Ambassadors of God

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:20

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5: 20). Every Christian is a royal ambassador for the King of Kings. He must live up to the high
calling of his office. An ambassador is appointed by the governmental head of a country. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you,
that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16). Astounding that God should choose such ordinary individuals as we are to be His ambassadors. What
dignity!

Ambassadors are sent to a foreign, often unfriendly, country. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). Travelers in a foreign country
must remember they are not at home and deserving of comfort. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through" is every Christian's theme song, for
we are "strangers and pilgrims" (1 Peter 2:11).

It is essential that an ambassador be on good behavior. Christians are to "have a good report of them that are without" (1 Timothy 3:7). "To win some,
you must be winsome."

Ambassadors keep in close touch with their home country. "He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John 15:5). An ambassador
of God must be in daily communion with the Lord for fresh instructions.

The ambassador is to reconcile and establish good relations between the peoples of the two lands. What an enormous undertaking for God's ambassadors to
beseech men "in Christ's stead" to be "reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). "The most gigantic undertaking God has laid out for the Christian is to lead lost
souls to Jesus Christ" (Scarborough) . The ambassador is confident and encouraged because he has the power and authority of his government behind him (Matthew
28:19-20).

We are to carry out the purpose and give the message for which we are sent. How was the Lord Jesus sent? "To seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke
19:10). So must a good ambassador do "in Christ's stead" (2 Cor. 5:20), to whom Christ commits the "word of reconciliation" (v. 19).

The Sumner Wemp Collection

Dean Masters, owner of the Masters List

1st Chronicles

KJV - (King James Version)NIV - (New International Version)BBE - (Bible in Basic English)Scripture of the Day Psalm 119:9-119) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed theretoaccording to thy word. 10) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thycommandments. 11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.(KJV)9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11Ihave hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV) 119:9 How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.119:10 I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not gowandering far from your teaching. 119:11 I have kept your sayings secretlyin my heart, so that I might do no sin against you. (BBE) Daily DevotionalVerses for the Day:Proverbs 25:11 11) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (KJV)11A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (NIV)25:11 A word at the right time is like apples of gold in a network ofsilver. (BBE)Thoughts for the Day:This verse from Proverbs paints a picture of how a word that is spokenwisely appears to others. This kind of word is like golden apples displayedin a setting of silver. The Bible tells us to guard our mouths and to becareful about anything we say. If we are to speak words that are a blessingand that edify others, then we must line up our words with the Word of God.It is very important to control our conversation. We will ultimately receivethe things that we speak. If we speak the Word of God in faith, it will cometo pass. The opposite is also true, if we speak evil long enough, it toowill come to pass, as there is power in words.Psalm 50:23 23) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth hisconversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. (KJV)23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way sothat I may show him the salvation of God. (NIV)50:23 Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him whois upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God. (BBE)Proverbs 18:20-21 20) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and withthe increase of his lips shall he be filled. 20) Death and life are in thepower of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.(KJV)20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvestfrom his lips he is satisfied. 21The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV)18:20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produceof his lips will be his in full measure. 18:21 Death and life are in thepower of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit fortheir food. (BBE)We will eat the fruit of our spoken words; therefore, we must learn to speakor confess the Word of God and we must also have faith in it, if we want toreap good things in our lives. We must not confess lack, as the HeavenlyFather has given us everything we need. We must not confess defeat, as Godhas made us more than conquerors. We must not confess doubt, as God hasgiven us His faith. We are to speak the things that the Word of God declaresas truth. We easily quote what men have to say on a subject, and many timeswe believe them despite what the Word of God has to say about it. Yet, weare often hesitant to quote what God says because the devil tells us wewould be lying. He causes us to look at our circumstances rather than theWord. Circumstances are subject to change, and one of the things that cancause them to do so is the confession of God's Word over a particularsituation.For instance, if we are in need of finances, the devil will try to get us toconfess such things as "If I do not have the money to pay my rent, I will bekicked out of my apartment," or "My credit will be ruined if I can't makethe house payment." Instead, we need to align our confession with the Wordof God. Philippians 4:1919) My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory byChrist Jesus (KJV)19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches inChrist Jesus. (NIV)4:19 And my God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of hisglory in Christ Jesus. (BBE)Matthew 6:3333) ... seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and allthese things shall be added unto you (KJV)33... seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these thingswill be given to you as well. (NIV)6:33 ... let your first care be for his kingdom and his righteousness; andall these other things will be given to you in addition. (BBE)We should confess our faith and trust in the Lord by saying, "I don't knowhow the Lord is going to help us meet this need, but I confess that He will,because He cares for us." Then we must ask the Lord if there is anything Hewould have us to do. At times, He may speak a plan to us or He may send thehelp through a friend or give us favor with the landlord. We may not knowhow the answer will come, but if we stand and confess our Lord's provisionin the face of our problem and have faith in Him, He will not fail us. We have the power to bring evil or good things forth by what we speak. Jesusreferred to this in:Matthew 12:35-37 35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth goodthings: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, theyshall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt becondemned. (KJV)35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and theevil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tellyou that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for everycareless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted,and by your words you will be condemned. (NIV)12:35 The good man out of his good store gives good things; and the evil manout of his evil store gives evil things. 12:36 And I say to you that in theday when they are judged, men will have to give an account of every foolishword they have said. 12:37 For by your words will your righteousness beseen, and by your words you will be judged. (BBE)Psalm 19:14 14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptablein thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (KJV)14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing inyour sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing inyour eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation. (BBE)Prayer for the Day:Dear Heavenly Father, I first want to thank You for the wonderful promisesYou have given us in the Bible. Lord, I want to be a person who not onlyspeaks the Word of God, but also one who puts those word into actions.Lord, help me to guard my mouth and speak only those things that areedifying that will bless others. May the words of my mouth and themeditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight as I offer praise untothee. May You be glorified by all that I speak. May I never doubt Your Wordand rely on it in everything I do. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen.Keep each other in PrAyer and display HuMility. Have a BlEssed day and stayENcourage. God is Good All the Time!!!Scripture Of The Day and Daily Devotional are sent out Daily via email. Ifyou would like to add any of your family members or friends to thisdistribution list, just reply to the email address listed below with theirfull email address and they will start receiving the Word Of God in thefuture. If you want your email address remove from this distribution list,please reply to the email address listed below requesting for your emailaddress to be removed. Thank you.Stay Blessed,Riley

Shopping List For The New Year

My Kindness shelf is almost bare,I'm getting low on Love,Completely out of Thankfulness,Must send for more above.
I should exchange some Jealousy,I didn't order that!I need a box of Tolerance,For mine seems rather flat!
Oh yes, I must put on my list,The fragrance of His Peace,I need a big supply of Joy,Before my needs increase.
I noticed Patience is on sale,I need so much today.It looks becoming anytime,And mine is almost gray.
Humility is terribly rare,I can't afford it now.But oh, my stock is almost bare,I'll pay for it somehow!
My Sense of Humor is a mess,It needs repair today.My flask of Goodness lost its zest,Somewhere along the way.
Extravagant is my shopping list?I wonder how I'll pay?I can't afford to skimp or save, So, I must shop -- TODAY!
~ Author Unknown ~
Hope Of Israel Websites: Torah Studies: http://rinahshal. tripod.com/ Times of Refreshing: http://rinah- -shalom.tripod. com/ Wisdom For Living: http://rinahshal. tripod.com/ wisdomforliving Step By Step: http://rinah- -shalom.tripod. com/stepbystep/ Moadim - Jewish Holidays: http://rinah- shalom.tripod. com/

BEWARE OF SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB HUMANISTIC UNCHRISTIAN READINGS FOR CHILDREN

BEWARE OF THIS BOOK!
>
> If you have children or grand-children or you have neighbor children
whose parents you know, please take note of the info below or pass it
along to others. Schools are a distribution point to children for this
book through the Scholastic Book Club. Beware of the book
"Conversations with God" and Dr. James Dobson talked about this book
twice this week. It is devastating and parents and Christian schools
need to be aware of this. Do pass it on to church/e-mail addressees,
Parents, Grand parents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.
>
> Please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV
and in movie theaters and the music they listen to, but we must also
be alert regarding the books they read. Two particular books,
Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written
by Neale D. Walsch , sound harmless enough by their titles alone.
These books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a
number of weeks, and these publications make truth of the statement,
"Don't judge a book by its cover/title."
>
> The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the
"voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not
Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For
instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a
lesbian?" His answer is that she was born that way because of genetics
(just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc.). Then he
tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girls
poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that
I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?"
> His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have
done nothing wrong."
>
> Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I
do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no
such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to
tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one
another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be
judged.'"
>
> And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine of
devils, but in some instances even quote (in error) the Word of God.
These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children
(The Scholastic Book Club) , and we need to be aware of what is being
fed to our children. Our children are under attack. So I pray that you
be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God,
and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary,
the Devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1
Peter 5:8). And how many of us know that lions usually hunt for the
slowest, and weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.
>
> Pass this on to every Believer you know. God bless! And, if in
doubt, look at the books yourself.
>
> Gal 6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due
season, if we don't give up.

16 Laws Of Godly Relationships

We-Are-In-Christ-Arm

16 LAWS OF GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. An he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross....We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. (Col 1:15-20,28).
Life is all about our relationships; first of all with God, and then with each other and everyone else we meet. We must know the basis for our relationships in order to understand how we should relate to God and to each other. The first few chapters of Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" provide a good summary; here are the main points:
It all starts with God - "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." (Col 1:16) Without God, life makes no sense.
You are not an accident - "I am your creator, you were in my care even before you were born." (Is 44:2) God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes.
What drives your life? - Guilt? Resentment? Anger? Fear? Materialism? Need for approval? "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." (Is 26:3)
We are made to last forever - "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. (I John 2:17)
Seeing life from God's view - "What is your life?" (James 4:14) A circus? A minefield? A roller coaster? A puzzle? A symphony? A journey? A dance? A carousel? A party? A race? A marathon? A battle? A game? Life is a test, a trust and a temporary assignment. "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." (Luke 16:10)
So if our life on earth is only temporary and is a preparation for eternity - and scripture calls it a test - How is our life to be graded?
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3).
God is love (1 John 4:16).
‘Love the Lord you 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' (Luke 10:27).
Who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29).
And now I will show you the most excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31).
Life is all about knowing God, experiencing his love through our relationships with others. We can't experience God's love without knowing God. We can't know God without sharing his love to everyone around us (everyone we meet is a neighbor). God knew we are incapable of experiencing and sharing his love without help, so he came in the body of Jesus to show us how to experience and share his love - and to have eternal life.
1 Cor 13 is an excellent description of what God's love is. Love must have an object to be expressed. God demonstrated his love for us by coming in the body of Jesus and sacrificing his life on the cross. Jesus' life was a demonstration of God's love, and we can see every attribute of love described in 1 Cor 13 manifested in the life of Christ. Love is not an abstract concept, it is the nature of God himself. We should model our relationships with others on how Jesus demonstrated throughout his life. 1 Cor 13 describes the nature of Godly relationships:
Love is:
1. Patient - keeping a good disposition even when others are demanding and we have other things to do.
2. Kind - Affectionate, gentle, considerate - helping when you don't need to, when the other person cannot return the favor.
3. Does not envy - We can rejoice when someone else is blessed without feeling like we deserved it more than they.
4. Does not boast - When we call attention to ourselves, we are claiming credit for what we should acknowledge as God's grace and mercy.
5. Not proud - Pride is self-righteousness - pride is setting ourselves above others.
6. Not rude - When we are condescending, offensive or discourteous, we are saying "I don't need to talk with you - you aren't worthy of my attention!"
7. Not self-seeking - When our motive is "what's in it for me?" we are placing the other's welfare second to our own wants.
8. Not easily angered - It is possible to be angry and manifest God's love (Jesus & the moneychangers) but if we are easily angered, we are selfishly wanting everything our own way and reacting badly when we don't get what we want.
Love:
9. Keeps no record of wrongs - God has forgiven us of every sin we've confessed to him - how can we not forgive others?
10. Does not delight in evil - People will often cause harm to others to accomplish some goal ("corporate ladder"), and in the process deceive others to hide their actions. Love has no part in this.
11. Rejoices with the truth - When we have nothing to hide, we can be totally open with others - it is then we can rejoice with the truth.
12. Always protects - Love quenches the darts of the enemy. When we hear of accusations against a brother or sister, our response should be to protect, i.e. "I don't think we have all the information to judge this situation."
13. Always trusts - Love isn't suspicious, love has faith in others, even when they've let us down before. Jesus said to forgive "seventy times seven" times.
14. Always hopes - Love always believes for the best, even when we've not experienced the "best" many times before.
15. Always perseveres - Love withstands adversity. Love doesn't give up - ever.
16. Never fails - We aren't guaranteed happy endings. John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus was crucified, most of the apostles were martyred. But, God is eternal, God is love, so there is no end to God's love. God's love will carry us through any situation, even when we don't like the outcome.
God came to us in the body of Jesus to show us how to experience and manifest his love and have a relationship with himself. We can't do it without God. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to experience and manifest God's love just like Jesus did.
Love is the core of having Godly relationships, both with our heavenly Father and with everyone we meet (our neighbors).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to follow your example and share God's love with each person I meet today. Help me to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength-and help me to show your love to each person I contact today.Amen. catcmo2006

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Posted by Cathy's Place to CathysMiraclePlace at 2/25/2006 09:15:00 AM s

Beautiful picture

I realy like this picture.