Today's entry (November6) by Sarah Young and her  "Jesus Calling"

"Seek to please Me, above all else.
As you journey through today,
there will be many choice-points
along your way.
Most of the day's decisions
will be small ones
you have to make quickly.
You need some rule of thumb
to help you make good choices.
Many people's decisions 
are a combination
of their habitual responses
and their desire
to please themselves or others.
This is not My way for you.
Strive to please Me in everything,
not just in major decisions.
This is possible only to the extent
that you are living in 
close communion with Me.
When My Presences is your deepest delight,
you know almost instinctively
what will please Me.
A quick glance at Me is all you need
to make the right choice.
Delight yourself in Me
more and more;
seek My pleasure in all you do."

~ Taken from John 8:29; Hebrews 11:5 & 6; Psalm 37:4

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This morning I began reading in the book of James. Made me think of our voting and election today.

"Don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry for anger doesn't make us good, as God demands that we must be."

~ James 2:19 & 20 LAB

The Bible Commentary (in part): "This verse speaks of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised...my opinions are not being heard. When injustices occur, we may become angry because others are being hurt....."
Or we don't get our way!

We are voting for leaders in our counties, state, and nation. Chances are pretty good that some of who we vote for will win the election; some will not!

We need to stop and praise God before we learn of the outcomes!

Thank You, God, that You have everything
under control......even ALL
of our leaders.
Thank You for the election
and the people who will win the election.
Help us to focus on You 
and not on the things we may
or may not like.
You have taken care of us 
in the past.
And You will take care of us
in the future!
We praise 
and thank You!
Amen.

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"When I think of the wisdom and scope of His plan I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God---some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth----that out of HIs glorious, unlimited resources He will give you the mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled with God himself.

~ Ephesians 3:14 - 19 LAB

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*Bible Commentary:  "The great family of God includes all who have believed in Him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything. God promises His love and power to His family, the church, if we want to receive His blessings, it is important that we stay in living contact with  are cutting themselves off from God's power.

"God's love is total, says Paul (writer). It reaches every corner of our experience. It is long--it continues the length of our lives. It is deep--it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. It is wide---it covers the breadth of our own experience; and it reaches out to the whole world. It is high---it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. When we feel shut out or isolated, remember that we can never be lost to God's love."

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Yesterday's daily devotional  from Anne Graham Lotz in my computer inbox:

FIXING WHAT'S WRONG

"By Him all things were created
that are in heaven and
that are on
earth, visible, and invisible."

~ Colossians 1:16NKJV

"It can be mind boggling to contemplate the vastness of the universe, from the greatest star to the smallest particle. It is so vast that astronomers are now saying that it stretches beyond what we are capable of penetrating, even with sophisticated telescopes like the Hubble. And every bit of it was created by the Living Word of God, Who, even as He hung the starts in space, counted them and called them each by name.

"Not only did he create objects of massive size, but He also created such minute, delicate, intricate things as snowflakes, n two of which are the same.

"Jesus Christ is the One by Whom, for Whom, through Whom everything was made. Therefore, He knows what's wrong in your life and how to fix it. Let Him take charge. Give Him the authority to put it right."

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Recently I was in an ecumenical Bible study with a number of gals. The topic (book) was "Draw the Circle:  The 40 Day Prayer Challenge" by Mark Batterson.

I really enjoyed it and for a first time, I am re-reading it. At the end of each 40 day challenge, Batterson has a simple challenge from the reading.

Here are several of them:

"Most of us are educated 
way beyond
the level of our obedience.

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"Don't just pray about it,
do something about it.

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"Sometimes God's no
simply means not yet.

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"If you are looking for excuses,
you will always find one.

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"Our prayers don't die when we do.
God answers them forever.

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"Prayer is the difference
between you fighting
for God
and God 
fighting for you.

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"If you want to see God move,
make a move.

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"Most of us don't get what we want
because
we don't know what we want.

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"Sometimes God
delivers us from our problems;
sometimes God delivers us 
through our problems."

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Our elections are going to be finalized on this coming Tuesday. While our attention is focused so much on our presidential election, there are many more elections affecting our lives.

A couple more prayers taken from a "30 Day Prayer Guide for Our Nation and Elections" put out by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

DAY 22

"Loneliness has become epidemic around the globe and in our nation. Suicide rates are also rising. As many silently struggle on their own---including the sick and elderly---ask God to comfort the hurting, to move Christians to care for forgotten neighbors, and to give hope where there doesn't seem to be any. Pray that elected officials will be sensitive to this growing concern affecting our nation and that God's people will reach out to the the lonely with the hope of the Gospel."

"The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

~ JOSHUA 1:9

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DAY 23

"School board members across our country are directly responsible for choosing curriculum that will educate and influence children, teens, and young people. Pray that the Lord will call believers to run for their local school board and ask Him to guide these men and women as they impact the next generation."

" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I  will counsel you with my eye upon you."

~ PSALM 32:8

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DAY 28

"Pray for men and women in our military, that the Lord would draw many of them to Himself and protect them as they defend our nation. Pray that leaders in our federal government will protect the religious freedom of Christians in our armed forces."

"In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

~ 1 PETER 3:15

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DAY 29

"God's Word encourages Christians to stay aware of the needs of those around them.. Take time to consider the specific issues facing your neighborhood, community, and church. Pray that our elected leaders will have hearts of compassion and take action as needed to protect the 'least of these'."

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you....and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

~ JEREMIAH 29:7

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Today's entry in "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample:

BEYOND REASON

"What should we say about this?
If God is for us,
no one can defeat us."
~ Romans 8:11 NCV

"God, my general, my captain, my father, my friend, as I consider all you are to me, I realize I cannot fail. I recognize the power I have as your child, and I am encouraged beyond all human reason. If only I could lose my human reason entirely and rely solely on your promise. I can---with your help. But am I brave enough to ask? Do I have the courage to surrender my own logic to the upside-down ways of your kingdom? Let's find out together, Lord. Help me lay logic aside and pick up faith! Logic says I'm losing, but I prefer your truth. With you on my side, I cannot be defeated.

"THOUGHT:  If God is for you who can defeat you?"

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"Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely,
and dwell on the fine, good things in others.
Think about all you can praise God for
and be glad about it."

~ Philippians 4:8 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "What we put into our minds determine what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to fill our minds with thoughts that are 'true and good and right'. Examine what we are putting into our minds through television, books, movies, and magazines (Nowadays - social media, facebook, etc.). Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, we should read God's Word and pray. We are to ask Him to help us focus our minds on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done."

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Election time is getting closer. Here are a couple of more prayer possibilities taken from 'Billy Graham's Evangelistic Associations '30 Day Prayer Guide":

DAY 3:

"Nationwide transformation must begin in individual hearts. Pray for God to bring repentance and widespread renewal to the church so that believers will boldly share His love with others----and ask Him to draw lost people across our country to faith in Jesus Christ."

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'

~ 2 Chronicles 7: 14

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DAY 12:

"Pray for the men and women in our news media. Pray for truthful and unbiased reporting so that voters have access to accurate and timely information."

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight."

~ Proverbs 12:22

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DAY 15:

"Pray for your mayor and for your governor. Ask God to give them good judgment in the many decisions they make that affect the lives of people in your city and state."

"The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will."

~ Proverbs 21:1

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DAY 17:

"Pray for the hundreds of federal judges across America who rule on matters that will affect our nation  for years to come. Ask God to guide them with wisdom, justice, righteousness, and equity."

"Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace."

~ Zechariah 8:16

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Something written by Max Lucado and in my computer's inbox several weeks ago. Enjoy!

VICTORY IS SECURE

"Some years ago I attended a San Antonio Spurs basketball game. It was the final game of the regular season, and it was unique because it did not matter. The Spurs had already won their division. The game had no bearing on their standings.

"The game intrigued this preacher. I saw a sermon illustration waiting to happen. Christians occupy the same spot that the Spurs did. According to the Bible, we’ve already won. According to prophecy, victory is secure. According to the message of grace and the death of Christ on the cross, no one can snatch us from our Father’s hand.

:So how do we behave in the meantime? Well the Spurs were a good example. They were relaxed, confident, and happy, and they won the game. In these last days show up, play hard, and be happy. After all, the victory is secure.:

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