Happiness - What's the Secret?

Happiness - What's the Secret?

Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you. For you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

So glad you decided to take a little breather in the midst of a hurried world.

First, I want to say, "Thank you!" How absolutely grateful I am to those who inquired about the results of my eye procedure. I know, it's kind of crazy being blind and talking about this. Sigh. But here's the summary:

I eased into the large chair at the doctor's office, my face pressed on the chin rest.

"Look straight ahead," the ophthalmologist said.

"Can you see the light?"

"Yes." I hesitated.

"Well, maybe a little bit."

He heaved a pained sigh. "I was really hoping to recover at least some sight." Sadness, almost sorrow rang in his words. "Maybe some shadows after removing the cataracts."

"It's okay. I'm not worried about it." I gave him a genuine smile. "I have so many things to do and accomplish. No time to worry about what my eyes see or don't see."

He squeezed my hand. "I wish all my patients had your disposition. You sure have a contagious happiness within you."

What a sweet doctor, don't you think? But what he didn't know is that superficial happiness is the last thing I seek. I learned that being "happy" came and went along with events and circumstances. And at one time, I'd chased it, big time. Then, when I lost my sight, I groped for happiness but it had vanished in the darkness of my world.

When Christ opened the eyes of my heart, freedom ushered in. I found there's incredible comfort in knowing you don't have to trust in what can change, hold on to what can end, lean on what might crumble, or count on what can vanish. Instead, I cling to God's Word, which stands firm, unchanged, powerful and true. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added onto you." (Matt. 6:33)

Don't you love the order of His priorities? After all, it's all that works - if you chase only your dreams, you won't be at ease. If you hunger for what the world has, your angst will not cease. But if you seek God first, your soul will know peace.

"Those who know your name will trust in you. For you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10) How's that for a guarantee? His promise has nothing to do with happiness, but instead, confidence and joy that transcends circumstances, emotions or events.

Janet Perez Eckles

When your Heart is Breaking

When your Heart is Breaking

Question: "Can you die of a broken heart?"

Answer: "I don't know, but there are times when your heart is breaking that you wish you could die? It would be easier than enduring the pain."

Some hearts break because of unfulfilled love. Some hearts break due to unfulfilled dreams. Some hearts break because of the loss of a child, the loss of a parent, the loss of a friend, or the loss of a mate. Some hearts break when others are hurting and there is nothing that can be done to help them or to ease their pain. Jesus expressed this as described by Matthew, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (9:36)

When your heart is breaking you want help. You long for relief. You long for someone who can fix it. Ron Peltzman's little children's book, "Mr. Bell's Fix It Shop," is the story of Mr. Bell, a man who could fix just about anything, "Even a broken heart."

In Michael Card's song, "I Will Not Walk Away," these words speak the thoughts of a broken heart: "Don't read me pointless poems friend. Don't diagnose. Don't condescend. Though you may be right to disagree. I need someone to weep with me."

When your heart is breaking that is what we want, isn't it? We want to know that someone can fix this. When it cannot be fixed we want to know that someone is there to weep with us. We don't always want explanations, even though we may ask for them. We don't need another book to read, or another famous quote, or another story that proves "you are not the only one who has ever had a broken heart." We need someone to weep with us. We need someone to comfort us.

Job had that from his three friends...for a while. "Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was." (2:13) Unfortunately for Job, they started talking.

Your heart may be breaking today. You may have spent the night weeping. You may be longing for someone to come sit and weep with you. You may be crying out to the Lord for help because you feel like a sheep without a shepherd.

I do not promise a Mr. Bell who can fix anything. I cannot promise that well-intentioned friends won't share "pointless poems" and useless platitudes. But I do promise that you can cry out to the Lord and that when you cry out you will be heard. And, I promise that the One who hears is close and will provide you the comfort you need.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34, 17-18, NIV)

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."(Isaiah 61:1-3, NIV)

When your heart is breaking cry out to the One who hears and binds up the brokenhearted. If your heart is breaking cry out to the One who is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Tom Norvell

Christianity or Churchianity - Which are you a part of?

Christianity or Churchianity - Which are you a part of?

Looking at the title, some may say, “What’s the difference?” That is exactly what concerns me. They THINK they are part of Christianity when, in truth, they are really only part of a church. Today, we are going to briefly look at both and make sure we are part of Christianity, and not just part of a church (churchianity). You can find people who are a part of churchianity in any denomination (including yours)!

This devotion has been inspired by the answer I have often heard when this subject comes up. I’ve heard this answer when I lived in the North and in the South. It is sometimes worded a little differently, but basically the same answer. The typical question I ask when I am told about a dying person or a serious situation in a person’s life, “ARE THEY SAVED?” The typical answer I get is, “Oh yes, he goes to church every week.” My question back to them is, “BUT IS HE SAVED?” Often the person I’m talking with thinks I’m nuts for asking, after all they just told me this person goes to church. I then explain that just because someone goes to church doesn’t make them a Christian anymore than swimming makes me a fish.

May you also understand there is a vast difference between a churchgoer and Christian. I believe EVERY Christian should be part of a church and not be in disobedience to the Word of God (Heb.10:25). To be a church, doesn’t mean you have to meet in a building with a steeple on it, it could mean that you are meeting in a home or storefront as a newly planted church. Christians should go to a local church, but just because you go to church doesn’t mean you are a Christian.

What is Churchianity? - It is when someone is a part of a church, may even be very active, sing in the choir, or be an elder or deacon in the church. He is likely proud of his church (and likely his denomination). He may have mastered the entire “Christian lingo,” yet he has not ever personally accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

What is Christianity? - Christianity is made up of individuals who have come to a realization individually that they are a sinner in need of a Savior, who is Jesus Christ. They repent of their wretched sinful state before God, and accept the Death / Burial / Resurrection of Jesus on the cross to wash away their sins and to make them a new creation. They also give Jesus control of their lives as LORD and SAVIOR. Christians are followers of Christ (Christ-like). That’s a basic overview of what makes one a Christian and, thus, part of Christianity.

Many today are saying, "I'm of this ministry" or "I'm of this denomination," sounding a lot like I Cor. 1:12,13 - "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. v.13 - Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" To be a part of a ministry or denomination is fine (most of us are) UNLESS IT'S ABOVE JESUS IN YOUR LIFE. In that case, you are part of churchianity and NOT Christianity.

I would like to close with what I consider a very sobering passage of scripture.
Matthew 7:21-23
7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

A person can say the right thing, even say “LORD, LORD,” and yet NOT be SAVED (a Christian). Christianity involves obeying our Heavenly Father!

It says that MANY will say, we "prophesied," "cast out demons" and "did many wonderful works (i.e., miracles)" all "IN THY NAME." God’s answer to all this will be, "I NEVER KNEW YOU." Never in the Greek means "not even at any time." These were people who were NEVER saved! Sobering thought!!!

I believe there are some out there reading this who have been part of churchianity (maybe all your life), but today God is calling you to receive Him as your Lord and Savior and become part of Christianity. Others of you who are reading this know people who are not true Christians, they may even go to church but they are not saved. I pray God will help you to minister Christ to them. We have a mission field in and outside of the Church walls, may the deception of churchianity be broken in lives of many church goers, so they can truly come to a true knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

If you are a Pastor/Minister, I urge you to do your part in breaking the power of churchianity over many that may be sitting in your own congregations.

We really are living in critical times, no time to waste!

Please take this message seriously, and may we be used of God to make an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God!

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Jim

Redeemed!

Redeemed!

The Lord... redeems your life from destruction. Psalm 103:2-4

On a winter afternoon Harry de Leyer returned from an auction with a big grey horse that his children promptly named Snowman. He was a good riding horse, but when a neighbour offered Harry twice what he'd paid for him, he agreed. Right away he regretted his decision; so apparently did Snowman. And that's when his hidden talent showed up - along with the horse himself! The neighbour's fences were high, but Snowman repeatedly scaled them to be with the master and family he loved. One day Harry made the reunion permanent by buying the horse back - and the rest is history. Snowman kept winning championships and shows until the ultimate dream, The National at Madison Square Garden, where he was named "Horse of the Year" two years running. But not because he ran; Snowman was a jumper. And nobody would ever have known had it not been for the fences that separated the grateful animal from his loving master. And the horse had every reason to be grateful, because Harry had arrived late at the auction that day after the best horses were sold. The big grey gelding that became the indomitable Snowman was rescued from the only other bidder, a man who intended him for the glue factory!

The Psalmist said, "The Lord redeems your life from destruction." When others write you off, He sees what you can become. Andrew Bonar said: "Kept by the mighty power of God, every day we escape dangers we're not aware of. If we saw the snares Satan lays for us, how we'd adore the Lord who enables us to escape them all!" Take a moment today and thank the One who has redeemed your life from destruction.

Bob Gass

First Things First

First Things First

As far back as I can remember, I heard my parents saying, "Robbie, remember -- first things first!" Every day, my parents arose first, washed, dressed, and prepared for the day, and then got my sisters and me up -- and made sure we did the same.

Once I was in school, when I arrived home, I was to change into "play clothes", then do any homework I had before dinner. Following dinner, dishes were washed and put away first; then there might be time for play.

When I got my first job at the T. Eaton Co. in Toronto, my boss said, "Rob, we will meet together each morning and plan our day: what we must do, what we should do, and what we will do if time permits -- first things first."

When God decided to give the children of Israel directions for living, the first thing He said was: "I am the Lord thy God... thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:2-3 KJV) First things first.

Much later, Christ was teaching the people on a mountain and said:
Matthew 6:33 - Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)

Later in His ministry, He was challenged by one of the Pharisees, who demanded (for his own edification), "Master, which is the greatest (first) commandment in the law?" Christ responded:
Matthew 22:37-40 - Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (KJV)

What would the world, our world, be like, if everyone obeyed and did "first things first"?

There would be no war: only peace. There would be no poverty: for all would share. There would be no jealousy or hatred: for all would be content. There would be no "false gods" -- wealth, prestige, and power -- for all would worship the one true God. If only everyone would put first things first! Is this an idealistic vision? Yes. Is it possible? Yes, if God wills it to be. Is it likely to happen? No, as long as we let Satan replace God, and worldly pleasures replace heavenly treasures!

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, bless those whom You have called to serve You, so that we can learn to tell others of Your love for us and them, and encourage them to put "first things first" in their lives. Teach us how to better love and serve You, and to love and serve each other. In Jesus' sacred name, we pray. Amen. Hallelujah!

Rob Paxton

You are not alone!

You are not alone!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I am sure you have heard the expression: "Misery loves company!" That usually has a negative connotation, but at the same time it contains a basic reality. When things in life seem to be falling apart, it seems imperative that we have someone near us to help us bear the load.

What happens when we feel that we are all alone in the time of trouble? The answer is that we have a much harder time dealing with things.

Problems may be catastrophic or at various stages of difficulty. A dear friend just lost his precious wife who was his soul mate. He has called or e-mailed me several times for comfort and to have someone to be a point of contact in this time of loss.

I also recall my wife, Joyce, feeling terribly alone when I was in the Air Force and had assignments that took me away from home. She said that she became so desperate for the sound of a human voice that she would place a call to the weather broadcasting in the area, just to hear the voice of an adult.

In reading those two examples you can see that we can all go through times in which we feel all alone. Elijah was a mighty prophet and it would seem that feeling lonely would not be problem he would have to deal with. But that was not the case. In 1 Kings 19:10 we read of Elijah's sense of loneliness: "He replied, 'I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.'"

When we read today's Scripture we see that when we are the children of God we are never alone. Not only do we have His presence, but we also have His strength. When we feel that things are just too much for us, we need to remember that He says that we are not to fear or be depressed. Why? Because He never leaves us nor forsakes us.

It is easy to become so overcome with our circumstances that we forget that God has a plan and a purpose for our life. In the midst of our pain and loneliness, He holds out His arms and calls us to come to Him. Do not become caught in the trap of feeling that there is no hope.

God does not work on the same time schedule that we do. Joseph knew years of loneliness before he was elevated by God to a position of being able to save His family. Moses had to spend 40 long and lonely years in a desert wilderness before God called to him from the burning bush and sent him to lead God's people out of slavery.

When you feel that you are alone and forgotten please read today's passage once again and know that it was meant for you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE - HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU - EVEN IN THE DARKEST NIGHT!

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.

Pastor Cecil Thompson

Amma – The Hugging Saint – Heading to HELL!

Amma – The Hugging Saint – Heading to HELL!

Read: Romans 3:12, 23, Ephesians 2:8,9, John 3:16



Why “Amma”, the "hugging saint" is heading to hell!

I already know that I am going to get hammered by some people today for being so cold to even suggest that this dear woman who the world loves and reveres could possibly die and go to hell. Many are going to say that there is no way God would allow a kind, gentle, giving, loving soul like Amma to end up in the fires of hell. The fact is, this 54-year-old Indian woman follows the false religion of Hinduism, has rejected Jesus Christ as her Savior, and unless she repents of her sins and gives her heart and life to Jesus by faith, she will die and spend all eternity in hell.

THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION. THOSE WHO DIE WITHOUT JESUS WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD FOR THEIR SINS AND CAST INTO EVERLASTING DARKNESS. YOU CAN'T BUY YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN, YOU CAN'T WORK YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN, YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH TO GET TO HEAVEN, AND YOU CERTAINLY CAN'T HUG YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN! THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!!!

Amritanandamay Devi is an Indian born spiritual leader who has been teaching people "spirituality" since 1981. She is revered by her followers as a saint, and is called Amma, derived from Ammachi or holy mother. Amma is best known as the "hugging saint". Over 3 decades she has given hugs to over 27 million people around the world. People claim miracles happen as Amma hugs them. Many see her as a deity. Everywhere she goes tens of thousands of people line up for hours to receive a hug from her. She hugs to spread the idea of motherly love and compassion "felt not only towards one's own children, but all people, animals and plants, rocks and rivers – a love extended to all of nature, all beings".

Amma has addressed the United Nations and has also gained worldwide recognition for her humanitarian and philanthropic efforts. She has raised tens of millions of dollars for homes for the poor, hospitals, orphanages, hospices, women's shelters, pension disbursements for widows, community aid centers, homes for the aged, eye clinics, and speech therapy centers in her native India, for "Mother's Kitchen" in the U.S. where volunteers prepare and serve meals to the poor and needy, as well as for international disasters like the 2004 Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

So what could possibly be wrong with a woman who lives her life to serve others, who seeks to love people, to bring peace and comfort into people's lives through her hugs? What could possibly be wrong with a woman who selflessly uses her fame to raise tens of millions of dollars to help the poor and needy and those whose lives have been devastated by natural disasters. If there was ever a person worthy of Heaven, surely Amma would have to be that person, right?

Let me ask you a question. What about your Uncle Harry? Everyone has an "Uncle Harry" in their family. He is the guy who is your favorite uncle. He is the nicest, sweetest, most loving and gentle man you have ever known. He works hard, is a great husband and father, would never cheat on his taxes, always helps everyone out, doesn't kick the dog, and gives money every year to Jerry's Kids. The only problem with Uncle Harry is that he doesn't go to Church or believe in Jesus, but he is a good man. Nobody is more deserving of being in Heaven than Uncle Harry, right?

Here is the problem Amma and Uncle Harry have. You see, the Bible declares that "there is no one who does good, not even one". It goes on to say that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". As "good" as Amma may appear on the outside, as "good" as Uncle Harry may appear on the outside, God sees the INSIDE. We are all born with the sin we inherited from Adam. We all sin during our life. The book of 1 John tells us that if we say we are without sin we are a liar. For all the good they may do in her lives, Amma and Uncle Harry are still sinners like we all are and it is our sin that separates us from a holy and righteous God.

The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 2, verses 8 and 9 that we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ and God's grace, period. You can't buy your way into Heaven, you can't do enough good works to get into Heaven, there is only one way to be saved and that is through faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone!

Amma can't hug enough people or raise and give enough money away to earn her way into Heaven. Uncle Harry can't live a good enough life to ever make it to Heaven. The only way Amma and Uncle Harry will get to Heaven is the same way anyone gets there, and that is by putting their faith in Jesus Christ!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I know this message today is going to upset many people. Thinking about your favorite uncle or family member who has rejected Jesus, dying and going to hell for all eternity is difficult. Now maybe you understand my passion. People like your unsaved family members are dying and going to hell for all eternity every day! The news media LOVES these "spiritual" people like Amma the "hugging saint". She loves everybody, never talks about sin or holding people accountable for their choices, and claims to have the answer for the universal need all people have to fill the "spiritual hole" in their life created by sin. The fact is the only thing that can really fill that spiritual hole is a relationship with Jesus Christ since He is the only way we can be connected back to God our Creator.

The truth is, Amma is actually no better than Joey Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, Mohammed, or any other cult/false religion leader. This "hugging saint" is actually a tool of satan since she is leading those who follow her to the flames of the very same hell she is going to. People have a need to be loved, to be held, to be comforted. The Church does a poor job of ministering to people's individual needs and that is why the masses flock to someone like Amma. It makes me sad to watch the masses lined up like lemmings waiting for her to hug them. There is only one name by which men can be saved, and that is the name of JESUS! He is the only road to God. There are no other roads to God!

Pray for this woman since if she would turn from the lies of Hinduism and turn to the Truth of God's Word and faith in Christ, she could be an incredible instrument in God's hands to lead many souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She is giving people nothing more than the temporary love of this world instead of the everlasting love of God. She offers them hope in a sinful person of flesh and blood instead of the hope we have in Jesus for this life and all eternity. She comforts people for a moment with a hug from earthly arms when what people need most of all is the everlasting comfort of a hug from God's heavenly arms!!!

ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY?

The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your Creator. To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, pray and ask God to open you heart to His Truth and go to: http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Bill Keller

In the Beginning

In the Beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

Each of us began life as a baby, and we were unaware of what was going on around us or what the world was like. But as we grew older, we started to take note of the world - the sky, the sea, the winds, the birds, the flowers, the animals, the trees, and all of life around us.

As we became aware of the world, we inevitably asked some questions about it. Those questions are the ones answered for us in brief compass here in the opening words of Genesis.

What are the questions? First, we ask ourselves, "What is all this?" Driven by an insatiable curiosity, humans have been attempting to answer that question ever since they first appeared on earth. They seek to explore the universe and the world in which they live.

Second, we ask, "How did it begin?" This question is the emphasis of science. Then we ask, "When did it all start? How long has the world been going on like this?" Finally, we come to the great philosophical question, "Who is behind it? Who is back of these strange and remarkable processes?" These questions are answered in this verse, and thus it serves as a tremendous introduction to the great themes of the Bible.

Take the first question, the one most obvious to us - the wonder of the universe itself. "In the beginning," we read, "God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Someone has said that this phrase is the beginning of true science, because a fundamental part of the task of science is to observe and classify all that can be observed in the makeup of the world of nature. Here is an early attempt at classification. What do you see around you? You see two great classes of things - the heavens and the earth.

One of the marvels of the Bible is that it uses language that communicates with people of the most primitive and limited understanding, while at the same time it still has significance and inexhaustible meaning for the most erudite and learned scholars. It addresses itself with equal ease to all classes of humanity. That is the beauty of Bible language.

The Bible avoids the utter ridiculousness of some of the early myths about creation found in other religions. It was the Bible that first said that the number of the stars is beyond computation. It declares that God "stretched out the heavens" (Isaiah 51:13) into limitless expanse that can never be measured and filled it with stars that are as numerous as the sands upon the seashore (cf. Genesis 22:17). Modern science has now established this to be true.

It is also the Bible that says the earth is suspended over nothing (Job 26:7). In that poetic way it describes the mysterious force of gravity that no one even yet understands. It was the Bible that said that "what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3), thus predating by many centuries the discoveries of science that finally recognized that all matter is made up of invisible energy and that matter and energy are interchangeable.

Lord, I praise You as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. From the very beginning of time, You have not changed, and I am grateful to know You as the One who has made all things.

Ray Stedman

Honey Drops!

Honey Drops!

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103


The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. Psalm 19:7-10

[All these messages were shared by Sasimegala]

God's Chosen Instrument

God's Chosen Instrument

The great and mighty Apostle Paul was once the great and mighty persecutor of Christians and destroyer of the Church. He was so zealous that he actually went from house to house and dragged believers off to prison (Acts 8:3). Paul then set off for Damascus in order to rid the land of these "misguided" Christian troublemakers. However, Jesus had other plans!

Acts 9:3
"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him."

Jesus revealed Himself to Paul in such a magnificent manner that there was no doubt as to the truth of the Gospel; "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:5). Paul encountered the living Christ on the road to Damascus and was literally blinded from the brilliant light - but his life was forever changed.

After three days, Jesus sent a man named Ananias to restore Paul's sight. When Ananias hesitated because of Paul's destructive reputation, Jesus made it clear that Paul was now God's servant.

Acts 9:15
"The Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.'"

Most of us will never encounter Jesus in such a dramatic fashion as Paul. One day, without any lights, voices, or great fanfare, Jesus simply meets us on the road and forever changes the course of our life. And just as Paul was called to carry the name of Jesus, we also have been called to follow the living Christ and carry His name to everyone He places along our path.

God could have chosen the rocks and trees to advance the Gospel message, but He didn't. He could have written His plan of Salvation with a fiery finger in the clouds, but He didn't. God chose us! Even with all our many flaws, jagged past, and sometimes overwhelming insecurity and fear of failure, we are still His messengers to a dark and dying world; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

As we continue on this wonderful journey, with all its glorious peaks and fearfully jagged valleys, let's commit to drawing closer to God and listening more intently to His leading. Let's be faithful to advance His message of love through the forgiveness found only in Jesus. In this time of great spiritual need, with the world so desperate for truth, let's remember that we are now God's chosen instrument.

Steve Troxel

Sympathy of Jesus

Sympathy of Jesus

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Read: Psalm 34:15-22, 2 Kings 6:1 - 8:29

One night at the Salvation Army Citadel after Booth Tucker had given a sermon on the sympathy of Jesus, a man from the audience approached him and said, "If your wife had just died, like mine has, and your babies were crying for their mother who would never be coming back, you wouldn't be saying what you're saying." Tragically, Tucker's wife was killed in a train wreck a few days later. The funeral was held at the Citadel; and after the eulogy, Tucker addressed the audience, saying, "The other day a man told me I wouldn't speak of the sympathy of Jesus if my wife had just died. If that man is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, but it has a song put there by Jesus. I want that man to know that Jesus Christ speaks comfort to me today."

Because of Jesus' promise to never leave us or forsake us, we can be assured that when we face discouragement or heartbreak, He'll be right there, holding our hand through every moment of sorrow. Lean on that truth and allow it to give you strength for another day.

God walks with us. He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that yes, even now, He is there.

Gloria Gaither

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (NIV)

Spring cleaning! I pulled every piece of furniture away from the walls, washed them down, cleaned the stove of its winter ashes, and picked out a brass frame, clock, and lamp I wanted to put on the little table when I put the room back together. Then it happened: the mood to spring clean left me - forever!

I was coming down the stairs, and my hands were full, so I mentally counted the steps. Seven, right? I stepped off the last one, and that's when I walked off into thin air! "I'll never do spring cleaning again," I moaned in pain. Several hours later, I went to the hospital to have the injury checked.

"Broken in three places!" the bespectacled doctor muttered. "Why did you wait so long to get help?"

And so, facing the prospect of hobbling around in a cast for six weeks, I have turned off spring cleaning forever!

On a more serious note, many of us have figured out how many steps we need to take in order to make things work. We plan our day and expect it to turn out just so. Sometimes, it does, but sometimes, unexpected troubles come our way - things that cause us severe pain. At first, we may try to cope on our own. We try to cover our pain and continue on as though nothing serious had happened, but if we look around, the telltale signs are there: the bruises and the scars. When this happens, it's time to go to the Great Physician, God, our heavenly Father, for help. He'll probably wonder why we didn't come sooner, but unlike the doctor, there will be no tone of reproach or sarcasm when He listens to our symptoms.

Dear God, we are so thankful that You care about us when we are hurting. Thank You for gently binding our wounds and helping us to find rest and healing. Amen.

Elaine Ingalls Hogg

If we want blessings from God

If we want blessings from God

Strong in faith. Christian, take good care of thy faith; for recollect faith is the only way whereby thou canst obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers, from God's throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth and heaven - on which God's messages of love fly so fast, that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us.

But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we receive the promise? Am I in trouble? - I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? - My soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith. But take faith away - in vain I call to God.

There is no road betwixt my soul and heaven. In the deepest wintertime faith is a road on which the horses of prayer may travel-ay, and all the better for the biting frost; but blockade the road, and how can we communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with divinity.

Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith ensures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me to defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything of the Lord? Let not him that wavers - who is like a wave of the Sea - expect that he will receive anything of God! O, then, Christian, watch well thy faith; for with it thou canst win all things, however poor thou art, but without it thou canst obtain nothing. "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

James 5:15-16 (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

God never intended prayer to change His purpose or move Him to come to fresh ideas. He has ordained that we be saved through the means of preaching the gospel, but prayer is also a means of salvation. We have seen that it is His will that we pray; it fits into the design of His purpose.

Prayer is therefore not a vain exercise but a means by which God exercises His decrees. When we pray for things God has already decreed, things happen! These prayers are not meaningless. Elijah was a man close to God, and he knew God's will, but that certainly did not prevent him from asking God in prayer for rain (I Kings 18:41-46). Therefore, even though we know His will and that He knows our need, He requires we ask for it. Does not Jesus command us to do this regarding end-time events? "Watch . . . and pray always," He says in Luke 21:36. Prayer keeps our minds focused on what is important to God's purpose.

Perhaps we need to change our views about prayer. Frequently, the prevailing idea of many is that we come to God and ask Him for something we want, expecting Him to give it if we have enough faith. But this is actually degrading to God! This popular belief reduces God to a servant - our servant, like a genie in a bottle - performing our pleasures and granting our desires. No, prayer is worshipfully coming to Him, humbly acknowledging His sovereign authority and loving wisdom, telling Him our need, committing our way to Him, and then patiently allowing Him to deal with our request as it seems best to Him. This does not mean we should not confidently present our needs to God as we see them, but then we should leave it with Him to deal with in His time and manner. Remember, He already knows what He wants to accomplish and when.

Doing this works to make our will subject to His. No prayer is pleasing to Him unless the attitude motivating it is "not [my] will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42). When God grants blessings on praying people, it is not because of their prayers, as if they motivated Him to act, but He acts for His own name's sake and His sovereign will.

He intensely desires that His thoughts become ours because we reflect His image this way. If we think like God, we will act like Him, which is the purpose of conversion. Much of the communication of His thoughts to ours takes place in prayer. God answers every faithful prayer, but not always in the way or when we think best. Often His answer is the opposite of what we feel to be best, but if we have really left it with God, then at least we know it is indeed His answer.

The story of the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 illustrates this well. Interestingly, Mary and Martha never directly ask Jesus to heal Lazarus, though they clearly suggest it in calling Him to come. God in the flesh, however, responds in a way totally different from what they anticipated. Nonetheless, their approach is still a good example of the proper attitude in presenting a need to God. They do not even go into much detail in expressing their need - just simple trust that He could and would do the right thing.

Author unknown

No Agenda

No Agenda

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 NLT

Literally, I had no agenda. True, many things had been on my mind. Several situations I'd been mulling over. A few people that had been especially on my heart. Some unresolved relationships that were sort of stewing in the back corners of my brain.

You know, just things. Things that are on our minds, yet unspoken. Things that are on our hearts, and not shared. God knows them all. All.

So, I had no agenda when we went to this church for an evening service of refreshing and renewing. I just know that when there was a time to be quiet, to be still before the Lord, and this beautiful music was in the background, I began to zone out, let my mind wander.

As I sat there, just being thankful to be in the presence of the Lord, God began to speak softly to me. One by one, He spoke to the concerns of my heart. I began to be aware that He was sharing with me direction and answers to these unspoken concerns.

Later, I thought about how amazing God is. Amazing God! Amazing grace! How good to remember that God knows our deepest needs and desires before they are even fully formed in our minds, or on our lips. And, that in His time, the perfect time, He will answer. Even if we have no agenda!

Sally I. Kennedy

Blessed Quietness

Blessed Quietness

1 Kings 19:11-12
Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Years ago when people had ice boxes instead of refrigerators, a man working in an ice plant lost a valuable watch in the sawdust in which the ice was stored. His fellow workmen searched with him, but were unable to find it. They left the plant for lunch and returned to find a young boy with the watch. When they inquired how he found it, the boy replied, "I just lay down in the sawdust and heard it ticking." With all the noisy machinery turned off and a person predisposed to listen, the watch wasn't hard to find at all.

As Elijah stood on Mount Horeb, he was treated to a spectacular display of God's power. A great wind reduced mighty boulders to pebbles. An earthquake shook the ground. Then the mountain was bathed in fire. Each of these was a manifestation of God's power, but they were not God. It was not until all the noise had stopped that Elijah found God Himself - in a still, small voice.

Today it's hard to get away from the noise. The hubbub of the city, the noise of the factory, the cry of children, the blare of the radio or television-all contribute to a cacophony. In the midst of these things, intimate communion with God is nearly impossible. That's why it's essential that we seek a quiet retreat where we can hear God's still, small voice.

Find a place today where you can shut out the noise of the world. Ask God to calm your mind and remove the clamor that so often fills it. Tune your heart to listen for His voice and discover His intimacy. Get alone. Be still. Stay quiet. Hear God.

Intimacy with God comes in whispers, not shouts.

Woodrow Kroll

Crossing Roads Filled with Maniac Drivers!

Crossing Roads Filled with Maniac Drivers!

Mark 11:22-25 Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

We had finally arrived at Victoria, BC. Our first stop had been the beautiful parliament building, and our next would be the Pacific Undersea Gardens, located in the Victoria harbor. It was actually just across the road, but at that time of the day this particular road was packed with heavy traffic. I could see there would be a problem arriving there safely!

"How can we get across this road?" I wondered.

Of course, we weren't the only ones trying to cross the road. It appeared that the local pedestrians were unfazed by the chaotic, bumper to bumper, fast-moving traffic. They simply crossed whenever they felt like it, and the cars and trucks had no choice but to make adjustments to their speed and trajectory in order to avoid having a collision!

"They're crazy!" I muttered. But that's when I heard a still, small voice: "Have faith and cross the road!"

"Yes Lord, I do have faith in You. It's those human maniacs I don't trust!"

"Have faith in ME and cross the street!"

I couldn't believe my ears! God was actually telling me to throw caution to the wind! How . . . ? Then I realized that by focusing on the problem of all of that traffic rather than focusing on God, the ultimate solution to all of our problems, I was allowing my current situation to become my reality!

Filled with a sudden boldness, I raised my hand and stepped out into the tumultuous traffic! "I have faith in You, Lord!" I whispered with each step, and amazingly, the vehicles either stopped or changed lanes to avoid us! My entire family succeeded in crossing that road without the loss of any items of anatomy!

That was fun! Why don't I step out into faith more often?

I determined that I would try and do so, and in the upcoming days, I succeeded in exercising my faith on several occasions. And each time we succeeded in remaining in one piece!

We are faced with similar problems every day, and we are constantly coming up against a choice: Will we focus on our circumstances or on the Solution called Jesus Christ?

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:22-25 NIV)

Do you need any help crossing the street?

"Have faith!"

Rob Chaffart

The Gift of Kindness

The Gift of Kindness

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2 (NRSV)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NRSV)

After placing several items in the grocery cart, I headed for the check-out line. Since several customers were in front of me, I found myself people-watching. Soon I noticed an irritated man in the next line. He was waiting behind a young woman with a fussy child. She was beginning to count change, and she looked worried. "Don't tell me you don't even have enough for the groceries!" the man said loudly. "How can you come in here without money?"

The young mother was $20 short when all her change was counted. What the woman had was food for a meal, food for the child, and diapers. She had no frills that I could see. I found myself passing a $20 bill to the cashier. The young mother was embarrassed but looked genuinely grateful.

As I walked out of the store, the irate man came past me and said, "You know she probably does this all the time. You've just been taken."

My immediate response was, "God knows my heart. I am not worried." Despite the feeling that I had no money to spare, I had given freely. And I realized God had given me this opportunity to test my faith.

God calls us to care for others.

Dear Lord, thank you for opportunities to help others and to strengthen our faith. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Barbara A. Smith

WORLD MAP

WORLD MAP

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl Shelby. Shelby wanted to know what the World looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the World. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole world today.'

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, ' on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our World just came together.'

Think about it!

Anonymous

YOU ARE IN ARREARS!

YOU ARE IN ARREARS!

Psalm 30:1-5
"I will exalt You, O LORD, for You lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O LORD, You brought me up from the grave; You spared me from going down into the pit. Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

THIS IS AN OVER DUE NOTICE!!! THE RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU ARE IN ARREARS WITH YOUR REJOICING AND EXALTATION. PLEASE PAY UP NOW!!!

What is the cause of praise? We might term it exalting or rejoicing, or such terms, but why do we do it? There was a man in our church when I was a kid. He was always a favorite of all the kids. We would make a mad dash for him - the reason? He always carried SenSen. That was a type of breath freshener that was tiny little squares of something that tasted like licorice. We praised him for what he gave to us!

Now there may be some of you who are reading this, and you say, "How shallow! I only praise the Lord, because He is God." RIGHT! Tell me another one!

All through Scripture, the great passages of exaltation and rejoicing are attached to specific things the Lord has done for the person giving the praise. That is okay! It is not a matter of withholding our praise until we see the results, it is recalling what He has done so far, and expressing thanks.

We seem to be, by nature, a presumptive people. Asking, pleading, even whimpering for special favors comes easy, but when are we going to praise the Lord for those answers?

Think - imagine in your mind, that you had done something that was extremely taxing on you, both physically, as well as financially. Got that in your mind? Now, just picture that the person that you presented this special gift to, takes it, walks away, and says nothing, and acts as if it were nothing.

While we are in an imaginative frame of mind, try to imagine (you will not be able to come close), all that the Lord has done for you. Do not try to include all that He has done for the entire world, but just what He has done for you. How have you expressed your deep appreciation to Him?

As a very small boy, I heard an illustration about a little boy who had climbed on the roof of his house to retrieve his ball. It was one of the cedar shingle roofs that had been weathered for many years. As he reached for his ball, he suddenly began to slowly slide down the steep pitched roof. He knew that there was nothing to stop him, and without Divine intervention, he was in for a very bad fall.

He began to pray as loud as he could for the Lord to save him. Just before reaching the edge of the roof, a rusty old shingle nail was sticking up and snagged the seat of his pants. He looked toward heaven and shouted out, "Forget it Lord, this nail has saved me!"

Oh, how I hope that you are able (that I am able) to visualize those times when God touched us in a special way, and that praise and thanks were not adequately given. We need to start paying on what we owe in the way of exaltation and rejoicing.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.

Pastor Cecil Thompson

Keep God’s Protection and Power

Keep God’s Protection and Power

John 5:14 “But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you."

I, like you I’m sure, love reading about the miracles of Jesus. I do for many reasons. Since Jesus said, “I do nothing but what the Father tells me,” His miracles reveal the heart of God and Jesus, the nature of God and Jesus, the character of God and Jesus, and the grace, mercy, and compassion of God and Jesus. Oh and then there is the power of God and His willingness to be intimately involved in redeeming individual lives. As a matter of fact, this is the will of God overall - to redeem lives from Satan and sin and to bring restoration and blessing to every part of our life. THAT IS HIS WILL!

When I read the miracles of Jesus, something always happens in my heart. I am encouraged and lifted up. That is by divine design. God’s intention through the scriptures is to reveal Himself and lift us to a place of faith – faith in the very thing we read in Hebrews 13:8 – that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

That means He still feels the same in His love and desire to bless anyone who will believe as He did then. Do you believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever?” If you do, then when you read of His miracles, they will lift your heart and you will feel the increase of your faith. Of course, anyone could and many do reduce scriptures into nothing more than religious stories and reading of Biblical history. For those that do, they’ll miss the intimate working of the Holy Spirit reaching out to them.

This morning I want to focus on something extremely important as we read of these miracles that allow God’s power to work within our lives.

John 5:1-15 “Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people - blind, lame, or paralyzed - lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?" "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get there, someone else always gets in ahead of me." Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat, and walk!" Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up the mat and began walking!… afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Then the man went to find the Jewish leaders and told them it was Jesus who had healed him.

In these verses you read of a great miracle of healing. After the healing, Jesus comes back to speak with this man to tell him something important. He says, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Was this a threat from Jesus? Of course not! That was not Jesus’ nature. What He was saying was that God’s grace had touched his life, but that he should live for God and not open the door to the devil through sin anymore.

That is a message for all of us. We all blow it in our lives. We can’t use that as a cliché and excuse to casually sin knowing of God’s grace. He desires for us to live diligently and purposely by His Word walking in love with one another and following after His Spirit. When we do blow it, God instructs us what to do. He teaches us to go to Him and get it right. 1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

This is not our permission slip to sin casually and then know we have a way out. It’s provision for when we blow it. When we become causal with sin and we really don’t care that much about when we do, then what Jesus spoke to the healed man are words that should speak to us. "Now you are well; so stop sinning or something even worse may happen to you." Again, this is not a threat from Jesus. It’s a warning that there is a devil that will take advantage of you and whose design and nature is to “steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10) That was what Jesus was warning of.

Later in John Chapter five, we see Jesus speaking to the “religious” people of the day - those that doubted Him and refused to believe what He said. Jesus spoke to them and said, "You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me so that I can give you this eternal life.” John 5:39-40

Jesus was telling them that reading and studying scripture or going through religious motions didn’t make them right with God. Believing in Jesus and learning of His love, mercy and compassion and giving it to others is what made their hearts alive. Then Jesus said to them. “I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” (John 5:42)

Religious activity does not make us right with God. Believing in Jesus, knowing it is His will to touch and miraculously work in our lives, turning from sin, and then understanding that we can’t ignore God’s Word to carry God’s love in our hearts toward others is critical. You can’t ignore sin and keep sinning. You can’t carry unforgiveness and pretend everything is okay. You have to work these things out with God’s help and then you will keep God’s protection over you and His power working in your life!

Pastor Tim Burt
Fresh Manna
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com

You can have it, but I want it back

You can have it, but I want it back

Two toddlers are sitting in the floor playing. They are at Suzie's house, and the floor is filled with toys. Suzie is playing with her blocks, and Davey is trying to decide what to play with. Suzie tells Davey, Davey, you can play with ANY of my toys. I'm playing with the blocks, but you can use ANYTHING that you want.

So Davey takes her up on it. He picks up her toy telephone, and begins calling his little sister... and he's having a great time... such a great time that Suzie suddenly wants to play with the telephone, so she reaches out and grabs the phone. Davey, of course, is upset, and tells her that HE was playing with the phone because she told him that he could use anything that he wanted to. Her response is, I know that I gave it to you, but I want it back to play with it myself.

Don't we do the same thing with God? He tells us, in one of my favorite verses (1 Peter 5:7) to cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you. But how often do we really cast them to Him, and allow Him to keep them? Don't we take them back to play with them ourselves for a while?

I don't know about you, but I'll really good at giving God the burdens of my heart, but taking them back from Him and worrying with them for a bit, and then giving them back to Him. I'm good at SAYING that I'm giving God my cares and worries, but I don't seem to truly let them go... sound familiar?

Worried about your family? Concerned with your finances? Got a health problem keeping you up late? Problems with your relationship with your spouse? Your boss getting on your nerves?

Philippians 4:6-9 says: Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

There it is, my friends - in simple English - by prayer, and in faith, give your concerns to God. Then, again by prayer and in faith, allow Him to KEEP them, and watch as His will is done with your requests. Remember that sometimes He says wait, and sometimes He also says no.

The peace that is promised will come as you allow Him to move in your life, and as you align your life with His will.

Want God to help you carry the load? Then give Him your concerns, and DON'T TAKE THEM BACK!

Momsooky

WE NEED HELP!

WE NEED HELP!

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:18, 21, 25-26

I love kids! I guess it may be that I am still one at heart. Kids are open and candid. They say and do things that adults would never do. They are vulnerable and often seem to be too trusting. I react very strongly when I hear about one of these little ones who has been abused. Over the years I have felt compelled to protect the little ones who are in peril.

It reminds me of a time when I was waiting for my wife, Joyce, to get off work as a Legislative Aide in the Washington State House of Representatives. A young woman who answered phones in Joyce's building walked out. I happened to notice a man across the parking lot watching her. As she left the area to go to her car, he started his vehicle and drove slowly behind her. Immediately I started my car and sped to follow closely behind him. Seeing me in his rear view mirror, he suddenly turned a corner and disappeared. I waited until Heather had started her car and drove away.

When Joyce told her about it, she was dumbfounded. She had no idea that she may have been in jeopardy or that someone had been aware of her need for protection. Spiritually we are equally vulnerable. We may think we know what we need and how to pray - but we don't! So what are we to do?

The book of Romans is full of deep spiritual truth and today's Scripture is particularly filled with deep meaning. The idea I would hope to get across today, is that we are all like babies when it comes to knowing the things of God. I think one of the reasons is that the Word of God is "living". It is energized by the Spirit of God and impacts us in different ways each time we read it. At the same time, there are some fundamental things about God that are explained to us.

1 We are told our present sufferings are to be balanced by our view of eternity. It does not end here! This is just the preliminary that qualifies us for the main event. The pain and distress of this life is nothing when we think of what is waiting for us in eternity.

Now this does not mean that we cannot pray for a healing touch on this side of eternity, but we must keep in mind that healing is only temporary. Jesus healed the blind, crippled, deaf, cast out demons and even raised Lazarus from the dead; but all eventually died. The healing was for the purpose of increasing the faith of the people, and also to confirm He was the Messiah.

Do we pray for healing? You had better believe it! But above all else, we must remember that He, our precious Lord, is the One who is in control.

I remember attending a pastor's conference when a speaker told of his experience in praying for healing. Every time he prayed for someone to be healed, they died soon after. Finally he was called by a family to come and pray with their loved one that he not suffer any longer and that he might die quickly. He was elated! That was what had happened to all those he had prayed for. He now looked to heaven and prayed for God to take this dear man home to be with Him. Instead of dying, he recovered and went home to live for several more years.

He shared that God taught him a valuable lesson. He, the Lord, was in control and we have to learn to be in harmony with His will and purposes. I firmly believe that it is not God's will that every one be healed. If that were so, we would have quite a few people around that were over a thousand years old. There are none!

2 The Scripture also teaches that we can find comfort from pain and suffering when we are set free by going into His presence. You may recall that as the Apostle Stephen was being stoned, (think about what pain he was enduring as stone after stone struck his vulnerable flesh), he was not focusing on the pain of the blows from the stones, but on seeing the Lord above. We are told in the last few verses of Acts seven, that he prayed for the Lord to forgive those who were killing him, AND THEN HE FELL ASLEEP! He was looking above and seeing what was beyond. That is what we are to do.

3 This passage also teaches that we do not know how to pray. The Lord knows that, so He sends the Holy Spirit to intercede (pray) for us with groans that words cannot utter. Do not try to make the groaning sounds yourself. It is the Holy Spirit, knowing our weakness, who groans for us. That is worth your pausing and spending some time in meditation. Never feel that you are alone. Let the power of the Spirit of God do what you and I and every other human on the face of this earth will never be able to do - intercede in our behalf.

Whatever you might be going through at this time in your life, turn it over to the God who loves you and has prepared a place for you. What love that He has extended toward us! Through your pain, confusion and failure let Him be the Lord of all.

Pastor Cecil Thompson

SIGH or SOAR?

SIGH or SOAR?

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

A man was not feeling up to par, so he made an appointment and went to see his doctor. Unfortunately, when the doctor entered the examining room it was not his regular doctor, but an intern. The intern told him that his doctor had been called out of town on an emergency and that he was filling in.

More than a little apprehensive, he allowed the intern to examine him and perform a number of diagnostic tests. After twenty minutes the intern came back into the room with a serious look on his face. Looking down at the paperwork in his hands, the intern said: "Sir, I have very bad news. You have a very short time to live!"

This was like a slap in the face to the man. He looked at the young intern and blurted out: "I demand a second opinion!" Without flinching, the intern said: "You're ugly too!" That is a terrible joke to begin the week, but I hope you will stay with me as we explore the importance of attitude in the life of the believer.

I never want to belittle the ordeals that people encounter. Perhaps the worst thing we can say to someone who is going through a "valley of the shadow of death" experience is: "I know what you are going through." We don't! It is impossible for us to know what is causing the pain within a person. But the Lord knows!

I vividly recall sitting at the bedside of our daughter as she was dying. Joyce had gone home and it was just Brenda and I in that quiet room. In the past weeks I had remembered her as a little girl in a frilly pink dress. Now she was a mother of three beautiful children, just moments from ascending to be with the Lord.

This was no time for me to focus on the loss, but on the joys that awaited her in glory. As I focused upon the glory which awaited her, I almost felt a pang of homesickness for heaven. One of the Scriptures I quoted for Brenda was Psalm 23. Verse 4 was especially precious: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." It was this promise that made her funeral a few days later a celebration of praise.

Some people experience sickness and incapacitation of one sort or another. In those times it is well to consider the way God's people have suffered across the centuries of time. Some of the greatest songs or poems of praise were penned at times of suffering.

Fredrick Lehman penned the words of the old hymn, "The Love of God". Actually, he wrote only the first two verses. The third verse was written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter. They were found penciled on the wall of a patient’s room in an insane asylum.

The general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity. Listen to the words: "Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry. Nor would the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky."

Each of us is given a choice in dealing with the pain and agony of this life. We can sigh and moan about how hard our situation is, or we can soar above the circumstances and praise the Lord from whom all blessings come! I, for one, choose to soar! Come and soar with me!

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.

Pastor Cecil Thompson

Christianity and Yoga - Some facts & insights

Christianity and Yoga - Some facts & insights

Yoga is really a sham and un-Christian, and it is against the Christian ethos. It's a spiritual practice of a faith in which I do not believe. Some may say that yoga is a completely non-religious activity, it simply involves music and movement with no religious content, and they may even criticize the Christians are narrow minded. It is better not to be broad minded to such stuff and sin against God. Any alternative philosophies or beliefs are offering a sham. Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, and attempts to use exercises and relaxation techniques to put a person into a calm frame of mind - in touch with some kind of impersonal spiritual reality.

Yoga may appear harmless or even beneficial, but it is encouraging people to think that there is a way to wholeness of body and mind through human techniques - whereas the only true way to wholeness is by faith in God through Jesus Christ. Wouldn't want people to have a calm frame of mind or to embrace their own spirituality and human ability, right? No. And of course Christianity never "borrowed" anything from other religions when it was convenient, right?

The physical and breathing exercises associated with yoga may not have 'religion' in it. But yoga is not merely breathing exercises and postures. Yoga also involves teachings like KUNDALINI, the energy that supposedly lies dormant in you like a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, which, when activated, could zoom through your 'chakras' and provide you with bliss and unity with a supposed 'supreme being'. Moreover, the Hindu deity 'shiva', believed to have three eyes and four arms and residing at the Himalayas with a serpent coiled around his neck, is considered to be the patron deity for yoga. One can feel free to believe all this or reject it. But to say that Yoga is NOT connected to any religion is simply false. Hence surely, a Christian vicar has genuine reasons to draw a line which he refuses to cross.

God is right there for us, we just have to reach out to Him because He is actively seeking us. We do not have to engage in extensive physical activities and spiritual disciplines to have a relationship with God.

Many state that yoga helps them feel relaxed and gives them energy. These are the same effects that Transcendental Meditation espoused back in the 1970's before it was finally deemed a religious practice. All TM practitioners were initiated in "Puja" ceremony and brought offerings and made vows to Hindu gods when they received their mantras. All prospective TM'ers were told that they were only paying homage to eastern traditions and that the prayers were just to acknowledge the tradition and had no spiritual significance. Later the Maharishi relented and confessed that by being initiated into TM that you basically became a Hindu.

I believe that it is highly problematic for Christians to practice the discipline of yoga in the name of yoga, which means "union" with the divine, and expect it to help us get you closer to the "divine" or god. Our reconciliation with God is by faith and not by physical preparation or purification. (Colossians 2:23) "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) It is our sin that separates us from God, not our lack of physical purification. Bondage to strongholds of anger, bitterness, rage and sexual immorality will separate us from God and yoga in no way can address the reality of sin other than provide a mechanism to dissociate from it or deny the reality of it. In fact, forgiveness of sin does not exist in the Hindu karmic system.

Many Christians who practice yoga say that it allows them to relax and clear their mind. My question is does God really want us to clear our minds when we pray to Him or is God really trying to have a conversation with us and bring up issues and anxieties that we need to attend to when we pray to Him. He wants us to give our cares to Him but we need to own them before we can give them over to Him. He wants to be with us in our pain and teach us and heal us in the process. He doesn't want us to send all of our cares, concerns and un-reconciled emotions into some spiritual hyperspace through manipulation of our bodies and consciousness with yoga postures, breathing and meditation techniques.


Yoga's intent is to open us spiritually to powers and demonic forces and perhaps even principalities that God never had any intention of us messing with. This is exactly what the Hindu chakra system is all about. Although God created us and all things in the spiritual world including whatever spiritual reality chakras actually are, He gives us clear warnings in scripture about engaging in activities of becoming mediums, diviners and channelers which is what the chakra system leads to. Yoga is one of the severest forms of idolatry that one can engage in and, frankly, most Christians have a very weak understanding of the nature of idolatry. If we think that through manipulating our bodies and consciousness that we can get closer to God, we are in a sense focusing on (worshiping) ourselves to get to God. Think about it for a minute, the act of trying to clear our mind to reach some higher form of consciousness is actually focusing on the activities of our minds not focusing on God. We are actually engaging in one of the most extreme forms of self-focus which in reality is auto-idolatry.

From a philosophical and ontological point of view, is it really possible to try to clear our minds while trying to clear our minds? You are not really clearing your mind but engaging in an act of self-deception by trying to empty something that cannot be emptied. This is the deception that opens us up to dark side. You are not clearing your mind but actually are opening yourself up to other spiritual realities that will deceive you by creating physical, mental and spiritual experiences and effects that are totally deceptive. The same goes for the general eastern idea of dissociating from the self or ego. It is just not possible. If we think that we can destroy some essence of who we are and how God created us to reach some higher state of consciousness we are deceived. Yes, we are to crucify ourselves to sin and the desires of the flesh but the eastern approach is entirely different.

If you say you are doing it only for exercise, why not try modern dance or other forms of stretching. Churches that are offering "Christian" yoga are not doing it simply for exercise but really because they think it will improve their "spirituality". This is exactly the reason they shouldn't be doing it. Are they offering weight lifting and aerobics classes? I think not. Why must Christians insist on grabbing onto every worldly trend and deny the clear warnings of scripture. God's word tells us that there are things that He just doesn't want us to do and He desires obedience over sacrifice. (Deut. 18 & 1 Samuel 15:22)

In America, at least half of "yogis" identify themselves as Christians. The fact is, it's a potential $27 billion industry, with the average participant spending $1500 per year on everything from clothing to weekend retreats. So, why alienate biggest audience of "Christian" Americans?"


Many have accused me of not having a strong enough engage in activities such as yoga and eastern meditation. My answer is - do you have enough faith to believe in God's Word and be obedient. Can you withstand the temptation not to engage in such an idolatrous and trendy activity such as yoga? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Matthew 7:15 says, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Monic [Compiled from various online resources]

I don't understand these:
Yahweh Yoga! - Alice Latham practicing yoga & identifying herself as a Christian - Christian Yoga (Chroga)

http://yahwehyoga.net
http://www.christianspracticingyoga.com/p-yogaspirit.htm#
http://www.restministries.org/hk_mag/05_06_2004/yogaforyou.htm

Please drop your comments and views after reading through...