“It’s very important we stay tuned into God’s word. Otherwise, how will we know if we are receiving the truth according to Christ’s teaching? Couldn’t we easily be misguided if we are not well versed with the truth? God has blessed us with an important tool, the Bible. Let’s use it correctly to steer ourselves in the right direction as well as to determine if others are teaching us correctly. Are you familiar with the Bible to determine if others are teaching according to what it says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (KJV) ( Acts 17:11 )...

“But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8 KJV) God Can Use Cracked Pots God doesn’t require us to be perfect, He made us, and He knows we’re human and will make mistakes. Our job is to get up every day and do our best to use the keys He has provided for us. And when we fail, we must get right with God, receive His forgiveness and go on. Many people feel that God can’t use them because they’re not perfect, but this is a lie. God (the Potter) uses cracked pots (that’s us) to do His work. As Christians, we are containers that God wants to fill with His goodness and light. Then we’re to carry that goodness and light to a dark world, sharing it with people everywhere we go. Don’t be afraid of your flaws; acknowledge them and allow God to use you anyway. Quit worrying about what you’re not and give God what you are. As a cracked pot, you can accomplish wonderful things. You can make somebody happy. You can encourage, edify and exhort those around you. You can use your gifts and talents to serve God. Prayer Starter: God, I may be a ‘cracked pot,’ but You are the Potter and You can use me for Your purposes despite my flaws. Fill me with Your goodness and light so that I can carry it into the world around me.-Joyce Meyer:Promises For Your Everyday...

Lamentations 3:22-24 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” The Lord’s compassions do not fail, and his mercies begin anew each morning.  Perhaps yesterday was a bad day for you – nothing came together quite the way you hoped it would.  Maybe things are so difficult right now, that you have given up trying to live in the light of Christ.  Today is a new day!  You have been purchased, and the price was the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  The battle against your sins is one that the Lord has already won.  Any battle or obstacle you face today is a battle that belongs to the Lord – nothing can stand against Him!  Let Jesus be your portion! Commentary courtesy of ‘Verse-A-Day’ app....

  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”(Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV)  He has loved you with an everlasting love, a love that is not based on how you feel or what you think about Him. It is unmerited love. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). There are no ifs, or buts about that ‘nothing’ can match the Love of God!!...

The Sword and the Spirit October 31, 2013  SSNET Staff “Joseph hadn’t been a Christian long. In his zeal to share his new faith with others, he had come to this village as a Global Mission pioneer to teach others about Christ. Some listened, but others were angry that a Christian had come to stir up their village. They found Joseph and demanded vengeance. Joseph prayed as the mob surrounded him. Then he spoke to the leader, who brandished a sword. “Brother, I’ve come in peace and in the name of Jesus,” he said. “My God wants to be your God, too.” The crowd quieted, and the leader challenged Joseph with his eyes. “My little girl has been paralyzed for six years. She can’t move, and she can’t speak. If your God can heal my daughter, then we will leave you alone. But if not, then we will kill you.” The man turned and walked toward his home. The mob pushed Joseph to follow. Joseph and the mob leader entered the house together. Joseph looked at Kamala, the little girl, and realized that only a miracle would save her life-and his. He knelt by her bed and asked God to heal Kamala if it was His will. “Help this family to understand that You are the all-powerful God,” he prayed. Joseph finished his prayer and stood up. He continued to silently for the child, and within minutes Kamala moved slightly. She stretched one leg and then the other; then she stretched her arms. Slowly she sat up. The family watched, speechless with joy, as Kamala pulled herself up on her once-withered legs and took a step. “My daughter!” Kamala’s mother whispered. The girl smiled and walked slowly toward her mother. Tearfully the man who had planned to kill Joseph hugged him. “I want to know about your God,” he said. News of the girl’s miraculous healing spread rapidly through the village. Many wanted to know about Joseph’s God. The man who had brandished a sword and planned to kill Joseph now works with him to teach others about the living God. Dozens have turned to Jesus and worship Him instead of their former gods. Our mission offerings help support the work of men and women such as Joseph who serve as Global Mission pioneers around the world. Thank you for having a part in the work of God through your offerings. Joseph and his wife served as Global Mission pioneers in western India....

Duty to Avoid Excesses—It is carrying that which is lawful to excess that makes it a grievous sin. [7] – {AH 122.3} Many parents do not obtain the knowledge that they should in the married life. They are not guarded lest Satan take advantage of them and control their minds and their lives. They do not see that God requires them to control their married lives from any excesses. But very few feel it to be a religious duty to govern their passions. They have united themselves in marriage to the object of their choice and, therefore, reason that marriage sanctifies the indulgence of the baser passions. Even men and women professing godliness give loose rein to their lustful passions and have no thought that God holds them accountable for the expenditure of vital energy, which weakens their hold on life and enervates the entire system. [8] – {AH 122.4} Adventist Home : Ellen G....