Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Seed

THE SEED



A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to
choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to
do something different. He called all the young executives in his
company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have
decided to choose one of you.

"The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going
to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED.

I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from
today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.

I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will
be the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received
a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped
him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.

Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After
about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about
their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a
plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had
killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had
nothing.
Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however... He just kept
watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to
his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his
life, but he knew his wife was right.

He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed
at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were
beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes.

Jim put his empty pot on the floor and
many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back.. "My, what great plants, trees, and
flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be
appointed the next CEO!"

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his
empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.

Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he
will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his
seed
- Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and
then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief
Executive Officer! His name is Jim!"

Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.

"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a
seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back
to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was
not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another
seed for the one I gave you.

Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with
my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief
Executive Officer!"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now;
it will determine what you will reap later..

"Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back"

Awaiting our day

Awaiting our day
"The story is told of an old missionary couple returning to the States after many years of thankless service in Africa. They happened to be on the same ship to New York as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunt in Africa. As the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty and into the dock, huge crowds were gathered to welcome him home. The press was out in full force, and thousands of people had come to get a glimpse of the president.

In the middle of the chaos, the aged missionary couple fought their way through the crowds with their large suitcases in tow. Silently they hailed a cab and made their way to a cheap hotel. The missionary sat on the bed and said to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We gave our lives to Christ to win souls for the Kingdom in Africa, and when we arrive home there is no one here to meet us. The president shoots a few animals and receives a royal welcome."

His wife sat beside him on the bed and said softly, "That's because we're not home yet, dear."

clothed in kindness

Clothed in kindness
"A doctor once stepped into a taxicab and discovered an unusually friendly driver.…he asked the man why he was so cheerful. "It all started," he said, "when I heard about a taxi driver who was so kind to a passenger that the man remembered him in his will, leaving him $65,000. I thought I would try it, and maybe somebody might leave me something. But after I tried it, I found it was so much fun being good that I decided I would do it for the fun of it, reward or no reward."

The world would certainly be a more cheerful place if we all had such good dispositions. Imagine walking down the street and seeing nothing but smiling faces.…

Life is not a bed of roses, and most people are too happy to let you know that. That's what we tell ourselves when we want to appease our guilt on those dark and dreary days. I'm not the only one who's had a bad day, we think. People are just going to have to understand.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Forty Martyrs

Forty martyrs
"History knows them as the 40 martyrs of Sebaste. They were soldiers in the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome's imperial army, around A.D. 320. One day the captain informed his troops that Emperor Licinius had sent down an edict commanding all soldiers to offer a sacrifice to his pagan god. Forty of the soldiers were followers of Christ, and they refused.

The emperor decided to make an example of the soldiers, so he marched them onto a frozen lake and stripped them of their clothes. "Renounce your God and you will be spared from death," he told them. Not one man came forward. Throughout the night the men stayed together, singing their song of victory: "Forty Martyrs for Christ."

When morning came, 39 of the men had frozen to death. The one survivor recanted his confession of faith. The officer in charge that night had been so moved by the scene that during his watch he'd come to Jesus, so he broke rank and walked out onto the ice. Stripping his clothes he openly confessed his faith in Christ. He refused to renounce his new faith. When the ordeal was over, the Roman soldiers carried 40 frozen men off of the ice.

In comparison, my life is like a long night on a soft mattress. I may one day be faced with serious consequences for my faith. You may, too. Will we have the strength of character and heart and faith to stand strong just the same?"

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins

Perseverance

God's promise to continue working in our lives requires perseverance on our part.

Whether you are an athlete undergoing grueling physical conditioning, an employee struggling under a mountain of work, or a Christian suffering persecution, the key to perseverance is a clear vision of the goal.

While the goal of an athlete is to win the race and goal of the employee is a job well done, the goal of the believer is nothing less than eternity in the presence of the Lord.

The writer of Revelation encourages Christians to keep their eyes on Jesus, who will reward the faithful, and to obey his Word to the end. When you feel like giving up, remember the glory that awaits you as a child of God.

prayer

cling to the promises of Psalm 121 and Psalm 91. "Unceasing prayer is made for you." "Every petition, however fervent, must be with submission to his will."

Monday, October 26, 2009

civility

What happened to civility? Why is there lack of relational basics? What happened to respect, consideration, patience, kindness? Why do we tolerate bad language and poor behavior? Parents why are you not doing your job? A lack of respect has effected divorce rates, crime and pregnancy outside of marriage. Learning to be polite and considerate of others is minimized in todays children. Its all about me mentality is damning.

Death

"There are two kinds of death—the cessation of life here on earth, and the missed opportunity to live in heaven with God forever. To die physically is to leave our earthly body and our place in the earthly community. To die spiritually, eternally, is to miss eternal residence in heaven with God and his people, to be separated from God forever.

When we die physically, we can be even more alive as we take up residence in God's eternal home with him and his people. It is not pleasant to think of dying physically. But it is devastating to think of missing heaven forever."

Saturday, October 17, 2009

judging others

Be careful of judging others
1) when we judge others , God will be harder on us
2) we do many things we condem others for doing- in thought or action
3) we do not know the whole truth
4) judgement reveals contempt for the riches of Gods patience
6) Gods judgeent is always right, ours is tainted by our flesh
7) we risk application of the same judgement to ourself
8) we cannot judge rightously because our sight is hindered by our own sin
9) there is only 1 law giver and judge- God wrote the commands
10) our judgement would have to be completely consistant with Gods

this is in regards to the quick mental and verbal judgement, we make towards another

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Believing God



FIVE STATEMENT PLEDGE OF FAITH
God is who He says he is
God can do what He says He can do
I am who God says I am
I can do all things through Christ
Gods word is alive and active in me
My promised land is the place where my theology merges with my reality


BELIEVERS WHO KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIVE AND REFUSE TO BE CHALLENGED MAY HAVE A STAND OF FAITH BUT NOT A WALK OF FAITH

PROBLEM IS DOCTRINE OF MAN BUILT ON SINGLE SCRIPTURE

GOD HAS TO BE OUR PLUM LINE

CANNOT PLACE FAITH IN A LITTLE BOX GOD IS BIGGER THAN WE WILL EVER STREACH

GOD STILL PREFORMS MIRACLES

FAITH FILLS THE GAP BETWEEN OUR THEOLOGY AND OUR REALITY

GOD IS NOT OFFENDED BY OUR REQUEST FOR SUPERNATUAL INTERVENTION

TEST WHAT YOU ARE TAUGHT DONT BE A PARROT

FAITH WAS NEVER MENT TO BE DENOMINATIONAL EVERY BELIEVER IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED BY GOD TO PRACTICE BIBLICAL FAITH

TIME DOES NOTHING BUT GROW US OLD, WHAT WE DO WITH THAT TIME IS WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, IT IS WHERE HE TEMPERS AND TESTS US

WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO MAKES US STRONG

THE SPOKEN WORD OF GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT OUR MERE WORDS AND PRAYERS DO NOT

TAKE SCRIPTURE AND TURN INTO PRAYER, PRAYER IS THE PRIMARY DISCIPLINE OF THE FAITH GOD WANTS TO INFUSE WITH SUPERNATURAL POWER

EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD AND ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD

WHEN WE SEEK HIM WE WILL FIND HIM, HE IS FAITHFUL

Friday, September 4, 2009

point to ponder 16

Jesus said,except you become as a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. Children are generally trusting, dependable and believe what they are told. Where Do you stand?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

point to ponder 15

Most people seem to be under the false notion tht small doses of religion on a weekly basis somehow will sustain them. If you are dirty, you become clean by taking a bath not by trying to clean yourself in a few drops of water dunk yourself in a bucket!

point to ponder 14

Concentrate on this Sentence

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence
'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Sunday, August 30, 2009

point to ponder 13

Desire*****Surrender*****Believe

point to ponder 12

We always live up our down to our beliefs. Beliefs are tracks which govern our lives. Our engine rolls on them whether we like it our not. If your engine is not rolling on the set of tracks which you say are yours, it's because you have diverted from your track to another track. This track is now your true belief, not the ones you left.

point to ponder 11

Poverty is not about living without. Living without can be fruitless death. Poverty is about needing, it is clearing a space in your heart so that God can fill it

Friday, August 28, 2009

Point to ponder 10

It is time to believe in God-- to understand that what you are is not what God needs. God is all sufficient "I AM" Everything and anything we would ever need. God needs nothing, he has it all

S.T.A.R.T.

s- stop making excuses and blaming others, I am the only one that can ruin my life in how I respond to hurts, dont listen, give up to soon and fail to plan.
t- take an inventory to life- eval experiences
a- act in faith must walk it and move ahead in spite of fear
r- refocus way I think, change my thought change way I act
t- trust God to help me succeed

point to ponder 9

Faith isnt just a word. Its real and solid as a steel bar. If you believe in yourself and in God as the source of all your stregnth, there is no limit to what you can do

POINT TO PONDER 8

Using negatives to develop in Him

Life is like a photograph-you use the negatives to develop and God is the ultimate developer

One way to remember

DECK OF CARDS
TALK TO THE LORD STUDYING A DECK OF CARDS
ACE-REMINDS ME THERE IS ONLY 1 GOD
2-THE 2 PARTS OF THE BIBLE, OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT
3-REPRESENTS FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST
4-FOUR GOSPELS:MATHEW MARK LUKE AND JOHN
5-FIVE VIRGINS- THERE WERE 10 BUT ONLY FIVE WERE GLORIFIED
6-FOR THE 6 DAYS IT TOOK GOD TO CREATE THE HEAVENS AND EARTH
7-IS FOR THE DAY GOD RESTED AFTER MAKING HIS CREATION
8-FOR THE FAMILY OF NOAH AND HIS WIFE, THEIR 3 SONS AND THEIR WIVES THE EIGHT PEOPLE GOD SPARED FROM THE FLOOD THAT DISTROYED THE EARTH
9-IS FOR THE LEPERS THAT JESUS CLEANSED OF LEPROSY. HE CLEANSED 10 BUT 9 NEVER THANKED HIM
10-REPRESENTS THE 10 COMMANDMENTS THAT GOD HANDED DOWN TO MOSES ON TABLETS MADE OF STONE
JACK- IS A REMINDER THAT SATAN, ONE OF GOD'S FIRST ANGLES, BUT HE GOT KICKED OUT OF HEAVEN FOR HIS SLY AND WICKED WAYS AND IS NOW THE JOKER OF ETERNAL HELL
QUEEN- STANDS FOR THE VIRGIN MARY
KING- STANDS FOR JESUS, FOR HE IS THE KING OF KINGS
COUNT ALL THE DOTS ON ALL THE CARDS, YOU GET 365 TOTAL, ONE FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 52 CARDS IN A DECK: EACH IS A WEEK-52 WEEKS IN A YEAR 4 SUITS REPRESENT THE FOUR SEASONS:SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER EACH SUIT HAS THIRTEEN CARDS-THERE ARE EXACTLY 13 WEEKS IN A QUARTER
SO WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK TO GOD AND THANK HIM JUST PULL OUT A DECK OF CARDS AND THEY WILL REMIND YOU OF ALL YOU HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR

A pastor with guts-- we need more like him

Thought you might enjoy this interestingPrayer given in Kansas atThe opening session of their Senate It seemsPrayer still upsets somePeople. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to openThe new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual genealities, but this is what they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to askYour forgiveness and to seek your direction and Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to thoseWho call evil good,' but that is exactly what weHave done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversedOur values.
We have exploited the poor and called itThe lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called itWelfare.
We have killed our unborn and called itChoice.
We have shot abortionists and called itJustifiable.
We have neglected to discipline ourChildren and called it Building self esteem..
We have abused power and called it Politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessionsAnd called it Ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity andPornography and called it Freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored valuesOf our forefathers and called it Enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our heartsToday; cleanse us from every sin and set us free Amen!

cracked pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path. Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father’s table.

FULL JOY

I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
John 15:11 NLTFull joy
In many ways, we live in bleak times. Millions feel disillusioned with life while millions more feel uncertain about the future—especially young people. Many of you in Generation X have been victims of a great social experiment in which parents who never grew up cast aside time-honored moral values and, in the phrase of the 1960s, did their own thing.
Nevertheless, there is someone to believe in, something to grasp, and someone to trust. You need to go to the next letter of the alphabet, to Y—as in "Why do I exist. Why was I created? And what am I living for?"
According to Jesus, you were created for joy. "These things I have spoken to you," Jesus said, "that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
The things Jesus spoke of were His teachings about bearing fruit. We were created to bear fruit for God, which essentially means to become like Jesus: His mind becomes our mind, His purpose becomes our purpose. And there's only one way to produce such luscious fruit, according to Jesus: "Abide in Me" (John 15:4). This is the secret of spiritual growth and the key to overflowing joy. Are you bearing spiritual fruit?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

The testimony of presidents

The Bible was clearly important to many American presidents. A few examples:
It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.
George WashingtonThe whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.
Herbert HooverIn regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it.
Abraham LIincolnHold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
Ulysses S. Grant
The Bible was clearly important to many American presidents. A few examples:
It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.
George WashingtonThe whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.
Herbert HooverIn regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it.
Abraham LIincolnHold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
Ulysses S. Grant

The soil of Eden

Our bodies originated in the soil of Eden. It should not surprise us that they are sustained by food that grows from the soil. Every source of food ultimately finds its nourishment in the soil, and that nourishment sustains our bodies. Likewise, our souls were created by the breath of God in Eden; it should not surprise us that the Word of God, which is inspired, or "God breathed," sustains our souls. If we plan to eat food each day to keep our body alive, shouldn't we also plan to feast on God's Word each day to sustain our soul?

Friday, August 21, 2009

point to ponder 7

No matter how much you carry in your wallet, individual moments do not change. Hopes and dreams might, but the string of moments that make up life does not.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Penny

Several years ago, a friend of mine was invited to spend the weekend at her husbands employer's home. As they were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Ann wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America ' 'No, not that; read further.''One cent?' 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?' 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him.. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me , God is patient and pennies are plentiful! When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized t hat I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given That's the whole gospel message simply stated.

Positive answers

HANDY LITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:
YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES
You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things
( Phil ippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive my self'
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
( Phil ippians 4:19)
You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

In the eye of the storm

Our light house- lights to look for and signals to heed:
Love God more than you fear hell
once a week let a child take you for a walk
make a major decision in a cemetery
when no one is watching, live as if someone is
succeed at home first
dont spend tomorrows money today
pray twice as much as you fret
listen twice as much as you speak
only harbor a grudge when God does
never outgrow your love for sunsets
treat people like angels, you will meet some and help make some
err on the side of generosity
God has forgiven you, you would be wise to do the same
when you cant trace Gods hand, trust in his heart
dont feel guilty for God's goodness
the book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number
never let the important be the victim of the trivial
live your liturgy

God is never irritated by the candle of an honest seeker
Job-- "I had heard about you before , but now I have seen you"
Faith is not born at the negotiating table, it is not an award given for the most learned, it is not a prize given to the most diciplined, it is not bequeathed to the most religious. Faith is a desperate dive out of a sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourself it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
Worship is a voluntary act of graditude offered by the saved to the Savior, a thank you that refuses to be silenced.

point to ponder 6

true character shows in what you do when you think no one is looking

when God whispers our name



every one knows self denial leads to holiness

Live by following the spirit, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives

ask God to do what is right

nails didnt hold Christ to the cross Love did

revenge belongs to God, he did not ask us to settle the score or get even

to forgive someone is to display reverence

you cant control how others respond to God, but you can control the way you respond to God

point to ponder 5

Success only has currency for the person who possesses it while that person is alive-there is more to live for

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Who do we seek counsel from

Do you seek the counsel of others?
My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.
Proverbs 2:1-7 NLT
Accepting advice
The degree to which people will listen is determined by the degree to which we have wise counsel for them. If you want people to listen to you, you yourself must listen to the right adviser. Like Samuel, listen to the Lord's counsel—read his Word and hear what he says. There is no wiser counselor than he who knows every moment of every tomorrow and knows how you will fit into those moments. If you think you know it all, you probably know less than you think. If, in humility, you recognize how much help and counsel you need, you will likely seek it and get it. No one wants to waste time counseling a fool, because the fool doesn't want counsel. We all enjoy sharing wisdom with the wise, and when we do, we discover new wisdom for our own needs. Proverbs 14:7 tells us that we should stay away from fools if we are looking for wise counsel.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

point to ponder 4

Success only has currency for the person who possesses it while the person is alive. As it says in Ecclesiastes 1:14 "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

Friday, July 17, 2009

point to ponder 3

Faithful and dependable

A hot morning shower, a fresh cup of coffee. The lights in your kitchen and bathroom. What would you do if you were deprived of the basics of your dependable morning routine? Many of us would start shutting down. It's easy to take hot water and electricity for granted. The same is true of faithful love. It's easy to take for granted the person who is always there to listen to your problems. It's easy to take for granted the person you run to when you're frustrated or in trouble. It's even easier to take for granted God's faithful care for you and your family. Every day God sustains the world in which we move and live. He provides food, clothing, and opportunities for employment. Most important, he showers love and concern on us every day. Our God is a faithful God. He is entirely dependable. That same type of faithful and dependable love is the foundation of every strong relationship. Love is cheap if it's given only when things are going fine. Our love for others must be consistent and dependable.

point to ponder 2

Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?


Why do I have to swear on the Bible in court when the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed outside?

point to ponder 1

Greed is never satisfied because self is at the center of its world, and the self is forever taking, grasping after whatever is beneficial to "me." A person secure in the love of God approaches life with quite a different attitude: Because I am sure that God will take care of me and provide all that I need, I no longer have to be greedy, desperately looking out for myself and grabbing everything in sight. Ultimately, greed is a sign of emptiness. If you find yourself grasping after things in life, worried that you won't get what you want, what you need, or what you deserve, you have put your trust in the wrong place. Greed will use you up without giving anything in return. God's great love offers us a fuller, more satisfying life.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Are you satisfied?


Picture 2 vases sitting on a side table. The first vase is full of things that we enjoy in life-money, clothes, cars, food , toys, whatever else is important to you. But even with all these things there is emptiness, spaces where all these worldly things can never fill. Now look at the second vase- picture it full of precious water. This is the living water that fills every microspace of that vessel. It will continue to push out all the air until it completely fills the space. This is the Holy Spirit that will fill all those empty places in your life and leave you satisfied. All you have to do is ask.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

How would I have known that I was lost
Had you not searched and found me?
How would I have known that I was blind
Had you not made me see?
How would I have known my bleeding
'Til You bound Your love around me?
How would I have groaned my slavery. Until you set me free?
Benefits to us His children
To know God and believe in Him
To glorify God
To find satisfaction in God
To experience god's peace
To enjoy God's presence
Happiness is circumstances//joy abides all the time
God will supply all my needs WHY LOOK ELSEWHERE
Peace comes in situations completely surrendered to the sovereign authority of Christ--and is paved with knee prints SO WEHRE DO I NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME
Obstacles of freedom/ freedom
1. Unbelief/ to know God and believe in Him
2. Pride is what I did not what God did / to glorify God
3. Idolatry/ to find sastifaction in God
4. Prayerlessness/ to experience Gods peace
5. Legalism/ to enjoy Gods presence
Focus on Christ-rules will take care of themselves
Dialogue with God when you read His work, respond to His scripture and discuss it with Him, pray his word DONT JUST SAY THE WORDS
God is my only guraantee. The knower of all my needs is the sole meeter of all my needs. Only He can fully and wholly provide.
Behind every unfaithful generation and faithful generation is one person determined to change. WHY NOT BE THAT PERSON
We learn what we see DONT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK
FORGIVENESS MEANS HANDING OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF JUSTICE TO GOD
situations (like abuse) may be painful but dont let them have power over you
We can step boldly to His throne for mercy and unconditional love THANK YOU JESUS
LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IS ABOUT CHANGE
GOD SURPASSES OUR DREAMS WHEN WE REACH PAST OUR PERSONAL PLANS AND AGENDAS TO GRAB THE HAND OF CHRIST AND WALK THE PATH HE CHOSE FOR ME. HE IS OBLIGATED TO KEEP ME DISSATSIFIED UNTIL I COME TO HIM AND HIS PLAN FOR COMPLETE SASTIFACTION
We can be blessed by God and filled with His favor at some of the most difficult moments of our lives.
We make life so much more complicated when our approach to life is "all about me". Because the rest of the world never cooperates.
Key to freedom is obediance
YOU CAN NOT SURVIVE THE LOSS OF GODS LOVE
FOR THE BELIEVER THE FIRST STEP TO FREEDOM FROM ANY STRONGHOLD IS AGREEING WITH GOD CONCERNING PERSONAL SIN INVOLVED
actions are the reality of our hearts, we demonstrate our love for God by wht we given to Him
WILL OF GOD IS THE ONLY STRONGHOLD THAT FREES WHEN IT BINDS