Christian Growth

Technicalities and Rules

by Fay Barlow
(Lexington, Sc USA)

John 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

What an amazing verse. The Jewish leaders had snuck around in the middle of the night, had the Messiah, the Son of God, arrested on trumped up charges, clearly wanting him killed, as evidence of verse 31, yet when it came to their ritualistic lifestyle, they would dare not enter into the Praetorium, the Roman governor’s official residence for fear of defilement.

During the Passover, if a Jew entered into a residence with leaven, he would be considered ceremonially defiled and not able to celebrate the Passover feast).

So the law and the flesh (the stomach) were more important to these Jewish leaders than the Son of God. Yet, they had already broken at least one of the Ten Commandments, by wanting the death of Jesus.

Now, I have to take these verses and see how they apply to my life today. I can’t sit around and cast blame and condemnation on others without examining my own life.

How many times have I followed the rules of the church yet disregarded the deity of Christ? Have I been so consumed about the way I appear to others that I would commit one sin under the cover of darkness while holding onto my other sin of performance based religion?

John 18: 31 “Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

The religious leaders wanted Jesus to die! But they didn’t want to do it. They wanted the government to put Jesus to death so they could escape blame.

Technicalities and rules.

We all live by rules. It is what makes us a civil society. But how often do I use rules to get what I want? How often do I twist them and change them to meet my own selfish desires? Do I take God’s word and apply only the parts of it that I like to my life? The parts that will make me look good to others? And do I find technicalities to worm my way out of the responsibilities I don’t like?

So the religious leaders played church a lot. They looked good on the outside, following the regulations of the law. But when darkness came to both the day and their hearts, the rules weren’t as important as their egos!
Ummmm…. Am I the same?

Walking Wounded

by Kathryn McKinney
(North Carolina)

As I find myself living IN the world I have found that I am often wounded BY the world. The wounds the world inflicts feel like rejection, unkindness and insensitivity often leading me to feel abandoned and alone.

As I search for comfort in the Word, I find where Jesus is speaking to his disciples in John 16:32-33, He says,

"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In my line of work I have experienced many who are accepting, kind and sensitive yet, only to a point. That point is the intersection of values, belief's and choosing to love. Once worldly values such as gossip and back-biting are not clearly supported, people go away. If you believe in someone no matter their short-comings, you are thought to be strange. If you choose to love the unlovable, the world laughs, mocks and spreads lie's.

But take heart because through Christ we have overcome the world. It is true I am finding that in the world I will have trouble, yet, how do I overcome the trouble? What do I say to the gossipers, the liars the backbiters? Do I call them out as John the Baptist did? "You brood of vipers!" Well, I could, however God knows I am not a person who has ever liked aggravated confrontation. Instead, I find the walking wounded and I love them as Christ loves me.

I too at times have found myself walking wounded, yet I have found that I can be an overcomer because He that is within me is greater than those within the world. I have found my worth in glory through the words of Christ in the above verse, He tells them, "...I am not alone, for my Father is with me." He knew the world would abandon Him, reject Him, be unkind to Him, yet, He found His comfort in His Father who was with Him. He knew His purpose. He walked towards His calling. He loved despite rejection. He knew that the wounds they inflicted were only temporary, and stood for a higher purpose. Part of that purpose is so that we can walk in glory because;

"... he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

The next time I am wounded, I will remember that long walk to Calvary. Jesus also walked wounded. He walked however, with grace, mercy and love so that I could walk in His footsteps towards others. My calling is no less as I take up my cross daily and follow Him.

Mark 8:34
"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

May God keep us in perfect peace!
Kathryn McKinney

Comments:

by: Anonymous

This writing is so on track with all of life and the burdens we all carry through our lives. so many times we all struggle to seemingly stay above water,but when it comes to our best friend Jesus we never have to feel rejected unloved or persecuted.Jesus of all beings has experienced it all. We that comfort one another and seek to comfort others are a lot of the time unknowingly honoring a the greatest commandment to Love one another Love overcomes all pain and suffering.this is a fantastic work of art I Love this writing.God has done a great work within you. I truly give it 1000000 stars.What a blessing.
Always and Forever

Worship of Almighty God

by Margaret Wright
(Sydney, N.S.W. Australia)

On June 26th, 1986 our Sovereign Lord God Almighty brought us from India to Australia to join our family here.

While in the plane coming here, in my mind’s eye, I saw the Lord sitting on His throne and He had a chess board in front of Him and I saw Him pick up one of the figures on the board and move it from one square to another. In those few seconds I was thrilled in my heart to know that Father-God was showing me that in His plans He is involved in this move of ours!! PRAISE GOD!!

Then very early one morning in August 1986, I awoke with the high praises of the Most High upon my heart and I wrote it down, as under –

You are the God of gods. You are God from everlasting to everlasting.

You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that therein is.

You hold all things by the power of Your Word.
All persons, time, and circumstances are under Your control.

All power and authority and wisdom belong to You.
You are Holy and Just and Righteous. You see the end from the beginning.

There is nothing too hard for You. All glory and honor and power belong to You.

You cannot lie. You cannot fail. You never make a mistake.

You never put Your people to shame who put their trust in You.

You see all things. You know all things. You hear all things.

You understand all things. You are Master over all circumstances and situations.

There is nothing impossible with You. Great is Your faithfulness.

Your mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. There is no emergency with You.

You are the King of glory. You rule and over-rule in the kingdom of men.

You are the Prince of Peace. You are the Source of life and the Giver of life.

You are the joy of heaven and earth. Your Kingdom rules over all.

You are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the Rose of Sharon.

You are the bright and morning Star. You are the Lily of the Valley.

You loved me so much and planned this great salvation for me.

You gave me my lovely Saviour, Jesus Christ to die as a sacrifice on the cross.

You are altogether Lovely. You are the God and Father of the New Creation.

No one can compare with You. You are the only true and living God.

You are a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God.
You neither slumber nor sleep.

Your ways are not my ways, nor Your thoughts my thoughts.

Heaven is Your throne and the earth is Your footstool.

You delivered me from the power of the enemy through the blood of Jesus.

You gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost, like Your promised.

You made me Your child and a member of Your family.

You are my Father and Jesus my Elder brother.

You alone are worthy of worship and adoration.

You are my Lord and my God. You are my Friend and Counselor.

You are my joy and strength. You are sweeter and more precious with each passing day.

You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. You are my present help in the time of trouble.

Because of Jesus and His precious sacrifice, man shall live with You forever in eternity.

You are the unchanging Lord from whom all blessings flow.

You are everything to me!!

I trust you will be uplifted as you read these lines in worship to the God of our salvation.
At the appointed time, we are going to meet Him.

Love and God bless

Comments:

by: Anonymous

The Lord has really used our dear sister wonderfully to reveal in such depth the Scriptures.
We do pray that Margaret will bring many hungry souls to the Lord.

by: Anonymous

Wonderful Praise.

by: Nellie

I ENJOYED READING THIS . IT IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL DONE. IT HAS A VERY GOOD MESSAGE. JUST READ AND ENJOY THIS. THIS ONE BEST READING THAT I HAVE HAD IN A LONG TIME. THANKS MARGARET IT IS FANASTIC. THANKS FOR THIS ONE.

by: susannah

It was really good to read some thing like this
as i have just lost my boy 20 years for cancer. samuel told me he was going home just before he passed away . When i am hurting i would read this
susaanah

by: Denise Mistich

That was absolutely beautiful to me and, I'm sure, to our Father God! I need to spend more time praising because your article was like vitamins to me!

by: Lynn Mosher

One of my favorite things to read is about praising God. This is awesome! Thank you for sharing this! Blessings...

New Year, New Season

by Filoiann Wiedenhoff
(San Diego, CA )

Philippians 3:12-14:

"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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." NIV

As we forge ahead in 2008, I would like to share with you a new perspective that has blessed me over the years and although our new year has already begun, my hope is that you can still view every year as a new season.

My best friend and I have this tradition we do every year for the last five years usually around the end of December. We go to our favorite beach spot, where we talk and pray about the past year and look ahead to the New Year.

We ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that happened the past year: the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and also the fun times. We share what valuable lessons we learned from our experiences, what God showed us and how He was faithful through all of it.

We do this as a closure to one year and then an opening to the next. After we have laughed a while and then cried, we begin to look forward with great excitement, wondering what God has for us this coming new year. What new experiences will we go through and what new lessons will we learn? It's all fresh and new and that is exciting.

In doing this I believe it helps us to view each year as a season, understanding that God is Sovereign and has new seasons of experiences and growth to make us more like Christ. I can testify there were times we went through seasons of grief and there were also times we experienced seasons of joy.

It helps me to remember that God is in total control and that we are constantly growing as His children and that He knows the plans He has for us. Plans of new wisdom, insight and understanding that He wants to impart to us, if we will allow Him to.

It also gives us a fresh new outlook of the coming year and enables us to leave the past where it belongs, not that we forget the past but learn from it and move forward into our present future with opened hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.

With that said, I put together eight ways we can view the New Year and every year as a year of . . .

New Beginnings: Start out the New Year with a fresh point of view to new experiences, memories and blessings. Having an open mind and heart to wherever the Lord may take you with full assurance and confidence that He is with you (Matthew 28:19-20).

New Possibilities: There's no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no man can shut and also closes doors that no man can open. The possibilities are endless with God that is according to His will (Philippians 4:13).

New Plans: Every year is a new season; be prayerful of what God has planned for you and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as you follow His leading. Remember that His plans are always for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

New Purpose: As you forge ahead, God always has a plan and a purpose for what you will go through and experience. Remember that God always has a reason for what He allows in your life and through it you can trust Him completely (Proverbs 1:3-5).

New Provisions: The Bible says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own. Trust in your Heavenly Father who knows everything you need, who is your God and your Provider. He is faithful and He will do it (Matthew 6:1-33).

New Growth: When we are willing to let go and let God work in us and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. Continue to grow in your relationship with Him and in His Word. Pray for God to mold you and make you pliable in the potter's hand and then watch the master craftsman work on His masterpiece, which is you!

New Wisdom: With new experiences and new lessons come new wisdom and insight. Always make it a priority to seek out wisdom as hidden treasure or fine gold. In Proverbs it says that it will be like a garland of grace around your neck and honor you and present you with a crown of splendor (Proverbs 4:7-9).

Renewed Peace: As you go through new experiences and new adventures, whether they are good or bad, my encouragement is to keep your eyes fixed on Christ and He will give you rest and peace, because He is our peace and loves you and cares for you deeply (John 16:33).

Keep in mind that if even the wicked give good gifts to their children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give to those that ask Him? (Matthew 7:7-11) Let us give thanks to the Lord for getting us through another year as we look forward to what He has for us up ahead and praise Him that He is faithful and worthy to be praised!

May the Lord bless you and your family with a blessed New Year!

Looking for Happiness Down Dead-End Roads

by Terry Scerine
(Escanaba, Michigan, United States)

There's one common thing that each of us human beings is searching for - we all want to be happy. Or at least that's what we think we want.

We keep trying to feel happier longer, to make the rest of our life more worthwhile. We find what we think makes us happiest, then then we try to do it as often as we can. The problem is that we only really feel happy while we're doing it, so it can't last.

It's all about getting kicks. Maybe they're called kicks because it's like being kicked - it happens quickly and it hurts afterwards! Compared to the kicks, the rest of life isn't much fun. It's at least mundane and empty most of the time, and it's usually accompanied by feelings of guilt or remorse. The greater the kicks, the worse life is without them.

The Dreaded Dead End

How far can you drive down a dead end road to find the lasting happiness you're looking for? Only until you hit the dead end, when you realize the lasting happiness you're looking for wasn't there. Then you will have to turn around and try another road.

I went down alot of dead end roads, but all I found on them was nothing. A bunch of kicks that lead to nothing but emptiness. After awhile, I started to realize that all the kicks are the same old thing - they're always too short, they never last, and it's always a bummer when they're over.

Then I felt like, why do I bother living at all? What's the point of suffering through a mostly empty life, just to keep myself alive? That doesn't make sense. If I'm going to die eventually anyway and just be basically miserable in the mean time, why bother?

I thought of different ways I could kill myself, but I wouldn't do it because I was afraid God might send me to hell for it. So I would pray to God to take my life, to let me die.

See, I have always known God exists. Everyone does, at least deep inside. I think people who say "There is no God" are just saying it because they want Him to prove them wrong. Like when even an atheist finds himself in a really desperate situation, he will make a deal with God: "Oh God, if you're really there, please help me and I'll..." or "Oh God, if you get me out of this I promise I'll..." No one would try to make a deal with someone they're certain doesn't exist.

So anyway, night after night I found myself still alive, dreading the dawn of the next day of the same old meaningless, empty existence. Then one night in bed in the pit of my desperation, as I was thinking of the best way to kill myself, I cried out to God and said "God, I give up! I don't know how to live, and you won't take my life, so I need you to take over my life for me!"

Well, right then He did. He revealed to me that night, in a supernatural way, what I really wanted to know - what every human being wants to know: He gave me what I've always been looking for - the TRUTH about life and a rescue from my empty existence.

The Truth Will Set You Free

Life can be a struggle, sometimes severe. If you need a reason to go on living - a perfectly valid, legitimate, rewarding, and totally fulfilling reason to live, wouldn't you like to find out what it is from the one true Master and Creator of the Universe, the Expert who created you and therefore loves and accepts you completely and perfectly, and knows you better than anyone else possibly could?

It's crazy how simple it is: It's about turning your life over to the Expert that created you and letting him take over. And here's how to do it : Repent of your wrong ways, believe in Jesus Christ and put your faith and trust in Him, and you will be saved!

This is not some pie-in-the-sky religious holy-roller fairy tale. It is REALITY. It's the ONLY WAY. Jesus Christ is the Only Way!

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one gets to the Father except through Me."

Only He can save you. And not just for eternity, but from the misery of living an empty life also! The Kingdom of Heaven starts right when you repent and put your faith in Jesus. How do I know this is true? Because the Master of the Universe said so. He put it in the book he gave us and He doesn't lie. And also, He has changed my life!

But just believing about Jesus doesn't do it. Even Satan believes about Jesus, but his fate is already sealed in the lake of fire where he will be "tormented day and night for ever and ever." No, it's about surrendering your life to your Lord and Savior and letting Him take control of your life for you.

Jesus says in His Book "He who loves his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for My sake will find everlasting life."

The beauty of it is, when you decide to ask Jesus to be the Lord over your life and you sincerely ask Him to forgive you, you will also receive His Free Gift of forgiveness for all your sins, and I mean all, no matter how terrible! In His Word to us, He literally promises to erase all your sins off the slate and remember them no more when you sincerely ask Him to forgive you! You can be free from the penalty and guilt of all your wrongs, just by asking Jesus to forgive you and to be the new Lord of your life.

This is called the Good News, or Gospel, of Jesus Christ.

Born Into a Fulfilling and Joyful Life

It's called being born again - being reborn of the Spirit of God. He says "Unless you be born again, you can in no way enter the Kingdom of God."

And here's a fact you should know: If you're not living for God, you're serving Satan. There's no in-between! If you're alive, you're either on one side or the other.

You give Him your old, miserable, empty life, and He gives you a new joyful and fulfilling one. You die to your old natural sinful self, and he gives you His Holy Spirit to live in you and take over for you, and right then you begin to know the true lasting joy that is available to those who love Him, who live in Him and for Him.

God also wrote in His book that Jesus will be coming again soon to get His children (those of us who belong to Him) and will take us to be with Him where He is. We, His children, will escape His wrath, but woe to those who will be left behind!

Are You Ready?

Do you feel that the mess you've made of your life is too big to clean up? Do you feel like everything you ever try to do comes to an empty dead end? I know how it feels, but I also know it doesn't have to be that way. You can be rescued the same way I was rescued. And it's amazingly simple!

Are you ready to give up living life your own way and let the Expert take over? I guarantee you, there's not one possible good reason to wait! It's not going to get better, just worse without Jesus as your Lord because your life is hopeless otherwise, and your eternal fate is at stake! There is only one way to end hopelessness, and that's by grabbing hold of the only certain Hope available!

And don't think you have to wait and get your life cleaned up first! That's a lie! He will meet you and rescue you right where you are, right now this moment, as you are, in the muck on that dead end road. He loves you more than anyone on earth ever possibly could! Jesus is real and alive, and He is standing at the door right this moment as you're reading this, just waiting for you to open it and invite Him into your life and your soul.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO: Get "on your knees" right now and sincerely CRY OUT TO JESUS in your heart! Tell Him you do believe He is the Son of God, and that He died and was raised immortal from the dead, and that you know you're a sinner in need of His salvation, and ask Him to forgive you for everything you've done wrong, no matter how terrible! Ask Him to pick you up out of the muck of your life and wash you clean. Ask Him to come into your soul right now and take over your life for you!

Tell Jesus you give up, that you just can't do it any more. Tell Him you really want to change your life, but you're too weak to do it yourself because you don't have the strength or will power. Tell Him you really want to get right with Him. Ask Jesus to wash all your sins away with the blood He shed on the cross, and to be the new Lord of your life. Ask Him to save you from your empty existence and pick you up and carry you into His Kingdom.

He promises He will do it, according to His Word, if only you will sincerely surrender yourself to Him and accept His Free Gift of grace and salvation that He is offering you right now. And I know He keeps ALL His promises!

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

I am What God Says I am

by Margaret Wright
(Sydney, N.S.W. Australia)

I am a child of God John 1: 12
I am a joint-heir with Christ Romans 8: 17
I am the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor.5: 21
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6: 19
I am the apple of His eye. Zec.2: 8
I am an ambassador for Christ. 2 Cor.5: 20
I am free from condemnation Romans 8: 1
I am more than a conqueror Romans 8: 17
I am the salt of the earth. Mathew 5: 13
I am the light of the world Mathew 5: 14 & Eph. 5: 8
I am a member of the household of faith Gal.6 :10
I am a branch of the True Vine John 15: 5
I am the will of God James 1: 8
I am in the palm of the Lord’s Hand Isa. 49: 16
I am covered by the shadow of His Hand Isa. 51: 6
I am loved by God as much as He loves Jesus John 17:23
I am in God’s Hand and none can pluck me out John10:28 am delivered from sin Romans 6: 7
I am free from weaknesses and diseases. Matt.8: 17
I am complete in Him. Col.2: 10
I am translated into the kingdom of God’s Son.Col.1:13 I am delivered from the power of darkness Col. 1: 13
I am accepted in Him Eph. 1: 6
I am dead to sin and alive to God in Christ.Rom.6:11
I am seated in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 2: 6
I am redeemed from the curse of the law. Gal. 3: 13
I am in Christ. 1 Cor. 1: 30
I am hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3: 3

This revelation of God concerning me is found in His Holy Word. Sense knowledge (the knowledge gained through seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting) and my varying circumstances may not reveal the same and in reality contradict this revelation, but when I stand on the naked Word of God alone, God confirms His Word.

I am the daughter of the Almighty God through Jesus Christ, His Son. Chosen before the foundation of the world to be His witness in this world and to do His will for His glory. My Heavenly Father promised to lead, guide and provide all the days of my life.

I am the Lord’s ambassador in this world. God by His Spirit indwells me and now I am His Temple. My relationship with the Lord is real and it is a privilege to know Him, love Him and serve Him!! Praise His wonderful Name!

The Beauty of Life's Storms

by Kathryn McKinney
(North Carolina)

Job's reaction to the news of his children's death brought him to complete humility before God. The Bible says: "he got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.'"(Job 1:20-21)

How do we react when trouble, disaster or tragedy comes? Realizing the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away and to praise Him as a result is something that will take some practice. I didn't say, "praise Him anyway," I said, "praise Him as a result."

Job was facing the death of his children. Not one but all of them at once. "A mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them." (Job 1:19) Seven children wiped out in the blink of an eye. Here one minute and gone forever. In less than sixty seconds that one minute equals, can we recall storms in our lives?

Ever wonder why they call weather related disasters natural? Something so powerful, so random, so violent being accepted as natural?

The dictionary definition of natural gives a clue; "Conforming to the usual or ordinary course of nature." Romans 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Through God's grace we can conform to the fact that we can not control the weather. Likewise we must not conform to the twisting winds of the storms we face.

Before storms break forth, there are the tempest seas that catch the eye of any sea bearing Captain. He knows a storm is brewing. He has spent his life on the sea tossing and charging even the mightiest wind and sauciest waves.

He knows it is part of the life of the sea. He knew the dangers before he set sail. He was prepared. Ready. Yet poised and hopeful for the best. Are we not all sea Captains weathering the storms of life? Has not Christ warned us that the world hated Him and in turn, so it will hate us? Did He not warn us that we would have trouble in this world but not to fret because He has overcome the world?

It is difficult to see that Christ has overcome the dirty dishes in the sink, the bald tires on the van and the inspection sticker on the car but He has! He has declared that He is, in fact, the supplier of all our needs it just may not look like it at first glance.

Can we challenge ourselves to praise and worship the Lord in the face of trouble as Job did? Can we have faith that joy will come in the morning?

Sure we can for God has not forsaken us! He prepares for us a table in the presence of our very enemies so as to afford the opportunities we are in need of in order to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

It is not about the dishes, the bald tires or the inspection sticker on the car but it is about who you will meet as a result of the very things that guide you where God's will shall be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Blessings, love and encouragement in the Lord!
Kathryn McKinney

Comments:

by: Cynthia Cantrell

Beautiful! You said it well! God is good! I look forward to hearing more from you! Angels walk amoung us, as I have learned from experience. I wouldn't be here if not for God's Grace during the most trying time of my life. He has saved me in more ways than one...in fact, in several acts of amazing Grace.
Blessings to you all!
Cynthia

by: Brenda

This is so true.I love the contrast of lifes storm's.I think you captured the deep emotional part of the heart.This is a place that really no one can touch but God.

Reality of the Holy Ghost

by Margaret Wright
(Sydney, NSW, Australia)

Many years ago when my children were in boarding school, I was disturbed early one morning from my sleep by a frightful dream.

In my dream I seemed to be standing behind the trellis-work in my home and looking outside at the early morning scene of water-filling at the tap by the road side. There was a long queue of water pots and men and women waiting to get good water from the tap, there were others off to work and children on their way to school.

Everything seemed quiet and normal this morning when suddenly, I do not know how it started, there was a big row with people fighting and breaking earthen water pots – a free for all fight. Some were bleeding from cuts received.

However, over and above all this noise and din, I heard someone shout out to me, “Rebecca was kidnapped” – referring to my daughter.

Hearing this, I shot out of bed and became very weak and rushed to the next room. I switched on the light and sat at the table. Fear swallowed me up and I could not think. It seemed there was no “me.” I noticed that it was 2am.

While in this state of shock, I heard a strong clear voice from within me begin to speak to me saying, “You worship and serve the Living God and you pray to Him daily. Each day you pray for your children and cover them under the protection of the Blood of Jesus, do you believe this?

Remember the time when you were pregnant with Rebecca and you were haunted by the fear of slipping and losing the baby? Remember how I preserved her through My Word in Psalm 127:3. “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward?”

I could not remember all this at that time for my mind was blank and swallowed up by fear. I quickly took paper and pencil and began to write all that this Voice was saying to me. “Remember, when the children were in pre-school and you were under persecution for the testimony of Jesus Christ, you were threatened that your husband, Robert would be knifed and your children kidnapped and acid would be thrown at your family to destroy you all and that your house would be burned down? Remember, how I preserved you through My Word in Psalm 33:10 “The Lord brings the counsel of the heathen to nought: for He makes the devices of the people of none effect?”

The Voice continued, “AND NOW THE ENEMY SHALL NOT HAVE HER. Remember, the theme song you sang daily at the Vacation Bible School last week, I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today… was that real to you?”

As I was writing down everything – even the Scripture references given, my faith began to soar and soon I was back to my normal self and thrilled that the Holy Ghost Himself had ministered to me in this manner.

I took the hymn-book out (Redemption Hymnal No.361) and sang the hymn and rejoiced in the Lord and praised Him. After I had finished I looked at the clock and it was now 4 am and at first I was frightened to go back to sleep in case there was a sequel to my dream but then I remembered how the Holy Ghost had ministered to me and decided to go back to sleep.

Later I wrote to my daughter, who was in a boarding School, in India and asked her what she was doing on that day in July without telling her anything about my dream. She replied saying it was a day open to the public as it was the School’s sports day.

I knew then that God had intervened once again by His Sovereign power and mercy and had preserved my daughter one more time.

God is in control of our lives for indeed we serve the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. There is power in the blood of Jesus to protect us from all the works of the enemy!

ALL GLORY TO HIS HOLY NAME!!

Comments:

by: Katherine Harms

What a beautiful testimony! However, I came away with two unanswered questions. 1 - why was your family under threat of violence for your faith in the past? I don't doubt it, but you don't elaborate, and I can't relate to such a situation. I have been verbally assaulted, and some people have made fun of me or shunned me, but I have never been in physical danger for my faith. Clearly, if you have experienced such a threat in the past, you would believe it could happen again, as was the case during the night you wrote about. 2 - Why did you believe your daughter would have been threatened during a public sports day? I think it would have helped me to appreciate your situation if I had understood why that presented a threat to your daughter's safety. I don't guess you can answer me, but these thoughts keep whirling in my mind as I think about your story. I am convinced that your daughter was threatened, or why would the Holy Spirit have come to you in this way, but I wish I understood the situation better after reading about it.

by: Shirley Peter

This was a great testimony. Thanks. Shirley.

LIVING AMONG THE NAKED

by Jahan Berns
(Birmingham, Alabama (USA))

Are we walking naked among the naked? God calls us to be clothed and covered in his glory. If you are walking in a shameful state of nakedness, take heart, the Lord Jesus will clothe you if you ask him. His word says that he hears the cry of the naked and clothes them in compassion. I once walked naked but now I am clothed- there is no more shame, no more guilt. I am free to experience the supernatural hand of God. I have been liberated to experience all kinds of divine intervention from heaven. How about you?

A few months ago, the Lord showed me a vision that totally changed my outlook concerning holiness in the church. One particular Sunday, as I was seated in church, I saw the pastor walk to the pulpit and he was stark naked! I looked around me expecting people to register the same shock that I was feeling but to my dismay, everyone went on as if everything was normal. I wept as I realized that God had opened my eyes in the Spirit to see the state of our church. The altar was covered with rivers of shame and they flowed from the podium to the pews, bathing the congregation in their vile waters.

After the service, I walked to one of the elders and told him the vision I had just seen. I was taken aback by his venomous response: "Who are you to speak against the man of God? This pastor is blessed. He has mansions; a fleet of luxurious cars, a personal jet, he is influential in politics, wines and dines with kings". This kind of life is a sign of God's stamp of approval on the man of God. Repent for you have touched the Lord's anointed."

To say that I was taken aback by his response is an understatement. A few months later, I was greatly saddened by the news that our beloved pastor had been caught in a series of multiple adulterous affairs, he resigned his post and so many elders and deacons were also forced to resign their positions because of financial malpractice.

God had exposed the naked state of our church, I only wish that I had been given the chance to warn the pastor about the impending judgment that was about to befall him.

Beloved, if you have been seeing yourself or others as naked, then I want to let you know that God is showing you the state of sin in which you are living. If you have genuinely cried out to God and asked him to show you what is wrong with you, your family, career, job etc. you are in the beginning process of seeing the revelation unfold. The moment you see yourself or someone else as naked, then you must realize that God is in the process of opening the eyes of your understanding so that you can see certain things as he sees them.

We live in a generation that walks naked, a lot of people today walk in the shameful ways of their sin, their conscience has been seared that most of them do not realize how pathetic they are. In Genesis 2-3, we see that sin caused Adam and Eve to be ashamed of their nakedness. They sought to hide themselves away from God's presence. This kind of nakedness carries shame and makes one feel like they have totally lost control of their circumstances and are on the verge of experiencing great judgment.

The greatest cause of nakedness in the world today is the sin of Idolatry. Beloved children of God, the sin of Idolatry will strip you naked faster than all other sins combined. The sin of Idolatry will strip you of your dignity and make you an abomination and a stench in the Lord's nostrils.

When the children of Israel worshipped the golden calf in the desert, the Bible said that this sin was so grievous, that it stripped them naked and they became a laughing stock to their enemies. (Exodus 32:25) 2 Chronicles 28:19 says that, "The Lord humbled Judah because of Ahaz, king of Israel; for he had made Judah naked and transgressed sore against the Lord."

We may not literally bow to idols or golden calves but the moment that we exalt anything above the Lordship of Christ in our lives, we have opened the door to Idolatry and once that is done, we are stripped and left to bathe naked in the river of shame. If you fall into a pattern where you habitually exalt a man's ideas, opinions and desires above the Lord's you are guilty of idolatry. In light of this, it is wrong for us to worship our children or spouses.

Not only does Idolatry strip you naked, it also devastates the person you are exalting because you are lifting him or her into a lofty place that was only meant for someone with more power, wisdom, authority and love. No one can successfully play at being God for a long time, even the greatest actors cannot sustain the role.

The love of money is the root of evil-it is also one of the foundations for idolatry in the church. We have learned the art of worshipping the gifts instead of the giver. We have lost our first love and grown cold. The things that moved us and stirred the spiritual gifts in us have been cast aside in our pursuit for material gain. In a desire to feed our insatiable lusts, we have ignored the poor and shut our ears to the cries of the afflicted. The moment Idolatry sets in, the anointing of God lifts and what you are left with is emptiness, turmoil, and frustration. In such situations, most people usually resort to prideful and flashy lifestyles to cover up the shame of their nakedness.

Sexual sin is another cause of nakedness. Engaging in immoral acts of any kind will strip you of all the protective layers and leave you bare and exposed to your enemies. The Bible is full of moving rhetoric examples where God showed his people the disastrous consequences of their adultery. In Hosea 2:2-3 God rebukes his people for their nakedness which was caused by adultery.

We must remember that every time we open the door and let sin rule our lives, we are subjecting ourselves to nakedness. Not only will nakedness bring shame and invoke God's judgment and wrath, it will also lead to exposure. When you are naked, the protective covering is gone and not only does the enemy laugh at you, he is also able to attack you because there is nothing left to cover you. In fact it's a common occurrence for demon possessed people to physically undress. The act of undressing is a deeper sign of a greater problem: spiritual nakedness. Do not be deceived by the enemy of your soul, he longs to see you walking naked, he prowls around like a roaring lion waiting to devour anyone that walks in a state of nakedness.

Did you also know that nakedness invites the wrath and judgment of God? Jesus succinctly warns us that the naked are not going to enter the kingdom of God. In Revelations 16:15, he says, "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." Beloved Children of God, though we live in a generation where people live and walked in a perpetual state of nakedness, we are called to be wash our clothes in the blood of the lamb, and to be dressed in garments of righteousness at all times. God wants you to recognize the state of your nakedness, he requires you to repent of anything that may have caused you to walk undressed. The Lord Jesus is here, he is willing to give you a garment of praise so that once again you can walk as God's Royalty upon the earth.

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord

by Debra Ann Elliott
(Birmingham, AL, USA)

Casting all your cares upon Him; for He careth for you.
I Peter 5:7

Got the world on your shoulders? Cast your cares upon the Lord!

It seems like only yesterday I was a child without any cares in the world. I didn’t have to worry about paying the bills, putting food on the table, or raising children. I didn’t fully understand my mother’s worries about such exigencies of life until I became a wife and mother many years later.

Responsibility starting calling my name when I had my first child. It’s easy to put adulthood aside when you don’t have responsibilities. However, when my daughter was born; doubt, fear and hopelessness smacked me right in the face!

Those three emotions had a deleterious effect on my life. I couldn’t handle the accountability of day to day aspects in my life. Doubt, fear and hopelessness became my contentment stealers. I had let negativity exude into my life. I doubted my parenting skills. I feared I could not provide for my child. I had lost all hope, until I cast my cares unto the Lord.

Has doubt, fear and hopelessness smacked you in the face? Are doubt, fear and hopelessness your contentment stealers?

Doubt! Is doubt always trying to mulct your life? The use of trickery is commonplace with doubt. Doubt tricked me into believing the worse in myself. I let it emanate through the crevices of my mind. I doubted every decision, my purpose in life and if I were good enough to do what was expected of an adult. Doubt became my contentment stealer. I was robbed of joy and happiness.

When we expect too much of ourselves doubt will steal our contentment. We are not perfect!
You are going to make mistakes, but don’t doubt your decisions. There will be days when you question your existence, but don’t doubt you are loved. Today you may feel like you can’t go any further, but don’t doubt you can handle anything. Lean on Him! But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Don’t be like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind...

Fear! Is fear always lurking in the background of your life? Fear’s purpose is to lie in wait, hiding in your thoughts, trying to destroy your contentment. Fear manipulated me into a life full of qualms and solicitude. It took control of my mind through insidious means. Fear was waiting for a chance to entrap me with uneasy feelings about the rightness of what I was doing. I questioned right from wrong. I feared mistakes, my commitments and if I were doing everything properly. I became anxious and concerned. Fear became my contentment stealer. I was robbed of assurance and confidence.

When we fret over little things in our lives fear will steal our contentment. We are not captives of our situations! You are going to have bad days, but don’t fear your mistakes; learn from them. Commitment is a part of our lives, but don’t fear the circumstance. Today you may feel like you can’t do anything right, but don’t fear your judgment. Give Him your worries. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Don’t be dismayed by fear but upheld with the Lord’s strength...

Hopelessness! Is hopelessness always a quagmire in your life? It can be a constant entrapping position. Hopelessness pulled me into a dark pit of quicksand. It trapped me in mass confusion. I became frustrated and readily yielding to the pressures of life. Sorrow and pain interweaved with reality. I gave into doubt and fear. I lost hope in my judgment, my determination and in the fact I couldn’t do anything right. Hopelessness became by contentment stealer. I was robbed of exuberance and comfort.

When we yield to frustration in our lives hopelessness will steal our contentment. We are not void of emotions! You will give into pressures of life, but don’t give into the hopelessness that might be right around the corner. You may want to give up, but don’t give into the hopelessness nothing is possible. Today you may feel imperfect, but don’t give into the hopelessness that you are worthless. Let Him lead the way. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Do not grow weary, do not faint, but soar on the wings of an eagle...

Contentment stealers will rob you of your joy! Doubt, fear and hopelessness will squeeze the life out of you. Take hold of the Lord. He is your contentment restorer!

When you cast all of your doubt, fear and hopelessness upon the Lord you are able to move on. You can begin to live your life to the fullest and experience the joy God wants for you.

Pray:
Lord, I cast all my doubt, fear and hopelessness unto you. Shower me with your wisdom and
grace so I may live my life to the fullest and experience the contentment you want for my life. Amen

A Guilty Conscience

by Terry Scerine
(Escanaba, MI, USA)

None of us plays with a full deck. Each of us is a product of our culture, our upbringing, and our own conscious choices and experiences, all of which are flawed.

There is only one who has ever walked the face of the earth who was perfectly sane, perfectly put-together, and that is Jesus Christ.

The rest of us all fall short to some degree. None of us, on our own, is perfectly equipped to always do the right thing all the time as Jesus was. None of us is perfectly sane.

In times of weakness, I tend to judge myself according to all the things I've done wrong in my life: The wrong things I've done that have hurt others, and the mess I've made of my own life. Our own conscience keeps a record of all our wrongs, and won't let us off the hook.

When I dwell on all the things I've done wrong, it makes me feel like I'm no good, that I'm just garbage, that I'm just a screw-up. Then I take this, my own judgment of myself and project it on my future. I believe that no matter what I try to do, I'm just going to screw up anyway because that's what I am - a screw-up. It's hard to be strong and do the right thing rather than to give up and give in to temptation. And since I'm just a screw-up anyway, why bother?

This is how the devil wants us to think. This is how the father of lies wants us to see ourselves. He wants us to be weaklings, weakened by our own guilty conscience, so that we won't have the strength to resist his temptations. He wants us to be a servant to him. He wants us to feel worthless so that hopefully we will destroy ourselves. He wants us to be of no use to our Father. He wants to keep us in bondage, tied with the chains we have made for ourselves.

Our own sin can deceive us - make us feel that we are unworthy of our Lord's saving grace and forgiveness! In this way, sin can be deceitful.

(Hebrews 3:12-14) "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end..."

But for those of us who are saved by God's Grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we must replace wrong thinking with the Truth in God's Word. This is how the Truth can make you free from the bondage of Satan. As a true believer, you are covered with the Blood of Christ. When God looks at you, He doesn't see your sin; all He sees is the Blood of Christ that covers you. He keeps no record of your wrongs. He removes your sins from you as far as the east is from the west.

When God "knit you together in your mother's womb" He knew you, and "those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." He purposely chose you for adoption, knowing who you are and all that you would do. He knows the end from the beginning about you, and wants you to be with Him throughout eternity! "He who has begun a perfect work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of the Lord."

He purposely hand-picked you for adoption to be a child of His, and that's how you must see yourself. That is how all of us true believers in Jesus Christ must see ourselves. We must believe God and cast out the lies of Satan. That's the only way that we can effectively serve God.

Do what you have to do to clear your conscience and eradicate any guilt you carry that keeps you in bondage to Satan. Just like the Apostle Paul, even while you're in prison, you can be truly free from the chains of bondage to Satan, and have the peace and joy that comes from knowing the Truth of WHO YOU REALLY ARE IN CHRIST.

Know How Your Father in Heaven Sees You:

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Ps. 139:1
I know when you sit down, and when you rise up. Ps 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Ps 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Mt 10:29-31
For you were made in My image and likeness. Gen 1:27
In Me, you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:27
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jer 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Eph 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Ps 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Ps 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Ps 71:6
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. Jas 1:17
For I am your provider, and I meet all your needs. Mat 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jer 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jer 31:3
I will never stop doing good to you. Jer 32:40
For you are my treasured posession. Ex 19:5
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deut 4:29
Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Cor 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Ps 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Is 40:11
One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Rev 21:3-4
If you receive the gift of my Son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Rom 8:38-39

I am your Father. Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

How DO You Love Your Neighbour?

by Bola Essien-Nelson
(Lagos, Nigeria)

Love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as you love yourself.

As true women of God, this is what we are called to do. In our homes, in our offices, wherever we find ourselves, we are called on to demonstrate that God kind of love. The Agape love.

This sounds really nice and we do say it a whole lot of times. But HOW do we really do it? The truth is the term 'love' can be a rather vague term if one is not careful because surely, I am not asking you to nail yourself on the cross for someone to prove that you love them! Yes, that is what God did for us but right now, he is not calling us to do this. All God wants is that we reflect his heart at our own level in our day to day lives. I know one thing for sure, this world NEEDS a whole lot more loving people in it. People willing to look at others through the eyes of grace.

I really believe God knows that many of us want to show more love but are stomped on HOW. I believe I found some really good ways on how to do this in the Word For Today's entry for November 25th 2009 (Don't ask, I randomly delve into my myriad of daily guides/devotionals (old and new). Here is what I learnt:

People are insecure. Don't worry that they look all together lovely and confident. Beneath all that 'bravura' lie painful memories from the past, fear and anxiety, etc. Show love today By GIVING someone CONFIDENCE. Give them an encouraging pick me up. Send them a reassuring scripture. God's word always works.

People need to feel special. So show love by COMPLIMENTING someone genuinely. As Mary Kay Ash, the Founder of Mark Kay said, 'everyone has an invisible signpost around their neck saying 'Make me feel important'. Look through your Bible. Do you see how many times God tells you how special you are to him. How precious you are in his sight? So do same today. Make someone feel special and important. But be real about it.

People are looking for a better tomorrow. Show love by giving someone HOPE today. Let them know that if you make God the centrepiece of your life, your future can be better than your past. Give someone hope today. Reassure them of God's perfect plans for their life. Encourage them to hold on!

People need to be understood. Show love by taking the time to really LISTEN and gain an understanding about someone's issues today. Don't just listen half heartedly and rush to give advice and be on your way. Sow time into the life of someone today. Remember, before people can be 'fixed' they must be understood.

People need role models. Show love by SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE of what a true Christian should be. Whether you like it or not, what you do and don't' do, will influence others. At the end of the day, when you leave this world, what you leave behind is your influence. Think about that.

Now, I don't know about you but showing love is now a lot less 'up in the air'. We now have some concrete, practical things we can start doing to actively 'Love our neighbour' as we love ourselves.....N'est pas? Methinks so.

Thank you 'Word for Today'! I am glad I found you again after leaving you somewhere to gather dust since December!!!!!!!! But I am sure you will be glad to know that my Open Heavens and Our Daily Manna have not suffered a similar fate!......lol! I will pick up a current edition this week!

Ok People, go on! Go and be the 'Love Initiators' this week! OK?

Remember, what goes around, comes around....back to you.

Shalom!

Be not wise in our own eyes.

by Shirley A. Peter
(Atkinson, Nebraska USA)

Proverbs 3:5-7 (Amplified Bible)
5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil.(A)

The World sure teaaches another 'gospel', and from looking around me, I fear that many churches , many Christians have taken up that gospel, rather than the true gospel. Do we really rely on God's promises? Who do we lean on? Our abilities, our strength, wealth, or our popularity? Maybe we rely on the Government. Do you know that God never really meant there to be kings and rulers as He wanted us to look towards Him to rule our lives, but man chose to have Kings and since then we have depended on them to tell us how to live, and we even look to them to help us live. We look to our government for protection and they do that through our Military and other means of protection. But behind it all is God, as no one, no government can stand on it's own.

And that my dear friends is why we need to respect our rulers, even if we disagree with them. God is keeping every ruler in place, even if they are doing evil in His eyes. No one can stay as ruler without God's permission, and in fact the Bible says that He places rulers in power. I am so convicted of my error in blasting out against those in government that I do not agree with, but that is not of God. He doesn't want us to blindly accept unfair, evil, or wrong ideals, but He does want us to show the respect that He expects His family to show.

God told us to hate the sin but love the sinner, and how many of us can say that we do that? Very few, I am afraid. But someday you and I will have to stand before a Holy God and explain why we relied on our own understanding and not on Him. He will want to know why we felt justified in acting towards the authority He put in place in a non-godly way and against His Words, His commands. I have to confess, that I also sent out many articles that were not thouroughly checked for authenticity, & many that were even disrespectful. I have since then been convicted of my sin, and I have repented and turned from that sin.

Isn't it awesome that we have a forgiving God who says that our sins once we confess and repent are forgiven and forgotten as though they had never happened? Now I seek His ways of dealing with those things that I find need to be spoken about. The issues are what are important, and God does expect us to take an active part in the politics of our country and in all things that involve right and wrong as His Word teaches.

And that brings me to my reason for sending this. It is for you to search your heart, God's Word, and see if you in any way could improve the image that we as Christians give to those who have not met the Lord? If we act like we are unsaved, they will see nothing different in us, nothing to attract them to Jesus Christ. God would like to see a movement across this country for all Christians to begin acting like Christians, followers of Christ. I know that I alone can not get this going, but I am depending on the rest of you to help God's cause by sending this on and asking each person to pray, and see if they truly are separate as that is what Holy means. To be separate-different from those that do not know the Lord. And God says in His Word, 'be holy, as I am holy'.

Leviticus 11:44

I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

Be set apart for His purpose.Stop conforming to the Worlds pattern, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and let God change the way we think to think the way Jesus Christ does.

Right now many of us are concerned for our country, and this is not frivilous. Will God continue to bless this country as He has? I believe that the Bible shows us that although God is patient He is also a just God. And we do need to do exactly as He told us, to confess our ways that are contrary to the way He has taught us, to pray, and turn from anything that does not represent His teachings. We will never be perfect while we are on this earth, however, we are to try and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and the way to do that, is to be obedient to His commands.

Keeping Your Sheep...

by Min. Deidre Campbell-Jones
(Sylmar, CA, USA)

So, how are your sheep today? Is your herd healthy and thriving? Any new lambs you're especially proud of? Or didn't you know that you too are a Shepherd in charge of a flock that needs constant care?

As Christians we tend to only think of Christ as the ultimate Shepherd and the pastors of our churches as His representatives, herding their flocks of parishioners for the Kingdom of Heaven.

And yet, when I ask about your sheep, I am not talking to Pastors, Deacons, Elders or even Ministry Leaders. I am talking to you, the called out body of believers; the Kingdom?s Saints; the children of God.

Proverbs 27:23 says, "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks and look well to thy herds." When you read this before, did you skim over it like I did, with the assumption this scripture from King Solomon to his son (a future king) was regarding their kingdom or a message to spiritual leaders in charge of congregations of believers?

During a recent study of certain biblical concepts pertaining to work, business and finances, I knew the term "diligence" was one clear cut command we are given in regards to our money. And when delving further into the idea of financial diligence, the Lord led me to this verse in Proverbs and that's when a biblical truth took full shape.

If we compare every single dollar in our pocket, bank and portfolio to a lamb in our financial flock, then suddenly our stewardship as "monetary shepherds" becomes clear.

A shepherd's duty is first to keep track of each sheep. The shepherd must also make sure to lead the herd to plenty of food and water so that each sheep will be healthy and grow. The shepherd must also conduct the mating of each sheep at its proper time and with the proper mate (whether in his or her own flock or from another's) so that the entire herd will multiply stronger, healthier and larger.

If we had been shepherds in Solomon's day, our flock would have been our livelihood in terms of our job and our investment portfolio, but also our connection to God as well. We would have taken that best lamb, perfect and free of blemish and actually brought it into our home to care for it until such a time as we would offer it for sacrifice unto God. Do we take as much care today with our tithes and offerings?

So, good shepherds, I'll ask again in greater detail...how are your sheep today? Is your financial flock healthy and thriving? Do you have sheep that have wandered off and you don't even know they are missing?

How many sheep are lost from your finances due to your neglect? Do you even know the exact number of sheep in your entire herd? What is your net worth?

Maybe you haven't been monitoring your herd carefully and wolves and thieves have stolen them. Or maybe you have led your sheep to unhealthy water through poor spending habits and now the entire flock is small, week and sickly.

And perhaps you've traded, bought and sold sheep according to bad investments or no investments at all and now the reproductive abilities of your flock are nonexistent.

These are all questions that have changed the way I think about money and now I'm tending my herd with true biblical diligence. How are you keeping your sheep?

Comments:

My Sheep
by: Kathryn McKinney

Amazing how God speaks! As I read your article I immediately thought about the people I work with. My sheep. I am called to the scripture where Jesus confronts Peter and asks him three times if he loves Him... Peter answered each time and Jesus' response three times was, if you love Me, feed my sheep. I have done this in my new job for the past six months I have been employed there, however, lately something has happened and things have slowed down a bit. I got my eyes off the purpose of my job and onto the tasks of my job. Who is not doing what and who is slacking off etc. Hmm, well tomorrow I shall try and be back on task. Thank you!

From my Heart to Yours

by Shirley A. Peter
(Atkinson, Nebraska USA)

Does God want us healthy, wealthy, prosperous, and having all of our desires of the heart met?

You can't answer this question with a direct yes or no and be correct. Because it depends on your interpretation of what being healthy, happy, and prosperous, and what the desire of your heart is.

The answer is yes, if you mean that God desires us to take care of our health, and yes that He still heals, but it means no if you believe that just faith is going to bring you that health. It takes work to keep our bodies well in this fallen world, and also sometimes God reveals himself through sickness. He has used my sicknesses to teach me all of my life. He didn't cause them, but one thing people forget, He does allow them. Nothing happens in this world without His ok, and also nothing happens to a child of His with out Him using it for His purposes. If I can't feel fulfilled without being well, then my motives for asking are not right.

Disease happens, sickness happens. Our bodies and health will not be all it is supposed to be this side of heaven. But He has promised us new bodies. Why would we need a new one if we were all going to be healed and have perfect health here on earth? He has promised us new bodies, without disease and sickness in heaven. But those things are to come after this life.

Yes, I do believe that faith is, "the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen." But I also believe in the sovereignty of God. I believe that He can and does heal people if it is done for His glory. I also believe that when we want something for ourselves more than we want God to teach us how to be holy. holy as only a human can be holy, He is not going to give us the type of healing we are asking for. He is more interested in our character growth. And He also wants us to see that in our weakness His power works best. "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) We are missing out on some wonderful things if we don't look for the lesson in all of the situations that He allows in our lives.

Happiness? Prosperity? Does God want that for us? Yes, and no are correct again. It is no if we believe that our happiness comes in ways that modern day culture suggest. It is a yes, if we believe that God wants us to be contented where we are planted and seek where He wants to go and what He wants us to do instead of looking at what we want and where we want to go. Charles Stanley said today. "Do you really love Jesus? Do you love Him enough to go where He tells you to go, do what He tells you to do, stay where He has placed you, say what He wants you to say? "

Most of us don't want to be changed. We want a perfect life, even though the bible shows that we will not find perfection on this fallen planet. Why would we desire to ever go to heaven if we had our utopia here on earth? We spend more time pursuing things for ourselves, being materialistic, and envious of those who have more than we do. We don't pursue true Godliness. Because if we are honest with ourselves, how many of us truly want to live or be as Jesus was? We don't want to spend time with those that don't know the Lord, and concentrate on doing things to bring others to Christ, but we want to spend the time enjoying what we have and get more. We don't want to be changed when it might make us unpopular, poor, or on a shelf. We don't want our pride taken away, or our rights. We dream of perfection, and hope that is what God has ask for us and gives us. Yes, He will give us perfection, but not the kind we seek. Jesus, had no place to lie His head, His friends all deserted Him, we was misunderstood, was not wealthy, nor even popular when the chips were down. He actually was not successful as the world calls successful yet, the Bible says that God's desire if for us to be changed in the image of His son. Do you/I really want to be changed to His image?

He does want us to be happy, content in any circumstances we are in because we know He is in control and that He will always give us what He knows is best for us in the long run.

I also believe that he does want us to be prosperous, not with wealth, but prosperous in the things of the spirit. Wealthy with generosity, self control, humility, love, and a trusting heart. If we have all of these things, we realize that money or prestige does not give us happiness, and the joy that passes all understanding.

I truly believe that each of us need to spend time getting to know Jesus better, and looking less at the promises of the bible which are not going to come to all of us, just as they weren't in some of the Patriarchs lives. Hebrews 11:35-39

Some women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release offered on the terms of denying their faith, so that they might be resurrected to a better life. I Kings 17:17-24; II Kings 4:25-37.

Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers to renounce their faith; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; while they were alive they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated--

Men of whom the world was not worthy--roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and living in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

And all of these, though they won divine approval by means of their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised.

And this goes on today in many countries where our Christian brothers and sisters are dying for their faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Will we be strong enough to face persecution if it comes to America, or will we fold?

So no matter what is happening in our lives, sickness, disease, poverty, hurt, unhappiness, loss of friends, any adversity, there is a godly response that we all need to make, to be submissive to what God is trying to do in our lives for His glory and our good. Maybe we will be healed, and if so, praise the Lord, maybe we will become rich, but we will never have all we want on earth. And I know that I would never trade what God has taught me through my adversities for any amount of fame or fortune!

My desire for the last 15 years of my life has been to know God, and to do His will and I have found fulfillment. Before that time I sought, perfection in my self, perfect health, a healed back and a healed mind, a beautiful house like so many have with just the right furniture, that nothing that was too hard would happen in my life and I didn't get any of them, but I am 100 times happier than I would be if He gave me all of those things right now. No, I am willing to wait for my rewards of a beautiful mansion, a body that never gets sick or has pain, and all that I could want or desire.

The rewards He has given me here on earth are things that money and fame cannot buy and I bow in humble thankfulness that He showed me my ugly self, and has brought me to my knees, and that I now can submit to what ever He wants me to submit too. And now if I can help someone else see that life is not about wealth, or things of the world, but the things of God, I feel that my purpose is fulfilled in my lifetime.

If I can help someone be contented what ever state they are in, what ever circumstances, what ever or where ever they are, I will fill that God has used me in the way that I know He want to as He has whispered to me over and over to put my beliefs into words and spread them among some of His other kids.

As for the desires of our hearts, if what you seek is what God has told us to seek the answer is yes.

Seek ye the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.

Comments:

by: Shirley Timm

It was an awesome writing aand enjoyed it very much.Keep up the good work my friend.

by: SissyMarlene

Praise God for fulfilled assignments!!
Great food sissy mine!!
Giant sissy hugs,

by: Lavell Maxwell

I am so Happy for Shirley, this is very good reading, my God bless her with many more things to write about.

by: Edie T

I am so blessed to know (Mom)Shirley, she has
gotten me through I lot of pain and difficulties
in my life. She is a gift from God to me and so
many others. Keep writing Mom. Love you.

by: JUDY H

SHIRLEY IS A VERY TALENTED AND GIFTED WRITER
I ENJOY THE E-MAILS THAT SHE SENDS ME
IT IS A PLEASURE TO KNOW HER AND READ HER WRITINGS

by: Joyce Van Osdel

I RECEIVE EMAILS FROM SHIRLEY. THAT HAS HELPED ME
GROW ALOT IN MY WALK WITH GOD. THIS ARTICLE IS SO WELL WRITTEN. AND IT HELPS ME ALOT THROUGH WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH WITH MY HEALTH. I FEEL SHIRLEY
HAS A GIFT TO EVEN WRITE A BOOK. WHAT A BLESSING SHE IS. AND WHAT A GIFT GOD HAS GIVEN HER.

GOD BLESS
JOYCE IN ARIZONA

I'm a Sheep and Proud of it

by Fay Barlow
(Lexington, Sc USA)

Me, on a good day!

John 10:2-5 “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

I wonder what it would have been like in biblical days of shepherd farms. It would be interesting to see the shepherd interacting with his sheep. To watch him rub oil into the sheep’s eyes and head, and to hear the shepherd sing and talk to his sheep. The picture would be glorious of the shepherd walking along the meadow, staff in one hand, and a bell in the other and seeing the creatures behind him, following along with quiet obedience.

Amidst the rhythm of the bleating and the occasional clanging of the bell, the shepherd is always listening and watching for that one sheep that gets too close to a ditch and carelessly falls in. I can imagine the shepherd laughing at the silly sheep, but he never beats him or kicks him out of the herd, he just rubs more oil into his eyes, thinking maybe the poor sheep couldn’t see with all the flies and gnats distracting him.

And what makes the sheep so attentive to the voice of the shepherd? They must know that he is their protector. Have the sheep witnessed the shepherd battling an enemy? Have they understood how much they are loved by the shepherd?

Fear does not seem to drive the sheep to the voice of the shepherd, for the shepherd’s voice is melodious and loving as he talks with his flock. Even as he may sometimes tap them on the rear with his staff, as they head in a wrong direction, the action of correction may be sharp, but the voice and the heart of the shepherd is soft.

I like being a sheep. I like that Jesus calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Jesus calls me by name. Not, “sheep number 2,467,490”, but by my name. I long to be in the company of the shepherd.

Some days are fun filled in the meadows with jumping and munching on fresh grass, and some days are wet and cold as the rains and wind blow through the meadow.

And some days I, as a sheep, am not really paying attention to what is going on around me. I may be wondering too much about what is beyond the hills that I see before me. I may be making plans for the future, not understanding that the shepherd has his own perfect plan for me.

I may venture off, thinking that where I am headed is part of the shepherd’s meadow, but find myself out in the wide open with no protection. Or I just may be in a foul mood because I didn’t get the best of the grass the day before and I’m more consumed with my own issues instead of listening to the voice of the shepherd.

So whether the shepherd has to come and guide me back to the safety of the herd or whether I snap out of my disposition and hear his voice before I reach that ever present ditch, I am assured of one thing. I am His!!

Attitude

by Dr. Linda Smith
(San Marcos, TX, USA)

Dr. Linda Smith

Everyone has attitude. It's the perspective with which you view life. We seldom question how our attitude became what it is. As I began to explore this question in my own life, I discovered my attitude to date was formed from a collection of mom's attitude, my experiences and the emotions that followed, pier pressure and defense against possible mental anquish and emotional pain to come.

But as a Christian women, it didn't seem right to me to have an attitude formed of these things. So. . . attitude correction takes place.

I now have what I call an attitude of excellence. It is based on two things: 1) What the Bible tells me about myself is more true than mom's words or emotional responses to life experiences., and 2) I wanted to give my very best to God.

I've applied the Attitude of Excellence (TM) to everything I do and all is based on scripture. The results are that I treat me better as though I am actually forgiven by God and am God's daughter. I treat my husband better using the way the church is supposed to treat Christ as my example. I treat others better because Jesus died for us all.

Next we move to the physical changes. My home is clean and organized because God has blessed me with it and the money to provide for it's furnishing and upkeep. Since I am an ambassador for Christ, I keep it that way. My car and workplace are the same for the same reason.

I paid off my financial obligations (not just partial payments) and got debt free and while I was doing this, I continued giving my tithe. To accomplish this, I brought my spending under subjection to God and stopped wasting God's provision on non-essentials while getting out of debt. Once out of debt I determined to stay that way so I could do more for God with the money I was blessed with.

I decided to choose not to pick up offenses. Meaning, I learned I can choose not to be angry no matter what happens. I can choose to stay calm and I do.

The Attitude of Excellence is a daily walk. We can all find new ways to apply our new thinking. Maybe it's the kids, the clerk at the store, the waiter, put down the cell phone and look your family in the eye during dinner, drive kinder and gentler. What's your idea for a new attitude of excellence?

Something Old

by Tricia Miller
(Connersville,IN)

A new year has arrived and everyone is talking about something new. Many are making new goals for the year. Some are planning new exercise programs and new eating habits. Others are coming up with new ideas for organization, decorating and new schedules. These are all great things to do at this time of year. There is nothing wrong with making some changes in your life, but lets take a turn down a diffrent road for a change.

Lets talk about something old! That's right...something old. That may not make alot of sense but maybe it will if you open your Bible up to Revelation 2:4. It says Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love.

Something old...the love you used to have for the Lord! Dont you remember? Let me take you back in time a bit to refresh your memory. Remember the girl who lied every chance she got? Or the woman who hated her husband and would not submit to his authority? What about the girl who gave her body to any man who gave her some attenion?

Then there was the one who stole money from her boss, and the girl who had a filthy mouth. What about the woman who gossiped in every conversation? Then not to forget the one who was addicted to drugs and alcohol! She would turn that bottle up anytime life got ruff. She would make a fool out of herself at the party, then go home and cry!

All of these women were in slavery! They were slaves to sin. Satan had them in his grip! They were Hellbound right with the devil! They had no hope. Miserable, scared,beaten,confused and tied up with Satan's rope of sin and deceit...they sat crying in the floor holding onto that bottle of pills!

But the grace of God that was rooted deep in someones heart came rushing to the rescue! They brought with them the only thing that could help...the Word of God! The Bible was opened, the gospel was shared, and the truth set her free! Her life was changed!

Maybe you have never committed adultery. Maybe you have never even lied or cussed but the truth is you were once that miserable girl! There is NONE righteous for we had ALL sinned(Romans 3:10,23).

You were on your way to Hell until one day someone told you about Christ dying for your sins. You realized there was no hope except for trusting Christ to free you from this cold and lonely prison of sin! Oh how excited you were!

You were so thankful to the Lord for saving you! You wanted to be as close to him as you possible could! You kept your heart pure by confessing sin the moment it came to your mind. Your love for the Lord was so strong because of what he had done for you. You told everyone you knew about how Christ set you free and how you have a home waiting for you in Heaven!

What happened? Have you forgotten? This new year how about remembering the old love you once had for Christ! There may be someone around the corner holding that bottle of pills clinging to their last few seconds of life! There is no time!

Remember when you were the miserable one? What a blessing it was for someone to tell you how to let go of the bottle and grab on to the Lord! Wouldnt you like to give that same blessing to someone else who is crying tears of pain and hopelessness? How will you convince them of Gods love if you have forgotten how much he loved you?

So while you are thinking of something new this year...how about thinking of something old to...Remember the old you?

Comments:

by: Anonymous

Thanks!! This reflection has been a great remminder of the love our wonderful Father has for us. We need to keep our eyes and heart on our true love. The one who loves us in return unconditionally. He who never leaves our side regardless of the times we have forgotten him. My prayer is that our faith and love for him continue to grow with each passing day until his return. God Bless you and once again thank you for your wonderful words.

by: Ann

Wonderful and inspiring words on "Something Old!" Going to the Bible and seeking help and guidance is the best way to handle any concerns and to give praise.

Thank you for such a great and timely reminder!

Blessings,

Ann

Ask, Seek, Knock!

by Toni
(Ohio)

Scriptures:

Matthew 7: 7-8
Matthew 6: 33-34
John 14: 1-4
Mark 14: 36
Matthew 6: 6
James 4:2

Introduction: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6: 6 King James Version (KJV)

Ask, Seek and Knock!

One of the finest passages from the Bible, in my mind, comes from Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” King James Version (KJV).

I don’t know why it took me so long to return to this passage; for my life in the last couple of years, truly needed to hear and read this statement.

I am close to being a senior citizen—59—and I’ve carried some emotional/mental baggage for years that has needed to be addressed. The above passages from the Bible have helped me face some of the baggage I’ve been carrying; maybe it will help you, too.

Well, I’ve always said that “it’s never too late” to seek help and so that is exactly what I did. I went to my trust Bible and looked up the passage and prayed on it for several days—repeating the words over and over—day and night.

I’ve suffered with O.C.D.—obsessive-compulsive disorder and overeating for years and in the last couple of months, it has gotten to the point where “checking” things has gotten totally out of hand and eating too much, a very bad habit. I knew I had to do something. Why is it so many of us wait and turn to the Bible as a last resort? I know that I do.

Anyway, I turned to my Bible and found the answers I have been needing and words from Matthew 7, in particular have certainly shed light on solving these pesky problems of mine.

By reading and focusing on these words from Christ, I have found that the O.C.D. and the overeating are lessening—in other words, they are becoming less important to me because I’ve changed my focus—that of obsessing on things and overeating to obsessing on Christ and His words.

Sounds too simple? Maybe. But, all I can tell you is that it’s working. Oh, there will be times when I “fall off the wagon” so to speak, but I know that with Christ’s help, I can jump right back on that “wagon” and be with Christ; for He loves and cares for me.

I have come to learn from reading the Bible that “all things are possible, through Christ.”
This saying of “all things are possible, through Christ” used to be just words but then as I grew older and went through, like many, trials and tribulations and sought answers and help, I found that there were few people—men or women who wanted or knew how to help me. I tried therapy, turning to my parents and husband, a close friend but it seemed that no one could give me the help I needed.

It came down to an emotional crisis in my life before I finally turned to my Bible and the one and only in the world who knew me, cared about me and had the answers. And, that man, of course is Jesus Christ. The most wonderful thing about this is that he has been and is always there for me and for you. All I had to do was to sit down, open my Bible and pray to him and ask him for help.

I said, “Lord, I need help! I don’t know what to do and I feel like I just don’t want to go on. I have health problems, I fear most everything and getting older is really bugging me!”

I must have repeated those same words over and over again and then I just sat still and waited for His reply. I can’t say that it happened right away but it did happen. I felt a calmness soon after the prayer and later I felt as if everything was going to be alright. Sure enough hours, days, and months later, my life began to turn around. I felt a new beginning—that this time things would work out. True, it hasn’t been perfect or easy but I am making positive changes in my life that are making a difference not only in my life but in my husband’s and those close to me.

The fear is going away and in place of it faith has resided. And, it feels wonderful!

So, if you need a healing, a blessing or an answer to a prayer—and who doesn’t, ask, seek and knock. He will hear you and He will help you!

Prayer:

Lord help us to remember that we don’t need to constantly seek help from those around us—though sometimes it is helpful and some people do care about our lives. But, Lord, help us to know that you are always there; that you love us more than anyone on earth; that all we need to do is simply to sit down in a chair and talk with you—for it is you who have the answers to our problems; because you are Lord and you love and care about us.

Reflective Questions:

Why is David being so honest with Abiathar? 1 Samuel 22: 20-23

What is the importance of these words on “seeking God?” 2 Chronicles 19:3

Why was it important for Ezra to devote himself to the teachings of our Lord? Ezra 7:10

What do you see as most important in these words from the Bible? Psalm 10:17

Words to Ponder for October

James 4: 2 writes wonderful words: “You have not because you ask not.” Think about this the next time you’re struggling and needing something. Ask yourself, “Have I asked for help—for a needed item—or for assistance with a problem. Chances are, you didn’t ask for help because you didn’t want to look stupid, in need or look weak. So when you need help, ask Jesus! You’ll be surprised at the answer you get. May take awhile, but you will get an answer, you will get help.

The words “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” are such simple words. Words many of us use everyday, yet how many times do we hesitate to ask our Lord for things we truly need in our life—to make our lives safer, healthier, more relaxing and peaceful?

When we turn to the Bible and are fervent in our prayers for Christ’s help, we are seeking, asking and knocking on His door. And, isn’t it absolutely amazing that He is always there and can help us find the solutions to our problems!

Why is it most of us turn to Christ as the last resort, when He should be the one we come to, first. Maybe it’s just stubbornness or maybe it’s just being stupid but no matter how you look at it, Christ should be the one we turn to first—whether it’s giving praise or seeking help.

So, the very next time you need help, don’t go searching forever for someone to help you—go to the Main Source—Christ Jesus and you will undoubtedly find the answers you are seeking! As my online friend Paul Mobley suggests: “Take a few minutes each day to invite Christ into life. Those few minutes, you will find, will make a huge difference in your life.”

There is Endurance for Each Day

Look upon each and every day of your life as an opportunity to find the answers and help you need!

Remember, that He is always there and He cares for you! Because He is the Creator, He is waiting for you….

Seek the Savior not only when seeking help but when giving praise and thanksgiving…

Ask for Christ’s help; for He is the One true, reliable Source!

Knock on the door to His heart; He is waiting for the knock that will unlock the door to your heart and to your salvation.

Copyright Toni Star 2008

God is in Control and God is at Work

by Margaret Wright
(Sydney, NSW, Australia)

I remind myself every day of these two truths and most everyone has heard me repeat them over and over again or also write them to others. Let us today take time to establish these truths in our hearts and they will become our convictions.

We may agree with these truths but these truths are very powerful to those who believe them. These two statements have power to bring us peace and confidence in the God of our salvation and He does all things well.

When we lose sight of these truths then we are plunged into confusion, fear and doubt but as long as we believe and confess them, we know His love and mercy will cover us as we are His redeemed children.

The Spirit of God asked me, “What is your problem, when you truly believe these truths?!
God is our living Father-God (John 6:57)

GOD IS IN CONTROL –
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Gen. 1: 1
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice: and let all men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. 1 Chron. 16: 31
The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33: 4
The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty: the Lord is clothed with strength wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is established that it cannot be moved. Ps.93: 1
The Lord reigneth: let the earth rejoice: let the multitude of isles be glad thereof Ps.97: 1
The Lord reigneth: let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims. Ps.99:1
O King and this is the decree of the most High which is come upon my lord the king till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will. Dan. 4: 25
Now I Nebuchadnerzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase. V. 37 Who is like our God? Ex.15: 11-18 (but soon they forgot)
God has redeemed us through Calvary’s sacrifice and we belong to Him 1 Peter 18, 19
We are in the palm of His Hand & none can pluck us out John: 10: 29
God is not a man that He should lie, nor the Son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and
Shall He not do it? Hath He spoken and shall He not make it good? Num. 23: 19
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth My counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass: I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isa. 46: 10, 11
…He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His Hand, or say unto Him, what doest Thou? Dan.4: 35

GOD IS AT WORK
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure Phil 2: 13
And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them. Isa. 42: 16
He maketh me to lie down……He leadeth me……. )
He restoreth my soul………He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness….) Ps. 23
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: )
Thou anointest my head with oil…. )
I will deliver him…..I will set him on high….I will answer him )
I will be with him in trouble… I will deliver him and honour him.) Ps. 91
I will satisfy him with long life and show him my salvation )
I will perfect that which concerneth thee Ps. 138: 8
He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him….2 Tim. 1: 12
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren Rom. 8:28, 29
I have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into His kingdom Col. 1: 13, 14
By His stripes I have been healed …1 Peter 2: 24
If God be for us who can be against us? Rom. 8: 31
He will bring the counsel of the heathen to nought Ps.33: 10
They that despise thee shall come bending down to your feet Isa. 60:14
Stand still and see….the Lord will fight for you…hold your peace Ex.14:13, 14
My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4: 19
Jesus destroyed the works of the devil 1 John 3: 8

Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men… Matt. 4: 19
There are many, many more Scriptures conveying statements of facts and promises and they establish us in the faith. When we are convinced of these truths and confess them, they become our confidence and will bring us through for the glory of God no matter what we go through!!! Trials and hard situations are to refine us and make us more and more like Jesus!!
Read the above and let your spirit absorb the truths and you will never be the same again in your Christian walk and you will become a fruit-bearing branch for the glory of God.

I have personally lived by these many truths and I have many, many testimonies of His Faithfulness to His Word.
GOD CANNOT LIE!!
GOD CANNOT FAIL!!
GOD NEVER PUTS HIS PEOPLE TO SHAME THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM!!
GOD NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE FOR HE SEES THE END FROM THE BEGINNING!!

Comments:

Powerful truth
by: Katherine Harms

You make an excellent point. Sometimes the simple truths are the ones we stumble over. We ask ourselves, if God is in control, why do I have problems? If God is at work, then why isn't everything just peachy? However, these truths are part of the larger truth that it isn't about me. Reading through the verses you quoted reminded me of so many stories and people who could testify that things can look very bleak at times, even though God is at work and God is in control. Those verses nourish the faith we need to wait for God's perfect plan to be worked out.

He Will Meet all our Needs, Just Ask Mary!

by Fay Barlow
(Lexington, Sc USA)

John 19: 25-27 now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

There has been so much talk in the news for the past few days about the financial crisis we seem to be in. Even the person with a confident strength in faith, may feel a bit thrown off by the situation in our nation. I am asking myself some questions that I’ve never had to think of before.

I guess we all have a basic need to be safe. We all want to know that we will be taken care of in a time of crisis. Whether that crisis is a spiritual one or a financial one.

But here is Jesus, dying on a cross. Bearing the most horrific of deaths, crucifixion. And he sees his mother, Mary, along with her sister and Mary Magdalene, standing under the cross. I am sure the scene was one filled with utter cries and wails as these three women, who loved Jesus in their own unique way, braved the jeers of the crowd and the humiliation of men being tortured before their eyes.

And there, Mary, Jesus’ mother, seemingly alone in the world. She who bore this Jesus, who heard the voice of the angel pronouncing his birth and his life. The doubts may have filled her mind through the years, along with whispers and rumors, but her heart stood firm in her love for her child.

But here He was, gasping for each breath, and He makes a statement that causes me to wonder at, while filling me with wonder of.

In the mist of his crisis, He is concerned about the care of His mother. He makes sure that she is taken care of. Maybe this was a common thing in those times. Maybe because Jesus was the first born and His earthly father was dead, He had the responsibility of taking care of his mother. These are all good reasons to pronounce the exchange of care with regard to Mary.

But how many sons would be thinking of anything at a moment like this?

Only the Son of God would, I dare to say.

And why am I surprised at this? Jesus, who lived His entire life in loving and caring for the spiritual and physical needs of others, would have the mind and heart to know our deepest needs. I would imagine that somewhere in Mary’s head, the reality of her future was visible. Her heart may have been asking questions regarding her well being after her first born son was gone, but I’m sure she never made those fears known.

And Jesus, who knows all our fears and conquers them through Himself, may have been responding to her basic need. In the midst of his own suffering, His focus was not on Himself, but on a very humanistic need. To be taken care of.

It gives me such joy to know that Jesus can meet my basic needs and calm my heart to trust in Him. He knows my fears and he knows the future. And there is no condemnation in wanting security, whether spiritually or physically. Or, in our case, financially.

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World: Being Committed or Being Egotistical

by Debra Ann Elliott
(Birmingham, AL, USA)

Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back. Ruth 2:4 NIV

Are you a committed servant of the Lord as Ruth?

Ruth was committed to Naomi:

She wanted to provide food for Naomi who she loved.

So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. Ruth 2:3 NIV

Do you strive to provide spiritual “food” for the ones you love?
The Lord wants you to be as Ruth: You need to “go out” and begin to “glean” the fields.

Ruth was committed to Boaz

Boaz had shown her favor and she wanted to honor Boaz.

May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
Ruth 2:12 NIV

Ruth was humbled, she became committed because of his generosity.

"May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls."
Ruth 2:13 NIV

So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.
Ruth 2:17-18 NIV

How do you honor God?

The Lord wants you to be a Ruth: You need to “show” and begin to “tell” how great His love is for others. In that, you are committed to serve Him as Ruth was committed to serve Boaz.

Ruth was committed to God:

Where do your commitments lie? Commitments to your family and friends are well intended, but
your commitment to God must take top priority in your Christian life. Always maintain a “Ruth” attitude. Because of her wiliness to leave her home and go to Boaz the Lord favored her for her commitments.

Are you an egotistical servant of the Lord as Eve?

Eve's world revolved around Eve.

Sometimes in our busy, bustling lives we forget our purpose is to serve God, not to serve our ego's.
Our world DOES NOT revolve around us! Our world needs to revolve around GOD!

Adam and Eve were commanded to not eat fruit from the tree of knowledge, but Eve let her ego take control and she found it more pleasing to disobey God.

Eve did not listen to her husband.

She did not listen to her husband. She knew what she must not do, but here again her “ego” took control and Eve chose to listen to the serpent, not caring about the consequences of her actions. She knew what she did was wrong. She let her “ego” get in the way, because she was tempted by another.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 3:7 NIV

Have you ever been tempted to do something you know is wrong because of your “ego”?

Have you ever been “naked” in front of the Lord?

I have! We all have! We are only human and yes, we all have ego's. But we can't let our ego's get in the way of serving God.

Eve did not listen to God.

She was ashamed of what she did. She let her ego get in the way of what was right. She only thought about herself, not about God.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:8-13 NIV

Have you been tempted by the “serpent”?

Is your ego whispering for you to follow the wrong path?

It is easy to get trapped in an egotistical world. It is easy for “it” to become all about us and not all about God.

Do not let the serpent of ego take over your life.

In closing, remember to be committed to God. Do not have the egotistical mindset of Eve.
You must be willing to “leave” you Eve lifestyle and commit to a new “Ruth” lifestyle.

Live a Ruth life in an Eve world.

©2009 Debra Elliott

Let Your Voice Speak!

by Bola Essien-Nelson
(Lagos, Nigeria)

All of us. You. Me. We have a responsibility to God to make use of what He has placed in us to the good of the next person. And this is not just about telling people about Christ and winning them over from the enemy's dark kingdom. That's wonderful but that's not all.

Ignorance kills wherever it persists. If you know the answer, share it. If you know the way, show it. If you have the talent, taint some one's live with it. With all due respect, don't be a waste of space. Let your voice speak!

Forgive me. Did I sound a tad mean just now? Its just because I really see now why I heard Creflo Dollar say the other day how the grave yard is one of the richest places in the world. Why? Cos there lay all manner of buried talent! Talent that God gave people but they never used. How sad is that. We shall not be one of those. We know better. Right?

Yes, we do so please make up your mind today to let your voice speak. And you know, this is not about going to the moon and bringing back some moon dust! No, not all. Little acts of random kindness never hurt anyone. A smile at the cleaning lady. Holding the door back for someone, buying lunch for someone. Sharing your faith with someone. Saying a nice word to your spouse. All these count as much as building a church or organising a crusade or adopting a child....In what ever way you can ,starting from tomorrow, let your voice speak good into someone's life. Be the Jesus someone will see today!

Do you know what the best part of all of this is? YOU will feel good. Yes, doing good with the right motives is such a thrill! When we forget about ourselves for a minute and reach out to others, God smiles down on us and fixes our issues. God loves it when we love one another. It moves him into action. You don't believe me? Give it a go. You'll see!

Have a fantastic 'my-voice-must-speak-LOVE' week!

Shalom!

Landmarks

by Stanley McMahon
(Northern Ireland)

I recently celebrated a landmark birthday; one of the big ones, ending in ‘0’. If you asked me how I feel about it, to be honest, it’s pretty much a non-event in terms of real change. As creatures of habit we love landmarks, particularly the ones we can celebrate like birthdays and anniversaries. But there are other landmarks in our lives that are much more significant. These are the ones we tend not to celebrate, or even seldom share.

Thinking through this whole theme, it strikes me that there are four kinds of landmarks in our lives.

There are the landmark influences on our lives. These are people we might call role models or mentors. We read their writings and listen to what they say. We regard them as heroes and admire their achievements. These are important people for us.

Then there are landmark events in our lives. We interact with life events at a more personal level and these are sometimes strong enough to hack away at our security and question our beliefs.

The third one is landmark choices. These are often the directional things that determine where we live and work and what we do on a daily basis.

One Bible character that illustrates this perfectly is David. His landmark choice was to go for a walk on his terrace when he should have been elsewhere. He then made a series of landmark choices which marked his life and made the rest of what he had done pale into insignificance.

The final one is the one that runs deepest – landmark relationships. These can shape our lives and repeatedly feature in how we make our choices, how we react to our life events and who we see as role models.

Take a pen and paper and draw a line on it. Call it a timeline of your life. Now mark on it your landmarks; the things that have made you the person you now are. You will probably not find it an easy exercise because it’s not really that important what age you have reached; it’s these other things... your landmark influences, events, choices and relationships.

One more consideration: when we look at our landmarks from an eternal perspective, we notice something we may not have seen before. These landmarks are actually chisel marks, made by the Master Craftsman Himself. He is carefully making us into His image, sometimes with powerful blows, sometimes with gentle chips. He knows what He is doing and will bring His work to completion.

Maybe you have regarded your own landmarks as things that have made you skeptical of anything good in life. Taken from a human point of view, that’s quite understandable. But isn’t it time you took another look? Not just at your own life, but a look at the cross of Christ.

The message of the cross is one of the love of the Saviour who was willing to give up His life to buy you forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Now there’s a landmark that is well worth looking at!

HELP! I CAN'T FEEL GOD!

by Jahan Berns
(Birmingham, Alabama)

What if I told you that for the most part of your Christian life, you may not feel God, would that make you despair and give up? Living on cloud nine is a present reality when you have just given your life to Christ.

As the months go by however, sometimes that feeling wanes and you find yourself feeling so dry like yesterday’s wrung out dishcloth. It does not mean that God has deserted you simply because you cannot “feel” him. While it is euphoric to be able to detect God with our emotional antennas, you must realize that it can’t always be that way.

Imagine a young mother who is so enthralled with her baby that no amount of convincing will persuade her to put the baby down from her lap. Night and day, she clutches on to that baby; her love for the baby is immense. No doubt the baby will feel loved, but it will also be crippled from the lack of movement.

A child learns how to crawl and walk when a parent, in their wisdom and love, allows them the freedom to do so. The child begins to explore, touching and feeling things, falling and getting up, and through this process of exploration, a child is able to discover who they really are and what they are capable of.

If a mother hadn’t had the heart to lower her baby from her bosom, the baby would not have been given the opportunity to develop its talents and abilities. What pride and joy fill a mother’s heart when they see their baby go through the wonderful stages of development!

It is the same way with our heavenly Father. He cannot always hold us to his bosom and feed us from that position because if he were to do so, we would remain spiritual dwarfs. In his love and wisdom, he has to lower us from that place of comfort and intimacy so that we can explore, discover and experience the lessons of life.

Like a loving mother who watches her baby as they go through the stages of development, God watches over us as we fall and get up. He is filled with excitement as he sees us take our first steps to spiritual maturity. The Bible says that he rejoices over us with singing. He is pleased with us.

Yes, for a little while, we may feel separated from him but the reality of the matter is that during those times, He is teaching us lessons that are vital for our survival and sustenance. He continually watches over us and will not let us come to any harm. Do not fret when you don’t feel God, he has merely transferred you from one position to another so that you can experience more fruitfulness and growth.

I must admit that I love feeling God and it is no fun when I do not feel him...it sometimes feels like living in a desert. It is profoundly better to experience those desert places, because in the long run it gets you so grounded in God’s word that the storms of life cannot sweep you away.

I spent two years at school and they were the loneliest of my life. I could not read my bible, pray or have Christian fellowship because it was not a Christian school. I felt like the presence of God had deserted me. For two years, I cried out to God for relief, and felt like He had hidden His face from me. My heart was broken as I battled with feelings of despair and worthlessness.

Just when I felt like I could not take it anymore, the Lord revealed himself to me in a fresh new way and having come out of that experience, I realized that my love for Jesus was deeper and my commitment to advancing the cause of the gospel was stronger.

I have come to learn that the most important way we can ever know God is through his word. By reading the Bible, we are able to interact with God and to know his thoughts about our situations in life. We must have faith that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Remember God is moved by faith and not feelings. You have heard that faith is the muscle that moves the hand of God to act on our behalf. The next time, you feel like you don’t “feel” God, rejoice because it is a God given opportunity for your faith to grow.

Comments:

by: Lissette

May God Bless You as he has put it in you to bless me with this message. I have been feeling exactly the way you did and I just really felt like God had deserted me and just let me go, though he word says other wise I just thought that I lost me chance to be with him as if to of let the fire of the spirit burn out! But now I see that is not the case. Thank You so very much U have no Idea how much I needed to hear someone else experience. To God be the Glory forever and ever. Amen

by: Anonymous

Smith Wigglesworth said,

I cant know God by how i feel,
I cant know God by what i see
I can only know God by what he has revealed
About himself
in his word.

bless you
derek

by: Patrick Anderson

Your testimony has given me hope that I have not somehow grown cold in my heart towards God. When I was saved, I was on cloud nine. But shortly thereafter, I found myself completely without any joy and thought that somehow I lost my connection to God. So many pastors preach that we might think that we've been saved but haven't actually until we are constantly in the spirit of God. But, I have to have faith that I am even when I can't feel him because I cannot bear the thought of being without God any longer. Thank you for relating this and shalom.

What's the Big Deal About Tithing?

by May De Jesus-Palacpac
(Manila, Philippines)

Whenever I find my faith shaken and I feel like taking control over my life and taking the authority from God, I put myself back in line by checking my heart with regards to my tithes and offerings. I believe that tithing is as basic as A-B-C. Let me explain to you by sharing to you my favorite verse with regards to tithing.

“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.” 2 Chronicles 29:30 (NIV)

The king referred to in this verse is King Hezekiah. While the kings before him were into paganism, worshiping other Gods, King Hezekiah was a king whom God used to lead the people’s hearts back to Him. And one of the very first things that King Hezekiah did was to teach the Israelites, once again, about the giving of their tithes and offerings to God.

There are a couple of things in this verse that I would like to highlight. The first would be, firstfruits. In the New Century version bible, the translation is first produce. In my interpretation, it means priority. Not just priority, but Top Priority.

One of the people that I trust is a good friend of mine of more than 11 years. Her name is Phoebe. We’ve been friends way before we both accepted Jesus into our lives, and even before we got married.

A friend of mine helps me figure out a way to budget our finances. While exchanging views, catching up, and receiving pointers on probable modifications in the allocations, you know, when a bill goes unexpectedly up, you’ll have to adjust, maybe the grocery money, or the date money to fill it, she said something that struck me. She said that when it comes to the money allotted for the tithes and offerings, that’s non-negotiable. You can adjust everything else, but God’s money must remain untouched. That, for me, best defines making tithes a Top Priority.

But what I would really like to point out in this verse is the word great amount. Tithes, in its literal sense, is 10% of everything that we receive. That means everything. I will not even try to downplay ten percent. Ten percent is a huge amount. A great amount. In my experience, doing the household budget and all, ten percent takes a really large chunk off our spendings. It doesn’t matter how much you’re earning, a ten percent taken out of it makes a whole lot of difference. Maybe to some, this may seem odd. How can a God who has created everything in heaven and on earth ask me to give him such a big amount?

God requires ten percent from us because it’s a question of trust. And when it comes to trust, there is no such thing as a small amount. It is always a great amount. I don’t believe in partial trust. Every time we give our trust, we always give it in full, or it’s not trust at all.

As I was growing up, one of the things that my Father taught me was this: How you handle a single, seemingly insignificant area in your life actually speaks volumes on how you will handle the rest of it and what is to come. I believe it goes the same with our spiritual walk. If we learn to trust God in the areas that we can easily take Him for granted, we are training ourselves to trust Him in the bigger things to come.

Comments:

by: Ray Rodriguez

If your heart wants to give to fill a need-you will not go wrong. But if you want riches or avoid curses-then you misunderstood what Jesus did in Calvary. Reread Galatians and Colossians.

by: William

If you really believe in tithing then what happens with grace. Why are you so focused on one law and not the other over 600 laws. Plus can you name me one Christian in the bible that practices tithing. After all if it was required of the Gentiles then there should be at least one example right. Jesus or his deciples never tithe according to scripture. If you are going to use scripture to support a law such as Malachi 3:8)Will a man rob God, you should go back and read the entire book of Malachi and see who God was really mad at, it will suprise you. The truth of the matter you have not tithe what you have done is given a free will offering which is what you supposed to do accordining to scripture. All tithing was food product it never was money. Did you know the tithe was ate by the tither and also given to the Liv. prest. Before you can say what you are doing it must be scripture based if you are saying its of God. The truth is the tithe teaching to day is a LIE plan and simple. Study your bible and you will see. God wants you to give what ever the HOLY Spirit has laid on your heart, not out of force, God is grace and love. GOD bless you in Knowledge

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Overcome Your Fears

by Debra Ann Elliott
(Birmingham, AL, USA)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you". Deuteronomy 31:6

Fear overshadowing your faith? Overcome your fears!

When I reached adulthood, I took on a lot of responsibility. I was responsible for the well being of four children, my husband and my mother. My life was full of out of control emotions. The obligations I had to my family were spiraling rampantly. I let fear overshadow my faith. Fear in my life had greater importance than faith. I lost my "faith freckles" and gained "worry warts"!

I had accumulated a myriad of fear "worry warts". Two habitual worry warts in my life were weakness and failure. The fear of weakness and failure had become a proclivity and was not likely to change soon, unless I became strong and courageous. Weakness and failure became contentment stealers. I let weakness keep me from becoming a strong woman. I questioned my commitments. I let failure become my mainstay. I questioned my motivation. I had lost the willpower to overcome my fears.

Do "worry warts" keep popping up in your life? Are weakness and failure your contentment stealers?

Weakness! Is weakness always a front-runner in the race of your life? Weakness runs best when in the lead. It is the rival of strength.

Weakness is always in competition with strength to overpower your mind. My commitments to my family came in last place. I found my strength faltering. My emotions were teetering unsteadily back and forth between worry and faith. I wasn't certain of the right course of action to take in my life. Weakness became my contentment stealer. I was robbed of strength.

When we go back and forth between emotions in our lives weakness steals our contentment. We are not powerless! You are going to feel overwhelmed with guilt, but don't give into the "worry wart" of weakness. You may want to run in a different direction, but don't turn around.

Today you may feel like you have lost the race, but don't let weakness win the marathon! Let Him be your team captain. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Do not grow weak; let Him increase your strength...

Failure! Is failure baiting you with put-downs? Failure's purpose is to defeat your courage, to attack your motivation. It thrives on perturbation. My mind constantly focused on the anticipation of trouble. My anticipation turned into "worry warts" of failure. I lacked the courage to stay motivated. I feared failure as a parent, a wife and as a daughter. Failure became my contentment stealer. I was robbed of courage.

When we anticipate "worry warts", failure steals our courage. We are not failures! You are going to worry, but don't become a "worry wart". You are going to feel discouraged, but let motivation be your confidence.

Today you may feel like a failure, but always be courageous! Let Him be your anchor. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is; his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Do not let your mind conform to failure, but be transformed by renewing your courage...

Worry warts will rob you of your "faith freckles". Weakness and failure will replace strength and courage if you don't take action! Do not be afraid or terrified because of weakness and failure. The Lord is always with you. He will never leave!

How do you regain your "faith freckles"? How do you get your strength and courage back?

When you are able to overcome any fears left over from the past you can become strong and will no longer feel unsure of anything.

Pray:
Lord, my fears some days overshadows my faith. There are times when my worry warts outcast my faith freckles. Show me how to overcome my fears through your strength and your grace. Amen.

Can't Fast, My Stomach is too Bossy

by Jahan Berns
(Birmingham, Alabama)

Someone once said to me, “I know I am not a glutton but why is fasting so hard? The day I set out to fast is the day my stomach grumbles the loudest and bosses me to the point where I just have to give in. Indulging my appetite seems the most natural thing to do when I am hungry, I want to fast but it seems like such an impossible task. I really love God and I want to sacrifice by fasting but what does one do when their stomach sometimes talks louder than God?”

One of the key aids in pursuing God is the practice of fasting. Fasting is when you generally humble yourself to seek the face of God concerning different aspects of life. In the Bible, different people had different styles of fasting; some went for days without food, while others restricted themselves to a certain kind of diet. What remained common in all kinds of fasts however, was the fact that God’s people undertook a fast to humble themselves before God and ask for his direct intervention in their lives.

Actually, I have never come across a single person that has delightfully confessed that they love fasting and find it an absolute breeze. The reason why fasting is so hard is because it is a discipline. It takes a lot of effort to discipline your flesh and submit your will to God. Once you are able to overcome this hurdle however, you will actually find fasting a very rewarding and fruitful time.

From past experience, I have found that I have had to pray and ask God to give me the strength, will and discipline to fast. If you fast in your own strength, you are bound to suffer a lot of frustration and failure. Much as we would like to, we cannot fast in our own strength, we have to ask the Lord to lead us and guide us into a time of fasting. When the Lord impresses it upon your heart to fast, not only will He show you what to fast about, He will also guide us into how to do it.

There are many times in the bible when the Lord commanded his people to fast, and when He did this, He also explained why He was asking them to fast. There are times the Lord would tell Israel, “Repent of your sins by fasting and praying so that I will forgive you of your great sin and heal you.”

We see in such times that when the people heeded God’s word, their sin would be cleansed, their grief and disease would be healed and their land would become fruitful.

An example of this was when God sent Jonah and told Nineveh to repent. Otherwise the city would perish. The people of Nineveh, led by their King, repented, put on sackcloth and fasted. God heard their prayer and spared their city from destruction.

In this present age, the Lord sometimes lays it upon our hearts to repent of our sins and fast so that we can be cleansed. Fasting coupled with repentance is such a powerful tool because it unlocks God’s forgiveness.

In different places, like some African countries, where human atrocities like genocide have taken place, God has led the people to repent and declare national days of fasting for forgiveness, cleansing and healing of their land.

There are so many times when I have personally repented and fasted for cleansing because of my sins and what a deep cleansing was poured out on my soul when that happened.

We fast in order to seek God’s will and to submit ourselves to God’s sovereignty. Fasting isn’t one of those things we do to twist God’s hand to do whatever we want Him to do. If you fast because you want God to do what you want, you are starving yourself for nothing.

We have this misconception that fasting will force God to give us anything we want. God already has our best interests at heart, we do not need to fast to twist his arm, rather we do it so that we can know and accept his will for our lives.

In Acts 13, the Disciples fasted and committed themselves to God and it was during this time that the Lord told them to set apart Saul and Barnabas. When we fast, we are able to prefer God’s will above our own. That is why it seems so much easier to hear God when you fast. In essence, we are telling God, “Not my will but thine be done in my life.”

Jesus fasted while on earth, it helped Him submit to his father’s will. He was able to resist the devil’s temptations. Fasting strengthens us to fight against temptation because it helps us to submit to a higher and better cause.

Jesus told the disciples that some demons can only be cast out by fasting and prayer. There are certain problems and obstacles that require us to fast so that we can see God’s intervention. Some aspects of healing and deliverance require us to fast and listen to God’s direction so that we can be set totally free.

The neat thing about fasting is that it always produces positive results. It is a win-win situation. It is one of those cases where you cannot return empty handed when you seek God through fasting. The next time your stomach growls louder, persevere a little more because fasting produces a life time of rewards.

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World

by Debra Ann Elliott
(Birmingham, AL, USA)

{Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.}
Deuteronomy 8:11 NIV

Who are you?

You know who you think you are, but do you really know WHO YOU ARE?

We get so carried away in our daily lives; we sometimes forget who we are. We're suppose to be Christian wives, mothers, daughters, sister, and friends. But who are we really? What is our Christian make-up?

Are you living the Ruth life in an Eve world or as Eve in a Ruth world?

We know from the Book of Ruth, Ruth was loyal, committed, compassionate, and stead-fast. She became the great grandmother of King David because of her actions.

{The women living there said, "Naomi has a son!" And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.}
Ruth 4:17 NIV

We know from the Book of Genesis, Eve was self-centered, egotistical, complacent, and conceited. She lived her days in misery and shame because of her actions.

{To the woman he said, "I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."}
Genesis 3:16 NIV

Who are you? Ruth or Eve

Ruth's character: Godly = rewards and love
loyal
committed
compassionate
stead-fast

Eve's character: Pride = misery and shame
self-centered
egotistical
complacent
conceited

In my next article I will discuss loyalty verses self-centerness.

© Debra Ann Elliott 2009

The Importance of Time

by Margaret Wright
(Sydney, NSW, Australia)

TIME - IS THE SPACE BETWEEN TWO ETERNITIES – past and future. God dwells in Eternity and has promised that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES HIS SON, AS LORD WILL ALSO DWELL IN ETERNITY WITH HIM!!! WOW!!! Think about this!!

TIME is the period given to Man to live out His days before he dies and enters Eternity!
In Eternity there are two places only – in Heaven with God or in Hell with satan! Where is Eternity? It is at the end of one’s last breath!! Where will you spend Eternity? In
Eternity time shall be no more!!

TIME began when God created the universe for Man to live in and to have dominion over all the works of His Hands! God created the world and Man in 6 days and on the 7th Day He rested from all His works!!

TIME IS MEASURED by moments, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years!!
In Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11 we read, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven! A time to be born and a time to die: a Time to plant, and a Time to root up that which is planted: a Time to kill, and a time to heal: a time to break down and a time to build up; a Time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a Time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing: a Time to get, and a time to lose: a Time to keep, and a time to cast away: A time to rend, and a Time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a Time to speak: A Time to love, and a Time to hate: a Time of war and a Time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in His Time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

However, one day in TIME Man had sinned against God by disobeying His command and sold out to God’s enemy, satan. Every man born in this world is a sinner and is in the kingdom of darkness and is a child of the devil.

We read in John 3: 16 that, GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

In Galatians 4: 4, 5 we read, “But when the fullness of the TIME was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

When Jesus began to preach, He said, “The TIME is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.” Mark 1: 15
On another occasion when He did His first miracle, He said to Mary “Woman, what have I do with thee? Mine HOUR is not yet come.” John 2: 4

From the above you will see that GOD IS IN CONTROL and more so of His children who are born-again and belong to the family of God since their sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb!!

In Psalm 139: 14-15 we read, “I will praise Thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect: and in Thy Book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them.”

Again we read in Eccl. 11:5 “As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God Who maketh all.”
David in Psalm 31: 15 says, “My times are in Thy Hand..”

God through His Son invited us to come to Him and be saved and we did! Now we are the sons of God and Jesus has taught us through the Word of God that we have a mission while we are in this world as we have a life span! Mathew 28: 18-20

As His children we are His witnesses and Ambassadors and we are to win souls from the kingdom of darkness and bring them to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let not Ambassadors of God become agents for the devil. God has prepared hell for the devil and his angels and for all those whose names are not written in His Book of Life!
There is an appointment with God that every person must keep – judgment! Heb. 9: 27

Let us read from Eph. 5: 1-18 – let us redeem the Time that is left to us before the night falls when no man can work. Go after souls for whom Jesus Christ died and bring them in before they perish.

Witness to them, give out tracts, pray for them and make a difference in lives!!
Eternity is too long and they are unable to come out from hell and therefore children of God do all you can and as fast as you can for the Lord is coming soon!!

We do not know what TIME has been given to us in 2007 so let us awake to the Hour in which we are living and rescue the perishing!! SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE FOR THE TRUTH WILL SET THEM FREE FROM THE DEVIL’S POWER!!

God is counting on us to be His faithful witnesses for He said “Be faithful unto death and
you will receive a crown of life.”
How are you redeeming the Time that is being given to you?

TIME SHALL BE NO MORE – when He comes or when we leave this world and what
we do for Christ will count in eternity. The Lord said, “Occupy till I come”
God bless you and increase your opportunities to witness for Him & win souls!!
Margaret

Comments:

by: Evelyn

Margaret, I don't understand about how time cannot be but this was beautiful

by: Anonymous

Margret, it is so beautifuly witten it made me cry.Blessings

by: Betty

Praise The Lord,this is an awesome word,we must work for the Lord while there is breath in our body,no man knows the time or the hour when the Lord will come,we must be found doing his work,saving souls,no man or woman is too old to work in the Lord's vineyard.
God said occupy till I come.

Can You Hear Me Now?

by Jennell S. Dewitt
(Longs, South Carolina)

Before cell phones and rotary phones, in order to make a telephone call you had to first call an operator. The operator would then connect you, by way of what was called, “the main line.”

Have you have ever seen and old black and white movie where the operator would actually plug in the wires to a switchboard to make call connections? The caller would tell the operator the phone number to be dialed and the operator would then plug appropriate wire to the ”main line” to get the connection. The ” main line” was the network of that day. Both the caller and the receiver had to take an active part in giving and receiving information in order for effective communication to take place and making sure that the other party hears.

“ And he said, hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I, the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him a dream.” Numbers 12:6

Almost everyone today has a cell phone, know someone with a cell phone or have used a cell phone. The younger generation cannot even remember, much less conceive of a day without a cell phone, especially those less than 15 years of age.

Actually it was back in the 1800’s when the first prototype or the first cell phone, that we carry in our pockets, pocketbooks and cell phone holders, was invented. It was first introduced a device to transmit sound through the atmosphere.

Some of us older ones can remember the “brick phone.” They were called that because that cell phone was as large as a brick and it weighed about the same as a brick but had limited functions. Today’s cell phone can fit in the palm of your hand or you can wear it over the ear. You can do many other tasks with them. The black berry is another form of a wireless handheld communication device.

Can we all admit that communication with another party has improved tremendously as a result of this little electronic apparatus? So, why do we say now more than ever…”CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

Did you know that there is difference between hearing and listening? According to Webster, to listen means that the ear hears sound and attention, understanding and consideration is given to it with limited understanding. Dogs listen but they respond only to repetitive commands. They even hear sounds that the human ear cannot pick up. When someone is speaking in a language that we do not understand, we listen but we don’t give it attention, have understanding or consideration to it. For example if someone is speaking in Spanish and you do not know the language, you listen but you have no understanding or give consideration to it.

To hear, on the other hand, means to use one of our God given five senses, which are to see, smell, taste and touch, to gain knowledge and understanding of the external or outside environment. You interpret the sounds or words into what can be used to help you adjust to the external environment.

What about cell phone etiquette or cell phone manners? When we communicate with others we should be polite. But haven’t you heard people talk out loud, curse, and discuss their personal issues in public? Sometimes you may even see the red circle with the bar across the cell phone picture, which means “no cell phones” in this location.

Don’t get me wrong. I have a cell phone and rely upon it daily. Cell phones are great for real time communication in case of emergencies, access the Internet and to watch movies. You can send and receive text messages. Some cells take pictures others allow you check your e-mail. As far as text messaging, my thumbs are too slow and my vision sort of limits me from seeing the little letters on the number pad. So much for that…

Cell phones are a two-way communication device. When you talk into a wireless phone, it picks up your voice and connects it to a receiver by sound waves. It then reaches a base station or network and then it connects. Sometimes the connection is a live person sometimes it is an answering machine, you might get put on hold or you might get the response, “ I’ll call you back at my earliest convenience.”

Isn’t it good to know that God does not put us on hold when it is convenient for Him? He responds and He hears our prayers when the answers maybe no, wait or not right now. Isn’t it comforting to know that God hears internal and outwardly cries and knows our needs before we ask? Isn’t it good to know that He provides ways out of nowhere? Don’t you feel better when Jesus says, “Ask in his name and it will be given. Jesus answered, in John 14:16 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In essence, Jesus is saying to Christians that he is our network, our mainline and that you must come through him to make a connection.

In biblical times, God repeatedly gave directions on hearing him. In John 10:27, he says, “My sheep (the believer) hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” Three times in the New Testament Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Those verses are in Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9 and Luke 8:8. Those are examples of God being our network.

But when his sheep, or us, refuse to hear or listen bad things happen. In I Samuel 8:9 the bible says,

“But the people refused to listen, “No” they said, we want a king over us.” Sound familiar? Haven’t you told God “No”, you wanted something else and a bad thing happened?

In Jeremiah 44:16 it says, “We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord.” And in Zechariah 7:11, the bible says, “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears.” I don’t know about you but I have stopped up my ears when God has told me to do something that I did not want to do and something bad resulted.

Turns out that more often than not, it is not the actual phone that causes us to ask the question to the receiver, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? it is the network, at least that is what Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile and Nextel say.

So you have to ask your self as a Christian, who is your network? Who is your connection with? To the Catholics, their network is the Virgin Mary. To the Muslims, their network is Allah. New Age their network is whatever they want it to be at the time. The atheist has no network because they don’t even believe in GOD.

Is your network your best friend, you co-worker, your neighbor the horoscope?

How can you expect God to hear you if you don’t know Him? That’s like having a long conversation with some one only to find out that you have dialed the wrong phone number. Get to know God for yourself. Study his word has Jesus as your network and goes through him with your prayer requests. Prayer is just talking and hearing from God. Be patient and obedient and ever learning and longing to hear from Him.

Pray changes things. Prayer is powerful. Prayer opens and closes doors. God will answer your calls; through prayer and in the end both you and God will ask,

“CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

Closer to God

by Vanessa Richardson
(North Carolina)

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:11 KJV

I feel closer to God when I am in His perfect will. I can have the nice car and home, and am most appreciative of it too. These human comforts I can not deny, in fact I say hallelujah to them. I want to be pleasing to God. So it is that I found that there is a void within me, when I am not pleasing in God's sight. And I desperately want to be pleasing in His sight. I absolutely abhor that void feeling. What does this void feel like someone once asked of me.

I liken the experience as to walking a alone and narrow path. While walking “the path,” I am overwhelmed with the need (for that is really what it is) to express how I am feeling. I look around and there is no one there. A take notice of the distance that I have covered and my soul, as the old gospel hymn says “look back and wonder how I made it over.” Hum, it is funny how you can linger over something for too long. You begin to see things that are not there. False images. I thought I saw something that was not there many times.

I resolved to not look back. I did however hazard many looks to the left.Looking at the other side I was greeted with the plushness of soft green grass. It's greenness was a magnificent sight to be hold. Its beauty was calling out to me. I know the path of righteousness is my destined path, but did have to be so hard and so lonely at times. And sooooo long? Really do this path ever ends? The green grass was enticing. The beauty of it was pulling at the void within me, beckoning me to cross over. And I wanted to answer its summons.

Certainly a moment on the other side won't hurt me? Just one moment in time. As I thought this, something within stirred to life. Instinctively I knew that something was amiss. I 've long since learned not to ignore the warning from within. One moment in time, is all it takes for a life time mistake. I try to keep the balance. I try to do what God has mandated for me to do as He awards my sacrifices and obedience.

I openly confess that several times I have allowed my wants to over ride His wants for me and lets just say somethings that can be prevented. I did not necessarily had to experience unnecessary angst and hurts. Alas experience, one of the greatest teachers in life, has also taught me that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I know it is God's will to satisfy my soul and make me fat with love and happiness. And on this path that I trod; He shall never leave me nor forsaken me, as He teaches me.

So it is that I purpose in my heart to let the perfect will of God become a constant in my life. I may not cross every t or dot every i. But I sure am going to try and give it the best that I've got!

Blessings!

No more hidden shame

by Rev. Patrina M Wright
(Whiteville, NC)

There comes a time in our lives when we should right the wrong. There are many women in the world today struggling with an issue of hidden shame. The definition of shame is a painful sensation caused by guilt and disgrace.

Shame is a heavy burden oftentime worn as a coat. It's toxic, dehumanizing and self-destructive. Shame is a state of being that takes over your identity. It makes you believe that your whole being is flawed, that you are somewhat defective as a human being.

Shame-based people magnify their flaws. Read their own shame in other's minds and are haunted by a sense of absence, emptiness, isolation and loneliness. After suffering for years with depression, fear, guilt and I'll be the first to tell you that living with hidden shame is a hard place.

Most often shame can be traced back to unresolved childhood issues that left us broken and scarred. Childhood incest and rape were two events that left me feeling inadequate and worthless.

The rules of shame are be good, be numb, be blind, be careful, be quiet. At tender age I was broken and wounded, angry, confused and scared. I experienced issues with trust, self-hate, addictions and dsyfunctional relationships.

Wounds just don't go away on their own, even after we become adults. In fact, when issues are left unresolved our spiritual growth and development is arrested.

The only way to move from a place of shame to a place of grace is to rid yourself of the hidden shame and walk in truth. Oftentimes we hear about the truth setting us free. The reality is the truth can only set us free as we seek the truth, believe the truth and walk in the truth. In other words truth doesn't set us free just because it's truth. Lasting freedom comes from applying truth.

We cannot live out our life purpose unless we address those areas in our lives that need healing. As women, w tend to not only carry our shame, but we oftentimes will wear the shame of others. If it's not your baggage you can let it go. If not you will risk serving future generations left overs. And I'm not necessarily talking about last night's meat loaf. The kind of left overs I am referring to are those bits and pieces of our dsyfunctional past that seems to get passed down from one generation to the next.

If you or someone you love is struggling with hidden shame, I want to encourage you. You can move from brokenness to wholeness by choosing to journey towards healing and recovery. When you are healed from the inside out, your life will not be the same.

As believers, Jesus Christ was wounded for our transgressions and because of His stripes we can be totally healed. Ask Him to reveal those areas that need healing and cooperate with Him in the healing process.

Comments:

by: Rev. Patrina M Wright

My Dear Sister,
Thank you for your comments. It is my prayer that you receive this message. In your comment you suggested that I write a book. I wanted to let you know that I have written a book.

Know that the hand of the Lord is upon your life. Psalm 34:18 tells us that, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit".

The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. But God comes near to save. He knows who you are and where you've been. He wants to heal your broken areas and make you whole again. He sent His Word and people were healed.

If you are hurting, He's looking for you. You are a candidate for the healing power of God. And it shall manifest in your life to cleanse, purify and restore those things that the enemy has stolen from you. Be blessed woman of God.

by: Anonymous

Your words are very helpful, hopeful, and true. Thank you and please continue to do what you do.

A Hurting Female
Dallas, TX

How To Go Through the Eye of a Needle

by Maxine Dickie
(Nova Scotia CANADA)

Did you ever wonder what Jesus really meant when He said to the rich young ruler "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mark 10:25)? Did you ever consider that you may need to go through the eye of the needle yourself? For the Bible makes it clear that wealth and materialism present a huge challenge in our walk with the Lord as He prepares us to be like Him.

And how does one define wealth anyway? In our western cultures it might mean having more than one vehicle, a lavish home, or a hefty bank account. In third world countries it could be just having a meal every day or a bicycle. What is wealth to one could be considered as poverty to another. Jesus Himself settled for a donkey-ride at best, but usually traveled on foot.

Today the gospel message is so steeped in commercialism and materialism that it's almost impossible not to be side-tracked by it all. From the latest religious figurines to the pyramid business schemes underlying some of the most powerful ministries, it seems that the foundation of it all is not the revelation of Christ, but wealth - the very wealth that we must lay down in order to get into the kingdom of heaven. So how is it done?

Do we just sell all our possessions, give to the poor and be homeless, like Jesus was? Because if the Bible is true, and it is, if we do that we will end up with much more than we started with. In Luke 6:38 Jesus said "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken over, will be poured into your lap." In Mark 10:30 He said "Anyone who leaves homes or brothers, or sisters or mothers or children or fields for My sake will not fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age ... and in the age to come, eternal life." Apparently selling all our possessions and giving to the poor does not mean we will end up destitute and homeless. Quite the opposite.

The key to going through the eye of the needle in our own lives starts with our motives. Psalms 17:3 says "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else guard your heart for it is the well-spring of life." The heart is actually the location of the kingdom of heaven in each of our lives, as Jesus said "The kingdom is within you" (Luke 17:25). So going through the eye of the needle is possible because only our motives need to fit through. Everything else is external to the process.

A wealthy man could own many possessions and take great pride in the name he has made for himself, only to change his motives and use all he owns for the glory of God. He would use his wealth to serve in the love of Christ, giving and trusting the Lord to give to him in kind. Then he would find himself having passed through the needle's eye, whether he still has many possessions or none.

Either way, the truth is that we can never out-give the Lord. Once we set our hearts towards seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), then we realize all we have and all we are belong to Him anyway. Understanding that we are merely stewards is the key to entering His kingdom which far outweighs anything this world has to offer. In His infinite wisdom the Lord brings justice and equality through our giving, and in our receiving, so that we may bring glory to Him in this world, not ourselves.

Finding Faith Again

by Juliette
(Henderson, NV)

It seems to be pretty common for some of us to lose our way with our faith after going through certain life experiences. I don't think it is our intention to do so, it just happens. Have you ever felt as if you have been through so much that it is even hard for you to sit down and think about and actually believe you went through all of it and survived it? Having faith in God plays a huge part of why I am still here to talk about it.

Remember that you are never alone, you just have to have faith. I have wondered myself how I made it through the last forty-five years of my life when I think about all of the tragic events I have witnessed or been a part of. Sometimes I would actually believe that these events were so much like something out of a movie that maybe I should write about them.

I have never really contemplated becoming a writer but here I am now, wanting to share what I have learned. It is easier for most of us to think negatively than positively, but I have found it actually takes more energy to have negative thoughts about life and the events we witness than it is to think with a positive mind. You will accomplish much more in life if you can have faith in knowing that and believing in God one hundred percent.

I can honestly say that if I did not find my way back to Christ, then I would probably be locked away in a padded room right now. The most recent event that made me feel as if my world had been shattered once again, left me wanting to die. Mind you, I have always been a strong woman that has made it through some crazy things in life, but this time seemed worse than any other. It was due to abandonment. I had always been the one to leave a bad relationship in the past but this time it happened to me.

If you have ever been blind-sided by a spouse leaving you with no true warning then you will understand the pain and despair that you feel inside. It was worse than when I lost my father to cancer several years ago. I fell into the most horrible depression for about 5 weeks and felt like I was in a bad dream. I would even have dreams about my husband sitting in our living room with a sincere smile on his face which made the dream seem so real.

While I have always been a Christian from the time I can remember, I have lost my way more than a few times in my life when it came to having Jesus in my heart. I have to say, I did not feel him there a few times. Today is different. I feel him all around me and cannot be swayed. I needed him and still do more than anything else in my life right now, and he is here holding me and guiding me.

Never stop hoping, loving, praying and praising God and you will get through life's most tragic moments. Keep him in your life and in your heart and he will see to it that you will be fine. Just remember to take each day as a gift not to be taken for granted and thank God for helping you through whatever it is you need to get through.

Technicalities and Rules

Walking Wounded

Worship of Almighty God

New Year, New Season

Looking for Happiness Down Dead-End Roads

I am What God Says I am

The Beauty of Life's Storms

Reality of the Holy Ghost

LIVING AMONG THE NAKED

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord

A Guilty Conscience

How DO You Love Your Neighbour?

Be not wise in our own eyes.

Keeping Your Sheep...

From my Heart to Yours

I'm a Sheep and Proud of it

Attitude

Something Old

Ask, Seek, Knock!

God is in Control and God is at Work

He Will Meet all our Needs, Just Ask Mary!

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World: Being Committed or Being Egotistical

Let Your Voice Speak!

Landmarks

HELP! I CAN'T FEEL GOD!

What's the Big Deal About Tithing?

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Overcome Your Fears

Can't Fast, My Stomach is too Bossy

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World

The Importance of Time

Can You Hear Me Now?

Closer to God

No more hidden shame

How To Go Through the Eye of a Needle

Finding Faith Again

Search this site:

Popular Pages

Support this site

& get a FREE ebook

Technicalities and Rules

Walking Wounded

Worship of Almighty God

New Year, New Season

Looking for Happiness Down Dead-End Roads

I am What God Says I am

The Beauty of Life's Storms

Reality of the Holy Ghost

LIVING AMONG THE NAKED

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord

A Guilty Conscience

How DO You Love Your Neighbour?

Be not wise in our own eyes.

Keeping Your Sheep...

From my Heart to Yours

I'm a Sheep and Proud of it

Attitude

Something Old

Ask, Seek, Knock!

God is in Control and God is at Work

He Will Meet all our Needs, Just Ask Mary!

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World: Being Committed or Being Egotistical

Let Your Voice Speak!

Landmarks

HELP! I CAN'T FEEL GOD!

What's the Big Deal About Tithing?

Eleven Stepping Stones for Christian Contentment: Overcome Your Fears

Can't Fast, My Stomach is too Bossy

Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World

The Importance of Time

Can You Hear Me Now?

Closer to God

No more hidden shame

How To Go Through the Eye of a Needle

Finding Faith Again

Search this site:

Popular Pages

Support this site & get a FREE ebook

Support this site

& get a FREE ebook