focus

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

A pastor tells a story of how he spent a summer teaching in Mexico and took both of his children with him. To pass the time as they drove, his 13-year-old son watched for license plates. The trip to Mexico netted him plates from 24 states!

So when they started back, the son was almost halfway to having seen plates from all 50 states. And their return trip would take them through Yellowstone National Park—a license plate collector’s paradise. By the morning of the second day there, he had just one more state to go: Delaware.

When the three stopped to see Yellowstone’s magnificent sights, the boy wouldn’t even glance at them. He preferred to run up and down the parking lots, looking at license plates. He had become so obsessed with finding that Delaware plate, it was as if his life depended on it. When they stopped near the picturesque Yellowstone Falls, he kept looking for license plates.

“Come here! You’ve got to see it!” the father heard. As they ran to the parking lot, they saw a blue Volkswagen bus with Delaware license plates. The family still has that picture, and even today, that picture that tells more about what they did in Yellowstone than anything else.

It’s easy to become so focused on the petty things of life that you miss the big things that really matter. So don’t let life’s distractions keep you from focusing on God. Instead, concentrate on what really matters in life: knowing God and making Him known!

Prayer Challenge:  Pray that God would reveal to you the things in your life that compete for His attention and ask Him to help you focus on Him over and above everything else.

Questions for Thought: What are some things in your life today that are competing for God’s attention? How can you put those things into perspective so that you don’t miss God because of trivial things?

wisdom

Have you ever wondered why wisdom exists???

Wisdom helps us execute and make the best of what is around us...

fulfill God's purpose in our lives we need wisdom... 

Some action has to be taken for anything to happen....but now we know there is God's

wisdom and worldy wisdom......

Godly wisdom lasts an eternity and is true to the very bone of it....

worldly wisdom can only get u so far but is soon full of flaws....

Godly wisdom is unchanging but because of its magnitude it is given to us bit by bit and apparently appears to evolve yet we are simply to in in its truest sense. 

worldly wisdom is static and most of the time relative.....

Godly wisdom is absolute and flawless....try as u may...u

can never find holes in Godly wisdom.....

worldly wisdom gets outdated and soon forgotten...

Godly wisdom applied today last forever and can be used over and over again without being worn or becoming old. 

Godly wisdom never ages, gets richer and gets more an more exciting as we apply it.....

lastly lots of Godly wisdom means bigger blessing forever!!!

-hillary jowah

...poor

Dear Friend,

You cannot save yourself.

    ...Not through the right rituals.

    ...Not through the right doctrine.

    ...Not through the right devotion.

    ...Not through the right goose bumps.

Jesus is crystal clear.

It is impossible for human beings to save themselves.

Jesus doesn't say improbable.

He doesn't say unlikely.

He doesn't even say it will be tough.

He says it is impossible to save yourself.

    ...No chance.

    ...No way.

    ...No loopholes.

    ...No hope.

Does that strike you as cold?

All your life you've been rewarded according to your performance.

...You get grades according to your study.

...You get commendations according to your success.

...You get money in response to your work.

That's why the rich young ruler thought heaven was just a payment away. It

only made sense. You work hard, you pay your dues, and “zap”? your account

is credited as paid in full. Jesus says, “No way.” What you want costs far

more than what you can pay.

...You don't need a system, you need a Savior.

...You don't need a resume, you need a Redeemer.

For “what is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

You see...

    ...It wasn't the money that hindered the rich man; it was the self-sufficiency.

    ...It wasn't the possessions; it was the pomp.

    ...It wasn't the big bucks; it was the big head.

“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23).

It's not just the rich who have difficulty. So do the educated, the strong,

the good-looking, the popular, the religious. So do you, if you think your

piety or power qualifies you as a kingdom candidate.

You don't impress the officials at NASA with a paper airplane.

You don't boast about your crayon sketches in the presence of Picasso.

You don't claim equality with Einstein because you can write “H2O.”

And you don't boast about your goodness in the presence of the Perfect.

-max lucado

survival

1) TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in people.  
     (Matthew 7:1)

2) RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible; things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out.
    (Romans 8:28)

3) BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings - yours or someone else's.
    (Colosians 3:12-14)

4) PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday.
    (Ephesians 1:3)

5) ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's OK.
    (Genesis 50:15-21)

6) CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.
    (Philippians 4:13)

7) MINT - to remind you that you are worth a mint! 
    (John 3:16-17)

8) CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday.
    (1 John 4:7)

9) TEA BAG - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of blessings.
     (1 Thess 5:18)

faith

Dr. Charles Stanley, a prominent minister of a large church in Atlanta, tells the story of a time when their church needed two million dollars to relocate to a larger facility. The only problem was they didn't have the money.

One day, the board members told Dr. Stanley to get a loan from the bank because the deal sounded good. However, Dr. Stanley told the group that they needed divine direction, so they all packed their gear and took off for a state park for the weekend for a time of prayer. All weekend they prayed earnestly that God would give them direction and help them resolve the problem that they were facing.

When they finally left the park, they still didn't have any clear direction about how to purchase the building. But they were committed to waiting on God. A few days later, Dr. Stanley had a message to call a man He had never met. He lived in another state. The man said that he wanted to help Dr. Stanley's ministry.

Immediately, Dr. Stanley called him back, and the stranger said, "I have had you and your ministry on my mind the past several days. I notice that you never ask for money on the broadcast, and I was wondering if you have any needs."

Dr. Stanley explained the situation about the building and how they needed two million dollars to purchase it. The stranger said, "I think I can handle that." And he gave that church two million dollars. That church had a problem; they gave their problem to Jesus; and their problem was solved.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;" (Matthew 7:7)

...trash

Fred Craddock tells the story of a missionary family in China who was forced to leave the country sometime after the communists took over.

One day a band of soldiers knocked on the door and told this missionary, his wife, and children that they had two hours to pack up before these troops would escort them to the train station.  They would be permitted to take with them only two hundred pounds of stuff.

Thus began two hours of family wrangling and bickering -- what should they take? What about this vase? It's a family heirloom, so we've got to take the vase. Well, maybe so, but this typewriter is brand new and we're not about to leave that behind.  What about some books?  Got to take a few of them along.  On and on it went, putting stuff on the bathroom scale and taking it off until finally they had a pile of possessions that totaled two hundred pounds on the dot.

At the appointed hour, the soldiers returned.  "Are you ready?" they asked.  "Yes."  "Did you weigh your stuff?"  "Yes, we did."  "Two hundred pounds?"  "Yes, two hundred pounds on the dot."  "Did you weigh the kids?"  "Um, . . . no."  "Weigh the kids!"

And in an instant the vase, the typewriter, and the books all became trash.  Trash!  None of it meant anything compared to the surpassing value of the children.

If only it were that easy for us.  If we had to make a physical choice, the choice would be easy.  What's worth more -- your child or a computer?  If you could only take one with you, which would it be?  That's easy; it's a no-brainer.  But seldom does the choice come wrapped in such easy-to-open paper.

Too often, it sounds more like this:  What's more important -- spending time with your family or staying at work a couple of extra hours to get caught up?  "Don't ask me to make that choice!  My family is important to me.  It's just that I really need to get this done!  After all, I'm only doing it for provide for them."  Still, there are times when the question won't go away:  Which is more important?

And there are times when we are forced to admit that we've been gathering hundreds of pounds of "trash" while neglecting that which is of greatest importance.

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:7-8)

But God bless each one of you with the wisdom to choose that which is of greatest value.

-alan smith

...control

That title sounds familiar. I suspect if I were to go back through the archives of articles I have written, sermons I have preached and devotionals I have read or delivered, there would probably be no more common theme that the prayer, "Lord, take control."

The prayer has been prayed in times of decision and indecision. The prayer has been prayed during times of turmoil and frustration and confusion. The prayer has been prayed in hospital rooms, intensive care units, in business meetings, before, during and after surgery, in times of fear, and times of great confidence. The prayer has been prayed while standing next to a crib, while standing next to a hospital bed, and while standing next to a casket.

There have been many times after praying the prayer that I have experienced a sense of peace and quiet comfort has washed over me. There have been other times after praying the prayer that I have been consumed with fear and overcome with panic. There have been times when I felt that He really took control. There have been times when I wondered why He did not take control. And there have been times when I did not feel or sense anything.

So what makes the difference?

The difference seems to be found not in the prayer, whether prayed one time or a dozen times. The difference seems to be found in whether or not I have also incorporated an attitude of submission and surrender. Not only is it essential that I pray, "Lord, take control!" I must also pray, "I surrender" or "I am in submission to You."

I can pray, "Lord, take control!" all night and all day, but unless I submit to His control it is futile. I can beg and plead, "Lord, take control!" with all the sincerity and emotion I can muster, but it is not until I truly submit that I will experience the power of God at work in my life.

Job said it this way, "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you"  (Job 22:21).

James said this, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

I must yield to His control. I must surrender to His will. I must give up my control and allow Him to take control. I must defer to His leadership. I must give in to His plans.

Lord, take control. I surrender

-tom

...understanding

It was the late 1940s,. Eastern Airline's chairman, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, had a problem. Customers were complaining because the airline was mishandling luggage far too often. When nothing else seemed to work, he decided to take drastic action.

Rickenbacker called a special meeting of the management personnel in Miami. Eastern's management flew to Miami and was told their baggage would be delivered to their hotel rooms. Instead, Rickenbacker had the luggage stored overnight.

It was summer, the weather was hot and humid and the hotel had no air-conditioning. The various managers showed up to the meeting the next morning unshaven, teeth unbrushed and wearing dirty clothes.

There was no sign of the baggage all that day. But that night Rickenbacker had it delivered, at 3:00 AM, with a great pounding on all the doors.

He opened the next morning's session by saying, "Now you know how the customer feels when you mishandle his luggage." He knew his team would be ineffective until his people empathized with their customers!

The same is true with us. Until we understand another's problem, we will never be effective in business, in relationships or most importantly, in ministry. The deepest understanding occurs when we actually sense what the other person is feeling. When husbands and wives, parents and children, friends, colleagues, and associates will take time to feel what the other is feeling, something wonderful will happen.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves received from God." 2 Cor. 1:4

....tarnished

My sister is a very organized garage sale enthusiast and having someone to go along with her on that Saturday seemed to spur her on. We set off with anticipation and it wasn't long before her early-bird-gets-the-worm philosophy paid off. 

We were poking around in a large garage full of interesting stuff when I spotted a large oval mirror. It was covered in a thick layer of dirt but it looked like it was about the size and shape that she had said she wanted for above the fireplace in their home. I called her attention to it. She pulled it out and her eyes lit up. Then the negotiating started with the owner. I was amazed at how low the price went and my sister was beaming as she walked away with the deal of the day.

It was some time before I was able to visit again, and when I did, my sister immediately called my attention to the space above the mantle on their fireplace. My jaw dropped. The old mirror we'd found in that garage was beveled and the frame was solid oak. My brother-in-law had done a great job restoring it. It looked beautiful.

The great thing about the mirror was that it made the room seem bigger and brighter, as mirrors are designed to do. The reflection of a warm fire always made the room a comforting place to sit on a cool evening. I thought of the layers of dirt that had coated it and wondered how long it had been sitting in that old garage, like a gem waiting to be discovered.

Then I realized that we are all, in a way, like that old mirror. We've been used and abused and are often layered with the effects of sin and the trials of life. How tremendously encouraging it is to know that God is in the business of finding the gems that are hidden. How heartening it is to know that He is skilled at restoring minds and souls. How blessed it is to believe that He can remove every speck of tarnish, heal the brokenness and make us all into reflections of His love and mercy.

That's the great thing about redemption - it reveals His image in us all. Just as that mirror became a thing of beauty that enhanced the room, we become the true essence of God's creation, bringing His light and life to the world. It is what we were all designed to do. We are all meant to be mirrors that reflect His grace. All we have to do is say yes to Jesus so that the work can begin.

-kissah george

peace

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3

A retired couple decided they would start walking two miles a day o stay in shape. The lived out in the country, so they thought they would walk a mile down their lonely country road, and then turn around and come back.

On the first day, they made it out to the one-mile mark just fine. As they began to turn around to walk back, the man asked his wife, “Can you make it back or are you too tired?”

The wife responded, “Oh, I’m great. I can make it just fine!”

“Good,” the man replied, “I’ll just wait here while you go back, get the car, and come get me!”

In the middle of life’s challenges, it’s always tempting to find the easiest way out possible. Maybe you’re looked down upon because of your faith, so you’re tempted to compromise. Or, perhaps you’re struggling with depression, so you’re tempted to numb the pain in a way that doesn’t honor the Lord.

The right way out of a hard situation isn’t always the shortest. So in hard times, seek God’s guidance in prayer and in Scripture.  That’s where you’ll find the road map to His perfect peace.

liife

I am convinced most people want to do some great thing with their lives. But they are under the illusion that the doing of authentically great things is reserved for a chosen few. Heroes. Martyrs. Saints. But not them.

But what if the greatest thing is not to go out in a blaze of glory but to honor God with a life that consistently seeks to do His will in the little things? Not to climb the highest mountain but to stay on the uneven course that life has marked out for you? Not dying for your faith but staying true to it over a difficult lifetime?

Think of the 24-hour blocks of your life as bank-fresh bundles of a hundred $1 bills. Your challenge each day is to spend your life. You can't bank it. You can't save up until you get 500 or 1000. You get a fresh handful of life currency each morning, and any unspent balance evaporates before tomorrow comes.

You spend life assets when you mentor a new employee who is struggling, listen to someone who is upset, or volunteer to help someone catch up.

You are laying down your life when you are generous with hard-earned money to help someone who has lost her job, a family that is being drained by long-term illness, or the ministries of your church.

You have plunked down a huge chunk of your life in giving birth, praying through your tears for a struggling child, and investing all the time, energy, and passion that go into molding a life for what lies ahead in this challenging world.

You are spending your life capital by putting your love for a fiance', mate, or child above career advancement that moves you away from spiritual stability, calls for you to spend far too much time away from people who need you more than money, or calls for you to compromise a central value you have embraced.

The Bible says: "We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another" (1 John 3:16).

Could it be that there are people who would die in bold, heroic moments who just don't grasp that we must spend the smaller increments of our lives in unselfish, other-directed events that honor God by serving the people he has placed on our paths? What a shame that they never developed a concept of serving God by serving men and women in his image!

You have today's life capital in hand. Invest it wisely - in small increments of unselfishness here and there. Or lose it completely.

"So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10

-rubel shelly

like

Several years ago, I traveled with Zamar, our Student Choir, to San Antonio, Texas.  

In between singing concerts and leading Vacation Bible Schools, we took time for a visit to The Alamo.  On a wall near the main entrance is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham - no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."

No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers.

When the wife of missionary Adoniram Judson told him that a newspaper article likened him to some of the apostles, Judson replied, "I do not want to be like a Paul... or any mere man. I want to be like Christ... I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints... Oh, to be more like Christ!"

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  (Galatians 2:20)

"I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."  (Philippians 3;10)

-david langerfeld

...past

"Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." - Judges 11:29a

We've all heard stories of individuals who have overcome extreme hardship during their childhood years. Children of alcoholics, orphans who never have parents, loss of parents to a fatal crash, childhood disease - these are all difficult circumstances to overcome.

Jephthah was a man who overcame his obstacles and refused to allow his circumstances to prevent him from becoming great in God's sight. He was born to Gilead, a result of his father's adulterous encounter with a prostitute. Gilead's wife, who had bore more sons, decided to reject Jephthah, and drove him away from their home saying, "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family because you are the son of another woman." Imagine the rejection this young man felt as he was cast away from his own family.

This experience taught Jephthah to become a hardened warrior. Today he probably would have been part of a street gang. As he got older, his reputation as a warrior became known to those in his country, so much so that when the Ammonites made war on Israel, the elders of Gilead went to Jephthah and asked him to be their commander. Jephthah had to fight off those feelings of rejection from previous years.

"Didn't you hate me and drive me from my father's house?" he responded. He overcame his hurt and pain, and responded to the call God had on his life.

It is said that if we were to help the butterfly remove itself from the cocoon, the butterfly would not be strong enough to survive. It is the struggle that prepares the butterfly to become strong enough to fly. Without the struggle in the cocoon, it could not survive as a butterfly.

The Lord prepares each of us in similar ways. Some of our childhoods seem to have been harsh and born from a seemingly unloving God. However, the Lord knows our struggle and will make our life an instrument in His hand if we will follow Him with an upright heart. He does make all things beautiful in His time if we are willing to be patient.

-os hilman

forgiveness

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never even heard of the incident. 

"Don't you remember it?" her friend asked. "No," came Barton's reply, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

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

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

mercy

There was a young man in Napoleon's army who committed a deed so terrible that it was worthy of death.  The day before he was scheduled for the firing squad, the young man's mother went to Napoleon and pleaded for mercy for her son.

Napoleon replied, "Woman, your son does not deserve mercy"

"I know," she answered.  "If he deserved it, then it would not be mercy"

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions." Psalm 51:1

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

-william tito mwakibinga