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Greetings!
Sometime in February we will be speaking on Healing for Today in Port Charlotte, FL. Details coming soon. Check our schedule.
Pictures of Apostle Narh from Ghana are now on his Web site so you can see what happened in Haiti on his mission trip there in 2010. He is planning to go again, but need donations to cover his airfare and expense. Please pray about God's leading for you to help. Just click the Make a Donation line to the left. Any amount will help. See his pictures at AlertRCN.org/haiti.
New Book from Dianne:
Health and Wealth for the Believer. Get your copy now! Check out all the books we have by clicking ht link to the left under Quick Links for Evans Bookstore.
Dianne will be leading a breakout session at the Woman Arise Now Conference in Port Charlotte, FL on March 26th. Details coming soon.
Bible Discovery Groups in Winchendon, MA, Cranston/Newport, RI, Port Charlotte, FL, and soon to be Monticello, KY in 2011. Why don't you start one in your local area? These are interdenominational and not affiliated with any local church. They are all about Jesus.
Please help spread the message of Christ to others by forwarding this to at least two others on your email list: Our current schedule can always be found at TheEvans.org.
Listen to messages by Dick and Dianne on your iPod or mp3 player. Listen or download at http://www.theevans.org/podcast/. Looking for a speaker at your next conference, retreat, or monthly meeting? Consider Dianne and/or Dick Evans and give us a call or send us a quick email today! Access their latest Bio at TheEvans.org.
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Inspirational Thought by Dick Evans
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Tradition
Mark 7:13
And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others. (NLT)
Tradition is defined by Merriam-Webster as meaning an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom). As we have observed many churches over the years, we have seen many different traditions. Three stand out to me as I write this.
The first is the way the minister and the congregation are dressed. Some leaders are in fancy garments; robes for the choir members and a very ornate one for the preacher. Even the congregation is dressed in their "Sunday best" as there parents and their parent before them taught. The woman in dressed and the men with suits and ties.
Then there is the tradition of water baptism. There are those who believe you cannot be baptised unless you are fully immersed in water from head to toe. Others believe you may be sprinkled with water. And some do not use water at all and believe it is a spiritual baptism.
Then how about communion? Some use wine and others grape juice. Some actually tear a loaf of bread in half and pass it out. Others have little squares of a bread like substance while some use little pieces of bread (often stale) or even wafers that taste like cardboard.
When I was growing up my Catholic friends believed it was a sin to eat meat on Fridays. This was not from the Bible I knew, yet they believed because their church had told them so. According to the Word of Good, all things are good to eat. Nothing is banned from us now that Jesus has come. Saying they could not eat meat went against the Word that said they could.
It is the Word of God that is the truth and we cannot let our traditions pull us apart from other believers. Nor can we let our tradition overtake what God has said. Just because another believer does something different in their church service does not mean they are not following God. It just means their tradition is different from yours. As long as that does not go against what the Word of God says, celebrate Jesus and do not be concerned about the differences.
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Part One: Practical keys for the New Year
One Scripture I have found comfort in is "Can the clay say to the Potter, 'What are you doing?'" (Isaiah. 45:9). There have been so many times that I have said to God "What are you doing?" Though I do not understand His ways, I do still believe I will see the "goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13).
If you think you are at this same place in life do not count yourself alone. You have many a brother and sister in this same place and it is the cause for chaos, tension, irritability, and much discomfort. Does that ring any bells? You might not even realize it is happening to you. A loved one might mention your mood swings or your unpleasing remarks toward them. If they love you they will approach you in love without defending themselves in the process. Let us pray for our love ones!
I have created some guidelines to implement in my life. Today I want to share those with you. Believe me I have not mastered these techniques. However, I am in the process and I am punching through to the other side.
Are you ready? Here it goes:
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
1. Laugh and the world will laugh with you. Laugh at yourself, laugh at your circumstances, laugh at your mistakes, and the Joy of the Lord will give you strength.
Mathew 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
2. Practice Forgiveness. Forgive others and most of all forgive yourself. The Lord has forgiven you and saved you from yourself and your sin. If you are struggling in this area find a friend who will pray with you and not judge you.
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. Give yourself to others. Make cookies for a neighbor, volunteer for meals on wheels, etc. Seek the Lord and He will give a place where you can give of yourself to others! Good works are evidence of grace operating in your life.
Mathew 22:37
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Isaiah 40:3
A voice is calling, Clear [sweep] the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God
4. Get organized and prioritize your time and your life. Priority in life should be first God, spouse, immediate family (living with you), job, and recreation. Create an atmosphere of peace by getting rid of unnecessary things. This helps create space and a cleaner and more orderly environment. Also, a cleaner environment can help prevent illness and foster good physical health. On a more spiritual level, an orderly environment can create room for positive thoughts that can turn into Godly actions. A cluttered environment contributes to stress and can be the cause of illnesses such as hypertension, asthma, depression and anxious. We can do without the latter.
Okay, okay. I began with these four points and next week I will continue the process to a healthier New Year by covering three more. Meanwhile, keep the faith. Work it like a muscle and allow the Holy Spirit the passage way to your heart.
Love to all, dianne |
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| The Evans Update
Ministry Schedule
February 2011 Healing for Today, Port Charlotte, FL
Details coming soon
March 26, 2011 Woman Arise Now Conference, Port Charlotte, FL
Spring 2011 -- Healing Workshop in Monticello, KY
Stay tuned to our Facebook page, website, blogs, and email messages for updates. Check our online schedule at http://theevans.org/schedule.htm.
Blessings to you and your family,
Dick & Dianne Evans
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