'Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding...' Proverbs 3:5 NCV
Has God given you a passion to do something, but things keep coming up to block you or stress you out? Don't worry; you're not alone. Life can throw us a series of challenges that can make you wonder whether you were on the right track to start. Maybe you need a lot of money to pay for a course or your rent, but it unexpectedly dries up, or a personality clash gets in the way of you succeeding.
But you know what, it's through these challenges that God shows you what you are really passionate about, and how He wants you to do things.
Don't get caught up in Plan A, where everything is set in stone. It can make life more stressful than it needs to be. Allow yourself to adapt with your circumstances. So you can't get the money you need, or you don't get the right marks in your work; that doesn't mean God is going to scrap your dream or think differently about you.
A teenage prophet called Jeremiah said these wise words: 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not harm you...to give you a hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV)
Those plans may not work out the way you're expecting, but God knows what He's doing, and He will not leave your side or be disappointed in you if things don't go the way you expect. Just hold on, keep giving your plans to Him, and trust that He is in control of your life.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010 00:00 http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201012282398/Don-t-give-up.html
Did you hear about the church that didn’t have enough room for parking? Fortunately, it was located right next to a store that was closed on Sundays, so a church member asked the store owner if they could overflow into his parking lot. “No problem,” he said. “You can use it 51 weeks out of the year. On the 52nd week, though, it will be chained off.” The man was grateful, but asked curiously, “What happens that week?” The store owner smiled, “Nothing. I just want you to remember that it’s not your parking lot.”
It’s easy to take for granted all the material and spiritual blessings that God has given us. That’s why we need to stop and remember that Scripture says the true owner of all we possess is God: “All that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chron. 29:11). Even our bodies do not belong to us: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . . and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
As 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us: “God . . . gives us richly all things to enjoy.” We are so abundantly blessed with good things! Let’s never take our Father for granted, but use wisely and gratefully all that He has given us. — Cindy Hess Kasper
As we all enjoy God’s blessing, Oh, may we not forget Our Lord, from whom all good gifts come— In Him our needs are met. —Fitzhugh
God gives blessing to us so we can give glory to Him.
You are the King of Glory You are the Prince of Peace You are the Lord of heaven and earth You are the Son of righteousness Angels bow down before You They worship and adore You For You have the words of eternal life You are Jesus Christ the Lord Hosanna to the Son of David Hosanna to the King of Kings Glory in the highest heavens Jesus the Messiah reigns
What’s the first image you see when you turn on your computer? Maybe it’s a family portrait or a special vacation picture. Or perhaps your favorite pro athlete.
How about an artist’s rendition of Jesus? A man once wrote to me about his lengthy battle with pornography—a disheartening cycle that punctuated seasons of victory with crushing forays back into an online world of empty lust. Finally, he found that putting a visible reminder of Jesus in the corner of his computer screen helped him achieve lasting victory. That constant reminder of the One who set him free caused the offensive Web sites to lose their appeal.The man wasn’t tapping into some gigabyte good-luck charm. He was giving himself a simple reminder of the teaching of Colossians 3 where Paul says, “put to death . . . fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness” (v.5).
When we turn our eyes toward Jesus, He becomes a powerful reminder that our old life “died, and [our] life is hidden with Christ in God” (v.3). Whether it’s a verse taped to the dashboard of your car or a picture on your computer, choose a tangible way to lift your thoughts into the presence of Jesus.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. —Lemmel
The best way to keep sin at a distance is to make sure Jesus stands between you and temptation.
Our Daily Bread - October 11, 2010 http://odb.org/2010/10/11/visible-reminders-2/
After dinner one night, a tiny brown sparrow flew inside our house through the front door. A chase ensued. Each time my husband got near to it, the little intruder fluttered away in a desperate search for an exit. Before we could escort it safely outside, the bird toured the house so frantically that we could see its chest throbbing from its rapid heartbeat.
Sometimes we are like that little bird—anxious, frazzled, and afraid of what might happen next. It comforts me to think that “not one [sparrow] falls to the ground” without God knowing about it (Matt. 10:29). He sees and knows everything in our world.
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place” (Prov. 15:3), and nothing escapes His attention, including you and me. God understands and values the finest points of our being. Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:30).
It’s amazing that God keeps a tally of our personal trivia and is even aware of a bird’s misfortune. Since He knows about these small details, we can trust that He sees and cares about the big issues that ruffle our feathers. When we ask Him for help, God’s response is always informed by His perfect knowledge of us and our circumstances. Let’s trust Him with our anxious concerns.
If God sees the sparrow’s fall, Paints the lilies short and tall, Gives the skies their azure hue, Will He not then care for you? —Anon.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Our Daily Bread - September 14, 2010 http://odb.org/2010/09/14/sparrow%E2%80%99s-flight/
Do you wonder why you have to, feel the things that hurt you, if there's a God who loves you, where is He now?
Maybe, there are things you can't see and all those things are happening to bring a better ending some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see
Chorus 1) Would dare you, would you dare, to believe, that you still have a reason to sing, 'cause the pain you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming
Chorus 2) so hold on, you got to wait for the light press on, just fight the good fight because the pain you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning
My friend, you know how this all ends and you know where you're going, you just don't know how you get there so just say a prayer.
and hold on, cause there's good who love God, life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture
Chorus 1) Chorus 2)
yeah, yeah, before the morning, yeah, yeah
Once you feel the way of glory, all your pain will fade to memory once you feel the way of glory, all your pain will fade to memory memory, memory, yeah
Chorus 1) Chorus 1)
com'n, you got to wait for the light press on, just fight the good fight because the pain you've been feeling, it's just the hurt before the healing the pain you've been feeling, just the dark before the morning before the morning, yeah, yeah before the morning
'...The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them...' 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
'Could do better!' Ever had that written on your school report by a well-meaning teacher? Ever been told by a parent that you need to 'try harder?' Has someone called you a 'waste of space' or told you 'you're not good enough'?
It can be really difficult to walk around carrying other people's opinions about yourself. Maybe you say to yourself, 'It doesn't matter what they think, what do they know?' But truthfully we all know that words sometimes stick to us like glue and we very easily end up agreeing with them.
What do you believe about yourself today? How many negative things do you say about yourself, or worse, actually believe to be true? When people put us down or when we don't fit in with the stereotypes of perfection that the media portrays, we can start to believe that we are 'nothing' or 'nobody'. We can feel unloved, unwanted, useless, an 'it'-something of no significance.
'...The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them...' He sees you as you really are: His perfect creation packed full of potential!You are someone He has chosen. He has things only you can do-there's no one else better for the job! That's how brilliant you are to God. Look at yourself through God's eyes today-see how terrific you really are.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructed us—His followers—to love others: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."As Christians, learning to walk in love should be a very high priority.
Unfortunately, we often love others only superficially—that is, we talk love, but don't live love. James 2:15-16 addresses this problem: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"
If you say that you love someone, but don't express it by what you do, then that "love" is worthless. Indeed, it isn't even real love.
Likewise, 1 John 3:17-18 asks, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Here again, we are instructed to love with actions—not just with our mouth.
Follow the instructions of Jesus: love one another. However, remember that real love must be accompanied by actions, because love unexpressed is not love at all.
Weekly Wisdoms for the week of August 16, 2010 http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2010-08-16
Moan, moan, moan, whinge, whinge, whinge, whine, whine, whine! Complaining; we hear it all the time and come on, be honest, you do it too, right?
'Oh no I don't!' we protest to anyone who dares accuse us of arguing. We can do it so often we don't even realise we're doing it. 'It wasn't me, it was her.' Or, 'He made me do it, it's not my fault.' Sound familiar? They're actually excuses like those used by Adam and Eve. Can you believe it? Even the first two humans, living in the lap of luxury with God, found something to beef about!
As soon as they ate that forbidden fruit they were arguing and moaning about whose fault it was. It didn't help then (they both got chucked out of paradise) and it doesn't help now either. That's why God says to you today, 'Do everything without complaining...' He knows it gets us nowhere. He knows we'll only end up making things worse for ourselves.
Read Exodus or Numbers, and you'll hear God's people whinging big time! Paul warns us not to fall into the same trap: 'Do not complain as some of them did; they were killed by the angel that destroys. The things that happened to those people are examples...written down to teach us...' (1 Corinthians 10:10-11 NCV) So clean up your verbal act! Decide to detect, reject and eject all complaining language from your vocabulary.
Stop complaining and start gaining (2)
God says: 'Do everything without complaining ...' because complaining is toxic. It's poisonous! It damages and contaminates! There is nothing good about it. It acts like a drug dealer, giving people a taste so before they know it, they're hooked. The more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the harder it is to stop-it's addictive. Inject 'complaint poison' into your life and eventually it will 'toxify' every bit of it. Subtly, it will pollute all your relationships, your church, your family, your neighbourhood.
Sometimes we think we have to moan and complain. We think there is only one option and that's to sound off. But do the maths-nothing positive can come from a negative.
Complaining is a cop-out, it's what we do to avoid facing a problem. It actually makes us part of the problem instead of the solution. And ultimately, your complaining affects you more than anyone else. The Psalmist said, '...I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed...' (Psalm 77:3 NKJ) Every time you act like a Moaning Minnie you reinforce the power of 'complaint poison' over you, making yourself the victim of your own lethal complaints. Before you say anything stop and think. Then 'do all things without complaining...'
Stop complaining and start gaining (3)
Come on, be honest-did you read the verse for today and think: 'They're not still on about complaining, are they?' And then did you have a quick look, see that we're going to be reading the same verse for another three days and think, 'You've got to be kidding! Do we really have to hear about it for a whole six days? Enough already! "Stop moaning"-I get it!'
Well, if that's the case, you'll know why we're keeping at it! Because it's so easy to moan about anything! Even word4U2day!
In order to start or stop doing anything, we need to know why. What's the point? What's in it for me? God never asks us to do something without it benefiting us. Listen: 'Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.' (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV)
When the stars are out, it is impossible not to notice them. They look amazing, they stand out! You don't just glance at them. You watch them because they are truly beautiful. When we pack in our moaning, sulky, argumentative behaviour, God says we will stand out. We'll be noticed, we'll be as impressive as the stars. Everyone will be able to see God in us. Now that's worth doing, right?
Stop complaining and start gaining (4)
What's your attitude been like this week? Have you honestly been trying to 'Do everything without complaining'? Has it been easy to do? Or are you thinking, 'It's impossible, I can't do it! See-I'm even moaning about moaning now!'
Well, be encouraged today. You need to remember that God never asks us to do anything without helping us to do it. 'You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it.' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) So next time you're about to get in a strop, simmer down and talk to God first. Ask Him to show you a better way, then take it.
But what if your complaint is legit? After all, injustice, abuse, betrayal, robbery, gossip, lies, prejudice, physical harm against you or your family are legitimate causes for complaint, right? So you can't just sit back and do nothing, can you? Jesus says, 'You are the light of the world...people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone... In the same way, let your light shine in front of others.' (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV) We need to always do things God's way. So, don't 'mouth off' without first talking to God about the best thing to do in your situation.
Stop complaining and start gaining (5)
When someone hurts you, your temptation will be to tell everybody and have a right good moan! It feels acceptable, justified, and even therapeutic. Well-meaning friends will encourage it and maybe even help you publicise it. 'You'll feel better when you've got it off your chest,' they'll say. But God says, 'Do everything without complaining...' Even when you're cheesed off, had enough and just can't take it anymore! When someone hurts you, God says we need to have some 1-2-1 time and wrap it in kindness:
(1) 1-2-1 time: In other words, no putting an ad in the paper 'naming and shaming'. 'If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offence. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.' (Matthew 18:15 NLT)
(2) Wrapped in kindness: So, no barging in like Mr Angry, shouting in their face, ready to head-butt them. '...speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ...' (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)
Remember your goal is not to humiliate them or to get revenge, but rather to sort out the problem, resolve your differences, strengthen your relationship, and honour God.
Even when we do everything right and deliver the best 1-2-1 time wrapped in kindness ever, it will only resolve itself if the other person responds well. But this doesn't mean you now have a right to get all stroppy. God always has the best next step, so listen to Him.
Stop complaining and start gaining (6)
Here are three final thoughts on complaining:
SALSA: Stop Accusing Loudly, Start Asking. No one likes it when we go about shooting our mouths off. People either become aggressive towards us or completely ignore us. However legitimate your gripe, all people will hear and see is a complainer. This will greatly reduce the chance of a good outcome. Whatever the cause: 'SALSA!' You're more likely to get what you ask for if you do it graciously, rather than beef on about it. Asking for help-or for understanding, or to share how you feel, or for someone to do things differently-avoids arguments, stops you wasting time raking over the past about things that can't be changed and always brings a better result.
Back off: Once you've said it, now let God work. Changing people is God's job, so back off, be patient and give Him a chance. Get out of God's way and let Him do what you can't. He has ways and means you've never dreamed of. When He's allowed to take over the job, it gets done properly.
Do a Joey: No sitting around biting your tongue, seething when things don't go to plan. Take a lesson from Joseph. He had every reason to complain about his family and to take revenge. Instead, he kept focused on God and looked to see how he could become part of the solution. It works! Joseph's family was reunited, and God gave him some amazing things to do with his life.
People who live in affluence for all of life (such as many people in North America and Western Europe) can easily become so accustomed to wealth, blessings, and prosperity that they can easily forget what blessings they actually have. However, if those possessions are taken away, those people will certainly look at life with a new perspective, realizing how much they really had.
You don't realize how much you have until you don't have it anymore.
God knows the importance of balance; that is, the importance of having both blessings and difficulties. There are several scriptures that speak about this balance. For example in 1 Peter 4:13, we are told: Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Notice how we participate both in suffering and in joy.
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 1:7, Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth: And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. They experienced both suffering and comfort.
Don't become too comfortable with what you have, because when you forget that the things you have are a blessing from God and when you start to assume that they are guaranteed possessions, it is quite possible that God will take them away from you in order to teach you that you need both blessings and difficulties, because one without the other is neither.
Weekly Wisdoms for the week of August 9, 2010 http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2010-08-09
Sometimes life seems to be taking us down a huge detour and everything looks like it's not going our way. In those situations, our life and our story seems to be a disaster.
This is exactly what happened to Joseph, whose story is found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph's brothers jealously hated him and sold him into slavery. Joseph was wrongfully put in prison for raping Potifer's wife, when really he refused to compromise his integrity by sleeping with her. Then, Joseph helped get the chief cupbearer out of jail; however, when the cupbearer had an opportunity to return the favor and get Joseph out of jail, the man forgot about Joseph. Joseph ended up spending thirteen years in jail for something he didn't do.
At this point Joseph's story was going haywire, but God's story was right on track. That's because God had an amazing plan for Joseph's life; God was going to use Joseph to save Egypt and the surrounding lands for seven years of devastating famine. What looked to Joseph like a huge detour was really a great plan of God to provide food for countless people, including the very brothers that had sold Joseph into slavery.
At the end of this, Joseph realized that God had a bigger plan for his life, and after his brothers come to him for food, he tells them: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
All along, God's story was right on track.
This same principle is also true in the life of Jesus. To the disciples, it looked as those Jesus would be a great king who would rule Israel and return the nation to greatness. They hailed him as a great leader. So, when Jesus was being crucified, the story they saw looked like a major train wreck—this great leader whom they had followed for the past three years was suddenly dead. However, God's story was at its peak—God was in the process of connecting humanity to himself.
There's what you see and what God sees.
When your life seems to be a major disaster; know that God has bigger plans to use your life for great things. The story you see may not reflect the long-term story God has planned. Therefore, trust God, knowing that he works for good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28).
Weekly Wisdoms for the week of June 21, 2010 http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2010-06-21
Have you ever wondered why God may not be blessing you as much as you think he should? It could be because you've become a reservoir for God's blessings, rather than a channel.
If you're simply accumulating more and more rather than giving what has been given to you, then God probably won't bless you. However, if you give away the things that God gives you, then you become a channel through which his blessings flow. He blesses you so that you can bless others.
That's exactly what God promised to Abram: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). God promised to bless Abram so that he could be a blessing to others.
If you use what you have to bless others, then God will probably bless you with more (so that you can bless others even more).The Bible describes that principle using language of sowing and reaping: you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
These verses are a direct promise from God: If you will sow abundantly with a good (cheerful) attitude, then God will bless you. Why? So that you can bless others.Being a channel for God's blessings means passing them on to others.
This principle of sowing and reaping works in all areas of our life--not just money. You can bless others in ways that don't necessarily require money.
Decide to sow seeds of blessing aggressively, and you'll discover that God will provide a great abundance for you simply because you're a channel not a reservoir.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)
Philippians 4:7 NIV 'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'
'...He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.' Hebrews 10:14 NIVNIV
'I'm too fat!' 'I'm ugly!' 'I'm always getting it wrong!' 'I'm no good!' 'They don't like me'. How many times do you say those things to yourself? Well, what you need to do is STOP IT! Focus on what's right with you, not what's wrong, or you'll end up so negative you can't appreciate the gift of life. If you're always putting yourself down, or beating yourself up, you're setting a bad example to others-which no-one wants. We've all got bits of ourselves we want to improve, none of us will ever be perfect- but being negative isn't the answer. Look at the verse chosen for today. Slowly read what it says. And again. That's you it's talking about!
Max Lucado writes: 'Underline the word perfect. Note, the word isn't better. Not improving... God doesn't improve; He perfects. He doesn't enhance; He completes... I realise there's a sense in which we're imperfect... We still stumble. We still do exactly what we don't want to do...that part of us is 'being made holy'. But when it comes to our position before God, we're perfect. When He sees each of us, He sees someone who has been made perfect through the One who is perfect; Jesus Christ.'
It's ok to want to improve yourself, but take it easy! Stop and remind yourself that you're '...being made new...becoming like the One who made you...' (Colossians 3:10 NCV)
God deeply and intimately loves you!His love for you is unconditional—no strings attached, and there is nothing that you can do to get God not to love you. Indeed, Romans 8:38-39 says that there is nothing that can ever separate us from God's love.
Knowing that God loves you is central to your understanding of the Gospel, for the entire Gospel is based on God's love (See John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10). The good news is that God hasn't withheld His love from us; instead, God has poured out his love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
But what do we do with that love? We know God loves us, but so what? What should we do with God's love? Give it away! Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another(1 John 4:11). In other words, our response to the news of God's love for us needs to be to love others. Indeed, Jesus repeatedly commanded us to love others (See Matthew 5:43-47, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 6:27-35, John 13:34-35, John 15:12,17).
However, it is impossible to love others unless you know, believe and receive God's love. 1 John 4:19 says, We love because he first loved us. In other words, we are able to love other people, because God first showed His love to us. If God hadn't shown His love to us, we would have no standard and no example on which to base our love for others.
Similarly, 1 John 4:7 says, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Here again, our ability to love one another is only because love comes from God.
Think of your ability to love others like a glass of water. At first, the glass is empty. If you don't have any water in your glass, then you obviously can't give water to anyone else. But when you hold your glass under a faucet and let the water pour out into your glass, it will fill up. Then, once it is full, your glass will overflow, and you can let the water pour out to everyone around you.
If you don't have love in you, then you can't give love to anyone else. Therefore, you must first receive God's love, before you can love one another.
Before they were a week old, the eaglets were fighting over food. Neither was strong enough to hold up his head for more than a few seconds, so the pair looked like fuzzballs with bobble-heads attached. But whenever the parents brought food to the nest, the bigger eaglet was quick to peck down his brother to keep him from getting a single bite. His aggression would have been understandable if food was scarce, or if the parents couldn’t be trusted to supply what he needed. But nothing could be further from the truth. The eaglets were being fed fish many times their size; there was more than enough for both of them.
The greedy eaglet reminds me of our own foolishness when we try to get for ourselves something that belongs to someone else (James 4:1-5). Conflicts erupt because we want something that God has given to a friend, colleague, relative, or neighbor. Instead of asking God for what we need, we try to get what He’s given to someone else (v.2). But God has something good for each of us. We don’t need what belongs to anyone else. And we certainly never need to harm anyone to get what we need.
Our loving heavenly Father has more than enough for everyone. — Julie Ackerman Link
No matter how hard you try, in a room that's completely dark, you'll never be able to see anything. Even if you know for sure that something is in the room, it's impossible to see it if the room is totally dark. You know it's there, but you just can't see it.
That's what faith is like.You may be absolutely confident that God loves you; however, during the difficult and dark times in life, you may not be able to see that love.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Even when you don't see God's love for you, you can still have faith that he loves you -- that is, you can be certain that he loves you, even though you don't see it.
During those "dark times" in your spiritual life, you may not be able to see God's love, his faithfulness, his grace, or his promises to you; however, don't lose your faith. Be certain of what [you] do not see.
O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Saviour, And life more abundant and free.
Refrain Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His Glory and Grace.
Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion - For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you - He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell.
Giraffes have the shortest sleep cycle of any mammal. They sleep only between 10 minutes and 2 hours in a 24-hour period and average just 1.9 hours of sleep per day. Seemingly always awake, the giraffe has nothing much in common with most humans in that regard. If we had so little sleep, it would probably mean we had some form of insomnia. But for giraffes, it’s not a sleep disorder that keeps them awake. It’s just the way God has made them.
If you think 1.9 hours a day is not much sleep, consider this fact about the Creator of our tall animal friends: Our heavenly Father never sleeps.
Describing God’s continual concern for us, the psalmist declares, “He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps. 121:3). In the context of this psalm, the writer makes it clear that God’s sleepless vigilance is for our good. Verse 5 says, “The Lord is your keeper.” God keeps us, protects us, and cares for us—with no need for refreshing. Our Protector is constantly seeking our good. As one song puts it: “He never sleeps, He never slumbers. He watches me both night and day.”
Are you facing difficulties? Turn to the One who never sleeps. Each second of each day, let Him “preserve your going out and your coming in” (v.8). — Bill Crowder
The Rock of Ages stands secure, He always will be there; He watches over all His own To calm their anxious care. —Keith
The One who upholds the universe will never let you down.
'Jesus asked, 'Are you also going to leave?'' John 6:67 NLT
Have you ever been dumped by a boyfriend or girlfriend? Rejected by your mates? Abandoned by your parents? If yes to any of these, you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel hurt. Sometimes the pain and sadness lasts for years.What's weird is that even if nothing like this has ever happened to us, we could still worry about it: fearful that one day someone will dump us, reject us or abandon us. No-one wants to be left alone. At some point we all experience the heartbreak of losing someone we love, or being disappointed in people. It's why God tells us over and over, 'Fear not for I am with you.' (Isaiah 43:5 NKJ) Jesus knows what it's like to be rejected by friends, and not just once! A whole bunch of his friends told Him to get lost. 'At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him.' (John 6:66 NLT) So how did He cope? He didn't deny his emotions. He said: 'Are you also going to leave?' (John 6:67 NLT) It's all there: the pain of loss, wondering what's going to happen next. Remember the pain you feel is ok. Those who say, 'You shouldn't feel this way,' are well-meaning but wrong. Acknowledging pain initiates the feeling-dealing-healing process. You can't heal what you won't feel or deal with. So, embrace your feelings, draw on God's grace, and move through the healing process.
Q: When negative experiences happen, what's your greatest enemy? A: Your own head!We worry and let our thoughts dictate the pace. Jesus was about to face His greatest trial, so He went out into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. 'Not My will,' He said to His Father (and ours), 'but yours!' We need to let God in on our thoughts, let God control our thinking. If we don't, our thoughts run riot in our heads making us fearful, depressed, alone. Romans 12:2 NKJ says, '�be transformed by the renewing of your minds.' Get God stuff in your head: When you say, 'I can't solve this!' God tells you, 'I will direct your path.' (Proverbs 3:6) When you say, 'It's impossible!', God tells you, 'Everything is possible.' (Luke 18:27) When you say, 'I feel all alone!', God tells you, 'Never will I leave you.' (Hebrews 13:5) When you say, 'I can't do it!', God tells you, 'I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:13) When you say, 'I don't deserve forgiveness!', God tells you, 'I have forgiven you.' (1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1) When you say, 'I'm afraid!', God tells you, 'Do not fear for I am with you, I will strengthen you and help you.' (Isaiah 41:10) When you say, 'No-one really loves me!', God tells you 'I love you.' (John 3:16) When you say, 'I don't know how to go on!', God tells you 'I will show you.' (Psalm 32:8)
Being abandoned, ditched, dropped, jilted, neglected, rejected can mess with our heads so much. When stuff like this happens, we tend to handle it by turning into one of three characters: The Boxer: We mouth off big time! Never throwing the towel in, we fight to the finish! The Actor: We pretend it doesn't matter, act like it makes no difference to us: 'I'm perfectly fine, thank you!' The Assassin: We plot revenge; 'I don't get mad, I get even!' Mouthing off, pretending we're fine, or plotting revenge will only leave us getting more hurt and probably hurt others in the process. So what should we do? Have you heard of the game Truth or Dare? You choose between Truth and Dare. Pick truth and you have to answer in total honesty any question that your friends ask you. Choose dare and you have to participate in a challenge set to you by your friends. But have you ever played Truth AND Dare? It's not so much a game but a way of life that God wants us to live; especially when we are feeling rejected. Jesus knows how that feels: He went to the Cross not only rejected by His friends but knowing that God Himself would turn away as He took on the sin of the world. TRUTH: Know God's truth about you. Jesus died for you. God says: '�you are precious to me. You are honoured, and I love you.' (Isaiah 43:4 NLT) DARE: to act on God's truth and not on your feelings! Live, knowing you're precious!
At RBC Ministries, our human resources team has developed an effective and encouraging program that centers around gratefulness.
When an employee notices something good another employee does here at the office, he or she can take a special “Thank You” card provided by human resources and write a note of appreciation. It’s a good feeling to walk into your office and find one of those cards on your desk.
Isn’t it great to be thanked for a job well done? Doesn’t a good, hearty “thank you” brighten your day? And doesn’t it make your relationships a little more special—just to know that your work is not being taken for granted?
Everybody loves to be thanked. Even God. Our heavenly Father finds pleasure in our expression of thanks to Him. It’s His will that we tell Him “Thank You.” “Give thanks in all circumstances,” Paul said, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18 niv). The writer of Hebrews took it a step further by saying, “Let us be thankful, and so worship God” (12:28 niv).
Keep looking for ways to improve your relationship with God. Don’t forget what may be the most basic way to worship and honor Him: Tell Him “Thanks.” — Dave Branon
Then let us adore and give Him His right, All glory and power, all wisdom and might, All honor and blessing, with angels above, And thanks never ceasing for infinite love. —Wesley
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful heart.
Don't stop praying! The Lord is nigh; Don't stop praying! He'll hear your cry; God has promised, and He is true; Don't stop praying; He'll answer you.
Don't stop praying! For every need; Don't stop praying! The Lord will heed; No petition to Him is small; Don't stop praying! He'll hold your hand.
Don't stop praying! When bowed with grief; Don't stop praying! You'll get relief; Troubles never escape God's sight; Don't stop praying! He'll make it right.
Don't stop praying! But have more trust; Don't stop praying! For pray we must; Faith will banish a mount of care; Don't stop praying! God answers prayer.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.
'…Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No,' no…' James 5:12 NIVNIV
Saying what you mean is just the beginning. Meaning what you say is the next step. Don't say one thing, then walk away and do the opposite. When you say 'that's the last time', make sure it is! Start with the small things (like how much time you'll spend on the games console or starting your assignment before the last minute), and you may well find it filters into some of the bigger decisions and actions too. If you're not planning on doing something, don't say you will. And stick to your guns too; if you tell your friend you're not going to let him borrow your bus pass anymore, don't let him. Saying 'Oh ok, just this once', makes him think it's ok to keep coming back and before you know it he'll be walking all over you again. Have you ever heard a mum screaming at a kid, 'If you don't stop that right now you'll have to go to your room'? The kid doesn't stop, so the mum says, 'This is your last warning'. Still the kid doesn't stop—but still the mum doesn't take action. The 'final warnings' just keep on coming. What does the kid do? Whatever they want to, of course. Why? Because empty words have no meaning. If you want people to listen to what you say, respect you, and value your words—then make sure you place value on them too, and follow through on what you say.
Friday, 26 February 2010 http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201002252062/Mean-what-you-say.html
Today, five lessons about life that make all the difference:
(1) Don't worry, just do your best. God accepts no less, but He demands no more. 'Trust in the Lord, and do good…and He shall give you the desires of your heart.' (Psalm 37:3-4 NKJ)
(2) Don't rush it, do it right. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.' (Proverbs 21:5 NLT)
(3) Don't believe something is impossible without trying it. When you are in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to His timing and willing to stick at it, your problems are just a platform for Him to work on your behalf '…we must wait patiently and confidently.' (Romans 8:25 NLT)
(4) Don't waste your time. Put first things first and ask yourself, 'What is it that only I can do, or do best?' Only when you've answered that question will you know what you should do. Despite what you're thinking right now, it's probably not got a whole lot to do with Guitar Hero!
(5) Don't just talk about it…do it. Lots of people have good intentions but those intentions have to become actions. Get specific about your diet and your devotions, your finances and your family. 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' Write those words on a card and read them regularly. James writes: '…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.' (James 2:17 NKJ)
'Can you discover the depths of God?...' Job 11:7 NAS
It's not what you know but who you know. If you know the band, you get backstage passes. Or if your sister has a job at a pizza store, you know when to come in for a special. The Bible also says there are things we can have just because we know God. (1) Blessing. The more you know God and obey His will, the more you'll experience His blessings. 'If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children…' (Deuteronomy 4:40 NLT) (2) Peace. 'Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God…' (2 Peter 1:2 NAS) The more you know God, the more you'll be at peace. Sure, tough stuff happens, but facing that stuff with God makes a massive difference. (3) Wisdom. Paul prayed that God would give the Ephesians '…a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.' (Ephesians 1:17 NAS) Wisdom is seeing things the right way. Revelation is when God opens your mind and shows you things you otherwise wouldn't know. (4) Freedom. '…when you did not know God, you were slaves...' (Galatians 4:8 NAS) Without the confidence that comes from knowing God, you become a slave to circumstances, emotions, or other people's opinions. Refuse to live that way. Instead, get to know God better.
Christ must be at the center of your relationships because He provides a stable, fixed point of reference; otherwise, your relationships will be frail and fragile.
Every relationship is based or founded on something. For example, some relationships are based on the fact that both people work for the same company, attend the same school, or sharing a similar interest in a hobby or sport.
With all of relationships, once a common bond is no longer present, the relationship will tend to deteriorate. For example, once a child graduates from high school and moves off to college, he or she will probably lose most of the relationships formed with classmates, because school is no longer a common bond and thus there is nothing holding the relationship together.
However, if your relationships are formed around a common belief in Christ, then no matter what else happens in life, as long as that common bond is still present those relationships will last.
Thus, it is clear why 2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs believers not to marry unbelievers: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
If you want to maintain lasting, stable relationships, they must be Christ-centered.
Have you been having a tough time recently? Whether you have or not, you'll know what it feels like, right? Because one thing is guaranteed-at some point you will have tough times! The Bible guarantees it! 'We must suffer...' (Romans 8: 17 NCV) So the question to ask is not, 'How do I avoid having a hard time?' instead we should ask, 'What do I do when things get tough?' Our answer would probably be, 'If life is difficult, then we can't possibly enjoy ourselves. We just have to moan and complain and look miserable, until it's over.' But God answers our question with a promise, 'I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me.' What a great promise!We just need to do our best and let God do the rest as we look to Him for help. We don't have to worry or panic, we can feel calm and relaxed, because God will fill us with His peace. This way God has the last word. No more running around like a headless chook or getting caught up in your emotions or reacting to what people are saying. You'll know God's in control, you won't even have to look miserable, you could even smile. Imagine that! When things go wrong-and they will-do what God asks of you and then chill. Sit back and watch Him work on your behalf!
Thursday, 28 January 2010 http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201001271993/You-can-handle-it.html
Once upon a time a farmer's donkey fell into a dry well. When the farmer heard the donkey's braying and realised what had happened, he decided that neither the donkey nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. So he went and asked his neighbours to come and help him bury his donkey in the well and put it out of its misery. Initially, the donkey was very upset. You would be too, if you were in a deep hole and people started throwing muck on top of you! But as the dirt rained down on his back, the old donkey had a thought. He decided that every time a shovel of dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up. And that's what he did. As the dirt cascaded down the well, the old donkey kept shaking it off and stepping up. Hours later, the exhausted donkey finally stepped over the wall of the well. What was meant to bury him actually helped him!
When troubles come, don't give up; like the donkey, have patience and persevere, then you too will discover that what you thought was hindering you is actually helping you. '...These troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and have everything you need.' (James 1: 3-5 NCV)
God wants to be the most important thing in your life. Sadly, many Christians let the opinions of other people control their own decisions, altering what they consider to be important.
Proverbs 29:25 says, Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Your relationships with the people you're around could be a snare to you if let them control you. However, if Christ is more important to you than any relationship, then he will control your relationships, guiding you into right, godly ones. Make Christ first place in your heart, and he will control and direct your relationships.
