Division is one of Satan’s weapons. Confession is the weapon used to overcome Satan’s weapon. You will note that Jesus did not say 'if you have something against your brother...', He said 'if you remember your brother has something against you go and be reconciled to your brother'. What would keep a person from doing this? The answer is a one-word answer-“pride”- and this was a problem in the church in Corinth and in the twenty-first century church. The Corinthian were letting pride rob them of the gift of peace, and the members in the twenty-first church are letting pride rob them of the gift of peace. ("There is nothing new under the sun")
The gospel that saves is the gospel that humbles, and that humbling gospel is the basis for Christian unity and harmony.
http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/kensch/faith/life/divisions.htm
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Annie J. Flint
This is a song that the Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart during these few days... Truly, the more you know God and His Word, the more you yearn to know more! "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" James 4:8a
And what a joyous time of prayer it has been. Truly, He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater!
He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
-Annie J. Flint
So, i searched the author's name and discovered another poem written by her: What God Hath Promised.
What God Hath Promised
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
Refrain
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
Refrain
And what a joyous time of prayer it has been. Truly, He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater!
He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
-Annie J. Flint
So, i searched the author's name and discovered another poem written by her: What God Hath Promised.
What God Hath Promised
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
Refrain
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
Refrain
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
'Life's Treasure Book' -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I've learned that...
...I've never regretted the nice things i've said about people.
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Rom 12:10
...Children need loving the most when they are the hardest to love.
...If you let your integrity slip just a little, it can have lasting consequences.
...A happy person is not a person with a cetain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Rom 8:28
...Never ignore evil.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Eph 6:11
...The older i get, the more i appreciate the times my parents said no.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1
...A torch loses no heat by lighting a thousand torches.
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matt 5:15
...People will remember how you treated them long after they have forgotten what you were wearing.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Matt 6:25
...I don't need more to be thankful for; I need to be thankful more.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:18
...If you want your children to be good readers, let them see you read.
"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." John 13:15
_______________________________
Get your priorities straight. No one ever said on his deathbed, "Gee, if I'd only spent more time at the office."
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiently, who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.
-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character- not wealth or power or position- is of supreme worth.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
-Excerpts from The Rockfeller Creed
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men!
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work will be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.
-Phillip Brooks
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor...
Rejoice in your hope,
Be patient in tribulation,
Be constant in prayer.
-Rom 12:9-12 (RSV)
Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quiet your modesty, or incline you to any practice which will not bear the light or look the world in the face.
-Marcus Aurelius
Love people more than things.
Remember that when you take inventory of the things in life you treasure most, you'll find that none of them was purchased with money.
Do not care overly much for wealth or power or fame, or one day you will meet someone who cares for none of these things, and you will realise how poor you have become.
-Rudyard Kipling
Many of the things you can count, don't count.
Many of the things you can't count, really count.
-Albert Einstein
Cherish your children for what they are, not for what you want them to be.
If we discovered that we had only five minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer tha they loved them.
-Christopher Morley
Let life be your sermon.
A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.
-Henrik Ibsen
A reputation for a thousand years may depend upon the conduct of a single moment.
-Ernest Bramah
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an art but a habit.
-Aristotle
We- all of us, but especially the young- need around us individuals who possess a certain nobility, a language of soul, and qualities of human excellence worth imitating and striving for. Every person knows this, which is why parents are concerned with both the company their children keep and th rold models they choose. Children watch what we do as well as what we say, and if we expect them to take morality seriously, they must see adults taking it seriously.
-William J. Bennett
Remember that no situation is so bad that losing your temper won't make it worse.
Apply this simple rule to your conversations: If you wouldn't write it down and sign it, don't say it.
Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, tolerant with the weak, and forgiving with the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.
-Lloyd Shearer
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heros, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.
-Helen Keller
Last:
Don't forget that what you are thinking about,
you are becoming.
...I've never regretted the nice things i've said about people.
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Rom 12:10
...Children need loving the most when they are the hardest to love.
...If you let your integrity slip just a little, it can have lasting consequences.
...A happy person is not a person with a cetain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Rom 8:28
...Never ignore evil.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Eph 6:11
...The older i get, the more i appreciate the times my parents said no.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1
...A torch loses no heat by lighting a thousand torches.
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matt 5:15
...People will remember how you treated them long after they have forgotten what you were wearing.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Matt 6:25
...I don't need more to be thankful for; I need to be thankful more.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:18
...If you want your children to be good readers, let them see you read.
"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." John 13:15
_______________________________
Get your priorities straight. No one ever said on his deathbed, "Gee, if I'd only spent more time at the office."
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiently, who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.
-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character- not wealth or power or position- is of supreme worth.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
-Excerpts from The Rockfeller Creed
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men!
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work will be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.
-Phillip Brooks
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor...
Rejoice in your hope,
Be patient in tribulation,
Be constant in prayer.
-Rom 12:9-12 (RSV)
Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quiet your modesty, or incline you to any practice which will not bear the light or look the world in the face.
-Marcus Aurelius
Love people more than things.
Remember that when you take inventory of the things in life you treasure most, you'll find that none of them was purchased with money.
Do not care overly much for wealth or power or fame, or one day you will meet someone who cares for none of these things, and you will realise how poor you have become.
-Rudyard Kipling
Many of the things you can count, don't count.
Many of the things you can't count, really count.
-Albert Einstein
Cherish your children for what they are, not for what you want them to be.
If we discovered that we had only five minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer tha they loved them.
-Christopher Morley
Let life be your sermon.
A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.
-Henrik Ibsen
A reputation for a thousand years may depend upon the conduct of a single moment.
-Ernest Bramah
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an art but a habit.
-Aristotle
We- all of us, but especially the young- need around us individuals who possess a certain nobility, a language of soul, and qualities of human excellence worth imitating and striving for. Every person knows this, which is why parents are concerned with both the company their children keep and th rold models they choose. Children watch what we do as well as what we say, and if we expect them to take morality seriously, they must see adults taking it seriously.
-William J. Bennett
Remember that no situation is so bad that losing your temper won't make it worse.
Apply this simple rule to your conversations: If you wouldn't write it down and sign it, don't say it.
Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, tolerant with the weak, and forgiving with the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.
-Lloyd Shearer
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heros, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.
-Helen Keller
Last:
Don't forget that what you are thinking about,
you are becoming.
Email Thread: God Exists
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'
'Why do you say that ?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain...
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'
'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you !'
'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'
'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'
'Exactly !' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist !
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'
'Why do you say that ?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain...
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'
'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you !'
'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'
'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'
'Exactly !' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist !
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
Monday, October 20, 2008
Strife
"...Our conscience accusing or else excusing us.." is a verse that the Lord has used to prick me greatly concerning my own conscience. Truly, as the conscience accuses, it can as well excuse! How many times have i sat down and held the remote, all the while struggling with myself whether to watch tv or read God's Word, and finally given in and pressed the "on" button? And, fact is, it gets easier and easier to excuse ourselves if we keep on resisting the Holy Spirit! O Lord, keep me close to You, i pray.
It is truly a time of trial for the Church when strife and contention takes place between her members. Can we imagine what would happen if the members of our own body were to disagree? Even if just the 2 legs disagree, we would never get to the place we wanted to go. Truly, instead of the Church being united against the common enemy- the devil- , her members are now pointing their guns at each other! And the devil is left freely stalking about
"like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
O, that we would realise that we
"do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"!]
And how does one see that another is being led by the Spirit, yielded to the Spirit? God's Word tells us how! "For the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."
The Law of Liberty (Rom 14:1-12)
"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."(Heb 12:14-15)
Concluding Religious Directions
"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct."
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."(Heb 13:7, 17)
1 Corinthians 3
Sectarianism Is Carnal
"1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building."
At a time when strife occurs, let us be prepared for it with the Word of God, lest we are swayed from side to side as indignation, frustration, incredulity mounting to anger -all stemming from carnality- causes us to yield to the flesh instead of the Spirit! For "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."(2 Tim 3)
It is truly a time of trial for the Church when strife and contention takes place between her members. Can we imagine what would happen if the members of our own body were to disagree? Even if just the 2 legs disagree, we would never get to the place we wanted to go. Truly, instead of the Church being united against the common enemy- the devil- , her members are now pointing their guns at each other! And the devil is left freely stalking about
"like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
O, that we would realise that we
"do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"!]
And how does one see that another is being led by the Spirit, yielded to the Spirit? God's Word tells us how! "For the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."
The Law of Liberty (Rom 14:1-12)
"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."(Heb 12:14-15)
Concluding Religious Directions
"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct."
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."(Heb 13:7, 17)
1 Corinthians 3
Sectarianism Is Carnal
"1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building."
At a time when strife occurs, let us be prepared for it with the Word of God, lest we are swayed from side to side as indignation, frustration, incredulity mounting to anger -all stemming from carnality- causes us to yield to the flesh instead of the Spirit! For "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."(2 Tim 3)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Read only if you have time for God.
Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end.
When I received this e-mail, I thought...
I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate during work.
Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lots of the problems in our world today.
We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning..
Maybe, Sunday night...
And, the unlikely event of a midweek service.
We do like to have Him around during sickness..
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play...
Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own.
May God forgive me for ever thinking...
That... there is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.
We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.
If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please follow the directions.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed?
Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT!!
Yes, I do Love God.
HE is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
This is the simplest test.
If You Love God, And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...
Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!
I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You love Him?
THE POEM
I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the Book of Life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'.
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Make sure that you scroll through to the end.
___________________________________
Easy vs. Hard
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e- mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?
Do you give up? Think about it . Are you going to forward this, or delete it?
Just remember-God is watching you. Prayer Wheel-Let's see the devil stop this one!
Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you....
That's all you have to do....
There is nothing attached....
This is so powerful....
Do not stop the wheel, please....
Of all the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one....
There are no costs, but wonderful rewards... GOD BLESS!
May God keep you and bless you. If this doesn't give you chills, nothing will...this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was from this story. I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title on it?
__________________________________________
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.
'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' 'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'
'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'
The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'
'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'
'How much?' the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.
The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.
Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'
'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.
Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'
'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked
'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'
'How much?' He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'
Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.
____________________________________
Notes:
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Isn't it funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God).
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing?
Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.
Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.
I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire address book, they will be blessed by God in a way special for them.
And send it back to the person who sent it, to let them know that indeed it was sent out to many more.
p.s:
Guys, if you receive this in your email, is not because I want to just forward any email to you. But because I thought of you when forwarding this. That you are one who may need to read this as well.. like me. (:
Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end.
When I received this e-mail, I thought...
I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate during work.
Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lots of the problems in our world today.
We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning..
Maybe, Sunday night...
And, the unlikely event of a midweek service.
We do like to have Him around during sickness..
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play...
Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own.
May God forgive me for ever thinking...
That... there is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.
We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.
If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please follow the directions.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed?
Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT!!
Yes, I do Love God.
HE is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
This is the simplest test.
If You Love God, And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...
Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!
I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You love Him?
THE POEM
I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the Book of Life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'.
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Make sure that you scroll through to the end.
___________________________________
Easy vs. Hard
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e- mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?
Do you give up? Think about it . Are you going to forward this, or delete it?
Just remember-God is watching you. Prayer Wheel-Let's see the devil stop this one!
Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you....
That's all you have to do....
There is nothing attached....
This is so powerful....
Do not stop the wheel, please....
Of all the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one....
There are no costs, but wonderful rewards... GOD BLESS!
May God keep you and bless you. If this doesn't give you chills, nothing will...this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was from this story. I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title on it?
__________________________________________
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.
'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' 'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'
'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'
The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'
'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'
'How much?' the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.
The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.
Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'
'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.
Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'
'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked
'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'
'How much?' He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'
Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.
____________________________________
Notes:
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Isn't it funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God).
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing?
Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.
Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.
I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire address book, they will be blessed by God in a way special for them.
And send it back to the person who sent it, to let them know that indeed it was sent out to many more.
p.s:
Guys, if you receive this in your email, is not because I want to just forward any email to you. But because I thought of you when forwarding this. That you are one who may need to read this as well.. like me. (:
To meet such a man.
Here's an email i felt compelled to share with anyone and everyone (:
TO MEET SUCH A MAN
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'
Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. 'Where you headed?'
' St. Louis '
'Where you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida '
'How long you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier.
His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacketto reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.
Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly.
He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles- That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.
'I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless.. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What? '
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gaveme drink, a strang er and you took me in.
'I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see'.I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.
'I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans togive you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied.
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.''God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name,Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
TO MEET SUCH A MAN
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'
Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. 'Where you headed?'
' St. Louis '
'Where you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida '
'How long you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier.
His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacketto reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.
Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly.
He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles- That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.
'I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless.. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What? '
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gaveme drink, a strang er and you took me in.
'I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see'.I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.
'I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans togive you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied.
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.''God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name,Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wisdom
Did you ever read through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and think to yourself- It is unbelievably amazing that what Solomon wrote so long ago Still Applies to this age!
Have you ever given thought to that?
"Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."
"It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows."
"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given."
"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
"The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefor stop contention before a quarrel starts."
"An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel mesanger will be sent against him."
"A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer seperates the best of friends."
"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."
"Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known."
"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
"The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
"Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge."
"In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them."
"In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty."
"The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers his steps."
"The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above."
And, So so very many more! Is it not true even for us in this age? He gives so many warnings and ways to avoid them! And yet, we do not follow and abide in it. I am sure that when Solomon says "guard your mouth", he MEANS for us to guard our every word, not just to be careful of saying blasphemous things!
If we teach kids songs every sunday which talk about reading the bible everyday and how important it is to do so, WHY ARE WE NOT DOING IT? Do we believe we are TOO OLD AND WISE FOR THE BIBLE?
Students! If we say we are studying to glorify the Lord, and not ourselves, WHY SHOULD WE NOT HAVE TIME FOR READING HIS WORD? Do we think the Lord places studies higher than honouring Him and getting what He has to say to us?
This previous issue particularly struck me yesterday when i woke up and realised i still had time to cram for physics MidYears if i didn't read God's Word. And i took out my physics stuff, but there was this nagging on my conscience. I would have ignored it, but the Holy Spirit made me sit and reflect on why it was nagging at my conscience, by bringing this verse "The Helper, The Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and ..."
So i did. And By the Lord's grace, He showed me!
"Why am i studying?" I asked myself.
"What a needless question.. im studying for God, of course!"
"Do you think the Lord Wants you to study so much so that you put studies BEFORE Him and His Word?"
Amen, praise the Lord! I was so struck by that fact that i was overwhelmed for awhile. HOW TRUE! And yet we often just brush away the Holy Spirit's leading...and then we come to church and ask "How do we know what is the Lord's will for us? How can we hear that still small voice?"
Truly, i thank the Lord for granting me the gift of salvation- Oh, so glorious and free from sin! Not just free from the penalty of sin (death and hell) but FREE FROM SIN!
Why should our idea of pleasure be the world's idea of pleasure? Have we been lost in sin for so long that we do not know any good, godly fun anymore? Why must we pull a long face to the world when we think we have many cares and burdens our friends do not have (by the way, you're wrong if you think so!) when WE CAN ENTRUST THEM TO OUR GOD? Has His Word not said "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you"? DO WE THEN NOT TRUST HIS WORD?
Have you ever given thought to that?
"Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."
"It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows."
"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given."
"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
"The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefor stop contention before a quarrel starts."
"An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel mesanger will be sent against him."
"A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer seperates the best of friends."
"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."
"Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known."
"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
"The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
"Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge."
"In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them."
"In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty."
"The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers his steps."
"The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above."
And, So so very many more! Is it not true even for us in this age? He gives so many warnings and ways to avoid them! And yet, we do not follow and abide in it. I am sure that when Solomon says "guard your mouth", he MEANS for us to guard our every word, not just to be careful of saying blasphemous things!
If we teach kids songs every sunday which talk about reading the bible everyday and how important it is to do so, WHY ARE WE NOT DOING IT? Do we believe we are TOO OLD AND WISE FOR THE BIBLE?
Students! If we say we are studying to glorify the Lord, and not ourselves, WHY SHOULD WE NOT HAVE TIME FOR READING HIS WORD? Do we think the Lord places studies higher than honouring Him and getting what He has to say to us?
This previous issue particularly struck me yesterday when i woke up and realised i still had time to cram for physics MidYears if i didn't read God's Word. And i took out my physics stuff, but there was this nagging on my conscience. I would have ignored it, but the Holy Spirit made me sit and reflect on why it was nagging at my conscience, by bringing this verse "The Helper, The Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and ..."
So i did. And By the Lord's grace, He showed me!
"Why am i studying?" I asked myself.
"What a needless question.. im studying for God, of course!"
"Do you think the Lord Wants you to study so much so that you put studies BEFORE Him and His Word?"
Amen, praise the Lord! I was so struck by that fact that i was overwhelmed for awhile. HOW TRUE! And yet we often just brush away the Holy Spirit's leading...and then we come to church and ask "How do we know what is the Lord's will for us? How can we hear that still small voice?"
Truly, i thank the Lord for granting me the gift of salvation- Oh, so glorious and free from sin! Not just free from the penalty of sin (death and hell) but FREE FROM SIN!
Why should our idea of pleasure be the world's idea of pleasure? Have we been lost in sin for so long that we do not know any good, godly fun anymore? Why must we pull a long face to the world when we think we have many cares and burdens our friends do not have (by the way, you're wrong if you think so!) when WE CAN ENTRUST THEM TO OUR GOD? Has His Word not said "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you"? DO WE THEN NOT TRUST HIS WORD?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Teenager's View Of Heaven
Amazing.
Very thought provoking. Hope you read it to its end!!!!!
A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN
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 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 Moores 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,seemed 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?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, FOR THE CHRISTIAN OR NOT! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!> >
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you did or not, but what do you feel in your heart?
Very thought provoking. Hope you read it to its end!!!!!
A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN
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 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 Moores 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,seemed 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?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, FOR THE CHRISTIAN OR NOT! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!> >
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you did or not, but what do you feel in your heart?
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sin
The more i learn, the more i read, the more i see, the more i hear - the more i am convinced that Jesus Christ has been mostly head-knowledge to me all these years since i trusted Him, with only short drizzles of it raining into my heart during youth camps etc.
Now, my life is CHANGED! Wonderfully, Gloriously, Definitely, CHANGED!
I have not known such peace, such joy, such gladness, except in Christ my Lord... and truly, i have truly accepted Him into my HEART and trusted IN HIM FOR THE POWER to live a SINLESS life!
Many who do not read the Bible think that the only sins which are listed are in the 10Commandments in Exodus 20, which are, in brief:
3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (i.e. Using the name of God carelessly or flippantly)
8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (check out Luke 6:6onwards, Luke 13:10-15, Luke 14:1-4, etc)
12Honour thy father and thy mother (Obeying with the RIGHT-HEART ATTITUDE)
13Thou shalt not kill.
14Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15Thou shalt not steal.
16Thou shalt not bear false witness. (LIE)
17Thou shalt not covet (wish, long, crave for)
Also, more are found here in Romans1:
29Being filled with all
1.unrighteousness,
2.fornication,
3.wickedness,
4.covetousness,
5.maliciousness;
6.full of envy,
7.murder,
8.debate,
9.deceit,
10.malignity;
11.whisperers,
12.Backbiters,
13.haters of God,
14.despiteful,
15.proud,
16.boasters, ....
and so on.
Romans 2
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Giving excuses for sin of others IS WRONG TOO!
Yet, come to them IN LOVE, bringing them to repentence- instead of accusing and bringing anger at the person instead of his sin (which is definitely NOT of the Holy Spirit).
Churches, have we been despising the PEOPLE instead of their SIN? Are we being self-righteous, condemning them because of their sin? Are we biased against them because we think that WE are MORE righteous than them, and therefore DESERVE the Kingdom of God MORE THAN THEM?
Call your sin SIN! Don't call your LIE a "oh, its just an exxageration... that's not really a lie, right?" And, LYING is one of the 10Commandments- RIGHT THERE ON THE SLAB OF STONE, TOGETHER WITH ADULTERY!
So many of us are scandalised when we hear of people commiting adultery- that is satan's cunning ruse of leading us to believe that adultery is MUCH MORE SINFUL THAN LYING!
The truth is, BOTH are on the SAME slab of stone (Moses), and are part of the 10commandments.
I wonder, how many of you would be as scandalised at an EXXAGERATION (Yes, even a half-lie, a white-lie, a small lie, an exxageration... are FALSEHOODS) as you are to an adultery?
Are we like the Pharicees? Oh, brethren, that we might call our sin as it is: SIN! Instead of giving excuses for it... and CONFESS that we might become a clean vessel before God's sight!
Then, only, can we see HOW THE LORD WILL BLESS US, HOW HE WILL USE US- OH SO GREATLY!
Now, my life is CHANGED! Wonderfully, Gloriously, Definitely, CHANGED!
I have not known such peace, such joy, such gladness, except in Christ my Lord... and truly, i have truly accepted Him into my HEART and trusted IN HIM FOR THE POWER to live a SINLESS life!
Many who do not read the Bible think that the only sins which are listed are in the 10Commandments in Exodus 20, which are, in brief:
3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (i.e. Using the name of God carelessly or flippantly)
8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (check out Luke 6:6onwards, Luke 13:10-15, Luke 14:1-4, etc)
12Honour thy father and thy mother (Obeying with the RIGHT-HEART ATTITUDE)
13Thou shalt not kill.
14Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15Thou shalt not steal.
16Thou shalt not bear false witness. (LIE)
17Thou shalt not covet (wish, long, crave for)
Also, more are found here in Romans1:
29Being filled with all
1.unrighteousness,
2.fornication,
3.wickedness,
4.covetousness,
5.maliciousness;
6.full of envy,
7.murder,
8.debate,
9.deceit,
10.malignity;
11.whisperers,
12.Backbiters,
13.haters of God,
14.despiteful,
15.proud,
16.boasters, ....
and so on.
Romans 2
15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Giving excuses for sin of others IS WRONG TOO!
Yet, come to them IN LOVE, bringing them to repentence- instead of accusing and bringing anger at the person instead of his sin (which is definitely NOT of the Holy Spirit).
Churches, have we been despising the PEOPLE instead of their SIN? Are we being self-righteous, condemning them because of their sin? Are we biased against them because we think that WE are MORE righteous than them, and therefore DESERVE the Kingdom of God MORE THAN THEM?
Call your sin SIN! Don't call your LIE a "oh, its just an exxageration... that's not really a lie, right?" And, LYING is one of the 10Commandments- RIGHT THERE ON THE SLAB OF STONE, TOGETHER WITH ADULTERY!
So many of us are scandalised when we hear of people commiting adultery- that is satan's cunning ruse of leading us to believe that adultery is MUCH MORE SINFUL THAN LYING!
The truth is, BOTH are on the SAME slab of stone (Moses), and are part of the 10commandments.
I wonder, how many of you would be as scandalised at an EXXAGERATION (Yes, even a half-lie, a white-lie, a small lie, an exxageration... are FALSEHOODS) as you are to an adultery?
Are we like the Pharicees? Oh, brethren, that we might call our sin as it is: SIN! Instead of giving excuses for it... and CONFESS that we might become a clean vessel before God's sight!
Then, only, can we see HOW THE LORD WILL BLESS US, HOW HE WILL USE US- OH SO GREATLY!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Loved Ones
Chinese New Year came and passed this year as it has always come and passed- but for me it has been a vast difference, as things have been for these past three months or so.
Being in the midst of the throngs has been a constant temptation- the temptation to forget what has been learnt and to just 'revert' back to my old, sinful self...
But Only by the grace (note: the supernatural enabling) of God, i have not. "Give us this day our daily bread".. (:
I guess i have been too accustomed to see my close relatives all going to church with me (except for my grandpa...Pray for him! "he that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" Ps 126 i AM claiming upon that promise!), and today the Lord led me to read a dear friend's blog... and i was struck with the severity of it all.
My heart burns when i think about it. How can we mingle with loved ones whom we care so much for, unconcerned about the reality of death and hell for those who are not saved? This is not even about the lost in general yet- it is about those we care about and love! The church is praying for a (very dear to me- and all of us) sister-in-Christ, but how many have been on their knees burdened and crying out for the souls of their loved ones as well? Ps 126 says Doubtless- DOUBTLESS! Why are we giving up on the possibility of our loves ones being so wonderfully saved? Can we not trust in our GOD to save them and keep His promises in His Word, as we do for our salvation?
How about those whom we know have lost the fire for Christ? Are we not, then, as brethren in Christ, to encourage and exhort.. "Convince, rebuke, Exhort, with all longsuffering and patience" (NOT by any of our effort to persuade, but only by the supernatural enabling of our LORD!) -Yes! Even REBUKE... or are we too afraid to do so for FEAR of offending others? FEAR! "Be anxious for nothing.." "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..." if not of God, who then can it be from? Is this feeling then an excuse for not following the Word of our God? I am so humbled by this rebuke the Lord has given me.
Truly, my heart aches. People who have 'disappeared'... and you know what the awful, Awful thing is? (i have had people who give me this answer as a 'reason' for not going... although not a justifiable reason -because we are to go FOR OUR GOD- but it does play an unavoidable part) THE REASON WHY PEOPLE STOP WANTING TO COME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DISCOURAGED BY OUR BEHAVIOUR AS CHRISTIANS!
True accounts.
"Because i see back-biting, gossiping, disputes.. which i do not even see outside". (and this is about our church!)
"you people do not follow the bible at all.. how can it be real?.."
I truly do not know if they are saved, apostates, or not saved... but that strikes real heartache and fear in my heart.. not fear of man, but FEAR OF MY LORD! Have we turned this holy, sacred place into a "gambling den", where Jesus himself went and turned the tables over? Is church now a place for socializing without concern for our Lord? Is it a place where we come and sit or sleep through a sermon, then go out and chit-chat about latest fashions, soccer matches and the like? O Lord, forgive Your people.
O, Lord.
Being in the midst of the throngs has been a constant temptation- the temptation to forget what has been learnt and to just 'revert' back to my old, sinful self...
But Only by the grace (note: the supernatural enabling) of God, i have not. "Give us this day our daily bread".. (:
I guess i have been too accustomed to see my close relatives all going to church with me (except for my grandpa...Pray for him! "he that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" Ps 126 i AM claiming upon that promise!), and today the Lord led me to read a dear friend's blog... and i was struck with the severity of it all.
My heart burns when i think about it. How can we mingle with loved ones whom we care so much for, unconcerned about the reality of death and hell for those who are not saved? This is not even about the lost in general yet- it is about those we care about and love! The church is praying for a (very dear to me- and all of us) sister-in-Christ, but how many have been on their knees burdened and crying out for the souls of their loved ones as well? Ps 126 says Doubtless- DOUBTLESS! Why are we giving up on the possibility of our loves ones being so wonderfully saved? Can we not trust in our GOD to save them and keep His promises in His Word, as we do for our salvation?
How about those whom we know have lost the fire for Christ? Are we not, then, as brethren in Christ, to encourage and exhort.. "Convince, rebuke, Exhort, with all longsuffering and patience" (NOT by any of our effort to persuade, but only by the supernatural enabling of our LORD!) -Yes! Even REBUKE... or are we too afraid to do so for FEAR of offending others? FEAR! "Be anxious for nothing.." "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..." if not of God, who then can it be from? Is this feeling then an excuse for not following the Word of our God? I am so humbled by this rebuke the Lord has given me.
Truly, my heart aches. People who have 'disappeared'... and you know what the awful, Awful thing is? (i have had people who give me this answer as a 'reason' for not going... although not a justifiable reason -because we are to go FOR OUR GOD- but it does play an unavoidable part) THE REASON WHY PEOPLE STOP WANTING TO COME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DISCOURAGED BY OUR BEHAVIOUR AS CHRISTIANS!
True accounts.
"Because i see back-biting, gossiping, disputes.. which i do not even see outside". (and this is about our church!)
"you people do not follow the bible at all.. how can it be real?.."
I truly do not know if they are saved, apostates, or not saved... but that strikes real heartache and fear in my heart.. not fear of man, but FEAR OF MY LORD! Have we turned this holy, sacred place into a "gambling den", where Jesus himself went and turned the tables over? Is church now a place for socializing without concern for our Lord? Is it a place where we come and sit or sleep through a sermon, then go out and chit-chat about latest fashions, soccer matches and the like? O Lord, forgive Your people.
O, Lord.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Convictions That Conquer
to read: Daniel
You Don't Really Believe What You Don't Behave
-Are your convictions just as strong as when people are JEERING at you as when they are cheering for you?
-Are you a Play-Dough Christian?
Why do we let the world pressure us from without, when the Word should mold us from within?
-You're not going to lose any friends when you stand for your convictions (FROM THE WORD)... you're gonna find out who your real friends are! If we stand for righteousness, God WILL give us a spiritual perception that others don't get!
2 Tim 2:24
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
1Cor 15:58
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
[Mule Plowing Illustration]
Don't take your eyes off that "tree"!
You CANNOT sight-see and expect to get anything done!
You Don't Really Believe What You Don't Behave
-Are your convictions just as strong as when people are JEERING at you as when they are cheering for you?
-Are you a Play-Dough Christian?
Why do we let the world pressure us from without, when the Word should mold us from within?
-You're not going to lose any friends when you stand for your convictions (FROM THE WORD)... you're gonna find out who your real friends are! If we stand for righteousness, God WILL give us a spiritual perception that others don't get!
2 Tim 2:24
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
1Cor 15:58
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
[Mule Plowing Illustration]
Don't take your eyes off that "tree"!
You CANNOT sight-see and expect to get anything done!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
220108, Tuesday.
Wow. It might not seem like a long time, but within this period i have learnt such a vast amount of things that i can only fall down at my Heavenly Father's feet and thank Him for what He has revealed to me.
It is so, so Amazing how much the Lord gives when you walk by faith in Him. There is no such thing as "more faith" in the quantative sense. "More", "Great", "Little" faith all mean the DURATION, be it long-termed or short-termed...
We are either exercising faith, or we are not! It IS as simple as that. For we do not somehow try to "muster up more (quantitative) faith"; Instead we look to our Saviour and trust Him for it!
How great my shame when i realised that i only had this revelation TODAY... but i thank my Great God who reveals Himself to us in His time (: And when i applied this concept, my prayers were answered almost immediately! I managed to talk to 3friends (F, S, T) about Christ today.. and it WAS a DIVINE APPOINTMENT... to S, and F joined in the conversation on the walk to the mrt with F and T. After F left, i sat the same bus as T to go home. Now usually i wouldnt like to go home with other people cos i would want to do my stuff on the bus (so i was thinking of catching the other bus to go home instead), but the Lord spoke and reminded me that it was His time! And so i went ahead with her... and she voluntarily continued the conversation! It was like... a miracle. Everything flowed so smoothly that.. i just look back and gasp in amazement at how my Lord works... truly! Wow..
It is so, so Amazing how much the Lord gives when you walk by faith in Him. There is no such thing as "more faith" in the quantative sense. "More", "Great", "Little" faith all mean the DURATION, be it long-termed or short-termed...
We are either exercising faith, or we are not! It IS as simple as that. For we do not somehow try to "muster up more (quantitative) faith"; Instead we look to our Saviour and trust Him for it!
How great my shame when i realised that i only had this revelation TODAY... but i thank my Great God who reveals Himself to us in His time (: And when i applied this concept, my prayers were answered almost immediately! I managed to talk to 3friends (F, S, T) about Christ today.. and it WAS a DIVINE APPOINTMENT... to S, and F joined in the conversation on the walk to the mrt with F and T. After F left, i sat the same bus as T to go home. Now usually i wouldnt like to go home with other people cos i would want to do my stuff on the bus (so i was thinking of catching the other bus to go home instead), but the Lord spoke and reminded me that it was His time! And so i went ahead with her... and she voluntarily continued the conversation! It was like... a miracle. Everything flowed so smoothly that.. i just look back and gasp in amazement at how my Lord works... truly! Wow..
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