Quote from Forum Archives on October 10, 2001, 10:24 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Much of what I send out in the regular mailing is intended to be
an encouragement for all of you, but particularly for those who
are struggling with various issues. Since I am now middle aged,
I have come to the realization that the vast majority of us are
either struggling with various issues, or we are ignoring the
daily situations that are around us. Even the faithful have
struggles. Perhaps I could phrase that even more strongly. I
suspect that the faithful are even more likely to experience
struggles, because having faith means believing in things that
you cannot see.

The message from Neil Anderson today is an encouraging message
for people who trust God, and who believe that God has a plan for
our lives. My prayer is that this means each of you (as well as
me). I desire to be fully aware of what God wants to do in my
life today, and I desire to be completely grounded and rooted in
the things that God intends specifically for me today. I pray
that you have a similar interest.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Reply-to: Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject: Neil Anderson Devotional for Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 05:14:53 -0400

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

October 10

GODS GOAL FOR YOU

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and
to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love
(2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV).

A good summary of Gods goal for you is found in 2 Peter 1:3-10.
Your primary role is to diligently adopt Gods character
goals--goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance,
godliness, brotherly kindness and love--and apply them to your
life. Focusing on Gods goals will lead to ultimate success:
success in Gods terms. Peter promises that, as these qualities
increase in your life through practice, you will be useful and
fruitful, and you will never stumble. Thats success!

Notice also that there is no mention in this list of talents,
intelligence or gifts which are not equally distributed to all
believers. Your worth isnt determined by those God-given
traits. Your worth is based on your identity in Christ and your
growth in character, both of which are equally applicable to
every Christian. Those who are not committed to Gods goals for
character will never fulfill their primary purpose for being
here. According to Peter, they have forgotten who they are.
They are out of touch with their true identity and purpose in
Christ.

God loves you and will never leave you. You are forgiven by God
and are His child. You have established your identity in Christ
and live today in union with God. You are becoming increasingly
characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. If you really believed
everything that is true about you, would you be successful?
Would you feel good about yourself? Should you feel good about
yourself? Of course! God has not called you to be a failure, so
follow His scriptural formula and be the success He has called
you to be.

Thank You, Lord, that I can do all things today through Your
Son, Jesus, who strengthens me.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
< www.ficm.org >.

You can purchase "Daily in Christ" and other titles by Neil
Anderson at christianbook.com (Christian Book Distributors -
CBD).
< shopping.crosswalk.com/bye/devo_na >

Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
< devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
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--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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