Refinement Fire

"I Am A Soldier"

2009-11-11T10:03:00.002-05:00

I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
...trained by experience,
....tried by adversity,
....and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out,
...sell out
....be talked out
....or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there.

I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered,
...petted,
....primed up,
....pumped up,
....picked up,
....or pepped up.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
...remind me,
....write me,
....visit me,
....entice me,
....or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place,
...saluting my King,
....obeying His orders,
....praising His name,
....and building His Kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be
cuddled,
cradled,
cared for,
or catered to.

I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win.

My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and
Hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.

I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, marching, Heaven bound.

Here I stand. Will you stand with me?

They Missed Him

2009-11-06T14:00:00.001-05:00

Author Unknown

They were looking for a Lion,
He came as a Lamb,
...and they missed Him.

They were looking for a Warrior,
He came as a Peace maker,
...and they missed Him.

They were looking for a King,
He came as a Servant,
...and they missed Him.

They were looking for Liberation from Rome,
He submitted to the Roman cross,
...and they missed Him.

They were looking for a fit to their mold,
He was the mold maker,
...and they missed Him.

What are you looking for?
Lion? Warrior? King? Liberator?

What are you looking for?
They were looking for their temporal needs to be met,
He came to meet their eternal need,
...and they missed Him.

He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed for your sin.
...Will you miss Him?

He came to make peace between God and man.
...Will you miss Him?

He came to model servanthood for all mankind.
...Will you miss Him?

He came that we might have true Liberty.
...Will you miss Him?

He came to give you eternal life.
...Will you miss Him?
When we submit to the Lamb, we will meet the Lion.
When we join with the Peacemaker, we will meet the Warrior.
When we work with the Servant, we will meet the King.
When we walk with the Submitted, we will meet the Liberator.
When we concern ourselves with the Eternal, we will have the temporal.

If Jesus is not fitting into the mold you have then come to the mold maker and get a new one. Submit to His plan for your life and you will see the eternal need met first - then all the other things you have need of will be taken care of as well. Matthew 6:33

The Wall Of Resentment

2009-10-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

Author Unknown

A story tells of a merchant in a small town who had identical twin sons. The boys worked for their father in the department store he owned and, when he died, they took over the store.

Everything went well until the day a twenty-dollar bill disappeared. One of the brothers had left the bill on the cash register and walked outside with a customer. When he returned, the money was gone.

He asked his brother, "Did you see that twenty-dollar bill on the cash register?" His brother replied that he had not. But the young man kept probing and questioning. He would not let it alone. "Twenty-dollar bills just don't get up and walk away! Surely you must have seen it!" There was subtle accusation in his voice. Tempers began to rise. Resentment set in. Before long, a deep and bitter chasm divided the young men. They refused to speak. They finally decided they could no longer work together and a dividing wall was built down the center of the store. For twenty years hostility and bitterness grew, spreading to their families and to the community.

Then one day a man in an automobile licensed in another state stopped in front of the store. He walked in and asked the clerk, "How long have you been here?"

The clerk replied that he'd been there all his life. The customer said, "I must share something with you. Twenty years ago I was 'riding the rails' and came into this town in a boxcar. I hadn't eaten for three days. I came into this store from the back door and saw a twenty-dollar bill on the cash register. I put it in my pocket and walked out. All these years I haven't been able to forget that. I know it wasn't much money, but I had to come back and ask your forgiveness."

The stranger was amazed to see tears well up in the eyes of this middle-aged man. "Would you please go next door and tell that same story to the man in the store?" he said. Then the man was even more amazed to see two middle-aged men, who looked very much alike, embracing each other and weeping together in the front of the store.

After twenty years, the brokenness was mended. The wall of resentment that divided them came down.

It is so often the little things - like resentments - that finally divide people. And the solution, of course, is to let them go. There is really nothing particularly profound about it. But for fulfilling and lasting relationships, letting them go is a must. Refuse to carry around bitterness and you may be surprised at how much energy you have left for building bonds with those you love.

A GOOD STRETCH

2009-10-09T10:09:00.002-04:00

My strength is made perfect in weakness. — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Physical therapy is a painful necessity after knee-replacement surgery. Part of my routine involved my therapist pulling my knee back into a bent position and holding it taut. "Good stretch?" Mason would ask encouragingly. "No," I winced, "not that good!"

I soon learned, however, how important it is to stretch one's muscles and joints — sometimes causing discomfort — to gain full range of motion.

That wasn't the first time I've been "stretched" outside my comfort zone. God has sometimes urged me to share my faith with someone I didn't know very well, or to give an offering that was far beyond what I usually give or to confront someone about a situation.

Abraham's life illustrates the importance of faith when God asks us to move beyond our comfort zone. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . He went out, not knowing where he was going" (Heb.11:8).

While we stretch our spiritual muscles, we may feel discomfort. But God assures us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). Our adequacy - our sufficiency - is found in Him (3:5).

When you boldly step out in faith and obedience to God, you may be surprised at how a "good stretch" can strengthen your spiritual life!

"To stretch our faith, to take the risk,
God says we will succeed;
If we but ask Him for the strength
And grace that we will need". — Dan De Haan

Memo From God

2009-08-25T12:11:00.000-04:00

Author unknown

MEMO FROM GOD:

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life.

1. QUIT WORRYING
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to me. And although my to-do list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME
Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

5.TALK TO ME
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please don't forget to talk to me OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7.SHARE
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only - to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that!

With all my heart I love you,
GOD

Forgive and Forget

2009-08-24T11:47:00.000-04:00

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never even heard of the incident. "Don't you remember it?" her friend asked. "No," came Barton's reply, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

General Oglethorpe once said to John Wesley, "I never forgive and I never forget." To which Wesley replied, "Then, Sir, I hope you never sin."

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:3-5)

Author Unknown

Names of God Prayer

2009-08-22T19:14:00.001-04:00

A Prayer Using The Names Of God

Elohim, I KNOW you can create something out of nothing, will you create something out of any nothing areas - impossible situations in my life.

El Elyon, I KNOW you are in control, sovereign, and I give you my circumstances today.

Adonai, I KNOW you are my Lord and Master, I choose to follow you instead of the ways of the world.

El Shaddai, I KNOW you are God Almighty, and I trust that you are sufficient for my deepest needs today.

Yahweh Jireh, I KNOW you are my provider, and will supply everything I need today.

El Roi, I KNOW you are the God who sees, and that I am never alone, and nothing in my life goes unnoticed, for you know it all and see it all.

Yahweh, I KNOW you are the one and only, self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping God and that you will always love me.

Yahweh Rophe, I KNOW you are my healer and I come to you now with every area of me that needs healing today.

Yahweh Nissi, I KNOW you are my banner, and the victory in every situation that threatens me today.

Yahweh Mekaddesh, I KNOW you are my sanctifier, making me holy, doing for me what I can never do for myself.

Yahweh Shalom, I KNOW you are my peace, and bring calm in every storm I face in life.

Yahweh Sabaoth, I KNOW you are the LORD of hosts, and bring deliverance as you defeat my enemies.

Yahweh Ro’i, I KNOW you are my shepherd, and intimately care for me even if no one else does.

Abba, Father, I KNOW you are my Father and that I can run to you and rest in the security of your everlasting arms.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Catherine Martin

The Thief

2009-06-22T11:10:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

A reminder to turn on your security system!!!

A horrible thing happened to me today... a thief broke into my house.

It happened shortly after I awoke this morning. I got up and began rushing about. I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind.

Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and got ready for work. In my rush, I forgot to turn on the security system at my house. It was just about a half an hour later that the thief broke in. Of course, he didn't make a sound. Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to himself.

In fact, none of the neighbors ever saw him. But, I did. You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in. He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit. He, of course, didn't announce that he was coming and I certainly had not invited him over. And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless. I also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on. You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning!

I thought I'd warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose. Chances are, he's in your area. Possibly even headed for your house. His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning, when I jumped up in my haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time, opting to "pray later today." In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM. My defense wasn't on, my guard was dropped... and when the thief came into my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. He tempted me and I felt powerless.

As I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray. My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) And, as a Child of God, you are on his "hit list." He'll probably pop over to your house today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch you off guard. Take time to pray this morning. Ask God to bind Satan from your very presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short...always
dress with your Holy armor from head to toe and...don't forget to turn your security system on.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11

The Reflection

2009-06-17T11:15:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

There was a king who presented his daughter with a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it.

One day, a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted and filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward.

He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but some how missed it and didn't catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again. This time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace.

But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed. Then again, he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river. Although it was disgusting, he plunged in and searched everywhere for the necklace. Yet one more time, he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000.

Just then, a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what was the matter. The clerk didn't want to share the secret with the saint, thinking he might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell him anything.

The saint could see this man was troubled. Being compassionate, he again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told him about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing.

The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and true enough, the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.

Moral of the story:

Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world. We don't achieve the happiness we are looking for, no matter how hard we endeavor in the material life. Instead we must look upwards, toward God, who is the true source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the "reflection" of this happiness in the material world. This spiritual happiness is the only thing that can satisfy us completely.

"If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col. 3:1-2)

The Law of the Garbage Truck

2009-06-08T11:19:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

One day, I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a 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? That 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 -- frustration, anger, 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. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:8-9)

The Enemy Can't Stop It!

2009-05-29T18:55:00.001-04:00

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV

Your time is coming! The dreams and desires, the things you want to accomplish, the situations you want to see changed will happen. Just because it has taken a long time, or because you’ve tried and failed, don’t give up on those dreams. Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. I encourage you today — get your fire back! It may be taking a long time, but God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible it looks, if you’ll stay in faith, your time is coming. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God not only put it there, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Start declaring today, “My time is coming… God is working behind the scenes on my behalf… I will fulfill my destiny… I will fulfill the plan God has for my life!” As you declare and expect and wait for the appointed time, your faith will grow. Your hope will grow. And you’ll step into the destiny God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in Heaven, I receive Your truth today. I receive Your promises today. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

A Cup of Encouragement

2009-05-14T12:58:00.002-04:00

Have you had your cup of encouragement today? Here is the recipe for a great cup ALL the time. Start with Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at ALL times; then add Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me; next pour in Ephesians 3:20 Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding Abundantly above ALL that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. Now stir and drink up.

Remember, ALL means ALL!

Failure

2009-04-23T13:37:00.002-04:00

Failure doesn't mean - "You are a failure,"
It means - You have not succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean - "You accomplished nothing,"
It means - You have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean - "You have been a fool,"
It means - You had a lot of faith.

Failure doesn't mean - "You don't have it,"
It means - You were willing to try.

Failure doesn't mean - "You are inferior,"
It means - You are not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean - "You've wasted your life,"
It means - You have a reason to start afresh.

Failure doesn't mean - "You should give up,"
It means - "You must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean - "You'll never make it,"
It means - It will take a little longer.

Failure doesn't mean - "God has abandoned you,"
It means - God has a better way for you.

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

When Troubles Hit Your Life

2009-04-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.

You may be troubled on every side, but not distressed you my be perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Though you walk in the midst of troubles, God is with you; God will stretch forth his hand against the wrath of your enemies, and his right hand shall save you.

Let not your heart be trouble, you believe in God, believe also in Jesus Christ.

When you pass through the waters, God will be with you, and when you walk through the rivers, they will not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither will the flame kindle upon you.

Know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Be glad and rejoice in God's mercy for he has considered your troubles; he knows your adversities.

Lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help; Your help cometh from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.

Come boldly to the throne of grace in prayer, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.

Cast all your cares upon the Lord, for he cares about you.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.

Weeping my endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.

THE THREE TREES

2009-04-14T11:21:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.

One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down."

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.

The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it.

When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

He is in the Fire with You

2009-04-13T11:34:00.001-04:00

Malachi 3:3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;

This is pretty neat. I hope it means to you what it means to me. This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end. 'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

"Still He Walked"

2009-04-10T11:21:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"...
He could hear the hatred in their voices,
These were his chosen people.
He loved them,
And they were going to crucify him.
He was beaten, bleeding and weakened...
His heart was broken,
But still He walked.

He could see the crowd as he came from the palace.
He knew each of the faces so well.
He had created them.
He knew every smile, every laugh, and every shed tear,
But now they were contorted with rage and anger
His heart broke,
But still He walked.

Was he scared? You and I would have been
So his humanness would have mandated that he was.
He felt alone.
His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed him.
He searched the crowd for a loving face and he saw very few.
Then he turned his eyes to the only one that mattered
And he knew that he would never be alone.
He looked back at the crowd...
At the people who were spitting at him
Throwing rocks at him and mocking him
And he knew that because of him,
They would never be alone.
So for them, He walked.

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd.
The sounds of his cries echoed even louder,
The cheers of the crowd, as his hands and feet were nailed to the cross,
Intensified with each blow.
Loudest of all was the still small voice
Inside his Heart that whispered "I am with you, my son",
And God's heart broke.
He had let His son walk.

Jesus could have asked God to end his suffering,
But instead He asked God to forgive.
Not to forgive him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting him.
As he hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death,
He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd,
But also, the face of every person yet to be,
And his heart filled with love.
As his body was dying, his heart was alive.
Alive with the limitless, unconditional love he feels for each of us.
That is why He walked.

When I forget how much My God loves me,
...I remember his walk.
When I wonder if I can be forgiven,
...I remember his walk.
When I need to be reminded of how to live like Christ,
...I think of his walk.
And to show him how much I love him,
...I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to him,
.......And I walk.

The Painting

2009-04-09T15:23:00.001-04:00

Author Unknown

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.

Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man.

As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.

With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived. Art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son.

The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.

"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.

"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man and his son spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."

"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"

The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son... gets it all!"

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter day, the message is still the same - the love of a Father - a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who left his home and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love... whoever takes the Son gets it all.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

2009-03-31T11:38:00.002-04:00

Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it:

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power
to create conditions in your life.

What you speak about, you can bring about. If you keep
saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body,
your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car,
your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're always broke, guess what?
You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a
woman, you will always find someone in your life to
hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job,
you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you
or believe in you, your very thoughts will attract
more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be
more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love
and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you
want and deserve.

Watch your "Thoughts," they become words.
Watch your "Words," they become actions.
Watch your "Actions," they become habits.
Watch your "Habits," they become character.
Watch your "Character," for it becomes your "Destiny."

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

Author Unknown

Haters

2009-03-26T11:04:00.004-04:00

What Exactly is a "Hater"? Some of us really don't know the true
definition of this!

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all
their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall. They are
very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever good enough! When
you make your mark, you will always attract some haters. . . That's why
you have to be careful with whom you share your blessings and your
dreams with because some folk can't handle seeing you blessed... It's
dangerous to be like somebody else... If God wanted you to be like
somebody else, He would have given you what He gave them! Right?

You never know what people have gone through to get what they
have... The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but
they don't know my story... If the grass looks greener on the other side
of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there
too!

We've all got some h aters among us! Some people envy you because
you can:
* Have a relationship with God
* Light up a room when you walk in
* Start your own business
* Tell a man / woman to hit that curb (if he / she isn't about
the right thing)
* Have an education
* Raise your children without both parents being in the home
* Haters can't stand to see you happy
* Haters will never want to see you succeed
* Haters never want you to get the victory
* Haters cant stand to hear how well your woman/man treats you

Most of our haters are people who are supposed to be on our
side. How do you handle your undercover haters?
You can handle these haters by:
1. *Knowing who you are and who your true friends are *(VERY
IMPORTANT!!)
2. *Having a purpose to your life
3. * Purpose does not mean having a job. You can have a job and
still be unfulfilled. A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has
called you to be. Your purpose is not defined by w hat others think about
you.
4. *By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and
not human manipulation.

Fulfill your dreams! You only have one life to live...when its
your time to leave this earth, you "want" to be able to say, "I've lived
my life and fulfilled "my" dreams,... Now I'm ready to go HOME! When God
gives you favor, you can tell your haters, "Don't look at me...Look at
Who is in charge of me..."

Pass this to all of your family and friends who you know are not
hating on you including the person who sent it to you. If you don't get
it back, maybe you called somebody out! Don't worry about it, it's not
your problem, it's theirs. Just pray for them, that their life can be as
fulfilled as yours!

Keep your Haters in your daily Prayer!!!

"The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose"

When Your Hut Is On Fire

2009-03-20T08:03:00.001-04:00

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Unfolding the Rose

2009-03-18T23:03:00.001-04:00

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rose bush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was
trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his
wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the young preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem:

It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flower,

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,

Then, in my hands, they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

The flower of God's design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So, I'll trust in Him for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the Pilgrim's way

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I'll trust him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire lifetime to forget them. Send this message to the people you will never forget. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in too much of a hurry. Take the time to LIVE!!! Distance and time may separate us, but friendship
and memories won't.

Does God Dance on Your Potato Chips?

2009-03-17T08:04:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

Recently, I had "one of those days". I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.

Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a Look and groaned.

My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bad didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. . .Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was The final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!"

My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing a the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips Into my linoleum in the process!

I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.

Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.

So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I've made of things.

What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.

Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all.

Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way He did.

There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping, instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancing' with my needs in mind?

I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.

The Dart Test

2009-03-02T22:08:00.002-05:00

Authorn Unknown

A young lady named Sally related the following experience that she had in a seminary class.

Dr. Smith, her professor, was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into her seminary class and knew that the class was in for an interesting day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they really disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40.

No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

The Gift Of Encouragement

2009-02-26T11:23:00.002-05:00

Author Unknown

One of the most powerful things one person can share with another person is encouragement. Encouragement can stop a suicide, a divorce, and countless other tragedies. A word of encouragement can heal someone who is broken and wounded. It can give someone the courage to keep trying.

Our world is full of negative, bitter, uncaring people who can't say anything good about anyone or any thing. The people of God should be a radiant contrast to the people of the world. We should bubble over with the joy of the Holy Spirit. We should find it easy to be positive and uplifting.

Are you an encouragement to those around you? Don't let someone drift into despair from neglect or lack of encouragement. Share your CHRISTian joy by encouraging those around you on a regular basis!

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..." (Hebrews 3:13)

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thes. 5:11)

Thank You In Advance

2009-02-19T09:54:00.003-05:00

1 Chronicles 16:34 (The Message)

34-36 Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, "Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise." Blessed be God, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting. Then everybody said, "Yes! Amen!" and "Praise God!"

Author Unknown

Dear God:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears,I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves,I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed. I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because Father, you haven't given up on me.

THE STORY OF PEARLS

2009-02-18T16:46:00.002-05:00

Author Unknown

Pearls are a product of pain. When a grain of sand pierces the shell of an oyster, all the otherwise dormant resources within the tiny oyster respond to the foreign irritant by caring for that sensitive spot. Over time, the sand particle is covered by healing fluids, and the wound becomes a pearl.

That's true for you, too. When hardships invade your life, allow God's Spirit to shape your response. Don't be bitter. Don't rush ahead of His plan. Rest in Him. Allow Him time to turn that irritation into an opportunity for your growth - and watch a beautiful pearl emerge from your set of circumstances.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:2-4

Big Issues - Bite Size Chunks

2009-02-04T14:32:00.002-05:00

First, our kids couldn't feed themselves. Then they slowly began to learn to do it themselves. Since then, they've been really, really good at it! But in those very early days of teaching them to feed themselves, we didn't just hand them this big slab of meat to eat and say, "Go for it, kid." Every parent knows the drill - you cut the big piece into bite-size chunks so it's manageable. I got so used to doing it, it was embarrassing when I was out to lunch with a businessman and I started cutting his meat up for him!

I love our word for today from the Word of God in Zephaniah 3:5. In just seven reassuring words, God points us to the way He wants us to handle this "big piece of meat" called our life. It simply says, "Every new day He does not fail." God says instead of trying to do weeks and months and years, would you do life in these 24-hour increments He's obviously wired us for? Do days.

When we try to drag yesterday, with its baggage and its failures into today, we start to sink. When we try to drag tomorrow into today, with its worries and its fears, we run ahead of His resources, which are issued each new day for that day. I've got Monday's resources for Monday's needs. When I start worrying about Tuesday, or a week from Tuesday, I'm on my own and I'm going down.

There has never been and there never will be a day that our Lord has failed us. On different days our spouse may have failed us, our family may have failed us, our boss, our friends, our coworkers, the folks at church; even our income or our health. But "every new day, He does not fail." That's called days without fear.

And here is your Lord's guarantee for each new day. He's promised new mercies for every battle. Surrounded by the collapse of everything around him, Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3, "I remember my affliction and my wandering." In other words, on many new days, he had failed - just like you and me. "I remember the bitterness and the gall ... my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

God knows how to balance the grief with His goodness. He knows just when you just have to have an encouragement, and He sends it. He knows just when you need a hopeful sign, or some comfort, when you need some rest, an extra shot of strength, or a miracle. And He sends it right on time.

God knows when you've had all you can take and He raises His almighty hand and says, "Enough! No more!" He's promised to never let you have "more than you can bear." (1 Cor. 10:13) "Because of the Lord's great love," you are "not consumed." You serve the God of daily bread; of "strength equal to your days." (Deut. 33:25) The God of whom you can say every new day, "This is the day my Lord has made." (Psalm 118:24) Not the day my condition has made, or my boss has made, or my frustrations have made, or my spouse has made. My Lord made this day and has promised me everything I'll need to live it.

Don't even try to handle that big piece of life you've got in front of you right now. Your Heavenly Father cuts it into bite-size chunks so it's manageable - bite-size chunks called "every new day"!

Copyright (c) 2003, Ron Hutchcraft.
www.hutchcraft.com

Posted at "A Word With You". To subscribe to "A Word With You", go to: www.hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/

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KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT

2009-02-03T11:51:00.002-05:00

The Arizona Republic reported this story (so I'm assuming this story really is true!):

"As Terry Mikel was speeding toward Tucson, he passed a car, an unmarked Arizona Highway Patrol car. The officer pulled Terry over. When Terry explained that he was late for a class he was teaching at the University of Arizona, the officer took pity on him and let him off with a warning. Before he went back to his car he said, `Slow down and drive safe.'

"Terry felt obligated to correct him. `Excuse me, Sir, but it should be "Slow down and drive safely. You said, "Drive safe."'

"The officer walked back to his car and wrote him a $72 speeding ticket."

We can't do it, can we? We just can't seem to keep our mouths shut! Looking back, we know we shouldn't have said a word, but at the time we felt so compelled to speak.

Maybe you didn't get a ticket as a result, but you've done something just as foolish, haven't you? Maybe even this morning, before reading this message. Maybe even before leaving your house! James was so right when he wrote,

"If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body..... For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue." (James 2b,7-8a)

That's not an excuse, incidentally, to let our tongues run wild. Rather, it's a challenge. As hard as it may be to control our tongues, it is essential that we as Christians strive to do just that. We stand to lose more than $72 if we fail to do so.

"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction." (Proverbs 13:3)

"Lord, we truly want to use our tongues to Your glory this day. As difficult as it may be, help us to guard our mouths as we resist the temptation to speak at those times when we ought to keep quiet. In Jesus' name, amen."

Alan Smith
Thought For the Day
www.tftd-online.com

A Prayer to Remove Disappointment

2009-02-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

Father God, in the name of Jesus, I pray Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we will cease recalling disappointments. Father God, I ask that there will be healing right now from disappointments. Father, all these disappointments that have become hindrances, I ask that You will pour in Your healing oil right now. As You heal with that oil, in those disappointed areas, I pray that You are going to take out the space which disappointment has been occupying, and that You are going to pour in grace. As Your grace comes into that place right now, so is Your anointing and Your gift of faith.

So Father, I ask that every disappointment, Father, no matter how small or how large, that You have come by Your Word that You have said that You have come to heal the brokenhearted. You are going to come right now and heal the brokenhearted. The Lord says that some of you, He is going to quicken right now some of those disappointments. Keep your eyes closed because He is going to heal your hearts.

Father, I thank You that You are healing their hearts right now. I thank You that the disappointment that they thought had to come and do what should have been done and didn't happen, I thank You, Father, for the word "divine postpone" - You are postponing some things for a reason. I thank You that the word You are giving me right now is to ask for the fullness of time to start to happen.

Lord, I would pray right now that the fullness of time would be rebirthed tonight, and Father, this robbery that has been going on this year, Father - You are showing me that there has been robbery after robbery after robbery after robbery. The enemy has tried to set up a tent of discouragement and hopelessness to move them into depression, to quiet them to where they could not move into the witness of the goodness of God.

Father, I would pray right now that the testimony that You have given them of Your goodness would come back so supernaturally strong right now, that they are getting their witness back tonight; they're getting their testimony back tonight; they are going to start to regain the joy of the Lord that is their strength tonight. Father, I thank You that You have been running intervention all year. Lord, You are showing me that things were not totally together. You are showing me that You are the God that also stands in front of something rather than allowing an abortion to happen.

You are a God of birthing and because You are the God that births visions, I ask right now by Your Holy Spirit that You would birth a new vision. As You birth those new visions tonight, Father God, You are going to bring provision. And as You bring provision, You will bring purpose; and as You bring purpose You will bring the anointing that meets the call.

So Father, I ask for healings to begin to flow right now. I thank You for physical healings that You are doing right now, Father. I thank You that You are directing and opening people's understanding right now, and that You are taking off and away from them disappointment, to where the enemy has set up a tent and has set up a place to lay down and torment them.

Father, I break off right now the voice of the tormentor. Father, they will not be tormented any more by that lying spirit that makes them think that they have missed Your will because that is a lying spirit, Father God. Father, You are showing me that You just simply had them in a changing of a clothing room, preparing them for the next position, and that You are reclothing them with a new design for the new time.

Lord, I thank You for saying that this is the word for "9": the new design, for the new time, for the new nine. Father, I claim that word would go forth so strong that as things change, Father God, they will be clothed with a garment of praise for the days of heaviness. Father, they will start to regain and reclaim the assignment and the territory that You have called them to walk in.

Father, the season of robbery is coming to an end. Father, I stand on the Word of God that says, "You do know the plans that You have for us, You do plan for us to prosper and that You have ordered our steps, as we are righteous in the Blood of Jesus." Father, I take the Blood of Jesus and pour it over everybody's future right now.

"Wake up, oh saints...for I am about to shake you and quake you and put you into exactly what I have prepared for you to do"

I say right now Father, that You are going to release creativity like a brand new move. Father, I ask that there will be new assignments released in this room right now. Lift your hands out right now. I heard the Lord say, "Get ready for assignments, for I'm going to assign, assign, assign." He says there will be assign, in the 9, assign, assign, assign. Father, I ask that the new assignments will begin to flow right now, Father, that it will flow into their bellies. Into their bellies, Father God, there will come such assignments.

The assignments, Father God, that have tried to rob them—premature death, I break your back right now. You will not block what God would have done, but instead, Father God, I call out longevity. Lord, those that have the witness of what You want them to do, You are going to line things up like they have never lined up before.

Father, I see You yanking some by the back of the neck and saying, "Wake up, oh saints; wake up for I am about to shake you and quake you and put you into exactly what I have prepared for you to do," says the Lord Your God. He says, "I am not only the God of the open door, but I am the God of the closed doors." He says, "I am not only the God of below, of the earth, but the God of above who counts the stars.

"Do you not realize My people, that you have limited Me?" He says, "Take off limits, take off, take off, do not limit. DO NOT box in how I will answer, how I will move, how I will push, drag, lead and guide because I look at your heart even when your mouth knows what to say," says the Lord Your God.

For He says, "I know that some of you have come to the end where you could no longer pray, you could no longer praise Me even. Yet I tell you this, that I look at your heart and I see your weeping and this is a sweet fragrance to Me," says the Lord Your God. "Have I not said that I know the hearts of My people?" He said that, "Not only do I know the hearts of My people, but I read the hearts of My people. Not only do I love those who are pure in heart, but I put inside of their heart what I would have them do.

"Tonight, I am going to drop seeds into Your hearts. I will water them by the dew of My Spirit, as things will start to come together. Get ready for a gathering, a gathering of My Spirit," says the Lord. For He says that, "I will command My wind to start to blow. It will blow heaviness off of you. There has been an adversity towards you to cause you to be bent over in depression and discouragement. I said that it will cause you to have to lift your head high to where you see the vision that comes from above and you will no longer be trampled on by the words of man that have made promises but have broken the vow of commitment," says the Lord Your God.

He says, "I am about to bring such conviction over My people. Those who have made vows and have not kept them, for I will give them grace for a season and then I am going to deal with their hearts and I am going to knit their hearts back with the seed of promise because I am a God of restoration," says the Lord Your God.

"You will know Me as a Restorer"

"You will know Me as a Restorer of your soul. Even when the enemy has taken your seed and has devoured your seed and has eaten your seed, but I am the God of the soil and you are about to see Me turn the soil over, and when that soil turns over, you will realize that it has been fertilized by the tears of the saints and it has come from a hardened ground into a ground that is moist and ready to grow fresh fruit," says the Lord Your God.

"Get ready for fruit to start to produce; it will not be the fruit of others but it will be the fruit of My Spirit. For I am calling those that are hungry for my Spirit to draw into My Spirit, and as they draw into My Spirit they will realize My Spirit is drawn into them.

"Then there will be an outpouring," says the Lord Your God. "It will first start with those who are willing to draw in. It will be a peculiar group; it will be a group that says, 'Lord, use us, use us, use us, use us.' They will become those who have been abused, they will become those that have been used up and left over, they will be those who say, 'Not me.'"

He says, "It will be like those in the upper room. They were not prepared until My Spirit came upon them." He said that He was the Preparer. He said, "They could not prepare themselves. They were locked away in fear, in trembling, fear of the future, fear of the past, and fear of the present." He said, "And yet My Spirit swooped in change, shook them up, filled them up and poured them out, and in turn My Son was glorified."

Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher Ministries
Email: Eileen@eileenfisher.org

About Eileen Fisher: Eileen ministers very strongly with the Holy Spirit in healing and prophecy and she has a special burden for Christians to understand the Holy Spirit as a person. Her desire is to teach about the Father who loves us, the Savior, Jesus, who died that we might be free, and the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who enables us to live the power-filled life. At present, Eileen travels and is a frequent TV guest and teaches Schools of Prophecy and Healing.

Eileen and her husband Fred have been happily married since March 14, 1963 and Fred oversees the ministry and is the ministry administrator. They have one married daughter Theresa, their son Michael went home to be with our Lord in 1993, and they have four grandchildren. Eileen and her husband Fred were born again in 1974.

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Endurance Training

2009-01-06T16:50:00.004-05:00

Romans 5:2-4 (Amplified Bible)

2Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

3Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

4And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

People of God sometimes give the devil too much credit. When trials come, many Christians chalk it up as an attack of the enemy. But I found out that it was me. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was me. What I found out is that God was building character in me. I am so much more mature spiritual than I would have been. When the rug is pulled from under you and all you have to stand on is the Word of God, that's what you do. I learned to take it by force. 2008 was a year of endurance training. In 2009, you will practice what you learned.

Looking Back

2009-01-05T07:43:00.005-05:00

The beginning of a new year is usually a time of reflection for most people. Some people reflect on the year that has passed. They reflect about the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, even the failures. Some people resolve to do things differently in the new year. I have been looking back over my life lately. I was thinking about all the times that God stepped down out of glory and intervened in the affairs of my life. I thought about the times that the enemy tried to kill me but couldn't. I remembered times when God gave me things that I didn't even deserve. I remembered the times He provided. The times when I thought I would come unglued and He held me together. Every once in a while we need to look back at the years that are behind us. Those things remind us that God is worthy of the glory, honor, and praise. They add to our testimony. Things that were big at the times and seemed like insurmountable obstacles, we made it through. Hallelujah!

Give God praise right now wherever you are for bringing you over those mountains. If you're at work you may have to take a praise break. Go to the bathroom for just a minute and give God praise if you have to.

For Every Mountain - Kurt Carr

Empowered Forgiveness

2009-01-03T10:16:00.002-05:00

unknown

Apologies

In life there will always be times when we are affected by the actions of another person. When this happens, we often receive an apology. More often than not we say, “It’s alright,” or “ It’s okay,” and by saying this we are allowing, accepting, and giving permission for the behavior to happen again. When we say “thank you,” or “I accept your apology,” we are forced to sit in our feelings rather than ignore them.

There are many of us who feel that it is easier to brush off how we really feel than to express our discomfort with something that has happened to us. While this may initially seem like the best thing to do, what it really does is put us into an unending pattern of behavior; since we are not honest with another person, we continue the cycle of letting them overstep our emotional limits time and time again. By doing this we place ourselves in the position of victim. We can put an end to this karmic chain by first acknowledging to the other person that we accept their request for forgiveness; often a simple “thank you” is enough. To truly create a greater sense of harmony in our relationship, however, we need to gently, and with compassion, express our innermost concerns about what has transpired. By taking a deep breath and calling upon the deepest parts of our spirit, we can usually find the right words to say and verbalize them in a way that lets the other person recognize the consequences of what they have done.

If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can begin to realize that trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. And when we react in a way that engenders a greater amount of honesty and candor, we will establish a more positive and empowering way of being and interacting others.

2009 - a Year of FAVOR, GRACE and CHANGE

2009-01-01T11:17:00.003-05:00

The Lord recently showed me that 2009 will be a year of favor, grace, and change. Favor is God's graciousness extended to us; grace is His undeserved favor. We are saved from sin and given new life through God's grace, not our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-10); and we walk in our new life in Christ through grace and faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

In this coming year of change, we will be given favor and grace to be flexible, adjust, and thrive amidst various changes. Change in and of itself is not necessarily something to be feared or avoided, for the Lord Himself said, "Behold, I will do something new; now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?" (Isaiah 43:19) and "Behold, I am making all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

Jesus Proclaimed the Favorable Year

Jesus proclaimed the favorable year of the Lord. At the synagogue in Nazareth, the town where He grew up, He read from Isaiah 61, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, and to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." Then He added, to the astonishment of His listeners, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:16-21).

Likewise, in our own day, God is bringing prophecies to pass before our eyes as creation ramps up for the second return of Christ. He is speaking. Are we listening? He is doing something new. Will we take notice?

God spoke to Isaiah and to us about His favor: "In My favor I have had compassion on you" (Isaiah 60:10), and "In a favorable time I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you" (Isaiah 49:8). Paul exhorts us to receive God's grace, quoting this very Scripture then adding, "Behold, NOW is the acceptable (favorable) time; NOW is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

The Lord wants to extend His favor and grace to you in His NOW time! For those who have seen God as a harsh judge instead of a loving Father, He has a special blessing of healing and freedom awaiting you. It is yours - claim and receive it!

The Psalms speak of times of favor to see answered prayer. David said, "My prayer is to You, oh Lord, at an acceptable (or favorable) time" (Psalm 69:13). He also urged in Psalm 32:6, "Let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found" (at an acceptable, or favorable time; literally, "in a time of finding out").

He is both a revealer of mysteries (Daniel 2:29, 47), and a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). God allows Himself to be found by us (2 Chronicles 15:4, 15). He wants to visit His people (Luke 1:68) with favor and grace, and inhabit our lives with His Holy Spirit (John 3:34).

References to God's Favor and Grace

As the month of November 2008 drew to a close, the Lord began speaking to me about preparing for 2009. He instructed me to begin studying the book of Luke. As I did, He showed me that this coming year would be a time of His favor and grace, as well as a time of change.

The first chapter of Luke contains references to God's favor:

• Favor was extended to Zacharias, and his prayers for a child were answered (Luke 1:13).
• Elizabeth became pregnant, and said, "The Lord has looked on me with favor, to take away my disgrace" (Luke 1:24-25). DISgrace is the opposite of grace and favor.
• Mary was called "the favored one." She had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30).

God also revealed His grace through unexpected visits from angels:

• Zacharias received an angelic visitation from Gabriel (Luke 1:11-20). After baby John was born and Zacharias was able to speak again, he said, "God has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people" (Luke 1:68).
• Mary also was visited by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38).
• Shepherds experienced angelic visitation (Luke 2:8-14).
• Joseph was visited by an angel in his dreams (Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19-20).
• The Lord sent warnings to the wise men and Joseph through dreams (Matthew 2:12, 22).

God wants to dwell within us and not just visit occasionally. He wants to inhabit our lives with His power and grace. One of the prophesied names of Jesus was Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us" (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 8:10). Angelic visitations are unusual, powerful and miraculous, but even more wonderful is God's presence within us through the Holy Spirit.

Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise men all received visitations of God's favor and were radically changed as a result. They were also given grace to deal with and adjust to these changes. So we do not need to fear change, for He has promised to be with us and never leave us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

Change is Coming for 2009

The Lord spoke to me about change on November 15, 2008:

"Change isn't always bad. Allow Me to reform your thinking about change.

"Change is coming. I am the God of change, for I change men's hearts and do something new (Isaiah 43:19). My change is not like the world's change. My peace is not like the world's peace (John 14:27), for I bring lasting peace and change to hearts and souls.

"I hold the world in My hand. I hold the nations in My hand, and turn the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1). I hold your nation in My hand. I am at work in your land to bring My change.

"Lift up your hearts and rejoice, for I am your God. Look to Me, not to a particular man or political party. Continue to call on Me and trust Me."

May God bless you in this coming year with His powerful presence and habitation!

Carol Kelley
Email: opendoor2009@gmail.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Audacity of Love

2008-12-31T08:00:00.003-05:00

1 Corinthians 13:1-7,13
New Living Translation

1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

What is love? Love is sacrifice, compromise, compassion. Love does conquer all. Jesus' love for us conquered hell and death. Dr. King's message of love and nonviolence overcame segregation. Love rejoices with you in good times and is there to hold your hand in bad times. Love accepts you the way you are. Love doesn't give up on you. Love has the audacity to hope, has the audacity to have faith even when circumstances at the time don't reflect the outcome. Love is not afraid of anything. Love is forgiveness.

The audacity of love. Jesus had the audacity to give His life for you. That's love. Dr. King had the audacity to follow the teaching of Jesus and tell people to love people that spat on them, turned hoses and dogs on them, lynched them. When you look back over your life, there has been someone who had the audacity to love you when you were unlovable.

Simply put, God is love.

1 John 4:18 (New American Standard Bible)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Audacity of Faith

2008-12-30T08:03:00.004-05:00

faith
-belief and trust in and loyalty to God
-belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
-firm belief in something for which there is no proof
-complete trust
-something that is believed especially with strong conviction

Hebrews 11:1
Contemporary English Version)

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.

There have been recorded in history people who had the audacity of faith. Abraham is the father of faith. God blessed him for his faith (Gen.12). The bible is full of examples of people who exercised great faith. The three Hebrew boys, Daniel, Job, the list goes on. The Bible teaches us that if we have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. I remember instances in my own life when my faith caused mountains to move. My mother was challenged in her body in 2007. She was taking at least 10 different medications a day. But, our faith said that she would be healed. She has been. She is not 100% yet, but she's getting better. She only takes 2 medications a day. I believe that God will bring it down to zero.

2008 has been a financially challenging year to say the least. There were times when I had to trust God enough to tithe when I didn't know who God was going to provide, but He did. 2008 has been a year that my faith was developed greatly. There were many times when I had no other choice but to trust God. God promised me something 5 years ago. I still have faith that it will manifest. As a matter of fact, have the audacity to believe that it will come to pass in 2009. I have the audacity to believe that God will do miraculous things in 2009. I believe that businesses will thrive, marriages will be put back together, people will be healed,there will be an end to lack, captives(naturally & spiritually) will be set free, deliverance will come.

What do you have the audacity to believe God for? Do this: Dare to believe even when it doesn't look like it is going to happen.

Audacity of Hope

2008-12-29T14:21:00.002-05:00

Job 6:10-11 (Amplified Bible)
10 Then would I still have consolation--yes, I would leap [for joy] amid unsparing pain [though I shrink from it]--that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!
11 What strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

audacity
-boldness or daring, esp. with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
-effrontery or insolence; shameless boldness

hope
–the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
-to believe, desire, or trust
–to feel that something desired may happen

President-Elect Barack Obama wrote a book, The Audacity of Hope. He certainly embodies the audacity of hope. Do you? When you are being tested, do you have the audacity to hope against hope. Do you still believe God, do you trust Him? Are you shamelessly bold when standing on the promises of God. Are you confident that what God said, He will do?

When you are not sure about what to do, do this: Hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it. God has it under control.

A Christmas Story

2008-12-24T19:49:00.002-05:00

Herman and I locked our general store and dragged ourselves home. It was 11:00 p.m., Christmas Eve of 1949. We were dog tired. We had sold almost all of our toys; and all of the layaways, except one package, had been picked up. Usually we kept the store open until everything had been claimed. We wouldn't have been happy on Christmas knowing that some child's gift was still on the layaway shelf. But the person who had put a dollar down on the package never returned.

Early Christmas morning we and our twelve-year-old son, Tom, opened gifts. But I'll tell you, there was something humdrum about this Christmas. Tom was growing up; I missed his childish exuberance of past years. As soon as breakfast was over Tom left to visit his friend next door. Herman mumbled, "I'm going back to sleep. There's nothing left to stay up for." So there I was alone, feeling let down.

And then it began. A strange, persistent urge. It seemed to be telling me to go to the store. I looked at the sleet and icy sidewalk outside. That's crazy, I said to myself. I tried dismissing the urge, but it wouldn't leave me alone. In fact, it was getting stronger. Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer, and I got dressed. Outside, the wind cut right through me and the sleet stung my cheeks. I groped my way to the store, slipping and sliding.

In front stood two boys, one about nine, and the other six. What in the world? "See, I told you she would come!" the older boy said jubilantly. The younger one's face was wet with tears, but when he saw me, his sobbing stopped. "What are you two doing out here?" I scolded, hurrying them into the store. "You should be at home on a day like this!" They were poorly dressed. They had no hats or gloves, and their shoes barely held together. I rubbed their icy hands, and got them up close to the heater.

"We've been waiting for you," replied the older boy. "My little brother Jimmy didn't get any Christmas." He touched Jimmy's shoulder. "We want to buy some skates. That's what he wants. We have these three dollars," he said, pulling the bills from his pocket. I looked at the money. I looked at their expectant faces. And then I looked around the store. "I'm sorry," I said, "but we have no --" Then my eye caught sight of the lay-away shelf with its lone package. "Wait a minute," I told the boys. I walked over, picked up the package, unwrapped it and, miracle of miracles, there was a pair of skates! Jimmy reached for them. Lord, let them be his size. And miracle added upon miracle, they were his size.

The older boy presented the dollars to me. "No," I told him, "I want you to have these skates, and I want you to use your money to get some gloves." The boys just blinked at first. Then their eyes became like saucers, and their grins stretched wide when they understood I was giving them the skates. What I saw in Jimmy's eyes was a blessing. It was pure joy, and it was beautiful. My spirits rose.

We walked out together, and as I locked the door, I turned to the older brother and said, "How did you know I would come?" I wasn't prepared for his reply. His gaze was steady, and he answered me softly. "I asked Jesus to send you."

The tingles in my spine weren't from the cold. God had planned this. As we waved good-bye, I turned home for a brighter Christmas.

Author unknown

God’s Promises are Trustworthy

2008-12-23T12:10:00.004-05:00

There are literally hundreds of promises in the Word of God, and each one of them is worthy of implicit trust. What does this mean? If we are to trust the promises of God implicitly, what does that trust entail?

Trust, as it is defined by Webster, is “...assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” To trust God’s promises, therefore, means that we rely with assurance on God’s character, ability, strength, and truth as it is revealed to us in His Word.

The first condition we must meet in order to trust the promises of God is to trust Christ for salvation. When this happens, we know it, because God’s Word clearly states, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God” (1 John 5:13).

The promises of God open the doors to salvation for us. Many of us were saved in response to the faith that rose in our hearts when we heard God’s promises being declared. Some of the promises related to salvation are:

But as many as receive him, to them

gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name.

(John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he

gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in him should not perish, but have

everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For by grace are ye saved through

faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the

gift of God: Not of works, lest any man

should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Each of the above Scriptures are salvation promises. When they are proclaimed to the heart of an unbeliever, faith is imparted that enables the unsaved to belive and receive God’s blessed promise of salvation. When this happens, a marvelous miracle of personal transformation takes place.

The same process occurs when we listen carefully to any promise of God. His promises are worthy of trust because He is our faithful Father. When we know God’s Word, we leaarn His promises, and faith to appropriate His promises is imparted to us in the manner Paul outlines: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)

This phenomenon goes into operation whenever we hear any promise of God. The promise is proclaimed, and faith comes to back it up. Then we choose to believe and receive it. We claim the promise through prayer. Praying God’s promises, therefore, is claiming God’s promises. Believing God’s promises is receiving God’s promises.

The Word of God promises so many things to us. Some of those blessings/promises are as follows: abundance, victory, hope, faith, peace, joy, growth, righteousness, wisdom, power, protection, eternal life, revival, rest, faith, trust, stability, stregth, love, the Holy Spirit, patience, kindness, goodness, prosperity, health, peace, security, deliverance, dominion, authority, truth, forgiveness, and countless other gifts from the hands of God.

A CHRISTMAS I.Q. TEST

2008-12-23T11:59:00.003-05:00

How well do you know the Christmas Story? Take the test. See how well you do. The answers are at the end. Then you can test your friends at work or church.

1. Joseph was originally from... (Luke 2:3)
A. Bethlehem
B. Nazareth
C. Hebron
D. Jerusalem
E. None of the above

2. What does the Bible say that the Innkeeper said to Mary and Joseph? (Luke 2:7)
A. "There is no room in the inn."
B. "I have a stable you can use."
C. "Come back later and I should have some vacancies."
D. Both A and B
E. None of the above

3. A manger is a...
A. Stable for domestic animals
B. Wooden hay storage bin
C. Feeding trough
D. Barn

4. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus' birth?
A. Cows, sheep, goats
B. Cows, Donkeys, goats
C. Sheep and goats only
D. Miscellaneous barnyard animals
E. None of the above

5. Who saw the star in the east?
A. Shepherds
B. Mary and Joseph
C. Three Kings
D. Both A and C
E. None of the above

6. According to the Bible, how did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem?
A. Camel
B. Donkey
C. Walked
D. Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
E. Horse-drawn chariot
F. Who knows?

7. How many angels spoke to the shepherds? (Luke 2:10)
A. One
B. Three
C. Multitude
D. None of the above

8. What did the angels say/sing? (Luke 2:14)
A. "Glory to God in the highest, etc."
B. "Alleluia"
C. "Unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given"
D. "Joy the world, the Lord is come"
E. "Glory to the newborn King"

9. What is a heavenly host?
A. The angel at the gate of heaven
B. The angel who serves refreshments in heaven
C. An angel choir
D. An angel army
E. None of the above

10. There was snow that first Christmas...
A. Only in Bethlehem
B. All over Israel
C. Nowhere in Israel
D. Somewhere in Israel

11. What is Frankincense?
A. A precious metal
B. A precious fabric
C. A precious perfume
D. None of the above

12. In Matthew, what does "wise men" or "Magi" refer to?
A. Men of the educated class
B. Eastern Kings
C. Astronomers
D. Sages

13. What is Myrrh?
A. Middle Eastern Money
B. A drink
C. An easily shaped metal
D. A spice used for burying people
E. None of the above

14. How many wise men came to see Jesus? _____

15. Where did the wise men find Jesus? (Matthew 2:11)
A. In a manger
B. In a stable
C. In Nazareth
D. In Saudi Arabia
E. In a house
F. None of the above

16. When the wise men found Jesus he was... (Matthew 2:11)
A. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes
B. A young child
C. A boy in the temple
D. A grown man

17. The "star in the east" that the wise men followed... (Matthew 2:9)
A. Stayed in the same place their entire journey
B. Disappeared and reappeared
C. Moved ahead of them and stopped over the place where Jesus was
D. Was just a mirage
E. None of the above

18. The wise men stopped in Jerusalem... (Matthew 2:2)
A. To inform Herod about Jesus
B. To find out where Jesus was
C. To ask about the star
D. To buy presents
E. None of the above

19. Where do we find the Christmas story?
A. Matthew
B. Mark
C. Luke
D. John
E. All of the above
F. Only A and B
G. Only A and C
H. Only A, B, and C

20. When Joseph found Mary was pregnant, what happened?
A. They got married
B. Joseph wanted to break the engagement
C. Mary left town for three months
D. A and B
E. B and C

21. Who told (made) Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? (Luke 2:1-5)
A. The angel chorus
B. Mary's mother
C. Herod
D. The shepherds
E. Caesar Augustus

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE ANSWERS: (read the scriptures beside the questions)

1. A. He worked and lived in Nazareth, but he was returning to Bethlehem - "his own city" (See Luke 2:3).

2. E. The innkeeper didn't "say" anything (See Luke 2:7)

3. C. Feeding trough - Interestingly enough, most mangers in New Testament times were made of stone. If you visit Israel today, you can see stone mangers used by Solomon to feed his horses at Megiddo.

4. E. The Bible doesn't say, we just "assume" that since Jesus was born in a stable that there were various barnyard animals present.

5. E. This is a "trick" question. The "magi" saw the star. However, the Bible doesn't say how many there were and they were not kings, but astronomers (see answer 15).

6. F. Although the modern "pictures" in my Children's Bible show Mary on a donkey with Joseph beside her, the Bible doesn't say!

7. A. Luke 2:10

8. A. Luke 2:14

9. D. The word means "army" - literally thousands. Now, since there was a "multitude" of the heavenly army" (hosts), there could easily have been from 10,000 - 100,000 angels there that night! No wonder the shepherds were "sore afraid"!

10. D. Another trick question. There is always snow on Mt. Hermon

11. C.

12. C. The word "Magi" literally means "star-gazers". Although there is no Biblical record of exactly who they were or their point of origin, I personally believe that they were descendants of the "wise men" of Babylon. I believe that God, in His great providence, used Daniel (while he was in captivity in Babylon), to teach these men about future events - including the birth of the Savior of the world. Read Daniel 5:11 - Daniel was put in charge of these men!

13. D. Herod was buried with over 150 lbs. of Myrrh wrapped in his burial clothes.

14. They were magi, not wise men - but the Bible doesn't give the number. Many people assume that there were three because of the three gifts. However, in ancient times these men usually traveled in caravans of ten to twelve, along with a full entourage for protection.

15. E. Read Matthew 2:11 (see next answer)

16. B. Read Matthew 2:11 When the Shepherds found Jesus (Luke 2), he was a "babe" in a manger. The Greek word used in Luke 2 is for a "newborn baby". However, by the time the Magi appeared, Jesus had been moved from the manger to a house (verse 11) and the Greek word used in Matthew is for "toddler or young child". He was probably somewhere between 12-24 months old.

17. C. Read Matthew 2:9 Most people miss this question. The star did not stay stationary over the manger or the house. This verse makes it clear that the star moved "in front" of the magi and guided them till it "stood over where the young child was".

18. B. Read Matthew 2:2

19. G. Isn't it amazing how God divinely inspired these two gospel writers to write His exact words, but, yet, He used their interests and professions to recall different aspects of Jesus' birth. Matthew, a tax collector, records the genealogy of Jesus (used for taxation) and the "magi" - men of means from a foreign country. Luke, a physician, records the pregnancy and birth.

20. E. Joseph wants to "put her away" secretly and Mary left town to see her sister Elizabeth. Matthew 1:19 and Luke 1:39, 56

21. E. "There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus... everyone into his own city... " (Luke 2:1-5)

Who Are You?

2008-12-22T11:48:00.003-05:00

Malachi 3:2-4 (The Message)

But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?

He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

Ever wonder who you are, really? Are you the same person at church as you are when someone cuts you off in traffic? When you are going through a rough time, do you get closer to God or pull away? The true character of a person comes out when they are going through. Trials and tribulation are for our growth and benefit. God uses them to clean us up. Anything in our character that God can't use comes out when He turns up the heat on us. The wonderful thing about God is that He knows how much heat we can stand. You can control the heat of the fire. If you learn quickly that God is trying to do something in you, you time of refinement will be shorter. If you are slow to get what God is teaching you, your time will be extended.

I have heard many people refer to 2008 as a tumultuous year. Some have even described it as the worst year of their lives. I believe it was a year of refinement. As I grow spiritually, I look back on trials as just that refinement. This ministry was birth through a series of trials. It took me about 6 months to realize that it wasn't the devil but a loving God removing things in my character that needed to go. I have seen people I love go through a rough time this year. One has moved closer to God,praying more, praising more, worshipping more, going to church whenever the door is open. The other has been up and down, going back to old destructive patterns. How has 2008 been for you? Did you move closer to God or pull away? However you reacted is indicative of your character. For some, the season of trial is coming to an end. For others, you have to stay in the fire until what is holding you back is destroyed.

God Bless

Is Anyone Missing Baby Jesus?

2008-12-18T13:43:00.002-05:00

About a week before Christmas, the family bought a new nativity set. When they unpacked it, they found two figures of the Baby Jesus.

"Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have two."

"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes, saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats. It is freezing out there."

The manager of the store copied down mother's message and the next time they were in the store they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you are missing Baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long they waited for someone to call. Surely, they thought someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang, mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus.", but it never was.

Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country, and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time. He suggested to just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it.

"Put Baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do!" said the children. "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls."

When no call had come by 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father just run down to the store to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight."

"Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!" "Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered.

Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold."

"Hooray" Tommy said. "The mystery will now be solved tonight!"

Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When they got back into the house, they noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra Baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."

Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk..

"Now what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this!"

When they got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street, it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room and, the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here, Oh thank God, you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."

"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."

"Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There is no heat in this house and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy."

My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.

"I been din washin' and ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept going' through my mind... 7162... 7162."

"Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight and I called your missus. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."

"Okay, Okay" said father. "You've come to the right place. Now lets see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."

Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared with wide eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother sat before them.

Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "you need more oil." "I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil."

"Yes sir, you came to the right place," said the woman...

On the way home, father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed? Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say, Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck?"

"You do?"

By this time the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after their bedtime when they were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, Father let them ride along in the back of the truck.

No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all. Jesus saves, that's what He does.

By Jean Gietzen from the book "If You're Missing Baby Jesus"

The Best Christmas

2008-12-17T13:56:00.002-05:00

The Christmas party was over. Several of the men were sitting at a table reminiscing about the Christmas days of their childhood. The conversation turned to the best Christmas of their lives. As they went around the table, they noticed one man hadn't said anything. They asked, "Come on.. Frank, What was your best Christmas?"

Frank said, "The best Christmas I ever had was when I didn't even get a present." The others were surprised. They had to hear the story. Frank began to talk.. "I grew up in New York. It was the great depression and we were poor. My Mother had died when I was just eight years old. My Dad had a job but he only worked two or three days a week and that was considered good. We lived in a walk up and we just barely had enough food and clothes. I was a kid and didn't really notice."

"My Dad was a proud man. He had one suit. He would wear that suit to work. When he came home, he would take off the jacket and sit in his chair still wearing his shirt, tie and his vest. He had this big old pocket watch that had been given to him by my mother. He would sit in his chair, the chain from watch hanging out, connected to the fob in his vest buttonhole. That watch was his proudest possession. Sometimes, I would see him, just sitting there, looking at his precious watch. I bet he was thinking of my mother."

"One year, I was about twelve, chemistry sets were the big thing. They cost two dollars. That was big money but every kid wanted a chemistry set including me. I began to pester my Dad about it a month or so before Christmas. You know, I made all the same kid promises. I would be good. I would do my chores. I wouldn't ask for anything else again. My dad would just say, 'We'll see.."

"Three days before Christmas he took me to the carts. There was this area where all the small merchants keep their street carts. They would undersell the stores and you could get a good buy. He would take me to a cart and pick out some little toy. "Son, would like something like this?" I, of course, would tell him, 'No, I want a chemistry set.' We tramped to nearly every cart and him showing me some toy car or toy gun, and me refusing it. I never thought that he didn't have the money to buy a chemistry set. Finally, he said, we better go home and come back the next day."

"All the way home, I pouted and whined about the chemistry set. I repeated the promises. I said I didn't care if I never got another present. I had to have that chemistry set. I know now that my Dad felt guilty about being able to give me more. He probably thought he was a failure as a Father and I think he blamed himself for my mother's death. As we were walking up the stairs, he told me, that he would see what he could do about getting me the chemistry set. That night I couldn't even sleep. I could see myself inventing some new material. I could see the New York Times.. 'Boy wins Nobel Prize!"

"The next day after work, my Dad took me back to the carts. On the way, I remember, he bought a loaf of bread, he was carrying it under his arm. We came to first cart and he told me to pick out the set I wanted They were all alike, but went through them, like I was choosing a diamond. I found the right one and I almost yelled. 'This one.. Dad!'"

"I can still see him, reaching into his pant's pocket, to get the money. As he pulled the two dollars out, one fluttered to the ground, he bent over to pick it up and as he did, the chain fell out of his vest. The chain swung back and forth. 'No watch.' In a flash, I realized that my Dad had sold his watch. He sold his most precious possession to buy me a chemistry set. He sold his watch, the last thing my mother had given him, to buy me a chemistry set."

"I grabbed his arms and I yelled, 'No.' I had never grabbed my Dad before and I certainly had never yelled at him. I can see him, looking at me, a strange look on his face. 'No, Dad, you don't have to buy me anything.' The tears were burning in my eyes. 'Dad, I know you love me.' We walked away from the cart and I remember my Dad holding my hand all the way home."

Frank looked at the men. "You know, there isn't enough money in the world to buy that moment. You see, at that moment, I knew that my Dad loved me more than anything in the world."

That is the way that God loves us. He didn't just say it. He showed it. He gave the most precious thing anyone could give. He gave His Son. John 3:16, says, "For God so loved the world (you and me) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." He gave His Son, Jesus, That you and I might have everlasting life. If you haven't accepted that great gift.. Accept it now.. Just ask him to forgive you and to come into your heart.. And be your Lord and Savior. It is that easy.

Author Unknown

My Vision is Chasing Me

2008-12-11T12:55:00.002-05:00

Habakkuk 2:3 (King James Version)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Awhile ago, God gave me a vision for a business. I ran with it at the time. It was going well at first, other people were excited and were helpful at first. Then they began to drop off. Others remained supportive and consistent. It became overwhelming. So I put the vision on the back burner. I realized that the vision was not necessarily for that time. I am beginning to see that the appointed time has come. My vision is chasing me. God is sending people to help with the vision without me asking.

What is the vision God gave you? His timing is not ours. He gives us visions to act on immediately and others are for an appointed time. Have you noticed that God is opening unexpected doors? Your vision could be chasing you!

For My Good

2008-12-10T13:54:00.005-05:00

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Recently, I have been praying to God for clarity about a situation. To my amazement, He answered my request quickly. I was also surprised to find out that I didn't get the answer the way I wanted. On the surface, the answer wasn't the one I wanted. I thought that God's answer was no. Needless to say, I was hurt and confused. I was sure that it would be yes and that it was a promise from God. My heart was broken. I cried and prayed. It wasn't the no that brought me to tears. It was the feeling of disconnection between God and I. I thought I had not heard Him and that I was trying to impose my will on Him. He reassured me as only God can. I was able to see the heart of the matter and that what happened was supposed to happen and was for my good. God told me to hold on to my faith. It was just the enemy trying to get in the midst. He said that it was necessary and for my good. He reminded me that His promises are sure. Whatever is going on in your life right now is for your good.

God Bless

Nobody Remembered

2008-12-04T10:21:00.003-05:00

Author Unknown

"There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man." Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

Disaster was averted and lives were spared.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

Wise words of counsel were given and heeded and lives were blessed innumerably.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

Could sadder words be spoken? I think not.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

This time of year, we naturally think of giving more so than we do in any other season. But the best thing you can give this season - or any season - isn't for sale. It comes freely, but it only comes deliberately - and because you can't touch it, it can never wear out. It's called "appreciation."

This season, as you give, give your heart. As you share presents of possessions, also share presents of your heart to encourage the spirit of others - tell them of your appreciation for them.

Remember that poor man - and all the people like him. All the people God has sent your way and steered you away from destruction, time and again, all your life. Bless them today by remembering them. Those you know well and those whose names you know not. Give those you know what they need - your appreciation. Give those who have blessed you and you never knew it, what they need - your kindness, and so, your appreciation.

Your appreciation of the lives of others may very well be the very best gift you can ever give. So give it often. For it costs you little and those who receive it will be wealthy indeed.

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?" 1 Thes. 3:9

Manifested Promises

2008-12-03T09:52:00.002-05:00

You have entered a season of manifested promises. You are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. God has been moving mightily on your behalf. You are entering a season of breakthrough. Look around, you are at another level without even realizing it. You have sowed in tithes, prayer, praise, and sometimes tears. God is pleased with your obedience and faith during your dry and barren season. God is about to blow your mind. There will be unexpected blessings within the blessing that you prayed for.

God Bless

Deuteronomy 28:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)

11"The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.

12"The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

13"The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,

One Praise Away!

2008-12-01T13:02:00.002-05:00

You are just one praise away from your victory. Hold on, don't give up. You are on the verge of your miracle. You need to start praising God right now. Your praise calls God to action.

Bottom Line: satan wants you to quit! Don't Do It!

Fellow saint, do not leave the vineyard God has assigned to you (John 21:15-17). The very thing you are facing is preparing you for greater fruitfulness. Nothing of lasting value comes without a struggle. Tend the flock and concentrate on your noble calling. Fainting? Read Luke 18:1-8.

Do not remove your hands from that plow. Stop looking back. There is nothing back there but a slippery slope. You know that. Look up. People are depending on you. Weaker saints are looking to you. You are valuable to God. You are loved greatly (1 John 3:1).

Do not listen to your emotions. They are a fertile field for the enemy's attack. Your feelings will tell you to abandon the ship. Satan will tell you it isn't worth it any longer. He lies. He always lies. Resist him (James 4:7). Tell him to go to his future home (Revelation 20:10).

Do not listen to the negative talk from worldly, skeptical people (James 4:11-12) even if they are friends and family. Listen to your Father in Heaven. Some have never faced a battle like this. Perhaps you think at times that you are not going to make it. Some are not only fed up and ready to throw in the towel, but the whole kit and caboodle. Don't do it.

God is fashioning you for better things. Do not live by your carnal desires and human understanding. More important than avoiding the negativity of others is to stop being negative yourself! Bring those thoughts unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Remember, Jesus is your burden-bearer. This trial will end. God is a master artist. You are being made into something beautiful (1 John 3:2) because God is beautiful (Psalm 90:17). As for now, you only see a small part of the picture. Let His master strokes have their way and you get out of the way. Your untrained brush will simply ruin a masterpiece in the making.

The flood, the fire, the wind and the waves will not overtake you! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).

Even in your weakness, God "will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11).

Listen, you're going to make it. Yes, you've made mistakes, but He is protecting you and gently guiding your life into the place of victory. Some of you have been in the desert for years. Before he began his ministry, Paul served time in the desert (Galatians 1:17) and now you are about to come out of yours. Don't fear, you'll come through this and then you will start shouting like never before!

So get up, dust yourself off and take a stand! The devil is afraid, not you.

God Bless, the portion in italics was taken from Al Thomas on Elijah's List

Can You Hear Them Open?

2008-11-28T12:42:00.002-05:00

Revelation 3:7-8 (The Message)

To Philadelphia
Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David's key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:
"I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough.

We serve a God who can open doors that no one can close. You have been faithful during these times of difficulty and trouble. You did not understand why you had to go through what you went through but you still held on. You wanted to let go, give up, and turn back but you kept going. It was go dark at times you could not see the next step, but you held on to God's hand and continued to walk. God is pleased and you are going to enter a season of opportunities you never imagined. You are about to see the answer to prayers you prayed long ago as well as a quick answer to prayers you just prayed.

Can you hear the doors being opened in the spirit? They are opening so quickly. can you feel the breeze? God has been quiet, sometimes silent but now you will begin to see what you couldn't see. Praise Him!

God Bless

Thankful For The Thorns

2008-11-26T09:51:00.002-05:00

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind. Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then, in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a "minor" automobile accident stole her joy. This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss.

Troubles had multiplied. Her husband's company "threatened" to transfer his job to a new location. Her sister had called to say that she could not come on her long awaited holiday visit. What's worse, Sandra's friend suggested that Sandra's grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.

"Had she lost a child? She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder. "Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered. "For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life, but took her child's?"

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk.

"I.... I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.

"For Thanksgiving?" Sandra nodded. Do you want the beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the 'Thanksgiving Special'? I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?"

"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."

Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer, "Hi, Barbara... let me get your order." She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

"Do you want these in a box?" asked the clerk.

Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again." She said, as she gently tapped her chest.

Sandra stammered, "That lady just left with, uh.... she left with no flowers!"

"That's right, said the clerk. "I cut off the flowers. That's the 'Special'. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."

"Oh, come on! You can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra.

"Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do, today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had just lost her father to cancer; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery."

"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk. "For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel."

"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.

"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and I NEVER questioned Him why those GOOD things happened to me, but when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, "WHY? WHY Me?!" It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of my life, but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."

Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about the thought that her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is, I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."

Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" the clerk greeted the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement... twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?"

"No... I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem. The Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us." As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"

"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too... fresh."

"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember that it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."

Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.

"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

It read:

My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."

Praise Him for the roses; thank Him for the thorns.

Author Unknown

Praise Him in Advance

2008-11-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Thank Him

2008-11-25T10:06:00.002-05:00

Dear GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears , I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.

I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good, and He's good all the time. THANK HIM.

Thankful for the Journey

2008-11-24T11:33:00.003-05:00

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified Bible

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

This morning I was reflecting on this holiday season. In about 5 weeks or so, we will enter into 2009. This is Thanksgiving week, so I asked myself what am I thankful for. Of course, I thank God for my daughter, parents, family, friends, and all my needs being met. I also thank Him for my refinement. My expectation of 2008 was different from what the reality was. My new beginning was in the form of a lot of doors closing. God must close some doors for others to open. For a long time, I fought to open the doors He closed. I kept pulling on them but He closes doors that no one can open...not even me. That was a lesson. I pride myself on being a strong person but my strength does not compare to His. I am most thankful to God for the journey. This year I had to lean on God like never before. In the past, I could lean on my parents. I still can (God blessed me with wonderful parents) but they have their own issues to deal with.Even though my circumstances are not what I would like them to be, I am giving Him thanks in the midst. I believe 2009 will be a year of deliverance and manifestation.

I found out that refinement is an ongoing process. There is always something in us all that God loving removes. He knows how hot to allow the fire to get to expose and remove impurities. I thank God for all of you.

"Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks]"

God Bless

I Long for Him

2008-11-21T18:13:00.002-05:00

Job 23:8-9 (New International Version)

8 "But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.

9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

Have you ever been in a dry place where you long to hear from God? I'm sure you have. I know I have. Job understood this feeling too. At times on our Christian journey we experience times when God seems distant. Isn't it funny how those times seem to be when you are in crisis and need Him most? The enemy loves to try to get in and magnify the situation. He loves to say where is your God now? The funny thing about God is, when He seems distant is when He is closest. That is not an easy thing to understand. In our worst times, we fast,pray, and cry out to the Lord. We worship like never before, we praise like we are losing our mind, and nothing! Or so it seems. He don't have the ability to track or track God. But now this, when He doesn't seem to be speaking...He is working things out.

Let me encourage you while I encourage me. God is working out that situation right now. When the enemy brings doubt, hold on and know that He is God. A change is coming soon. It is only a test. In verse 10 of Job 23, it says after the test, you will come forth as pure gold.

God Bless

The Parable of the Fern and the Bamboo

2008-11-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

One day, I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, to quit my relationships, to quit my spirituality; I even wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."

"In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."

"In the third year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit."

"In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit."

"Then. in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge they could not handle." He said to me.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you! Don't compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come," God said to me. "You will rise high".

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. And remember.. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will never give up on you. I will never, ever quit on you."

~~~~~~~~~~
Author Unknown

The Quilt of Holes

2008-11-08T14:13:00.001-05:00

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us, sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life

As my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult - the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.

I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed - held up to the light and the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked at me and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter, but there had also been trials of illness and wealth and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it.

I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

Now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image - the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

Author Unknown

Overwhelmed?

2008-10-27T14:14:00.004-04:00

There is so much going on in our world. The economy is bad. People are losing their homes, cars, jobs. Violence has increased. People are murdering innocent people, men are beating women, parents are beating children. Marriages are falling apart, families are in crisis. God, Your word is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet. I don't know about you but lately, I have wondered how to keep going when I have just enough light to see where I am. God began to reassure me that my walk with Him is a faith walk. I can't see down the road and want to stop going. At times, my heart fills with fear. I have to fight off doubt. But,He reminded me that His word is a lamp unto my feet. So how do I keep walking when I can't see my way out of being overwhelmed with bills, being lied on, my health being challenged? Go to His word. God's word is full of promises. I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread. I am the head and not the tail. I am a lender and not a borrower. God has spoken somethings to you in your spirit. Stand on His word.

Psalm 119:105
New International Version
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

Handling Difficult Circumstances

2008-10-21T16:08:00.001-04:00

Read Philippians 1:12-20

Paul's letter to the church at Philippi was written during his Roman imprisonment. Chained continuously to a guard while awaiting trial, he wrote encouraging the Philippians not to worry over him, because he was learning some valuable lessons.

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am," he told them. (Philippians 4:11)

Notice the verse does not say that he was always happy; happiness depends upon circumstances. Contentment, on the other hand, indicates we are so anchored in God that we can thank Him in the midst of pain. Paul's surroundings were among the worst in the world, but he scarcely mentioned his situation. Instead, his focus never wavered from God. (Philippians 1:20; 3:10)

Paul did not see himself as a victim. He believed that he was under the sovereign hand of the living Lord - in God's place at God's time for God's purpose. All around him, Paul saw the good result of his time in prison. The entire Praetorian Guard, the elite soldiers who guarded Caesar, had heard about Jesus, thanks to the apostle's consistent witnessing. His imprisonment was also having the opposite effect of what his enemies had planned. Instead of driving Christians into hiding, Paul's example of contentment in the face of hardship made them bolder.

Like Paul, we must choose our response to pain and hardship. We can become resentful and bitter, consequently allowing a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth to defeat us. Or we can turn to God, cry out for help, and be victorious.

"In a Plain Brown Wrapper"

2008-10-20T10:44:00.002-04:00

The song service is finished. The sermon begins. During the first three sentences, expectant faces look toward the preacher. A single mother sighs, praying her children will let her make it through the sermon, maybe even listen. An older man in failing health turns up his hearing aid. Frustrated and angry with diminishing strength and energy, he searches to make sense of his losses.

A high school sophomore listens with an MTV-conditioned attention span. She is not trained to listen long. A successful business person caught in the depths of depression hopes for an alternative to suicide. A Bible class teacher dealing with major failure clings to faith by a fingernail. A married couple, sitting together in the pew but hardly speaking at home, hopes for renewal of lost affection. A frustrated parent of an angry teen looks for confidence. A widow's eyes fill with tears as her hand touches the empty seat beside her. A cancer patient needs a reason to suffer through another chemo session. The mate is desperate for strength to persevere.

A contractor, competing with kickbacks and cheats, wonders if his ethics are antiquated. A nurse, exhausted from a twelve-hour-pressure-filled shift, hopes for renewal. A lonely soul hopes for connection with others. New Christians listen to build faith. Long-time members hope for revival from spiritual lethargy. Debaters want a convincing argument. Condemners want a reason to feel superior. Tired church volunteers long for a boost. Frazzled church staffers need a shot in the arm. Elders need power to persevere through the pressure.

Deacons need to be uplifted. The confused seek wisdom. The guilty seek forgiveness. The sad seek help. The mad seek release. The glad seek rejoicing. The preachers stands. For three sentences everyone listens intently, wondering, "Is there a word from God for me today?" Who dares to rise to preach in the face of such need? Who can meet such a multiplicity of expectations? God can. Only God can. God speaks through the preacher's faltering words, stiff outlines, and overused illustrations. God speaks through his words, his tears, his personality, his humor, his gestures, his spirit.

God uses unworthy vessels to anoint hearts, persuade minds, lift spirits, comfort pain, and enlighten understanding. The power in preaching is not the preacher. It is God. God speaking through a man, gives a beautiful gift in a plain brown wrapper.

God has a word for you. Shhhhh. Listen
Greg Cummings

24 Day Prayer Focus to Declare the Breaking of a New Day

2008-10-11T10:25:00.001-04:00

Declare the Breaking of a New Day

Day 1: Memorize Isaiah 50, especially verse 4: "The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to give you a right word for every moment throughout your day ahead.

Day 2: Read Psalm 5. Set you alarm clock, get up, and let God hear your voice at the breaking of the day.

Day 3: Read Psalm 30, especially verse 5: "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (NKJV). Decree that when day breaks, joy will also break loose within you.

Day 4: Read Song of Solomon 6, especially verse 10: "Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to cover you with His banner. His banner over you is LOVE.

Day 5: Read Exodus 14, especially verse 24: "Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians" (NKJV). Ask God to trouble your enemy during this time. When you sense the Lord's presence, ask Him to cause your enemies to go into confusion.

Day 6: Read Exodus 34, especially verse 2: "So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain" (NKJV). During this watch ask the Lord to set your boundaries for the future. Present yourself to Him and tell Him that you are not willing to go into the day without Him.

Day 7: Read Genesis 19. Ask the Lord to deal with iniquitous structures in your life, family and city. Get up and stand before the Lord and decree that there will come a cleansing to the land that you are a part of.

Day 8: Read Genesis 22, especially verse 3: "So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him" (NKJV). Let the Lord show you how to meet Him in the midst of your faith being tested. Watch for Him to reveal Himself as Jehovah-Jireh.

Day 9: Read Genesis 26, especially verse 31: "Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace" (NKJV). During this watch, ask the Lord to re-dig "wells" of revival from your past. However, ask the Lord to bring you into a new place of enlargement.

Day 10: Read Genesis 28, especially verse 18: "Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it" (NKJV). Read Luke 11. Ask the Lord to open the heavens and connect Heaven and Earth where you are. God has a place to connect with you, and you to connect with Him so He can establish your future.

Stabilize Your Emotions and Break Open a New Supply Line

Day 11: Read Joshua 6 and Romans 9. Learn the principle of Firstfruits as you enter a new season. Jericho was the firstfruits of a new land. If you give God the best at the beginning, all the remainder will be blessed. Declare that everything that is invincible, that would keep you from advancing into the fullness of God's promise, will be removed.

Read Joshua 7, especially verses 14 and 16: "In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to families; and the family which the LORD takes shall come by households; and the household which the LORD takes shall come man by man...So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken" (NKJV).

If you feel like you have missed a step somewhere and your path seems blocked, ask the Lord to show you anything in your home that should not be there. Protecting Your Home from Spiritual Darkness can help you discern any items that are giving demons legal right into your home.

Day 12: Read Ruth 2, especially verse 7; read Ruth 3 (especially verses 13-14), and Ruth 4. Watch God shift you from gleaning to reaping.

"And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house." Ruth 2:7 (NKJV)

"'Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you - good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning.' So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, 'Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor'" Ruth 3:13-14 (NKJV).

From the gleaning of the day before, ask God how to favor you in such a way that your past can be redeemed and your future established.

Day 13: Read 2 Chronicles 20, especially verse 20: "So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper'" (NKJV).

Sing a song to the Lord. Ask the Lord to send confusion into the enemy's camp. Declare that you will take the spoils of the enemy. New songs break old cycles, so spend time listening to new songs and new sounds. Worship and watch the enemy go into confusion.

Day 14: Read Ecclesiastes 11, especially verse 6: "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (NKJV). Ask the Lord what to sow in the morning so that your seed will prosper.

Day 15: Read 2 Kings 7. Know that He can change supply lines and economic conditions around us in a day!

Day 16: Read Isaiah 58, especially verse 8: Fast today! "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard" (NKJV). Declare that your health will spring forth at the breaking of the day. Ask the Lord for you to judge righteously and not form a critical, religious spirit.

Day 17: Read Matthew 20, especially verse 1: "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to help you find the help you need for the coming day. Ask the Lord to position you in the harvest.

Confront Powers Contending for Governmental Rule and Break Forth a New Day

Day 18: Read Mark 1, especially verse 35: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (NKJV). Find a place to have a quiet time before you enter the day ahead.

Day 19: Read Matthew 6:24, Ephesians 6 and Daniel 10. Declare that you will not be ruled by Mammon. Ask the Lord to find your footing so you can stand.

Day 20: Read Isaiah 21, especially verse 12: "The watchman said, 'The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; return! Come back!'" (NKJV). Tell the Lord what you see. Read Isaiah 28, especially verse 19: "As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report" (NKJV). Declare that any shroud of death that has been holding you captive will be removed. Also, declare that your spirit will be free of all vexation.

Day 21: Read 1 Samuel 1-3. Ask the Lord to break any spirit of barrenness. Many times during this watch you will experience travail. Travail like Hannah to bring forth the future. Declare that in the war from your last season, you are overcoming the structures that would hold you and keep you from your next promotion. Declare that all mocking spirits are defeated. Declare that what the Lord has conceived in you can be brought forth.

Day 22: Read 1 Samuel 4-6. Declare that an old system will let go and be judged. Stand and decree that the PRESENCE of GOD will return in fullness to your life, the church, your city, and this nation.

Day 23: Read I Samuel 7-9. Ask the Lord to have us agree with Him on the decision of the leader for our future and not just demand our own desires. Refuse to have a Saul structure reigning in our midst. Refuse to be a nation and people who can no longer be heard by the Lord!

Day 24: Read Psalm 84. Celebrate the BREAKING OF A NEW DAY by singing a new song to the Lord! Read Revelation 4, 5 and Psalm 100. Declare a new strength will arise in you.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion Ministries

A Day of Action

2008-10-08T10:55:00.004-04:00

Romans 4:13-15
The Message

That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed. If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it

This morning I kept hearing the song, "The Blessings of Abraham" in my spirit. Today is a call to action. You are an heir to the promise that God made Abraham. You are the seed of Abraham. Go get your inheritance! Get it, get it! The Bible says that faith without works is dead. Today you must use crazy (radical) faith. Believe God for big! What He's shown you is not even the whole picture, but a glimpse. I don't know about you but the glimpse He showed me is big! So I know the picture is much bigger. I had to move on some things He told me in the last couple of days. Get busy.

Let me share this word that confirmed what God shared with me today:

Cultivate God's Faith in Your Heart

True supernatural faith flows out of the spirit and affects the mind. Not the other way around. Faith defies logic and natural reality for a higher spiritual reality. It causes the natural to line up with what God has already accomplished in the spirit. We must live in the Word and constantly renew our minds.

Faith is born out of heart revelation. When truth is revealed to your mind and heart by the Holy Spirit through the Word, faith comes alive on the inside of you. John 8:32 says, "And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." Soak your mind and spirit in God's Word by constantly setting your mind on it, and revelation of truth will produce supernatural faith in your heart. Heart faith produced by revelation of truth is the ultimate key to operating in God's power.

"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]." Hebrews 12:2

Add Action to Your Faith

One thing you must understand about the power anointing is that it comes for a reason and with an intended purpose. Isaiah 61:1 says: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

The power anointing for healing and miracles will only manifest if you are praying for sick people to be healed. We must be intentional in looking for opportunities where the power anointing will be needed. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20).

The power anointing is given to help other people in a supernatural way, and in the process, reveal God's heart and nature to them. Don't allow yourself to get discouraged. You must stay focused and tenacious. No matter what you see in the natural, set your vision higher, know and understand God's will and truth, and allow His faith to move you to action. This action will release the power of God and produce the miraculous.

*- excerpt from a word from Matt Sorger on Elijah's List added in italics

Quit?

2008-10-06T12:42:00.002-04:00

-Unknown

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me....
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo..
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"

I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up.
For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Unemployed Graduate

2008-10-02T11:04:00.002-04:00

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He
looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that YHWH would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. The young graduate said to them 'you need the prayer more than I do'.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: 'You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin,' signed YHWH the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. 1 Kings 17 :10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

Have you given all to Yahshua Christ? If you haven't, do so today and he will surprise you.

My Father Is On Deck

2008-10-01T16:37:00.000-04:00

Author Unknown

In the days of the sailing vessels, a captain from Liverpool commanded a ship sailing to New York. On one voyage, his family went with him. During the night, when everyone was asleep, a storm arose and struck the vessel, throwing her over on her side. Everything inside the ship tumbled and crashed. The passengers awoke in great fear and in imminent peril. Everyone on board was alarmed. Many of the passengers sprang from their berths and began to dress so that they might be ready for the worst.

The captain's eight-year-old daughter was on board, and awoke with the other passengers. “What is the matter?” the frightened child pleaded.

They told her that a storm had struck the ship.

“Is my father on deck?” she asked.

“Yes, your father is on deck.”

The little girl dropped back on her pillow and, without a fear in the world, in just a few moments was again sleeping soundly in spite of the wind and the waves - because her father was on deck.

Never forget that our Father is on deck. Whatever the storm of life or the storms of this world may bring, God is in charge. Our Father is on deck.

Underestimating Your Anointing

2008-09-29T16:44:00.001-04:00

"Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves." Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil" (2 Kings 4:1-2).

In meditating on this scripture, I believe the man of God knew that this widow had something in her house more valuable than what she was looking to receive from him. The only problem was - she didn't know it!

Throughout the Bible oil is representative of anointing. It represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit upon a person or vessel. The Bible says that her husband served the man of God and feared the Lord. This was an anointed man. For years an anointing rested in their home. The man of God knew as long as there was anointing in the house everything she needed was likewise in the house. She was looking for money when God had given her something greater - an anointing. Money is the least of God's blessings. As long as our focus is on money we will miss out on what God, through His anointing, can do in our lives. As a matter of fact, the anointing will cause money to show up when it is activated in a situation. When we begin to operate in our anointing, we have God's presence and power accompanying our efforts. With God all things are possible.

Every Believer is anointed and carries within them the very same Holy Spirit Jesus Christ (The Anointed One) had upon Him. Like the jar of oil that sat on the widow's shelf overlooked and underestimated, many of us have done the same thing to the anointing that is present in our lives. We turn to people and other tangible things for answers, when God has already placed the answer within us, in the form of His Holy Spirit. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as a Comforter, Guide, Teacher and Revealer. He has the answer to what perplexes us. In many cases, we don't need more money, or other tangible surrogate, we need revelation of our situation. We need discernment, enlightenment and direction to make a right decision. If we were to give the Holy Spirit free course in our lives, He would show us the abundance that God has already placed within us, but has thus far gone overlooked and underestimated.

The Holy Spirit wants to give you life in ever respect of the word. If there is anything dead, unfruitful or dying in our lives, we must give the Holy Spirit access to it, so that He can breathe upon it the breadth of life. The anointing, representing the presence of the Holy Spirit, was given so that we could experience life to its fullest. He can out produce anything, anyone or any system anywhere. However we must trust Him!

Never underestimate your anointing. It is God's most precious provision for us to prosper in our lives. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage and causes us to overcome our situations - whatever our situations may be!
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27).

Excerpt from J.C. Matthews' book: "Your Situation is not Your Destination"

Scars

2008-09-26T15:45:00.002-04:00

2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.

That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.

The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

Aftermath

2008-09-24T10:23:00.002-04:00

Mark 4:37-39
New Living Translation

37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

You have been through many storms in your life. What were you left with after it was all over? You lost somethings but more was gained. You have more faith than you did before. You have more peace, joy, and anointing. Your fruit was ripened through the storm. Now, the enemy wishes he had not set up a snare for you because you came back stronger! You exercised your faith, now take a good look at the muscles you have now. Your life may have been torn apart by the storm but take a good look around and see what was saved. Praise God for that. You were not broken! Jesus knows just when to step in a bring silence to the storm. Now it's clean up time! Throw away the wreckage and preserve the treasure.

If you're still in the storm, He's there. He hears you. It may seem like He's asleep but He's not. He knows when enough is enough. Remember, Jesus was on the boat too.

God Bless

Friend of God

2008-09-23T16:30:00.000-04:00

Why Did God Create Man and Woman?

There are many reasons for God choosing to take a pile of dirt from the earth and breathe His own breath into it, but one of the most fascinating reasons, and one most rejected by human nature is - friendship.

Why would we even believe that friendship could be a possibility in our relationship with God? What makes friends? What are the ingredients that make up friendship?
(I asked the group to give me their answers and they were enlightening to say the least.)

INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE UP FRIENDSHIP:

FUN: Friends have fun together.
SECRETS: Friends share secrets with each other.
INTERESTS: Friends share the same interests.
COMMUNICATE: Friends love to communicate with each other whether near or from far.

WHAT DO FRIENDS DO FOR EACH OTHER?

They are LOYAL.
They are PATIENT.
They are FORGIVING. They will cover each other's faults.
They are HONEST - "A mere friend will always agree with you, a true friend will argue."
They are EQUAL - "Love is different to friendship. Love demands opposites and extremes. Friendship demands equality."

Now let's bring this into our relationship with God. Proverbs 16:28 says, "A whisperer will divide the closest of friends." (Also read Genesis 1:26-28.)

When God created man, it was His daily routine to walk in the Garden and speak to them as friends. Then the whisperer came into that Garden with intentions to divide this divine friendship.

Genesis 3:1, "NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CUNNING THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD. AND HE SAID TO THE WOMAN, 'HAS GOD INDEED SAID, YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?'"

She answered the serpent correctly, which meant that she knew exactly what God meant. At that point, the serpent used words that created all kinds of doubts. The word for devil is diablo, which literally means, to speak (breathe out) to divide, or to whisper in order to cause division.

Satan's only purpose is to use every breath that he has to cause division and suspicion, so as to break bonds and covenants. When the serpent said in Genesis 3:4, "You will not surely die," he was twisting what God had said and suggesting that God was trying to fool them or manipulate them into a lesser deal.

Once they acted upon the lie, their friendship with God was broken because now they did not feel equal in the sense that they could "communicate with Him" - spirit to Spirit. And when God came into the Garden to speak to them, what happened?

Adam ran and hid himself. The friendship was broken and from that point onward, man saw God as a monster - a terrible, mysterious, sinister and angry being. This was NOT true, but that is how they saw Him, and to make it worse, their nakedness was no longer a matter of natural beauty and life, but of shame.

Amazingly, God still found a few whom He would befriend, and when you read the stories about these people, you will find an amazing pattern that proves His desire to communicate with man as a friend does.

Abraham is called by God: "Abraham, My friend forever." Moses argues with God when God wants to destroy the Israelites in Exodus 32:7-14 (read the story, it's fascinating.) God actually told Moses, "Get out of My way," He said to let/leave Him alone, so that He could destroy the people. Notice how Moses behaves like a true friend would. He tells God that His reputation was at stake because those from the east would observe that God brought them out of Egypt to kill them in the mountains.

What Would a Friend Do When You're About to Do Something Outside of Your Character and Would Ruin Your Reputation?

A friend would stand in your way and warn you of the consequences of your actions and try to stop you in your wrath or anger. That's what a friend is and that's what Moses was to God - a friend. The Bible says that God relented of this evil. The word "relented" means to become more lenient, compassionate and forgiving. Moses, as a friend, literally caused God to become more lenient and compassionate and to "cool down."

Now let's look at Jesus and what He said about friendship. In Luke 12:1-4, Jesus is surrounded by an innumerable multitude of people, so crowded in fact, that they were trampling on each other. Instead of Jesus addressing the multitudes, He FIRST of all spoke to His disciples, and in verse 4, He calls them "My friends" and shares things with them that He would not share with the multitudes. So it's obvious that His disciples were in a friendship with Jesus, even though He was Lord of all and God's only Son.

John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants...but now I call you friends...for all things I have heard from My Father, I have shared with you."

I love this passage because it adds credence to the fact that God created us, among many other reasons, to be a friend. Once you understand what the Biblical rendition of a friend is, it takes away the idea of modern friendship which barely exists anymore. We are so apt to say, "Meet my best friend," when in fact we have called many others, "My best friend."

Do we really know what a friend is according to Biblical standards? David was called the apple of God's eye. Abraham was called God's friend forever. The word "friend" is divided into two – Phileos, which comes from Phi-logos, and literally means someone to talk to. God created you so that He could have someone to talk to. Doesn't that make you feel wonderful?

Again, we see that there is most definitely a friendship that Jesus offers to those closest to Him and that a friendship would allow them to hear things that most others would not hear.

The Bible study turned out to be inspiring and certainly helped all of us to include the element of friendship in our relationship with God. After all, without friendship a marriage will never survive, and without friendship any relationship will ultimately fall.

Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

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YOU ARE NOT A NOBODY!!!

2008-09-19T21:06:00.002-04:00

1. Who taught Martin Luther his theology and inspired his translation of the New Testament?
2. Who visited Dwight L. Moody at a shoe store and spoke to him about Christ?
3. Who was the wife of Charles Haddon Spurgeon?
4. Who was the elderly woman who prayed faithfully for Billy Graham for over twenty years?
5. Who financed William Carey’s ministry in India?
6. Who refreshed the apostle Paul in a Roman dungeon as he wrote his last letter to Timothy?
7. Who helped Charles Wesley get underway as a composer of hymns?
8. Who found the Dead Sea Scrolls?
9. Who followed Hudson Taylor and gave the China Inland Mission its remarkable direction?
10. Who were the parents of the godly and gifted prophet Daniel?

Okay, how did you do? Over fifty percent? Maybe twenty-five percent? Not quite that good? Before you excuse your inability to answer the questions by calling the quiz “trivia,” better stop and think. Had it not been for those unknown people - those “nobodies” - a huge chunk of church history would be missing, and a lot of lives would have been untouched.

Nobodies.

What a necessary band of men and women... servants of the King... yet nameless in the kingdom! Men and women who, with silent heroism, yet faithful diligence, relinquish the limelight and live in the shade of public figures. What was it Jim Elliot, the martyred messenger of the gospel to the Aucas, once called missionaries? Something like a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody.

But don’t mistake anonymous for unnecessary. Otherwise, the whole Body gets crippled - even paralyzed... or, at best, terribly dizzy as the majority of the members within the Body become diseased with self-pity and discouragement. Face it, friend, the Head of the Body calls the shots. It is His prerogative to publicize some and hide others. Don’t ask me why He chooses whom He uses. If it’s His desire to use you as a Melanchthon rather than a Luther... or a Kimball rather than a Moody... or an Onesiphorus rather than a Paul, relax!

Better than that, give God praise! You’re among that elite group mentioned in I Corinthians 12 as: ...some of the parts that seemed weakest and least important are really the most necessary... So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important (vv. 22,24, TLB).

If it weren’t for the heroic “nobodies,” we wouldn’t have top-notch officers to give a church its leadership or quality sound when everyone shows up to worship or janitors who clean when everyone is long gone or committees to provide dozens of services behind the scenes or mission volunteers who staff offices at home or work in obscurity overseas with only a handful of people. Come to think of it, if it weren’t for the faithful “nobodies,” you wouldn’t even have this [paper] in your hands right now.

Nobodies. . . exalting Somebody.

Are you one? Listen to me! It’s the “nobodies” Somebody chooses so carefully. And when He has selected you for that role, He does not consider you a nobody. Be encouraged!

Chuck Swindoll
www.insight.org

Something About His Presence

2008-09-16T22:49:00.003-04:00

I have been hearing a lot about intimacy lately. There is something about being in the presence of the Lord. Have you ever been in love? When you are in love with a person, you spend a lot of time with them. You love to be their presence. If you are having a bad day, being in their presence makes you feel better. If something good happens you want to tell them about it. The sign of true intimacy is the ability to be in a person's presence and just be silent. Silence is golden. There is no pretension in silence. You are not saying what you think someone wants to hear.

How intimate are you with God? Do you enjoy His presence? Are you able to sit and just be silent? Can you come into His presence without asking Him for anything? Are you intimate enough to just adore Him and tell Him how wonderful He is? Do you long for intimacy with God? Just ask. Spend time with Him. He hasn't gone anywhere, He's patiently waiting.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before Him giving thanks. Let us make a sound of joy to Him with songs.

intimacy
a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship
a close association with or detailed knowledge or deep understanding
an act or expression serving as a token of familiarity, affection, or the like: to allow the intimacy of using first names.
an amorously familiar act; liberty.
the quality of being comfortable, warm, or familiar
privacy, esp. as suitable to the telling of a secret

On My Daddy's Lap

2008-09-15T10:24:00.002-04:00

Genesis 19:27
King James Version

And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

When I was a little girl, I loved to sit on my grandfather's lap. When I was very small, I could listen to his heartbeat. It was a place of warmth and safety. When I was hurt or upset, I would sit on my gran's lap. He would just sit in the window in a chair and just watch what went on in the neighborhood. I would sit on his lap then too. I just loved to be in his presence. My grandfather has left this life and entered the arms of God. But, I'm still the same way. I love to sit in my heavenly Father's lap. In the morning before I start my day, I make a cup of coffee and sit on my daddy's lap. I love to sit on His lap and listen to His heartbeat. My day goes so much better when I start the day that way. I'll even find myself asking Him what to wear or just listen to what bothers Him, what breaks His heart. Just like when I was little, when I'm upset or hurt, I sit on His lap and just cry. Just being in His presence makes me feel better.

God is awesome. Sometimes, I think I'm too big to sit in His lap. But unlike my grandfather(I sat in his lap until i was 10),I never get too big or too heavy. I started to get too busy to sit on my Daddy's lap. But He loves me so much that He made an appointment with me everyday. I would be late or not show up but He loves me so much and is jealous that He removed the distraction that kept me away.

Regardless of gender, age, even weight...you are never too big to sit on your Daddy's lap. Have you spent time on Daddy's lap today?

Who's Walking in Our Steps?

2008-09-11T22:40:00.001-04:00

Author Unknown

My three year-old was on my heels no matter where I went. Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around, I would trip over him.

I patiently suggested fun activities to keep him occupied. But he simply smiled an innocent smile and said, "Oh that's all right, Mommy. I'd rather be in here with you." Then he continued to bounce happily along behind me.

After stepping on his toes for the fifth time, I began to lose patience. When I asked him why he was acting this way, he looked up at me with sweet green eyes and said: "Well Mommy, my teacher told me to walk in Jesus' footsteps! I can't see Him, so I'm walking in yours!"

Think about it...

2008-09-10T14:57:00.001-04:00

unknown

Think back to when you met that man/woman that you just knew would be the one. Remember when you realized/admitted to yourself that you loved him/her. Now remember how much you wanted to act like you were in a movie, and yell to everyone in the football stadium "I love (fill in the name)!"

You told family and friends how perfect he/she was You told your boys/ girls how she/he was just what you were looking for. Well, I told THE LORD I love Him today. And He said to me, "How much do you love me? You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you. You haven't shared how perfect my love is. You haven't spread the good news that I am always there to listen to your problems. You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or how I got you a better one. You didn't tell your boys/girls how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but that woman/man that was just what you were looking for. So how much do you really love me?"

So, I said I would share with my friends and family (for starters) just how wonderful, perfect, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and forgiving GOD really is. He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in. But even more than that, He has saved me from a destruction I couldn't even see coming. He gave to me the peace of knowing Him, and He has never broken a promise.

Truly He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I stand in my stadium today to yell to you all, "I LOVE THE LORD!"
BE BLESSED TODAY & SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

MyHotComments

The Will of God

2008-09-09T14:08:00.001-04:00

Remember. The Will of God will never take you...
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you...
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,

The will of God will never take you...
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you...
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

The Set Up

2008-09-08T11:01:00.003-04:00

Job 1:20-21
New Living Translation

20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said,“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. "Praise the name of the Lord!”

I have been reflecting on my life for the past couple of days. My life is pretty much unrecognizable. Nothing is the same as it was a year ago (even a few months ago for that matter). As I look back to this time a year ago, I have been stripped of a lot of things I thought I couldn't do without. I have lost relationships. People who I never pictured being without are gone. Possessions that I had are gone. Even finances are gone. I feel like there is nothing else to lose. Like Job, all I can do is worship God. Job had an anyhow praise. Though God had stripped him, he still blessed the Lord. Job didn't understand why he lost everything but he still trusted God. We have all been tested by God. God knew that He could trust Job. Can He trust you? Will you trust Him?

When you are in a season of being stripped of old things, it's difficult. Many people like Spring because of the new beginnings. Others like Summer because the sun is mostly always shining. Others like Fall because it's a time of transition. Few people like Winter because it's a time of loss. It almost seems like a season of barrenness. But, Winter is necessary. You can't have Spring without Winter. Winter is when God strips and it's a time of rest. Your Winter is not the end of your story. I've learned that it is a time of being set up for a blessing. God never gives you anything new without getting rid of the old. Although, winter is not easy, it is essential.

Job lost his home, children, possessions, friends, had challenges in his body but he worshipped God. He continued to bless His name! Guess what? Job got double for his trouble. Because of his faithfulness, God gave him twice as he lost. The message here is to remain faithful. Continue to worship, praise, pray, tithe, give offering, minister to others. I'm encouraged to know that my life will still be unrecognizable. God is setting me up for double. Remember, "Your setback is a setup for a blessing!"

God Bless

How to Be Content

2008-09-05T10:21:00.002-04:00

...I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the
point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever
state I am.
—Philippians 4:11

The Bible teaches us to be content no matter what our
circumstances may be. (Hebrews 13:5 KJV)

We are not to be upset about anything, no matter what is
happening. Instead we are to pray about it, and tell God our
need. While we are waiting for Him to move, we are to be
thankful for all that God has done for us already. (Philippians
4:6.)

I have discovered that the secret of being content is to ask
God for what I want, and know that if it is right He will bring
it to pass at the right time, and if it is not right, He will
do something much better than what I asked for.

We must learn to trust God completely if we ever intend to
enjoy peaceful living. We must meditate on what God has done in
our life instead of what we are still waiting on Him to do.

God loves you. He is a good God Who only does good things. Be
content knowing that His way is perfect.

It's Time!

2008-09-04T11:30:00.003-04:00

Matthew 5:14
The Message

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

God says that your gifts, talents, ministry, business have been hidden long enough. Like a caterpillar you have been in a cocoon under the watchful eye of a loving God. He has put so much into you and you have allowed Him to take out the things that are not useful. I hear god saying suddenly, propel, and birth. Everything you have been through is not for you. It was for the up building of His kingdom, for His glory. Take what you have learned and share it. There is so much light in you. God is a skillful investor. He has invested a lot in you. Now it is time for a return on that investment. Be of good cheer, be encouraged and know that He has begun a great work in you. Give to others as liberally as He has given to you. It's time to step out and do what you have been prepared for.

GOD HAS YOUR MIRACLE ON HIS MIND

2008-09-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

Gloria Copeland:
"GOD HAS YOUR MIRACLE ON HIS MIND"

What do you need from God today?

Stop and think about that for a moment. It's a serious question. Picture yourself the way you want to be, healthy and whole in every area of your life. That is the will of God for you, you know. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says He desires you to be "preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)" (Amplified Bible)

God wants you to be sound and complete. It's His perfect will for you to be whole, undamaged and intact--spirit, soul, and body--before Jesus returns. In light of that fact, let me ask you again: What changes would you need God to make for His will to be fulfilled in your life? What would it take for you to be whole?

It would take a miracle.

That may well be what you're thinking right now. If so, I am here to tell you God has one for you. He has as many miracles as you need. He is the God of the miraculous.

What's more, He is thinking about you today. That's amazing, isn't it? The fact that the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, has you and me on His mind is almost more than we can comprehend. Yet we know it's true because the Psalmist says, "How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!" (Psalm 139:17-18, The Living Bible).

Just imagine that! When you woke up this morning, God was thinking about you. He was aware of your needs. He was mindful of the blessings He has laid up for you, and He was making plans to get them to you.
In other words, when you awoke this morning, God had your miracle on His mind.

Every Part Precious

I preach about healing a lot, and healing is wonderful. But sometimes you need more than healing, you need a miracle. A miracle is different. A miracle is something that is absolutely impossible apart from the supernatural working of God. It's something that cannot happen by natural means.

If you have a disease, you need healing. But if you have a part missing--if you were born without fingers or toes, for example, you need a miracle. For years, it's been prophesied that we will see those kinds of miracles again in the Body of Christ. It's been prophesied that we'll see all the miracles the early Church saw and even greater miracles than those. I sense in my heart that we're there!
I truly believe it. They might say, "Surely, you don't expect to see somebody grow a part on their body where there was no part before!"

Yes, I do. God has parts for people! The Bible says He made all of our parts before we were born, and we can easily believe that. Why is it so unthinkable that He could add another part at a later time if it's needed?

Just before the verses we read that tell of God's thoughts about us, Psalm 139 says:

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them" (verses 14-16).

According to those verses, God wrote down all your members (every part of you) in His book. And because God does all things well, He didn't write them down as broken or missing. He wrote them down as whole and intact.

My friend Billye Brim has revelation of that, so she speaks to her body according to those Scriptures. She says, "My parts are written in God's book. So, parts, I command you to be the way God designed you to be. I command you to be whole and complete in agreement with God's book. All my parts are intact with nothing missing, nothing broken. All the parts of my body function and work as they're designed. I receive what the Book says about me!"

You may not have thought God cared about your parts, but He does. Your parts are as important to Him as they are to you. He made them for you, and He wants you to have them the way He made them. We need to get that revelation, because God is ready to restore some parts. He wants to work miracles!

You might think this would be impossible and, naturally speaking, you'd be right."With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23)so we need to start believing.

We need to start expecting the impossible!
It's Never Too Late

Of course, people with physical abnormalities or missing parts aren't the only ones who need miracles. Miracles are also needed when natural circumstances have gone on so long that it looks like it's too late for a turnaround. Abraham and Sarah needed that kind of miracle, for example. They needed a child for their lives to be whole and intact. Yet they were well past childbearing age when God told them He was going to give them one. They were about 100 years old.

No doubt, their natural thought was, Even if God did heal our barrenness, it's too late for us now. We're too old. That kind of thing can't happen this late in the game.

But God did it for them, didn't He? He proved that it's never too late for a miracle.

A friend of ours experienced a "never too late" kind of miracle in his family. His name was Justus Du Plessis and although he went home to be with the Lord a couple of years ago, he experienced some amazing things during his lifetime as a Pentecostal minister in South Africa. On one occasion, his father was desperately ill. In fact his father's death was so imminent that the doctor who came to see him went ahead and filled out his death certificate.

After the doctor left, the church members gathered around to pray and while they were praying, he was healed. Do you know what he did? He got up, took a shower, milked the cows and then walked to the doctor's house to return his death certificate.

Talk about a miracle coming late in the game! You know it's late when you have to take back your own death certificate!
Clearly with God, it's never too late for a miracle.

The Definitive Factor

Okay now, you may be thinking, if God wants to give me a miracle and I want to receive one--what's the problem? Why hasn't a miracle already taken place in my life?

For a miracle to get from Heaven to earth, a divine connection has to be made. Miracles aren't magic. They don't just happen--poof!--because God decides to wave His miracle wand one day. No, miracles primarily occur when people put themselves in position to receive them.

To find out how to position yourself for a miracle, you can study the miracles in the New Testament. As you do, you'll see patterns emerge. You will find certain elements were almost always involved when miracles happen.

The first of those elements is faith. Whenever a miracle takes place someone on earth is believing. It might be the person who needs the miracle. It might be the person who is ministering. It might be someone praying for the one who is in need. The situations may vary, but the fact remains that it is faith in God which connects the power of Heaven with the need on earth. For a miracle to happen, someone has to believe that God is willing and able to do it--and do it now.

Galatians 3:5 confirms that. There the Apostle Paul, rebuking the Galatians for their legalism, asks this question: "Does He Who supplies you with His marvelous [Holy] Spirit and works powerfully and miraculously among you do so on [the grounds of your doing] what the Law demands, or because of your believing...?" (The Amplified Bible).

The answer is obvious. God works miracles because we believe! We could look at one miracle after another and see that truth in action.

In Mark 5, when the woman with the incurable issue of blood receives her healing, Jesus says, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole" (verse 34).
In Mark 10, when blind Bartimaeus receives his sight, Jesus says, "thy faith hath made thee whole" (verse 52).

In Luke 17, when the leper is not only healed but his body parts are restored and made whole from the disease that had eaten them away, Jesus says, "thy faith hath made thee whole" (verse 19).

In Acts 3, when Peter and John heal the man who was crippled from birth, they give glory to the name of Jesus. And Peter says, "And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness" (verse 16).

It's interesting to notice that the power of God isn't mentioned in most of those instances, just the faith of the people. I think that's because God's power and His willingness to heal and work miracles never changes. The variable is people's faith. Faith is the definitive factor. Just Do It!

As important as faith is, however, that alone won't get the whole job done. You can't just sit around believing on the inside and doing nothing on the outside. For faith to come alive you have to take action. As James 2:26 says, "faith without works is dead."

You can see the connection between "doing" and "receiving" in the very first miracle Jesus ever performed. I especially like to think about this miracle because it was clearly not a miracle Jesus planned to do. It was one that was drawn out of Him by the person who most wanted that miracle--His own mother Mary. John 2 tells us that she and Jesus were attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the host ran out of wine. Mary looked to Jesus to do something about it. He told her His time to do such things had not yet come, but her faith was unshaken. She continued to expect a miracle, and she turned to the servants and said:

"'Whatever He says to you, do it.' Now there were six waterpots of stone standing there, as the Jewish custom of purification (ceremonial washing) demanded, holding twenty to thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' So they filled them up to the brim. Then He said to them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the manager of the feast [to the one presiding, the superintendent of the banquet]'" (verses 5-8, The Amplified Bible).

What happened when the servants did what Jesus said?

They saw a miracle. The water was turned into wine!
It would serve us well to always remember what Mary told the servants that day. She said, "Whatever He tells you to do, do it." That's one of the major keys to receiving a miracle.

Whatever the Lord says to you--do it.

If the Lord tells you to get up and run, then get up and run. If He tells you to dance and shout, then dance and shout. One time a man attended Healing School, and during the meeting the Lord told him to run. He didn't want to run in the meeting, so he ran out the door--ran outside and ran around the block. If you think that's silly, think again, because he came back in healed!
Whatever the Lord tells you to do, do it!

If He tells you to repent of something, you repent. If He tells you to forgive someone, forgive them. He knows what you can do that will bring you into position to receive. So listen for His instructions, then obey!

Kick Doubt Out

Once you've believed and acted on your faith, refuse to doubt or fear. When the devil comes to you and says, You're not going to get that miracle. You don't deserve it. Remember how many times you've failed God. Refuse to entertain those doubt-producing thoughts. Instead, just answer him and say, "Bless the Lord, I don't get what I deserve. I get what Jesus bought for me. I get the mercy of God. I get a miracle!"

Every time I think about refusing doubt and fear, I think about the story of Jairus. Initially, when he came to Jesus, his daughter needed a healing. She was very sick, and Jairus believed if Jesus came and laid His hands on her, she would be healed. But before that healing could take place, Jairus' daughter died. Suddenly the girl didn't just need a healing, she needed a miracle.
Do you know that Jesus wasn't disturbed by that? He knew that God could work a miracle just as easily as He could perform a healing. So He said to Jairus, "Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing" (Mark 5:36, The Amplified Bible). We know that this worked because the little girl was raised up whole.

That's a good word for all of us who are positioning ourselves for a miracle. No matter what the devil says, no matter what our circumstances may say, no matter what our natural senses might try to tell us--if we'll refuse to doubt, refuse to fear, and keep on believing God, our miracle will surely come!

Gloria Copeland
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Newark, TX

Step in the Water

2008-09-02T11:11:00.002-04:00

John 5:4a Amplified Bible

For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water;

I feel the anointing strongly today. Things are stirring in the atmosphere. The angel of the Lord has stirred up the water. Now is the time to step in. We are in the ninth month of 2008. We know that 2008 is the year of new beginnings. Nine is the number of birthing. There are things that you have been pregnant with that are about to come forth. For some, the pregnancy has been long and hard. You have been carrying this thing it seems like forever. The enemy has tried everything he could to kill it but now is the time for delivery. For some, the pregnancy has been delightful and filled with joy. Either way, now is the time.

Step in the water, the water is stirred. In this particular scripture, the angel of the Lord went down at the appointed time to stir the water. Miraculous things happen when you step in the water. Don't let anyone or anything keep you from stepping in the water.

Break Forth

2008-09-01T12:39:00.002-04:00

Luke 5:37-38
New Living Translation

37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. 38 New wine must be stored in new wineskins.

There has been a shift in the atmosphere. New things are happening and will happen. Are you ready? God has been speaking to His people about new things. In order to receive new things we must get rid of some old things. Have you ever moved from one place to another. When you are packing what do you discover? You realize how much stuff you have. You also realize a lot of it you haven't used in quite some time. Then you are faced with the decision of what to keep and what to throw away.

God is saying it is time to do the same thing in the spirit. Take spiritual inventory. God is moving you into a new realm. There are some things, places, and people that you need to get rid of in order to move forward. Pray and ask God for direction. Allow Him to remove the things, places, and people that you no longer need. Allow God to change your attitude. pray for strength. Then, break forth into your new beginning.

Walk In It

2008-08-28T14:52:00.002-04:00

1 John 2:27
King James Version

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The anointing is one of the most important things in our life
and ministry. It causes us to have supernatural ability and
strength. The anointing is God's power, His ability resting on
us to help us do things with ease that would otherwise be hard.

One of Satan's greatest tricks is getting us to run around trying to
get something we already have.

Every one of us has a purpose, a gifting and a calling, and we
don't need to be overly concerned about what it is or compare
it with anyone else's.

First John 2:20 tells us that we have been anointed—past tense.
Once we know we are anointed, we can learn how to release the
anointing in us. I believe we experience the anointing as we
use our gifts.

God did not share His power with us so we could sit and do
nothing with it. We are empowered by the anointing for service.
We have a destiny! Walk In It!

You will never be anointed to be anyone else. Be careful of
comparison and competition. Just be yourself.

Weapon of Mass Destruction

2008-08-27T10:34:00.005-04:00

Malachi 3:10-11
Holman Christian Standard Bible

10 Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way," says the LORD of Hosts. "See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren," says the LORD of Hosts.

When you think of the weapons of your warfare, do you consider your money? Your tithes and offerings have the power to rebuke the devil! Oh how awesome. That bares repeating, your money is a mighty weapon. It has the power to change your life. First, God honors your obedience. He commanded , not suggested in His word that we bring our money so that there will be meat in His house. He even gave you the right to test Him. He said see if He won't open my floodgates for you. Hallelujah! Then, He said, "I'll rebuke the devourer for you..." You cannot lose. He guarantees that your money will stop the enemy. All of that for 10%!

Are you as effective at warfare as you could be? Do you use all the weapons He's given you? If not, start now! If you do, continue! In these times of financial hardship, can you afford not to?

God Bless

Heart Condition

2008-08-26T10:35:00.003-04:00

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

What is the condition of your heart? Do you have the heart of God? I was involved in a discussion yesterday where a brother in Christ shared that in lieu of giving out favors at his upcoming wedding, he and his fiancee decided to donate that money to the people in Haiti who are eating dirt. On the day that is about them and their love, they decided to show God's love. Now that is the heart of God!

We here in the US complain about gas and food prices, and we have brothers and sisters in Haiti that pay for and eat dirt. My God! Do we consider that we are blessed to have cars to drive and food to eat? We call ourselves Christians but do we have the heart of God? Do we find it an inconvenience to pick someone up for church because gas is too high?

Are we bothered by the things that really break God's heart like hunger? Are we concerned about the least of these? Do we feed the hungry and clothe the naked? We pray for the blessings and stand of the promises of God, don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with that. We seek His face and not His hand. That's great too. But do we pray for the heart of God. On Sunday morning during worship, I asked God for that very thing. God, give me your heart. I want the things that break His heart to break mine, do you?

God Bless

Barren No More

2008-08-25T10:28:00.002-04:00

Isaiah 54: 1-3 - "Rejoice, barren one, who did not give birth; burst intosong and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of theforsaken one will be more than the children of the married woman," says the Lord.

"Enlarge the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains bestretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will dispossess nations and inhabit the desolate cities."

There are some of you who have been waiting for quite some time now.You have sown seeds, but yet you have not seen a harvest. You have stood in faith, believing God. I hear the spirit of the Lord say to you today, get ready! Your territory is about to become enlarged. I, the Lord your God have seen the many nights of tears and anguish. I have heard your heart's desires. I have seen the struggle. I have seen the constant turmoil.I know the financial hardship. Don't you worry. The journey has been long, but get ready to stretch out, for you are about the receive increase. Your season of being barren is about to be over. No, I am a God who cannot lie. If I speak a thing, you can count on it! If I say a thing, it shall not return void. Hold on. Do not give up. You will not be put to shame. You are my child and that makes you an heir to the kingdom. Your territory is about to be enlarged.Make it an excellent day!

Jonathan Maddox

Four Open Secrets about the Rest of Your Life

2008-08-20T14:33:00.002-04:00

Tell a child you have a secret and you have his undivided attention. All of us children - big and little, young and old - love secrets; love to hear them, love to tell them. Today, I am opening the vault and revealing four of the best-kept secrets in the Kingdom of God.

Secret #1 - God has big plans for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 says it best. "I know the plans I have for you: plans for your welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." His plans for us fall into two categories - earthly and heavenly.

Secret #2 - He is not going to tell you what they are.
In His compassion, God makes big plans for us. In His wisdom, He does not tell us what they are. He protects us from knowledge of the future for two reasons.
(1) We could not handle it.
(2) We would mess it up.

Suppose you found out that your brothers were going to fake your death and sell you into slavery, and that you would end up forgotten and forsaken in a foreign prison for years. Who could handle such news? Most of us would grieve over such a future and grow bitter toward our brothers and angry at
God. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, Joseph experiences precisely such a fate.

Suppose the Lord told you that one day you would become the king's second-in-command and live in power and luxury for the rest of your life. Who could handle news like that without becoming distracted? This too is the story of Joseph in Genesis.

Scripture promises the Lord will not put more on us than we can bear. One way He does that is by withholding details about our future. The burdens would rob us of our joy and threaten to destroy us in advance, while the blessings would distract us from our responsibilities of the moment.

Secret #3 - God is working on His plans this very moment.
He is getting you ready for the future and getting the future ready for you. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you. If I go away, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-6). He is getting Heaven ready for us. He is getting us ready for Heaven.

One way God prepares us for future challenges is by giving us difficulties and hardships. He strengthens us the same way a personal trainer builds our muscles: by laying on stress. "It is good for me that I was afflicted," the psalmist said, "that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71) That's how
it works.

Secret #4 -- Your job is to be faithful today.
Bloom where you are planted, as the saying goes. The way to be ready for tomorrow's opportunities is to do our job today, no matter how insignificant or routine.

Writing in the Spring 2003 issue of "Columns," the alumni magazine of Louisiana College, Curt Iles pays tribute to science professor Charles Cavanaugh. Early in Curt's sophomore year, he paid Cavanaugh a visit to tell him he planned to drop chemistry.

"Prof," said the 19-year-old, "I thought it was God's will for me to become a science teacher. I enjoyed the biology classes you taught last year. But chemistry is killing me. That little rural high school I attended did not prepare me for this. I failed the test yesterday and I am not going to be able to pass this course. So, I plan to drop chemistry. Maybe God will have something else for me since I can't be a science teacher. I need to find His will."

Suddenly, the professor cut him off. "God's will? God's will? Son, I'll tell you what God's will is for you! Get in there, go to work, and pass chemistry. That's what God's will is for you!" And he stormed out of the office. Curt sat there in shock. Finally, realizing the professor was not returning, he went back to his dormitory. That night, he studied chemistry, and the next day, made a D on the test. At least, it was passing.

"That day," Curt Iles writes, "I decided that nothing was going to stop me from achieving my goal of teaching. I was going to pass this course or die trying." A month later, the chemistry professor said, "Iles, what's happened to you?" He was a student with a purpose.

Before leaving the disciples, Jesus began to prepare them for the future. Peter listened, absorbed all he could, then turned to the apostle John. "Lord," he said, "what about him?" Jesus said, "What is that to you? You follow me." (John 21:22)

God has big plans for you. He is mercifully not going to tell you what they are. At this moment, He is at work getting you ready for them and them ready for you. Your job is to do the work He has put on your plate today.

Joe McKeever
www.JoeMcKeever.com

God is in Control

2008-08-19T10:21:00.002-04:00

Unknown

This was sent to me and made me stop and think. I know this as you do, but sometimes we need a little reminder.

God Has It Under Control!
Don't get worked up...
God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up. Matthew 6:34 TM

Fear is just a 'grown-up version' of worry! If you let one in, the other comes with it. Stop and take inventory of the things you worried about last year, or even last week, how many came to pass?

And how many did you change by worrying? And did worrying make them better or worse? And what about the physical and emotional toll it's taking on you? And what does your worrying say to those who kno w you're a follower of Christ?

And when are you going to face up to the fact that you worry so much - and do something about it? "What can I do?" you ask.

You'll only stop worrying about tomorrow, when you learn to place it in the hands of the One who holds all our tomorrows. Listen: "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you" ( Psalm 37:5 NLT).

By committing each day to the Lord, you're trusting Him to go before you and work things out in your favor. It's amazing what you accomplish when you live trusting God a-day-at-a-time.

When you go through difficulties you discover things about God (and yourself) you never knew before; things that make you stronger, wiser and more compassionate.

Here's an idea - instead of worrying, attack your anxieties with the promises of God. Go ahead, bring your fears into His presence and watch them shrivel: "It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life" God is in Control

Pray without ceasing, God hears what you say, From the moment you rise, to the close of the day, Don't think for a moment, that He turns a deaf ear, Trust and have faith, and you'll never know fear.

Jello Lesson

2008-08-18T19:21:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

Jello Lesson

Carla stirred Jello into boiling water, added cold water, and put the bowl with the watery mixture in the refrigerator to set. "Didn't Dana ask you to come over to play this afternoon?" asked Mother after Carla had finished washing the dishes.

Carla shrugged. "Yeah," she said, "but I don't feel like playing with her. I'm beginning to think she's hopeless. She always wants her own way, and she says mean things about other kids--stuff like that."

"Hm-m-m-m. That's too bad," said Mother. "Well, maybe it's time to check your Jello."

Carla went to the refrigerator. "It's getting there," she said. "It's ready for the fruit." She added apples and bananas to the Jello while she continued to complain about Dana.

"Tell me something," said Mother. "Dana became a Christian just recently. Has she improved at all since then?"

"Oh, sure." Carla nodded. "She used to be just awful--nobody liked her. Now she's not as bad, but she still has a long way to go."

"Like the Jello," said Mother.

"The Jello?" repeated Carla. "What do you mean?"

"The Jello has improved since you started it, but it has a long way to go, too," explained Mother. "It isn't hopeless, though. In time it will be set and ready to eat. It reminds me that Christians don't usually 'set' all at once, either. It takes time. As Christians grow in the Lord, they improve in outward behavior. We need to be patient with them."

"Maybe we can add some 'fruit' to help them." Carla was enjoying the comparison. "Like. . .we can pray for them, and we can be friendly."

"Good," approved Mother, "and let's remember that you and I aren't finished yet, either. Let's grow together."

HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you know Christians who need a lot of improvement? Are you praying for them? Are you helping them by being friendly and encouraging them to attend church and study God's Word? Do you set a good example for them? God finishes what He starts. He'll finish what He has begun in them--and in you.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)

Walking Through Life's Hot Spots

2008-08-14T10:03:00.001-04:00

How to Walk Through Life's Hot Spots

Living through the pressures of life can be compared to walking through fire. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah believed that if you have faith in God, you can walk through fire and not be burned. He didn't promise that you won't feel the heat, just that you won't be burned.

Keep On Walking
A surefire way to get burned is to stop walking. When you are afraid, or under extreme stress, or hurting -- keep going. You will get through if you keep dealing with the everyday tasks at hand to the best of your ability. PERSEVERE

Remember That This Difficult Time Will Pass
It may feel that you are in a repeating time warp, but realize that pain is time-limited. All problems have a beginning and an end. BE PATIENT

Make Rough Times Work For You
Not everything is good, but the Bible reminds us that everything can be used for good if you submit your will to God. Look for ways to learn, grow, or cope in your pain or stress. HAVE COURAGE

Take "What Is" And Make The Most Of It
Make lemonade from your lemons. You are not called upon to create perfection from every situation, only to make the most of it. Don't waste your time on ceaseless complaining, but look for meaning and joy in all situations. BE CONTENT

Clean Up Your Own Trash
Stand on your own feet and don't try to blame others for your problems. You are not a victim. Choose to live the rest of your life with a controlled response to what is happening. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Be True To Your Self
You will have more strength for dealing with ordeals in life if you have the courage to be true to your own values. Hypocrisy destroys internal energy. MODEL INTEGRITY

Be Gladder Than Madder
Expressions of gratitude calm the soul and clear the mind. SHOW GRATITUDE

Have As Much Fun As You Can
Anticipation of fun raises the level of your energy. Learn to laugh through your trials. DISPLAY HUMOR

Determine What Is Within Your Control
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can choose the frame you put around your experiences. You can choose how you will deal with all situations. EXHIBIT INTERNAL CONTROL

Be Enthusiastic
Enthusiasm literally means, "God in us." If He is in you, let your life so shine. Learn to love life. Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire. SHOW YOUR PASSION

Author Unknown

Training Elephants

2008-08-13T09:55:00.002-04:00

by David Langerfeld

Although more humane methods are now employed, for years, the method for training elephants was very harsh.

As soon as a baby elephant was old enough to leave its Mother, it was taken from its family to a special training area. Itwas then placed inside a small enclosure for three days that was just large enough for it to turn from side-to-side.

At the end of three days, it was taken from this enclosure in the pitch dark to a large bonfire area. A big, strong rope was tied around the elephant's leg and then tied to a huge post that's driven deep in the ground. All night, the people around the elephant would shout and jump around. Every time the baby elephant tried to move, they would hit him with Bamboo sticks. After several hours of this, the baby elephant quits trying to move. Now, all he needs to hold him is a small piece of rope and a piece of wood the size of a tent stake to hold him.

Do you get the image here? This big powerful creature who could crush a car with his foot, can't pull a small stake out of the ground. It's not because he doesn't have the power, it's because the elephant has been convinced that he doesn't have the power.

Has Satan convinced you that you can't run the race? Has he convinced to
give up - because you can't win
quit trying - beause you can't do it
not make the effort - because it's not worth it

You have the power.
You have the strength. .
You can do it .
Press On!

"Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

"But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Building Intimacy With God

2008-08-12T14:41:00.000-04:00

Unknown

GENESIS 16:1-17:8

Intimacy with God doesn't just happen. It requires determination and a significant investment of time and effort. As we seek closeness with Him, we must learn:

• Conflict Resolution - In human disputes, there is usually error on both sides. But if we find ourselves in conflict with God, then we know we are in the wrong; the Lord is always right. When Abraham fathered a child by Hagar, there was great strife in his home. God kept His promise to make Abraham a father of many nations but did not lift the multi-generational discord that resulted from his actions.

· Trust—Intimacy grows only in an atmosphere of trust. As we understand God's character more, our confidence grows, and we are drawn closer to Him. Our part is to show ourselves trustworthy.

· Risk Taking—The more we reveal who we are in Jesus Christ, the more we risk facing arguments, experiencing rejection, or being misunderstood. (very true) But God understands us fully and promises that we belong to Him forever. (John 10:27-29) And any disagreements with Him can be resolved by yielding our desires, seeking His viewpoint, and asking for deeper faith.

· Agreement—For us to maintain a close affinity with God, our schedule and plans must reflect His priorities. We are to be available for His use and open to His directions.

God designed us for intimacy with Him. All that He requires is our presence and cooperation. What priority have you placed on building a deeper relationship with Him?

His Word Will Never Pass Away

2008-06-19T12:09:00.003-04:00

Matthew 24:35 - New International Version

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Today I want to share a testimony that a friend shared with me. A few weeks ago, he stopped and filled up his gas tank on the way home from Bible study. As he was driving, he started smelling smoke. Being from the South, he assumed that someone was burning garbage. As he drove, the smell got stronger and stronger. He figured that he was getting closer to the fire. He had no idea how close he was. He wasn't far from home, but the spirit of Lord told him to pull over. So he did. Smoke began to rise from under the hood, so he grabbed his phone and got out. He didn't turn around until he was about 20 or 30 steps away from his truck. By the time he turned around, sparks were coming from under the hood. Then, the truck went up in flames.
The truck was consumed by the fire. The fire department rushed to the scene and put it out. The only thing left of the truck was the frame. The seats, gone. Personal belongings, gone. The fire fighters asked if he wanted anything from in the car. His response was, "There's nothing left". But, he was wrong. Only one thing survived the fire. That was his Bible. There wasn't a scratch on it. Not one pages was scorched or burned. Hallelujah! God's word never passes away.

God Bless

Can't Let Go

2008-06-18T10:56:00.003-04:00

Genesis 32:24-26 The Message

But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint. The man said, "Let me go; it's daybreak." Jacob said, "I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me."

The way of a warrior is to fight. Giving up is not an option. Ever feel like giving up and can't? Then you are born warrior. Jacob was a lot of things, but he wasn't a quitter. Jacob fought for what was his. He worked for seven years for Rachel only to be tricked and end up with Leah. So what did he do, did he give up? No, he worked another seven years for Rachel.

Then we see him in Genesis 32 wrestling for his blessing. A warrior always has the same attitude, " I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me." Your blessing as at hand. Daybreak is coming, don't let go until you get your blessing. The devil has peaked into your future and is trying to cut you off at the pass. But he is no match for God. You throw in the towel but ultimately pick it back up. Why? You possess the spirit of a warrior. The Holy Spirit is your driving force. He will never steer you wrong.

When you want to give up, this is what you do... fight.

Where Is Your God?

2008-06-17T10:18:00.003-04:00

Psalm 42:10
As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

In the midst of a storm, your adversaries always have a way of showing up and asking, "Where is your God?" They say things like, "I don't know why you go to church anyway. You are about to be evicted. Where is your God now?" You may be experiencing financial difficulty and are radical enough to continue to tithe. You get a notice in the mail that the lights are about to be cut off, here comes your adversary,"You are a fool to give your tithes! You should have payed your light bill!" Then, fear tries to creep in. Your adversary always comes with doubt and discouragement. Where is your God?, they ask. He is where is always is, right there with you. God sits high and looks low. He will perfect those things that concern you. He is involved in every detail of your life. He is an on time God and changes not.

When your adversaries come to you asking, "Where is your God?" Tell them where your God is. He's in control!

God Bless

Detours & Road Blocks

2008-06-16T11:22:00.004-04:00

I WAS DRIVING TO A LUNCH APPOINTMENT WITH a Pastor when I came upon a detour. Because of the detour, traffic became snarled and I was barely moving. I checked the time and knew that if this traffic didn't clear up soon, I was going to be late. I almost fell into an irritated state, when God's presence came upon me. I sensed the Father saying, "I have placed many of My children on a Divine Detour and they do not know it."

SOME ARE FACING UNEXPECTED ROAD BLOCKS IN THEIR WALK WITH GOD...

Generally, everything seemed to be going smoothly for you. Most battles were easily won and temptations (although constant) didn't usually trip you (1 Corinthians 10:13). Then all hell broke loose. Those things that you used to handle with ease suddenly overwhelmed you and you wondered, Where did your strength go (Psalm 6:2)?

So there you are, called by God and following His plans the best you knew how, when things start to go downhill. Your spirit used to soar with enthusiasm, but now it is hard to get out of bed.

Fear not, God is preparing something new for you, but to bring it forth (here comes that word), pruning must take place (John 15:2). You didn't ask for this, but now you must fight the battle (Ephesians 6:11-12). You must bite the bullet and keep moving forward--tremendous rewards await you if you do not quit (Philippians 1:6). You decide to keep moving (Philippians 4:13). God nods His approval.

SOME THINK THEY ARE HARDLY MOVING AND SEE NO PROGRESS AT ALL...

You are wrong. If God would have allowed you to keep on the same old path you were on (Proverbs 14:12), you would have missed the opportunity (and blessings) He is about to show you. Often, God forcefully detours us so we will head into the harvest He has for us (John 4:38). Sometimes, more is accomplished in the spiritual realm when He makes us wait (Isaiah 40:31) then when we are "busy" for God.

Don't panic because nothing seems to be happening. He has pushed the "divine pause button" to bring you to Him and sit in His presence, something He has been trying to get you to do for some time now (Matthew 11:28-30). Yes, you are moving, only this time He is carrying you. Yes, progress is being made, but this time He is directing it. You prayed for this long ago, so don't fight it. You now relax...as He takes over.

BECAUSE OF THE DETOUR, DON'T THINK HIS PROMISES ARE POSTPONED...

Actually, the opposite is true (Psalm 138:8). Because God is taking you a different way, the promise will not only come to pass, but be fulfilled on a grander scale, because you allowed God to do it His way (Psalm 18:30). Oh yes, you meant well and your heart was in the right place, but God wanted to show you "a better way."

And because you decided not to panic and take a side road to avoid His detour, God can now speak with you about His plans and not yours (Jeremiah 29:11). Now you realize that you should have taken His detour long ago, but you couldn't discern the signs. You start to thank Him for the "forced detour" that He caused, because it will bring you into deeper communion with the King (Luke 24:15). You smile.

REJOICE, YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY AND ABOUT TO MAKE HISTORY...

God gave Paul a divine detour (Acts 9) and changed history. Jesus gave a few fishermen a detour and it turned their lives upside down (Matthew 4:18-19). God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary for the grandest detour of all--and because she accepted it (Luke 1:30-31), you and millions of others are now in the Kingdom of God. They and many others could have taken the "normal, beaten path," but they would not have changed history.

God's highway appears before you (Isaiah 35:8) and you need to start thanking Him for the interruption. Rejoice for the detour God has placed in front of you. Do not run from it. Many will be blessed because you said, "God, I don't recognize this path, I have never been here before, but because You say so, I will follow Your detour for me."

Remember, no one said you have to understand the detour God is making you go through...that will come later. As for now, take a deep breath, slow down and enjoy the view. Simply keep your eye on Jesus and He'll let you know which exit to get off (1 Samuel 3:10).

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

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Continue On

2008-06-13T09:44:00.002-04:00

Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

The enemy would like you to give up now but you must continue on. The is after that hidden treasure in you. You may feel like I never get a break. The enemy will always come with something. The more opposition you get, the more you should press. Opposition is an indication that you are on the right track. Keep going until you see the fulfillment of your promise. There is no time for doubt, yes, it was your God that spoke that thing to you. I heard a preacher give an analogy that I'm going to share with you. Thousands of people go through Central Park every day. Unfortunately, thousands of crimes take place there too. Many homeless people live in Central Park and no one bothers them. Meanwhile, businessmen are robbed. Children are abducted. Women are raped. But no one bothers the homeless. Why? Because people assume they don't have anything worth taking or that they're worthless. Henceforth, they're safe. Why is the enemy constantly planning his attack on you? He knows your worth.

Will you fight for your treasure or will you let the enemy rob you? Continue on!

God Bless

The First Vow of Success

2008-06-12T14:27:00.001-04:00

Unknown

I was born to succeed, not to fail. I was born to triumph, not to bow my head in defeat.

I was born to toast victories, not to whimper and whine.
What happened to me? When did my dreams all fade into a gray mediocrity where average people applaud each other as excellent?

No person is ever so much deceived by another, as by himself. The coward is convinced that he is only being cautious and the miser always thinks he is practicing frugality. Nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self since what we wish is always easy to believe. No one, in my life, has deceived me as much as I have.

Why do I always try to cover my small accomplishments under blankets of words that make light of my work or excuses for my lack of ability? Worst of all, I have come to believe my excuses so that I willingly sell my days for pennies while consoling myself with thoughts that things could always be worse.
No more!

It is time to study the reflection in my looking glass until I recognized that the most harmful enemy I have is me. At last, in this magic moment with my first scroll, the veil of self-deceit is beginning to lift from my eyes.
Now I know that there are three classes of people in the world. The first learn from their own experience-these are the wise. The second learn from the experience of others-these are happy. The third learn neither from their own experience nor from the experience of others-these are fools.
I am not a fool. Henceforth I will stand on my own feet and my terrible crutches of self-pity and self-contempt have been cast aside forever.

Never again will I pity or belittle myself.

How foolish I was when I stood in despair, by the side of the road, and envied the successful and the wealthy as they paraded by. Are they blessed with unique skill, rare intelligence, heroic courage, enduring ambition, and other outstanding qualities that I possess not? Have they been allotted more hours, each day, in which to perform their mighty tasks? Do they have hearts full of compassion and souls overflowing with love that are different from mine? No! God plays no favorites. We are all fashioned from the same clay.

Now I also know that the sadness and setbacks of my life are not unique to me. Even the wisest and most successful of our world suffer chapters of heartbreak and failure but they, unlike me, have learned that there is no peace without trouble, no rest without strain, no laughter without sorrow, no victory without struggle and that is he price we all pay for living. There was a time when I paid he price willingly and easily by constant disappointments and defeats first eroded my confidence and then my courage even as drops of water will, in time, destroy the strongest granite. All that is now behind me. No longer am I one of the living dead, remaining always in the shadows of others and hiding behind my sorry apologies and alibis while the years waste away.

Never again will I pity or belittle myself.

Now I know that patience and time can do more than even strength and passion. The years of frustration are ready to be harvested. All that I have managed to accomplish, and all that I hope to accomplish, has been and will be persevering process which builds the ant heap, particle by particle, thought by thought, step by step.

Success, when it comes overnight, often departs with the dawn. I am prepared, now, for a lifetime of happiness because I have finally recognized a powerful secret hidden in the years that treated me so harshly. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery we make of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterward carefully avoid. The path I walked, often dampened by my tears, has not been a wasted journey.

Never again will I pity or belittle myself.

Thank you, God, for playing your game with me, today, and placing in my hands these precious scrolls. I was at the lowest ebb of my life but I should have known it is at that moment that the tide always turns.

No longer will I look mournfully to the past. It will never return. Instead, with these scrolls, I will shape the present because it is mine and I will go forth to meet the mysterious future without fear, without doubt, without despair.

Never again will I pity or belittle myself.

Why Go to Church?

2008-06-11T12:18:00.002-04:00

Author Unknown

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."'

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!
Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Now What?

2008-06-09T10:58:00.002-04:00

Romans 8:35 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

God will allow things to occur in your life to see what you will do.What will separate you from God? It seems as if you take one step forward and the devil knocks you back two. Here you are with a brand new car and you lose your job. You just found out you're pregnant and your husband wants a divorce. Now what? You go for a routine physical and the doctor says you have cancer. What do you do? You relay past victories in your head. Remember God has brought you out time and time again. You can't give up. You have to fight and watch, then watch and fight. Listen. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. You my have lost that job so you can finally start that business. God has purpose for that new life, He will provide. Can may use this cancer to show you and the world that He still performs miracles. He's able.

Life has thrown you a curve, now what? You grow taller in the Lord on your knees.

God Bless

Just Ask

2008-06-03T11:37:00.002-04:00

Luke 11:9-10
King James Version

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I heard someone say that my greatest enemy is inner me. There is truth to that. There are somethings that we don't have simply because we didn't ask for them. You need a raise on your job? Just ask. Of course, you ask God first. But, we have a part to play too. Ask your boss. If you need a loan to start your business, just ask. Whatever it is, just ask. What is the worse that could happen? You are told no. Is that the end of the world? Of course not. Many times, the only thing standing between us and what we want/need is us.

Peter would never have walked on water without getting out of the boat.

God Bless

Ingredients of Anointing

2008-06-02T10:36:00.002-04:00

Exodus 30:23-25
The Message

God spoke to Moses: "Take the best spices: twelve and a half pounds of liquid myrrh; half that much, six and a quarter pounds, of fragrant cinnamon; six and a quarter pounds of fragrant cane; twelve and a half pounds of cassia—using the standard Sanctuary weight for all of them—and a gallon of olive oil. Make these into a holy anointing oil, a perfumer's skillful blend.

The are five ingredients of anointing oil: myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive. Some of the are bitter and some are sweet. In like manner, the ingredients of your anointing are bitter and sweet. You will have to endure trials and tribulations. A loved one may die, your marriage may end, you may be diagnosed with a chronic illness, etc. Those things are bitter. During the making of your anointing, there will be time spent in praise and worship, prayer, fasting, you will have intimacy with God like never before. You will have moments when you go beyond the veil and see God's glory. Those things are undoubtedly sweet.

Your anointing is unique. It was skillfully put together by a loving God. The ingredients in yours are not the same as mine. Exodus 30:25 says, "Make these into a holy anointing oil, a perfumer's skillful blend." You are a skillful blend.

God Bless