How Man-Made Noise May Be Altering Earth’s Ecology

The contamination of biophony may soon become a serious environmental issue — Scientist Bernie Krause says that man-made sounds are already wreaking havoc with animal communication. We worry about the carbon emissions from SUVs and airplanes; maybe we should be equally concerned about the racket they cause.

read more | digg story

You Never Let Go - David Crowder Band

Do you know the Preamble for your state? . . . interesting:
 
Be sure to read the message at the bottom!

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…
California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…
Connecticut 1818, Preamble The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in  permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties…
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction .
Michigan 1908, Preamble We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common…
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance….
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI Sec.III That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man .
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God …
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution..
 
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be “Food for thought” copy and send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.

(Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.)
 
“Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.” - William Penn
 
BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD …   PSALM 33:12 
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Take Me To Your Leader - the Newsboys

The Patience of God

PATIENCE

An active endurance of opposition and suffering, not a passive resignation to the inevitable, and not accompanied with grumbling or complaining. Patience and patient are used to translate several Hebrew and Greek words. Patience is endurance, steadfastness, longsuffering, and forbearance.

God is patient, and gives us His Divine example:

Rom 15:5-7 (KJV)

Now the God of patience and consolation

grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

{6} That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

{7} Wherefore receive ye one another,

as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Exo 34:6-7 (KJV)

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed,

The LORD, The LORD God,

merciful and gracious,

longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

{7} Keeping mercy for thousands,

forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,

and that will by no means clear the guilty;

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children,

and upon the children’s children,

unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Psa 86:5-7 (KJV)

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive;

and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

{6} Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer;

and attend to the voice of my supplications.

{7} In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee:

for thou wilt answer me.

2 Chr 30:9 (KJV)

For if ye turn again unto the LORD,

your brethren and your children shall find compassion

before them that lead them captive,

so that they shall come again into this land:

for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful,

and will not turn away his face from you,

if ye return unto him.

Psa 86:3-7 (KJV)

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

{4} Rejoice the soul of thy servant:

for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

{5} For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive;

and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

{6} Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer;

and attend to the voice of my supplications.

{7} In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee:

for thou wilt answer me.

God’s patience with sinners allows time for them to repent, especially in the apparent delay of the return of Christ. However, God’s patience with sinners will have a limit: inasmuch as His justice must be satisfied against evildoers and the unrepentant at a designated time. This time is called, “The Day of the Lord”.

Rom 2:4-13 (KJV)

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness

and forbearance and longsuffering;

not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

{5} But after thy hardness and impenitent heart

treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath

and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

{6} Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

{7} To them who by patient continuance in well doing

seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

{8} But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth,

but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

{9} Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil,

of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

{10} But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good,

to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

{11} For there is no respect of persons with God.

{12} For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law:

and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

{13} (For not the hearers of the law are just before God,

but the doers of the law shall be justified.

2 Pet 3:8-15a (KJV)

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years,

and a thousand years as one day.

{9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

{10} But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,

the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

{11} Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation and godliness,

{12} Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

{13} Nevertheless we, according to his promise,

look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

{14} Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,

be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,

without spot, and blameless.

{15} And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

Heb 10:36-39 (KJV)

For ye have need of patience,

that, after ye have done the will of God,

ye might receive the promise.

{37} For yet a little while,

and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry(G=delay).

{38} Now the just shall live by faith:

but if any man draw back,

my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

{39} But we are not of them who draw back

unto perdition{G=spiritual damnation};

but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

---

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS

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Savior King - Hillsong

Salvation

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must be born again.”‘”
John 3:3-7

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins.”
Ephesians 2:1

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:3-4

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:1-2

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.”
Colossians 2:13

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”
1 Timothy 4:9-10

“But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.”
Romans 5:15

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Titus 3:4-6

Overcoming Fear and Insecurity

Dr. Charles Stanley - Bible Studies
Have you ever been afraid of obeying God? Have you avoided responsibility because you doubted your ability? God wants you to learn to place your confidence in Him and not in yourself. In this Bible study, you’ll learn about victory over fear and insecurity through Gideon’s example.

Read Judges 6-8.

1. Feeling afraid or unworthy doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God.

• Briefly describe the situation in Israel in Gideon’s day (Judges 6:1-6).

• Read Exodus 33:20. Why did Gideon get so afraid when he realized he was talking with God (v. 22)?

How could Gideon survive “seeing God”? Since God is Spirit (John 4:24), no man has ever seen God the Father in His essence. However, in Judges 6, as in other Old Testament passages, God assumes a visible form (Gen. 32:20; Ex. 24:9-10; Isaiah 6:1; Dan. 7:9). Some scholars believe references like this one to an “angel of the Lord” describe Jesus before He was clothed in human flesh.

• God asks Gideon to tear down His father’s altar to Baal, the false god the Israelites were serving. How does Gideon approach his first assignment (Judges 6:27)?

• What does his neighbors’ reaction reveal about the hearts of the Israelites at this time (v. 30)?

• What frightens you about fully obeying all God asks of you?

1. Exchanging our viewpoint for God’s perspective is essential for winning our battles.

• From God’s perspective, who would deliver Israel (vv. 8-10)?

• On what did Gideon focus (v.13)?

• Contrast Gideon’s perception of himself with God’s view (vv. 12 & 15).

By refusing to help Gideon, God’s chosen deliverer, the leaders of Succoth and Penuel essentially aligned themselves with the Midianites (Judges 8).

• What does Gideon’s threat to them reveal about how he viewed himself after the victory over the Midianites (vv. 5-9)?

• Name a difficulty or challenge you face. In your flesh, where do you tend to look for a solution? How do you think God wants you to approach it?

1. The Lord is willing to confirm His will.

• Initially, Gideon doesn’t believe he’s really talking with God. What sign does Gideon prepare (Judges 6:18-21)

When several armies of the Israelites’ enemies assembled near Gideon’s home,
Gideon felt as if he needed confirmation that God was really going to deliver Israel from them. He asks for more confirmation, using a sheep’s fleece.

• Why was his action really unnecessary? (vv. 36-37)

• Why do you think Gideon was afraid the Lord’s anger would burn against him (v. 39)?

Although God was patient with Gideon, this method of determining God’s will is generally not the best since it usually takes our focus off the Lord and onto a “sign,” which may or may not indicate God’s will accurately.

• What finally convinces Gideon that God has given the victory into the hands of the Israelites (Judges 7:13-15)?

• Describe how you know when God is leading you in a certain direction (Is. 30:21; John 10:27).

1. When we obey God despite our weakness, He gets the glory.

On his first assignment from God, tearing down the altar to Baal, Gideon acts at night, in fear.

• Why did Gideon suddenly have the confidence to assemble an army and declare himself its head (Judges 7:34)?

• Why did God want to decrease the numbers of warriors (v. 2)?

• Why do the two eliminations also make sense from a practical standpoint (vv. 3-7)?

Gideon’s army attacked at night, around 10 p.m., right as the first watch was ending. The retiring guards had not yet returned to their tents and probably were mistaken for Israelites by the confused Midianties.

• Why do you think breaking the jars and blowing the trumpets was successful?

• Why couldn’t Gideon take credit for what happened as a result of their surprise “attack” (v. 22)?

When the Israelites return home after their victories, the men of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them (Judges 8:22).

• Why do you think Gideon responded as he did (v. 24)?

• Gideon’s disobedience in making and worshipping the ephod could have been due to ignorance or the low moral standards at the time. What were the consequences (vv. 24-27)?

• Despite the ephod, what did God do for Israel as a result of Gideon’s victory (v. 28)?

Closing: What is God asking you to do? Be willing to obey, trusting that He will provide all you need. No matter what happens, you will know deep inner peace as a result of your faithfulness—the fruit of being right with the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who helps me accomplish Your will. Teach me to take my eyes off of my circumstances and the solutions the world offers and look to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Unanswered Prayer: The Pain and Promise

Are you waiting for God to answer a prayer right now? Does it seem like the answer is a long time in coming? Or, did you pray about something that God never answered at all? In this Bible study, learn more about how the Lord works through unanswered prayer.

Begin by reading about the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:1-46.

1. God wants us to bring Him our concerns. Mary and Martha had a godly desire: they wanted their friend Jesus to come heal their sick brother. At the beginning of the story, they didn’t hesitate to share their request with the Lord (v. 3). Later, neither was afraid to tell Him about her disappointment that He didn’t show up in time to save Lazarus from death (v. 21, 32).

Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

• What is weighing heavily on your heart today? Take a minute and pour out your feelings to the Lord.

2. When God doesn’t respond as we think He should, He has a higher purpose for our suffering.

• Although Jesus loved Lazarus, He chose to stay in Bethany two more days. What was His perspective on Lazarus’s sickness (v. 4)?
• What was the ultimate purpose for Christ’s delay (v. 14-15; 45)?

In a similar way, God has wonderful plans for us that don’t always include answering our prayers in the way we expect or when we expect. However, we can trust that He will always work things out for our good and His glory.

• Read Romans 8:28-29. For what did God predestine us, according to verse 29?
• Write down an unanswered prayer in your life that allowed for God’s best in your life. For example, perhaps you prayed for your spouse to change, and because he or she didn’t, you grew spiritually and emotionally, learning to trust God in the midst of a difficult marriage.

3. Even though God knows the ultimate outcome of our suffering will be glorious, He still has compassion on us in the midst of our heartache.

• Read John 11: 32-36. Why do you think Jesus wept?
• The Jews who came to mourn with the sisters had two reactions to Jesus’ weeping. What were those two reactions (v.35-37)?

When God takes a long time to fulfill our requests, it’s easy to start to doubt Him and think, Why would a good God allow suffering?

• When you suffer or see others hurting, do you focus on God’s love for individuals, or His apparent inactivity on their behalf? Why?
• A good father responds to his children with love and compassion when they’re hurting. How you think God responds to the things that distress you? Read Psalm 103:13-14 and Psalm 147:3.

4. In order to see our prayers answered, we must sometimes obey God when He asks us to do things that don’t make sense.

• Why did Martha initially protest that the stone should not be removed from the grave (v. 39)?
• Has God ever asked you to do something that, at the time, made little sense, but later on, you realized it was essential to seeing your prayers answered? If so, describe it and the ultimate result.

Closing: Many times, it’s obvious why God didn’t answer our prayers. Maybe His initial “no” leads us to something better—such as a higher-paying job or a more appropriate spouse. Or, like Mary and Martha, we witness an amazing miracle that points people towards Jesus. On the other hand, some unanswered prayers leave us reeling in doubt.

When God seems deaf to your requests, the challenge is to continue to draw close to Him and trust Him. Ultimately, He will bring something wonderful out of the situation. Prayer: Father, thank You for having everything under control. Help me to draw near to You and trust You even when I don’t understand what Your purpose is. Use my circumstances to glorify Your name. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Source: Intouch - Charles Stanley

The Word for Today  -  Take The Initiative (4)

Read more daily devotionals like this one at: http://www.thevine.co.nz

Wednesday, 12th March 2008

By Bob Gass

Be sure to do what you should.
Galatians 6:4 NLT

You can only pray, plan and prepare for so long, then you must step out in faith and act. The Chinese say, “He who deliberates too long before taking a step, will spend his whole life on one leg.” The reason we never get started is because we focus on tomorrow instead of today. The only time over which you have any control is the present.

James writes: “Look here, you people who say, ‘tomorrow we are going to a certain town… We will do business there and make profit.’ How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog - it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:13-14 NLT).

Edgar Guest wrote: “The greatest of workers this man would have been - tomorrow. The world would have known him, had he ever seen - tomorrow. But the fact is he died and he faded from view, and all that he left here when living was through, was a mountain of things he intended to do - tomorrow.” The idea of tomorrow can be very seductive, but the promise it holds is often false. It’s starting that stops us! Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, observed, “The greatest time wasted is the time getting started.” The hardest part of writing a letter is penning the first line. The hardest part of making a tough phone call is picking up the receiver and dialling the number. So how do you overcome this difficulty? Schedule a specific time for doing what you don’t like to do or fear to do, and each time you follow through and do it, it will get easier and you’ll get better at it.

Daily Bible Reading:

Job 1-4, Matthew 26:1-13, Psalm 24, Proverbs 7:24-25