Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
In the middle of the liberal media’s desperate efforts to convince us that President Trump is in trouble, there are an amazing number of victories that suggest he is winning. In fact, there are indications that he is winning a lot.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
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By Rick Warren
“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24 GNT).
· We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson 40 or 50 times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!” But God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
· We have a lot to unlearn. Since most of our problems — and all of our bad habits — didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it “taking off the old self” and “putting on the new self” (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:7-10, 14).
· Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change, there is no change without fear or loss, and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn-out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.
· Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character.
There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them — and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).
With election season upon us, one man’s face will fill the mailboxes of Illinoisans more than any other. His visage will flash across screens constantly. Low voices will utter his name over radio waves.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
By Rick Warren
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).
Jesus demands that we surrender all of our life to him. He doesn’t want a small portion of who you are. It’s like this — when you’re trying to climb out of a river that has a steep bank, you have to get a foothold on something to start the climb. And once you get the foothold, you can climb up the bank and walk all around.
Some of us, when we invited Jesus into our lives, simply gave him a foothold, but we’re resisting his efforts to step fully up onto the bank so he can fully access our lives. Jesus isn’t willing to stand there on that foothold. He wants you to give him all of your life.
You may think you’ve surrendered all of your life to him, but the truth is, you’re still hanging on to some parts of your life. Jesus isn’t upset with you. He simply wants to work with you to help you uncover areas that you still need to surrender to him.
There will be struggles and battles, but the outcome will never be in question. God has promised that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
Director James Comey knew the FBI was incorruptible. This is precisely why he seized control of the investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s email practices covering her time as secretary of state, instead of allowing the FBI field office to conduct the probe.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
Psalm 25:6,7 (Read all of Psalm 25:6,7)
New International Version
In the summer, beaches teem with children at play. They spend time tirelessly building sandcastles. The quality of the construction is of little importance. What matters is that it is their creation, and they will constantly try to protect it from stamping feet and smashing waves, often with little success. Why? Because children are inclined to protect their creations.
Lord, what are human beings that You care for them, mere mortals that You think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow (Psalm 144:3–4).
God made His people in His image, and so they are His responsibility. God doesn’t view this as an obligation. Children don’t build sandcastles under compulsion. They do so because it brings them joy. God’s people bring Him immeasurable joy, and so He chooses to protect and preserve them.
Challenge for Today: When next you see a child’s construction, remember how much God loves His creation.
By Rick Warren
“We are each responsible for our own conduct” (Galatians 6:5 NLT).
You have just enough time to do God’s will while you’re here on Earth. You’ve been given just enough time to fulfill your purpose. When you try to do more than God planned for you, it’s only natural that you will find yourself constantly out of time or stressed over your schedule.
My prayer for you is that you will find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as you do only the things God created you to do.
President Trump won a major victory on trade on Monday, supplanting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and replacing it with something far more beneficial. The new deal will help American workers and manufacturers. It’s also a win for Mexico.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
