A Higher Calling!

“ Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, 
but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: 

forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

NAS Philippians 3:12-14

 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

KJV Philippians 3:14

3 degrees tonight

MUTTS

Just Sweet

Rose is Rose

Gnarled tree, Gnarled life

Psalm 119:50 NAS
This is my comfort in my affliction,                                        
That Your word has revived me.
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Friendship

Mary Engelbreit

The Unwanted Swelling of Pride

Psalm 119:51
The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

"Pride leads to scorning and scoffing.

When one thinks he is above others, he tends to scorn those he thinks are beneath him.

The more one swells with pride, the more he sees himself farther and farther above more and note others.  This his scorning of others grows. 

It is sad to meet persons like that. From time to time you will encounter them in counseling.  When you detect scornful attitudes on the part of a counselee, look for pride."

from pages 45 and 46 of Jay Adams', "Counsel from Psalm 119"

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Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

The dangers of pride are so many, too many to count.  We just need to observe those around us (and definitely chasten ourselves!) to see pride running rampant.  

Pride certainly does "swell" and it swells into arrogance.

"Manipulators and Controllers" (persons who live to control and manipulate others) certainly have great pride in themselves, and their sinful behavior does swell and grow to where they become unbelievably powerful over other people in their arrogance   

Those people who are free and not under such control, many times do not understand "why" those unfortunate people who are controlled by a Manipulator continue to allow it. Sometimes, there is little sympathy, little mercy for those caught under the control of a Manipulator.

News Flash:

We are fragile people.  We humans are sheep, and no matter who we are or how intelligent we are, any of us can be lured into following a Manipulator and thus get under their control. 

After beginning to believe and follow a Manipulator, it becomes more and more difficult to "see" actual truth even when it is pointed out to you.  The person caught under the control of a Manipulator begins to only believe that the Manipulator has the real truth.

*Christians are not immune from becoming a Manipulator, because they can still choose to sin!  

Christians are not immune from being controlled by a Manipulator, and in fact, they can be easy prey to a Manipulator, especially if that controlling person says they are a Christian.  Look for RED FLAGS!

What is the damage to a Christian who is caught under control and manipulation?  

A Christian's freedom is gone, to whatever degree, the more control and manipulation is placed on them. Their freedom in Christ is gone, and freedom in their own personal lives is lost.

Once the Manipulator begins to control another person, the person who is caught under their control has their faith more and more "shipwrecked".  

1 Timothy 1:18-20
This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

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LORD, have mercy!

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl lived in an oak;

The more he saw the less he spoke;

The less he spoke the more he heard:

Why can’t we all be like that bird?

Edward Hersey Richards

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Peace on Earth?

*Yes! Peace, but not how men think of it for just the here and now.*

Matthew 10:26-42
“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 

For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.


“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 

And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

Comic, PLUGGERS, by Brookins, 12/25/15.

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Luke 2:10