too....

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.

I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who's mighty; who's sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me, and I am on his team.

He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His Name;

Though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my GOD.

He's promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.

I'm looking past my circumstance, to heaven's throne above.

My prayers have reached the heart of God, I'm resting in His love.

I give Him thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face.

The battle's His; the victory's mine; He will help me win the race.

I repeat

I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

....strength

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

The small squirrel, scurrying like crazy to get out of our way on the walkway, holding onto a good-sized pinecone; he wasn’t about to lose his treasure! Amazing that he could grasp and drag something almost as large as he was. And how many times have you seen an ant, picking up a crumb larger than itself?

We can work out, have great biceps and abs. We can exercise our brains and have great info and knowledge. But supernatural strength comes from the Lord, above and beyond our own abilities.

You are stronger than you think with God’s help and power behind you. It is good to know where our inner strength comes from and who gives us that gift.

So how strong are you? Very strong , in Christ. And that is good news.

You have the mind of Christ:  
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:15   for, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:16

The Lord gives you wisdom:  
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5   

The Lord gives you strength:  
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32    Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. Is 41:10   He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Is 40:29

The Lord gives you His direction:  
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Prov 3:6   The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Prov 16:9

In fact ‘greater things you will do’:  
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being  Ephesians 3:16

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  1 Chronicles 16:11
-sally i. kennedy

...shade

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand.  Psalm 121:5

It's September 25th.  Normally, by this time of year, we're using blankets at our Friday night football games.  We're raking leaves for a bonfire on a cool night. Not today!  Not tonight!  Even though Monday was the first day of fall, it's still HOT!  

On these hot days, Isn't it amazing the difference just a little bit of shade makes?  In the heat of the day, simply moving under a tree instantly creates a more comfortable feeling. There's less glare; it feels cooler.

There are many references in the Bible about being, hiding, and taking refuge under the "shadow" of His wings. Several times I have pondered exactly what that means. One thing for sure is that a shadow, of a tree for example, provides shade. During times of intense heat (trouble), the shadow (shade) carries relief. It provides a respite.

Psalm 121:5 says, "The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand."   What better place to catch our breath than in the shadow of God, or in the shadow of His wings? We can cool off, regather our wits, and get back out there.   Sometimes it's good to remember that a bit of shade is just the ticket, especially when the shade is from the shadow of our Heavenly Father.

"How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!  And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.".  Psalm 36: 7

rush

"...but those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

We spend many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years rushing through life only to find ourselves waiting, waiting, and waiting some more.   We wait at the doctor's office; we wait at the grocery store; we wait at the post office; we wait at the pharmacy; we wait for our children to grow up and then anxiously wait for them to come home again. Waiting is hard, exasperating work. The fact that we hate to wait has created a "quick fix" society.

We microwave our food; pump our own gas; process our words on a computer; write notes of affection on the internet, not paper; jet to locations far and near; hear news from across the world in fractions of a second; eat out because it takes too much time to cook, and so on.

In our world, waiting is bad. However, in God's world, waiting is good. God has given us many instructions on the necessity of waiting. Let's look at some of these:

"My soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation." (Psalm 62:1)

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart" (Psalm 27:14)

"Blessed is he who waits..." (Daniel 12:12)

"We have waited for Him and He will save us." (Isaiah 25:9)

"I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense." (Psalm 59:9)

Did you notice the words used by those who wait on God? These are not words of frustration and confusion. These are words of strength, salvation and blessings. Waiting on God, as David, Isaiah and many others learned, means letting go and letting God. It involves study, reflection, prayer, solitude and time apart from the world.

We microwave... God works miracles.

We rush... God refreshes.

We get angry and impatient... God gets busy reorganizing our priorities.

Hurry Up And Wait!

Spend time giving time to God.

Block out a section of your calendar for the Son of Man.

Then sit quietly...

Sh... shhhh... and wait on God.

how...

O Lord God, You are God, and your words are truth. Samuel 7:28

As I was getting a dish of the strawberries for my young granddaughter, I was thinking to myself, “I got these beautiful large strawberries on sale and they’ve been in the refrigerator for over a week. They’re getting moldy and are about on their last leg so they need to be eaten today or tossed out.”  

After rinsing the berries and cutting out any yucky parts, I took the bowl to the table, explaining, “There are only a few strawberries left, and I saved them for you! You can dip them in powdered sugar; it will be a yummy dessert after lunch today.”

Both were true, my thoughts and my words, although one was negative and the other kinda had a spin to it.

Theologians and scholars estimate there are more than seven thousand promises from God for us in the Bible. No spin, no twist, no hidden agenda. They are said straight-out. Whenever we read or hear any of them, we can trust its validity and truth.  

Test any of them and see. 

It really is all in how you say it, and God’s Words never says it any other way than perfectly.

That’s good news. 

-sally kennedy

....business

"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11).

Although he was an innovator in the reclamation of silver in the photographic process, Stanley Tam of Lima, Ohio, is best known for his commitment to Jesus Christ. A large sign adorning the home of United States Plastic Corporation proclaims "Christ Is the Answer," and Tam's widely read book, God Owns My Business, describes how he arrived at the conviction that he should legally make God the literal owner of his business.

Tam, who has traveled throughout the country and world to testify about his Christian faith, is one who is willing to "put his money where his mouth is." Although his business success could have made him a millionaire many times over, he and his wife, Juanita, draw only modest salaries from U.S. Plastics. All profits are channeled through the Stanita Foundation, with those funds designated for a variety of Christian ministries, primarily overseas missions.

In the fall of 1954, Tam was speaking at a revival meeting in Medellin, Colombia when God confronted him in a supernatural way. God let him know He wanted him to turn the business over to Him completely and become His employee. So, on January 15, 1955, Stanley Tam ceased being a stockholder in either of his companies, States Smelting and Refining Corporation or United States Plastic Corporation.

In order to do this God had to deal with one area in his life. "I have always enjoyed making money, and God knew that. Had He left me undisturbed in this area, I could have become a proud, materialistic, self-centered spiritual misfit. In asking of me the submission of the greatest drive of my life, He removed a blighting influence and replaced it with an inner peace and satisfaction such as I could never have known otherwise.

I don't think there is such a thing as a part-time Christian; we are all in full-time ministry. We each need to ask God to take our vocation and make it a ministry. And if we ask Him, He will do it."

Does God own your business or your work life? 
If not, why not make that decision today and let Him use your work life for His glory.
-os hillman

t h i n k

Alan Redpath once formed a "mutual encouragement" fellowship at a time of stress in one of his pastorates.  The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T - Is it true?

H - Is it helpful?

I - Is it inspiring?

N - Is it necessary?

K - Is it kind?

Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

favorite

Of all his names, "Father" is God's favorite. We know he loves this name most because this is the one he used most. While on earth, Jesus called God "Father" over two hundred times. In his first recorded words Jesus explained, "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" ( Luke 2:49). In his final triumphant prayer he proclaims, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46). In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus repeats this name 156 times. God loves to be called Father. After all, didn't Jesus teach us to begin our prayer with the phrase, "Our Father (Abba)"?

Abba was an everyday word. It was a homely, family-word. The equivalent would be Poppa, Daddy, or Dad. It is right for you to call God your Creator, indeed He is. You speak the truth when you call Him your Master, indeed he is. It is appropriate for you to call Him your King, Lord, and Sovereign God. But, if you want to touch his heart call him by the name he loves to hear. Call Him Abba. Call him your Father.

Some time ago, my daughter and I spent several days in the old city of Jerusalem. One afternoon, as we were exiting the Jaffa gate, my daughter and I found ourselves in a throng of people. From somewhere in the crowd we heard the voice of a small child. "Abba! Abba!" We turned and looked. There was a young girl, perhaps four or five years of age. She had become separated from her family. As the people were rushing past, she was stopped and afraid. "Abba! Abba!"

From out of nowhere, her father appeared. By looking at his hair and clothing, I knew he was a Hasidic Jew. When he heard his daughter cry "Abba!", he had realized that she was separated from the family. I watched closely; I wanted to see what an Abba would do.

He hurried over to her. Nothing was going to stop him from reaching his daughter. He immediately lowered himself to her level. He held her close. He then looked at her in the face and brushed away the tear. He gave her a firm word. He then stood and lifted her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He held her as they descended the ramp. When he stopped at a busy street, she stepped off the curb, so he pulled her back. When the signal changed, he led her and her sisters through the intersection. In the middle of the street, he reached down and swung her up into his arms and continued their journey. 

That is what an Abba does. Isn't that what God has done for us? When we wandered away, he found us. When he found us, he lowered himself to our level. He brushed away our tears. He gave us a word of correction. He picked us up and he is leading us home. You have an Abba.

I know what some of you are thinking. Yeah, God does that for some people. For good people. For strong people. Not me. I'm just ho-hum. I'm just average. I'm just measly old, little old, common, ordinary me.

Really? Because I read something else. According to what I read in the Bible, you are anything but ordinary. I read that when you said "yes" to Jesus, he said "yes" to you, that when you gave him your heart he returned the favor and gave you his.

I read that your Abba "has blessed [you] with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" ( Ephesians 1:3).

That you are a "new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).

I read that you "have obtained an inheritance" ( Ephesians 1:11). You are "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ" ( Romans 8:17).

I read that you have been "delivered... from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the Son" ( Colossians 1:13). I read that "no one will snatch them out of my hand" ( John 10:28).

Normal? I don't think so.

I read that if you "Ask, you shall receive, Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you" ( Matthew 7:7). In fact, Jesus promised, "Whatever you ask in the name of your Father that will be given unto you" ( John 16:23).

I even read this: "Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world" ( 1 John 4:4).

You used to be normal, ho-hum, and average. No longer. You are not who you used to be! Now you are:

    God's child ( John 1:12).

    Christ's friend ( John 15:15).

    A member of Christ's body ( 1 Corinthians 12:27)

    A saint ( Ephesians 1:1).

    Redeemed and forgiven of all your sins ( Colossians 1:14).

    Complete in Christ, lacking in nothing ( Colossians 2:10).

    Free from condemnation ( Romans 8:1-2).

    God's coworker ( 2 Corinthians 6:1).

    Seated with Christ in the heavenly realm ( Ephesians 2:6).

    God's workmanship, his masterpiece ( Ephesians 2:10).

    A citizen of heaven ( Philippians 3:20).

    Adopted into God's family ( Ephesians 1:5).

    Born of God, and the evil one cannot touch you ( 1 John 5:18).

    You have been bought with a price... you belong to God ( 1 Corinthians 6:20).

    Not ever going to be separated from the love of God ( Romans 8:35).

It seems to me that your Abba has high affection for you! If you have taken on the name of Christ, then you have clout. When you speak, God listens. When you pray, heaven takes note. What you bind on earth is bound in heaven. What you loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Your prayer impacts the actions of God.

Why? Because you are a child of God. And you have a good father... a good, good father! 

-max

fern

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

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

"Yes", I replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

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

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

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

....sun

Maggie the Wonder Dog has a morning schedule that's set in stone. She sleeps until I get up, goes outside for a few minutes, grabs a bite or two of kibble, then heads to the upstairs screened porch to await the sunrise.

This morning I awakened at a rediculous hour well before 4 am. I checked the time, groaned, but got out of bed anyway because I was wide awake and there was much to be done. After chocolate and oatmeal, I headed to my quiet time spot and went to work.

As usual, Maggie headed to her quiet time spot, too. It was dark as pitch outside. She sat down on her perch to wait. Thirty minutes passed. No sunrise. An hour, then an hour and a half. Still no sunrise. Finally, she bumped the door to come inside. Maggie looked thoroughly confused as she sat on the end of the bed and stared at the window. I imagined her asking, "Sun, where are you?"

She noticed the first hint of dawn before I did and was off the bed like a shot, bumping the door to the porch with her nose. Her sun would rise this morning after all.

She loves to watch the sun at its morning work and is willing to position herself and wait for the show. Friends, if we were as enthusiastic about The Son at work, I wonder what majesty we might see. Would we position ourselves (through prayer, Bible study, obedience, service) to see the Son do His beautiful work? Would we slow our busyness, be still and wait long enough to see His holiness?

When the psalmist wrote, "Be still and know that I am God" maybe he struggled with the time pressures of shepherding and protecting his flock. I believe he knew one important truth. We will never have the intimacy God desires nor glimpse His beautiful work when we travel through life at the speed of sound. It is only when we sacrifice our busyness to be still before Him and still our hearts to hear His gentle voice that we begin to experience all God has planned. Be still. Know that He is God. Wait expectantly for what He will do.

The sun will rise and God will move.

Take a step closer:

1. Are you too busy to hear from God? 
2. Do you feel distant and frustrated, as if He's somehow failed to do His part? 

Pause and consider. Maybe the problem is your own busyness.

Take a moment or two to be still. Clear your mind of its to-do list, open your Bible, read, and allow the words to soak into your heart. Be still. Know He is God. Watch for His hand at work.

The Son still rises. We miss it when we fail to watch and wait.

Grace and peace on your journey of faith,

-leanna

pressure

Several years ago, health experts publicized a new category of blood pressure level that they called "pre-hypertension". This category affects millions of Americans whose blood pressure is 120-139 over 80-90.  These individuals do not have high blood pressure yet and do not need medication, but unless they change their lifestyle and eating habits, it's highly likely that eventually they will.  

Here's a spiritual fact which will help your "pressure":  "You can cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

CAST
The word "cast" means to throw something onto someone else. When we "cast" our anxieties on God, we let go of them. We turn them over to him. This is a present tense command, so that we are to make this decision continually. Every time the worry comes back, give it to God. Again and again and again. it's an imperative, so that if you're carrying anxiety in your own hands and heart, you're disobeying the word and will of God. He wants you to give him your worries, the moment they arise in your mind.


ALL YOUR ANXIETIES
"All your anxieties" is the next phrase. "All" leaves no exceptions. "Anxieties" points to any stress, problem, or worry. We are allowed none of these for ourselves. Mark it down: there is no problem so large you cannot trust it to God, and none so small you can trust it to yourself. My tendency is to solve my problems myself, turning to God only when I must. But I've learned that he would much rather guide me into his will than repair the mistakes made by my own will.


ON GOD
Cast your anxieties "on God," trusting them into his power, providence, and provision. The Creator of the universe can be trusted with any problem encountered therein. You go to a doctor for physical problems and a lawyer for legal advice, because they are the best qualified in their respective fields. Go to God with your anxieties, for his omniscience and omnipotence are the best resources in all of creation.


BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU
Make this decision "because he cares for you." "Cares" means that he feels compassion for you. He knows your problems, for he faces them with you. He feels your pain, shares your stress, suffers your grief. He is Immanuel, God with us. History is filled with men who would be gods, but only one God who would be man.


What anxiety most burdens you this morning? What will you do with it, right now? 

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-8

broken

A number of years ago, a lighthouse was being built on the rock-bound coast of Wales. When the building was nearly completed, one of the workmen stumbled and fell back through the scaffolding to the rocks below.

The other workmen, shocked at what had taken place, did not dare to look down for fear of being unnerved at the sight.  Heavyhearted, they backed down the ladders. But to their surprise and joy they saw their fellow workman lying upon a tuft of grass, shaken and shocked, bruised to be sure, but not seriously harmed. Beside him lay a dead lamb. A flock of sheep had been wandering by, and a lamb had broken his fall.

What a vivid reminder that The True Lamb has broken our fall and has defeated death for every one of us!

"The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

thankful....

A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing:

"Last year, I had a surgery and my gallbladder was removed. I had to stay stuck to the bed due to this surgery for a long time.

The same year I reached the age of 60 years and had to give up my favourite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.

The same year I experienced the sorrow of the death of my father.

And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in bed at hospital with the cast on for several days. The destruction of car was another loss."

At the end he wrote: "Alas! It was such bad year!!!"

When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on the side of her husband's writing.  When the writer saw this paper, he found this written on it:

"Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder due to which I had spent years in pain.

I turned 60 with sound health and got retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.

The same year my father, at the age of 95, without depending on anyone or without any critical condition met his Creator.

The same year, God blessed my son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son stayed alive without getting any disability."

At the end she wrote: "This year was an immense blessing of God and it passed well!!"

Wow!!! The same incidents but different viewpoints. If we ponder with this viewpoint that what could have happened more, we would truly become thankful to the Almighty.

Moral: In our daily lives we must see that it's not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for!! Stay Blessed !!