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Pot Belly Stove (From A Shane Mullins Sermon)

  T here was a little boy who walked home from Sunday school, and the family was sitting around the old potbelly stove talking. The boy told his dad and papa about the lesson. The boy was so excited. He told them he'd gone up to the altar and accepted Jesus as   his personal savior. The boy said he was going to live the rest of his life for Jesus. And the old grandpa said, grandson, it's impossible to live a life for Jesus. It's too hard. The boy lowered his head and sat in the corner. After a long silence, the la d came back and said, Papa, I'm going to live for Jesus for a year. The old man said, Boy, it's impossible. You can't do it. They went back in the corner. After weighing the situation, the grandson said, Papa, how about a month? Nope, you can't do that. The boy said, How about a week? No. A day? No. No. T he boy sat a long time and came back. Papa, can I live a moment for Jesus? The grandfather said, yes. Yes, you can. The boy jumped up and down....
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What does Proverbs 1:7 mean?

What does Proverbs 1:7 mean? ESV:   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ; fools despise wisdom and instruction . NIV: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge , but fools despise wisdom and instruction . NASB: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ; Fools despise wisdom and instruction . CSB: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ; fools despise wisdom and discipline . NLT: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge , but fools despise wisdom and discipline. KJV: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge : but fools despise wisdom and instruction . NKJV:   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,  But fools despise wisdom and instruction . Verse Commentary: This verse is the cornerstone of the entire book. Solomon is making an absolute statement, against any knowledge that takes precedence over the Lord.   The use of "fear," in this context, is not mea nt to imply...
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Another Thought of the Day

 Thought of the Day When we get angry, we need to ask myself, “Why am I angry? Is it because my preferences or God’s purposes are being challenged?” The question is whether you want to be kept. As we grow in our relationship with God, so does our spiritual maturity.  Growing isn't always fun - in fact, it can be pretty painful - but during our trials and hard times, we must never forget a simple truth. We can choose to learn from life's difficulties and hardships and mature into the man or woman God has created us to be, or we can choose to be upset and learn nothing. Jesus prayed for our preservation. God wants us to be strong spiritually. God want us to cross the finish line with flying colors. We all know people who have made a profession of faith and were growing so much spiritually that we may have even looked up to them as spiritual leaders. But then one day they crashed and burned. They simply walked away from the faith. We think, “If someone like that could fall, then ...
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Trying to Get a Perfect Score

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 Trying to get a perfect score on “following all the rules” is not the key to life. The key to life is knowing Jesus and letting him change us from the inside out. He wants us to obey him out of love, not just follow rules out of fear or pride. The Bible puts it this way: “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Keeping religious score is a waste of time. Loving and obeying Jesus is the only thing that counts.  
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Keeping Religious Score is a Waste of Time

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 Trying to get a perfect score on “following all the rules” is not the key to life. The key to life is knowing Jesus and letting him change us from the inside out. He wants us to obey him out of love, not just follow rules out of fear or pride. The Bible puts it this way: “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Keeping religious score is a waste of time. Loving and obeying Jesus is the only thing that counts.  
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Two Types of Thoughts

 Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God’s strengths; the other lists your failures. One longs to build you up; the other seeks to tear you down. And here’s the great news: you select the voice you hear. Why listen to the mockers? Why heed their voices? Why give ear to pea-brains and scoffers when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God? Do what David did. Turn a deaf ear to the old voices. Open a wide eye to the new choices. Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them. Peter stuck his foot in his mouth. Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt. The Samaritan woman had been married five times. Jesus was dead in the grave … Nevertheless, Peter preached, Joseph ruled, the woman shared, Jesus rose — and you? You fill in the blank. Your nevertheless awaits you.
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3 Things, A Conscience, Quote Scripture

 Accordingly, there are at least three things we can do to benefit from this ministry in our lives. First, we can commit ourselves to studying the Bible, knowing that when we do, the Holy Spirit will often guide our understanding. Second, we can dedicate ourselves to prayer, continually asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, wisdom, understanding, and the will to obey. And third, we can devote ourselves to righteous and holy living, being determined to live according to the truths the Spirit teaches us. A conscience isn’t designed to be our guide; it is a tool of the Guide. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but He also brings to mind godly principles and leads us on a righteous path. He uses a variety of tools to conform us to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:29). A lot of believers can quote Scripture, but when they face a daunting trial—like a job loss or frightening diagnosis—their confidence wavers and doubt prevails. Divine promises won’t necessarily take away the pain ...
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