Devotionals

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DAY/EVENING REFLECTIONS

Colossians 3:1,2 MSG
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

1 Corinthians 4:5-7
5So don't judge anyone until the Lord returns. He will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone's heart. Then God will be the one who praises each of us. 6Friends, I have used Apollos and myself as examples to teach you the meaning of the saying, "Follow the rules." I want you to stop saying that one of us is better than the other. 7What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag?--NIV

You prayed the sinner’s prayer and invited Jesus Christ into your heart and into your life...now what? Most people tell you about the wonders of a Christ filled life, but then leave you hanging after your conversion. You have this new relationship, but you have no idea of how to cultivate it and make it grow.

Some people say, don’t worry about it, you don’t have to change. This is true to an extent. I liken it to when you meet the love of your life. You shouldn’t have to go through hoops to please your new partner, but some aspects of your life will change, for example, you are no longer a bachelor, so your living space becomes shared.


Same with the Christian conversion. If you are silly and happy, you don’t have to suddenly turn serious and somber-however, when you “make room” for God, some things will change. Your joy, your life perspective, the way you view the world at large, it all becomes new and wondrous, but there is a pattern to living that has to be maintained to keep yourself in line with God’s new purpose for you.

The first step is to immerse yourself in scripture. It is God’s message to humanity-His way of reaching out to us, instructing us. When we love someone, we want to learn all we can about them, and do what pleases them. Reading the bible is one way to please God and show God our love for Him.

Even though the times have changed, God has not. He still wants us to honor and revere him as the men of old did, the only difference being that Jesus Christ opened the doorway for man to develop a personal one on one with The Father.

Reading the word jumpstarts the process.

Now, for those who have a hard time with the Old English text found in the King James Version of the bible, there are many versions painstakingly translated from the Hebrew, Greek and Aramic texts to a modern language. The most popular latter day bible translations include NIV (New International Version) CEV (Contemporary English Version) and MSG (The Message). I’d advise you to do your homework in regards to which version you would read-see how it was researched and decide which version suits you best.

After we establish good bible study habits, we have to establish and maintain a relationship with the Father. One way to do that is to regard God as a constant companion. He is always there, ready and willing to supply us with our needs, and if applicable, our desires as well. We in turn, must be ready and willing to trust and obey Him, even when His will for our lives go counter to our wants.

We must also acknowledge the other face of God.

God is love and He cares greatly for us, but God is also a pure Deity, who hates to see sin or injustice. He is swift to turn us around and show us our wrong doing-and if we don’t repent, make no bones about it Brethren, He will punish His children to correct them. Do not get confused.

God is like nature-darkness and light. Love the light, respect the dark.

We must also be aware that Preachers, Ministers, Pastors, Priests, Reverends, Rabbi’s are all servants of the Lord, but so are you. The same relationship a Bishop has with God is one you can also have. God is not a respecter of persons, meaning, He will give audience to a peasant as well as a King. Far too many Christians think their salvation is in the hands of human men. A good example of this is how some people have even approached me, a nothing when it comes to Christ. God had granted me the ability to have great insights that some may call prophetic. I don’t wish to label this, but I have seen some things occur that God gave me foreknowledge of. When people find this out, they often want me to “tell them” about some aspect of their lives. What they don’t realize is that they could ask the Father the same thing, directly. Why deal with a third party? Go straight to the source.

Because I know this, I cannot brag on my gifts-how can I? I did nothing to manifest them. Anything I have, can be attained by any if not all of God’s children, according to His will. If you pray, with the proper motivation, such things can be added unto you.

I am aware that some of you who read DER are not Christians-you are seekers, and this is good. Better to seek than to be complacent. I came to Christianity because it felt right. In my heart, my bones, my soul-it just feels right. If you search within your self and ask those hard questions, maybe you will find, it is right for you too? Who knows, you may come away from it not only with a new found understanding of your life, but with a friend for life as well.-ARN under the instruction of THS.

EVENING REFLECTIONS-Breast Cancer Awareness

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Every mother, daughter, sister, friend, etc. is at risk for breast cancer.

{ Simply Grand is supporting the local chapter of Bosom Buddies of Georgia, Inc., a grass roots, state wide network of support groups for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Bosom Buddies of GA, Inc. renders survivorship via compassionate support groups, education, health care resources, and free breast cancer survivor kits with everything from hand made prostheses to wigs and hats, shipped EVERY week! Their motto is "Helping one woman at a time in the fight against breast cancer".

contact Bosom Buddies directly at 770. 455. 7637 or through their website:

www.bosombuddiesga.org

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Kip's goal is to raise $ 1,000.00 for Bosom Buddies this month. I'm not sure if I can do it alone.

If you can make a contribution in ANY amount, so much more can be done to help this volunteer organization and the breast cancer survivors who depend on them. I'm hoping you may also consider talking to your friends, co-workers and bosses or emailing them to encourage them to add something to your contribution or send a check separately. Let the world wide web help.......

ALL checks should be made out to BOSOM BUDDIES OF GA, INC.

You may mail your check(s) to:
Simply Grand Entertainment
PO Box 465805
Lawrenceville, GA 30042

Thank you so much for your consideration! If you have any questions, call me at: 770.277.9518 or send an email to [email protected]

Upon receiving your donation, all names will be added to a list of "contributors" without the dollar amount, as we are all equal in the eyes of God. All checks will be turned over to Janet Beebe, Support Group Director on or about Nov. 1st, 2004.

Please, give what you can and tell your friends! Bless you, and THANK YOU!!

Kip Gregory
Director of Services
Simply Grand Entertainment Services

FUNNY BONE YARD

A very religious woman went into the local pet shop to buy a parrot for company. She selected a beautiful bird, but the pet store owner said he didn't think she'd be happy with this particular parrot because he had belonged to a salty old sailor who used very bad language.

She replied that she knew with love and care she could break the bird of his bad habits and have a wonderful companion.

Well, the bird was not to be broken of his blue language and the woman had to hide him in the spare bedroom every time she had visitors. Finally, in desperation she told the bird she was going to put him in the freezer for 10 minutes every time he used bad language. Sure enough in just a couple of minutes the bird let out a string of obcenities. She put him in the freezer with him hollering and yelling his head off.

After just a minute or two it got very quiet.....afraid that something bad had happened to the bird, she opened the door.

Out stepped the parrot, shivering and most pleasantly and politely he said "excuse my prior behavior, madam. I regret any dismay I may have caused you and promise never to use improper language again." Well, the woman was thrilled to hear these promises and was about to say so when the bird interrupted to say "by the way, madam, what's the chicken in for?"

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