There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was
given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the
woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged,
he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.
Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in
the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the
dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching!
Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day
Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said,
"Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she
whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and
Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."
**Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told
me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of
Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any
longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.
Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know.
**You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I
love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally
make a slave of you."
Thought for the day and every day thereafter? Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that GOD was standing at the window and HE saw the whole thing. HE has seen your whole life. HE wants you to know that HE loves you and that you are forgiven. HE's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about GOD is that when you ask for forgiveness, HE not only forgives you, but HE forgets. It is by GOD's Grace and Mercy that we are Saved.
Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember:
A follower of Christ looks at:
death and thinks life,
losing and thinks winning,
tragedy and thinks opportunity,
brokenness and thinks humility,
accidents and thinks purpose,
coincidence and thinks destiny,
despair and thinks hope,
poverty and thinks wealth,
wealth and thinks poverty,
failure and thinks success,
the seen and thinks about the unseen,
history and thinks God's story,
science and thinks God's laws,
psychology and thinks Christ's wisdom,
anthropology and thinks God's image,
astronomy and thinks God's heavens,
the human body and thinks God's dwelling place,
war and thinks man's rebellion,
the cross and thinks everything made new,
truth and thinks Jesus.
"Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven".
MATTHEW 5:12
In the Sermon on the mount,... what JESUS
promises is not a gimmick to give you goose bumps
nor a mental attitude that has to be pumped up
at pep rallies. No, Matthew 5 describes God's radical
reconstruction of the heart.
Observe the sequence. First,
we Recognize we are in Need (we're Poor in Spirit). Next,
we repent of our Self-Sufficiency (we Mourn).
We quit calling the Shots and Surrender Control to GOD
(we're Meek).
So grateful are we for HIS presence that we yearn for more of HIM
(we Hunger and Thirst).
As we grow closer to HIM, we become more like HIM.
We Forgive others (we're Merciful).
We Change our Outlook (we're Pure in Heart).
We Love others (we're Peacemakers).
We Endure Injustice (we're Persecuted).
It's no casual shift of attitude. It is a demolition
of the old structure and a creation of the new.
The more radical the change, the greater the joy.
And it's worth every effort, for this is the joy of GOD!!
"If they could be made GOD's people by what they did, GOD's gift of grace would not really be a gift".
Romans 11:6
To whom does GOD offer HIS gift? To the
brightest? The most beautiful or the most charming?
No. HIS gift is for us all--beggars and bankers,
clergy and clerks, judges and janitors.
All GOD's children.
And HE wants us so badly, HE'll take us in
any condition--"as is" reads the tag on
our collars....
HE wants us now.
Exodus 32:19,20- There is a place for righteous anger. Anger at Sin is a sign of spiritual vitality. Don't squelch this kind of anger. But when you are justifiably angry at sin, be careful not to say anything that you will regret later.
"I will live with them and walk with them. And I will be their GOD, and they will be my people".
2 Corinthians 6:16
Those who saw JESUS--really saw HIM--
knewthere was something different.
At HIS touch blind beggars saw.
At HIS command crippled legs walked.
At HIS embrace empty lives filled with vision.
HE fed thousands with one basket.
HE stilled a storm with one command.
HE raised the dead with one proclamation.
HE changed lives with one request.
HE wants YOU to Join HIM.
Bowing in Humility before the LORD means
recognizing that our worth comes from GOD
ALONE. To be Humble involves leaning on HIS
Power and HIS Guidance and not going our own
way alone.
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water".
John 7:38 (NKJV)
Remember the words of JESUS to the
Samaritan woman? "The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life" (John 4:14).
JESUS offers, not a singular drink of water,
but a perpetual artesian well! And the well
isn't a hole in your backyard but the Holy
Spirit of GOD in your Heart.
We become fearful and immobile when we focus
on the negative aspects of a situation. We must
focus on GOD's direction & promises. When you
are confronted with an important decision and know
what you should do, move out in Faith, focusing on
the positives, not the negatives. Problems don't have
to rob you of victory!!
Last edited by Easyrider; 13th May 2008 at 01:59 PM.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
"LORD, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The LORD led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew,
which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles
that were strapped to their arms and each found it
possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms,
they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew
which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons,
but here the people were well nourished and
plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, "I don't understand." It is simple," said the LORD. "It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves."
Last edited by Easyrider; 5th March 2008 at 03:20 PM.
“For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun”
(Isaiah 43:19, NLT)!
Can you see the "brand new thing" GOD is doing
in your life?
Sometimes we can see the hand of GOD moving, and
sometimes the storms of life cloud can our vision.
No matter where you are in life today,
Focus on this Truth that GOD is working on your
behalf behind the scenes! You can Trust HIM
because HE has always been Faithful, and
HE always will be. HIS plan for you today is Blessing.
HIS plan is to give you a Future and a Hope.
HIS plan is to do a New Thing in your life.
The Bible says that it pleases GOD when we
Seek HIM and HIS Will. Ask the LORD to show
HIS plan for you today.
Ask HIM to show you HIS Favor and Blessing.
As you let go of the thoughts of the past and
open your Heart to what GOD is doing today,
you will step forward in Victory and take hold
of the "brand new thing" GOD has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Faithfulness and Work in me, even when I don't see it. Thank you for doing a brand new thing in me today. I open my Heart and Trust You. I ask You to show me Your plan today and keep me close to You. In JESUS' Name. Amen.
What's In Store For You?
"The LORD will Guide you Continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you Healthy, too".
Isaiah 58:11 NLT
"Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art Mighty; Hold me with Thy Powerful hand; Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more, Feed me till I want no more".
(William Williams)
A Step At a Time
Wouldn't you like to know now what is in store
for you a year from now? GOD leads us a day
a time, a step at a time. No need to worry about
distant events. The Welsh hymn writer William Williams
compared the Christian life to the Israelite's trek
through the wilderness. We may
not know the route by which GOD is leading us, but we
Humbly count on HIS Guidance.
As a college student, Williams prepared for a career in
medicine. But one Sunday morning he heard a man
preaching in a Welsh churchyard. Williams responded in
Faith, and his life was radically changed. For forty-three
years he preached and sang throughout Wales.
"He sang Wales into piety," said one writer.
He was the poet laureate of the Welsh revival. Soon,
all of Wales was singing their way to the coal mines
and soccer matches. And their favorite hymn was
this marching song by one of their own:
"Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah.…
Songs of praises I will ever give to Thee."
There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.
The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart.
The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !"
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives:
A. The 4th wife is our Body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.
B. Our 3rd wife ? Our Possessions, Status and Wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
C. The 2nd wife is our Family and Friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
D. The 1st wife is in fact our Soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament....
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short
time to write something for a class. The subject was
what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told
his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb.
It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the
last.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the
essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the
teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School. Brian
had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately
wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from
classmates and teachers, his homework.
Only two months before, he had handwritten
the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full
of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life..
But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and
Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his
view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people
want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr.
Moore said.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after
Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's
house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in
Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged
from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power
line and was electrocuted.
The Moore's framed a copy of Brian's essay
and hung it among the family portraits in the living
room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think
we were meant to find it and make something out of
it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband
want to share their son's vision of life after death.
"I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know
I'll see him."
Brian's Essay: The Room.
In that place between wakefulness and
dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no
distinguishing features except for the one wall
covered with small index card files. They were like
the ones in libraries that list titles by author or
subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which
stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless
in either direction, had very different headings. As
I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my
attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I
opened it and began flipping through the cards. I
quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized
the names written on each one. And then without being
told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was
a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written
the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail
my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and
curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I
began randomly opening files and exploring their
content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a
sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look
over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one
marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged
from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have read,"
"Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have given," "Jokes I
Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their
exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others
I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger",
"Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My
Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the
contents.
Often there were many more cards than I
expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was
overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had
lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my
years to fill each of these thousands or even millions
of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was
written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my
signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows
I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain
their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet
after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of
the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the
quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that
file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful
Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I
pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test
its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its
detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had
been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One
thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these
cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to
destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out.
Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn
the cards. But as I took it at one end and began
pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a
single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card,
only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to
tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned
the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the
wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I
Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter
than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled
on its handle and a small box not more than three
inches long fell into my hands. I could count the
cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears
came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt.
They started in my stomach and shook through me. I
fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from
the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file
shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must
ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and
hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I
saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but
Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the
files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His
response. And in the moments I could bring myself to
look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own..
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned
and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me
with pity in His eyes But this was a pity that didn't
anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my
hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put
His arm around me. He could have said so many things.
But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall
of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a
file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine
on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I
could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card
from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But
there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so
alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written
with His blood. He gently took the card back. He
smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I
don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so
quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him
close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said,
"It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the
room. There was no lock on its door. There were still
cards to be written.
"I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the
world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." If you
feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will
touch their lives also.
My "People I shared the gospel with" file
just got bigger, how about yours?
HOW SHOULD WE EVALUATE OUR LIFESTYLE? BIBLE READING: Exodus 23:20-33 KEY BIBLE VERSE: Do not worship the gods of these
other nations or serve them in any way, and never
follow their evil example. Instead, you must utterly
conquer them and break down their shameful idols.
(Exodus 23:24)
OUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD REFLECT WHAT WE BELIEVE.
If you’re in the furnace, it’s easy to catch fire. GOD warned the
Israelites about their neighbors whose beliefs and actions could
turn them away
from HIM. We also live with neighbors whose values may be
completely different from ours. We are called to maintain a
lifestyle that shows our Faith. This can be a struggle,
especially if our Christian lifestyle differs
from the norm. Our life should show that we put Obeying
GOD before doing what is Praised and Accepted by Society. BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:1-12 KEY BIBLE VERSE: GOD Blesses you when you are Mocked
and Persecuted and Lied about because you are My Followers. Be Happy about it! Be very Glad! For a Great Reward Awaits you in Heaven.
And remember, the Ancient Prophets were Persecuted, too.
(Matthew 5:11-12)
OUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF GOD’S KINGDOM.
With JESUS’ recent announcement that the Kingdom was near (4:17),
people were naturally asking, “How do I qualify to be in GOD’s Kingdom?”
JESUS said that GOD’s Kingdom is organized differently from worldly kingdoms.
In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant.
Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different
attitudes. Their entire lifestyle ought to be different.
Are your attitudes a carbon copy of the world’s selfishness, pride,
and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice
of JESUS, Your KING? BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 KEY BIBLE VERSE: Remember that in a race everyone runs,
but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in
such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control.
They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it
for an Eternal prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
OUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED.
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline.
Paul uses this illustration to explain that the
Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and
grueling preparation. As Christians, we are
running toward our heavenly reward.
The essential disciplines of Prayer, Bible Study,
and Worship equip us to run with Vigor and Stamina.
Don’t merely observe from the grandstand;
don’t just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning.
Train diligently -your spiritual progress depends upon it. BIBLE READING: 2 Timothy 2:14-26 KEY BIBLE VERSE: Work hard so God can approve you.
Be a good worker,one who does not need to be ashamed
and who Correctly explains the Word of Truth.
(2 Timothy 2:15)
OUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH GOD’S WORD. Because GOD will examine what kind of workers we have been for HIM, we should build our life on HIS Word and build HIS Word into our life-it alone tells us how to Live for HIM and Serve HIM. Believers who ignore the Bible will certainly be Ashamed at the Judgment. Consistent and Diligent Study of GOD’s Word is Vital; otherwise we will be lulled into neglecting GOD and our True Purpose For Living.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”
(John 10:10, ESV).
Are you living the Abundant Life JESUS came to give you?
You may not have the biggest house or newest car,
but GOD promises Abundant Life for you. HIS Abundant
Life goes way beyond the things we can see in the natural.
HIS Abundant Life means that you can have Peace in the
midst of a storm. You can have Joy when things are
uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem
hopeless. You can live and Enjoy Life to the fullest every
single day because you have the Creator of Life on the
inside of you. Sometimes is easy to look at this verse and
think, "GOD is going to give me Abundant Life some day"
but the truth is, GOD wants you to have an Abundant Life
TODAY. Ask the LORD to show you HIS True Abundance
Today. Ask HIM to show you HIS Abundant Favor, Blessing,
and Peace. As you focus on GOD's Abundance Today and
everyday, your Life will feel more satisfying and you will be
overflowing in HIS Abundance the way GOD intended!
A Prayer for Today
GOD, I know that You want the Best for me. Thank You for your promise of Abundant Life on this earth. Teach me to share your Abundance with others. I Love You and Bless You Today. In JESUS' Name, Amen.
How Does GOD Lead?
"My sheep recognize My Voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them Eternal life, and they will never perish."
John 10:27-28 NLT
Hearing HIS Voice
As our Good Shepherd, JESUS promises that we can hear
and know HIS voice. This does not, however, have to be
some mysterious, mystical process. In fact, you may be
surprised to learn that GOD speaks to you quite often.
I would venture to say HE has spoken to you lately and
may be speaking to you right now in some way.
GOD speaks to us through HIS Word. GOD will never
lead us contrary to HIS Written Word. It is our litmus
test, our bedrock, our absolute.
GOD speaks to us through circumstances.
Those circumstances can include failure.
Jonah certainly heard GOD through his mistake.
GOD may even speak to us through tragedy or hardship.
C. S. Lewis wrote that, "GOD whispers to us in our
pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in
our pains. It is HIS megaphone to arouse a deaf world."
GOD speaks to us through HIS Peace. When we live in
GOD's will, we enjoy HIS Peace. Do you need GOD to
make a crucial call in your life? Then listen for HIS Peace.
And once we have heard GOD's voice, what should we do? We must follow. JESUS calls, we respond. HE whispers,we move. We follow—and then we keep on listening.
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