#0002355

Dear Christian, do not be afraid, for Jesus is with you. Through all your fiery trials, afflictions, poverty, sickness, His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never forsake those He has chosen for His own. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you"(Gen26:24) is His unfailing word of promise to His chosen ones who are experiencing 'the furnace of affliction.' Doesn't God's Word come to us like a soft rain shower, dispelling the fury of the flames? Isn't it like fireproof armor , against which the heat is powerless?...- Charles H Spurgeon, Streams.....Isaiah48:10 "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."

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#0002356

"Long ago I told you what was going to happen. Then suddenly I took action, and all my predictions came true(Isaiah48:3). For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze(v4). That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, 'My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen(v5)!' You have heard My predictions and seen them fulfilled, but you refuse to admit it. Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard(v6). They are brand new, not things from the past. So you cannot say, 'We knew that all the time'(v7)!"

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#0002357

"Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new, things you never heard of before. For I know so well what traitors you are. You have been rebels from birth(Isaiah48:8). Yet for My own sake and for the honor of My Name, I will hold back My anger and not wipe you out(v9). I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering(v10). I will rescue you for My sake--yes, for My Own sake! I will not let My reputation be tarnished, and I will not share My glory with idols(v11)!"

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#0002358

The determination of a positive or negative outcome in my leadership depends upon my ability as a leader to develop those closest to me. It also depends upon my ability to recognize the value that others bring to my organization. My goal is not to draw a following that results in a crowd. My goal is to develop leaders who become a movement...- John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You.....Isaiah48:17 "This is what the Lord says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I Am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow'."

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#0002359

The bottomline line--and the essential message--is that you can't do it alone. If you really want to be a successful leader, you must develop other leaders around you. You must establish a team. You must find a way to get your vision seen, implemented, and contributed to by others. The leader sees the big picture, but he needs other leaders to help make his mental picture a reality...- John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You.....Jeremiah32:18,19 "The Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is his name, great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

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#0002360

Great leaders--the truly successful ones who are in the top 1 percent--all have one thing in common. They know that acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task. An organization cannot increase its productivity--but people can! The asset that truly appreciates within any organization is people. Systems become dated. Buildings deteriorate. Machinery wears. But people can grow, develop, and become more effective if they have a leader who understands their potential value...- John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You......Matthew10:1a,-5a "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority. . .- These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them. . ."

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#0002361

"Listen to Me . . . I alone am God, the First and the Last(Isa48:12). It was My hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order(v13). Have any of your idols ever told you this? Come, all of you, and listen: The Lord has chosen Cyrus as His ally. He will use him to put an end to the empire of Babylon and to destroy the Babylonian armies. I have said it: I am calling Cyrus! I have sent him on this errand and will help him succeed(v15). Come closer, and listen to this. From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen. And now the Sovereign Lord and His Spirit have sent me with this message(v16). This is what the Lord says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow(v17)."

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#0002362

"Oh, that you had listened to My commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea(Isaiah48:18). Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore--too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction, or for cutting off your family name(v19). Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon and the Babylonians. Sing out this message! Shout it to the ends of the earth! The Lord has redeemed His servants, the people of Israel(v20). They were not thirsty when He led them through the desert. He divided the rock, and water gushed out for them to drink(v21). 'But there is no peace for the wicked,' says the Lord(v22)."

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#0002363

"Listen to Me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called Me before My birth; from within the womb He called Me by name(Isa49:1). He made My words of judgement as sharp as a sword. He has hidden Me in the shadow of His hand. I am like a sharp arrow in His quiver(v2). He said to Me, 'You are My servant, Israel, and you will bring Me glory(v3).' I replied, 'But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand; I will trust God for my reward.' And now the Lord speaks--the One who formed me in my mother's womb to be His servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to Him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength(v5)."

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#0002364

"O My son, give Me your heart. May your heart take delight in following My ways(Prv23:26).- Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear Me and obey all My commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever(Deut5:29).- For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God(Rom8:7,8).- My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to My Words(Prv4:20). Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart(v21), for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body(v22). Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life(v23).- Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord(Col3:23).- As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men(Eph6:6,7).- I cling to Your laws, Lord, don't let me be put to shame. I will pursue Your commands, for You expand my understanding(Psalm119:31,32)."

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#0002365

Stop for a moment and think of the five or six people closest to you in your organization. Are you developing them? Do you have a game plan for them? Are they growing? Have they been able to lift your load? Within my organizations, leadership development is continually emphasized. In their first training session, I give new leaders this principle: 'As a potential leader you are either an asset or a liability to the organization'...- John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You.....Ecc4:9,10,-12 "Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.- A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

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#0002366

"There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity(Ecclesiastes6:1). God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then He doesn't give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless--a sickening tragedy(v2). A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn't even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead(v3). His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness. He wouldn't even have had a name(v4), and he would never have seen the sun or known of its existence. Yet he would have had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man(v5). He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else--well, what's the use(v6)?"

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#0002367

"All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough(Ecclesiastes6:7). So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others(v8)? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless--like chasing the wind(v9). Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny(v10). The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they(v11)? In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone(v12)?- A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born(Ecc7:1)."

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#0002368

"Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies--so the living should take this to heart(Ecclesiastes7:2). Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us(v3). A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time(v4). Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool(v5). A fool's laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless(v6). Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart(v7). Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride(v8)."

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#0002369

"Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool(Ecclesiastes7:9). Don't long for the 'good old days.' This is not wise(v10). Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life(v11). Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life(v12). Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what He has made crooked(v13)? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life(v14)."

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#0002370

What are you banking on? Everyone is banking on something . . . And that leads to two problems . . . a) Nothing on this earth is going to last, and b) A person should never bank on what they can lose. Bank on Heaven. Pay attention to those who are hurting. Make a decision to do something. "Our love should not just be words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action(1Jn3:18)." Everyone wants significance and satisfaction in their lives that comes from service. Invest what You have. "Tell people to use their money to do good(1Tim6:18)." - Michael Rochelle, Shadow Hills, Lessons For Life..... Mat6:19,20 "Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven."

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#0002371

"In every work that [Hezekiah] began . . . to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered(2Chr31:21).- O My son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following My ways(Prv23:26).- Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life(Pr4:23).- Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord(Col3:23).- When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power(Acts8:18). 'Let me have this power, too.' he exclaimed, 'so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit(v19).' But Peter replied, 'May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought(v20)!' You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God(v21). Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts(v22), for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin(v23)."

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#0002372

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father(Ephesians3:14), the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth(v15). I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit(v16). Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong(v17). And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is(v18). May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God(v19). Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think(v20)."

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#0002373

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry(Isaiah55:10,11). It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it(v11). You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands(v12)! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord's name; they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love(v13)."

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#0002374

"Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near(Isaiah55:6). Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously(v7). 'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord. 'And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine(v8). For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts(v9)."

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#0002375

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free(Isaiah55:1)! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to Me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food(v2). Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David(v3). See how I used him to display My power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations(v4). You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious(v5)."

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#0002376

TYPE, gives body and voice to silent thought. The speaking page carries it through the ages...- Friedrich Schiller.....Deuteronomy32:1-4 "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!"

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#0002377

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant...- Epictetus.....Isaiah40:30,31 "Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."