A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD

Passage 2 Timothy 2:14-26:
14Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.
15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

16But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

17And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18Who have missed the mark and swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some.

19But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.(A)

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].

21So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

22Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.

24And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],

26And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.

QUALITY IS JOB 1

Passage Galatians 6:1-18:

Galatians 6
1 BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.
2Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and [a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete [b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it].
3For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
4But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.
5For every person will have to bear ([d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [[e]little] load [f][of oppressive faults].
6Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
7Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [g]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [h]that only is what he will reap.
8For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[i]morally] to all people [not only [j]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
11See with what large letters I am writing with my own hand. [[k]Mark carefully these closing words of mine.]
12Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
13For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised in order that they may glory in your flesh (your subjection to external rites).
14But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!
15For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah].
16Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!(A)
17From now on let no person trouble me [by [l]making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions--these testify to His ownership of me]!
18The grace (spiritual favor, blessing) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) be with your spirit, brethren. Amen (so be it).

Not Only Christmas Day

Dear Family & Friends,

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! As well as to come together as family! We here at the Austin household want to take this time to wish all the saints and the body of our Lord a very Merry ChrisTmas and a blessed New Year!

Please take the time to read this awesome poem and remember the TRUE meaning of ChrisTmas!

No Limits No Boundaries!

The Austin Family!

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer

Not only on Christmas Day

But until I see You face to face

May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus

I ever hope to be,

Resting in Your loving arms

Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child

In wisdom daily learning,

May I ever seek to know

You With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful

Let me follow in Your light,

Meek and bold, humble and strong

Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer

And stand for truth alone,

Knowing that Your kingdom

Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice

Though great may be the cost,

Mindful how You rescued me

From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior

The babe, the child, the Son,

May my life forever speak

Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices

And celebrates Your birth,

I treasure You, the greatest gift

Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words

That welcomed home Your Son,

"Come, good and faithful servant,"

Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others

Who will join with me in praise

Because I lived for Jesus Christ

Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild--

DAILY WORD....12/24/07

Passage 1 Timothy 4:1-16: AMP
1 Timothy 4

1BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,

2Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),

3Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which

God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth.

4For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

5For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.

6If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed.

7But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].

8For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

9This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.

10With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] [a]suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).
11Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

13Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.

14Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].

15Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.

16Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

DO YOU KNOW THE COST?

Passage Luke 14:25-35: NLT (New Living Translation)

The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

DAILY WORD....12/21/07

The days of thy mourning shall be ended.In the world ye shall have tribulation. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Isa. 60:20. John 16:33. Rom. 8:22,23. 2 Cor. 5:4. Rev. 7:14-17

Passage Revelation 7:14-17: AMP

14I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.(A)
15For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence.
16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any [a]scorching heat.(B)
17For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.(C)

YOU SAY ~~GOD SAYS~~ BIBLE VERSES

"It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)


"I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

"I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)


"I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
"I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

"I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

"It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

"I can't forgive myself" God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

"I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

"I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

"I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

"I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

"I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)