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ECHO ~ VOLUME 8 EDITION 03 - 26 FEB 2004
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E.C.H.O. ~ Encouragement Can Help Others
Volume 8 Edition 03 26
February 2004
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"Therefore,
as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are
of the household of faith . . . .
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health
to the bones . . . .
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;"
Galatians 6:10; Proverbs 16:24; I Peter 3:8
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CONTENTS
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1-MEMORY VERSE |
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2-
WORDS
OF THOUGHT |
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3- DEVOTIONAL |
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4-
NEXT ISSUE |
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Today,
in reflection of our yesterday, with great hope for tomorrow,
we remember our sunsets, looking contently confident towards the
Sonrise. We remember those who have stood firm in the
fight for our faith, hope, and freedom. We honor those
who have gone before us, carrying the torch, which lights our way to
truth, honor, and life.
Pressing forward, sharing in the same excellence of the
flame, passing the enkindling hope to the generations ahead, may we
passionately be so bold, strong, and courageous that we may also
stand firm with valor, compassion, and confidence in the
contending hope which God has given us.
11
Sept 2002 - Daniel
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All scripture references
are from the
New King James Version,
unless otherwise specified. |
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ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO
~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHOECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO
~ ECHO
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“.
. . Revive me, O LORD, according to your word.”
(Psalms
119:107) |
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Beloved,
do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to
the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1
Peter 4: 12-13 |
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Where
does a mischievous person come
from?
He that
deviseth to do evil
shall be called a mischievous person.
(Proverbs 24:8 KJV)
Devise -
meaning to weave, plot, conceive… to plan
Mischievous -
discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, thought, wickedly… playful in a troubling manor, causing harm
Person -
a master… an individual specified by their character
He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.
(NKJV)
He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. (ASV)
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues. (DBY)
He who plots to do evil shall be called a master of wicked thoughts.
(MKJV)
Where do we set our thoughts?
What ideas are motivated within our minds?
What do we desire and seek to posses?
What are our plans and goals?
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“If
then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right
hand of God. Set
your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ
in God.”
(Col 3:1-3) |
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ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~
ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO
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“Let
us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed
with pure water.”
Hebrews
10:22
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(Esther
9 & 10)
For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus,
and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren,
seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.
(10:3)
We’ve watched how God
used Ester as a key player in the process of saving her people from the
destruction schemed by Haman (and his friends & family).
God places key people in extraordinary situations to accomplish
unachievable tasks to bring HIM glory and honor.
Without God, nothing is possible. The
source of life itself is breathed by God (Gen 2:7), and without God giving us
life, we would not even exist to do anything – not even to choose to follow or
reject HIM.
God placed Esther in the role of Queen.
HE gave favor to the eyes of the king to enjoy the beauty of Esther and
to find favor with her presence. Through
the events, Mordecai became second in command, and people respected and feared
him… When the battles were fought (chapter 9) “… no one could
withstand them (the Jew’s), because fear of them fell upon all people.
And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and
all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai
fell upon them. For Mordecai was
great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces;
for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent.” (9:2-4)
God continues to do similar things today.
HE continues to place HIS children in unusual circumstances that
ultimately brings attention to HIM… And
when the lost see these events and circumstances, they ask with puzzled minds
how it all worked out, why it happened this way, etc… and that leaves great
opportunity for God’s children to open up and share the truth of God’s love,
to share their testimony of faith, and to be the witness God expects us to be.
An old saying states that “when life gives you lemons, make
lemonade…” Maybe we should look at it from a different perspective.
When in life God allows struggles and trials (not temptations) to cross
our path, don’t give in to worry, fear, or anger – rather allow God to work
in you, through the circumstances, and allow HIS glory to be revealed to those
around. We may never fully know or
understand how or why things occur as they do, but when our days on earth in
this frail body end, we can see how God fit the pieces of the puzzle together to
make a beautiful work or art….
Let’s rejoice knowing WHO ultimately is in control, and WHO will never
fail us (Heb 13:5)!
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the
extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed,
you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed
are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a
busybody in other people's matters. Yet
if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter…. Therefore
let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in
doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1Pe 4:12 -19)
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“Draw
near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands… and purify your hearts…”
James
4:8
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4 - NEXT
ISSUE
Next Issue we will begin a journey through the book of 1 John as we see
the need for fellowship with God & other believers. |
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ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO
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The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you,
Sincerely yours,
-= Daniel
Philippians 1:6
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ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~
ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO
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