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His Word

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The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. (NIV) Isaiah 40:8

God’s Word truly does stand forever. Personally, I don’t want to depend on anything or anyone else, but God and His Word! Not other men or even men’s opinions about God’s Word!

Who are you listening to? Are you digging into God’s Word and finding Truth for yourself? Or are you depending upon what others to give you? depending upon others to explain God’s Word? Are you depending upon a pastor to show you God through His Word? or a teacher? or a radio personality? your spouse? a friend?

Those who teach us from the Bible are important, but God also wants you to get into His Word for yourself. . . spend time in the Bible . . . wrestle with what He is saying to you through His Word. . . and I promise you, you’ll never be the same!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Reach Out

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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. (NIV) John 3:16

Do you believe that Jesus Christ was sent to earth, to live and then die for you? to pay the price on the cross for your sins? And if you believe in Him you will spend eternity in Heaven. If you have a relationship with Him, you understand the reason we, as Christians, celebrate Christmas. But, who around you is still in the dark when it comes to God?

Jesus taught that our love is 2 dimensional. . . He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” (NIV Luke 10:27).

How are you doing with being a good neighbor? Do you know your neighbors’ names? the names and ages of their children? Do they have any pets? what are they? what are their names? What does the man and\or wife do for work? When was the last time you were in their home? When was the last time they were in your home? Unfortunately, alot of us know our neighbors only by what car they drive!

This Christmas take the initiative to be a friend. . . take them a plate of Christmas cookies or a small gift. . . have a neighborhood open house and get radical, just invite your neighbors. . . go carolling. . . offer to assist a neighbor with their outdoor decorations. And while you’re at it, talk WITH them (not to them)! Ask questions. Ask about their background, how they celebrate Christmas, and take the time to listen. Show them you care about them, that’s rare today. Give them hope by offering something relevant – point them to Jesus – be ready to relate the Gospel story in terms that they would understand. Don’t miss the opportunity! Share the true reason for the season!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

How do you reach out to others during the Christmas season?

Crash Goes The Computer!

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Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (NIV) 1 Timothy 4:15

It seems like at my computers crash at the worst of times. Last week my laptop was down. Everything was working fine. I was in the middle of typing a letter and suddenly the screen went blank. Panic set in as I thought of the files I had lost since yesterday’s backup. The first thing I did was look for an obvious solution. I removed the battery and tried to boot up. . . nothing. After cracking open the case and verifying that all the hardware was connected correctly and doing some simple diagnostic tests, it became evident that I would have to look “underneath” the obvious to correct the problem.

When my life gets out of sync with God there are indications of a problem – patience wears thin, I may say things that I later regret, I begin churning inside, I avoid contact with other Christians – something just isn’t right. Eventually, if the problem (sin) is not dealt with, I become ineffective in my Christian life and my relationship with God suffers dramatically.

At first glance it may seem like an obvious solution, but more often than not, it takes a look “underneath” the obvious.

When was the last time that you asked God to show you what’s “underneath” the obvious in your life?

If it’s been awhile, ask Him to do a “tune- up” with your life and allow Him to get you back to operating the way He created you to work.

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Flu Season

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And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (NIV) Hebrews 10:24

As soon as as the flu season starts it seems like half the people I know pick up a bug! This year try to pass along something better to your peers – God’s love! God’s love can be passed on in both the little and big things we do. . . a kind smile, a warm hello, an encouraging word, a pat on the back, time alone with a friend, a phone call to say “I’m thinking of you,” a respectful attitude, a patient spirit, an attentive look.

How do you pass along God’s love to others? Who do you know that needs a special touch of God’s love today? Will you choose to allow God’s love to overflow from your heart to touch others in miraculous ways?

God's Purposes Prevail!

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“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring– for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” (NIV) Esther 8:5, 7-8

Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, receives the authority from King Xerxes to destroy all the Jews in kingdom. When Mordecai hears of the plot, he sends word to Queen Esther. It seems that they are backed into a corner. But, never underestimate the significance of one trying to make a difference!

After 3 days of fasting and praying Esther approaches the king. “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:1-3). Esther requests that the king and Haman come to a banquet that night and the following evening.

The first evening the king is sleepless. He has the official court records read to him and realizes that Mordecai has never been honored for discovering an assassination plot against the king. And then the plot intensifies at Esther’s second banquet.

Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, 2 and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life– this is my petition. And spare my people– this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. . . .9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (NIV)

Don’t ever question who is in control! Whether you see God’s hand visibly at work or not, His plans and purposes always prevail!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

How have you seen God’s hand visibly at work in your life?

Behind the Scenes

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The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (NIV) Proverbs 21:1

The book of Esther begins with King Xerxes throwing the party of parties to display his wealth and glory. For a full 6 months Xerxes and his guests revel in indulgent eating, excessive drinking, and admiring the vast wealth of the empire. At the end of the party King Xerxes decides to show off another of his prizes. . .the physical beauty of his queen. The brave queen refuses. She chose to not degrade herself before the king’s drunken guests.

The king consults his wise men to determine what should be done to her. After discussing the matter, one of the seven nobles, Memucan, advises the king that Queen Vashti has not only done “wrong” to the king, but also to all the nobles and all the people throughout all the provinces of the kingdom. Their fear? If left unpunished, Vashti’s rebellious attitude toward her husband would influence all the other women in the kingdom to rebel against their husbands’ authority. Uh oh!!!! The wise men anticipate that there could be no end to the disobedience, disrespect, and discord in their own homes. Wooooops!

Memucan advises the king to take immediate and drastic action to deal with the situation. He advises the king to issue a “royal decree” forbidding Vashti from ever again entering the presence of the king. Her position of queen would be given to someone more worthy.

Just another day in Persia? I think not! God is on the move in mysterious ways. He is sovereign. He is working behind the scenes. He is rearranging events and changing minds until His perfect plan is in place.

God is always at work. He is at work today in your life. You may not recognize His activity in the mundane aspects of life, but He is always at work. Even now, He is rearranging events and changing minds until His perfect plan for you is in place. Just watch.

How is God rearranging your life right now?

Knowing Christ

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I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (NIV) Philippians 3:10

The key to living a life pleasing to the Lord is to develop a more intimate relationship with Him. It is through daily communion with God that the union is strengthened. There are no shortcuts in the process of growth. There are no “how to” books on arriving at holiness. Time must be taken to develop a closer relationship with God. In order to live a life worthy of God’s calling, it is essential to grow in the knowledge of who God is and what He has accomplished through the cross, and then apply the scriptural truths to one’s life.

Is your faith stronger today than it was yesterday? a week ago? a year ago? When do you take the time to develop your relationship with God? Do you regularly set aside time to read His Word? spend time in prayer? If you’re not seeking God today, when will you start? Why not spend some time with God right now?

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