Dan ****** (DAN THE CHILD OF GOD) Offline

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: A cat has 9 lives you don't buckle up

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: December 28

Our True Identity

Ephesians 1:3-8

When I hear a believer announce, “I’m just a sinner,” I feel like saying, “That’s what you used to be.” A lot of folks cling to a view of themselves as a patched-up, slightly-better-than-before version of their old self. The Bible contradicts that opinion: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). In fact, according to Scripture, we’re dramatically different once we are complete in Christ.

The question is whether people will trust in what they feel or believe what God says about them. His Word calls us saints (Rom. 1:7), disciples (Matt. 28:19), and fellow heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). If your opinion is that you are “just a sinner,” then you cannot fully experience and enjoy your identity in Christ.

Believing what God says about our new self is a choice. Satan certainly conspires to convince believers that God’s Word doesn’t apply to them. He knows that people held captive by spiritual poverty back away from opportunities to share the gospel and serve the Lord’s kingdom. It’s much easier to spiritually bankrupt someone who already thinks of him- or herself as “just a sinner” than it is to conquer a disciple who knows God is his loving Father.

Our true identity is defined not by our past actions but by the Savior’s. Jesus purchased our lives with His blood and brought us into relationship with God the Father, who adopted us as beloved children. We have every reason to hold our heads high, stand firm, and courageously proclaim the gospel. from Dr. Charles Stanley,The Meaning of Sacrifice
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. - Philippians 2:5–7

To make headway in your relationships, incorporate sacrificial acts of love; letting Jesus be your ultimate role model. Consider Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet. This act of submission wasn’t about showing off His superior humility or sensitivity. Setting an example wasn’t even Jesus’ primary motive. Listen to what the Bible
says in the 13th chapter in the book of John:

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love . . . So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet."

Why don’t we do the same for those we love? The sacrifice of submission and service will speak to others, and it will do something inside you that you can’t explain . . . that you have to experience.

- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: LIKE IF YOU LOVE JESUS!!! ♥♥♥♥♥┼┼┼♥┼██████┼┼┼┼┼██████┼♥'┼┼┼♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥┼████████████┼████████████┼♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥██████████████I LOVE JESUS ████♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥┼┼┼♥███████████████████♥.┼┼┼♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥┼┼┼♥┼┼┼█████████████┼┼┼♥.┼┼┼♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥┼┼┼♥┼┼┼┼┼┼┼██████┼┼┼┼┼┼♥.┼┼┼♥♥♥♥♥

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: I'm inviting all my wire club family and friends to join me in sending a greeting of "Merry Christmas". Please re-post and spread some cheer!!
★*˚°。°*。°*。★*˚°。°*。°˚°★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
° *_██_*˚ °。°/♥ \*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
˛ . (´• ̮•)*. 。*/♫.♫\*˛.* ˛ _Π_____*˚°。*。°*❤*˚°。°*。°*★
. ° ( . • .) ˛° . /• '♫ '•\.˛*./_______/~\*˚°。°*。°*°*❤ ˚°*★
.* (.. '•'..) *˛ ╬╬╬╬╬˛°.｜田田❤｜門｜╬╬╬╬╬*˚°。°*。°* heart emoticon
★*˚°。°*。°*。★ MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ★ HUGS to all BEAUTIFUL souls , lots of love to everyone and the glow of flickering candlelight. May you all be blessed with good health, food, warmth, love and laughter. Many wishes for a more prosperous New Year heart emoticon

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: Sorry I'm away for months at a time I've been having lots of legal problems and been taking care of my wife she got very sick last year she had heart surgery
back in May then got the virus in Nov of last year she also he lungs are failing on her using a machine twice day I'll be back when I can love you all

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: December 15
Trusting in God's Faithfulness
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Is there something God has told you to do that seems just too difficult? You can be sure that if He has called you to carry out His will, He’s going to be faithful to accomplish it through His Spirit living and working in you. So if you tell Him, “I can’t do that, Lord—what if I fail?” you’re really saying, “God doesn’t keep His word.” And yet, our total expectation should be in Him—not in our own energy, ability, or experience.
When you doubt God’s trustworthiness, that unbelief becomes a gap in your spiritual armor, and you can be sure that’s exactly where Satan will attack you. You’ll begin to doubt even more about God’s character, such as His goodness—and that distrust will become a heavy load of baggage you’ll needlessly drag through every area of your life.
You might feel that you do not have enough faith to obey, but the Lord isn’t asking you to have faith in favorable circumstances. He’s asking you to trust that He is who He says He is.
Do you believe that God is a liar? It’s really that simple: either He is truthful or He’s not. But if you believe that faithfulness is His character, then you can do anything He requires. You’ll be strengthened by your dependence on Him—whether a deluge or trials or a flood of blessing comes.
It’s actually when life gets rough and rugged that the sweetness of God’s faithfulness makes itself real in your heart. As you walk through those storms in complete reliance on His strength, your trust in His character becomes part of who you are and strengthens from within. from Dr. Charles Stanley,Keep on Praying
Work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. - Romans 12:11-12
Are you excited about your recovery? Here Paul tells us to serve the Lord enthusiastically—or, as a footnote to the New Living Translation suggests, to "let the Spirit excite" us as we live for him. There is something exciting about taking our lives back. There’s a sense of wholeness that we’ve longed for and an anticipation of what God is going to do next. There is a growing sense of hope that life can be different.
But sometimes our forward movement feels so slow. And there can also be setbacks, where it feels like we’ve moved forward a bit, only to reverse direction.
When that happens—and it will—Romans 12 tells us to do three things. First, we are to remind ourselves to rejoice in what we have been working toward and hoping for. Second, when trouble comes, we are to be patient—there’s that word again—and not throw in the towel. And third, we must keep on praying. God never tires of our prayers, even when in our frustration we repeat ourselves. He loves to hear from us, so we need to keep on talking to him.
Ask Yourself
Are you excited about your process of healing and recovery? If not, why not? If so, why?
Describe your strategy for what to do when you get discouraged with the healing process.
Ask God
Patient Father in heaven, help me be more patient, especially with myself. And Holy Spirit, I ask you to excite me about the process of my recovery. Help me experience that confident by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: Hey all this is dan sorry I haven't been on in a very long time I have had personal and legal problems the last 2an a half years I'll come on and chat when I'm able God bless you all

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts ReceivableTax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline FuelTax
Airport MaintenanceTax
Building PermitTax
CigaretteTax
Corporate IncomeTax
DeathTax
Dog LicenseTax
Driving PermitTax
EnvironmentalTax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross ReceiptsTax
HealthTax
Hunting LicenseTax
HydroTax
InheritanceTax
InterestTax
LuxuryTaxes
Marriage LicenseTax
MedicareTax
MortgageTax
Personal IncomeTax
PropertyTax
PovertyTax
Prescription DrugTax
l Income and sales tax
Real EstateTax
Recreational VehicleTax
Retail SalesTax
Service ChargeTax
SchoolTax
Telephone FederalTax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
WaterTax
Watercraft RegistrationTax
Well PermitTax
Workers CompensationTax

THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in "Hell" happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' and Greed

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: In FACT: *HEAD OF THE CDC* Rochelle Wallensky was vaccinated 5 times.
FACT: Rochelle Wallensky got Covid TWICE
FACt: I have been vaccinated ZERO times.
FACT: Rochelle Wallensky got Covid one more time than I did, despite getting vaccinated FIVE TIMES as much.
FACT: Joe Biden called Covid 'A pandemic of the unvaccinated."
FACT: Joe Biden was vaccinated.
FACT: Joe Biden got Covid.

All of these facts have been verified -- no matter how Facebook might lie about them, or censor me. And facts are just facts. I mean to communicate nothing else but to share these true facts.

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: September 27
Building Bridges to the Kingdom
Matthew 25:31-34
Scripture refers to "the kingdom of God" frequently, but many people are unclear as to its meaning. Let's look at the past, present, and future reality of this concept.
The first thing we must realize is that the heavenly kingdom refers to everything under Christ's control. At the moment of salvation, we are transferred from the reign of darkness to the bright authority of Jesus. And we are eternally secure in Him.As today's verses explain, Jesus' kingdom and reign have been planned since the foundation of the world. From the beginning, God has been preparing mankind for what is to come. One way was by using prophets to foretell how He would redeem humanity and sovereignly rule over heaven and earth.
Once Jesus came and gave His life, He established the "present" kingdom. This isn't a geographical locale; it's a term describing the heart, where God's Holy Spirit indwells believers to guide, counsel, and empower.
But there is also a future aspect of the kingdom, which we can anticipate with excitement. You are probably familiar with the words "Thy kingdom come" from the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2 kjv). This speaks of the new heaven and new earth, where we will enjoy freedom from pain and sin. There, we will worship Jesus with gladness and joy for all eternity.
As God's kingdom ambassadors, we who are His children have the responsibility and privilege of sharing the good news: Through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, all who trust in Him are forgiven of sin and assured of eternal life with God. Whom can you tell about this amazing gift?Nothing Will Defeat Me
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. - 2 Corinthians 4:7
The apostle Paul led a hard life. He survived a shipwreck, persecution, and repeated imprisonment, not to mention the rigors of constant travel, the need to make a living while preaching the gospel, and the continual challenge of a chronic personal issue he described only as a "thorn in my flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). And yet he wrote, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Why was Paul so resilient? He relied on God as the source of his power.
Our problems may be different from Paul’s, but we all struggle with life at times. To make it through the turmoil, we must be plugged in to a source of power that is greater than what we can generate on our own. Pretending we are strong only leads to frustration and pain. But relying on God for our power allows us to live fully and resiliently in the midst of our ups and downs.
Ask Yourself
Can you think of times when you tried on your own to "be strong" in painful or difficult situations? What was the outcome?
What are some practical ways you can "plug in" to God as the source of power in your life?
Ask God
Jesus, I want you to be my power source. I surrender my own powerlessness to your care and lean on your strength. Give me the courage to more consistently surrender my will to your will.by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: must spend $30 million in 30 days in order to inherit $300 million (A La Brewsters Millions). How do you do it?
Same Rules:

After 30 days, you may not own any assets that are not already yours.

You must get value for the services of anyone you hire;

You also cannot buy anything with the intent to destroy it.

You may donate only 5% to charity and lose 5% by gambling. ($3 Mil Total)

You are not allowed to tell Anyone about the arrangement.

Can you succeed? Or will a greedy lawyer take you down on a technicality?

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: SCHOOL - 1957 vs. 2022

Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot
with shotgun in gun rack.
1957
- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2022
- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957
- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2022
- Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:
Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957
- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2022
- Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a
disability.

Scenario: Wayne breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957
- Wayne is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2022
-wayyne,s dad is arrested for child abuse.wayne is removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells. Wayne's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.wayne,s mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957
- Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2022
- Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.

1957
- Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.
2022
- Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.

1957
- Ants die.
2022
- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957
- In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2022
- Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: August 12
The New Birth and Baptism
Romans 6:3-10
Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). As the early church spread the gospel message, baptism would follow a new believer's response of faith. It publicly signified that the individual was now a follower of Jesus
Metaphors often communicate on a level that words cannot. Baptism is a powerful picture of our salvation experience. Through this act, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again--and testify that we've welcomed His transforming power into our life.
The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Our sin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water, we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His Holy Spirit.
In the Bible, the word "believe" isn't a conceptual word describing intellectual agreement alone. It is a word of action. Our belief should never be hidden like a light placed under a bowl (Luke 11:33)--when unbelieving family and friends look at our lives, they need to see the gospel in action.from Dr. Charles Stanley,Perfect-Mate Myth
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Do you believe the Perfect-Mate Myth? It goes something like this: "If I just had the right mate, then my life would be all right." This belief is profoundly off base. First, it assumes that we are good and our spouse is the real problem. Second, it implies that there is such a thing as a "perfect" spouse, one who is beyond the reach of sin.
This delusion keeps couples from growing the way God wants them to grow. If you're in a difficult marriage, believing this myth will prevent you from the hard work and commitment necessary to repair the relationship. To keep your relationship stable and growing you must concentrate on building your relationship with God, as a couple and as individuals. If you do that, your marriage will be strengthened and your soul will be fed.
- Steve Arterburn August 12 part 2
Overcoming Obstacles
Joshua 6:1-5
The Lord has a beautiful plan for each believer’s life. But to thwart God’s purposes, Satan sprinkles obstacles in our path.
There are many types of hindrances, such as a difficult boss, contrary family members, and financial trouble. Anything that blocks a desired goal can cause anxiety and great frustration. But remember that no obstacle can touch you without God’s consent.Consider Joshua’s army, which was no match for Jericho’s military. And the great wall protecting that city was an impossible barrier to cross. Yet God had promised the Israelites the land, and Joshua believed. He wasn’t fazed by what seemed unconquerable. Instead, he acknowledged the Lord’s power and sought His guidance.
Before Joshua even realized that God was at work, the Lord was preparing the city for destruction by instilling fear into kings throughout the region. Heaven’s directions included an unlikely battle plan, but because Joshua obeyed, God’s people triumphed.
Waiting can be difficult. And after a while, we might even begin to wonder if God will do anything at all—then it is easy to quit. But, as was true with Joshua, God has gone before us and is preparing the way. No matter how He chooses to handle the problem, His solution is always in our best interest.
Whenever you face an obstacle, you may experience great heartache. But even in the midst of pain, you can have full confidence in God. The most important part of each day is the time you spend alone with the Lord. He will encourage you with His love and give direction.from Dr. Charles Stanley,God Sings Songs Over Me!
For the Lord your God is living among you. . . . He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. - Zephaniah 3:17
Some people think of God as a kind of celestial traffic cop, lying in wait for us to mess up. Others envision him as a critical teacher who loves to hand out bad grades. But in this passage, the prophet Zephaniah gives us a completely different picture of God.
Zephaniah begins by reminding us that God is living among and in us—not somewhere far away in the sky. Then he asserts three powerful positive images of how God sees us.
First, God takes delight in us. He enjoys us the way a loving grandfather delights in his grandchildren.
Second, God calms our fears. The apostle John says that love is the opposite of fear and that God loves us perfectly (1 John 4:18).
But Zephaniah’s best description is the last one: God rejoices over us "with joyful songs."
What an incredible image! Picture it whenever you feel God is critical or distant. How can you help but feel cherished by a God who sings for you?
Ask Yourself
Do you struggle at times with seeing God as the "cop in the sky" or the critical teacher? What are some other ways you envision him?
Is it hard for you to imagine God delighting in you or singing songs over you? What makes this difficult?
Ask God
Father, forgive me for the negative images I have of you—and my fear that I don’t bring joy to you. Help me today to realize you are with me, delighting in me and singing over me. by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop.

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD to cynthiaatrullinger: August 11
Soldiers for Christ
2 Timothy 2:1-4
Today's passage is from Paul's letter to Timothy. The apostle encourages the young man—and, by extension, every believer—to face difficulty as a good soldier. The military term "soldier" implies that we are in a battle. And in fact, the combat started before Adam and Eve's lifetime.
We see the first evidence when almighty God, who had created all the celestial beings, nevertheless allowed Satan and other angels (thereafter known as "demons" to rebel against Him. They established their own kingdom and waged war with the Lord.
Later we see this strife extend to all humankind. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve to violate God's command by eating forbidden fruit. Her disobedience corrupted mankind's innocence, and ever since, all human beings have been born with a nature bent away from the Lord—and with a profound need for a Savior.
Tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus modeled how to be victorious in spiritual conflict: by means of Scripture. God's Word gives us everything we need to win—from offensive and defensive weapons (Eph. 6:10-17) to the proper perspective on our adversaries' real identity: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . . spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (v. 12).
When we see ungodliness in our society, the Enemy may at times seem to be winning. Yet we who are saved have assurance that we belong to Him who is greater—and who will have the final victory (1 John 4:4; John 16:33). View daily battles biblically and look to God, who is mightier than all evil.from Dr. Charles Stanley,Prayer and Meditation
Although it's too seldom taught or practiced, our communing with God consists of two equally important parts: prayer and meditation. Prayer is our talking to God. Most of us have this aspect down. Meditation is our listening to God. And here most of us need a bit of work.
Have you ever been in a relationship where the other person does all the talking? There's an up side to this: you become a good listener, and the other person feels great comfort and ease sharing personal issues with you. But there's a down side too: as you're called upon to always listen and never talk, you can begin feeling unknown, perhaps a little unloved, and sometimes, even used.
Now, think about how this scenario might apply to your relationship with God. Are you doing all the talking, without ever taking the time to listen? If you're sharing with Him from the depths of your heart, and seeking guidance and wisdom, that's fantastic! By all means, keep it up. Just make sure, that as you do this, you're also taking the time and training the ears of your heart to listen to God as well.
Remember, God tends to speak with a still, small voice; He very rarely shouts at His children. That's why meditation is such an important aspect of prayer. It teaches you to develop a quiet, patient heart and an open attentive ear. These are essential components of the mature Christian.
- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: August 11
Soldiers for Christ
2 Timothy 2:1-4
Today's passage is from Paul's letter to Timothy. The apostle encourages the young man—and, by extension, every believer—to face difficulty as a good soldier. The military term "soldier" implies that we are in a battle. And in fact, the combat started before Adam and Eve's lifetime.
We see the first evidence when almighty God, who had created all the celestial beings, nevertheless allowed Satan and other angels (thereafter known as "demons" to rebel against Him. They established their own kingdom and waged war with the Lord.
Later we see this strife extend to all humankind. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve to violate God's command by eating forbidden fruit. Her disobedience corrupted mankind's innocence, and ever since, all human beings have been born with a nature bent away from the Lord—and with a profound need for a Savior.
Tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus modeled how to be victorious in spiritual conflict: by means of Scripture. God's Word gives us everything we need to win—from offensive and defensive weapons (Eph. 6:10-17) to the proper perspective on our adversaries' real identity: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . . spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (v. 12).
When we see ungodliness in our society, the Enemy may at times seem to be winning. Yet we who are saved have assurance that we belong to Him who is greater—and who will have the final victory (1 John 4:4; John 16:33). View daily battles biblically and look to God, who is mightier than all evil.from Dr. Charles Stanley,Prayer and Meditation
Although it's too seldom taught or practiced, our communing with God consists of two equally important parts: prayer and meditation. Prayer is our talking to God. Most of us have this aspect down. Meditation is our listening to God. And here most of us need a bit of work.
Have you ever been in a relationship where the other person does all the talking? There's an up side to this: you become a good listener, and the other person feels great comfort and ease sharing personal issues with you. But there's a down side too: as you're called upon to always listen and never talk, you can begin feeling unknown, perhaps a little unloved, and sometimes, even used.
Now, think about how this scenario might apply to your relationship with God. Are you doing all the talking, without ever taking the time to listen? If you're sharing with Him from the depths of your heart, and seeking guidance and wisdom, that's fantastic! By all means, keep it up. Just make sure, that as you do this, you're also taking the time and training the ears of your heart to listen to God as well.
Remember, God tends to speak with a still, small voice; He very rarely shouts at His children. That's why meditation is such an important aspect of prayer. It teaches you to develop a quiet, patient heart and an open attentive ear. These are essential components of the mature Christian.
- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: SPIRITUAL SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE OVERLOOKED
1. Be careful when daily prayer begins to become a difficult thing for you. (Jesus loves and want personal interaction every moment)
2. Be careful when fasting has become a thing of the past in your private spiritual programs. (Don't forget that fasting brings down flesh and increase the spirit-man)
3. Be careful when you no longer find joy in reading the word of God every day. (The amount of God's word and revelation in you is the amount of God in you)
4. Be careful when living a life of holiness begins to appear like extremism. (Without holiness, no man can see God)
5. Be careful when in the name of "GRACE", a heathen life becomes your lifestyle.
6. Be careful when you hunger and thirst for things that do not glorify God.
7. Be careful when waking up at night to pray seems like a nightmare.
8. Be careful, brothers, when your heart no longer desires to see the Lord Jesus in person one day.
9. Be careful when you begin wishing that the rapture may be delayed even longer.
10. Be careful when you eat more than you pray.
11. Be careful when you no longer share the Word of God with others.
12. Be careful when you begin to preach the Word of God while trying to please everybody.
13. Be careful when you realise that all your friends are either weaker than you spiritually OR unbelievers.
14. Be careful when you are spending more and more time on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Internet for no good reason! These idols will take the place of God in your life and you will grow cold spiritually.
Be careful of all these things, brethren, for Satan is not resting at all. That's why we must also be vigilant.
Let us prepare ourselves because Jesus is coming back soon to take ONLY those who are waiting for Him eagerly.

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 16

How to Cry Out to God

Matthew 14:29-30

The phone rings, and you answer. A sullen voice informs you of a tragedy. Your heart is so heavy that you feel as though you could die. What do you do?

Bad news, danger, and pain all cause us to look for help. As believers, we dwell with the almighty God, who is able to aid us. At those moments when we are sideswiped by life’s circumstances, we should cry out to Him.

In the Bible, crying out refers to speaking audibly with great emotion concerning an urgent need. God invites us to use this form of prayer to communicate that we desperately need His mercy.

It takes both faith and humility to share our heart’s concern aloud. Crying out, then, is a way for God’s children to express trust in the Lord’s ability and willingness to help. By calling upon Him with such urgency, wealso lay down our pride and any attitude of self-sufficiency.

The Word of God assures us that our Father hears our cries and responds. In Psalm 3:4, for example, David wrote, “I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered from His holy mountain.” When we call aloud for help in Jesus’ name, we invite His power into the situation. Remember that there is strength in just speaking His name.

When we cry out to God, He may remove the problem immediately, yet we often have to wait for His perfect timing. Harsh circumstances might even be allowed to remain for His good purposes. But we can always count on His comfort and presence, which enable us to live with joy and hope. resources from Dr. Charles Stanley Reframing
The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. - Psalm 98:2

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing was going your way, and you just felt like God was against you? I know it's an over-inflated ego thing to think that way. But that's partly why I wrote my book, Reframe Your Life. In that book I try to outline how you can change the way you view your life.

Have you ever sat in the doctor's office waiting for the doctor, and he's running late. You become irritated at the doctor and his lack of consideration for other people's schedules. But instead of getting irritated, have you ever thought to use that time to think through more carefully what issues you want to discuss with the doctor, or to stop and think about your day, your week, or the things you want to do and people you want to call, or stop and use the quiet moment to spend some time praying for your friends and family.

That's just a small example of reframing your thinking. Reframing will keep you from asking the "why" questions in life and just accept those things that don't have answers and move on. Yes, there's still pain to work through, but it helps to realize that everything in life hasn't been targeted at you. God is not your abuser. He is not your past. He is not all the bad and hurtful things that have happened to you. He is a loving God who wants the very best for you and who went to great lengths to let you know how valuable you are. So valuable that He allowed His Son to go to the cross for you.

Learn to reframe your thinking and you'll see life differently than you ever have.

- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 13
Peace, Joy, and Contentment
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment. But I have great news if you feel disheartened: You’re not stuck!
I’ve known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation. A few years later, however, they were in a terrific place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions. The reason? They never gave up. Instead of sulking in self-pity, they chose to believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit.
Nehemiah is a good example. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Though pain flooded his soul, he didn’t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God, seeking direction.
Sadness in the presence of royalty was punishable by death. But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and then toask what he could do to help. This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God’s people.
The Lord can take an impossible situation--no matter what it is--and move in ways mightier than you can imagine.
Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do? Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God’s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a stranglehold on your life.July 13
Peace, Joy, and Contentment
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment. But I have great news if you feel disheartened: You’re not stuck!
I’ve known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation. A few years later, however, they were in a terrific place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions. The reason? They never gave up. Instead of sulking in self-pity, they chose to believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit.
Nehemiah is a good example. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Though pain flooded his soul, he didn’t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God, seeking direction.
Sadness in the presence of royalty was punishable by death. But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and then toask what he could do to help. This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God’s people.
The Lord can take an impossible situation--no matter what it is--and move in ways mightier than you can imagine.
Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do? Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God’s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a stranglehold on your life.July 13
Peace, Joy, and Contentment
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment. But I have great news if you feel disheartened: You’re not stuck!
I’ve known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation. A few years later, however, they were in a terrific place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions. The reason? They never gave up. Instead of sulking in self-pity, they chose to believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit.
Nehemiah is a good example. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Though pain flooded his soul, he didn’t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God, seeking direction.
Sadness in the presence of royalty was punishable by death. But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and then toask what he could do to help. This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God’s people.
The Lord can take an impossible situation--no matter what it is--and move in ways mightier than you can imagine.
Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do? Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God’s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a stranglehold on your life.resources from Dr. Charles Stanley,Recovery is Like an Onion
If we live by the spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25
Someone smarter than me said: "Recovery is like an onion. All the layers that exist have to be peeled away." Well, if you're a connoisseur of onions, you know that there are different varieties. Some are really powerful and when you barely touch them they produce tears. Others are pretty sweet and they barely affect you when you chop them up.
And so it is with your peeling the layers in your healing process. Some layers will affect you more than others. But, if you realize that it's a process, and that God is with you every step of the way, you can face the pain of your past so that you can move beyond it and heal. Also, consider this: You are in the present. You lived through the reality, whatever and whenever it was, so you can certainly live through the feelings and memories of the reality today.
Make your one desire to be made whole and to be as much like Christ as you can be. When you do, you'll find God putting on your heart the desire and the courage to carry the message of hope and healing to those who are stuck in their pain.
Embrace the pain of the recovery and healing process. It will remind you that God is in control and you're being held in his arms, tight and secure as He walks you through it. It means you'll take some steps of faith, and that will be pleasing to God and healing to you.
- Steve Arterburn
· Reply · 9m

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 9
The Source of Our Adversity
Isaiah 45:5-10
When we experience hardships, we usually wonder why God allows these painful situations to come our way. It just doesn't seem to fit with His role as our loving heavenly Father. We struggle to reconcile our suffering with His love for us and His power to prevent or stop it. In order to understand what's going on, we need to consider the possible sources of adversity.
A Fallen World: When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. God could have protected us from these harmful effects by making us like puppets who could not choose sin, but that would mean we'd also be unable to choose to love Him, because love must be voluntary.
Our Own Doing: Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble with our foolish or sinful choices. If the Lord stepped in and rescued us from every negative consequence, we'd never grow into mature believers.
Satanic Attack: The Devil is our enemy. To hinder anything the Lord wants to do in and through believers, Satan will never cease to harass us. His goal is to destroy our lives and our testimonies, thereby making us weak and useless for God's purposes.
God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the Lord is in charge of all adversity that comes our way. To deny His involvement contradicts His power and sovereignty over creation.
For us to accept that God allows--or even sends--afflictions, we must see adversity from His perspective. Is your focus on the pain of your experience or on the Lord and His faithfulness? As believers, we're assured that no adversity comes our way unless He can use it to achieve His good purposes.from Dr. Charles Stanley,Never Give In
What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
World War II ravaged through Europe for more than two years. The Axis forces looked invincible. England had suffered massive air raids by German forces in late 1940, and again in the spring of 1941.
On October 29, 1941, Great Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, visited the Harrow School for boys, his alma mater-to speak to its students. What message did the times demand? What could Churchill say to these young men in the face of the Blitzkrieg that seized Europe, leveled London, and cast their lives and futures into a thick fog of uncertainty? His words were simple, moving, and unforgettable: "Never give in—never, never, never, never, never give in."
Are you tired, have you grown weary from the "Blitzkrieg" in your life? There is hope at the cross for you. God is in the business of turning hopeless situations around. Remember, Lazarus had been in a grave for four days, his family was in mourning when Jesus showed up and called him back from the place of the dead. God can make something of the ashes that we bring to Him—Isaiah 61:3 tells us that "He will give us beauty in exchange for ashes." We need to stand firm in our faith and never give up or give in to the belief that He cannot redeem us or the situations we find ourselves in.
Perseverance—it's born of faith, it's nourished by hope and it's a sure sign of strength of character. What role does it play in your Christian life?
- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 7
The Trap of Discouragement
Habakkuk 1:2
Do you feel stuck in discouragement? If so, you are not alone.
At some point everyone experiences dashed hopes. Disappointment—an emotional response to a failed expectation—is the normal initial reaction. But allowed to linger, it can turn into discouragement, which hovers like a dense cloud. When that’s the case, there is no sense of joy or contentment, no matter what you do.
The circumstances that trigger these emotions may be unavoidable, but the way we respond is a choice. We can either let sadness overwhelm our souls or face the situation with courage and bring it before the One who can help us.
Living in discouragement will divide the mind, making it hard to focus on anything besides our pain. Then as anger becomes habitual, we’ll look for someone to blame—whether God, people around us, or yourself.
Frustration that isn’t handled well may develop into depression, which in turn can estrange us from others—people do not enjoy the company of someone who’s bitter and defeated. This isolation leads to a low self-esteem. Finally, in a fog of discouragement, we can make poor decisions based on crushed emotions instead of truth. Obviously, choosing this self-destructive path is not God’s best for our lives.
Though we’ll all face disappointment from time to time, believers are not to wallow in it. Instead, God wants us to trust Him with everything—even our unmet expectations and deepest sadnesess. Remember, there is divine purpose for everything He allows to touch His children’s lives (Rom. 8:28). from Dr. Charles Stanley,Focusing on God
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.- Matthew 6:34
All of us may find our courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies of life. After all, ours is a world filled with uncertainty, hardship, sickness, and danger. Trouble, it seems, is never too far from the front door. When we focus upon our fears and our doubts, we may find many reasons to lie awake at night and fret about the uncertainties of the coming day. A better strategy, of course, is to focus not upon our fears, but instead upon our God. God is as near as your next breath, and He is in control. He offers salvation to all His children, including you. God is your shield and your strength; you are His forever. So don’t focus your thoughts upon the fears of the day. Instead, trust God’s plan and His eternal love for you. And remember: God is good, and He has the last word.
- Steve Arterburn TODAY'S PRAYER
Your Word reminds me, Lord, that even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I need fear no evil, for You are with me, and You comfort me. Thank You, Lord, for a perfect love that casts out fear. Let me live courageously and faithfully this day and every day. Amen/July 7
The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling Place
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 6
The Believer's Purpose
Galatians 5:13
God has a purpose for your life. If that weren't true, He'd have taken you home to heaven at the moment of salvation. Do you ever wonder why He left you here?
The Lord intends to influence others through you. Our purpose is to be a vessel through which Christ overflows to others--touching those who hurt and desperately need a Savior. Once we are saved, Scripture teaches, our involvement is threefold.
First, we love others. Jesus clearly stated that this was one of the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:38-39).
Second, we share the good news of salvation (Acts 1:8). Some travel across the world to spread the gospel, while others teach neighbors across the street. The Holy Spirit will direct us to the right people if we are willing to obey.
Third, we serve in a variety of ways, like helping those in need, sharing our resources, and lifting others in prayer. Jesus is our perfect example of all three. His entire life was marked by caring for people--both those who loved Him and those who did not. In fact, the Bible teaches that He humbled Himself and became like us, willing to give up His life for our redemption. There is no greater love; there is no greater act of service.
Scripture clearly defines the believer's purpose. Aligning ourselves with God's intentions for His children--loving others, witnessing, and serving-- bring us great satisfaction. In fact, we're still on earth not merely to hear more teaching but to act on it and share with others what we learn. from Dr. Charles Stanley, Nothing To Prove
I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?” Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. - Job 42:2, 3, 5
Here’s a paradox for you. Those of you with a healthy sense of self are in the best position to exercise true humility. Why? Because the person with a healthy sense of self has nothing to prove. No agenda to push. No ego to shield. And no need to fret over what others think of you. When you encounter a problem that exceeds your knowledge, you admit without pretense that you don’t know the answer.
Sometimes we Christians can really fool ourselves. We think that since God is all knowledgeable and wise, and since we have His Holy Spirit within us, we should be able to dispense pearls of wisdom like spiritual gumballs. The truth is, the more we come to know God, the more we realize what we don’t know. And that’s O.K.!
The more we experience God’s grandeur and the more we understand our dignity as his sons and daughters, the lower we’ll bow before His throne—with nothing to prove and everything to gain.
- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 5

Leaving a Lasting Impact

Matthew 5:13-16

On this Independence Day, consider the question, How do you use the gift of freedom? God gives all believers true liberty through His Son Jesus Christ. Do you squander that blessing or share it with others? The problem is, some people are so focused on their own needs and desires that they fail to impact even their closest neighbor.

Think about the people you see every week. Do you know how many of your neighbors are sick? Are there people in your church who struggle to make it from day to day? Do you know if any of your coworkers are going through hardships? Most likely, there are individuals all around you who could use assistance. But being self-focused limits our ability to notice those people, let alone reach out to them.

Jesus taught His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matt. 5:13). In order for salt to remain useful, it must maintain its purity and potency. Likewise, we must endeavor to lead holy, humble, and loving lives, focusingon the Savior’s will rather than our own.

God has prepared the good works that we are to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Our job is to choose to do so.

Whether or not we affect our world positively depends on the focus of our heart. Do you look inward to consider how you can do more to get ahead and add to your lot in life? Or do you look outward and think about ways that you can do more to serve others? Dr. Charles Stanley, Letting Go and Moving On
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. - 1 Corinthians 13:11

When was the last time you tried to break a habit, an old idea, a negative behavior pattern, or an unhealthy emotional recording from the past? It's not easy! Even though you know you need to, even though you know it would be a good thing to do and will result in a healthier or happier state, it's just a pain. And you'd rather live in the comfort of your misery, or so you think.

We often react like two year-olds whose parents are taking the bottle away. Tantrums, meltdowns, and tears always seem to be a part of the process.

What are you holding on to? What from the past are you hanging on to that you need to let go of? You know the things that tear you down and keep you from emotional health, but you just hang on to.

How many times has God given you the opportunity to give those things up because they keep you isolated and stuck, even poisoning your spirits? But it means letting go. There's that "S" word again . . . surrender.

It takes a willing spirit. But you can walk in the victory that the Lord has already given you, if you choose it. Choose it today!

- Steve Arterburn

DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: July 4

Formula for Personal Growth

James 1:22

Growing in Christ involves far more than just attending church, tithing, and listening to a sermon. In fact, many believers do these yet remain stagnant in their walk. There are two elements necessary for us to become more like Jesus: instruction and involvement.

The first of these, learning truth, is vital to a healthy walk with God. Our Savior proved the importance of instruction by devoting much of His time on earth to it. The apostle Paul is another example, as he wrote letters to educate Christians about godliness.

So how can we gain knowledge and understanding? One of the most important and effective ways is to read the Word of God. Scripture instructs us that just as newborns crave milk, we are to desire His Word so that we might grow. I pray your spiritual thirst will become insatiable.

Yet simply listening to the truth does not mean that we've acquired it. I know many people who love attending Bible studies and expanding their knowledge base, but their lives remain unchanged. Just as today's passage teaches, we have to apply the Word to our lives. Even so, actual growth requires more than merely inputting information. It requires action. James 2:26 states, "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

Are we careless hearers, deceived into thinking that we're growing? Or are we listening intently and abiding in the truth? If we're truly maturing, our lives will be increasingly Christlike, and our desires will align more closely with God's heart. Make sure that you are listening and responding to His truth. by Dr. Charles Stanley ---Jesus Didn't Hurry
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1

One of my staff members has a habit of reminding me that Jesus was never in a hurry. I'm always in a hurry, hoping for quick answers and looking for motion in the direction I want to go. But then I hear him say it again ... "Jesus was never in a hurry."

I've thought about that and it makes me think of using a crock pot. The most tender, juicy meat you can fix is in a slow cooker. And, that's how it is with healing. Healing is a process that won't be hurried. It's a slow cooker experience. And if you accept that, it will take the pressure off you to finish it up.

God desires for you to pay attention to Him and His creation in your life each day. When you race through life doing everything as fast as you can, you miss some pretty awesome things along the way. Every challenge, every growth opportunity, every surprise that comes your way is an opportunity for your to look for God.

Healing can be slow, but it doesn't mean you're not growing. Allow it to slow cook and you'll have a tastier recovery filled with some mouth watering nuggets of wisdom. Let the Master Chef do His job with you.

Jesus was never in a hurry. Why are you?

- Steve Arterburn