Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?
When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the of fice. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.
Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.
'Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this.'
'Hello, Jack.' No smile.
'Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids.'
'Yeah, I guess.' Bob seemed uncertain. Good.
'I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once.'
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. 'Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?' 'I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct.' Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
'What'd you clock me at?'
'Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?'
'Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65.' The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
'Please, Jack, in the car'
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.
The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.
Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license
Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
'Thanks.' Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of pa per. How much was this one going to cost?
Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?
Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
'Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again.
A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left.'
'Bob'
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker.
Funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the sanctity of life, people think twice about sharing.
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.
Pass this on, you may save a life. Maybe not, but we'll never know if we don't try.
May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 'I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
So Much To Be Greatful For!
I dreamed that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.'
I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.
The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them. 'I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.
'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, v
ery few send back acknowledgments .'
'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.
'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'
'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.
'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy .'
'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'
'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .'
'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'
'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world ..'
'If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare .'
'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair..'
Ok, what now? How can I start?
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
ATTN:
Acknowledge Dept.: 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with..'
If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on???? I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends!!
I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.
The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them. 'I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.
'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, v
ery few send back acknowledgments .'
'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.
'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'
'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.
'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy .'
'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'
'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .'
'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'
'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world ..'
'If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare .'
'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair..'
Ok, what now? How can I start?
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
ATTN:
Acknowledge Dept.: 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with..'
If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on???? I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
God Lives Under The Bed!
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child.. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God .
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards.
Is That Jesus Knocking!
A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.
Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen," she said. "What do you suppose that is?" He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
I found this encouraging!
How to be Thankful When You Don’t Feel Like It
by Adrian Rogers
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Frankly, sometimes I don’t feel very thankful. Yet as God’s children, we are to thank Him all the time for everything. But there are some very bad things that happen to the child of God: sickness, sorrow, disappointment, death, divorce, etc.
Why does God allow these things, and how can we possibly give Him thanks always and for all things?
The Sin Factor
First, we must remember that we live in a world that is cursed with sin and filled with sorrow. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain…” Natural disasters are results of sin’s curse.
Our bodies also bear a curse. We are “the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Romans 5:12 says, “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Everyone of us have a terminal illness; we’re headed for death. Our physical frailties are reminders of this curse.
This is not the world God created it to be; it has been marred by sin. But we can thank God that one day He will create a new heaven and a new Earth. The curse will be undone, and creation will be delivered.
The Chastisement Factor
We may, in difficult times, find ourselves under the chastening hand of God. Hebrews 12:5-6 teaches, “… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,…For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
His chastening doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us; it means that He loves us too much to let us get away with sin. At times like that, we ought to thank Him.
The Dependence Factor
In his book Crowded to Christ, Dr. L.E. Maxwell proposes that God gives us problems so we will depend on Him.
For example, Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:8). God answered in verse nine: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul stated, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…” If our troubles cause us greater dependency, we thank God.
The Maturity Factor
God teaches us great lessons and matures us during difficult times. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” And His purpose is for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son…” If affliction causes us to mature spiritually, then we can thank God for it.
The Patience Factor
Could it be that God is simply working patience in us? Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…”
Sometimes, we ask, “Why doesn’t God do something?” But God might be doing something by not doing anything else. If God is teaching us the virtue of patience, shouldn’t we thank God?
The Ministry Factor
When bad things happen, they may enable us to minister to others. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 states, “Blessed be…the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
I’ve seen Joyce comfort women who have lost a baby because we’ve been through that. If we experience tribulation, then we should give God thanks for making us usable.
The Glory Factor
Somehow, when we suffer and yet praise God; it gives Him glory. First Peter 4:12-13 states, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy...”
Stephen was not delivered from being stoned for his faith (Acts 7). But to this day, we are talking about his faith and how God’s glory was all over him. If God is being glorified in our lives, we should praise and thank Him.
The Mystery Factor
We may never understand why some things happen, but God is sovereign. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.”
Sometimes, we feel that God owes us an explanation; but if God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us on the cross, we never have to doubt His love. We can trust God and obey Him — regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Real faith is not primarily receiving from God what we want, but it is accepting what He gives. He is good and faithful. So thank Him and praise Him anyway in all things, good or bad!!
by Adrian Rogers
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Frankly, sometimes I don’t feel very thankful. Yet as God’s children, we are to thank Him all the time for everything. But there are some very bad things that happen to the child of God: sickness, sorrow, disappointment, death, divorce, etc.
Why does God allow these things, and how can we possibly give Him thanks always and for all things?
The Sin Factor
First, we must remember that we live in a world that is cursed with sin and filled with sorrow. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain…” Natural disasters are results of sin’s curse.
Our bodies also bear a curse. We are “the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Romans 5:12 says, “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Everyone of us have a terminal illness; we’re headed for death. Our physical frailties are reminders of this curse.
This is not the world God created it to be; it has been marred by sin. But we can thank God that one day He will create a new heaven and a new Earth. The curse will be undone, and creation will be delivered.
The Chastisement Factor
We may, in difficult times, find ourselves under the chastening hand of God. Hebrews 12:5-6 teaches, “… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,…For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
His chastening doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us; it means that He loves us too much to let us get away with sin. At times like that, we ought to thank Him.
The Dependence Factor
In his book Crowded to Christ, Dr. L.E. Maxwell proposes that God gives us problems so we will depend on Him.
For example, Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:8). God answered in verse nine: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul stated, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…” If our troubles cause us greater dependency, we thank God.
The Maturity Factor
God teaches us great lessons and matures us during difficult times. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word.”
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” And His purpose is for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son…” If affliction causes us to mature spiritually, then we can thank God for it.
The Patience Factor
Could it be that God is simply working patience in us? Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…”
Sometimes, we ask, “Why doesn’t God do something?” But God might be doing something by not doing anything else. If God is teaching us the virtue of patience, shouldn’t we thank God?
The Ministry Factor
When bad things happen, they may enable us to minister to others. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 states, “Blessed be…the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
I’ve seen Joyce comfort women who have lost a baby because we’ve been through that. If we experience tribulation, then we should give God thanks for making us usable.
The Glory Factor
Somehow, when we suffer and yet praise God; it gives Him glory. First Peter 4:12-13 states, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy...”
Stephen was not delivered from being stoned for his faith (Acts 7). But to this day, we are talking about his faith and how God’s glory was all over him. If God is being glorified in our lives, we should praise and thank Him.
The Mystery Factor
We may never understand why some things happen, but God is sovereign. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.”
Sometimes, we feel that God owes us an explanation; but if God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us on the cross, we never have to doubt His love. We can trust God and obey Him — regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Real faith is not primarily receiving from God what we want, but it is accepting what He gives. He is good and faithful. So thank Him and praise Him anyway in all things, good or bad!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Love Of Jesus Saves Lives!
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,
'OK, dad, I'm ready.?
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
'OK, dad, I'm ready.?
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
Monday, November 17, 2008
Morning Prayer!
Please take a moment to relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God to be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc, we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends, who pray together, stay together.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.. Help me to not use your name in vain and other w ords whi ch may offend others.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplif ted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that You change people and You change things for good reasons. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every one of my family members and friends and their families. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.. Help me to not use your name in vain and other w ords whi ch may offend others.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplif ted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that You change people and You change things for good reasons. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every one of my family members and friends and their families. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Story Of Insperation, He Is Always With Us!
I Am Always Her For Those Who Look For Me!
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the
> day, Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to
> pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the
> aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't
> shaved in a while.
> His shirt was kind a shabby and his coat was worn and
> frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and
> walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came
> this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch
> pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
> with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask
> him, "What are you doing here?" The old man said,
> he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime
> was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. "I
> stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away;
> as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kind a what I
> say: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY
> I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU
> TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT
> I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING
> IN TODAY." The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that
> was fine. He told the man he was welcome To come and pray
> just anytime Time to go, Jim smiled, said
> "Thanks." He hurried to the door. The minister
> knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold
> heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As
> the tears flowed, in his heart , he repeated old Jim's
> prayer: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY
> I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU
> TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT
> I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. ! ! SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME
> CHECKING IN TODAY." Past noon one day, the minister
> noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed
> without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he
> asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was
> worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim
> was with them, he brought changes in the ward His smiles, a joy that was
> contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse
> couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no
> flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The
> minister stayed by his bed. He voiced the nurse's
> concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere
> to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a
> winsome smile; "the nurse is wrong, she couldn't
> know, that he's in here all the while everyday at noon
> He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right
> down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
> "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE
> BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR
> SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH
> DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY."
Monday, November 10, 2008
Am I A Fireman Yet!
Am
I A Fireman Yet??
In Phoenix , Arizona , 26-year-old Mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,
she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &
fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer pos sible.
The leukemia would see to that. But she still
wanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son' s hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted
to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would
do with your life?'
Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman
when I grew up.'
Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can
make your wish come true.'
Later that day she went to her local fire
Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix
She explained her son's final wish and
Asked if it might be possible
to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine
Fireman Bob said, �'Look, we can do
better than that. If you'll have your son ready at
seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make
him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.
He can come down to the fire station, eat with us,
go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! ��
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform
for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'
'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix ,
so we can get them fast.' ��
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,
dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire station.
He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day
and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedic's' van,
and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the
local news program.
Having his dream come true,
with all �the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to
drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed
in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent
as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and
asked if it would be possible to send a fireman
in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, 'We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens screaming and see the
lights flashing, will you announce over the
PA system that there is not a fire?'
'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will
you open the window to his room?'
About five minutes later a
hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.
With
his dying breath,
Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,
'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'
'Billy, you are, and
the Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said
With those words, Billy smiled and said,
'I know, He's
been holding my hand all day, and
The angels have been
singing..'
He closed his eyes one last time.
I A Fireman Yet??
In Phoenix , Arizona , 26-year-old Mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,
she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &
fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer pos sible.
The leukemia would see to that. But she still
wanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son' s hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted
to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would
do with your life?'
Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman
when I grew up.'
Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can
make your wish come true.'
Later that day she went to her local fire
Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix
She explained her son's final wish and
Asked if it might be possible
to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine
Fireman Bob said, �'Look, we can do
better than that. If you'll have your son ready at
seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make
him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.
He can come down to the fire station, eat with us,
go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! ��
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform
for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'
'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix ,
so we can get them fast.' ��
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,
dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire station.
He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day
and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedic's' van,
and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the
local news program.
Having his dream come true,
with all �the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to
drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed
in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent
as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and
asked if it would be possible to send a fireman
in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, 'We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens screaming and see the
lights flashing, will you announce over the
PA system that there is not a fire?'
'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will
you open the window to his room?'
About five minutes later a
hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.
With
his dying breath,
Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,
'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'
'Billy, you are, and
the Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said
With those words, Billy smiled and said,
'I know, He's
been holding my hand all day, and
The angels have been
singing..'
He closed his eyes one last time.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Keep Climbing, GOD Is All We Need!
By Bob Gass
Blessed is the man who perseveres. James 1:12 NIV
It's said that halfway up the Swiss Alps there's a popular rest house. It's a good day's climb from the bottom to the top, but you can usually get to the rest house by lunchtime. And that's where you separate the men from the boys. When some amateur climbers feel the warmth of the fire and smell the good cooking they say to their companions, "I'll just wait here while you go to the top. When you come back down I'll join you and we'll go to the base together." A glaze of satisfaction comes over them as they sit by the fire, or play the piano and sing mountain-climbing songs. But at about 3:30 in the afternoon everything changes; they start looking toward the mountaintop as their friends reach it. Suddenly the atmosphere in the rest house changes and they think - If only I'd kept climbing!
Three things can cause you to lose sight of your God-given goals:
(1) Weariness. Jesus told Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). We all have to overcome the failing faith syndrome.
(2) Fear. Some days the mountain just seems too high and we're tempted to give up. Then a voice whispers, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you" (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
(3) Comfort. "Woe to you who are at ease [become complacent] in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Conflict and hard times keep us on our toes - and on our knees. But too much comfort can seduce us into settling short of our goal. So keep climbing
Never quit climbing in your spiritual faith. And God is with us every step of the way!! Have a blessed day!
Blessed is the man who perseveres. James 1:12 NIV
It's said that halfway up the Swiss Alps there's a popular rest house. It's a good day's climb from the bottom to the top, but you can usually get to the rest house by lunchtime. And that's where you separate the men from the boys. When some amateur climbers feel the warmth of the fire and smell the good cooking they say to their companions, "I'll just wait here while you go to the top. When you come back down I'll join you and we'll go to the base together." A glaze of satisfaction comes over them as they sit by the fire, or play the piano and sing mountain-climbing songs. But at about 3:30 in the afternoon everything changes; they start looking toward the mountaintop as their friends reach it. Suddenly the atmosphere in the rest house changes and they think - If only I'd kept climbing!
Three things can cause you to lose sight of your God-given goals:
(1) Weariness. Jesus told Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail" (Luke 22:31-32). We all have to overcome the failing faith syndrome.
(2) Fear. Some days the mountain just seems too high and we're tempted to give up. Then a voice whispers, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you" (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
(3) Comfort. "Woe to you who are at ease [become complacent] in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Conflict and hard times keep us on our toes - and on our knees. But too much comfort can seduce us into settling short of our goal. So keep climbing
Never quit climbing in your spiritual faith. And God is with us every step of the way!! Have a blessed day!
Monday, November 3, 2008
How Would JESUS Vote!
How Would Jesus Vote? by Jack Kelley
But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)
For most of America’s history there’s been a direct connection between patriotism and faith, probably because the US was founded as a Christian nation. We’ve always believed that God has watched over us, made us prosperous, and been on our side in the wars we’ve fought.
That connection began to unravel in the 1960’s, but it’s surprising the number of people who still believe that if seems to be good for the country, it must be right. This is true even among believers. According to recent Barna polls, 48% of those likely to vote in the coming election are born again Christians. That means they claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. These same polls show that nearly half of them will vote for the candidate they think has the best plan for restoring America’s reputation in the world and managing the economic battles that lie ahead, rather than the one who they think will best uphold the Biblical principles they believe. So if only half the voters are believers, and half of them plan to use worldly standards in making their choice rather than Biblical ones, it follows that only 1 in every 4 voters will be exercising any spiritual discernment at all in casting their vote.
The other 3 are using standards like peace, financial security, tolerance, choice, and so on as their guidelines. They don’t realize that only God can restore peace and security to their lives, and tolerance and choice are just nice sounding words that really stand for rebellion against Him. By not considering His standards in casting their vote, they’re guaranteeing that He won’t be helping them get what they want.
What’s At Stake Here?
In the opinion of expert observers, this election could bring about fundamental change in America. Depending on the victor, we could see the last traces of the Judeo-Christian principles that have guided us in the past disappear. Restraints on behavior that God is clearly against could be removed, and prohibitions against behavior that God desires could be imposed. Parents may no longer have the ultimate say in raising or educating their children. The relationship between effort and reward could become unrecognizable. Those with the greatest ability could wind up supporting those with the greatest need. In the name of peace we could make self defense impossible. The list goes on.
If all this comes to pass, believers will be forgiven for their lack of discernment and whisked away in the rapture before things get too bad. After all, obedience to God’s word isn’t the basis for our inclusion in the Church, it’s our belief that the Lord died to save us from our sins. But the unbelieving majority will come to understand the meaning of the Isaiah passage above more clearly than they ever dreamed possible. Everyone in the Great Tribulation will have it rough, but I think that those who rebel as blatantly as people are being called to do in this election will have it especially bad. After all, look at the blessings they’ve enjoyed by being part of a Christian nation, and the light they’ve been shown because of our religious heritage. The Lord called but they didn’t answer. He spoke but they didn’t listen. They will have done evil in his sight by choosing what displeases Him, and He will destine them for the sword.
We know that all these things will eventually come to pass, that it’s only a matter of time. There’s no Scripture anywhere to persuade us otherwise. But it’s quite possible that in this election America will choose a course of action that will accelerate our downfall. We will have forsaken the Lord and His Holy Mountain.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been encouraging us all to accept a giant paradigm shift, to realize that this is not our home. I’ve been saying that we need to start thinking more about our real home and getting ready to go there. We need to distinguish between our love for our county and our love for God. As good as this country has been, it’s no where near as good as where we’re going. Like Abraham we’re looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). And the bottom line is that regardless of who wins this election, America will soon be a far different country than it has been.
So this could very well be the last presidential election we’ll ever vote in. It’s time to realize that we really don’t belong in any political party. No matter how we’ve thought of ourselves in the past, the reality is that as Christians we’re monarchists and we await our coming King. Since our fondest desire is to please Him, we should vote the way we think He would want us to. And remember, we’re not voting for someone, and we’re not voting against something, we’re voting in a way that pleases our Lord.
So, how would Jesus vote? He would vote for life, He would vote to uphold His Father’s Word, and He would make His vote count. Can we do anything less?
But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)
For most of America’s history there’s been a direct connection between patriotism and faith, probably because the US was founded as a Christian nation. We’ve always believed that God has watched over us, made us prosperous, and been on our side in the wars we’ve fought.
That connection began to unravel in the 1960’s, but it’s surprising the number of people who still believe that if seems to be good for the country, it must be right. This is true even among believers. According to recent Barna polls, 48% of those likely to vote in the coming election are born again Christians. That means they claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. These same polls show that nearly half of them will vote for the candidate they think has the best plan for restoring America’s reputation in the world and managing the economic battles that lie ahead, rather than the one who they think will best uphold the Biblical principles they believe. So if only half the voters are believers, and half of them plan to use worldly standards in making their choice rather than Biblical ones, it follows that only 1 in every 4 voters will be exercising any spiritual discernment at all in casting their vote.
The other 3 are using standards like peace, financial security, tolerance, choice, and so on as their guidelines. They don’t realize that only God can restore peace and security to their lives, and tolerance and choice are just nice sounding words that really stand for rebellion against Him. By not considering His standards in casting their vote, they’re guaranteeing that He won’t be helping them get what they want.
What’s At Stake Here?
In the opinion of expert observers, this election could bring about fundamental change in America. Depending on the victor, we could see the last traces of the Judeo-Christian principles that have guided us in the past disappear. Restraints on behavior that God is clearly against could be removed, and prohibitions against behavior that God desires could be imposed. Parents may no longer have the ultimate say in raising or educating their children. The relationship between effort and reward could become unrecognizable. Those with the greatest ability could wind up supporting those with the greatest need. In the name of peace we could make self defense impossible. The list goes on.
If all this comes to pass, believers will be forgiven for their lack of discernment and whisked away in the rapture before things get too bad. After all, obedience to God’s word isn’t the basis for our inclusion in the Church, it’s our belief that the Lord died to save us from our sins. But the unbelieving majority will come to understand the meaning of the Isaiah passage above more clearly than they ever dreamed possible. Everyone in the Great Tribulation will have it rough, but I think that those who rebel as blatantly as people are being called to do in this election will have it especially bad. After all, look at the blessings they’ve enjoyed by being part of a Christian nation, and the light they’ve been shown because of our religious heritage. The Lord called but they didn’t answer. He spoke but they didn’t listen. They will have done evil in his sight by choosing what displeases Him, and He will destine them for the sword.
We know that all these things will eventually come to pass, that it’s only a matter of time. There’s no Scripture anywhere to persuade us otherwise. But it’s quite possible that in this election America will choose a course of action that will accelerate our downfall. We will have forsaken the Lord and His Holy Mountain.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been encouraging us all to accept a giant paradigm shift, to realize that this is not our home. I’ve been saying that we need to start thinking more about our real home and getting ready to go there. We need to distinguish between our love for our county and our love for God. As good as this country has been, it’s no where near as good as where we’re going. Like Abraham we’re looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). And the bottom line is that regardless of who wins this election, America will soon be a far different country than it has been.
So this could very well be the last presidential election we’ll ever vote in. It’s time to realize that we really don’t belong in any political party. No matter how we’ve thought of ourselves in the past, the reality is that as Christians we’re monarchists and we await our coming King. Since our fondest desire is to please Him, we should vote the way we think He would want us to. And remember, we’re not voting for someone, and we’re not voting against something, we’re voting in a way that pleases our Lord.
So, how would Jesus vote? He would vote for life, He would vote to uphold His Father’s Word, and He would make His vote count. Can we do anything less?
Please Goin Us For This Day!
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am asking every believer in Jesus Christ to set aside Monday, November 3 as a day of fasting and prayer . I would urge you to review the prayer of Daniel on behalf of his people in Daniel 9:3-19, and to pray that way for our nation. And finally, I would ask you to distribute this call to prayer as widely as possible so that the greatest number of people would lay hold of the throne of grace all at once. It may be that God will show mercy to America , that He will shed His grace on her once again. Thank you for joining with me in this.
I am asking every believer in Jesus Christ to set aside Monday, November 3 as a day of fasting and prayer . I would urge you to review the prayer of Daniel on behalf of his people in Daniel 9:3-19, and to pray that way for our nation. And finally, I would ask you to distribute this call to prayer as widely as possible so that the greatest number of people would lay hold of the throne of grace all at once. It may be that God will show mercy to America , that He will shed His grace on her once again. Thank you for joining with me in this.
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Holloween Prayer!
POEM: A PRAYER OVER OCTOBER 31
We unite together and pray as one,
As we stand on behalf of Your kingdom.
Forgive us our sins when we are led astray.
Our flesh is corrupt, it keeps us from Your ways.
As the enemies gather to curse our land,
We gather in faith in Your power to stand.
It’s not in ourselves to hold up a shield,
Or in our own might with our swords to wield.
The blood of Jesus is our great power to fight.
It covers our backs that no curses will alight.
We humble ourselves, thanking You for Jesus’ blood.
His blood lifts us up, above all demonic flood.
By Your Spirit we connect in Your true love.
Your banner is spread out in heaven above,
Reigning Supremely over demonic hordes.
We gather together and call You Lord.
We pray for our loved ones both near and far
To cover their backsides from the bizarre.
We ask You replace that power to curse
With blessings upon us, to reimburse.
We lay in ruins among our decay,
In the stolen years of pain and delay.
Instead rebuild us through our prayers and love.
Please send us Your Spirit, Your sweet, sweet Dove.
Jesus’ blood puts all devils under foot.
As we command, "Back off, we want our loot.”
We rest in Jesus as we rise in faith.
We burst forth in freedom above the scathe.
Let this year be mighty in the power of Your blood
As You reveal Aaron’s rod, the one that has bud.
Drenched in Your Presence before Your great ark
Now releasing Your power among the dark.
Go forth oh rod to protect and defend.
Demarcate the line among every man.
Cover the righteous with mercy and declare
The Justice of God among men everywhere.
It is time to level the playing field,
To balance the scales from what was yield
From the crops of men not given reward.
Now bow the knee that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Ps 110:1-4 NKJV
The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
We unite together and pray as one,
As we stand on behalf of Your kingdom.
Forgive us our sins when we are led astray.
Our flesh is corrupt, it keeps us from Your ways.
As the enemies gather to curse our land,
We gather in faith in Your power to stand.
It’s not in ourselves to hold up a shield,
Or in our own might with our swords to wield.
The blood of Jesus is our great power to fight.
It covers our backs that no curses will alight.
We humble ourselves, thanking You for Jesus’ blood.
His blood lifts us up, above all demonic flood.
By Your Spirit we connect in Your true love.
Your banner is spread out in heaven above,
Reigning Supremely over demonic hordes.
We gather together and call You Lord.
We pray for our loved ones both near and far
To cover their backsides from the bizarre.
We ask You replace that power to curse
With blessings upon us, to reimburse.
We lay in ruins among our decay,
In the stolen years of pain and delay.
Instead rebuild us through our prayers and love.
Please send us Your Spirit, Your sweet, sweet Dove.
Jesus’ blood puts all devils under foot.
As we command, "Back off, we want our loot.”
We rest in Jesus as we rise in faith.
We burst forth in freedom above the scathe.
Let this year be mighty in the power of Your blood
As You reveal Aaron’s rod, the one that has bud.
Drenched in Your Presence before Your great ark
Now releasing Your power among the dark.
Go forth oh rod to protect and defend.
Demarcate the line among every man.
Cover the righteous with mercy and declare
The Justice of God among men everywhere.
It is time to level the playing field,
To balance the scales from what was yield
From the crops of men not given reward.
Now bow the knee that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Ps 110:1-4 NKJV
The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
How Does This Happen!
If Barack Obama would apply for a job with the FBI or with the Secret Service, he would be disqualified because of his past association with William Ayers, a known terrorist. For this same reason, he would be disqualified from joining the military. HOW IS IT, THAT HE CAN QUALIFY FOR THE HIGHEST POSITION POSSIBLE IN OUR COUNTRY? THINK ABOUT THIS? If he is elected President he would not EVEN qualify
to be his own body guard! BUT WE WOULD HIRE HIM TO BE OUR PRESIDENT?
to be his own body guard! BUT WE WOULD HIRE HIM TO BE OUR PRESIDENT?
Garbage In & Garbage Out!
The Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the
other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head
around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that?
This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,
'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around
full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes
they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home,
or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks
take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the
other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head
around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that?
This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,
'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around
full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes
they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home,
or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks
take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
BORN ALIVE!
You need to see this attached link to see what it looks like to stand up and speak in boldness for the LORD. This story and the way it is told is a powerful testimony to God. The way this amazing lady is standing for the truth is the way the LORD would want us all to. We all do not have a story like her but we all have a mouth and have been given opportunity to use it in a bold way. I pray that we would be doing just that, the time is getting near and things are ever so close to the return and where are we going to be or what are we going to be found doing? My prayer is that we would be doing something to make our father proud. We are running out of time and we all have a purpose here to fulfill, that is why we are still here. God, please help us to see the times you want us to speak up and be bold for you and that we would not pass the opportunity to Glorify your name. I myself want to hear, thank you my good and faithful servant, not what have you done with the life I have given you. All you cared about was you and all you ever did was worry about yourself and cry to me the whole time things were not the way you wanted them. GOD forgive us!http://www.faithandfacts.com/2008/10/27/born-alive-abortion-survivor-gianna-jessen/
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Human Body!
The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of
human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were
designed the way we were.
1.. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. The more you dream.
2.. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg.
3.. The smallest is the male sperm.
4.. You use 200 muscles to take one step.
5.. The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
6.. Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.
7.. A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands.
8.. A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.
9.. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to
dissolve razor blades
10.. The human brain cell can hold 5 times
as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannic.
11.. It takes the food seven seconds to get from your
mouth to your stomach.
12.. The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds.
13.. Men without hair on their chests are more likely
to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.
14.. At the moment of conception, you spent
about half an hour as a single
cell.
15.. There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet & once
they hit those sweat glands...then your feet smell! b
16.. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to
bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
17.. The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
18.. Your teeth start developing (in your gums)
6 months before you are born.
19.. When you are looking at someone you love,
your pupils dilate, they do the same when you
are looking at someone you hate.
20.. Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people.
21.. Your thumb is the same length as your nose.
22.. At this very moment I know full well you are
putting this last fact to the test ...
Now remove your thumb from your nose and pass this on to the friends
you think might be interested in comparing their thumbs to their noses
as well.
You did it -- I KNOW you did !!!!!
How To Survive A Bad Economy!
How To Survive A Bad Economy
by Randy Robison
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
There's a lot of talk about the economy these days. The stock
market is taking a beating, homes are being foreclosed and the dollar
is losing value. The news is full of doom and gloom, so people are
worried. Accusations of thievery and mismanagement abound. But when
the blame is set aside and the financial intricacies are stripped
away, what is the core issue?
Mark Punzo, a friend of the ministry who works at the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center, recently asked me, "What is
something worth?"
It didn't take me long to reply, "Whatever somebody will pay for it."
"So what are you worth?" he asked. I admit my first
thought went to life insurance actuary tables. My salary times x
number of years before I retire...
But I knew that wasn't what he was driving at, so I guessed,
"Whatever someone will pay me?"
"Whatever someone will pay for you," he corrected. Then he
asked a question that really bent my mind. "What did God pay for
you?"
Now I got it. God paid for me with His only Son's blood. It
certainly wasn't the first time I'd heard that principle,
but it was the first time I had heard it put that way. It struck me
hard. Is that really the value God places on me? Am I worth the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Why don't I act like it?
"When God spoke that to me," Mark continued, "He
then said, 'Look at all the people around you. That's what
they are worth to Me, too.'"
What incredible value! You, your loved ones, your acquaintances and
even the people you don't know are by far the most valuable
things ever created, worth more than any company's stock, assets
or investments.
So why is it that we seem to be more concerned about our retirement
plans than our relatives? Why do we react to an economic crisis with
more urgency than a spiritual crisis? Do we really see the value in
ourselves and in other people that God sees?
I confess that I take people for granted. If I spotted a $20 bill in
the gutter, I'd stop to pick it up. But I have passed right by a
person lying in the gutter without any second thoughts. I think
perhaps my sense of value is askew. As a "responsible"
husband and father, I spend time laying up treasure on earth for
medical bills, college and (hopefully, some day) retirement. But those
things will all pass away. My daughter's car will eventually
break down and rust, but her spirit is eternal. My son's braces
will give him a nice smile for a while, but what kind of man will he
be when his teeth are falling out and his looks don't matter any
more?
I have decided to not worry about the economy. Good or bad, God is in
control. I can only have one response if I want to hold on to anything
of value: invest in the things in which God has invested.
You are worth what God paid for you. So is your spouse, your child and
your neighbor. If you want to be rich, don't look to your bank
account. It will fail you. Look to the people in your life and invest
in them. Then you will be truly prosperous, no matter what the economy
does. And unlike the wealth of this world, you can take it with you
forever.
This Week
Don't worry about the economy; just make good investments.
Deposit your time and love into someone's life.
Prayer
"Father, forgive me for focusing on the temporal things of this
earth. Help me to see the value in people that You see and lay up
treasure in heaven by investing in them."
by Randy Robison
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
There's a lot of talk about the economy these days. The stock
market is taking a beating, homes are being foreclosed and the dollar
is losing value. The news is full of doom and gloom, so people are
worried. Accusations of thievery and mismanagement abound. But when
the blame is set aside and the financial intricacies are stripped
away, what is the core issue?
Mark Punzo, a friend of the ministry who works at the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center, recently asked me, "What is
something worth?"
It didn't take me long to reply, "Whatever somebody will pay for it."
"So what are you worth?" he asked. I admit my first
thought went to life insurance actuary tables. My salary times x
number of years before I retire...
But I knew that wasn't what he was driving at, so I guessed,
"Whatever someone will pay me?"
"Whatever someone will pay for you," he corrected. Then he
asked a question that really bent my mind. "What did God pay for
you?"
Now I got it. God paid for me with His only Son's blood. It
certainly wasn't the first time I'd heard that principle,
but it was the first time I had heard it put that way. It struck me
hard. Is that really the value God places on me? Am I worth the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Why don't I act like it?
"When God spoke that to me," Mark continued, "He
then said, 'Look at all the people around you. That's what
they are worth to Me, too.'"
What incredible value! You, your loved ones, your acquaintances and
even the people you don't know are by far the most valuable
things ever created, worth more than any company's stock, assets
or investments.
So why is it that we seem to be more concerned about our retirement
plans than our relatives? Why do we react to an economic crisis with
more urgency than a spiritual crisis? Do we really see the value in
ourselves and in other people that God sees?
I confess that I take people for granted. If I spotted a $20 bill in
the gutter, I'd stop to pick it up. But I have passed right by a
person lying in the gutter without any second thoughts. I think
perhaps my sense of value is askew. As a "responsible"
husband and father, I spend time laying up treasure on earth for
medical bills, college and (hopefully, some day) retirement. But those
things will all pass away. My daughter's car will eventually
break down and rust, but her spirit is eternal. My son's braces
will give him a nice smile for a while, but what kind of man will he
be when his teeth are falling out and his looks don't matter any
more?
I have decided to not worry about the economy. Good or bad, God is in
control. I can only have one response if I want to hold on to anything
of value: invest in the things in which God has invested.
You are worth what God paid for you. So is your spouse, your child and
your neighbor. If you want to be rich, don't look to your bank
account. It will fail you. Look to the people in your life and invest
in them. Then you will be truly prosperous, no matter what the economy
does. And unlike the wealth of this world, you can take it with you
forever.
This Week
Don't worry about the economy; just make good investments.
Deposit your time and love into someone's life.
Prayer
"Father, forgive me for focusing on the temporal things of this
earth. Help me to see the value in people that You see and lay up
treasure in heaven by investing in them."
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Letting Go Of The Wrong, Hang On To The Good!
Sand and Stone
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE W ROTE ON A STONE:
'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE '.
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETH ING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT.'
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Some Thing To Think About!
Isn't this something to think about! If Barack Obama would apply for a job with the FBI or with the Secret Service, he would be disqualified because of his past association with William Ayers, a known terrorist. For this same reason, he would be disqualified from joining the military. HOW IS IT, THAT HE CAN QUALIFY FOR THE HIGHEST POSITION POSSIBLE IN OUR COUNTRY? THINK ABOUT THIS? If he is elected President he would not EVEN qualify to be his own body guard! BUT WE WOULD HIRE HIM TO BE OUR PRESIDENT?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
What Is Going To Come Next?
If we were to have something catastrophic happen again would it be fire like what is talked about in the bible. Or is something else going to come first before to show us the power of our creator? That is a question worth asking as I look at all these photos. I will post a couple of them so you can see the extreme differences. I can believe it will not be by flooding again for the Lord said He would not do that again. But fire, that is going to be hot and I would rather not burn to death. I can only pray for me and all those around me that God will be with us when and if we are to go through any suffering. I do know that Jesus suffered for us and we are to share in his pain. But what that Intel's I do not yet know but I can rest assure that I rely on the Lord and His strength.
Monday, October 13, 2008
An Encouraging Word!
I wanted to share with you from the heart. I was able to lead my small group last week in hopes that I could share in the privilege of teaching the group. It went well and I feel able to share the joy of teaching. The part I did expect was that I would have fun getting to know GOD better and that this time could be set aside for him to teach me. For now I was accountable to my group to bring them the truth and to encourage them to stay focused on the LORD in these trying times. It was an amazing time preparing for the lesson and I felt the LORD there teaching me and making things known to me I had not noticed before. But this is where I want to share the burden on my heart. I had no idea that what I would bring to the group would challenge and test my faith on a whole new level. Let me tell you that the LORD will test you to see if what you preach is what you would do if it were you that it was happening to. The best part about the lesson was I felt of all the group I needed it the most. But when GOD showed up and tested and stretched me it hurt a little and was hard. But the pain is not the reward, it is trusting in the LORD and keeping our eyes on him. He will see us through all things even when we feel there is no way out. My trial got to the point were I wanted to ask myself what am I doing and at that same point I thought if this stays like this I am going to fall and fall hard. That was the time the Lord showed up, he new when I was at my end and he came in and gave me just enough so I could breath again. Wow, I was beside myself and only felt that much closer to HIM. GOD is amazing and we will only partly know HIM until HE calls us home to him. Praise GOD that he knows all things and that if we just look to HIM all things will work out. They might not work out the way we wanted but they will work out the way they need to. Some times we can not see far enough ahead to know what is right for us, but praise GOD he can see us coming home to him and that is a great encouraging thing to hold fast too.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins The Elections!
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message!
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE?!!
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message!
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE?!!
Who Is Driving Your Life!
"When you have oured out everything you can give, and then are placed on My shelfin a time of waiting, simply rest and trust in Me, dear one. I am changing you. I am not done with you yet! My goal is to establish My will in you, which is My kingdom walking on earth through your feet, your hands, your mouth, your life. You have poured out a great sacrifice and it was from all that I gave you and more. Precious one, wait upon Me for I will renew your strength. When youae ready to give, just ask for I always will fill your cup with much grace and unending love." Is God the steering wheel or the spare tire in your life? Is God steering you down the road to righteousness in control of your life. Or is God hidden somewhere only to be looked for when our lives are flat and we are broken down? Make God the steering wheel of your life!! In His Name,
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
GODS Pharmacy!
A friend sent this to me. It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...
God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
God's Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red.
All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the
neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods
replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats on e avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds
unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually bal ance the glycemic index of
diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just l ike the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
SUBJECT: Psalm 46:19
'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'
Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Look at the date
when this was started. Thanks
NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE
THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.
---
This is to all of you who
Mean something to me,
I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship
This candle was lit on the 15 September 1998.
God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!God's Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red.
All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the
neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods
replenish the skeletal needs of the body.Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats on e avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds
unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually bal ance the glycemic index of
diabetics.Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just l ike the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
SUBJECT: Psalm 46:19
'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'
Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Look at the date
when this was started. ThanksNOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE
THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.---
This is to all of you who
Mean something to me,I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship
This candle was lit on the 15 September 1998.
Sent by GOD? Good question!
Why are we seeing so many emails and news about Obama and
> Sarah as if she is running for President, too? Interesting
> thought! This is an interesting article and I really hope
> that all true Christians will read this with an open mind.
> 'Barack, Sarah, and the Bible' by Jim Bramlett
>
> Dear friends: Barack Hussein Obama has taken the nation by
> storm. From obscurity, with zero executive experience, or
> much of any kind, he has vaulted into the position of
> Presidential frontrunner. It is stunning.
>
> On the surface, it appears attributable only to his
> eloquent oratory and his race. But an invisible factor may
> be a strong spiritual force behind him, causing some people
> to actually swoon in his presence. I have been very
> concerned that he has publicly said that he does not believe
> Jesus is the only way to heaven.
>
> This makes both the Bible and Jesus a liar, and it means
> that Christ has died in vain. A person cannot be a true
> Christian who believes that there are other ways of
> forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with God. Only
> Jesus has paid the price for that. In one of his speeches he
> also made fun of some of the scriptures from OUR Bible.
> Therefore, there is, indeed, another spirit involved. And
> this spirit has come into our national life like a flood.
>
> Last week at Obama's acceptance speech, that spirit
> exalted itself in front of a Greek temple-like stage, and to
> a huge audience like in a Roman arena. Obama was portrayed
> as god-like. His voice thundered as a god's voice. At
> the end, Democratic sympathizer Pastor Joel Hunter gave the
> benediction and shockingly invited everyone to close the
> prayer to their own (false) gods. This was surely an
> abomination, but it was compatible with Obama's
> expressed theology, and Hunter's leftist leanings. God
> was not pleased. And God says, 'When the enemy shall
> come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a
> standard against him.' (Isaiah 59:19)
>
> Enter, Governor Sarah Palin. With incredible timing, the
> very next day, Sarah Palin also appeared out of nowhere. Her
> shocking selection as John McCain's running mate stunned
> the world and suddenly took all the wind out of Obama's
> sails. We quickly learned that Sarah is a born- again,
> Spirit-filled Christian, attends church, and has been a
> ministry worker. Sarah is that standard God has raised up to
> stop the flood. She has the anointing. You can tell by how
> the dogs are already viciously attacking her. But they will
> not be successful. She knows the One she serves and will not
> be intimidated.
>
> Back in the 1980s, I sensed that Israel's little-known
> Benjamin Netanyahu was chosen by God for an important
> end-time role. I still believe that. I now have that same
> sense about Sarah Palin. Today I did some checking and
> discovered that both her first and last names are biblical
> words, one in Hebrew the other in Greek: Sarah. Wife of
> Abraham and mother of Isaac. In Hebrew, Sarah means
> 'noble woman' (Strong's 8283). Palin. In Greek,
> the word means 'renewal.' (Strong's 3825). Only
> God knows the future and how she may be used by Him, but may
> this noble woman serve to bring renewal in the land, and
> inspiration.
> Sarah as if she is running for President, too? Interesting
> thought! This is an interesting article and I really hope
> that all true Christians will read this with an open mind.
> 'Barack, Sarah, and the Bible' by Jim Bramlett
>
> Dear friends: Barack Hussein Obama has taken the nation by
> storm. From obscurity, with zero executive experience, or
> much of any kind, he has vaulted into the position of
> Presidential frontrunner. It is stunning.
>
> On the surface, it appears attributable only to his
> eloquent oratory and his race. But an invisible factor may
> be a strong spiritual force behind him, causing some people
> to actually swoon in his presence. I have been very
> concerned that he has publicly said that he does not believe
> Jesus is the only way to heaven.
>
> This makes both the Bible and Jesus a liar, and it means
> that Christ has died in vain. A person cannot be a true
> Christian who believes that there are other ways of
> forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with God. Only
> Jesus has paid the price for that. In one of his speeches he
> also made fun of some of the scriptures from OUR Bible.
> Therefore, there is, indeed, another spirit involved. And
> this spirit has come into our national life like a flood.
>
> Last week at Obama's acceptance speech, that spirit
> exalted itself in front of a Greek temple-like stage, and to
> a huge audience like in a Roman arena. Obama was portrayed
> as god-like. His voice thundered as a god's voice. At
> the end, Democratic sympathizer Pastor Joel Hunter gave the
> benediction and shockingly invited everyone to close the
> prayer to their own (false) gods. This was surely an
> abomination, but it was compatible with Obama's
> expressed theology, and Hunter's leftist leanings. God
> was not pleased. And God says, 'When the enemy shall
> come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a
> standard against him.' (Isaiah 59:19)
>
> Enter, Governor Sarah Palin. With incredible timing, the
> very next day, Sarah Palin also appeared out of nowhere. Her
> shocking selection as John McCain's running mate stunned
> the world and suddenly took all the wind out of Obama's
> sails. We quickly learned that Sarah is a born- again,
> Spirit-filled Christian, attends church, and has been a
> ministry worker. Sarah is that standard God has raised up to
> stop the flood. She has the anointing. You can tell by how
> the dogs are already viciously attacking her. But they will
> not be successful. She knows the One she serves and will not
> be intimidated.
>
> Back in the 1980s, I sensed that Israel's little-known
> Benjamin Netanyahu was chosen by God for an important
> end-time role. I still believe that. I now have that same
> sense about Sarah Palin. Today I did some checking and
> discovered that both her first and last names are biblical
> words, one in Hebrew the other in Greek: Sarah. Wife of
> Abraham and mother of Isaac. In Hebrew, Sarah means
> 'noble woman' (Strong's 8283). Palin. In Greek,
> the word means 'renewal.' (Strong's 3825). Only
> God knows the future and how she may be used by Him, but may
> this noble woman serve to bring renewal in the land, and
> inspiration.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Battle call to take our country back!
Why are we Christians settling and not issuing a battle cry and falling to our knees and taking our country back? We allow ourselves to be stripped of the right to pray at school functions and in school, we have the 10 commandments removed from government places and are told we cannot pray in school, all the while providing public prayer places for Muslims. What in the world is going on and why are we being apathetic?
Why aren't we praying? Our God is a mighty God who is waiting patiently for us to raise our voices to heaven to stop the tide of the anti-Christ actions in our world today.
Now we find we have a charismatic candidate for president who does not respect our flag and refuses to wear one on his lapel except when it becomes politically expedient and whose own wife and pastor that he loves profess to have strong anti-white feelings, and we sit back and say "it is a given, we can do nothing." There has never been a time in 2000 years that we can do nothing, never a time that we must sit back and allow the evil in men's and women's hearts to take over our world. We should be very afraid because our apathy is leading us to perdition.
It is time for all Christian Americans to raise the battle cry and take our nation back. Maybe McCain on his own cannot defeat Obama, but our God can and He will if we take to our knees in prayer and raise a mighty cry to the heavens to "Save us O Lord." We have the power to change the course of this election and to keep a man as suspect as Barak Obama from leading our country to who knows where with his message of "change" - a change which I fear will be away from our Christian ideals and away from Christ and further away from one nation under God to one nation under Allah.
We are great at passing stories and pictures around the internet, but where are our prayers and prayer warriors praying to stop this tide of Barak Obama? God parted the red sea, Jesus raised himself from the dead, and we can bring our country back to its Christian roots and stop the move to the rise of Muslims in our country. We can stop our country from being "under Allah," but we must begin to pray, to pray as if our country and our lives depended on it, because they do. We can stop all these atrocities against God's commands that have taken root in our country through something as simple as sincere prayer, a call to God to deliver us, to forgive us our sins of apathy and to protect us from the evil that is upon us.
Okay prayer warriors, here is your challenge, start those prayer chains. Get the spiritual power working on our behalf and stop Barak Obama the proper way, by calling on our God to save us from the deception that charismatic preaching is using to lead us on the wrong path. Stop those who would take God out of our country and our government. Raise up good men to lead us and protect us. George Bush is being buffeted because he has fought a holy war against the evils that attack us and we should not be surprised because a prophet is not honored in his own country. But we should not rest on our laurels and allow ourselves to be taken further off the path of Christianity and to have God removed from our presence in our schools, courts, government and businesses. Invite God into the fray. Ask that His power rest upon us and give us the victory. Ask him to raise up a might army to defend us and to protect our country as he did in days of old.
Let us be victorious beginning NOW. The battle is His but we must call on Him without ceasing and unite our voices and hearts in prayer and fasting.
Please pass this around to all people of prayer that you know and maybe, just maybe a more eloquent person of prayer will write something better and more inspiring and even the rocks will shout that Jesus is Lord and our Mighty God is with us, bringing the victory for us and ultimately for Him.
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thes 5:16-18
Why aren't we praying? Our God is a mighty God who is waiting patiently for us to raise our voices to heaven to stop the tide of the anti-Christ actions in our world today.
Now we find we have a charismatic candidate for president who does not respect our flag and refuses to wear one on his lapel except when it becomes politically expedient and whose own wife and pastor that he loves profess to have strong anti-white feelings, and we sit back and say "it is a given, we can do nothing." There has never been a time in 2000 years that we can do nothing, never a time that we must sit back and allow the evil in men's and women's hearts to take over our world. We should be very afraid because our apathy is leading us to perdition.
It is time for all Christian Americans to raise the battle cry and take our nation back. Maybe McCain on his own cannot defeat Obama, but our God can and He will if we take to our knees in prayer and raise a mighty cry to the heavens to "Save us O Lord." We have the power to change the course of this election and to keep a man as suspect as Barak Obama from leading our country to who knows where with his message of "change" - a change which I fear will be away from our Christian ideals and away from Christ and further away from one nation under God to one nation under Allah.
We are great at passing stories and pictures around the internet, but where are our prayers and prayer warriors praying to stop this tide of Barak Obama? God parted the red sea, Jesus raised himself from the dead, and we can bring our country back to its Christian roots and stop the move to the rise of Muslims in our country. We can stop our country from being "under Allah," but we must begin to pray, to pray as if our country and our lives depended on it, because they do. We can stop all these atrocities against God's commands that have taken root in our country through something as simple as sincere prayer, a call to God to deliver us, to forgive us our sins of apathy and to protect us from the evil that is upon us.
Okay prayer warriors, here is your challenge, start those prayer chains. Get the spiritual power working on our behalf and stop Barak Obama the proper way, by calling on our God to save us from the deception that charismatic preaching is using to lead us on the wrong path. Stop those who would take God out of our country and our government. Raise up good men to lead us and protect us. George Bush is being buffeted because he has fought a holy war against the evils that attack us and we should not be surprised because a prophet is not honored in his own country. But we should not rest on our laurels and allow ourselves to be taken further off the path of Christianity and to have God removed from our presence in our schools, courts, government and businesses. Invite God into the fray. Ask that His power rest upon us and give us the victory. Ask him to raise up a might army to defend us and to protect our country as he did in days of old.
Let us be victorious beginning NOW. The battle is His but we must call on Him without ceasing and unite our voices and hearts in prayer and fasting.
Please pass this around to all people of prayer that you know and maybe, just maybe a more eloquent person of prayer will write something better and more inspiring and even the rocks will shout that Jesus is Lord and our Mighty God is with us, bringing the victory for us and ultimately for Him.
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thes 5:16-18
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About Me
- John Inglis
- I am an active real estate agent working out of the Corona Prudential California Realty office.I am hear to serve you in all of your real estate need.
