Bits and Pieces From A Notebook

As I listen to preachers on the radio, read scriptures, and have daily Bible devotions, I scribble notes here and there. Here is a selection from my collection of notes and quotes.

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Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve ate themselves out of house and home.

The Results of Justice = Jesus took my punishment
The Results of Mercy = God didn't punish me
The Results  of Grace = God lavished His favor on me

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Justice is getting a ticket

Mercy is not getting a ticket

Grace is Jesus paid for my ticket

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Salt purifies, preserves, gives flavor, protects, sterilizes, absorbs, irritates.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by men" Matthew 5:13.

Light reveals, spotlights, highlights, burns, dispels darkness, heals, brightens, shines, guides, gives safety, comforts.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 7:14,15,16.

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We need to take a heavenly perspective on earthly situations.

"Set your mind on things above,
not on things of the earth"
Colossians 3:2

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"Money is a great servant, but a terrible master"

Unknown

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"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8.

3 Ways to put Others before yourself:

• 1. Recognize that Jesus went to the cross for them too. He sees us all the same.
• 2. Pray for others' needs when you are in distress--you will probably know someone else who is struggling with whatever you are struggling with at that time.
• 3. Recognize we all have the same basic needs. As sinners in need of a Savior, we are no different than anyone else.

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"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" Acts 1:8.

    If we are saved in Jesus, we are witnesses to what He has done for us. We are in the courtroom, in the witness box, with the unsaved world staring at us as we relate what Jesus has done.

Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

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We are surrounded by the unsaved, yet are we using
our resources right to help them see Jesus?

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The Grace Gifts of God are all the power of God 

in us by God's grace to give the lost hope in the

salvation of Jesus. Let us not sporadically toss our

knowledge at them, but let God empower us to

tell them the gospel.

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As in water face reflects face: So a man's heart reveals the man" Proverbs 27:19.

    I pray my actions, words, deeds and life choices reveal the changes Jesus has made in me. May my Christianity reveal to others that I do not have 'religion' but a personal relationship with Jesus. He is not only My God but a loving Person to whom I return love. He is not only my Teacher, but my Friend. May others want what I have in Jesus.

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"You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in Your word. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word" Psalm 119:65,66,67.

 God is perfect in justice; perfect in punishment.

    The repentant acknowledge their affliction may be God's chastisement for sin. Something needed correction and God brought some punishment that corrected the trouble, thus teaching His child the way he should go. The now corrected one praises and thanks God for starting them in the right direction again.

• I need to accept God's correction.

     As a loving Father, when He corrects me, He knows exactly what punishment is right. He knows just the right amount of punishment. And He knows just the right time for my punishment.

    God says I am His child if I accept chastisement. May I learn from God, my Father, the way I should go and the correct way to live for His glory.

"My son, do  not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives"
Hebrews 12:5,6.

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"Why do the nations rage, and the people
plot a vain thing?"

Psalm 2:1.

Why be so foolish as to rebel against God?

"He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The LORD shall hold them in derision"

Psalm 2:4.

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"Vanity of vanities", says the Preacher;

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity"

Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Vanity = soap bubbles

Vanity = ephemeral beauty

Vanity = gusts of wind refreshing the face for a moment

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When it comes to authority we have a warped sense of right.

"There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death" Proverbs 16:25.

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Relying on our own sense of spiritual direction

is like blindly running into a brick wall.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path"

Psalm 119:105.

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