The policeman left the shop with a smile. The next morning when the barber arrived to open his shop, he found a thank you card and a dozen donuts waiting at the door. Then a preacher came in for a haircut. When he started to pay his bill the barber again replied, “I’m sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I’m doing community service this week.” The preacher was very happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber arrived to open the shop, he found a dozen preachers lined up, waiting for their free haircuts! We are anticipating a fantastic day together this Sunday at WFA. Come expecting God to speak to you through our time of worship and the Word. And, be sure to stick around for a great time of fellowship following the service in our outdoor church courtyard. Hope to see you here! |
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Yours for HIM, |
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A new school principal was checking over his school on the first day. Passing the stockroom, he was startled to see the door wide open and teachers bustling in and out, carrying off books and supplies in preparation for the arrival of students the next day. The school where he had been a principal the previous year had used a check-out system only slightly less elaborate than that at Fort Knox.
