Whatever is Pure Archives
 I Lift My Eyes Christian Books |
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Authentic Relationships: Discover the Lost Art of one anothering By Wayne Jacobsen & Clay Jacobsen / Baker In a culture that promotes isolation and autonomy, this book reveals life-changing methods for creating healthy relationships and authentic community. Readers learn to apply new Testament principles that capture the essence of Jesus' teachings about effectively caring, serving, and loving one another. Beginning with God's simple command to "love one another," this book shows you how to: Complete with discussion questions, this book is appropriate for both individuals and church groups. It is a must for all Christians who wish to practice being the church rather than merely attending one. |
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Encouraging One Another, Women of Faith Bible Studies Katherine highly recommends this bible study for both men and women. The art of speaking encouragement and the art of receiving encouragement with graciousness and openness are desperately needed in the lives of all believers. |
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The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference By Barbara Lewis Pick a topic that interests you-animals, community development, crime fighting, the environment, friendship, hunger, literacy, politics and government, safety, senior citizens or something else. Then flip through this book to find ideas for service projects, from simple, to large-scale that involve whole communities. Start making a difference today! |
Whatever is Pure
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 these things.
Phil 4:8 NIV
Attention Writers and Encouragers! |
February 2012
I have been reminded a lot lately about God’s power to redeem, and I wanted to share my brief testimony in hopes of encouraging those who may have lost hope, or who perhaps thinks they have made too many mistakes and are just too unlovely for God to notice or use.
When I was young, I was ridiculed horribly by my peers; so much so that I remember looking for places to hide at recess time in order to avoid their taunts. Unfortunately, there was abuse in our home, so I did not have the support of a stable, loving family to counteract the effects of bullying and ridicule. The result was a life filled with fear and insecurity, and a sense of alienation, as I essentially felt worthless, and couldn’t understand why anyone would like me. I was a people pleaser without a spine, longing to be loved and accepted at any cost. Because of this I made some very poor choices as a young adult, hanging out with people who were very far away from God, and doing things that would cause some to blush should they hear the stories.
Although I had accepted Christ as a seven year old, right alongside my parents, it wasn’t until I was twenty that I rededicated my life to Him. Years of physical, sexual, and substance abuse had left me all used up and feeling very guilty. In fact, I felt so bad about myself that it was hard for me to look people in the eye, and I had given thought to suicide on more than one occasion. I was desperate. Desperate for something, or someone, to take away the pain and give me a better life. Although I didn’t understand it all at the time, I had come to the right person when I came to Jesus. Looking back, I realized that He had been pursuing me for years, and had protected me many times from things that would have devastated me and my family, and could have even resulted in my death. What grace and mercy He gives, even when we stray from Him!
Since that time I have come to understand that change with the Lord is not usually a one time, miraculous event, but rather a step by step walk with Him. And although we may feel like we’re taking only two steps forward but five steps back, God doesn’t give up on us – ever!I know this for a fact, as during my dark times and failings, He has shown His mercy and patience to me in very real ways, even turning around my mistakes for His good. Twenty years into this journey, and I am truly blessed with a loving husband, who I consider my best friend, two beautiful and God-fearing daughters, and many personal and professional opportunities that I would have never dreamed of, considering my past history. He has delivered me from so many of the old hang-ups and lies that had held me captive for so long, and I can honestly say He has never let me down. I know that He accepts me just as I am, but also loves me so much that He won’t leave me where I’m at, but rather takes the time to transform me step by step. Even when I take five steps back.
Jesus Christ IS my redeemer, and if He’s not yours, I hope you will give Him a chance. If you’re looking for a change in your life, He is the right person for the job. He will never ridicule or reject you, and He will never give up on you; rather He wants to redeem you, and to restore what you’ve lost, day by day and step by step, as you entrust your life’s journey to Him.
1 Peter 4:11 …and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you.
©2011 Karen Ferguson
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Love so wonderful...
In the secret place,
There are rivers of joy;
And at Your right hand,
There are pleasures forevermore
In the secret place.....
It's in the secret place!
Sometimes my heart aches,
And my body is ravished with pain...
Then from within I go to the secret place;
And experience Your healing touch....
In the secret place....
It's in the secret place!
©2011 Margaret Mullings
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To Fall In Love With God Is The Greatest Love Of All
To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.
Augustine
http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/
Works and Biography
When I fall in love it will be forever.....
When I give my heart it will be completely...
Nat King Cole
Romans 5: 6-8 (NIV)
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 3: 1 (NIV)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
How great the love of God. He loved me long before I was aware of his true existence. He wooed me, chased me, enthralled me and captured my heart. The ultimate demonstration of his true affection for me and His desire that I be his beloved was not in a song, nor a box of chocolate, nor a message emblazed across the sky. There was no cozy dinner by candlelight, no long stemmed roses, yet there were thorns. Yes, there were thorns.
The gruesome death of Jesus Christ could never be described by any stretch of the imagination as a romantic gesture. Adjectives such as raw, desperate, savage, bloody and violent don't even start to paint the picture of that day. Yet that one single act captured my heart more completely than any earthly lover ever will. I am His and I will keep the Cross as a treasured memento in my heart for it is the place the Lover of my Soul truly ensnared my heart forever.
© 2012 Katherine Walden
Please contact the author to receive permission to use this article BEFORE using this article via blog, email, facebook, print or any other means.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19).
As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day this month I encourage you to meditate on a greater love than Valentine’s Day. The love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His love transcended anything we have done in the past, doing presently or will do in the future.
It was His love that caused Him, when Jesus was leaving to go back to His Father, to gave the Apostles specific instructions. Those same instructions are available to us today. Jesus gave us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. In actuality, Jesus gave us the right to be His power of attorney. Power of attorney means a legal instrument authorizing one to act as the attorney or the agent of the grantor. We can act as God’s agent in the natural and the supernatural world. We have been given the power to effect change in this earth realm. Below is a description of your rights as Power of Attorney.
Of
BELIEVERS
ARTICLE I
Jesus appoints His believers to be His true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power to carry out those acts specified herein in accordance with any limitations imposed herein.
This power of attorney took effect upon the execution of His death, burial and resurrection and His ascension in heaven and shall remain in effect until His return.
In the event that satan and his cohorts attempts to bring an action against any member of the Body of Christ, such action should be dismissed by Believers, because no weapon formed against any Believer shall not prosper. Jesus nominated Believers as attorney-in-fact to serve as guardians of His Word and to speak it in season and out of season.
ARTICLE II
Your attorney-in-fact is in effect with full compensation.
ARTICLE III
All power is granted to His Attorney-In-Fact/Believers to be used for His glory, His benefit and on His behalf in accordance with the directions specified in His word.
All power is granted to His Attorney-In-Fact/Believers to lay hands on the sick and watch them recover.
All power is granted to His Attorney-In-Fact/Believers to tread on serpents and scorpions and nothing shall in anywise harm them.
His attorney-in-fact is authorized to take legal action against any person or institution that refuses to honor this power of attorney.
I HEREBY sign my name to this Power of Attorney over 2000 years ago. Jesus.
I encourage you to recognize how powerful the love of God is. Because of that love you are entitled to operate as power of attorney and you are no longer a victim, but you are victorious. I encourage you to remember that you are more than a conqueror in and through Christ Jesus. You are an overcomer. You are the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath.
Prayer: Father cause me to recognize my power of attorney status came because of Your love for me. Teach me to walk in the fullness of the power that you have given me in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
©2009 Donna Williams-Ross - In Trust Ministries
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We gladly accept submissions for the Whatever is Pure E-zine.
This ezine is dedicated to inspiring Christian testimonies, scriptures, inspirational stories or poetry surrounding Jesus' faithfulness and the loving work of God in our lives. We hope to use this page to share with you things that have inspired or blessed us. Our only purpose is to encourage, uplift, challenge and bless others. If you have some good news you would like to share, a scripture verse, poem, a short story or testimony of how God has transformed your life, Please contact us If you have a testimony you would like to share, but are hesitant to do so, because you think you do not write well, etc, please send it anyhow! We would be glad to edit anything you would like to submit. We publish "Whatever is Pure" on a monthly basis.
Also find the following in the "Whatever is Pure" section of I Lift My Eyes (ILME) Web Ministries:
Whatever is Pure Inspirational Pages
These pages will lead to uplifting Christian devotionals, short thoughts and thoughts written by the founder of I Lift My Eyes Ministries or to articles that we felt would be a blessing to many and deserved a page of their own. Some have appeared in prior issues no longer in the archives.
Daily Christian Quote (DCQ)
Inspirational Christian inspirational thoughts that are gleamed and hand picked from over the net and many other sources. A variety of lengths, styles and subjects will guarantee that you are challenged and inspired daily from early Christians from the second century up to modern day authors and teachers. These excellent nuggets are offered to you as part of the ministry of "I Lift My Eyes" Available by email or by reading on site. Archives available by date, subject and by author or speaker.
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