Victorious Christian Living Newsletter
Welcome to the September 2008 Edition
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This issue includes:
3 of My Featured Teaching Articles
Quotes for Inspiration
A Bible Quiz Question
Christian Humor (because we don’t laugh nearly enough)
Interesting Bible Facts
A True Story
Suggested Bible Readings
Favorite Articles from My Blog
Links to My Other Sites
Video of the Month
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Can One Person Really Make A Difference?
My cousin was killed in an automobile accident on July 29, 2008 at the age of 38. Another driver ran into the side of his pickup at a high rate of speed. The worst of the impact was right where he was sitting and he died a few hours after being taken to the hospital. It was very devastating news for the family.
He had been an assistant coach for several years at a local school and loved all kinds of sports with a passion. For the last three years, though, he had been the Athletic Director at his alma mater high school. It was something he had wanted for awhile and God granted that desire.
It is estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people came to the viewing, with the family receiving visitors continuously for 6 1/2 hours. It was an astounding outpouring of love and respect.
At the funeral the next day, the church was full an hour before the service started with people standing all around the back and sides. They ended up standing for almost 3 hours in the same spot before the service was over.
The school he had graduated from had been going downhill for several years, and he wanted to be a part of the solution that would restore it to its former glory. In the past, the football team had been a powerhouse, but when he took over they were barely winning one game in a season. He worked them hard and started to build a winning team.
Winning to him, though, was not just having the most points on the scoreboard. He also wanted to instill pride, self confidence, and good moral values into each person. They were responding well, and many of them broke down into tears as they came through the visitation line. It was easy to see how much they loved and respected him.
When he first became head coach, he told the players that he wanted them to develop moral values. He told them to dress appropriately, and showed them how to work together as a team. He would not tolerate bad language or talking back, and he did not talk bad to them either. He was passionate as their leader, but treated them with the utmost of respect and expected their best effort in return.
They had really started to come together as a team, and this year were expected to do well and make it to the playoffs. He also had instilled in them that there was much more to life than football, with the most important thing being their relationship with Jesus Christ. He told them over and over that nothing was more important than that. It was his goal to use football and other sports as a tool to win people to Christ.
He brought in other coaches that had his same vision by finding as many as he could who had graduated from there and had an allegiance to the school. Then he started to build relationships with the other coaches and teachers. At the funeral, the principal spoke of his vision to get everyone on board and excited about making the school top-notch in every area. He wanted it to become a model that other schools would want to copy.
He also taught history, so he had interaction with many students other than those who participated in sports. He expected the best from them all and encouraged them to achieve it.
As I read all the comments of love and respect on forums and web sites from hundreds of people, I realized that one person CAN make a huge difference when they have the power of God behind them. God is a master at accomplishing the impossible.
We as humans tend to look at things the way they are at the moment, and deem them impossible before we have even taken one step toward the direction of change. We look at a situation as hopeless and never entertain the thought that it could be anything different.
God sees the whole picture and how it will unfold many years down the road. He knows that He has everything under control, and He just wants His Children to be able to come to the point they can trust Him with everything that goes on in their life.
When the children of Israel were at the Red Sea, things looked very bleak. There were mountains on either side, the sea was before them, and the Egyptians were closing in fast behind them. It truly looked like an impossible situation. There was no way that 2 to 3 million people could have had time to flee from the enemy.
The plan of God was to reveal His Glory. He had already told Moses that he would harden the hearts of the Egyptians so they would come after them. It was his way of judging them for being a heathen nation as well as showing the Israelites His magnificent power and glory. God wanted all the heathen nations around to see that His Great Power was with the Israelites wherever they went.
If you know that God is telling you to do something, do not look at the immense problems you might see before you in the present. Take a step each day towards the goal He has given you and let Him take care of the rest of the details. He will come through in miraculous ways and show you that the “impossible” is always “possible” with Him.
Decide today that you will be an instrument of change with the Power of God behind you to lead, guide, and protect you. You can do anything with God! Do not get ahead or behind; just walk WITH Him each day and be obedient to do whatever He tells you.
By Cathy Deaton
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A Tongue that Speaks Wisdom Can Keep You Out of Much Trouble!
A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.
-Washington Irving-
The Bible has much to say about the tongue. Here are 3 verses out of many:
Psalms 34: 13 – Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Proverbs 18: 21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 21: 23 – Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. KJV
Just about any tool you can name that has a sharp edge eventually grows dull and has to be re-sharpened in order to fulfill its duties. A dull edge tears things instead of cutting them, and it takes much more work to get the job done.
The tongue, though, seems to take on a life of its own with constant use. The words that come out can become sharper in the wrong way if you are not careful.
Women speak at an estimated rate of 250 words per minute or 25,000 words per day; men speak at 125 words per minute or 12,000 words per day. (And since I am a woman, I will leave that one alone.)
With all those words, you have to concentrate on saying good things.
Have you ever noticed that once you get your tongue talking about bad things, it is very easy to find fault with anyone or anything that comes along? In addition to being in a bad mood, you eventually get to the point that you can never be satisfied unless you are finding fault; then it starts to consume your life and becomes who you are.
I know that when I am passionate about a subject, I tend to talk faster and have a lot to say. Whatever emotion I am experiencing at the time wants to dominate. In the heat of the moment it is easy to forget that feelings can lead you astray very quickly. Then you can say things that you regret after you have had time to think about it.
The Bible says specifically that you will keep yourself from much trouble if you can learn to control your tongue. The next time a situation arises, quickly ask the Holy Spirit to take control of what you say. Ask Him to help you think first before you speak, so that what comes out will be full of wisdom and not be the source of troubles down the road.
God wants you to be spiritually alive so that He can use you to do great things for Him, but He always gives you the choice as to what you will do. As soon as you awake, ask the Holy Spirit to take control of what you will say for that day.
Choose to Make your Words Good!
By Cathy Deaton
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fire is the Test of Gold – There is No Perfection without Refinement!
Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men. -Seneca, Roman Philosopher-
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. -Chinese Proverb-
I Peter 1: 7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
From the moment you become a Christian, God starts you on a process of refinement and purification. He wants you to be a holy and pure vessel that He can work through.
It is easy to have faith when everything is going good and nobody is coming against you in any area, but it is only through trials that you grow. You find that you are not nearly as much in control of things as you thought you were. In fact, you realize that you were never in control of the big things, and don’t have nearly the power you thought you had.
The Bible gives a great word picture when it talks about our faith being tried with fire. Gold must be put through the fire to burn off all its impurities. In the end, all that is left is the pure stuff. The Bible says that gold will eventually perish, but what we have achieved by true faith will never perish. It is Gods plan to help you achieve things that will last into eternity.
We all want to be the pure gold, but we don’t want to go through the process of refinement to get to that point. There is no perfection without refinement.
God looks down on each of His Children as a beautiful jewel in-the-rough. He knows everything that must be done to mold you into the person He wants you to be, and can see your whole life in one instant.
We think of trials as His way of punishing us for something we have done wrong. God doesn’t look at it that way, though sometimes He does have to use punishment to keep us from going astray, just as we would our own children. His main objective, though, is to get anything out of the way that will keep us from receiving His Best. He has an awesome love for each of His Children.
No person looks forward to trials, but if you can look at it the way God does, it won’t seem like you are just being punished. You can have the hope that you will come out much stronger when everything is finished; then you can look back and see how much you have changed for the better.
Most of us would rather get in some kind of comfort zone and stay there, even if it is not a good place. We get used to something and want to keep doing it. It is not easy to have a positive outlook when you are going through trials, but you must choose to make yourself look at things differently.
The next time you are going through a trial, do the following:
- Ask God to convict you of any sin in your life and truly repent
- Choose to believe that He will work everything out for your best
- Look at things from the viewpoint that God is just clearing out all the garbage so you can become a stronger Christian
- Have the hope that this won’t last forever and you will get through it with His help
- Know that God always has your best interest at heart and wants to give you His Greatest Blessings
By Cathy Deaton
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Quotes for Inspiration
I can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. It’s all how you look at it.
J. Kenfield Morley
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.
Ruth E. Renkel
If God is here for us and not elsewhere, then in fact this place is holy and this moment is sacred.
Isabel Anders
The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.
William James
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
Annie Dillard
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A Bible Quiz Question
What is the shortest book in the Old Testament?
The answer will be given in the newsletter next month. Hopefully you will be encouraged to do some digging into the Bible if you don’t already know the answer.
The answer to the 8-2008 newsletter quiz question is Sarah, Abraham’s wife. She was 127 when she died. Genesis 23: 1-20
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Christian Humor
(Because we do not laugh nearly enough!)
Both Days
The following conversation was heard between an old farmer in the country and the new parson.
“Do you belong to the Christian family?” asked the minister.
“No, they live two farms down,” replied the farmer.
“No, no, I mean are you lost?”
“Lost? Why, I’ve lived here for thirty years.”
“I mean are you ready for the Judgment Day?”
“When is it?” asked the farmer.
“Well, it could be today or tomorrow.”
“Well,” said the farmer, “when you find out for sure when it is, you let me know. My wife will probably want to go both days.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Interesting Bible Facts
WITNESS – The law was very careful to provide and enforce evidence for all its infractions and all transactions bearing on them. Two witnesses, at least, are required to establish any charge. A false witness was punished. Women and slaves were not admitted to bear testimony. In the New Testament, the original notion of a witness is in the special form of one who attests his belief in the Gospel by personal suffering.
WATER OF JEALOUSY – Holy water mixed with dust from the floor of the Tabernacle, given in the case where a wife was suspected by the husband, on whom had fallen “the spirit of jealousy;” described in Numbers 5: 11-31. In such a case an offering had to be brought by the husband according to Leviticus 2: 2.
WASHING THE HANDS AND FEET – As no knives or forks were used at the table, washing of the hands before and after meals was necessary. Because of the dust and heat of the Eastern climate, washing the feet on entering a house was an act of respect to the company, and of refreshment to the traveler. When done by the master of the house it was an especial mark of respect and honor to the guest.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A True Story
The Unlikely Angel
Dobie Gadient, a schoolteacher for thirteen years, decided to travel across America and see the sights she had taught about. Traveling alone in a truck with camper in tow, she launched out. One afternoon, while she was rounding a curve on I-5 near Sacramento in rush-hour traffic, a water pump blew on her truck. She was tired, exasperated, scared, and alone. In spite of the traffic jam she caused, no one seemed interested in helping.
Leaning up against the trailer, she prayed, “Please, God, send me an angel, preferably one with mechanical experience.” Within four minutes, a huge Harley drove up, ridden by an enormous man sporting long, black hair, a bear, and tattooed arms.
With an incredible air of confidence, he jumped off and went to work on the truck, without even glancing at Dobie. Within another few minutes, he flagged down a larger truck, attached a tow chain to the frame of the disabled Chevy, and whisked the whole 56-foot rig off the freeway onto a side street, where he calmly continued to work on the water pump.
The intimidated schoolteacher was too dumbfounded to talk, especially when she read the paralyzing words on the back of his leather jacket: “Hell’s Angels – California.” As he finished his task, she finally got up enough courage to say, “thanks so much,” and carry on a brief conversation.
Noting her surprise at the whole ordeal, he looked her straight in the eye and advised, “Don’t judge a book by its cover. You may not know who you’re talking to.”
With that, he smiled, closed the hood of the truck, and straddled his Harley. With a wave, he was gone as fast as he had appeared.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Suggested Bible Readings
Subject: Holiness
Proverbs 10: 20-21; 28-32
Proverbs 12: 12-13
Proverbs 15: 26
Proverbs 20: 7
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My Favorite Blog Posts
You Must Release the Past to Look Forward to the Future
The most splendid future will always depend upon the necessity to release the past; you cannot move forward in life unless you learn from your past mistakes and move on.
Anonymous
Psalm 103: 10 -12
He (God) hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions (sins) from us.
I think we all know someone who is stuck in the past. It doesn’t always have to be something bad that keeps them there, even though we mostly think of it that way. Sometimes people have a period of time when everything just seems to go fantastic. They have no major financial problems, things go well with family members, and everything just seems to fall into place all around; then they get stuck, wish they could continue to stay there forever, and can’t seem to move forward even though circumstances may have changed for the worse.
Many parents would like to go back to the time when their children were smaller and living at home. Living in the past has a tendency to make us forget the bad things and remember all the great ones.
We all make mistakes and do things we are not proud of. Some of our mistakes are humongous and may have messed up our life and affected the lives of our family members; then other mistakes are just everyday ones that would be considered small, but still have affected us greatly.
There can also be bad things done to you that you have no control over. As terrible as they might be, you still must confront them and let God minister healing to you. There is no way to move forward as long as you are stuck in the past. Don’t let Satan convince you that you are better off staying where you are because moving forward would be too painful. All he wants is to keep you trapped and living the same pain over and over again. He never has your best interest at heart, where God ALWAYS does.
Satan can use guilt in a mighty way and for a variety of reasons. He is a master at telling you that you are not worthy of forgiveness, and puts ideas into your head that God will never be able to use you again or restore you.
Satan is also the father of all lies, and you must recognize that and tell him to leave you alone in the Name of Jesus, and mean it with all your heart.
Read the Bible and find out the truth. Then when Satan tries to tell you a lie, you can easily recognize it and tell him that he has no authority over you anymore.
He may try to drag you down for awhile, but every time you refuse to believe his lies, you are gaining more and more ground towards living a life of victory.
Just as the Bible verses above say, when you ask God to forgive you with a truly repentant heart, the sin is gone from your life right then and He forgets about it. It is covered under the Blood of Jesus and you are now clean.
NEVER again let Satan make you believe you are not worthy of forgiveness, because that is a lie.
When you have been forgiven, do whatever the Holy Spirit tells you as far as making things right with others. You need to truly seek His guidance and follow it. Don’t have too much pride to go to someone and make things right if that is what He tells you to do.
Do whatever you have to do in order to move on with your life. We all make mistakes, but God can cleanse, purify, and restore our heart and life in a miraculous way.
Make sure that you do whatever it takes to walk in God’s peace and joy again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Nail in the Fence
There once was a little boy who had a bad
temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails
and told him that every time he lost his
temper, he must hammer a nail into the back
of the fence. The first day the boy had
driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next
few weeks, as he learned to control his
anger, the number of nails hammered daily
gradually dwindled down. He discovered
it was easier to hold his temper than to
drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn’t
lose his temper at all. He told his father
about it and the father suggested that the
boy now pull out one nail for each day that
he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally
able to tell his father that all the nails
were gone. The father took his son by the
hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You
have done well, my son, but look at the
holes in the fence. The fence will never be
the same. When you say things in anger,
they leave a scar just like this one. You
can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won’t matter how many times you say I’m
sorry, the wound is still there. ” A verbal
wound is as bad as a physical one.
To check out my blog go to Who God Is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Please check out my other sites by clicking on the links below:
Blueprint for Victorious Christian Living
Handbook for Victorious Christian Living
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Video of the Month
Jesus Died on the Cross to Make Things New Again
It brings me to tears when I think about what Jesus did for me on the cross. He knew that He must endure that agony so that every man could have a way back to God because of sin coming into the world. He was a human, though, and the pain was excruciating. He dreaded it just as we would have if we had been facing the same thing.
As a mother myself, it is hard to even imagine the horrible pain that Mary must have felt as she watched her beloved son being beaten almost to the point of death; then if that wasn’t enough, he had to carry his own cross to be crucified and endure the pain and humiliation of that even though He had done nothing to deserve this kind of horrible death.
I feel sure that those graphic images stayed in her mind for many years to come. Only a mother’s love could have kept her standing there at the foot of the cross.
Even though she knew Jesus had supernaturally come from God to perform a specific task, she still loved Him dearly as any good mother would love her child and must have missed Him terribly when He had to leave.
Spend some time today contemplating the awesome love that Jesus displayed for you when He died on the cross for your sin.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0xLkI4FPBk]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That’s it for this newsletter. I hope that you have been truly inspired and blessed. I have prayed about each word written that it would minister in whatever way God desires.
It is also my prayer that God will bless you and your family and start to truly show you Who He Is. He is far greater than anything you could ever imagine.
In Christ,
Cathy Deaton
