1. Paralyzed by Pleasure

Good morning to all. I know that like me you are looking forward to a brighter future in 2008.

Like you I have been faced with many many challenges which sometimes, I must confess, got the better of me. However, as time progressed I learned more and more to rely on the one that loves me more than I can ever know - JESUS!!!!

I truly pray that all of us would learn from and take life's lessons from 2007 and grow and improve in 2008.

I also learned that friends come in all forms. Sometimes the ones you think are there for you are not and the ones who truly care you don't see.

I am therefore taking this forum to thank each and every one of my true friends for being there for me in your own special way over the past year and I look forward to being a blessing to you as you have been to me in 2008 and beyond.

To my special friend Nicholas (Steups), thank you for always being a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and the voice of reason on numerous occasions. Though we had our ups and downs, there were many more ups and I truly appreciate you. May God richly bless you and your family.

To all my other friends, well-wishers and readers of this Blog, I truly hope that in one way or the other that Jesus Christ made an impact in your life through this Blog and other avenues and may the Lord God Jesus Christ be truly magnified in your lives in 2008.

I Love You!!!!!

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."1

Some time ago I read the following story taken from The Prairie Overcomer magazine.
The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame him he had decided to "hole-up."

He made it wearily to his cabin but somewhat dazed with fatigue, he did not light a fire or remove his wet clothing. As the blizzard blasted through the cracks in the old cabin walls, the sleeping forest ranger sank into oblivion, paralyzed by the pleasure of the storm's icy caress.
Suddenly, however, his dog sprang into action, and with unrelenting whines, finally managed to rouse his near-comatose friend. The dog was John's constant companion, a St. Bernard, one of a long line of dogs famous for their heroics in times of crisis.

"If that dog hadn't been with me, I'd be dead today," John Elliott says. "When you're freezing to death you actually feel warm all over, and don't wake up because it feels too good."2
How easy it is for those of us, especially in the West, to get lulled into sleep by the pleasures of this world's riches and what money can do for us ... or for others who get lulled into sleep by the pleasures of sin, which as today's Scripture says, all pass away.

Sometimes God sends or at least allows and uses setbacks or problems that come into our life to awaken us out of our sleep to the reality of the situation we are in—to save us from spiritual bankruptcy and for some, to save from eternal death.

Whenever I am going through difficult times I ask God, "What lesson is there in this experience that you are seeking to teach me. What is it that I need to learn?" I encourage you to do the same.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, if I am asleep in my complacency to the reality of my spiritual condition, please send into my life whatever it takes to awaken me to reality, help me to see exactly what I need to do, and give me the good sense and courage to act accordingly. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: If you have never accepted God's forgiveness be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.



1. Hebrews 11:24-25 (NIV).


2. The Prairie Overcomer, published by the Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alberta Canada.





Credit: Daily Encounter

Life Is a Gift

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."1

"There was a blind girl [or so the story goes] who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

"One day someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything—including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said, 'Just take care of my eyes dear.'

Too often we change when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there when times were painfully unbearable.

Life is a gift, so today: Before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion. Before you complain about your life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but is barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house that someone didn't clean or sweep, think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

And before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another, remember that not one of us is without sin and all will answer to one Maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, try to put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around. Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.

"Enjoy the moment. It may not come around again."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the midst of life's trials help me always to count my many blessings—one by one—and learn to always give thanks for these and be grateful for what I do have and not complain about what I don't have. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV).

2. Author unknown. Source: Marcella's Inspiring Collection, http://tinyurl.com/w9nb9

Credit: Daily Encounter

Will Jesus Come to Earth Again?

Jesus said, "In my Father's home [heaven] there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me."1

Year after year with "tireless regularity and eternal patience," God reminds the world every Christmas that he sent his Son, Jesus, to save lost mankind. Christmas is also God's reminder that Jesus is coming back to earth for all who have accepted him as their personal Lord and Savior.

His first coming is an indisputable fact of history. His second coming to end this world age is just as certain. According to Bible scholars, there are 1,845 references in the Old Testament and 318 in the New Testament about Christ's second coming to earth. This means for every prophecy in the Bible about Christ's first coming—every one of which was fulfilled in minute detail—there are eight about his second coming!

Jesus is coming again. God has promised this in his Word, the Bible. Jesus himself promised it as well. And all the signs that Jesus and the Bible said would immediately precede his return are evident today, also reminding us that Christ's return could be very soon. If it were today, would you be ready?

Christmas is also a reminder to all Christians that Jesus has commissioned all of us to spread his message of salvation to everyone everywhere.2 Jesus said that, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."3 Never has this been more possible than it is today because our generation has the greatest means of worldwide communications the world has ever seen.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for your great CHRISTmas love gift to me and to the world. In appreciation for all you have done for me, I surrender my heart and life afresh to you. Please make me usable and use me in whatever way you will to be a part of your plan to spread the gospel to the world in which I live and in some way to people around the world. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

Note: If you have never received Jesus as your Savior I encourage you to read God's Invitation at: http://tinyurl.com/6k49w or if you would like to make a recommitment of your life to Jesus Christ, do let us know by filling in and checking the appropriate box at: http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php

1. John 14:2-3 (NIV).
2. Mark 16:15.
3. Matthew 24:14 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

For Those Who Mourn

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."1

A Daily Encounter reader asks: "I have a friend who grieves her husband's death. He was a Pastor. How can I comfort her?"

One of the best things we can do for grieving friends is to be there for them—to give them our presence. That is, to lend them a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on as well as to pray for them. Better still is to weep with those who weep.

This is needed at holiday times, especially so as we come into the Christmas season. Such times can be bitterly lonely for the grieving.

What our grieving friends don't need is someone to give them advice, preach at them, or tell them they shouldn't feel the way they feel. When we lose a loved one, we grieve deeply. The pain can be insufferable. When Jesus' friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept. We need to do the same when we lose a loved one—and grieve/weep with our friends when they suffer loss. Rare is the friend who knows how to weep with those who weep.

Realize, too, that grieving is a process that takes time. Broken bones heal in six weeks. Broken hearts don't. They take so much longer to heal, so always be patient and understanding with grieving friends.

However, if a friend's grieving continues, say, for more than a year and it is obvious that they are not recovering, kindly suggest that they might consider joining a grief recovery group and/or seeing a skilled counselor to help them.

For further help, read the article, "Grief and Loss Recovery" at: http://tinyurl.com/7l5xd

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the gift of tears that helps relieve our pain when we lose a loved one. Grant that all my grieving friends will know your presence and blessing in a very special way at this time of loss and pain. And please help me to be a supporting friend and comfort to them. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 5:4 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Accountability

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."1

My friend Graham was only 44 when cancer struck him down. When they discovered the disease, it had gone too far. Not long before he died I asked him, "What does it feel like to be 44 and in your situation?"

He sat in silence for quite a while as he pondered the question. And then he said some things I will never forget. He felt angry in that there was so much more he wanted to do with his life and now it was too late. He felt guilty because he had been too busy too much of the time and hadn't spent enough time with his wife and children and now that opportunity was gone forever. And then, after more thought, he said, "I wonder if I have ever done anything that has been truly worthwhile with my life."

Those words certainly made me think—and I've never forgotten them.

According to God's Word, the Bible, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment [of God]."2 The good news is that if we have lived for and served God faithfully, we will be rewarded accordingly. If not, we will also be rewarded accordingly.

Hopefully for all our readers when we meet God face to face, it will be a very exciting time as we hear him say to each of us, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."3

But if we are NOT true followers of Jesus, we will hear God say something terrible: "Depart from me for I never knew you."4

Fortunately, none of us ever has to hear God say this to us for he has provided a full and free pardon for all of our sins and has the gift of eternal life for all who accept His wonderful and FREE gift of forgiveness and salvation.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to accept God's pardon and His gift of eternal life today. Whatever you do, don't leave Earth without it! To help you do this go to: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you gave your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins and provide for me a free pardon and the gift of eternal life. Help me to so live for you that when I meet you face to face, I will hear your wonderful words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 5:10).

2. Hebrews 9:27.

3. Jesus (See Matthew 25:21).

4. Jesus (See Matthew 7:23).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Making Beautiful Music

"But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."1

"A piece of black ebony wood was being cut and broken by a woodmaker. The wood complained but the woodmaker desisted from bowing to the complaints. He was carving a flute. The woodkmaker seemed to be saying, 'Little piece of wood. You think that I am hurting and abusing you but without these holes and cutting, you would not be able to bring others beautiful music to soothe their souls and calm their hurts and fears for a time.'"

Pain is the great motivator. It can be and often is God's wake-up call to help us change and grow. So who wants to change and grow when everything is going great? Not me. I only grow when I am uncomfortable with the way things are or the way I am. And that's the way it's meant to be. God wants to make "beautiful music" out of your life and mine. It's up to us to allow him to do so. The process at times can be painful, but the end result can be something beautiful.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, here's my life—please make me into the person you want me to be so my life will be an instrument of peace and harmony in your hands to touch the lives of all I come in contact with. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (Romans 5:3-4, NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

A Sad but Needed Warning

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."1

A Daily Encounter reader asks, "If you have a parent that died and was an abusive, mean person but you still love them, is there a way to pray for them to have another chance and not go to hell forever?

Sad to say we can only hope that our loved ones made their life right with God before they passed away. I don't want to give anyone false hope as there is nothing in God's Word, the Bible, that says that anyone can make a decision to accept God's forgiveness after they die. As the Bible says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."2 As a poet wisely said:

Only one life - 'Twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ - Will last.

The only thing you and I can do—and the most important thing—is that today we make absolutely sure that we have put our life right with God by asking him for forgiveness for all our sins and accepting Jesus Christ, God's Son, as our personal Savior.

For help to do this read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. Please help me to be sure today that I am forgiven and will spend eternity in heaven with you forever. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Hebrews 9:27 (NIV).

2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Discovering God's Will for Your Life

"I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."1

A Daily Encounter reader asks, "How does one know that God is speaking to him or her? I am very confused because I do not know what God wants me to do with my life."

In younger days I used to struggle with the same question; that is, how can I know the will of God for my life? The following comes from what I learned:

First, and most important, is that it is always God's will for us to put God first in our life and live in harmony with what his Word, the Bible, teaches.

Second, ask God to help you discover what your God-given life purpose is, and then do what is necessary to fulfill this purpose. This will be achieved by using your natural gifts and talents to serve God—and we serve him by serving/helping people.

Third, when using your God-given gifts and talents, you will enjoy and find fulfillment in the work you do (either paid or volunteer). Referring to Jesus, David, the Psalmist, wrote: "I take joy in doing your will, my God." When we live in harmony with and do the will of God, we, too, will find joy and fulfillment.

Fourth, unless we have a "specific call" from God for a specific task such as being a missionary (or other ministry), we can do any of a number of things and still be doing God's will. For instance, picture God's will as traveling on a "train" that will take you to heaven when your life on earth is ended. While God is in charge of that train, we have all the freedom to move around in that train involved in many and varied activities and doing the work in which we find fulfillment.

Fifth, realize that God is not co-dependent. He will give wisdom and guidance if we ask him to (See Proverbs 3:5-6) but he doesn't make our decisions for us. So don't wait for a special vision, just put to use the talents you have in serving others through your local church, a para-church organization, or with a volunteer service organization.

Sixth, every morning pray and commit and trust your life and way to God and trust him to lead you in the way that is best for you to go. I have prayed this prayer almost every day since my youth and, as I look back, I can see how God has answered this prayer in so many ways I never would have dreamed possible.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to discover my God-given life purpose, to live in harmony with your will, and to develop and use my God-given gifts and talents in a way that will best serve you and fulfill your purpose for my life—and therein find joy and fulfillment. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 40:8 (NLT).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Getting It Right When Things Go Wrong

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."1

You've no doubt heard about the bricklayer who applied for time off work for the following reason: "When I got to the building, I found that the hurricane had knocked off some bricks around the top so I climbed onto the roof and rigged up a beam with a pulley and hoisted a couple of barrels full of bricks to the top of the building.

"Then I went to the bottom, and holding onto the line, I began releasing it. Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started coming down, jerking me up. I decided to hang on since I was too far off the ground by then to jump. About halfway up I met the barrel of bricks coming down fast. I received a hard blow on my shoulder. I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers pinched and jammed in the pulley.

"When the barrel hit the ground hard, it burst its bottom allowing the bricks to spill out. I was now heavier than the barrel, so I started down again at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming up–fast–and received severe injuries to my chin. When I hit the ground, I landed on the pile of spilled bricks, getting several painful cuts and bruises.

"At this point I must have lost my presence of mind because I let go of my grip on the line. The barrel came down fast, giving me another blow on my head, putting me in the hospital. I respectfully request sick leave."

Everybody has times when things go wrong. But when troubles come, it's not so much what happens to us, but how we react to it that counts the most. Troubles destroy some people. Others become stronger. The difference lies in our attitude, being realistic about and accepting what has happened, and what we do about resolving our situation.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, when things go wrong in my life, please help me to 'hear' what you might be saying to me and to see what I need to do in order to turn my situation into a blessing so that I will become more mature and complete. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. James 1:2-4 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

The Open Door

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me."1

Alton Gansky, in his book, 40 Days, talks about Harry Houdini who "made a name for himself by escaping from every imaginable confinement—from straightjackets to multiple pairs of handcuffs clamped to his arms. He boasted that no jail cell could hold him. Time and again, he would be locked in a cell only to reappear minutes later."

It worked almost every time. "He accepted another invitation to demonstrate his skill. He entered the cell, wearing his street clothes, and the jail cell door shut. Once alone, he pulled a thin but strong piece of metal from his belt and began working the lock. But something was wrong. No matter how hard Houdini worked, he couldn't unlock the lock. For two hours he applied skill and experience to the lock but failed time and time again. Two hours later he gave up in frustration."2

The problem? The door wasn't locked. All he needed to do was push on it and it would have opened for him.

Now isn't that just like so many people who believe they have to earn their way into heaven through their own efforts or some man-made religion when all they need to do is believe in what God's Word, the Bible, teaches; that is, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross to pay the penalty for all their sins, and in all sincerity confess their sinfulness to God, ask for his forgiveness, and accept his free gift of eternal life—and repent of their sinful ways and ask God for his help to live in harmony with his will.

For help to accept God's invitation to accept his gift of forgiveness and eternal life go to: http://tinyurl.com/6k49w

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that there is absolutely nothing for me to do to enter your Heaven except to admit that I am a sinner and believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for all my sins, and to ask for and accept your forgiveness and gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV).
2. Source: Preaching Now, Vol. 6, No. 20,
http://www.preaching.com/newsletter/

Credit: Daily Encounter

Pegs on Which to Hang Anger

"Behold, You [God] desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom."1

As a general rule, loved people love people and hurt people hurt people. And angry people, besides angering other people, are constantly looking for pegs on which to hanger their anger.
I was watching a TV interview recently and the person being interviewed was obviously a very angry person with a not-too-hidden agenda. This person avoided every question the interviewer asked and continued to spew out his bitter negative comments.

This type of person, who has a negative axe to grind, sees only what he wants to see and hears only what he wants to hear. And he will twist what he hears to make it match his distorted perception of reality. Reality is not on their agenda.

It's the same with people who have a critical attitude. They're angry too and are constantly looking for pegs on which to hang their anger. They will read into situations exactly what they want to see and hear as a way to avoid facing their own reality. They live in denial—an ultimately dangerous and self-destructive way to live.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of denial and help me to be courageously honest with myself and with you and see in myself any unresolved anger, a critical attitude, and/or any other personal problem I may have. And lead me to find the help I need to resolve and overcome my problems. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 51:6 (NKJV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Consequences of Sin

"I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you [God]. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you."1

I have read how, "Two fellows were driving a delivery truck down a road when they came to a tunnel. The sign above said: 'Warning: Maximum Height 10 feet zero inches,' so they got out and measured their truck. Unfortunately, the truck was just over 12 feet high. "They didn't know what to do, when finally one of them looked in both directions and said, 'I don't see any police, let's go for it!'"

The result was obvious.

I guess far too many of us knew very well we shouldn't do a certain thing or commit a certain sin, but we did it anyhow because we thought no one was watching. We may not have seen the immediate effects but we always reap what we sow—even if it is eventually. Furthermore, acting wrong too often because no one is watching can easily become a habit.

As George Dana Boardman wisely said, "Sow an act ... reap a habit; Sow a habit ... reap a character; Sow a character ... reap a destiny."

The reality is that we can never hide from God. He sees all. He knows all. And he judges all unless we confess our sins and receive his forgiveness. As God's Word also says, "Be sure your sin will find you out."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me always to be honest with myself and with you and always do good and refrain from doing bad, not because anyone is watching or not watching, but because I believe in doing right and living in harmony with your will. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 139:11-12 (NLT).
2. Numbers 32:23

Credit: Daily Encounter

Pastor's Confession

Morning guys, its a good day isn't it? Yeah I know that all of us have issues to deal with BUT just remember there is always someone out there who has it worst than you.

OK so my friend Dana sent me this joke. Although I've heard it on numerous occasions it always brings a smile to my face and I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy and God Bless.

Three pastors took a day off and decided to go fishing after a busy
Sunday.

They agreed its so difficult preaching to people all the time and no one
preaches to them. Sitting by the river with little response from the
hooks one pastor thought of sharing his heart with others. He said "Guys its
rare to get such an opportunity to be among ourselves like this. It would be
good if we look into our lives and help each other with our
weaknesses". They all agreed to this.

This pastor said "Gentlemen I need help! The people in my church give a
lot of money every week. I started taking little by little but now I take a
big chunk. I can't stop stealing from the church please pray for me. The day
they will find out I will be fired!"


Another pastor said "Brothers your sins are better than mine! I have
slept with every woman in the church including married women. As I preach my
eyes hover over the congregation looking for the next prey. If this is
discovered people will not fire me, they will kill me!"

The last pastor's feet were shaking as they were talking. They thought
he had a big story to tell. He stood up and said "My brothers, my problem
is gossip! I can't sit anymore. I have to share this! I will be back!"

Ten Guidelines From God Effective Immediately

Morning all, my friend Theresca sent this to me, enjoy and be blessed!!!!!

Please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience,but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines

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

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are You Jesus?

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."1

I read how, "A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.

"All but one.... He paused, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

"He told his buddies to go on without him, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal

where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

"He was glad he did.

"The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, and helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
"The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

"When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

"As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?'
"He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?'"2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I am available, please use me to be 'as Jesus' in some way today to every life I touch, and grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV).2. Author unknown.

Give Me a Thankful Heart

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! / For His mercy endures forever. / Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! / For His mercy endures forever. / Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! / For His mercy endures forever."1

In The Chicago Daily News Harold Ruoff wrote, "I read about a postal worker who opened and read the mail which came to the Dead Letter Office in Washington addressed to Santa Claus. In the three months before Christmas, there were thousands of letters asking for something. In the months after Christmas, there was only one card addressed to Santa Claus thanking him. How quick we are to ask and receive. How slow we are to speak the magic word—thanks!"

I'm not suggesting that we give thanks to Santa Claus, but one of my constant prayers is that God will give me a thankful heart for every blessing that he has so freely given to me—and for the innumerable blessing he gives to us that I am not even aware of.

This one thing I know, when I think of my background, if it weren't for the grace of God, I don't know where I would be today. I know I wouldn't be where I am with the wonderful privilege of being able to share the Christian message and gospel with so many people around the world via email and the Internet.

Furthermore, even though I came from a very dysfunctional family background, there is one thing that I will be eternally grateful for, and that is that my parents took me to church and Sunday school where I heard the gospel message and there found Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.

Wherever you and I are, let us make it a day of thanksgiving in our hearts especially for God's great love gift to the world—the gift of his Son, Jesus, who gave his life on the cross so that you and I could have our sins forgiven and receive a full and free pardon and the gift of eternal life in Heaven to be with God forever.

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your everlasting love—that you love me no matter what I have ever done or have failed to do—and that your mercy endures forever. In appreciation for your dying for me help me always to live for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. Psalm 136:1-3 (NKJV).
P.S. Be sure to say thank you to God and to someone every day!P.P.S. Wishing all Americans a very Happy Thanksgiving Day

Appreciating Life

Good morning to all of you, I know that last week I wrote promising certain things and I did not deliver and for this I humbly apologise. I have been so busy this past week and its not letting up anytime soon. So for now please be Ministered by the message below until we meet again.


"Prepare to meet your God."1

"The popular actress Mary Tyler Moore is admired not only for her professional accomplishments, but also for the way she has coped with a series of personal tragedies. Her sister died in 1978. A year later she lost her only son, Richard, at age twenty-four. Then her brother succumbed to kidney cancer. This was followed by the death of her mother.

"As if these traumatic experiences were not enough to defeat anyone, Mary Tyler Moore has battled diabetes since she was in her twenties. This courageous survivor says, 'The pain is just as intense as it is for someone who gives up and gives in.'

"Her suffering has made her more sensitive and responsive; more grateful for life. 'I appreciate,' she continues, 'much more now. I don't take tomorrow for granted, because it simply may not be there.'"2

Gutsy lady. Wise woman. It is well known that most people who develop a depth of character and inner strength have gone through oftentimes intense suffering, but I can't help but wonder how few don't (especially in the Western world) take life for granted.

The reality is that none of us has any guarantee of tomorrow. Earlier this month on the I-5 freeway close to our home the traffic was slowed to a standstill. All the vehicles ahead had stopped when a semi-trailer slammed into the car in front of it instantly killing all four young children who were in the car! A similar thing happened to me a couple of years ago although nowhere near as drastic. I, along with several other cars, had stopped at a red light when suddenly we were ploughed into from behind by a heavy pickup truck causing a five-car pile up. I thanked God that I wasn't killed or seriously hurt. My vehicle was a mess.

Life is fragile. It is not only important that we don't take life for granted, but also that we prepare today for tomorrow's life after life. Eternity is forever. Whatever you do make absolute sure you have your "passport for heaven" without which you will not be able to gain entry into God's heaven any more than you could gain entry into Australia, England, Germany, the U.S.A or numerous other countries without a valid passport. To obtain your passport to Heaven go to: "Passport for Heaven" at: http://tinyurl.com/dm472.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to realize that this life is fragile and that there are no guarantees for tomorrow and that I need to be prepared for life after life. Please help me to obtain my 'Passport' for entry into your heaven. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Amos 4:12 (NIV).
2. G. Curtis Jones and Paul H. Hones, 500 Illustrations Stories from Life for Preaching and Teaching, Abingdon Press. Cited in Encounter magazine (ACTS Int. Australia, April-May, 2007.

Credit: Daily Encounter

Be Glad and Rejoice

A special and blessed good day to you all of my beautiful brothers and sisters. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it.

I am going to do things different this week. Instead of the usual narrative I am going to submit the Bible Verses for the day from the Daily Encounter and give you guys the words of one song every day that I trust will minister to your hearts.

I hope that it will truly be a blessing to all of you. I love you and God Bless.

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:41-43 NIV

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:13,14 KJV

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 NASB

Thanks be unto God for his indescribable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

The Prayer of Jabez : 1 Chronicles 4:9-10:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!".



(Musical )

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above all heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!!!!!


The Song:

Oh that you will bless me indeed
And enlarge my territory
That your Hand will be with me
And you will keep my heart from evil
AMEN!!!!

Oh that you will bless me indeed
And enlarge my territory
That your Hand will be with me
And you will keep my heart from evil
AMEN!!!!

Bless me Lord
Bless me Lord
So that I might be a blessing to the world

Oh that you will bless me indeed
And enlarge my territory
That your Hand will be with me
And you will keep my heart from evil
AMEN!!!!

Bless me Lord
Bless me Lord
So that I might be a blessing to the world
AMEN!!!!

(Musical )

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above all heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!!!!!


This prayer is simple but once its prayed with the right heart condition, is very effective.

Freedom from Guilt and Shame

"For God did not send his Son [Jesus] into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."1

Shame is similar to false guilt in that it is caused largely by someone who "shamed us" especially when we were young. That is, whenever we did something wrong, we got the message (verbal or non-verbal), "Shame on you." "You are a bad person." "You are a disappointment to me!" "I am so ashamed of you," etc., etc.

Such criticisms are psychologically damaging. As the old saying goes, "Give a dog a name and he will live up to it." People will too—especially if a person was constantly ridiculed, put down and shamed as a child.

True guilt says you have DONE badly but shame says you ARE bad. If a person comes to believe that he or she is a bad person, s/he will act badly. In real life we don't always act consistently with what we profess, but we always act consistently with what we believe. So if we believe we are a bad person, that's the way we will act.

When disciplining our children and confronting another person who has acted "badly," we need to "condemn" the deed NOT the person! Example: "I love you but what you have done [name it] makes me feel angry and/or very disappointed."

We need God's help so we will learn to treat others the way God treats us. While he hates our sin because it destroys those whom he loves (us), he loves the sinner and doesn't condemn or shame us. Shame and false guilt never come from God. They are man-induced.

Fortunately with God, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."2 When we confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness, and ask God's Son, Jesus Christ, to come into our heart and life as personal Lord and Savior, God forgives us fully and loves us totally. Again, false guilt and shame never come from God.

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you love me no matter what I have ever done or failed to do. Please forgive all my sins and, Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and life to be my personal Lord and Savior. Please help me to forgive myself and overcome all false guilt and shame and help me never to shame others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: If you prayed and asked God for forgiveness and asked Jesus to come into your heart and life, please let us know by going to: http://tinyurl.com/pgntm. If you need further help, click on: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Jesus (John 3:17, NIV).
2. The Apostle Paul (Romans 8:1).

Credit: Dait Encounter

100th Post!!!!

It surely is a very beautiful day. I have been wondering over the past couple of days what to write to you guys since reaching this milestone. As some of you may know, I started this Blog on December 31st 2006 and over the past 11mths or so life has truly been challenging.
I can not lie, I have been through so many trials and testings this past year I wondered to myslef - "What am I to learn from all of this?"

I have seen God personally take his own hands and delivered me from traps and absolute damnation. For this Lord I am forever endbeted to you. For my life, which you saved in August 2006 to my family and face which you saved in 2007.

Today I encourage all of you guys, dont give up. God is not like man. When he looks at us he does not see our faults but our needs. When he looks at us he sees what we can be in him and not who we currently are.

He truly is an awesome, loving and forgiving God. I am therefore truly humbled by his love for me INSPITE of my iniquities. I am truly humbled and blessed to be a child of the great King of Kings for he who is forgiven much, LOVES MUCH!!!!

To all of you who contributed to making this Blog a success in your own way, I thank you. To my friend Steups, thanks for all the love and support you have extended to me over the past year. To my other friends - Dana, Gabby, Quanda, Groovy and all others thank you and I love each and everyone of you.

To all the readers of this Blog, I truly wish that at least one of my posts has been a source of inspiration to you in one way or the other since this is the purpose of this Blog.

I am looking forward to continue to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into your lives and hearts.

Hold Tight

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, unto which you are called."1

I checked the following story on snopes.com but it wasn't listed, so I can't confirm it either way. At any rate it makes an excellent parable. According to the story: "On a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston in 1987, the pilot heard an unusual noise near the rear of the plane. Henry Dempsey turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went back to check it out. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had been improperly latched prior to take-off, and it flew open. Dempsey was instantly sucked out of the tiny jet.

"The co-pilot saw the red light that indicated an open door. He radioed the nearest airport requesting permission for an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane and wanted a helicopter to search the area. After the plane landed, the ground crew found Dempsey holding on to the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the ladder and held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet, and then, when landing, he kept his head from hitting the runway, which was only 12 inches away. "

In today's pressured world it is very easy to be "sucked into" all sorts of temptations—which, if we give in to them, could easily destroy us. So we need to hold on tenaciously to eternal values and the eternal life that God has given to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the strength and courage to hold on to you, to my faith, and to eternal values no matter what trials and temptations may come my way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:12).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Yes there are Angels!!!!

Morning guys, its truly wonderful to speak to you today. I got this email from my friend Theresca about a woman in Indiana and I would love to share it with you. I hope that this story will be a blessing. I Love You All!!! God Bless.

In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone. The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.

Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries. Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.

If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.

The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck.

The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck.

The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids.

She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning.

She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.

I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.

That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel. When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I averaged every night.

As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered. I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.

I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too.

I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.

When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes.

There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.... THE POWER OF PRAYER.

I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer: "Yes!". "Not yet." "I have something better in mind."God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar. You maybe going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you

in a way that you cannot imagine.

Be God for Me

”Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”1

In my counselor training and counseling days I participated in quite a few therapy groups of varying kinds. Some I found very helpful and others I could have done without. However on one occasion I was involved in a secular psychodrama (role-play) group with 25-30 participants.

We were sitting in a circle and a 30-something lady (whom I will call Janine) asked me if I would role play God for her. This was a secular group so why she picked on me I will never know (we hadn’t even met each other). I believe it had to be a God-thing. At any rate she placed a chair in the center of the circle and asked me to sit on it. I was rather nervous to put it mildly. I had never heard of anyone ever role-playing God. So I kept praying under my breath, “God help … God help.”

Janine got down on her knees in front of me and openly confessed that she had been a prostitute and asked for forgiveness. Immediately the words of Jesus came to my mind and I spoke them to Janine, “Your sins are forgiven.”

That was a courageous thing for Janine to do. It was the beginning of her healing. Unfortunately I never kept in contact with her but I hope and pray that she has, since then, genuinely sought to follow after God.

The point is whenever we sin, we are always left with guilt. Even if we repress it from conscious memory, it’s still there and it is a very unhealthy way to live, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The only cure is confession … to at least one trusting soul as well as to God. As God’s Word says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”2

Dear reader, if you have any unconfessed sin in your life, I urge you to see an understanding pastor, priest, trusted friend and/or Christian Counselor. Like David the Psalmist, who committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, when he confessed his sin, found God’s forgiveness and great release. You and I can do the same.*

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for loving me no matter what I have ever done and always forgiving me when I, with genuine sorrow, confess my sins. Help me always to find a trusting person to whom I can confess my sins and weaknesses—as well as confessing them to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

*For help be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

1. King David in Psalm 32:5 (NLT).
2. James 5:16 ( NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Learning to Pray the Right Prayer

"You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask [pray], you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives."1

Some time ago I took a psychological test that, among other things, measured how much I was in touch with my major emotions of love, wonder, guilt and fear. On a scale of 0 to 100 any score below 30 was considered repressed.

On fear I scored 5!

This concerned me because I knew that repressed fear could cause me to act out blindly by setting myself up to fail at work or in relationships. I didn't want to do that so I prayed earnestly that God would deliver me from my buried fear. However, I realized I was praying the wrong prayer. I was focusing on praying for deliverance from the symptom rather than from the cause, so I changed my prayer to:

"Dear God, my real prayer is that I don't want to face that fear. I'm too afraid. That's why I buried it. Please give me the courage to face and deal with the real cause/s of my fear/s."

The point I'm making is that we need to learn to be honest in our praying. For example, if I can't stand my neighbor and, wanting to impress God, piously ask him to bless my neighbor while in my heart I despise my neighbor, which prayer does God hear? He hears what my heart is saying. Only as I admit this can God help me to love my neighbor and bless him through me.

By the way, it took me two years to resolve the fear mentioned above. It was caused by the death of a sister that I loved dearly when I was a small child. My fear was that if I loved someone I might lose them. In time I discovered that I had a few more hidden fears to deal with as well. Since facing and resolving these fears, my close relationships have improved dramatically.

How can you tell if you have any buried fears? Look at any symptoms in your life. Do you have a pattern of failure at work or in relationships? Any phobias? Any floating anxieties that you have no idea where they are coming from? Any physical ills such as ulcers or any addictions that you may be using to avoid facing something you have buried?

And how do we overcome such fears? I don't know any easy solution but for me it began with a genuine desire to overcome them. Next, I needed to accept full responsibility for resolving my fears and stop blaming anyone else for them. Above all, I needed to ask God to help me to be honest with myself, to give me the courage to face my fears, and to lead me to the help I needed to overcome them.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the insight and courage to see and deal with any repressed or hidden fears in my life, and lead me to the help I need to overcome the causes of these. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. James 4:2-3 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

God Moves In Mysterious Ways

"For in the day of trouble he [God] will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."1

I have read that William Cowper, like many people today, suffered from times of deep melancholy and depression. One night when he was in a particularly dark mood of despair, he decided to take his life by jumping into the Thames River.

That night the city of London was blanketed with an extremely heavy fog and Mr. Cowper, searching to find the river, lost his way. Stumbling blindly through the fog he was dumbfounded when he found himself on the doorstep of his own home. Going to his room he penned the words of the beautiful hymn:

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me in my times of despair and depression to trust in you. Hide me in the shelter of your love and lead me to the place of help that I need. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. King David (Psalm 27:5, NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Faith Versus Presumption

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."1

Some time ago I read how, when Norman and Melissa "C" stopped making payments on their Hartford, Connecticut house, the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) began foreclosure proceedings.

The Camerons contacted FNMA officials to explain why they had stopped making payments on their $54,000 mortgage: God told them they could. "It was our desire to be free from this mortgage debt," the Camerons told the court overseeing the foreclosure. "Therefore we asked God our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He heard us and He freed us from this mortgage bondage."

According to this report, the FNMA officials made it clear that they would continue with foreclosure proceedings until they, too, are contacted by God.

This illustration is certainly extreme but I have heard others claim "God" had told them to do such and such, and before long "God" was telling them the opposite. Sometimes some people justify what they want to do by claiming "God" told them this was the right thing to do. This is not faith. It is presumption. Faith only applies to prayer that is in harmony with God's will.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, please give me sense enough to know the difference between faith and presumption, and to always ensure that my prayers are in harmony with your will. Thank you that when I pray this way, you always hear and answer my prayers. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

The Thrill of Temptation

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men [and women] of courage; be strong."1

Kent Edwards wrote how the tuna fish "were running for the first time in forty-seven years only thirty miles off Cape Cod."2 They were apparently biting furiously so many would-be tuna fishermen in their excitement to catch a large tuna ignored Coast Guard warnings. What they didn't realize was that the problem didn't lie in hooking a tuna but landing it in the boat.

One boat, the Christi Anne, capsized while battling with a large tuna. The same day another boat, Basic Instinct, met with the same fate. And Official Business was swamped when trying to land its catch. The tuna pulled the boat below the surface of the water.

What these fishermen didn't realize was the power of large tuna fish. That's pretty much like what temptation does to us. At first it can seem very exciting and enticing but once we take the bait, we're the ones that get hooked and it can quickly overpower us and pull us under.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be always on guard so that I will avoid the lure of temptation and not get hooked or entrapped by it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV).2. Kent Edwards. Cited in Encounter magazine (ACTS Australia), January 2007.

Credit: Daily Encounter

The Why of Materialism

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."1

Many years ago Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929) said: "While sitting on the bank of a river one day, I picked up a solid round stone from the water and broke it open. It was perfectly dry in spite of the fact that it had been immersed in water for centuries. The same is true of many people in the Western world. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity; they live immersed in the waters of its benefits. And yet it has not penetrated their hearts; they do not love it. The fault is not in Christianity, but in men's hearts, which have been hardened by materialism and intellectualism."

Intellectualism (this does not mean being intellectual) can be and often is a defense against facing one's reality, and used as a means to rationalize the belief system we want and choose to believe. If we intellectualize or rationalize away God, then we can deceive ourselves into believing that we are ultimately only responsible to ourselves. In so doing we harden our hearts against truth and reality.

Materialism is often a symptom of buried emotions, especially the emotion of wonder. Instead of finding fulfillment in the wonder and beauty of creation and nature, we get wrapped up in things. As the saying goes, instead of loving people and using things we end up unhappily loving things and using people. Another way to harden our hearts and a dangerous way to live.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be totally honest with myself and with you and learn how to enjoy the beauty of your creation and the simple things of life and therein protect my heart from becoming hardened. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Jesus (Luke 12:15, NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

God of the Ordinary

Hey morning guys, I am truly blessed to share this message with you today. When I saw this it brought tears to my eyes and joy in my heart because almost on a daily basis I too fell like I am unworthy of God's mercies and blessings. I am unworthy of his call on my life and because of this thinking I have limited God's work in my life just like the eagle who thought that he was a chicken.

So guys any-time the devil comes around reminding you of where you were, what you have done, and making you feel like you are unworthy, remind him of who your God is and what he has done for you on Calvary and continues to do and how special and precious you are to the Great King of Kings.

I really hope that this will bless you. I love you all and God Bless.

"For many are called, but few are chosen."1

"There are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use many of us, but don't worry. We're in good company! As another has shared:

• Moses stuttered;


• David's armor didn't fit;


• John Mark was rejected by Paul;


• Hosea's wife was a prostitute;


• Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning;


• Jacob was a liar;


• David had an affair;


• Solomon was too rich;


• Abraham was too old;


• David was too young;


• Timothy had ulcers;


• Peter was afraid of death;


• Lazarus was dead;


• John was self-righteous;


• Jesus was too poor;


• Naomi was a widow;


• Paul was a murderer;


• So was Moses;


• Jonah ran from God;


• Miriam was a gossip;


• Gideon and Thomas both doubted;


• Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal;


• Elijah was burned out;


• John the Baptist was a loudmouth;


• Martha was a worrywart;


• Samson had long hair;


• Noah got drunk;


• Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did.

Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM."

Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross.

He doesn't calculate what you did last year. Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like."2

Perhaps today's Scripture could be interpreted as follows:

"For many are called, but few prove themselves to be chosen." In fact, God calls every one of us to follow and serve him. If he waited until we were fully mature, whole and complete, he wouldn't get anything done. He will use us exactly as we are as long as we are available and willing to be used. In so doing we will then prove ourselves to be chosen ones.

Suggested prayer: "Heavenly Father God, I'm available—warts and all—please use me to be a part of what you are doing in the world today. Help me to keep growing so I can, with your help, become more usable. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Jesus (Matthew 22:14).

2. Author Unknown.

Credit: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Daily Encounter

What You Think—You Are

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."1

There's an old fable that talks about a man who found an eagle's egg and put it in a nest of a barnyard hen. The eagle hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them. All his life, the eagle did what the barnyard chicks did, thinking he was a barnyard chicken.
He scratched the earth for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he would thrash his wings and fly a few feet in the air.

Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird above him in the cloudless sky. It glided in graceful majesty among powerful wind currents, with scarcely a beat of its strong golden wings. The old eagle looked up in awe. "Who's that?" he asked. "That's the eagle, the king of the birds," said his neighbor. "He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth—we're chickens."

So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that's what he thought he was.

How sad when we who are children of the King live as chickens when we could fly with the eagles.

As the old saying goes, "You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to wait upon and hope in you and see realized in my life all that you have for me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV).

2. Anthony DeMello from A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Copyright 1997 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty and Meladee McCarty.

" Never Too Old "

A blessed good morning to all of you my brothers and sisters in the Lord, this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.

OK as you guys know Sunday was my birthday, I am a year older and a lot wiser too. I went to church service and things were revealed to me in more than one way that I never knew before. People (including myself) were also delivered from sins that easily beset us and deter us from our walk with and the work of the Lord.

So here I am (again) ready and rearing to go, LOL!!! I stumbled upon an article from the Daily Encounter, I hope it will be a blessing to you as it has been to me.

GOD BLESS.

Oh and to all my readers thank you!!!!

So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."1

We are never too old to serve the Lord. Caleb, forty-five years earlier, was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land and one of the two who came back with a glowing report. At age eighty-five he still wants to serve the Lord.
Admittedly, folks lived much older back then but no matter how old we are (except for extenuating circumstances), we are never too old to serve the Lord—even if all we can do is pray.

According to Today in the Word, "Cervantes completed Don Quixote when he was nearing 70. Clara Barton, at 59, founded the American Red Cross. Goethe finished the dramatic poem 'Faust' at 82. Verdi composed 'Othello' at 73, 'Falstaff' in his late seventies. Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister of England for the second time at 70."
When it comes to achieving anything worthwhile (especially serving God), it is availability—not age-ability—that counts.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available, please make me usable and use me every day in some way to be a part of what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Caleb (Joshua 14:10-12, NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Me, happy birthday to me!!!! YEAH!!!!

OK I know today is the 11th and my birthday is the 14th but hey..... I am in celebration mode and very grateful to the heavenly father for allowing me to live to see another year (thank you Lord).

So I don't know what my family has planned for me BUT I know its going to be FANTASTIC!!!! I hope that it entails me jumping on a plane and going Tobago or Salybia (lol, I hope). Anywayz.... whatever it is I know its going to be special cause I will be sharing my special day with people that I deeply love.

God Bless!!!!

Hey check me out backk in the day when I was like 3 or 4yrs and don't laugh you hear? LOL I have truly come a long way (thank you God).

Passing of a Soul

Hi All Ok so yesterday while we were celebrating my big sister's birthday my grandmother's elder sister passed away. It was no surprise to the family because she was ailing since June. What shook me is that I wondered where her soul has gone to.

You know some people don’t believe that there is a heaven and a hell. I would hear people say that heaven and hell are on this earth but I beg to differ.

No one can truly look me in the eye and say that we were placed here on the earth to just please our own selfish needs and desires. No one can tell me that we evolved from 'Ape'. No one can tell me when you die you are finished or that hell is in the grave, it simply makes no sense.

Do you really believe that life is just about getting a good education, a great job or business, getting married and having a family and gaining as much material wealth you possible can? Is that all we are worth?

Material things that thieves break in and steal and moth destroy? Or when we die someone just comes and takes over from where we left off? Well I beg to differ. I believe that we were put on this earth for a much greater purpose and somewhere along things got distorted. I truly believe that I am better than what material things I possess. I truly believe that I am better than what people's perception of me is. I truly believe that all of us are destined for greatness which far surpasses this present 'world'.

There is life after death and there is something even better waiting for each and every one of us who truly believe.All I have to do now is act on this belief and let God do his work. LOL

God Bless