immediately

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With all my heart I love you,
Your Heavenly Father

break

Have you ever heard the saying that old habits are hard to break? That means that change is hard to do. The definition of change is "to alter, to transform, to switch, or to transfer".   However, the definition that really stuck out the most to me was "to break", meaning "to shift to a lower register" as in to "Make Change".

My oldest daughter is in the 3rd grade and she has learned how to count money. She is amazed at how many ways you can make a dollar out of change. Two half dollars = $1.00, 4 quarters = $1.00, 10 dimes = $1.00, 20 nickels = $1.00 and 100 pennies = $1.00.  No matter which amount you have, it all equals a dollar.

In order to "Make Change" out of a dollar, it has to be "broken".  When you allow God to make change in your life, things you have have to be broken.  You may end up having a lot of fragmented pieces once He starts breaking things down in your life, but it's okay.  You may end up as 4 quarters or even 100 pennies, but once he adds all the change, you end up being whole again.

"He heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

Familiarity is often hard to walk away from, but it breeds complacency and stagnation.  While on the other hand, change is altering - doing away with a routine or habit.  Change is a breaking point in our lives where we have to step out of the ordinary to step into the extraordinary.  To change means we have to sacrifice things to become broken - to be made whole.

Allow God to "make change" in your life.  A path in a circle eventually takes you back to where you started, so you end up going nowhere. You end up in a cycle that seems to keep repeating itself over and over again...  The same bad choices with the same results.  The same mountain.  The same test that you have taken so many times that you end up memorizing the questions.  If this applies to you, you need God to break you and "Make Change".

"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.    Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;  a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."  (Psalm 51:8-12; 17) 
  

? careful

"And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years" Acts 13:21
One of my friends said it yesterday.  I had heard it before.  I have said it before.  "You had better be careful what you ask for (in prayer), you might get it."   Indeed, that is exactly what happened to Israel.

All the other nations had kings. Israel had an old prophet.  All the other countries had national leaders.  Israel had a high priest. Israel asked the aging prophet for a king.  They wanted to be like other nations.  They wanted a figure they could look to for protection.  They wanted a king. (If you remember, Moses said this time would come.  He prophesied that they would want a king. He also said that king would lead them in wrong paths.)

So God gave them a king.  Saul.  He reigned for forty years.  He was an imposing figure, head and shoulders taller than his countrymen.  He was strong.  He was humble.  He was promoted to king of all Israel -- and he was a failure.   As time passed, Israel began to see that their king was just a man with all of man's weaknesses.  He may have been strong as an ox, but he was as weak as a hollow tree in spirit.  He lacked the mental strength to be a powerful leader.  He became overwhelmed with his own authority -- his own ambition.  And he fell.  And he almost took Israel with him.

We have all been in Israel's position.  We want what we want and we want it now!  Not only do we want it, but we demand that God provide it.  We don't want to wait for it.  We don't want to pay the price for it.  We don't want to save for it.  We want it -- NOW! And God had better come through because if He doesn't we will do it ourselves.  And we pay the price.  And that price is much higher than the cost of the thing we want.  It is a spiritual price that goes far beyond a few dollars.  It saps the soul of strength.  It drains the spirit of energy.  It taps the resources we have reserved for God's mission, and we suffer for it.  We are in pain.  We are weakened.  Because of our weakness, others begin to suffer with us.

We no longer have the spiritual fortitude to help our brother or our sister.  Instead we are pulling from them the strength they need for their own battles.  A downward spiral has begun.  The trail of smoke can be seen for miles around.  Doom and defeat seem eminent.  But wait.  Inside that hulk of a dying body is a pilot - no, "The Pilot".  He has not bailed out yet.  He has not given up the ship.  He is pulling.  He is fighting the battle for us.  And He has the strength to pull us out of that fatal nosedive we have forced upon ourselves.

At the last moment, the flaming hulk of our life is saved and set on a path to recovery.  Not because of our strength, but because of the authority of the One who knows how to save the dying.

Israel had her David. 

We have our Jesus. Both are redeemers. 

David saved a dying nation.  Jesus saves a dying soul. 

Behold, your redemption draws near.  Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

city

"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said,  'If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -  but now it is hidden from your eyes'" (Luke 19:41-43).

  Jesus was making his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. The Pharisees were complaining about the exuberance of His disciples as He   made His way into the city. They were celebrating a life that had blessed

  them and countless others: "When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 'Blessed

  is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!'" (Luke 19:37-38).

  Jesus was saddened by the response of the Pharisees. He knew what His presence could do for the city. But He also knew they would not change. The city would reject His presence and crucify. His presence would bring

  peace to the city if they embraced who He was - the author of peace. Now it would be hidden from their eyes because of unbelief.

  Every city can be blessed by the presence of Jesus in their midst. However, it requires city leaders to invite the presence of Jesus into their city in order for that city to experience peace. Jesus comes to bring peace in any situation. However, He also realizes He will divide city leaders because of unbelief and political correctness.

  Does your city need the presence of Jesus? Do you desire to see peace in your city? Begin to pray for city leaders to understand how the presence  of Jesus can impact your city in dramatic and positive ways.

  Pray for the peace of  your own city.

living

 How is life treating you? My life has been a little more hectic than normal the past couple of weeks. Not only are my wife and I getting settled into a new home, I am involved in a new ministry position. On top of unpacking and trying to find all the things that have disappeared I am trying to figure out a new schedule that works for me and the church.

  In the first two weeks with our new church I have had the privilege of ministering to two families in our congregation who have had deaths in their families. I am busier than I have been for awhile and loving it! Being involved in the lives of others and ministering for Christ is where my heart is at. It's what gives my life purpose and uses the gifts with which God has blessed me.

  What gives you a sense of fulfillment and purpose? What makes your life worth living and gives your life meaning?

  I was reminded of an old story today about a rich Texas rancher who died. His will stipulated that he be buried in a brand new Cadillac. The special arrangements were made and the day of the burial arrived. As the old rancher was being lowered into the ground sitting behind the wheel of his Cadillac and one of the attendants commented, "Wow! Now that is really living!"

  People have funny ideas of what "real living" is all about, don't they? We spend thousands of dollars to put that part of us that used to live into the ground and think that it really makes a difference. Somewhere along the line (of life) we have forgotten the point, that it is how you live that makes the difference, not how you are buried.

  The apostle Paul had some important things to say about life and death, but notice this one comment he wrote concerning his own life and death: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

  "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (Philippians 1:20-26, NIV)

  I'm reminded of an old saying I heard in my younger days working on the farm. An old farmer who was told he must slow down and take it easy said; "I would rather die behind the plow than in a rocking chair".

  My point in all of this is, that it is far better for us to live in a way that will bless others, serve God and give us eternal life than to have lavish funeral. It is discovering that, which gives purpose to life, that which allows you to

  fulfill whatever mission God has prepared for you in life, that makes your life a "Now that's really living" life.

-russ lawson

lasting

"Long ago the LORD said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'" (Jeremiah 31:3)

As I ponder the unfailing love of God, I am comforted and pleased to know that God loves His children so intensely. However, I can't help but wonder... Does our own returned love matches His? Sure we say we love Him, but would we be willing to suffer and die for His Son, Jesus Christ, the way He did for us so that we may have eternal life?

Thankfully, God does not require us to be killed in order to show our love for Him. However, He does require we offer our life to Him by way of how we chose to live.

The life we live, and all we do and say, is a living and breathing testament of our faith, and reveals bluntly if we are going to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk. Certainly, there may be times we stumble and fall, but God loves us so deeply that He is willing and able to forgive when there is genuine repentance. This, my dear friends, is how we can also show God our most sincere love; are we willing to give up sin for Him, even when sin may feel pleasurable?

When all is said and done, sin may seem "not that bad," but its reality is that it is destructive, not only to our relationship with God, but to our very bones, and the lives of our family members, and anyone else who is affected by our transgressions.

God IS a loving God, and just as He draws us near to Him, likewise, we must cleave to Him in our strength, and in our weakness. Never should we let go, for never would He let you go.

-melanie schurr

gil

My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in an Adventure Club at Church only a short time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of wood and four tires and told to return home and "give all to dad."

That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do. Dad was not receptive to doing things with his son. But Gilbert tried. Dad read the paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pinewood derby car with his young, eager son. The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.

Finally, mom stepped in to see if she could figure this all out. The project began. Having no carpentry skills, she decided it would be best if she simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. she read aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn't do.

Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom). Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids cars and was feeling pretty proud of his "Blue Lightning," the pride that comes with knowing you did something on your own.

Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride in his heart we headed to the big race. Once there, my little one's pride turned to humility. Gilbert's car was obviously the only car made entirely on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed.

A few of the boys giggled as they looked at Gilbert's, lopsided, wobbly, unattractive vehicle.

As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finely sanded ramp. Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide-eyed, shy, eight-year-old asked if they could stop the race for a minute, because he wanted to pray. The race stopped.

Gilbert hit his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his hands. With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father. He prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, smile on his face and announced, "Okay, I am ready."

As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy's car.

Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud "Thank you" as the crowd roared in approval. The Pinewood Derby Director came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and asked the obvious question, "So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?"

To which my young son answered, "Oh, no sir. That wouldn't be fair to ask God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I don't cry when I lose."

Children seem to have a wisdom far beyond us. Gilbert didn't ask God to win the race, he didn't ask God to fix the outcome, Gilbert asked God to give him strength in the outcome. When Gilbert first saw the other cars, he didn't cry out to God, "No fair, they had a father’s help." No, he went to his Father for strength.

Perhaps we spend too much of our prayer time asking God to rig the race, to make us number one, or too much time asking God to remove us from the struggle, when we should be seeking God's strength to get through the struggle. ["I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13]

Gilbert's simple prayer spoke volumes to those present that night. He never doubted that God would indeed answer his request. He didn't pray to win, and thus hurt someone else, he prayed that God supply the grace to lose with dignity. Gilbert, by his stopping the race to speak to his Father also showed the crowd that he wasn't there without a "dad," but that his "Father" was most definitely there with him. Yes, Gilbert walked away a winner that night, with his Father at his side.

-author unknown

care

Sam Rayburn was a Democratic politician who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for 17 years, and is regarded by many as the most effective Speaker of the House in American history.  


Allow me to share with you some of his most memorable statements:

     "Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations."

     "No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut."

     "You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said."

When Harry Truman was thrust into the presidency at the death of FDR, Sam Rayburn gave him some fatherly advice. "From here on out, you're going to have lots of people around you. They'll try to put a wall around you and cut you off from any ideas but theirs. They'll tell you what a great man you are, Harry. But you and I both know you ain't."

Later on, when Sam Rayburn discovered that he was quite ill, he announced to the House of Representatives he was going home for medical tests. Some wondered why he didn't stay in Washington where there were excellent medical facilities. He supplied the answer when he told Congressman Jim Wright, "Bonham [Texas] is a place where people know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die."

I like that last statement because I think it's true of the church.  We live in a world where people often don't care what happens to others around them.  Everyone is too interested in getting what they want to even notice what is going on in the lives of others.  But the church is a place where people "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15).  It's a place "where people know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die."

God knew that we need a place like that -- a group of people who share the same commitment to God that we have, a place where we will be loved unconditionally, a place where we can find shoulders to lean on and arms to comfort us in times of trial.

I hope that each and every one of you have a church family that serves that purpose in your life.

"We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful.  We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming." (Hebrews 10:23-25, God's Word)
-alan smith

know

   A Swiss guy, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where two Americans are waiting.

     "Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he says.  The two Americans just stare at him.

     "Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?"  The two continue to stare.

     "Parlare Italiano?"  No response.

     "Hablan ustedes Espanol?"  Still nothing.

     The Swiss guy drives off, extremely disgusted.

     The first American turns to the second and says, "Y'know, maybe we should learn a foreign language...."

     "Why?" says the other, "That fellow knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."

It's true.  Knowing a lot of languages is no guarantee that you can communicate with someone (though it may increase your chances!).  Even Jesus, the great communicator, found that there were people who couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand...." (Matthew 13:13)

Why?  It wasn't a problem of languages; it was a problem of the heart.

"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)

Father, there are times when I am so slow to understand what you would have me to say and do.  Though you speak clearly to me through your Word, my heart is not always receptive to what you have to say.  Please help me to open my eyes and ears, and to get rid of everything that stands in the way of me hearing your voice.  In Jesus' name, amen.

-alan smith

grateful

  Thanksgiving is a term however which is somewhat relative to our personal situation. Or, perhaps it is better said, the word "thanksgiving" has a different meaning or emphasis to us based upon what has happened or is

  happening to us. For the most part, the greater difficulty or challenge we face, the greater our level of thanksgiving!

  For example, this week late one night, my wife and I rescued a little lost dog from the street. It was returned to its owner after a day and they repeatedly expressed their thankfulness to us for caring for the pet they love. On another level, one of our church members had successful surgery and all of us involved expressed our thankfulness to God. On yet another level the husband of another church member was rushed to the hospital with

  a possible heart attack, it wasn't, and they were thankful that it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

  So, to a certain degree, thanksgiving is relative in the lives of each one of us. But at this time of year we are normally thinking of another type of Thanksgiving, aren’t we. We are thinking mainly of the national holiday

  of Thanksgiving.

  For most it is a time of gathering with family or friends and enjoying love and fellowship. A time of catching up, that has more the feeling of a family reunion than a holiday. Yes, we all have our traditions, our favourite food and such. It is also a "bittersweet" time, as we remember some who are no longer able to be with us, separated by miles or by death. We remember, Grandma's home made beef and noodles or Aunt Phyllis' a gratin potatoes or mom's Strawberry Rhubarb pies or dad's yearly proclamation that "When he was growing up, sweet potatoes were served for dessert."

  Memories play such a big part of Thanksgiving. We remember Thanksgiving's  past and plan for the next one yet to come. We remember people, places, events and things which bring a smile to our face and warmth to our

  hearts. Yes, all of things are important, maybe even necessary for our spiritual well being. Each of us needs  good memories to lift us up through the bad times that come our way.

  Sadly, some have never experienced many of those good things and have a very small bank of warm memories from which to draw. A few years ago, during this "Thanksgiving" period, I started trying to make a list of all  of the good things, all of the blessings that I had experienced in the past year. It contains names of people who have encouraged me; it contains remembrances of how God has answered my prayers or the prayers of those to   whom I am close. It contains memories of good things that have happened to friends, family and brothers and sisters in Christ and all of the good that has touched others that I have heard about.

  You see, sometimes we want to make Thanksgiving a selfish time, a time of self pity, because we didn't get everything we wanted or everything didn't go just the way we had hoped. True Thanksgiving goes beyond just what has happened to me, and takes in the larger world in which we live! You see we are told, "God so loved the world," that takes in everyone, "that he gave his one and only son."  God's son died for you and me and the whole world, "that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

  (John 3:16)

  You see, even if you are far from home and loved ones or have experienced a multitude of bad things in your life, no matter how bad you life may be, you have the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ for which to be

  thankful!

  So, remember the days of your life both past and present, learn from them and grow from them, but look to the future with hope, optimism and thanksgiving, because of our loving God.

-russ lawson

valentine

“For God so loVed the world,
    That He gAve
         His onLy
         BegottEn
             SoN
                That whosover
     Believeth In Him
        Should Not perish
      But have Everlasting life”
                         -- John 3:16

lesson

 Matthew 6:10 - "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

  Some time ago I was invited to speak at a college in another state, and my schedule was such that I could not come. When they offered to send a private plane, I agreed.

 

As we flew over Arkansas, the pilot asked me if I wanted to try my hands at flying the plane. I said, "Yes." Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly it without me, but I couldn't fly it without him. He had his hands on the controls with me. He allowed me to participate with  him.

 

That's the way prayer is. God can do it without you, but God enables you to have fellowship with Him and teaches you a dependency upon Him.

 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 1 Chronicles 16:23-26 (KJV)

-adrian rogers

failure

Like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb was one of the greatest baseball players who's ever played the game. Ty Cobb was known for stealing bases. They said when Ty Cobb would be on first base and he'd start for second, the catcher would fake to second, then throw the ball to third to try and block Ty Cobb when he slid into home. He truly was a base-stealer. But you know, he was thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases.

Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball home-run hitter of all time, struck out more than any other man in baseball. He held the record, not only for home runs, but for strike outs!

These men didn't let their failures stop them. They kept striving to achieve their goal.

Fix your goal!

Face your faults.

Forget your failures. Failure in the spiritual life, in the Christian life, is not final. Your problem is that you may have only a certain assessment of yourself. Yes, you'll face your faults, but you won't forget your failures. Today is the day. Forget your failures!

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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." (Philippians 3:12-14)

fat

"I sought for a man among them who would build up a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Ezekiel 22:30)
Whenever God has a job to do and a gap to be filled, he always starts by choosing and calling an individual. While men use methods, God's methods are men and women.

To start a nation to use as his special witness on earth, God chose and called Abraham to be the father of ancient Israel. When God wanted to lead this young nation out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. And so it was with Joseph, Samuel, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Peter, Paul and scores of other lesser known individuals.

God today is still urgently looking for people who are willing to stand in the gap to help save lost souls from a lost and hopeless eternity and to do his work here on earth. The kind of people God is looking for, chooses, and calls are F - A - T people. That is: Faithful... Available... Teachable...

F - Faithful
You don't have to be a Peter, Paul or a John the Baptist for God to use you. Think of the twelve disciples. What a motley crew - rugged fishermen, a despised tax collector and the like  - ordinary, everyday people.  God uses other ordinary people like them too, people who daily trust their life and way to God  - and with his help, seek to serve and obey him faithfully in all the circumstances of life.

A - Available
Years ago I told God that I was too afraid to be a witness for him and that I was quitting. "However, God," I prayed, "if you want to use me to share the gospel with others, I'm available, but you'll have to do it through me because I'm too scared."  The result?  Today God is using our small organizations to reach thousands around the world with the gospel and Christian message every day. This is because I made - and still make myself  - available every day for God to use. He will in some way do the same for you if you daily make yourself available to him to use.

T - Teachable
One reason God used the disciples was, not only because they were faithful and available, but also because they were teachable. Naturally, they spent three years with the Master Teacher and had a lot to learn about the Christian way, especially because it was brand new to them and everyone else in their day.

We also need to be teachable and learn God's ways more clearly by studying and knowing what his Word, the Bible, teaches and applying the principles found therein in our everyday living.

So, if you want God to use you to be a part of what he is doing in your world today, I urge you to pray and tell God you are available - and renew that prayer and commitment every day.
-dick innes

I heard a story about a young girl who wrote a letter to a missionary to let him know that her class had been praying for him.  But evidently she'd been told not to request a response to her letter because the missionaries were very busy.  So the missionary got a kick out of her letter.  It said, "Dear Mr. Missionary, we are praying for you.  But we are not expecting an answer."

I can't help but think that that little girl summarized the prayer lives of many Christians. Sometimes we pray without expecting an answer, even though God has assured us that He does indeed hear our prayers.  David said, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications." (Psalm 116:1).  But I think many of us struggle with the nagging question, "Is God really listening to me?"   Yes, He heard David, He heard Elijah, and He heard the apostles.  But does He hear me?

How do we really know that our prayers are answered?  Sure, there are times when we see visible results.  We may pray for someone who's sick and the next week they get well.  But more often, our prayers don't produce flashing "neon" answers.  We pray for help in financial problems, and we don't see things get any better.  We pray for guidance in making right decisions, but the decisions don't get any easier.  We pray for relationships with other people to improve, but they just seem to get worse.  How do we as Christians account for that happening?  How do we explain the fact that so many of our prayers seem to go "unanswered"?

The truth is, for a child of God there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer.  Maybe you've heard it said before that God answers prayer in three ways.  Sometimes the answer is "yes."  Sometimes the answer is "no."  And sometimes the answer is "wait a while."  It's easy to accept an answer of "yes," but what about when God says, "no"?

Let me suggest three principles:

First of all, we need to trust God enough to realize that our all-loving, all-powerful Father loves us and has our best interest at heart.  So when it seems that God says "no" to our prayers, we must trust Him enough to understand that there must be a good reason for it.  It may be beyond our limited ability to understand, but we must simply trust God.

Secondly, we must not forsake God.  Disappointment is a dangerous, powerful thing.  When we get the feeling that God isn't listening to us, that He has said "no" to some prayer, we have a tendency to feel disappointed in Him.  And Satan whispers to us, "God said He loves you, but He's not here."  And if we allow that disappointment to harbor in our hearts, it can drive a wedge between us and God.  We must continue to be faithful to our responsibility before God.

And thirdly, we need to realize that the answer may not be "no," but only "wait a while."  God always answers our prayers immediately, but sometimes there's a delay in the giving of the answer and that can be a difficult thing for us to accept.  The ability to wait for an answer is one of the marks of maturity.  Be willing to let God answer in his own time, in his own way, and in his own power.

Many people see God as a divine vending machine in which you deposit one prayer and out pops a blessing.  But what happens when you put your money in the Coke machine and nothing comes out?  You get angry, you kick the Coke machine.  So it's not surprising that such a view of God and prayer leads to disappointment when God says no.

I believe that we need to foster an entirely different view of prayer from that one.  Our God is the Great God of the Universe, the Creator of all things that exist other than Himself.  For us to even venture to speak to Him is presumptuous.  For us to ask Him to pay attention to our requests and then hope for Him to meet them requires bold expectation.  In fact such would be arrogance if it were not for the simple fact that God tells us to do just that.

Looking from the proper perspective, we will not ask "What happens when God says no?" but rather "What happens when God says yes?"  That the God of the heavens would listen to us and our needs is a great testimony to His great love for us.  And it is that love that will lead Him to say no from time to time.  At those times, we must trust Him knowing that he loves us and desires what is best for us.  We must never forsake Him nor our duty toward Him.  And we must realize that what we interpret to be an answer of "no" may just be God telling us to wait a while.

     "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (I John 5:14)

3

Begin Again No matter who you are or what your life has been like so far, the rest of your life’s journey can be different. With God’s help you can begin again.
--billy graham

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Our Behavior
Our conduct has a direct influence on how people think about the gospel. The world doesn’t judge us by our theology; the world judges us by our behavior.
--carolyn mahaney

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Room For God
God wants you to know that when everything else is gone, that makes more room for Him, and every time there is more room for Him, you are blessed.
--angela thomas
  

things

  Have you ever heard the saying, "It's the little things in life that  count"? Many times doing something for someone else that doesn't cost much or even anything at all makes a great difference in their lives.

  This past week my sister and brother-in-law were visiting their daughter in Phoenix, Arizona. At one point they were driving in town with the windows down and came to a traffic signal and stopped. There was a man driving a car (with the windows down also) that stopped beside them and as they were sitting there he sneezed. Their grand daughter Adina said to the man, "God Bless You", which surprised the man, but then he said, "Thank you," and they went their way.

  The thing about blessings is they almost always go two ways. I mean think about it, when you do something to bless the life of others, don't you feel better about yourself? Most of the time you will feel better about yourself simply because what you did was the right thing to do. You made the right decision, you took a positive action, and you blessed someone else. You helped someone else and many times it didn't cost you anything.

  There is a good chance you know the story Jesus told about a man we call "The Good Samaritan," found in Luke 10:30-37. Read the words again and see what happened in this life changing story:

  "Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him,
  'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.' "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and
  do the same." (NLT)

  The Samaritan man in this story saw someone in need and did what needed to be done. Yes, it cost him time and money. Yes, he may have put himself in jeopardy physically and socially. But he blessed the life of this man from another way of life because he saw a need. Most of the times God doesn't ask us to do exactly what this man did, God does however want us to be observant and bless the lives of others.

  When is the last time you have blessed someone else? What about your husband or your wife or you children or your coworkers. Maybe there is something you can do to make this day a little brighter. It may be as simple as walking the dog, bringing home flowers, fixing a favorite dish or simply saying "I love you" or "God Bless you". You see, the simple things in life really do make a difference.
-russ lawson

gratefulness

 The first settlers overcame many obstacles to come to Plymouth. About one-half died en route or during that first winter in 1620. Only about one-half dozen were not sick and were able- bodied and strong enough to plant that first crop in 1620. The first Thanksgiving celebration and feast in 1621 lasted three days. It was a time of food, gifts, prayer, songs, and games; being united as one---the Pilgrims and the Indians. It was a time of thankfulness and reflection.

  Over time, myths and distortions have arisen, twisting the reason for Thanksgiving Day. For starters, the Pilgrims did not hold their harvest festival to thank the local Indians. This myth is often perpetuated in schools and textbooks.  Many children and adults now believe we celebrate the help given to the Pilgrims by Native Americans. If the Pilgrims were to visit this Thanksgiving, they would be shocked.

  The Pilgrims focused on thanking and praising God for His love, for all that He had done for them, and for the freedom they enjoyed in the New World.

  A glimpse into the history of Thanksgiving Day gives a greater appreciation of this great American holiday. Even earlier than the Pilgrims, people of faith set aside days for prayer and thanksgiving to
  God. Many times rather than a feast, they were a time dedicated to prayer.

  It may come as a surprise to some that the word holiday is actually from old English compound word combining holy and day. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines holiday as "a day set aside for special religious observance."

  The ancient Hebrews had many days set apart to worship, praise and thank God. Passover and Succoth are holy days of gratitude to God for His loving-kindness and deliverance from Egypt.

  Early Americans often held days of thanksgiving in the various states and commonwealths. Washington and Madison each proclaimed a day of thanks-giving while president.

  In October 1789, President George Washington signed a proclamation requested by Congress "to recommend to the people of the United States a Day of Public thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of almighty God,
  especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to form a government for their safety and happiness."

  Washington then assigned the twenty-sixth day of November "to be devoted by the people. to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;" and to "all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His
  kind care and protection of the people of this country."

  It was to remember, Washington said, God's "manifold mercies" and providence, "for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed," and, "in general, for all the great and various favors" He gave them.

  In the dark days of the Civil War in 1863, Lincoln proclaimed, by Act of Congress, an annual National Day of Thanksgiving following a letter campaign promoting the idea by Sarah Hale.

  As a mother, widowed at the age of 34, Hale was the editor of the first woman's magazine in America and campaigned for over 40 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

 He recommends that we "commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers" from the war and to look at the many blessings we have been given by God including "which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they
  come. Almighty God..."

  ".But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagine, by the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessing were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own..."

  In conclusion, Lincoln says, "It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."

  Even amongst the pain, upheaval and difficulties of the Civil War, the nation came together for a day of thanksgiving and praise.

  Sadly, someone erroneously wrote in Wikipedia, "Thanksgiving Day is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday." Maybe this is true for some Americans, but certainly not for all. And definitely not the way the "Mother of the American Thanksgiving," Sarah Hale visualized it. Hale wrote, "Let this day be the grand Thanksgiving Holiday of our nation, when the noise and tumult of worldliness may be exchanged for the laugh of happy children, the glad greeting of family reunion, and the humble gratitude of the Christian heart."

  And Edward Martin wisely reminds us, "Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow."

-mary beth brown

faith

   By faith Noah built an ark (Hebrews 11:7). He didn't just haphazardly build an ark. No, God warned him about the flood to come and so he "believed" God and built it. The conclusion is that Noah's faith in God made him build an ark. In the same way, faith in Jesus will make us "do"
  something in line with what Jesus has said. Check the verses below from your own version of the Bible.

  Hebrews 11:7 [Prompted] by faith, Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and
  sentence on the world's unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith). [Gen 6:13-22.] AMPLIFIED BIBLE said. Now ask yourself if you have faith or if you just go to church (a meeting place, club, etc)?

  What did Jesus command us to do (John 13:34-35) and how do we do it (James 2:14-26, 1 John 14-19, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8)? I guess the biggest questions is if we are doing it just as Noah built a boat or do we have a dead faith?

  Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days (NKJV). God told Joshua that He had given him Jericho (Joshua 6:2), but did that mean Joshua could just go up to the gate of the city, knock, and announce that he was the owner of the city per God? In the same way we use the promises of God today without following the instructions and call it faith.

  Faith uses (is) the evidence of things not seen; the substance of our hope (Hebrews 11:1). We put our hope in the promises of God being true.
  However, most if not all promises have conditions that are to be met first "before" we can see the results.

  Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: NKJV

  It's funny to me to hear people say "by His stripes I am healed" when I know they have no intentions of dying to sin and living for righteous acts in accordance with the promise (1 Peter 2:24). That would be like Joshua just walking up to the gate of Jericho and knocking saying "hey guys, God
  said this city was mine!" Yes He did say that and that is true, but did He say anything else before we hit you over the head with this sledge hammer?
  Faith uses the evidence because faith contains (is) the evidence.

  1 Peter 2:23-24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. NKJV

  Do you have faith or a dead faith? James 2:14-26 (NIV) What good is it, my  brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 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? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
  You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
  You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
  without deeds is dead.

missed

      The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter.   He went to the farmer to ask his permission.  The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time.   If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."

     The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull.  The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen.   He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

     The barn door opened again.  Unbelievable.   He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life.   It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him.  Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one.  He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

     The door opened a third time.  A smile came across his face.   This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen.   This one was his bull.  As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment.   He grabbed... but the bull had no tail!

     Life is full of opportunities.  Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult.   But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

     The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ.  God often opens doors   -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us.   If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

     "Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.  Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message." (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

     "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10)

     May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

-alan smith

? change

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
   Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
   No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
   No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
   No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
   No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
   No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
   No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
   No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
   Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So, does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
   Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!
   - author unknown

full

   After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the  end.

  The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of    what I thought to be a court house.

  The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

  As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'

  He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

  I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

  The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

  He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

  As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin..'

  The prosecutor rose and said,

  'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in
  hell.'

  He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

  I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

  As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not Offering any form of defense at all.

  I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

  Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'

  When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the  bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

  As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty..

  I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.

  'Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished.'

  Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.'

  My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me.

  Satan still does not understand yet.. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'

  As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else
  that needs to be done.'

  'I've done it all.'

  The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..

  'This woman is free.'   The penalty for her has already been paid in full.
  'Case dismissed.'

  As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

  Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, Paid In Full."

-author unknown

commit

The story is told of a man in a fancy restaurant who started to choke on a bone. A doctor rushed over, identified himself as a doctor, and reassured the man that he was going to be all right. He performed the Heimlich Maneuver and the bone popped out.

 As the man's breath and voice returned he said, "I'm ever so grateful, doctor, how can I ever repay you?"

The doctor smiled and said, "I'll settle for one-tenth of what you were willing to pay while you were choking."

It's true, isn't it, that when you're facing a crisis (especially a life-threatening crisis), you would give everything you have to get through it. Money is no object!

We do the same thing on a spiritual level. How many times have you faced hardship and prayed, "Lord, if you'll just see me through this, I'll serve you faithfully the rest of my life!" or something similar? But what happens when the crisis passes? Those feelings of urgency about serving God pass as well. If we could commit ourselves to doing one-tenth of what we're willing to do in those moments, most of us would ascend to a new level of commitment.

Paul wrote, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

happy

            
Seven days without prayer makes one weak.
Do your best; bring out the best in others.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!
Put God first, be happy at last!

salvation

Salvation: Nothing to Earn, Much to Learn. Adrian Rogers

prayer

     For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

      "In prayer; expect setbacks, but refuse retreat". R. Eastman


 

pipe

I was watering the garden with a hose when suddenly the water stopped flowing. I put the hose down to investigate and found that there was a kink in the hose. Once I straightened the hose the water flowed again. It was not the first time I had encountered this problem. But, each time it    happens, it reinforces an obvious fact; No matter how adequate the source may be, the resource cannot reach its destination if the pipeline is not in place or it is obstructed.

God promises His people a "peace that transcends all understanding to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Don't misunderstand this peace. It is not absence of conflict or problems. No, this peace defies explanation because we possess it when, by world standards, we should not.

This peace is a gift from God, not a result of circumstances.

This peace is the quiet confidence that situations, circumstances, or people do not determine who we are or what we will become.

This peace is contentment in Christ, knowing "that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength."

This peace is the "peace of God," imparted to us by grace.

When such a peace is available, why is it so often missing from our lives? Why is it that our hearts and minds are being crushed by life's load, rather than being guarded by His inexplicable peace? Chances are we are either not connected to the pipeline or there is a kink in it.

Paul clearly notes that the pipeline for peace is prayer. Philippians 4:4-6 Prayerlessness cuts us off from the means God has established to impart His peace. The promise that God's peace will guard our hearts and minds follows the conjunctive "and," revealing that what precedes must be done in order to have what follows. "In everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Many times we forfeit God's peace because we do not pray. Prayer is the means by which His peace flows into our lives. That is the reason for the forceful injunction, "in everything!" Prayer is faith and dependence in action. When we neglect prayer we are going it alone and the resources available to us go untapped. In everything pray!

There are also a couple of kinks that are identified in this passage. They  are anxiousness, and thanklessness. Anxiousness, worry, renders us incapable of rejoicing in the Lord always. Anxious minds and hearts are consumed by the problem. Worry focuses on the problem, not God. 

Anxiety troubles the heart and confuses the mind compounding the situation by  making seem it insurmountable. Jesus forthrightly told His disciples, "Do not worry about your life!" Matthew 6:25 Here that admonition is reiterated; "Do not be anxious about anything." Not many years ago the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" was very popular. The Christian version, a much better version I might add, is, "Don't Worry, Be Prayerful!"

Anxiousness crimps peace's pipeline. Trusting in the Lord keeps the line from clogging up, allowing God's peace to flow freely into our lives.

Thanklessness blinds us to God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Gratitude opens our eyes to God's grace and numberless blessings. Grateful hearts are flooded with reminders of God's faithfulness to us in the past.

Grateful hearts rejoice in the Lord and sing a song of victory, blessing, and joy, even in the midst of life's storms. For those in Christ, there is always something to praise and thank God for. If pain, sorrow, or crisis dims our sight so that we cannot see anything to praise God for, then, we  praise and thank Him for being God, for His faithfulness, and for His everlasting Word. 

We praise and thank Him for His salvation and the privilege of being His child. To be His and to be in right relationship with Him is reason enough for praise and thanksgiving. Thanklessness puts a kink in the pipeline. Thankfulness keeps the pipeline open allowing God's peace to flow unobstructed into our lives.

Beloved, let us not forfeit this peace that God offers us. Let us "rejoice in the Lord always and be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, present our requests to God." Then, let us open our hearts and minds to receive "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" allowing it "to guard our hearts and minds in Christ  Jesus."
- pastor gerry