Journal

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

Dec 15, 2011 | Posted by: EJ Swanson | 0 Comments

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

Job 5:8
"If I were in your shoes, I'd go straight to God, I'd throw myself on
the mercy of God. After all, he's famous for great and unexpected
acts; there's no end to his surprises. He gives rain, for instance,
across the wide earth, sends water to irrigate the fields. He raises up
the down-and-out, gives firm footing to those sinking in grief. He
aborts the schemes of conniving crooks, so that none of their plots
come to term. He catches the know-it-alls in their conspiracies- all
that intricate intrigue swept out with the trash! Suddenly they're
disoriented, plunged into darkness; they can't see to put one foot in
front of the other. But the downtrodden are saved by God, saved
from the murderous plots, saved from the iron fist. And so the poor
continue to hope, while injustice is bound and gagged."

Have you ever had someone give you a warning against something you
were doing? Have you gotten to the point where you are afraid it's too late
to turn around because you've turned left when you should've turned
right? Don't be discouraged, it's never too late to turn around and run full
force back into the arms of the loving father who created you. God doesn't
find anything that you've ever done; to be a surprise. He knew your
decision and he immediately began to work on the plan he had to get you
to turn back around. God knows the people who lead his people astray
and he says that he will abort their schemes. And God will rescue you
from their traps. He will raise you up, and give you firm footing once
again. He will not allow you to sink completely into every word they say.
God's whisper can be heard in the quiet of your heart. And although
things may be chaotic and loud around you, if your heart is quiet God will
speak. God has a tendency to send Godly counsel to his followers, a
great example of this is when he sent Godly counsel to Job. Job had lost
everything, and was beginning to lose his very own life, and God was fully
aware of this, this was not a surprise to him, he knew what he was doing.
So with love God sent Godly friends to help Job lift his spirits and to let
him know that God was in control. So no matter what path you've headed
down and whether or not you've fallen a little left of living right, God wants
you. He wants nothing more than to give you the life he's planned you to
have. But it's up to you to decide whether your life is going to be a piece
of artwork made by man, or a masterpiece made by God.

Extra time in the Word: Job 5

DISCUSS ON THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
In what ways has God used an apparently bad situation to make somthing
good in your life?

What things have you been capable of accomplishing
because of past pains?

Has it hurt your relationship with God, or helped
it? (No wrong answers :])

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BACKSTABBING

Dec 14, 2011 | Posted by: EJ Swanson | 0 Comments

BACKSTABBING

Matthew 26:3-5,14-16
"Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in
the palace of the high priest, whose name was ...

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GOD’S VISION

Dec 12, 2011 | Posted by: EJ Swanson | 0 Comments



Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now, all glory to God, who is able,
through his mighty power to work within us, to accomplish infinately
more than we might ever ask or think. Glory to Him in the ...

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Second Chances

Nov 18, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 30:2-3 GOD “My God, I yelled for help and you put me together. GOD, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down--and-out.” (MSG)...

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God Is On Our Side

Nov 17, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Nahum 1:7 “GOD is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help.” (MSG)

Let's face it; life can be hard at times. There are times when we mess up and ...

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Hearing God's Voice

Nov 16, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us.’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’"

This is the ultimate commitment to Christ that we all need to ...

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The Prayer of a Righteous Man

Nov 15, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

James 5:16b “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Our family is ...

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God's Standards

Nov 14, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

...read more

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Sometimes we forget who we are in Christ and start living life as who we are in ourselves, ...

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You Are God's Masterpiece

Nov 10, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was ...

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Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 62:5-8 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he ...

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Freedom From Sin

Nov 8, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

This feeling of freedom from slavery and the bind of the enemy ...

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Asking God For Help

Nov 7, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Philippians 4:6-7 ...

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Do Not Be Afraid

Nov 4, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 91:1-4 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare ...

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Thanking God

Nov 3, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Genesis 1: 1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

...

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Staying Pure And Clean

Nov 2, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Proverbs 6:25 “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes...”

This is a big part of a guy’s life: trying to stay pure and keep our thoughts clean. This is where I have ...

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Be Humble

Nov 1, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 18:4 “Jesus said, "Whoever humbles himself like these children is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’"

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.”...

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Turning To God In Times Of Need

Oct 31, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 139:1-4 “O Lord, you have searched me and you know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely.”...

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Cast All Your Cares Upon Him

Oct 28, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This is a good verse to remember when you've been working really hard for a long time or just a little bit. If you feel ...

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1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity.”

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, "I ...

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God Chooses Young People

Oct 26, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for all believers.”

There were a lot of teenagers in the Bible that served God. Most of them were right around our ...

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One Body Of Christ

Oct 25, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments
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Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will....

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Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

...read more

Following Christ

Oct 20, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for all believers..."

Exodus 4:12 “Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well and I ...

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Christ Is Returning

Oct 19, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Luke 12:40 “Jesus said, "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Revelation 22:12 “Jesus said, ‘Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is ...

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Focusing Your Heart On God

Oct 18, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 119:36 “I will turn my heart towards your statutes.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 “For the Lord searches every heart...”

The heart is essentially the center of our being, ...

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Modest Apparel

Oct 17, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

1 Timothy 2:9-10 "In this manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with humbleness and sobriety, not with braided hair or pearls or things of great wealth, but let them adorn themselves instead with good works."...

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Judging Others

Oct 14, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

It always confuses me when I hear ...

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Treasures in Heaven

Oct 13, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 6:20-21 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

A ...

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The Power Of Words

Oct 12, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Here's my problem: I say ...

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The Gift of Freedom

Oct 11, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Galatians 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

The law said that the way to God was to follow a list of rules and to perform a ...

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Gossip

Oct 10, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossiper goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence."

Proverbs 18:18 "What small morsels rumors are, but they sink deep into one's heart."...

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Heaven

Oct 7, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Philippians 3:20 "Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there. The Lord Jesus Christ."

Revelation 21:4 "God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death ...

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Don't Boast

Oct 6, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Romans 5:18-20 (NLT)

"Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person ...

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Temptations

Oct 5, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand ...

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Worry

Oct 4, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Matthew 6:31-34 "So do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and ...

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Repentance

Oct 3, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Repentance. This is what everybody needs because we all screw up. Repenting or repentance is telling God ...

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Fitting In

Sep 30, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Galations 2:6 "As for those who seemed to be important -- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance -- those men added nothing to my message."

I've had a problem with ...

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Perseverance

Sep 29, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Galatians 6:9 "Let ...

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Torn

Sep 28, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

 Job 1:1 "Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion." (The Message)

 ...

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TALKING WITH HIM

Sep 27, 2011 | Posted by: EJ Swanson | 0 Comments

James 5:16 "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results."

1 John 5:14 "We can be confident that he ...

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Trusting God

Sep 26, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not become faint."

Psalm 33:22 "May ...

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Contentment

Sep 25, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

CONTENTMENT

Philippians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned to secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty ...

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Committing To God

Sep 24, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

1 Kings 8:61 "Your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands ...

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Pleasing God

Sep 23, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Ephesians 5:10-12 "...find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

Earlier ...

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Release Faith Not Fear

Sep 22, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

The question is, why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear? ...

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The Impact of Positive Words

Sep 21, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Sometimes it's hard to ...

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Waiting For The Lord

Sep 20, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord."

Have you ever asked God to do something in your life? For example, I asked God to use my musical abilities to serve him more, but ...

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Memorizing The Scripture

Sep 19, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

This verse stresses the importance of spending time in the Word daily and even memorizing Bible verses. When was the last time ...

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Love One Another

Sep 18, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT), "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other making allowance for each others’ faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with ...

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God's Love Letter To The World

Sep 17, 2011 | Posted by: MGMT | 0 Comments

Hebrew 4:12 "The word of the Lord is living and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword..."

Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection....

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