Yesterday, in the morning, I went with John to one of his appointments. We had to stop a few times when enroute so that he could walk out the pain. Yesterday evening, my husband Carl and I assisted John on another appointment for his job.
We are taking one day at a time and believing for a Miraculous Touch from the Lord. We are asking Jesus that John will be "up and running" and not "skip a beat" in his work.
I know that on my ministry mailing list I have some of God's most powerful Intercessors and Prayer Warriors - who definitely walk in strong faith and know how to get a hold of Him for a Miracle. Hence, I am asking all of you to lift John up in prayer and believe with us for a Mighty Miracle from God! We serve a Good and Mighty God Who is more than able and willing to do this for us!
Thank you for your prayers! I know that I can count on you!
Also, with this Update, I would like to mention a Christian Movie that Carl, John, and I just viewed this past Sunday. It ran in the movie theaters a while back but now is being offered as a DVD. The name of it is - "DO YOU BELIEVE?" and it is put out by PureFlix. You will be able to find it at any Walmart, Family Christian Store (or any other Christian bookstore), or even buy it online at -
www.DoYouBelieve.com
www.PureFlix.com
This movie is a must for every Christian to watch. As you view it, you will see that it is relevant for today's believer. It will affect your life - I guarantee it! You will not be able to see life or lost souls in the same way after watching it. There is a message in it for both saint and sinner alike - so you might want to get extra copies and hand them out to your neighbors or co-workers.
Below, in this Update, you will find a challenging message. The question that seems to be on everyone's lips (or at least in their thoughts) is - "Where are the True Leaders?" At this time, in the history of our nation, we are suffering from a deplorable lack of Leadership. And sad to say - generally speaking - we are finding that lack in the Church as well (at least among many who are on the major Christian networks.)
It is so important that you pay attention to the "voices" you are allowing to speak into your life on a daily basis (through the media, social media, books, television, radio, internet, etc.) Jesus warned us that in the Last Days there would be great deception. Remember - your eternal soul is at stake.
Once again (as we do every month), I am asking you to pray about blessing us - Walking In Truth Ministry - with a financial offering. (The info will be found at the end of this message).
May you be blessed by today's Bible Message!
And may God keep you safe and secure from all harm,
Connie
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Made or Marred
"No society can be to us a matter of indifference, but must operate for good or ill." - Biblical Illustrator
"Of all the external circumstances which mould our life and character, our daily companionship may be said to be among the most potent, and the Bible utterances are very strong on this subject." - Sermon Bible Commentary
"A man is known by the company that he keeps...You cannot be familiar and escape contagion. The conversation of the wicked has more power to corrupt than the conversation of the good to ameliorate." - Biblical illustrator
"We are made or marred according to our choice of companions. In Solomon's thought was only the companionship of living men. There is now also a companionship in books, and thus mind with mind. The character of book companionship resembles closely that of living men." - Biblical Illustrator
In Proverbs 13:20, Solomon unequivocally stated - "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
Who you "walk with" must not be considered a "matter of indifference." There are many "external circumstances" coming your way - each and every day - that are seeking to mold your life and character. The "most potent" of them is your "daily companionship" - who you allow to speak into your life.
Know this - who you choose will either "make" you or "mar" you.
Solomon talked about "walking with wise men" or "walking with...fools." Which are you "walking with"?
When he spoke of "walking," he was referring to choosing people for intimate friends...joining in their company and conversation...taking them into your councils... intimating your difficulties to them... seeking their advice...and depending on their aid.
Besides cultivating people's personal friendship, he also had in mind - studying other's writings.
Once again, we ask you - who are you "walking with"? There are only two choices - the "wise" or the "foolish."
By the "wise," Solomon did not mean the learned, clever, or capable men of business. He meant the good - the ones who place the spiritual above the material... aim at the highest end of existence...place God over and above self...would rather be right than what is called successful...and possess a knowledge of God and of spiritual truth. By the "foolish," he did not mean the intellectually weak, thoughtless, or frivolous. He meant all who are morally and spiritually without God - having no worthy ends in view - being openly or secretly wicked.
Daily, through your different "contacts" in the world, you are choosing to associate with the "wise" or the "foolish" - learning their ways and becoming conformed to their character.
In this verse of Scripture, Solomon was attempting to demonstrate the powerful influence which a man's "society" has upon him - either to save or to corrupt and destroy.
When you "walk with wise men," you grow wiser and wiser - gaining a large stock of spiritual knowledge and experience. When you "walk with fools," you become like them - morally and spiritually without God...having no worthy ends in view... growing still more and more foolish...and eventually suffering moral ruin.
Read Francis Taylor's insight on this argument in the following quotes -
"The friendships we form will either make or mar us. We shall certainly be conformed in spirit and in character to those whom we admit to the sanctuary of our soul; our lives will move with theirs toward the same goal; and we shall share their destiny for good or evil."
"It is safer to imitate good men than bad. Because the way of good men is better, and their end is better... Sheep will not follow wolves, but they will follow one another. So do thou follow good men to heaven, rather than bad men to hell."
Understanding this principle, Solomon revealed his main objective when he said in Proverbs 2:20 - "That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous."
In order to "walk" in "good" ways, you have to leave the bad ones. If not, the one will keep out the other.
To "walk in the way of good men" means to "walk" in the "way" of righteousness, holiness, and truth...the "way" of God's commandments...the "way" of obedience - being directed by the Spirit of God and the Word of God - following the examples of the saints, prophets, and patriarchs of old.
To "keep the paths of the righteous" means to continue in, observe, and attend to the life of obedience which they follow. The "ways" and "paths" of "good men" and the "righteous" are simple and straight. They look out of themselves to Christ - above all earthly pursuits to the goal of eternal life.
On the other hand, the "ways" and "paths" of the "evil men" are "crooked." (Proverbs 2:15) Their track is marked by an irregular zigzag - as they are perpetually swayed from side to side. They are like a train that is "off the rails" or a ship drifting with the wind and tide.
Understanding this, the Psalmist boldly and unashamedly stated in Psalm 119:63 - "I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts."
After reading this message, can you say that of yourself?
Do you find your associates and friends among those who worship God or obey His laws? Or do you find yourself consorting with the ungodly or careless (in the things you watch or listen to and the material that you read)?
Either way - by degrees, you will venture to copy their manners.
We, at Walking In Truth Ministry, understand that what makes one "wise" is possessing a knowledge of God and of spiritual truth. That is why we diligently seek God - on a daily basis - to know Him and His Word more fully.
We also are aware of the fact that God has given us two sources of power over those to whom we minister - that of ideas and of influence.
Through our writings, we impart ideas to the mind. It is of the gravest consequence what ideas we instill in our readers or listeners.
Godly literature has an inestimable value in influencing the reader. It can act as a great moral force in the life of the believer.
Read this quote from the Pulpit Commentary concerning this matter -
"The influence of a beloved friend or a favorite author is wholly beyond calculation, and is almost beyond exaggeration. We give ourselves to one another; we impress our mind upon one another; we draw one another up or we drag one another down."
Knowing this - it is our goal at Walking In Truth Ministry to always bring you messages that will make you "wise" - build you up in Christ Jesus...make you strong and mature in the faith...encourage you to maintain an "on-fire" walk with God... and stand boldly in the face of whatever opposition.
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To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
If you would like to be a blessing to this ministry or a faithful supporter, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
Or, if you prefer to use , Paypal you can send your financial gift to - [email protected]
You can also send a Money gram - if that means of exchange will work better for you.
We are a nonprofit organization with a tax exemption status.
Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved