meaning

In the popular Hi and Lois comic strip, the writer often puts into words what is in the mind of the little baby girl who is the pride of the family. During a comic strip that appeared during the Christmas season, the little girl is pictured as thinking, "I sure do love Christmas, boy do I love Christmas. I don't know what it's all about yet, but I sure do love it."     Many are in the same boat as this little girl. They enjoy Christmas, but they just don't know what it's all about. Think how much more enjoyment they would receive if they understood the full significance of Christmas!     The significance of this holiday is embodied in the words of some angels who said, "for today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

choose

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, made headlines last year with the story of Donald Wyman.

Wyman was by himself in the woods when he was pinned by a falling tree. For several hours he attempted to free himself with no success, and no one responded to his frantic pleas for help. In shock from a broken leg and with nothing but his pocket knife, Wyman amputated his own leg, turnicated it with his belt, dragged himself to his pickup, and drove to the Punxsutawney hospital.

When he was interviewed later by the media, he said, “It was a terrible ordeal...I had a life-and-death decision, and that was my only choice — life or death. I have so much to live for that I did the only thing I could — I chose life.”

    

Moses, in his final message to the Israelites told them that they too had to make a choice. He said, “...I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you might live.” (Deuteronomy 29:30). 

We have a choice to make, either life or death. If we choose life in Christ, we can live full, abundant, eternal lives — because “He who has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12). But if we choose life without Christ, we will miss blessings and fulfilled lives.

    

As we stand on the threshold of a eternity , we must know that have a choice to make that will determine our eternity. 

I hope you will join me, and choose life!

character

I just love the comic strips in the newspaper. My all time favorite comic strip is Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin is always getting himself in trouble, or going on adventures with his friend and stuffed tiger Hobbes.

I have many favorite strips throughout the life of this strip. One of those favorite is the character building times in Calvin's life. Calvin complains about doing work and his dad always says it builds character.

There is one such moment, however, when Calvin and his family are going on a camping trip and Calvin starts sharing his thoughts while his dad rows them in a canoe toward an island they will be staying on. Calvin says, "Remember last year, when it rained all week? It poured so hard we couldn't even make a fire. Without question, that was one of the worst experiences of my life." Calvin's dad says, "Yes, but it built character." And Calvin said, "Why can't I ever build character in a Miami condo or a casino somewhere?"

Building character is not an easy thing. 

We have to go through many hardships in our lives to build character.  This is especially true in the Christian life.  Hardship can only build a Christlike character.  If we were to get the wish of Calvin throughout our lifetime, the luxury would not build character, but rather an independent life. We should rely on Christ through the hardships and sufferings.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:1-4

change

As a minister, early in my ministry I had the erronious notion that it was my job to change people. But as time passes and brings wisdom, it became apparent that I cannot change anyone. Only as a person is exposed to God's Word and His agent the Holy Spirit does one change.      You may be familiar with the Serenity Prayer: "God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference." It has been around so long that we overlook its timeless wisdom and insight. Recently, I came across a variation: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the person I cannot change, The courage to change the person I can, And the wisdom to know that I am that person" Now I know that I can only change me. That change comes when God's powerful word gets into my heart and the Holy Spirit brings it out into my life. Then change occurs for God's glory, not mine. As Paul reminded Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (1 Timothy 3:16-17). Any changes needed in your life? Let God's Word instruct you and God's Spirit to empower you to the change that is needed!

chance

Chance put Enlil-Bani on the Babylonian throne. 

According to custom, once a year the king would appoint a "mock" king for a day, after which the appointee would be sacrificed to the gods. King Erra-Imitti appointed his gardener to be the "King for a day" as part of a New Year's celebration. However, Erra Imitti died during the celebration, making Enlil-Bani the permanent ruler. History records he remained on the throne for 24 years.

Chance has little or no effect on the believer. 

The Bible tells us that God is in charge of His children's lives. We need not have a fear of the future because God has promised that we can be strong and secure. He said "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what we face, we can be sure God is watching over us.

captives

During World War II, General George Patton embodied the American Spirit. 

His legacy inspired stories, folklore, and a popular movie about his life. Known as "Old Blood and Guts", his ambition and drive led one of the most successful campaigns of the war. His Seventh Army swept across Sicily with precision maneuvers and speed, and his Third Army gained more ground and took more prisoners than any other army in modern history.

As impressive as Patton's armies were, believers are equipped and battle-ready to do more than Patton dreamed. 

Paul reminded the Corinthian believers that the "weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5NASV).

Do you need to take some prisoners in your life? 

Take those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ today.

bitterness

In his book, "Lee: The Last Years", Charles Bracelen Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. 

There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal Artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss.

After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it."

It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than to allow them to remain, let bitterness take root, and poison the rest of our life. 

Today, cut down the trees of bitterness that remain in your heart from hurts of the past.

betrayal

At the start of the Revolutionary War, the governor of New Jersey was a Tory, giving aid to the British. He was arrested by the Revolutionary Congress of New Jersey and imprisoned. His life was spared because of the reverence the colonists had for his father. 

He was exchanged for Americans held prisoner by the British, and sailed for England to live. The Tory was William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin. 

Benjamin Franklin was not the first to feel betrayed by someone he loved. 

Jesus knew the pain of betrayal. The night before His crucifixion he took His disciples into an upper room and identified His betrayer. The disciples were confused and questioned Him as to the identity of the person. J

esus revealed it to be Judas. 

Afterwards Jesus said, "How the Son of Man will be given glory, and He will bring glory to God" (John 13:31). 

His betrayal brought glory to God. 

behaviour

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17 (NASV)) 

In his book What It Means to Be Real, Stuart Briscoe states that his motivation to join the Marines was "Their magnificent dress uniforms". He thought that once he joined that he would get one of those uniforms immediately. But they didn't give him one. When he asked about it they told him, "You are a Marine. The moment you walked through the gates, you became a Marine. You are a Marine to stay." 

Briscoe said, "Give me another uniform". 

They replied, "You are not fit to wear one yet. We will have to do something about your back, about your chest, and about your shoulders. We will have to teach you how to march, how to walk, how to look like a Marine. Then you can wear the uniform." 

Briscoe observed, "I was a Marine the moment I was sworn into that position, but it took me a long, long time to wear the uniform". 

For many of us we were washed and inducted into God's Army. 

But we are still learning how to behave in a Christian way. 

Let's take Paul's advice and live our lives as soldiers of God.

autograph

This past week Jamie, our Associate Minister and University of North Carolina alumnus, received a surprise letter. He had written to former University of North Carolina Men's Basketball Coach Dean Smith following his retirement several months ago, congratulating him on his 37 years of coaching and his record as the all-time winningest coach in the history of college basketball. 

After returning from a camping trip, to his astonishment Jamie had received a personal letter from Coach Smith, thanking him for the letter he had received and wishing Jamie well in the ministry. 

Needless to say, Jamie was excited when he saw the handwritten autograph from Coach Smith at the close of the letter. 

In life, people can be excited about and even make hobbies out of collecting autographs of famous people. God has left His autograph for everyone to see. 

Our God has opened His heart to His people in what we call the Bible. His Word is a love letter to us, signed through the hands of those He inspired through generations. 

From Abraham to Moses, from David to Paul, God has left his autograph to be viewed by all. In 2 Timothy 3:16, the apostle Paul tells us the Bible is "God-breathed" and the most valuable autograph of all. 

Today, take time to thank God for signing His Word on our hearts.

attitude

In the book entitled, "God's Little Devotion Book for Students", the following story is relayed:

Long ago, a band of minstrels lived in a faraway land. They traveled from town to town singing and playing their music in hopes of making a living. They had not been doing well financially, however. Times were hard and the common people had little money to spend on concerts, even though their fee was small.

The group met one evening to discuss their plight. "I see no reason for opening tonight," one said. "It's snowing and no one will come out on a night like this."

Another said, "I agree. Last night we performed for just a handful. Even fewer will come tonight."

The leader of the troupe responded, "I know you are discouraged. I am too, but we have a responsibility to those who might come. We will go on, and we will do the best job that we are capable of doing. It is not the fault of those who come that others do not. They should not be punished with less than our best."

Heartened by his words, the minstrels gave their best performance ever. After the show, the old man called his troupe to him again. In his hand was a note, handed to him by one of the audience members just before the doors closed behind him. Slowly the man read, "Thank you for a beautiful performance." It was signed simply, "Your King."

The apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 

Everything we do on this earth should be done as if God Himself were the benefactor of our efforts. Our King is with us each day, so let us live our lives for Christ not as a performance, but genuinely out of Christian love.

anger

A recent study conducted has shown that heightened anger physically affects one's ability to be rational. When we are angry or fearful, our adrenaline flows faster and our strength increases by about 20 percent. 

The liver, pumping sugar into the bloodstream, demands more oxygen from the heart and lungs. The veins become enlarged and the blood supply to the problem-solving part of the brain is severely decreased because, under stress, a greater portion of blood is diverted to the body's extremities.

George Odiarne, a management consultant, says, "This is an emotional condition that the person is in, and it means that, while he's beautifully equipped for a brawl, he's very poorly equipped to get a problem solved".

Interesting findings, don't you think? 

The author of Proverbs, however, recognized the effects of anger long before any scientific studies were conducted, and he paints a beautiful portrait of anger in reference to the Christian. Proverbs 14:29 states, "He who is slow to anger is of great understanding," but on the other side of the scale, Proverbs 25:28 says, "Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." 

Our God is patient with us when we are angry and, as a result, are led to sin. The apostle Paul also understood the dangers of anger when he said in Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry, but do not sin."

It is easy for Satan to use our emotions against God and others, which is why Paul also instructs us to "not give the devil a foothold." 

Today, let's make a commitment to put away angry thoughts or feelings and live the obedient, rational-thinking life God has called us into.

afflictions

Billy Graham told the story of a friend he knew who during a time of hardship lost his job, a fortune, a wife, and a home. 

But he held tenaciously to his faith--the only thing he had left.

One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a huge church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of stone. "What are you going to do with that?", asked the friend. The workman said, "See that little opening way up there near the spine? Well, I'm shaping this down here, so it will fit in up there." 

To the friend, it was as though God had spoken to his heart through the workman to explain his ordeal he was currently experiencing. "I'm shaping you down here, so you'll fit in up there." 

Our experiences on earth may be the means that God is using to shape us. 

Paul said, "For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:17). 

All of our afflictions help us fit in up there in glory.

ambition

A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring and old-fashioned, with tiresome words that meant little to his generation. 

His father challenged him with these words: "If you think you can write better hymns, why don't you?" 

The boy accepted the challenge, went to his room, and wrote his first hymn. The year was 1690, and the young man was Isaac Watts. Among his 350 hymns are "Joy to the World," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "I Sing the Almighty Power of God," and many other classics. 

Like Isaac Watts over three centuries ago, we as God's children are to live with determination. We may never write a hymn, but we can challenge others and live to exalt our Savior Jesus Christ. 

As the apostle Paul once wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NIV). The Christian's goal to live a life of faith in God that blesses others is an ambition which should never be a secret to anyone.

adversity

 A traveler through the countryside of Italy stopped and watched with curiosity as a lumberjack occasionally jabbed his sharp hook into a log, separating it from the others that were floating down the mountain stream. 

The traveler asked why he did that, and the worker replied, "These may all look alike to you, but a few of them are quite different. The ones I let pass are from trees that grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storms. Their grain is coarse. 

The ones I've hooked and kept apart from the rest come from high up on the mountains. From the time they were small, they were beaten by strong winds. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine and beautiful grain. We save them for choice work. They're too good to make into plain lumber."

James reminds us of such truth when he wrote "My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything." (James 1:2-4) The adversity we face makes us just too good to be plain.

acquittal

A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life’s experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy. 

They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work. 

The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of being acquitted as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves! 

Praise the LORD, O my soul;

      all my inmost being, 

      praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, 

      and forget not all his benefits 

      who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 

      who redeems your life from the pit 

      and crowns you with love and compassion, 

      who satisfies your desires with good things 

      so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

                  (Psalm 103:1-5)

?advice

Years ago, there was lady by the name of Billie Burke who was a famous actress. On one occasion, she was traveling across the ocean on a ship when she noticed that a gentleman at the next table was suffering from a bad head cold. She asked him, "Are you uncomfortable?" The man nodded.

She said, "I'll tell you just what to do about it. Go back to your room and drink lots of orange juice. Take two aspirins. Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find. Sweat the cold out. I know just what I'm talking about. I'm Billie Burke from Hollywood."

The man smiled and said, "Thanks." Then he added, "By the way, I'm Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic."

I don't know about you, but when it comes to medical matters, I would prefer to take the advice of an esteemed doctor over that of a famous actress. Likewise, when it comes to spiritual matters, we have a choice.

We can look to celebrities. We can look to those we regard as "wise." We can look to the stars (astrology). We can even look to the angels. Or we can look to Jesus Christ. It shouldn't be a difficult choice.

Jesus Christ is superior in every way. He is the Son of God, the Lord of lords and King of kings. He is God. He creates, sustains, governs, redeems and cleanses us of sin. He is the one to be worshiped by the angels and all the other creatures of the universe. He is omniscient, omnipotent, unchanging and eternal. 

Why would you look anywhere else?

Jesus said to him, 

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

eyes

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She

hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.' 

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. 

He asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. 

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.' 

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. 

Life Is a Gift

speaks

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home; but again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for some thing, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.'

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.

He knew that God still answers prayers.

-zion king

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity

wisdom

Have you ever wondered why wisdom exists??? 

Wisdom helps us execute and make the best of what is around us...to fulfill God's purpose in our lives we need wisdom...

Wisdom is often known simply for being applied knowledge. 

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 getting to 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