September 16

Spiritual Vitamins Day 16 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN K : KNOW
“Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

Today’s Thought:
There seem to be two things to think upon today–Being Still and Knowing.
What does being still mean to you? What does it mean to know?


KNOW means: to be well informed about.
“Be still (stationary–unmoving) and you will be well informed that I am God.”
KNOW means: to recognize
“Be still (calm) and you will recognize that I am God.”
KNOW means: to be sure of
“Be still (silent) and you will be sure that I am God”

I believe God wants us to have a close, personal relationship with Him, that is why He wants us to just be still so we can get to really know Him. So, to me, this verse is telling me that I need to just put everything that is going on in my life aside so that I can take some time to focus on God–who He is and what that means to me and my life.

Today’s Action:
Today’s action is to be still and know.
Our Vitamin K should cause us to just be still today so that we can begin to really know God.

We should spend time reading His word so that we can find out more about Him.
We should pray and ask Him to help us know Him better.
We should listen for Him to speak to us.
We should just be still today and expect that He will show us what we need to know as we seek Him.

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Psalm 63:7 ‘For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.’

- The Lord is here right now, to be your Helper and your Guide.
- You have reason to rejoice and be glad, because He is with you.
- The Lord has helped you thus far, so be confident about the future.
- Rest securely and joyfully under the shelter of the Most High.

PRAYER: Lord, truly You are my help. I still believe and trust in Your plans and I place my heart in Your hands. You are all I need, and all of my trust is in You, my Faithful Friend. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew Roebert

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T H I N K

Alan Redpath once formed a "mutual encouragement" fellowship at a time of stress in one of his pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T - Is it true?

H - Is it helpful?

I - Is it inspiring?

N - Is it necessary?

K - Is it kind?

Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

The Daily Encourager

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You Have a Choice by Max Lucado

Storms are coming your way. Winds will howl and you will have a choice. Will you hear Christ or the crisis? Heed the promises of Scripture or the noise of the storm? Wilderness people trust Scripture just enough to escape Egypt. Promised Land dwellers, on the other hand, make the Bible their go-to book for life.

This week make Joshua 1:9 your go-to verse for life. God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

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Return To God

Isaiah 44:22 – I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. (NIV)

When I was a teenager and had strayed away from God, I found it very difficult to go back to church. I felt as though I had let God down, and the church members I once knew had become strangers to me. It was far easier to ignore God, as well as church, and just get on with my life. I thought that I could make it on my own and that God would understand, because every now and then, I offered Him quick snippets of prayers, which I believed made God happy.

However, because I was depending on my own strength, my spirit began to drain until it was almost empty. At the time, I didn't realize that for my faith to grow, I needed fellowship with other Christians. In order to compensate for this emptiness, I used alcohol and my drinking buddies. It almost killed me, and if Christ hadn't led me back to church, I don't think that I would be here today writing this message.

What really helped me was listening to a preacher who didn't condemn me for wandering away, but who actually welcomed me back into God's kingdom. Today's redeeming words from Isaiah touched my soul, and I knew that God had forgiven all of my past offenses through His Son Jesus. It was an amazing moment of grace and peace. I was able to return to God and His people by Christ's wonderful redeeming love.

Perhaps over the last couple of years, you've let yourself become disconnected from God and the church. Maybe like I once did, you've used up all of your strength and just want to get back home among God's people, but don't know how. It could be that you feel awkward, guilty, embarrassed, or unworthy to return to church. I understand, because I felt that way, too. But please know this: God will always welcome you back into Christ's fold; you are forgiven and redeemed, blessed and loved by Jesus.

Questions: How do I feel about returning to church? Am I willing to let God lead me back to where I belong?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming our lives and reclaiming our spirits. We have been wandering in a spiritual wilderness for several years. Call us back to Your fold and embrace us with Your unending love. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart

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Bible Verses

John 3:16-17 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

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For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13

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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2

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1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

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Prayers

Prayer for the Morning

Father, as I face this new day, let me be aware of the work you have done for me as I slept. I praise you that your loving care never slumbers, but has been with me while I was least aware of it; and that you renew me and the whole world, fresh every day, preparing your plans for me.

I pray that I may seek your will this day, your plan for my life, and carry out your plan in my every action. I lay my hopes and fears on an altar before you, that your Holy Spirit may guide my hopes toward the light of your holiness, and may quiet my fears with the knowledge of your infinite peace, in total confidence that your grace will save me from the evils of this world. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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Prayer for One's Home (by Edgar Guest)

Peace, unto this house, I pray,
Keep terror and despair away;
Shield it from evil and let sin
Never find lodging room within.
May never in these walls be heard
The hateful or accusing word.

Grant that its warm and mellow light
May be to all a beacon bright,
A flaming symbol that shall stir
The beating pulse of him or her
Who finds this door and seems to say,
"Here end the trials of the day."

Hold us together, gentle Lord,
Who sit about this humble board;
May we be spared the cruel fate
Of those whom hatreds separate;
Here let love bind us fast, that we
May know the joys of unity.

Lord, this humble house we'd keep
Sweet with play and calm with sleep.
Help us so that we may give
Beauty to the lives we live.
Let Thy love and let Thy grace
Shine upon our dwelling place.
Amen.

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Blessing

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this day and evermore. Amen.

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Prayer for the Nations

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the people of God. God is in our midst and we shall not be moved; God will help us. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. We proclaim that God will be exalted among the nations; He will be exalted in the earth. Amen

Scripture Reading Psalm 46

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My Lord, forbid that I should want to live to be known only for power and pride. Help me to strive for that which is helpful and lovely. May I never be restrained from thee, but delight to follow in thy way. Help me to be obedient to thy laws, that I may learn thy truths. Amen.

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God our Father, we thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the salt, earth and the running water, for the everlasting hills and the never-resting winds, for trees and the common grass underfoot. We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of the summer fields, and
taste of the autumn fruits, and rejoice in the feel of the snow, and smell the breath of the spring. Grant us hearts that are wide open to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory, O God, our Creator. Amen.

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Dear Lord, my heart is full of worry and fear. Please take these burdens from me and give my heart peace.

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Heavenly Father, we thank You for another new day with all its blessings, sweet pleasures and joy. Thank You for Your extended love and grace to everyone through Your son, Jesus. We ask you to reveal Yourself to the many needy victims of the recent floods, fires and other natural disasters; comfort and heal those in need. Lord, as we continue to pray for the nation’s leaders, continue to move them when, how and where You choose for Your glory and for the good of the people. We wait upon You and watch and pray without ceasing. Thank You for loving us.

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Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for all of Your provision for me. I do appreciate Your goodness and love to furnish all my needs each and every day. I am looking to You to guide me in the financial affairs of my life. Lord, I resist greed and materialism, and ask for contentment with the things that I own today. I know that You will bless me more and more as I learn of Your ways and follow You. Help me to be a good steward over my finances, my home and all of the things that You have given to me. I do appreciate the material blessings You have given me, but most of all, I appreciate the spiritual blessings that are mine, which money cannot buy.I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.