Brown's Daily Word 3-6-08

Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this Friday. Sunday is coming. Tomorrow night, don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour. "Spring forward."
Today, there are all types of addictions and many who have them: One in four Americans is a nicotine addict, dependent on smoking. One in six Americans is a shopping addict, always feeling an urge to shop and taking advantage of every sale. One of every seven Americans is addicted to the Internet, surfing and role game-playing. One of every eight Americans has a significant addiction to alcohol or drugs. One in nine Americans is addicted to pornography. One in every ten Americans is addicted to gambling. Then, there are those who are addicted to sugar, chocolate, food in general, sports, and the list goes on. I believe that a person can become addicted to just about anything. Did you know that the Apostle Paul praised one family in the church for being addicts? 1 Corinthians 16:15 reads this way in the KJV - “ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” The Greek word translated “addicted” in the KJV is Tasso. It means ‘to wholly give oneself to something’, ‘to devote oneself completely to something’, ‘to appoint oneself to a position or task.’ Most modern translations translate this verse, saying that the household of Stephanas “devoted” themselves to ministering to the saints. When you read this and other New Testament passages regarding Stephanas and his family, you find that they did devote themselves to other Christians by showing hospitality, meeting basic needs and assisting and supporting preachers such as Paul. Their life was consumed with looking for opportunities to serve other Christians. They were, in a good sense, addicted to the ministry of the saints. The Apostle Paul highly commended the family of Stephanas for dedicating themselves to serving other Christians. Paul held them up as an example for all of us. One things that catches our attention in reading about the Early Church is the fact that the early Christians were in frequent contact with each other. Acts 2:44, 46, “And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common….And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” They prized fellowship with one another and shared in spiritual gladness. Fellowship is vitally important and it promotes spiritual growth. It provides an opportunity to encourage each other in our Christian walk. In other words, it provides peer support for Christian living. It provides opportunity to get to know how each of us are doing so that we might know if there is a need to serve. We are commanded , in Romans 12:10, to “be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” Becoming addicted to serving fellow Christians starts with devotion to fellowship. David said, in Psalms 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” David had it right. We ought to be glad when Sunday comes.
Hebrews 10:25 (The Message)
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFaIGSyENsY
Kimber is the wife of John, mother of two small girls. She wasn't feeling that great recently, but no one expected something like this.
This family is very close to my Son and his family. They go to the same church. The men both work in computers for the State.
Please join us in prayer. Every hour is crucial right now.
Update:
I just talked with my Son. (Thursday morning)
Kimber's alive! Let the Lord's name be praised!
Diagnosis: flu and double pneumonia.
Around 4:00 a.m. Oregon time, Kimber's doctor tried a new procedure. It could have killed her. She did tolerate it, but basically no improvement.
She still hangs between heaven and earth. Between her eternal reward and her husband and children and other loved ones.
Father, we come strongly against this disease that has Kimber so near death and the family and friends shell shocked.. We plead, in the name of Jesus, that you have mercy upon her and her husband and children and allow her to stay with them. We ask that the medical team be given special wisdom to know what to do. Let it be effective. We know you can and we ask you to consider a direct touch upon her body. In the name of Jesus we command the flu be overcome. In the name of Jesus we command that the lungs throw off the infection and re-inflate. In the name of Jesus we command that her health be restored. For the glory of God alone and in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.
Fred