Happy Monday

Flea the Pea!

(By Greg Allen)

Charles Spurgeon told the story of a preacher who was strolling through a village. As he walked along, he saw a man going down the road with a herd of pigs following in line behind him like sheep following behind a shepherd. This was a very unusual sight, because pigs, ordinarily, are very self-centered, independent creatures that never follow anyone. So the preacher asked, "Sir, how do you get those pigs to follow you like that?"

 "Oh, it's easy," the farmer said. "I have a sack full of peas in my pocket; and I just keep walking, occasionally dropping a pea on the road behind me. The pigs follow along wherever I drop a pea and gobble it up, never caring where I'm leading them."  "That's very clever!" said the pastor. "By the way; where are you leading them?" And the man said, "To the butcher's shop, of course."  The devil often follows the same strategy. The Bible warns us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8; NKJV). But he rarely carries a big sign that says, "Follow me, so I can devour you." He knows we wouldn't follow him if he was that obvious. Instead, he works subtly to draw us away from God's good will for our lives.  Just like the farmer in that story, the devil drops little, fleshly temptations in front of us through the elements of our culture: a suggestive movie or television show here; an off-color story or inappropriate joke there; a seductive advertisement or pop song here; a pornographic magazine or web page there. And if we aren't alert, we follow along behind, picking such things up and thinking, "I can handle this. This isn't so bad. It's just a little pea, after all. It tastes good. Who's it going to hurt? Who's going to care? Who's going to know?" We gobble these tempting little "peas" up, one after another; never realizing that they're forming a straight line that is leading us down a slippery slope to destruction and loss.  The answer that the Bible gives to such things is summed up in one word:  "Flee" (1 Corinthians 6:18).
As followers of Jesus Christ, let's remember the devil's strategy; and by His help, let's "FLEE THE PEA!" 

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Daily Smile:

"What's your father's occupation?" asked the school secretary on the first day of registration.
 "He's a magician," said the new boy.
 "How exciting. What's his best trick?"
 "He saws people in half."
 "How impressive! Now, do you have any brothers or sisters?"
 "Yep...one half brother and two half sisters." 

Happy Sunday

How To Go To Heaven

The vast majority of people living today believe that there is another place beyond this world. There is. Don Piper experienced it.
In his book 90 Minutes in Heaven, Don made a decision to take a different route home from a church growth conference that he attended in 1989. It didn't seem like an important choice at the time, but it turned out to be one that changed his life. Waiting down an East Texas highway on his way back to Houston was a large truck that took his life.
In retrospect, the decision to take a different route might appear to be a crucial one. But the most important decision in Don's life occurred NOT on his drive home but when he accepted Christ as Lord at the age of sixteen. Deciding to accept Christ meant Don had an eternal home in Heaven no matter when he died. Acknowledging Christ as Savior guarantees that you will spend eternity with Him.
So, if Jesus is our Savior, what is He "saving" us from? He saves us from the consequences of our sin, which would not allow us into Heaven, but instead send us to death and Hell. The Bible says, "That the wages (the results, the price, the consequences) of sin is death." Romans 6:23. And those who die without Christ will sadly go to Hell. Hell is a lot of horrible things: fire, darkness, torment; but most importantly, it is eternal separation from God. Never being able to experience God is the most frightful aspect of Hell. And it is just as real as Heaven. There are actually more references to Hell in the Bible than to Heaven.
But thanks be to God ... Through Christ's death on the cross, we can be saved from Hell and go to Heaven when we leave this world!
So, what must you do to be saved? Glad you asked that question. The Bible contains the answer.
Here's is what God's Word has to say:
First, you must realize that our disobedience keeps us out of Heaven. Everyone at one time or another breaks God's laws (sins against Him). The Bible says,
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23
But there is some Good News! God is Holy, and our sins cause us to be distanced from Him. We need to be reconciled; the gap must be bridged. Jesus is the bridge back to God. He died in our place and for our sins.
"God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
This salvation is a free gift. We'll never be "good" enough to earn it, but God is willing to give it to us anyway. That's called "grace." But like any gift, it has to be received. There is a giver (that's God) and a receiver (that's you).
Here's the biggest step you must take:
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16:31
"If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
That means you must truly believe that Jesus is who He said He was: the Son of God … that He died on the cross for your sins (He had no sin, so He did not deserve to die.) You need to believe that He conquered death … that He rose from the grave and even now is completing Heaven for us.
This Good News has often been summed up in these important words from the Bible:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever (that's you) believes in Him should not perish (die), but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Heaven can be yours … eternal life with God in His Holy place, never-ending joy, freedom from pain, suffering, loneliness, tears, death, and sadness.
The gift is available just by accepting it. Prayer is talking to God, so it's time to pray. Here's an idea of what you might want to say to Him, but you can use your own words. It's a personal petition from you to God:
Dear God,
I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, and is alive today. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Help me to live a meaningful and purposeful life until You call me home to be with You in Heaven someday. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
And speaking of Heaven...the Bible says the angels rejoice when one is born into the kingdom of God. If you prayed this prayer, believing the words as you said them, the angels are singing your name right now! They're announcing that one day you will be coming to Glory to be with Jesus and all the others who have gone before us. Praise God, Heaven is yours!
There are some things you need to do here on earth until that glorious day when you go to be with the Lord in Heaven.

• Tell others about your decision with your mouth and your life.
  If you just got a new car wouldn't you want others to know about it? Then how much more should we want others to know about this life-changing decision? Share your faith, and live for Christ so that others may see Jesus in you. (In fact, e-mail us at donpiperministries@yahoo.com and share your decision with us.)
  
• Get involved with a local body of believers, a church. There is strength in the family of God: worshipping together, studying God's Word together, and serving others together. But remember, a church is composed of imperfect people. Even the most devoted congregations struggle with their own human weakness sometimes. Be patient as you search for a church and ask God to guide you.
  
• Get a Bible and read it faithfully.It is God's instruction book on this life and the one to come. It is filled with guidance, wisdom and wonderful truth.
  
• Pray each day.Talking with God is one of life's greatest privileges and joys. God created us for fellowship with Him. We get to know one another through conversation. Talking to God is a wonderful blessing.

Congratulations on your decision for Christ!
Jesus is who He said He was. He told His followers in John 14 as He approached His own death, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, you will be also. In my Father's House are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, you will be also. And you know where I am going and you know how to get there."
His follower Thomas replied, "But Lord, we don't know where you're going, and we don't know how to get there."
Jesus said, "I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life. No man comes unto the Father but through me.'
You now have an eternal home in Heaven someday because you know the Way! All paths do not lead to Heaven. Jesus leads to heaven.
As Don often says to audiences when he completes his testimony... "I pray I will see you again this side of Glory; but if that is not to be, I pray that I will see you at the Gate."
May the Lord richly bless you,
Don Piper Ministries

Ye Must Be Born Again

Listen To Music Just Click: http://nethymnal.org/htm/y/e/yemustbe.htm

A ruler once came to Jesus by night
To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Master made answer in words true and plain,
“Ye must be born again.”

Refrain

      “Ye must be born again,
      Ye must be born again,
       I verily, verily, say unto thee,
      Ye must be born again.”

Ye children of men, attend to the Word,
So solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord;
And let not this message to you be in vain,
“Ye must be born again.”

Refrain

O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest,
The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
“Ye must be born again.”

Refrain

A dear one in Heaven thy heart yearns to see,
At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee,
Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
“Ye must be born again.”

Refrain

Daily Smile:

A police officer was investigating an accident on a two-lane, narrow road in which the drivers had hit virtually head-on.

One driver, an extremely elderly woman, kept repeating, "He wouldn't let me have my half of the road!"

After gathering as much information as possible, he angrily approached the other driver, who was examining his own damage. The police officer asked, "That old lady says that you wouldn't let her have her half of the road. Why not?

In exasperation, the man turns from his smashed car and says, "Officer, I would have been HAPPY to give her half of the road --- if she had just let me know WHICH half she wanted!!!!"

Happy Saturday

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 301 

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7, 8)

Is God able to fulfill the things that you read in the above verses? Yes, he is! And he does it countless times in the lives of believers. Doesn't mean that believers don't fall sick or get injured. But the restraining hand of God prevents what would have been catastrophic.

Jabez prayed to God,
"Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.(1 Chronicles 4:10)(NIV)

...keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain....That' s a neat little prayer we can pray each day. In the KJV, it's a bit different. There we read....keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.

The thing to notice here is that God granted his request.
We all need divine protection, what with the devil prowling around like a roaring lion seeking to devour. But God's promises stand us in good stead if we pray them.

Jesus prayed,
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11)
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:15)

Yes, God will protect you and your family from all calamities if you live a life pleasing to him. Sin opens the way for satanic attacks, so we must strive to walk with God, obeying his Word. Then his promises will be fulfilled every day of our lives.

The Apostle Paul affirms,
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
(2 Thessalonians 3:3)
____________ _____
Dr.Johnson Cherian M.D.PhD.
All my literature & art work are free for non-commercial use on blogs/webpages.
Main Website: http://jesuschrist. co.in
Main Blog: http://bless2009. com
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E-Mail Me: johnson3570@ gmail.com

Ye Are The Light Of The World  

To Hear Music Click: http://nethymnal.org/htm/y/e/yerlight.htm

Ye are the light of the world,
Driving the darkness away,
Shedding your beams on the lost,
Changing their night into day.
Then let your light ever shine,
Showing the right way to go;
Gladly the lost ones will see—
God’s boundless love they will know.

Ye are the light of the world,
Causing the clouds to depart,
Throwing the sunshine of peace
Down on the poor burdened heart.
Then let your light ever shine;
Loved ones are panting for rest;
Sunshine their souls will revive,
Lifting them up to the blest.

Ye are the light of the world;
Thro’ you the true light must shine,
Calling the lost sons of men
Home to the Father divine.
Then let your light ever shine,
Hallow the Name that is love;
You will each shine as a star,
Fixed in the orbit above.

Daily Smile:

During a wedding reception the mother of the bride managed to keep from crying until she glanced at the grandparents.

The grandmother had reached over to the grandfather's wheelchair and gently touched his hand.

That was all it took to start the mother's tears flowing.

After the wedding, she went over to the grandmother and told her how that tender gesture triggered her outburst.

"Well, I'm sorry to ruin your moment," Grandmother replied, "but I was just checking to see if he was still alive."

Happy Friday

Thought for Today

Every Christian occupies some kind of pulpit and preaches some kind of sermon everyday.
 
Whatever You Do, Do It for Him

(By Glynnis Whitwer and Tarnie Coleman)

 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 

 
 Tarnie treasures her early morning walks around the neighborhood before her two toddlers wake up and the day flies into high gear. One particular Sunday morning was especially beautiful ... the sky was azure blue, the air clean and crisp, and the quiet was accented only by the songs of a few cheerful birds and an occasional car. 

 
 As she turned a corner and started the second leg of her walk, she noticed a beat-up Cherokee ahead of her, driving on the wrong side of the street ... the same side she was walking on. The car stopped, then started, stopped, then started again. Unfortunately it was a very loud car, which disturbed the peace of her morning. Still optimistic and determined to enjoy her walk, Tarnie thought it would be short-lived ... either she would pass the vehicle or it would turn someplace else. Neither happened. 

 
 The two kept an annoying pace with each other as the car would start and stop, and Tarnie walked ahead of it, then behind it. Tarnie soon realized it was a newspaper delivery man, tossing out papers to those houses on his route. He seemed about 50 years old, and his face was expressionless as he alternately read his map and tossed the papers to the correct houses. 

 
 Tarnie was frustrated. She wanted the peace and quiet of that beautiful Sunday morning so she could talk with God before getting the family ready for church. But all she got was a strange dance with a newspaper delivery man. Why had God allowed this picture-perfect walk to be so annoyingly interrupted, she wondered. 

 
 As she started paying more attention to this man in the beat-up car delivering his papers, she realized he was not simply throwing the papers on the driveways ... not just whipping them out to land where ever they might land ... but instead he was intentionally tossing them. This caught her attention and she watched some more. As she did, she realized that each paper he tossed landed right next to, or right on top of, the other newspaper lying on the driveway that had already been delivered. Now, each driveway had two papers, right next to each other. 

 
 

"How great to come out of your house and only have to bend down once to get your papers!" Tarnie thought. What at first seemed an annoyance was actually a show of selfless courtesy. But this was a show that will never be seen, known about, or even appreciated by most of those homeowners who would likely walk outside, grab their papers and go about their days. But Tarnie noticed, and even more importantly, God noticed. She immediately thought of Colossians 3:23 and 24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (NIV). She realized that if she were delivering papers to Jesus' house, she would make sure they were right next to the other papers so He would only have to bend down once. 

 
 Tarnie learned a lot that "noisy" early morning. God was speaking to her after all. Watching a normal paper delivery man in a beat-up car, driving on the wrong side of the street, and doing his job in an extraordinary way ... as if He were doing it for the Lord ... was a priceless learning experience. She was reminded that everything - everything - can be done for Jesus! 

 
 "Dear Lord, thank You for teaching us important biblical lessons through everyday events. Thank You for instilling value and worth in even the most humble tasks. Help me to keep a right attitude about my daily work, and remember that it's all for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. "

In the end, He showed them He was anything but frail.
They hammered Him to a cross, but He was tougher than nails!

Down At The Cross

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

     Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
     There to my heart was the blood applied;
     Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Daily Smile:

The Unused Credit Card  In March 1992 a man living in Newton near Boston, Massachusetts received a bill for his as yet unused credit card stating that he owed $0.00. He ignored it and threw it away.  In April he received another and threw that one away too. The following month the credit card company sent him a very nasty note stating they were going to cancel his card if he didn't send them $0.00.  He called them, talked to them, they said it was a computer error and told him they'd take care of it.  The following month he decided that it was about time that he tried out the troublesome credit card figuring that if there were purchases on his account it would put an end to his ridiculous predicament.  However, in the first store that he produced his credit card in payment for his purchases he found that his card had been cancelled.  He called the credit card company who apologized for the computer error once again and said that they would take care of it. The next day he got a bill for $0.00 stating that payment was now overdue.  Assuming that having spoken to the credit card company only the previous day the latest bill was yet another mistake he ignored it, trusting that the company would be as good as their word and sort the problem out.  The next month he got a bill for $0.00 stating that he had 10 days to pay his account or the company would have to take steps to recover the debt.  Finally giving in, he thought he would play the company at their own game and mailed them a check for $0.00. The computer duly processed his account and returned a statement to the effect that he now owed the credit card company nothing at all.  A week later, the man's bank called him asking him what he was doing writing a check for $0.00. After a lengthy explanation the bank replied that the $0.00 check had caused their check processing software to fail.  The following month the man received a letter from the credit card company claiming that his check had bounced and that he now owed them $0.00 and unless he sent a check they would be taking steps to recover the debt.
The man, who had been considering buying his wife a computer for her birthday, bought her a typewriter instead.

Happy Thursday

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THE BATTLE

by David Wilkerson, May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

Numerous Christians, including pastors, have told me they are continually harassed by former sins. They say, “Brother Dave, if you only knew what I once did, how I sinned, you would understand why I’m so down. My sin still hangs over my head, and I battle constant guilt over it. I believe the Lord has forgiven me, that his blood is sufficient to cover my iniquity, but I don’t
have the peace that comes from that knowledge.”

Others tell me, “I believe I’m forgiven, but my mind is continually bombarded with hellish thoughts. It can happen anywhere, even in church, and it makes me feel so unclean. I have a hard time believing I am pure in God’s sight.

These believers forget that Satan also tempted Jesus with awful, ugly thoughts during his wilderness testing. Today, the devil sends little foxes into your life to make you think you’re hopeless, that God is mad at you. They inject thoughts into your mind meant to destroy your faith in the power of Christ’s blood over you.

Dear saint, you are not to listen to those mental invasions. You have to cut them off, crying, “Holy Spirit, I know you’re beside me. Help me!”

All who take up the cross and fight the good fight of faith are in a constant battle. We all face evil thoughts—thoughts that come because of our past, or because of a sense of rejection, or simply because we live in wicked, sensual times. Yet when we apply Christ’s blood to these roots of doubt, it reaches into every cell of our being, including our minds, and thoroughly cleanses us. And that brings freedom and true rejoicing.

You are not alone in your struggle. He has sent you the Holy Spirit, who knows how to deal with the enemy and free you from all bondage. He is the still, small voice that will guide you and empower you through all your battles.

Pray with me: “Holy Spirit, I want to grow in spiritual fruitfulness. I want to be rid of all hypocrisy, and I want gentleness, patience and love. I know you still love me, in spite of my lack of these things. So, stand by me and
help me. Amen.” 

Room For You

There is room in the fold of the Shepherd
For those who have wandered away;
There is room in the heart of the Savior
For every poor sinner today.

Refrain

     Room, room, room for you,
     In the heart of the Savior above;
     Room for me, room for you,
     Come, rest in His wonderful love.

There is room in the field of the Master
And work for His servants to do;
A use for each talent He gives you,
A sheaf to be garnered by you.

Refrain

There is room in the ranks of the Captain
For soldiers to fight against sin;
And all who are trustful and faithful
Thro’ Him will the victory win.

Refrain

There is room in the beautiful City,
And Jesus has opened the door;
He will gather the least of His children
Where sorrow shall come nevermore.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

A salesman telephones a household, and a four-year-old answered.

Salesman: May I speak to your mother?

Child: She is not here.

Salesman: Well, is anyone else there?

Child: My sister

Salesman: O.K., fine. May I speak to her?

Child: I guess so.

There was a long silence on the other phone. Then;

Child: Hello?

Salesman: It’s you. I thought you were going to call your sister.

Child: I did. The trouble is: I can’t get her out of the playpen.

Happy Wednesday

Not Wasting a Minute

Acts 20:11-12
Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Thoughts for Today:

Paul had a very busy day, after preaching until midnight a young man had fallen asleep and tumbled out of a third story window to his death. However, Paul saved the day when he rushed down and threw himself upon the young man -- who miraculously regained life. So what did Paul do following this rather extraordinary event (remember he had been preaching all day and into the night)? Did he go to bed to catch up on some much needed rest? No, instead Paul "broke bread and ate", before he resumed "talking until daylight'. The Bible doesn't tell us why Paul thought this would be his last opportunity to speak in person to the believers of Troas -- just that it was -- and he did not want to waste a single minute.

Since my father's passing a few years ago, it has been my pleasure to serve my mother's needs. Many of you who have lost your parents know the experience can be both bitter-sweet. For me it can be difficult because I sense that time is short for my mother, especially as I see the ravages of age take more and more of a toll on her health; yet it is also beautiful since I am able to give back a small measure of what she has given to me and by doing so make her life a little easier. When my life seems a little too hectic to "fit in" my mother, I pause for a minute and try to remind myself that her time on this earth is short. I wished I had spent more time with my dad in his later years -- somehow I couldn't find the time, and I don't want to have that same regret with my mom. The whole experience has given me a new appreciation for the brevity of life -- and as a result I have developed an awareness to make certain I have made time for the people I care about -- and the Lord h! as called me to care for -- before it is too late.

Questions to Ponder:

Paul was motivated to speak all night because he sensed his time with the believers in Troas was short and he would not return to see them again. If you knew this evening, when you waved to your neighbor it was the last time you would ever see him, would you have invested more time than just wave? Sometimes we take far too much of a long view in our relationships -- without consideration to how quickly life can pass. Children grow up, parents age, neighbors move, and opportunities to share our faith pass us by. We shouldn't wait until tomorrow because tomorrow may never come. Who do you need to see differently? Have you been putting off spending time with someone in your life, thinking you have lots of time? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel, and you are probably the only person in their life who knows Jesus? Perhaps the right time is right now, before it is too late.


Holy Bible, Book Divine
Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to show a Savior’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard;
Mine to punish or reward.

Mine to comfort in distress;
Suffering in this wilderness;
Mine to show, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

---

Here are Burton’s original lyrics:

Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to shew a Saviour’s love;
Mine art thou to guide my feet;
Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine to comfort in distress;
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine to shew, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
Holy Bible, book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.


Just A Thought: 
Do you know the difference between joy and happiness?  Happiness depends on what is happening around us.  But true joy just bubbles up from the inside and is constant regardless of our circumstances.

Daily Smile:

A couple lived near the ocean and used to walk the beach a lot. One summer they noticed a girl who was at the beach pretty much every day.

She wasn't unusual, nor was the travel bag she carried, except for one thing. She would approach people who were sitting on the beach, glance around, then speak to them.

Generally, the people would respond negatively and she would wander off, but occasionally someone would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money for something she carried in her bag. The couple assumed she was selling drugs and debated calling the cops, but since they didn't know for sure they just continued to watch her.

After a couple of weeks the wife asked, "Honey, have you ever noticed that she only goes up to people with boom boxes and other electronic devices?"

He hadn't and said so. Then she said, "Tomorrow I want you to get a towel and our big radio and go lie out on the beach. Then we can find out what she's really doing."

Well, the plan went off without a hitch, and the wife was almost hopping up and down with anticipation when she saw the girl talk to her husband and then leave. The man walked up the beach and met his wife at the road. "Well, is she selling drugs?" she asked excitedly."

No, she's not." he said, enjoying this probably more than he should have.

"Well, what is it, then?" his wife fairly shrieked.

The man grinned and said. "Her name is Sally and she's a battery salesperson."

"Batteries?" cried the wife.

"Yes," he replied. "Sally sells C cells by the Seashore

Happy Tuesday

Little by Little

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (Prov 14:23).

Is there something you would like to accomplish in life but simply cannot find the hours in the day to get started? Many of us suffer from procrastination. We justify putting our dreams aside because we don't believe we have the time or resources to accomplish the task. 

Many times people tell me they believe they are called to write a book. I tell them, "Great, if God has called you to write a book, begin to write it." Sometimes the response is: "But I don't have a publisher." "That has nothing to do with it," I say. "That is not your problem. If God calls you to write a book, you are to begin to write. You may not be writing to get published. You may be writing for other purposes." 

"The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little" (Deut 7:22). If God has given you a vision to do something, begin by taking baby steps toward that project. Begin to focus on the vision and take action steps toward it. Many times people ask me, "How in the world do you have time to write? You travel so much and seem to have such a full schedule." My answer to them is that I have a specific time of day in which I commit to writing. It is usually between 5 AM and 8 AM. I have found this to be my most creative and productive time. Very little can get in the way of this time if I believe God has given me a project to do. 

You will be amazed at what God can do with a little each day. Do not let procrastination prevent you from accomplishing what God may want to do through your life. Make plans today to take baby steps toward the vision that is in your heart. 

Love & Prayers,

Michael J. Knight.

Light House

There's a Lighthouse on the hillside
That over looks life's sea
When I'm tossed it sends out a light
That I might see
And the light that shines in darkness now
Will safely lead us o'er
If it wasn't for the Lighthouse
My ship would be no more

Chorus:
      And I thank God for the Lighthouse
      I owe my life to Him
      For Jesus is the Lighthouse
      And from the rocks of sin
      He has shown a light around me
      That I could clearly see
      If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me)
      Where would this ship be?

Everybody that lives about us
Says tear that Lighthouse down
The big ships don't sail this way anymore
There's no use of it standing round
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night
When just in time I saw the light
Yes, the light from that old Lighthouse
That stands up there on the hill

Repeat Chorus (x2)

If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me)
Where would this ship be?

Daily Smile:

The physician writing out a prescription for his hypertensive cardiac patient: “Diazepam 5mg (tranquilizer) TDS".

The patient’s wife asks, "Doctor, when are these medicines to be given?"

Doctor: "These are to be taken by you. He needs rest.

Happy Monday

Salvation Is A Free Gift

ROMANS 6:23 NLT
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Salvation is a word we use for being set free from the effects and the penalty of sin. It includes being delivered from the dominion of the devil. It was purchased for us by Jesus Christ through giving His own life at Calvary, as our substitute.

Salvation is not something you earn, but a free gift from God totally by His grace.

Humans have invented many religions with all kinds of rules, trying to make themselves acceptable to God. But being right with God is not something we can achieve by our own efforts. God loved us so much that He accomplished it for us, and provides it as a free gift available to all who receive Jesus.

The Bible tells us we will be rewarded for the good we do. But it is not by doing good deeds, performing certain rituals, or by keeping a list of rules, that we are saved from sin and its effects. Salvation and having a home in Heaven are not rewards -- they are gifts.

ROMANS 3:21-24 NLT
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

You cannot earn salvation and being right with God. You can only receive it as a gift of love from God. It comes in the form of a Divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Outside of union with Jesus Christ, there is no salvation.

ACTS 4:12 NLT
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."

SAY THIS: I receive Jesus Christ as my free gift, making me right with God. Thank You Lord!

I Am The Way

O soul by evil driven,
Needing both light and cheer,
That hope to you be given,
Jesus your Savior hear.

Refrain

     “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
     No man cometh unto the Father but by Me;
     I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
     No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”

In search of worldly pleasure,
Downward you go each day,
While others lay up treasure,
Following life’s true way.

Refrain

Just let the Savior guide you,
Happy you then will be,
For He will stay beside you,
Keeping you pure and free.

Refrain

If you would meet in Heaven
Those that you miss today,
The Blessèd One must lead you—
He is the only way.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

The barn at Larry and Susan's farm burned down, and Susan called the insurance company.
Susan: "We had that barn insured for fifty thousand and I want my money." 

Agent: "Wait just a minute, Susan... it doesn't work quite like that. We will determine the value of the old barn and provide you with a new one of comparable worth." 

Susan, after a pause: "I'd like to cancel the policy on my husband."

Happy Sunday - Belated Saturday

Something Old; Something New

2 Cor. 5:17   "Old things are passed away, behold all things are new"

When quoting this verse to a congregation, it appears that by the looks that I usually get they are saying, "That's nice, but when is God going to do something for me?"  If a child of God could truly grasp what the Holy Spirit is saying through the apostle Paul in this verse, they would become the next apostle Paul.  Yet, to know it and do it is totally two different things. The problem with "old things" is that they are comfortable to the flesh.  We are very familiar with the old things because we have known them and experienced them for so long that, once again, they are our default nature. That is why I don't have to consciously desire to sin; my body does it for me.  We make the big mistake, though, when we focus on the old things and try to do away with them.  To focus on the old things does nothing more than to reinforce them in our minds and flesh.

On the other hand, when "all things are become new"; now we have something fresh and powerful to focus on.  Most Christians appear to live like they believe that the old things are more powerful than the new things.  We must always be conscientious to the reality that Christ conquered death, not the other way around.  When we focus on the "all things that have become new" our minds become transformed by the power of God because we access the power of Christ that overcame death.  That is why we don't need to go to God and ask for the power to overcome sin - we just need to access it because we already have it.  When we continually ask God for the transforming power that we might overcome our sin, we are simply lacking the faith to believe that He "freely giveth us all things".

Remember - what you focus on will become an overwhelming force, so focus on the new things.

In His arms,
Bro.Steele

TIs So Sweet To Trust In JESUS

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Refrain

     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
     O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Refrain

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Refrain

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Refrain

Weekend Smile:

A musical director was having a lot of trouble with one drummer. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance simply didn't improve.

Finally, before the whole orchestra, he said, "When a musician just can't handle his instrument and doesn't improve when given help, they take away the instrument, and give him two sticks, and make him a drummer."

A stage whisper was heard from the percussion section: "And if he can't handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor."

Happy Friday

WOW, look what God did yesterday

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Josh 24:15.

Oh dear people, the last thing Jesus commanded all of us is to do is "Preach the gospel to every creature" Mk. 16:15. He is saying, "give them a chance to go to heaven." 

Tell the good news

Yesterday, I had some business with a person in the branch of a big business. I stepped out of the office a few minutes after signing some papers and out of his office stepped the manager of the big branch. He smiled and said hello. Graciously I handed him the Mickey Mantle tract. It opened the door to talk to him. Oh my was his heart opened. I told him how God loved and that Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again. His eyes filled with tears and he gladly bowed his head and prayed out loud with me to receive the Lord Jesus. He then said, "God sent you to me today." It was awesome.
Five minutes later

The number two man, looked up, saw me and said, "Hello." I asked if he had a minute. He said, "Yes, come on in." Isn't God great. This man, about 40 years old, was a preachers son. He had run from God. After I shared the gospel with him, he too was in tears and prayed out loud with me to receive the Lord Jesus. I wish you could have seen him as he jumped up, smiling and shook his head saying he could hardly believe what had just happened to him. GOD DID ALL OF THAT. 

TAKE CHARGE

Let's obey God and get in on the thrill of all thrills of seeing people born of God right before our eyes. It is fantastic.

And I love you dearly and tell all of this and pray you will be blessed and used of God. All because of Calvary, sumner

Count Your Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

      Count your blessings, name them one by one,
      Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
      Count your blessings, name them one by one,
      And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

Dear John,

I have been unable to sleep since I broke off our engagement.
Won't you forgive and forget? Your absence is breaking my heart.
I was a fool, nobody can take your place. I love you.

All my love,

Belinda. xxxxoooxxxx

P.S. Congratulations on winning this week's lottery.

Happy Thursday

Not to Decide is to Decide

BIBLE MEDITATION:
 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Years ago I was witnessing to a young lady in Florida. I asked her if she had received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She became teary-eyed and said, “I just don’t seem…no…I can’t do it today.” I asked her, “Don’t you realize that if you don’t receive Him, that you’re going to deny Him?” She said, “Oh, I wouldn’t deny Him for anything.” I said, “But there’s no middle ground.” And yet she refused.

I said, “Before you go, would you shake hands with me?” And she said, “Well, certainly.” And so I said, “If you’ll take Christ as your Savior, take my right hand. If you’ll take hell and refuse Christ, take my left hand.” She refused to take either of my hands. 

ACTION POINT:
Every person has a choice. There is no neutral ground. You are either crowning Jesus as Lord of your life or you are not. Which is it my friend?

I Am Resolved

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

Refrain

      I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
     Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
     I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
     Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.

Refrain

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.

Refrain

I am resolved to enter the kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.

Refrain

I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

A man was sitting at an interview, in his new suit, looking his very best. As he put his hands down to make a point, he and his interviewer noticed the price tag was still attached to the sleeve. "Well", the man said, "at least I can take the suit back if I don't get the job.

Happy Wednesday

Looking for God

So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" John 18:3-4 (ESV)

They were looking for God! They didn't know it, of course. They were doing the job that had been assigned. Judas was carrying out the deal he had made with the religious leaders. The soldiers were on the track of a person who they had been told was a terrorist. They were walled in darkness. They carried torches because the night was thick with darkness. They had darkness in their hearts because they could not see the Light who was before their very eyes.

The author John tells a good story. He began this treatise with:

In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)

Jesus had come to reveal the true nature of God to mankind. He was and is the light that causes the darkness of confusion to dissipate. What irony! Now as the story begins to climax, these men of darkness carry torches to find him who is the light of the world, but can't see him. They view him as an enemy when he is actually the object of their life's search.

It is the same story for all of mankind. Ever since the Garden of Eden, men and women have groped in darkness looking for the fellowship Adam had with God. Blinded by self-centered arrogance, they have viewed God as an enemy when he was their only hope of making any sense of life's experiences. When plans don't play out as they hope, they find ways to blame God and his order. But they end up falling to the ground when he identifies himself.

When the men with torches and swords came stumbling through the garden looking for the insurrectionist, Jesus goes toward them. He asks them, "Whom do you seek?" Notice that they didn't control this engagement even though they had the swords. When Jesus acknowledged that he was their target by saying "I am he," they fell backward. The darkness cannot overcome the light… ever.

Could it be that what we are fighting against in our own attitudes might just be God incognito? Maybe the issue is not the external obstacle that seems to create so much pain. Maybe the terrorist we have identified is none other than the light of our world we so desperately need.

"Open our eyes, Lord, to see what your light exposes. We don't know ourselves very well and we don't know you well enough to cease our striving and rest in your care." 

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Love & Prayers,                                         

Michael J. Knight.

"By the grace of God I am what I am…." 1 Cor 15:10.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InnerVoiceMinistries/ 

Whispering Hope
Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Refrain

      Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
      Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

A man was walking on the beach one day and he found a bottle half buried in the sand. He decided to open it. Inside was a genie. The genie said,” I will grant you three wishes and three wishes only." 

 

The man thought about his first wish and decided, “I think I want 1 million dollars transferred to a Swiss bank account. POOF! 

 

Next he wished for a Ferrari red in color. POOF! There was the car sitting in front of him. 

 

He asked for his final wish, " I wish I was irresistible to women." POOF! He turned into a box of chocolates.

Happy Tuesday

Be Inspired! by Annettee Budzban

Being faithful with small tasks leads to bigger jobs 

 

          “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things...”— Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

 

          I felt the sting hit my heel as I set my foot on the floor. My immediate reaction was to take my slipper off and turn it upside down and shake it to see if anything was hidden inside. Sure enough, as it dropped to the floor, I spotted the tiny pebble I had picked up somewhere. Whenever I took a step that little stone pressed into the bottom of my foot and caused the sensation of a shooting pain. What a huge relief I experienced once I removed the pebble from my slipper.

 

       Isn’t it amazing what a significant difference it can make just by removing a small stone or piece of sand from your shoe? It’s seems like such an insignificant thing and yet, it makes a big difference.

 

        Makes one wonder about the other little things that creep into our lives that we consider totally insignificant. By removing them, we could take a giant leap toward improving our life.

        When Patsy Claremont gives her testimony, she often speaks of how her heart’s desire was to do great things for God. She was quite surprised when the Lord impressed upon her to start by making her bed each day. She didn’t realize at the time He was showing her how to become faithful in taking care of small things. Today she is traveling around in a world-wide ministry known as “Women of Faith.”  Her obedience to take care of the insignificant things proved she could be trusted with something greater.

 

         Jesus tells us that being faithfully responsible with little tasks, can snowball into bigger opportunities. Sometimes we just need a change of perspective toward some of the things we consider insignificant, but really aren’t in the bigger scheme of things.

 

          What are some of those little challenges we face?  I listed a few that came to my mind: offering an apology when we’re wrong; doing a favor for a friend without expecting anything in return; showing up for appointments on time; making sure everyone we love knows it; or keeping our workspace orderly.

 

        The next time you have a pebble in your shoe, stop and ask God what little things you might change.
        

Annettee Budzban can be contacted at ahrtwrites2u@aol.com

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Daily Smile:

A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of it, he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went to the checkout line, but she got in front of him. "Pardon me," she said, "I'm sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It's just that you look just like my son, who just died recently." 

"I'm very sorry," replied the young man, "is there anything I can do for you?" 

"Yes," she said, "As I'm leaving, can you say 'Good bye, Mother'? It would make me feel so much better." 

"Sure," answered the young man.
 

As the old woman was leaving, he called out, "Goodbye, Mother!" As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was $127.50. "How can that be?" He asked, "I only purchased a few things!"

"Your mother said that you would pay for her," said the clerk.