“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

3 - EDITOR's CORNER  

Dear Friends,

First, I wish to share with you that ECHO is again on the web, and is currently residing at http://www.forministry.com/USWAIFCAISBCSB.  You will be able to review last years and this year ECHO publications. If you would like to review the first 7 years, you may either write to EncourageOthers@msn.com and request the publication(s) you wish to review (in pdf format), or you may request a CD (you will need to pay for shipping and handling cost).

Second…  Consider the suggested memory verse in this issue  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

How do we conform ourselves to this world?  Or better yet, how do we NOT conform to this world?  Conform means to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern.  Funk & Wagnalls 1980 Dictionary states: “To show identity or resemblance.  To adhere to conventional behavior.  To make the same or similar.”

Christ wants to conform us in HIS image… He desires that we be like HIM.  Phil 1:6 informs us that God is still working on us, perfecting us until we are complete in the Day of Jesus Christ.  HE is molding us, shaping, and perfecting us into HIS image.  The world’s reflection does not resemble in any manner godliness.  WE are not to be like the world, even though we are in the world.  Christ was in the world, and yet never once did HE conform the standards or ways of ungodliness. HE remained holy, pure, and perfect, without flaw or sin.

So, how do we conform to the Word of God?  Simply put, by placing HIS Word and truth in our life… in our thoughts, heart, mind, and actions….  People know who we are by what we do more than by what we say.  And what we do comes from what’s truly in our hearts… our mind, thoughts, and desires.

Today, we ask the question…  “What’s In Your Mind?” There’s a credit card commercial that asks us what’s in our wallet?  We place valuables we want to keep and use in our wallets…  we need to place godly values we need to keep and use in our minds.

As you travel through this edition of ECHO, consider what’s in your mind and does God really want to know what’s in your mind – or better put, would you want God to know what’s in your mind?

4 - PICTURE of the DAY!!!

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YOUR THOUGHTS
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Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Psalms 40:5

Photo by Daniel
Doha, Qatar - January 10, 2005
Barnabas Ministries/E.C.H.O.

Your comments, suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are welcomed.
Should you have a picture you have taken (not copyrighted) you would like to share in PICTURE of the WEEK!!!,
please e-mail a copy in .jpg or .gif format.  Feel free to suggest a verse/verses you think might go well with the image.
(Photo's & images submitted become the property of E.C.H.O. and may be altered.
Images, suggested verses, and topics are subject to display per discretion of E.C.H.O.)

5 - DEVOTIONAL

(1 John 2:15-17)

What’s In Your Mind?

My original title for this was "WHAT SORT OF THING's ARE GOING ON IN YOUR MIND?"  But then I remembered the commercial regarding credit cards, where at the end they ask a simple question.... "WHAT's IN YOUR WALLET?"  Instead of being concerned about what's in your wallet, a more valuable question would be, What's in your mind?

1 DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD (15)

            IF YOU DO, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER's NOT IN YOU
            LOVE THE LIGHT (1 JN 2:9-10)

What sort of things comes from the “world?”  If we look at science/technology, we see human advancements that allow the extension o f life as illnesses, diseases, and human organ failures are treated…  We also see an increase in access to knowledge through electronic means (i.e. computer & computer products – both hardware & software, internet, e-mail, audio/visual medium aka: DVD’s, VCR’s, Radio’s, Cassette Tapes, Television, etc).  One might look at all this and consider the human race is doing well.  But what benefit does this all have?  Is it temporal, or eternal?  I am reminded of the statement that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Ro 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1Co 1:20-21 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

We can use the things in this world for godly purposes, such as church services being broadcasted over the radio and television, and Biblical resources being found on various web pages.  However, we should not become attached to these things, for the things of this earth will fade away…

Mt 6:19-20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

2 DO NOT LOVE THE THINGS IN THE WORLD (15 - 16)

            THINGS     = LUST OF FLESH
                                    LUST OF EYES
                                    PRIDE OF LIFE
                                                      (These three alone make up a sermon all of it's own)

            THESE THINGS ARE NOT OF THE FATHER
            THESE THINGS ARE OF THE WORLD

I return to the question… “Is it temporal, or eternal?”  The things of this world can be used for eternal value; however, the “things” of this world will fade away.

3 WHY SHOULD WE NOT LOVE THE WORLD & THE THINGS OF THE WORLD? (17)

            THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY & THE LUST OF IT
            HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER

The only thing we can take to heaven is ourselves, and the works we did for Christ (the ones which won’t be counted worthless or selfishly motivated - 1 Corinthians 3: 13-15).  Nothing else can we take to heaven with us.  No money (what is there to buy in heaven?), no jewelry (God has already decorated the place with gold and pearls, and “precious gems”), no cars (after all, cars put pollutants in the air, and there will be nothing in heaven to defile it), no homes (God already has many mansions/rooms).…  Everything of  “earthly value” will not be in heaven.  BUT those things we do for God now here on this world, those actions (and their results) will be brought with us.  What are we doing for the Lord?  Are we living for Him, serving Him, doing His will and not ours?  For if we are living for Him, there are rewards in heaven for that.... not that what we do should be for rewards, but for HIS GLORY!

This world will pass away!  Just as the days of man are numbered, so are the days of this world!  Don’t place value on things, which will rust, corrupt, and fall apart, put your affections, heart, and mind in the eternal values of God, which will last eternally!

So, the question is asked…  What's in your mind?  What are you thinking of?  What are the desires you have within you?

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks….  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”   (Lu 6:45; Lu 12:34 cf: Mat 12:35 & Mat 6:21)

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….”  (Pr 23:7)

 APPLICATION: (COLOSSIANS 3:1-3)

            "SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE....

 SET YOUR MIND IN THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE (NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH).

             FOR YOU DIED & YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD!"

Fill your mind (and life) with the blessings of God!

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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
.

6 - NEXT ISSUE

Join us in the next issue when we will continue in 1 John 2:17-25 as we look at “The Last Hour”

The last hour is here… 2000 years ago; the church knew that the last hour was upon us.  And as time ticks by, the minutes go by, and the end of the hour becomes closer and closer.  We are ever so much the more closer to the end of the last hour today than ever before.  But exactly how close????  Sorry, I can’t say, I’m still learning to read time….   J

7 - PARTICIPATION

This section is for YOU... it is a revised section returning from the FIRST EDITIONS of E.C.H.O. where you can actively participate in ECHO and sharing encouragement with others.  E.C.H.O. is interested in your thoughts.  Do you have something you would like to share with others, a favorite web link, a favorite verse/passage of scripture, etc?  Please write to EncourageOthers@msn.com and share you thoughts.

Please feel free to share your stories of encouragement with ECHO.  Share your letters of hope, your favorite verses … a web link you enjoy or have been blessed by….

----- Original Message ----- 
From: …
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 5:01 AM

WHAT MILITARY WIVES ARE MADE OF...

It was just another harried Wednesday afternoon trip to the commissary (grocery store on military bases). My husband was off teaching young men to fly. My daughters were going about their daily activities knowing I would return to them at the appointed time, bearing, among other things, their favorite fruit snacks, frozen pizza, and all the little extras that never had to be written down on a grocery list. My grocery list, by the way, was in my 16-month-old daughter's mouth, and I was lamenting the fact that the next four aisles of needed items would wait while extracting the last of my list from my daughter's mouth, when I nearly ran over an old man.

 
This man clearly had no appreciation for the fact that I had 45 minutes left to finish the grocery shopping, pick up my 4-year old from tumbling class, and get to school, where my 12-year-old and her carpool mates would be waiting.

 
I knew men didn't belong in a commissary, and this old guy was no exception. He stood in front of the soap selection staring blankly, as if he'd never had to choose a bar of soap in his life. I was ready to bark an order at him when I realized there was a tear on his face.

 
Instantly, this grocery aisle roadblock transformed into a human..."Can I help you find something?" I asked. He hesitated, and then told me he was looking for soap.

 
"Any one in particular?" I continued.

 
"Well, I'm trying to find my wife's brand of soap." I started to loan him my cell phone to call her when he said, "She died a year ago, and I just want to smell her again."

 
Chills ran down my spine. I don't think the 22,000-pound Mother of all Bombs could have had the same impact. As tears welled up in my eyes, my half-eaten grocery list didn't seem so important. Neither did fruit snacks or frozen pizza.

 
I spent the remainder of my time in the commissary that day listening to a man tell the story of how important his wife was to him -- how she took care of their children while he served our country. A retired, decorated World War II pilot who flew missions to protect Americans still needed the protection of a woman who served him at home.

 
My life was forever changed that day. Every time my husband works too late or leaves before the crack of dawn, I try to remember the sense of importance I felt that day in the commissary.

 
Some times the monotony of laundry, housecleaning, grocery shopping, and taxi driving leaves military wives feeling empty -- the kind of emptiness that is rarely fulfilled when our husbands come home and don't want to or can't talk about work.

 
We need to be reminded, at times; of the important role we fill for our family and for our country. Over the years, I've talked a lot about military spouses...how special they are and the price they pay for freedom too. The funny thing is; most military spouses don't consider themselves different from other spouses. They do what they have to do, bound together not by blood or merely friendship, but with a shared spirit whose origin is in the very essence of what love truly is. Is there truly a difference? I think there is. You have to decide for yourself...

 
Other spouses get married and look forward to building equity in a home and putting down family roots. Military spouses get married and know they'll live in base housing or rent, and their roots must be short so they can be transplanted frequently.

 
Other spouses decorate a home with flair and personality that will last a lifetime. Military spouses decorate a home with flare tempered with the knowledge that no two base houses have the same size windows or same size rooms.

 
Curtains have to be flexible and multiple sets are a plus. Furniture must fit like puzzle pieces.

 
Other spouses have living rooms that are immaculate and seldom used.  Military spouses have immaculate living room/dining room combos. The coffee table got a scratch or two moving from Germany, but it still looks pretty good.

 
Other spouses say goodbye to their spouse for a business trip and know they won't see them for a week. They are lonely, but can survive.  Military spouses say good-bye to their deploying spouse and know they won't see them for months, or a year, or longer. They are lonely, but will survive.

 
Other spouses, when a washer hose blows off, call Maytag and then write a check out for having the hose reconnected. Military spouses have to cut the water off and fix it themselves.

 
Other spouses get used to saying "hello" to friends they see all the time. Military spouses get used to saying "goodbye" to friends made the last two years.

 
Other spouses worry about whether their child will be class president next year. Military spouses worry about whether their child will be accepted in yet another school next year and whether that school will be the worst in the city...again.

 
Other spouses can count on spouse participation in special events...birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, football games, graduation, and even the birth of a child. Military spouses only count on each other; because they realize that the flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. It has to be that way.

 
Other spouses put up yellow ribbons when the troops are imperiled across the globe and take them down when the troops come home. Military spouses wear yellow ribbons around their hearts and they never go away.

 
Other spouses worry about being late for mom's Thanksgiving dinner.  Military spouses worry about getting back from Japan in time for dad's funeral.

 
The television program showing an elderly lady putting a card down in front of a long, black wall that has names on it touches other spouses.  The card simply says, "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. You would have been sixty today." A military spouse is the lady with the card, and the wall is the Vietnam Memorial.

 
I would NEVER say military spouses are better than other spouses. But I will say there is a difference. I will say, without hesitation, that military spouses pay just as high a price for freedom as do their active duty husbands and wives.

 
Perhaps the price they pay is even higher. Dying in service to our country isn't near as hard as loving someone who has died in service to our country, and having to live without them.

 
God bless our military spouses for all they freely give.

Follow the link below and you can share words of encouragement to deployed members from all branches of the military:

http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Sincerely yours,

Daniel
"Family For God ~ 2005"
Philippians 1:6
 

ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO ~ ECHO