Before it was said

Good afternoon my beautiful brothers and sisters. I don't know about you but I am blessed in so many many ways. It is truly a great honour to come to you today in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!!!

You know sometimes when I feel like all is lost, nothing is going my way and I feel like being difficult (yes I get like that, still maturing) I pull out my Have I Ever Told You CD and listen to some good ministering in song.

The last time I shared with you guys one of my favourite songs - On My Cross (I just love that song it really ministers to my soul). Today I am going to share with you another song from the Have I Ever Told You CD called Before it was said.

Please let these words minister to you as you meditate on them.

God Bless.

Everyday I sit and pray to God above

That You'll watch over me and my family

But Everyday I seem to pray the same old thing

In the same old way, and I start to think

That maybe I should change

And find something better to say

But I've learned to believe

You always hear me when I pray

So I get down on my knees

Cause I'm stronger than these

Voices inside of my head

They try to deceive me

And make me believe

That I would be better instead

To take my requests and put them to rest

But You're already one step ahead

You knew just what I would say

Before it was said

Every night I lie awake wondering

If You're listening to every heartbeat

You've told me that You know the deepest part of me

And You'll watch over me and my family

So I guess I shouldn't change

Cause You hear every word that I say

And I know You are here

When I come to You this way

So I guess I shouldn't change

Cause You hear every word that I say

And I knew You were here

When I knelt down today

So I get down on my knees

Cause I'm stronger than these

Voices inside of my head

They try to deceive me

And make me believe

That I would be better instead

To take my requests and put them to rest

But You're already one step ahead

You knew just what I would say

Before it was said

Thanks be to the Lord our God for giving us his son Jesus Christ which is the object of our Faith. The ONLY Faith that Saves is Faith in Him.

The Voice of God Within

"In the beginning God ...."

"God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'"1

"In his classic novel Crime and Punishment, Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky tells the story of a young man who rejects the existence of God. This young man murders an old woman. Believing there is no righteous God who will judge, and therefore no absolute standard of right and wrong, he knows that he should not feel guilty. However, he is consumed with a sense of guilt until he confesses his crime and hands his life over to the God he once rejected."2

In many cases, if not in most, atheism is more likely to be a moral issue rather than an intellectual issue. If one believes in God, he knows that he is morally responsible and cannot live as he pleases without struggling with a guilty conscience. On the other hand, if one doesn't believe in God, he rationalizes that he is not morally responsible to anyone and can live according to his own rules or as he pleases. In living this way there is always the danger of deadening one's conscience and silencing the voice of God within.

If there weren't a God—a Higher Authority—why would we even have a conscience and instinctively know that we are morally responsible and accountable?

The very first sentence in God's Word the Bible says, "In the beginning God ..."3 and later it says, "for in him we live and move and have our being."1 Either we believe in God or we become a god unto ourselves and live according to our own standards. Imagine the chaos and destruction if everyone in the world lived as a law unto himself.

The critical issue for all of us is that we know God and live according to his standards as found in his Word, the Bible, for "blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."4 For help to find and know God go to: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open the eyes of my understanding so that I will see and know that you are the God of all creation—which includes me—so that I can and will say to you in all confidence, 'My LORD and my God.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Acts 17:27-28 (NKJV)
2. Joe Boot, Searching for Truth, © 2002. Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com/. Cited on "A Slice of Infinity," www.rzim.org/slice/slice.php
3. Genesis 1:1.
4. Psalm 33:12 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

STOP COMPLAINING!!!

Mind Diseases

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord [enthusiastically]."1

There are two serious diseases of the mind that most, if not all of us, will encounter at some time. These diseases have been the cause of ineffectiveness and the death of innumerable churches, organizations, businesses, individuals and nations!

They can afflict the young but mostly those who are above 40. The symptoms are often obvious to outsiders but usually totally oblivious to those inflicted with either of these diseases.

The first disease is "homeostatus" which is a clinging to the status quo with a refusal to change no matter what. The ancient Israelites suffered from this disease when God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. When things got tough on their road to "recovery," they doubted God and wanted to go back to Egypt. Crazy, you say, but that's what they wanted. As the saying goes, "Better the devil you know than the one you don't know!"

The other disease is "psychosclerosis," a hardening of the attitudes. This disease is equally destructive. Its symptoms can be varied such as legalism, rigidity, arrogance, apathy, Phariseeism, having a closed mind and so on. It is just as deadly as homeostatus.

We need God's wisdom and insight to guard against these crippling diseases. They are two of the enemy's powerful weapons designed to render us ineffective in God's causes.

The remedy? Daily commit and trust your life and way to God, know what his Word, the Bible, teaches and genuinely seek to live in harmony with his will. Ask God every day to keep your eyes open and keep you on the "Truth Road."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the mind diseases of homeostatus and psychosclerosis. And in the words of the song writer: 'O Lord please light the fire / That once burned bright and clear / Replace the lamp of my first love / That burned with holy fear.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Paul, in Romans 12:11 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

LOVE!!!!

Good Afternoon to all of God's beautiful Creation. This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.

You know sometimes its so easy to lash out at others when you have been misunderstood or to misjudge people when you don't know the entire truth of a matter.

Instead of judging others and retaliating when you feel as if you are being attacked. Let all of us look at Jesus' example when he was falsely accused and totally humiliated for us. His love covers a multitude of Sin and as him we must also Love.

When I feel disagreeable and disobedient and I just want to be in self and the flesh I always listen to this song that I love so deeply because it really ministers to my heart as to what our Saviour really did for all of us. Then I wonder why do we really waste our time on trivial things when we all have so much work to do in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

So next time you feel like your brother or sister is doing wrong either to you or in their lives generally or if you feel that you are being unfairly judged or attacked, instead of getting angry or being judgemental - Pray for that person, that Christ will come into their heart and open up their eyes to see their faults or wrong doing.

Thanks be unto God for giving us his only begotten Son (Jesus) who is the object of our Faith, the only Faith that saves is Faith in him.

God Bless

How wide is your LOVE?
That you would stretch your arms and go around the world;
And why, for me the Saviour’s cry they heard;
I don’t know;
Why You went where I was meant to go;
I don’t know;

Why You Love me so?

Those were my nails;
That was my crown;
That pierced your hands and your brow.
Those were my thorns;
Those were my scorns;
Those were my tears that fell down.

And just as you said it would be;
You did it all for me.
And after you counted the cost;
You took my shame, my blame;
On my Cross

How deep is your Grace?
You could see my need and choose to take my place;
And, there for me;
These words I hear you say;
"Father no forgive them for they know not what they do;
I will go;
Because I love them so."

Those were my nails;
That was my crown;
That pierced your hands and your brow.
Those were my thorns;
Those were my scorns;
Those were my tears that fell down.

And just as you said it would be;
You did it all for me.
And after you counted the cost;
You took my shame, my blame;
On my Cross.

Who Are You Working For?

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."1

No matter whose employ we are in every one of us is working for him or herself. We delude ourselves if we think otherwise.

I have read that when former astronaut Frank Borman became head of Eastern Airlines, he was determined to make the service of his company the best in the industry. On one occasion he noticed an employee sitting with his feet perched on a desk ignoring the telephone which was ringing relentlessly.

"Aren't you going to answer the phone," Borman asked.

"This isn't my department," the employee answered without any hint of concern. "I work in maintenance."

"Not anymore you don't," Borman barked.

It's the person who is faithful in the little things who gets entrusted with bigger and better responsibilities.

That is true in both man's economy and God's. As Christians in the hereafter we won't be judged for our sins as Christ took that judgment on himself at Calvary. But we will be rewarded according to our faithfulness in serving the Lord here on earth.

It pays to be faithful and dependable in all our responsibilities. As another has said, "The greatest ability is dependability." Of equal importance is response-ability!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me today and always to be ever ready to serve and glorify you in everything I am and do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. King Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 9:10, (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Prayer of Jabez

"Oh that you would bless me wonderfully."1

One very effective prayer I was taught in my youth was: "Dear God, today I commit and trust my life and way to you as I do that of my family (stating their names)." I have prayed that prayer daily ever since.

To that prayer I have added another powerful prayer based on a prayer from an almost unknown character, Jabez, whose name, as far as I know, is mentioned in only one chapter in the Bible.

He prayed to the God of Israel: 'Oh, that you would bless me wonderfully. Please be with me in everything I do. Greatly expand my borders and keep me from all evil and disaster.'"
The result? "God granted him his request!"

I can't always see how God is leading and blessing me especially at those times when I feel my prayers don't go any higher than the ceiling. However, as I look back over my life I can see how God has blessed me wonderfully and greatly "expanded my borders" more than I ever dreamed possible.

I encourage you also to commit and trust your life and the lives of your loved ones to God and pray the prayer Jabez prayed—every day. I've done this for many years and plan to continue doing so every day for as long as I live. Do this and God will grant you your request too.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, O that you would bless me and my family wonderfully again today. Please be with us in everything we do. Greatly expand our (Christian) borders and keep us from all evil and disaster. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Chronicles 4:10.

www.actsweb.org/acts_in_action.php.

Credit: Daily Encounter

NEWBORN'S CONVERSATION WITH GOD

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless? God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

Anger and Forgiveness

"Don't let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly."1

Probably the biggest barrier we have to forgiving those who hurt us is unresolved hurt and anger. More often than not, where there is hurt, there is anger. Both need to be resolved.

Unresolved or buried anger is extremely destructive. This is why the Bible teaches us to resolve it as quickly as possible. Unless we do, it can turn into resentment, bitterness, hostility, and even rage if enough of it is bottled up for long enough. It is destructive to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. It is also very damaging to relationships and can lead to deep depression.

Being angry of itself is not sinful. It's how we handle it that is either right or wrong, creative or destructive. No matter what the other person does to me, my anger is always my issue and my responsibility. Nobody makes me angry without my permission.

Anger needs to be directed to its source and felt and expressed (not just talked about) in creative ways. Wherever possible it pays to express these feelings to the one who hurt us remembering to "speak the truth in love."2 Where this isn't appropriate, we can write out our feelings as David often did in the Psalms, and then burn or throw away what we have written.

Or we can express them to a trusted friend or counselor. Whatever we do we need to express them creatively and get them off our chest once and for all. This then clears the way for forgiveness; for as long as we nurse grudges (sit on our anger) we can never forgive anyone.
As Paul said, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger!" Don't sit on it. Don't deny it. Don't bury and don't repress it. Express it in healthy ways. And remember, what we fail to talk out creatively we will inevitably act out destructively in one way or another. For further help read, "Taming Your Anger" at: http://tinyurl.com/b439f.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, when I feel angry, please help me to express it creatively without blaming others for my reaction. And help me always to speak the truth in love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Paul, in Ephesians 4:26 (TLB). 2. Ephesians 4:15.

Credit: Daily Encounter

5 Finger Prayer

Good morning to all of you my beautiful brothers and sisters. This is the Day that the Lord has Made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.

This is so neat. I had never heard this before. My friend Gailann sent this for me and I loved it so much I decided to share it with you guys. It's beautiful and surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.


1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.


3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.


4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.


5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.


Credit: Gailann