Topped Up

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."1

For any readers who have visited SouthernCalifornia during the New Year, you would probably be aware of and may have seen the incredible New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena. Millions around the world have also seen the parade via TV.

An amusing thing happened in one year's parade when one beautifully decorated float suddenly came to a stand-still. It ran out of fuel!

The irony was that this float was entered by and represented the Standard Oil Company-one of the largest fuel companies of North America. With all their vast oil and gasoline resources they failed to make sure their own vehicle was running on full.

I wonder how often do we—with all the vastresources of God and heaven at our disposal—try to run on an empty love, joy and peace tank when, if we truly trusted God and followed his instructions for getting these needs met, would be certain to keep topped up? And how often do we try to run on an empty spiritual tank by neglecting to spend time with the Lord in worship, praise and daily devotions?

Let us make sure each day that we live inharmony with God's will and his ways so we keep "topped up" and have our love, joy and peace tank filled and running over!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be faithful all year in spending time with you every day in worship, praise, your Word, and prayer; and walk in obedience to make certain I am filled with your Spirit and have my life "topped up" and overflowing with your love, joy and peace, and spread your Son-shine wherever I go. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 15:5 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

When All Else Fails

"When he [the prodigal son] came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father."1

In his One-Minute Uplift email newsletter Rick Ezell writes, "In the highlands of Scotland sheep often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they can't get out of. The grass on these mountains tastes very sweet, and the sheep like it. They will jump down ten or twelve feet to a ledge with a patch of grass, and then they can't jump back up again. The shepherd hears them bleating in distress. The shepherd may leave them there for days, until they have eaten all the grass and are so faint that they cannot stand. Only then will the shepherd put a rope around the sheep and pull them up out of the jaws of death.

"Why doesn't the shepherd attempt a rescue when the sheep first get into the predicament? The sheep are so foolish and so focused on eating that they would dash away from the shepherd, go over the precipice and destroy themselves.

"Such is the case with us. Sometimes we need to experience a little bit of death before we can enjoy the abundance of life. The Lord will rescue us the moment we have given up trying, realizing that we can't liberate ourselves, and cry to him for help."2

For many of us, like the prodigal son, it's only when all else fails and we hit rock bottom, that we turn to God for help but that's a good thing because only God can rescue us from the jaws of eternal death and damnation.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when I finally admit that I have a problem—that I am a sinner—and need help, I discover that you have been waiting patiently for me to come to you so you could rescue and save me from the tragic consequences of sin which is eternal death and separation from you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

1. Luke 15:17-20 (NIV).

2. Rick Ezell, Defining Moments,

© 2001. Cited on PreachingNow Ezine. www.preaching.com/preaching/preachingnow.html

Credit: Daily Encounter

I Love You 2

It is truly a great blessing and honour to come before you today in the holy name of Jesus Christ. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.

A few weeks ago I gave the words of the song below and I did not know the name of the singer (I dont know if she wrote the song). Well I found out her name. Her name is Angie Brown (I don't know if its short for Angela) she is the wife of pastor Clint Brown of Faith World Center of Orlando. So for you who missed the it enjoy.

I Really Love You Lord
You alone I adore
There is nothing I want more than You
You are the one who cares
You alone are always there
There is none who can compare with You
I Love You
I Love You!!!!

The Empty Promise of Promiscuity

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."1

"Recently I've become promiscuous," began 20-year-old Ellen's sad email. "I've been boy crazy for as long as I can remember. My father left my life when I was twelve. My mom worked long hours and had little time for my brother and me after our parents divorced. I don't understand why I feel I can't function without a significant other in my life. I had a baby when I was 16, married at 17, and now I'm 20 and divorced. I'm searching for a 'soul mate' and I'm in love with the idea of love. It's ruining my morals and my values. I feel empty. Can you help?"

The above message was sent to a counselor friend of mine, Dr. Bruce Narramore. Tragically, situations like this in today's permissive society are far too common where so many lonely people seek to fill the empty void and hunger in their heart with false substitutes such as meaningless sex and empty relationships—both of which serve only to increase their sense of despair.

Bruce said, "I encouraged Ellen to seek help to gain an understanding of some of the causes of her problems. I pointed out how the void left by losing her dad and mom programmed her to feel an unusually deep need for human connection which was probably the driving force behind her promiscuity and excessive need for a man in her life. I also told her she could never fill the void coming from those childhood losses through a sexual relationship or even through marriage. We can't fill childhood voids with adult relationships. That is like pouring water through sand. The water is temporarily cooling but soon vanishes. If Ellen doesn't reverse this pattern, she will go through life trying to find the parents she lost through one tragic relationship after another.

"Ironically, not until Ellen becomes emotionally and spiritually strong enough to live without a man will she be ready for a healthy relationship. At that point she will be a mature adult ready for an adult relationship, rather than an emotional child searching for a lost daddy. And she will no longer 'be in love with the idea of love' which is simply a childish fantasy. Instead, she will be ready to love and be loved by a real person."2

Fortunately, Ellen admitted that she had a problem and needed help. She did seek counseling to help her resolve her childhood losses. We trust that she is now well on the road to recovery and ready for healthy relationships. Ellen's situation is a reminder to all who have unresolved losses that they also need to resolve their losses so they can get off the endless merry-go-round of seeking to fill the empty void in their heart by looking for love in all the wrong faces and places and by trying to fill their void with "things" instead of healthy relationships.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to admit to any unhealthy relationships and/or behaviors in my life, see the cause/s of these, and find the help I need to overcome so that I will grow in maturity and learn to fully live and fully love so my life will be a clean channel through which your love can flow to others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

1. Matthew 11:28 (NIV).
2. Narramore, Bruce, Project Letter of the Narramore Christian Foundation.

Credit: Daily Encounter

Come Apart and Rest a While

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"1

"According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.

"Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, 'Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows imply.'

"The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, 'If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.'"2

So many of us today, including me, (at least in the Western world) are bogged down with being too busy. Much of life seems to be controlled by the tyranny of the urgent—unforeseen crises or needs that daily pop up unexpectedly—all of which are a vivid reminder that I, too, need to "come apart and rest a while—before I come apart." Even Jesus and his disciples, in the midst of their busy ministry, needed to take time out to get some rest. Dare we do less? There are times when we, too, need to loosen the bow.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the reminder that I need, not only to be diligent in my work and service, but also to take time to get needed rest every day. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

1. Mark 6:30-31 (NIV).

2. Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994

Credit: Daily Encounter

Overcoming Alcoholism

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."1

June (name changed), A Daily Encounter reader, writes, "My daughter has been suffering from mental illness (schizophrenia) since she was 20. She has been on medication for 7 years. Because of her illness I took to drinking so I could get to sleep at night. Now I'm addicted to alcohol and can't break the habit. I've been trying for two years to overcome but to no avail. Can you please help?

Unfortunately this anguished mother is not alone. In a survey report from George Barna: "One out of every eight (12%) noted that they are 'dealing with an addiction' that personally haunts them."2

Following is what I suggested to June: Giving up any addiction is never easy and you need to realize that you can't overcome this kind of struggle in your own strength or by going it alone. We're not meant to do this. The Bible teaches us to "bear one another's burdens." This is why you need the support of understanding "fellow strugglers" such as those in an AA (Alcohol Anonymous) support group—as well as God's help.

Oftentimes, too, there is a deeper hidden cause behind addictions. So I suggest that you ask God if there is a deeper cause that he will reveal this to you. Also ask God to lead you to the help you need to resolve this cause as well as overcome your addiction.

I also urge you to join an AA twelve-step support group as this can be a vital part of your recovery.

For Alcoholic Anonymous (and other addictive) Groups your pastor, doctor or the social services in your area should be able to tell you how to find and contact a local AA group. Or you can get information from the AA web site at http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/.
For additional counseling resources go to: http://www.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php

Whatever you do, don't try to go it alone. We all need understanding and support at times like this. You have taken the first step by saying, "I have a problem—I need help."

The second step (if you haven't already done this) is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior* so you can be honest with God and pray for his help.

The third step is to join an AA twelve-step support group. The Fourth step is to find and join a loving, understanding and accepting church that has support groups for struggling members. And, if necessary, the fifth step may be to seek the help of a qualified, well-trained professional counselor.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whatever problem I have, please give me the courage to admit that I have this problem (name it) and that I need help. And please lead me to the help I need to overcome so my life will bring glory to your name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

*NOTE. To accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be sure you are a real Christian go to: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV).
2. Barna Research Group, http://tinyurl.com/j3p5f.

Credit: Daily Encounter

Letter from Hell!!!

Guys my husband got this video from Youtube and I think that it is very important and relevant to every believer. If we truly say that we Love Jesus Christ we would also Love his creation and minister to as many people as possible of Jesus' Love for us all.




God Bless