Each Of Us Are Unique

God has started a good work in your life. He is molding and shaping you to be just like He is. Have you noticed that the closer you get to God the more you act like He does?

Instead of being selfish you will walk in love. Instead of anger you will have joy. Instead of vengeance you will have peace with your enemies. Instead of being impatient you will be longsuffering. As you get closer to God you will become more like God. You see God is finishing the work He started in you. God will keep working with you.

Do not despair! Those who hope in the Lord will win.When everything seems to fall apart, when there is nothing left to hold on to, that is the test and crown of faith.

Each has certain God-given characteristics.We are made according to God’s will. That is a great comfort—and a reminder to us to accept each other as we are. We are all the work of God’s hands. We are the clay, he is the potter. We are made according to the will of God, our Father, for his will is shown through his creation.

Therefore we take our stand with God’s mighty power, which is none other than love—a force so powerful, it overcomes sin and death.

My Strength Come's From The Lord !

If are thoughts are turned toward God, he will in time come into our hearts and we will feel the strength that comes from him—and strength is what we need on this earth. We need God’s strength to help us stand firm. The world is a hard place. Frequently life on earth puts a crushing load upon us; but we can go forward in God’s power, and then we shall notice that we gain fresh strength again and again and find new joy in life. That is why you must set your mind on God, your Lord. He is everything to you! And even if life seems burdensome at times, nevertheless you can live through it in God’s strength.

The Slick Oil Salesman

A Man Went to a used car lot. There were two cars there that caught his eye as he entered the lot.
The first was a nice robin-egg blue family car. Lots of trunk space. Reliable. Nice Dark Blue velvet interior, heat and air worked, small block V-6 engine, a nice family car
As he was looking, a used car salesman walked up. "I got the perfect car for you over here," he said. "It's cherry red 69 mustang fastback, fully restored, with black and red mach 1 interior, and a boss 429 bored out 40 over. This car is you!!!" The mustang cost more, but it appeared to be in primo condition, so the man chose the shiny, red sports car.
The man bought and paid for the mustang. It was all his!!! He got in it, and turned the key. It started so easy!! As he rebbed the engine, put it in gear, and left the lot, he claimed it for his own.
As he began to see what it would do, he discovered what the slick oil salesman had forgot to mention.
The car had no brakes.
The man tried to slow it down, but in his panic, he swerved and hit a tree. He was all right, but the car was totalled, and he would have to pay for another car.
Satan is the same way that slick oil salesman is. He talks a good talk. He tells us all the fun and exciting things about living in sin, but there is always something that he forgets to mention.
And once we choose sin, there are no brakes, no slowing down, the only way to stop is Jesus or the crash
and there is always something hard to hit in the end.

I will be taking a few days off to be with family for Christmas. My prayer is that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas. Enjoy the time you have with each other. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Merry Christmas from our Family to yours.

Do Unto Others.........

Do you treat others like you want to be treated? The Word of God teaches that we must put our selfishness behind us and serve others. We are pretty good at looking to our own interest. But we must turn that around and apply the same to other people. Treat them like we want to be treated.

Be honest. Think about how you have treated others. Have you treated them like you want to be treated? Or have you been thinking only of yourself? Have you been so caught up in doing "your thing" that you've left someone in a bind? Have you taken advantage of someone's kindness and not paid the full price that you should have?

Remember the old saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

What Are You Thinking ?

The devil loves to get a hold of our thoughts. He knows that if he can get us thinking on the wrong things, he can get us doing the wrong things.He also tried to tempt Christ, sometime when you get a chance read Matthew chapter 4. Christ said "Away from me Satan" Maybe you've been thinking that things are bad, and they aren't! It's easy to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Is our life all that bad or have we allowed wrong thinking to drown out all that God has done for us and is doing for us? Don't let bad thoughts lead to bad actions.Do like Christ and say "AWAY FROM ME SATAN."Allow His Holy Spirit to help you ponder all that He is doing in your life. Don't just be a complainer and a whiner. Be rooted in Christ where God is center of not just your outward actions but your inward thoughts. To God be the glory great things he as done. We serve an awesome God.

Out With The Old And In With The New

Luke 2:11-12 - For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. (NKJV)
It's getting near that time again -- with children getting excited and wanting to hear the old, old story once again. The one I refer to here is "The Night Before Christmas", when not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Have you, like me, been guilty of reading this story over and over to them, but neglecting to give the same repetition to the true old, old story of Jesus and His love?
Today, more than ever, we need to sit down beside them and read the story of God sending His Son Who would be born in a manger. We need to emphasize that Jesus came to bring peace and goodwill to the world -- a world not unlike today where people need to know this. What a story to send them off to sleep with and to calm their busy minds!
Let us spread the good tidings, which the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born, and keep the old, old story ever new.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in him should not parish but have everlasting life"

Go Figure

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint
What Equals 100%?What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.How about achieving 101%?What equals 100% in life?Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer theseQuestions:If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZIs represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

andK-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take youL-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

25 Questions To Ask Myself As A Christian

1. Can I honestly read passages such as Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 5:11; 10:57-62;
John 21:15-19; Hebrews 10:24-39; James 4:17; or 2 Peter 3:9-14 and come to the
conclusion that work or work related activities are acceptable reasons to miss the assembly?
The same question would apply to school or school related activities or family or
family related activities, etc.

2. Do I show my co-workers, neighbors, or class mates a Christian who is seeking first the
Kingdom of God, when I miss the assembly myself for things not as important as the Lord?

3. Will I be effective in converting my friends and neighbors to the Lord if they do not
see me putting Him first in my life?

4. Does my influence with my bible class students increase or decrease when I miss teaching
their class to go to work or to miss the class for some other worldly activity?

5. What am I teaching young people and weak Christians when I forsake the assembly for work-
related, hobby-related, school-related, me-related, etc. activities?

6. Can I give a chapter and verse to explain to my brethren or my bible class students why
it is pleasing to God for me to miss the assembly for a job related activity?

7. Is my example to brethren, young people, neighbors, co-workers, or classmates,
what it ought to be when I miss the privilege to worship because I choose rather
to do worldly activities? (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

8. Do I have the faith I ought to have in Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to miss
the privilege of assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?

9. Do I have the love I ought to have for Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to
miss assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?

10. Does it deeply grieve me to miss assembling with the saints and the Lord?

11. Do I encourage, stir up love and good works, or edify my brethren when I miss a
privilege to assemble as the Lord has commanded?

12. Can I ever gain back the spiritual growth I have lost from choosing to miss assembling
even one time? (2 Peter 3:18)

13. Do I have a lack of faith in Jesus if I do not think I can find a job that will allow me to
not miss assembling with the saints (Proverbs 3:5-6).

14. Do I lack faith in Jesus if I do not stand up for Him and my belief in Him when my employer
requires me to miss the assembly with the saints? (Acts 5:29)

15. Do I choose to miss assembling for certain things, because at those times they are
more important to me than the Lord?

16. If my attitude is that it does not really matter if I miss the assembly once in a while,
will I be diligent to teach my friends about Jesus?

17. Does my forsaking the assembly, even one time, show something about my love for
Christ and His dying for my sins?

18. If I have an attitude that I will never to choose to forsake the assembly, will I be more
stirred up to love and good works toward my brethren and my fellow man?

19. Am I an encouragement or a discouragement to my brethren if I choose to miss the assembly?

20. If I choose to miss the assembly once in a while, am I as dependable as I ought to be?

21. Do I have the proper attitude toward suffering for my Savior when I do not want to suffer
by taking a stand for Him or suffer by not choosing a job or activity that will require me to miss
assembling in His name even one time? (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18; Acts 5:41)

22. If I do not take a stand for the Lord with a job or worldly activity, will I ever be able to
offer my life freely for Him? (Acts 21:13; 1 John 3:16)

23. Will I be acceptable to my Father in Heaven, if I forsake the assembly?

24. Am I acting like Jesus or Paul would, if I choose to take a job or be involved with
activities that require me to forsake the assembly?

25. Each time I choose to miss the assembly of the saints, who has won: Jesus or Satan?

Song Of Songs

The title of this book means "the most beautiful of songs," and in some translations it is called "The Song of Solomon" Song of Songs is love poetry that celebrates the love between a man and a woman.the poems seem only to provide a description of human love.

An editor probably arranged them so that they would relate to each other as a whole. The romance between two lovers is the focus of the poem and provides a kind of connection between its various scenes or sections. But at some points it is hard to know who exactly is speaking, and it is not always easy to see how the sections of the poem relate to one another. When a new poem or speech begins, the CEV inserts a phrase in italics (such as "She speaks" or "He speaks") as a way of indicating who might be the speaker in the section that follows.

Outline
Title: Solomon's Song (1:1)
Love blossoms (1:2-2:7)
Love dreams (2:8-3:5)
Love dances (6:11-8:4)
Powerful love is not for sale (8:5-14)

Are You Walking In The Light

Are you still hanging around in darkness? In John 8:12, we findthat Jesus declares that He is the light of the world,and that those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Going alittle further, in 1 John 1:7 we are reminded that if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son,cleanses us from all sin.
There is no light more magnificent and awesomethan the true Light, who is our Lord and Savior (see John 1:4-9).
No doubt, this Light is the inspiration for the hymn“Jesus the Light of the World”, which was arranged by George D. Elderkin around 1898.

Jesus The Light Of The World
Hark! The herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of theworld;Glory to the new born King, Jesus, the Light of the world.Joyful, all ye nations rise, Jesus the Light of theworld;Join the triumph of the skies, Jesus the Light of the world.Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Jesus the Light of the world;Christ, the everlasting Lord, Jesus the Light of the world.Hail the heav’n born Prince of peace! Jesus the Light of the world;Hail the Sun of righteousness! Jesus the Light of the world.We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,Come where the dew drops of mercy are bright,Shine all around us by day and by night,Jesus, the Light of the world.

I pray that you are walking in the light! And if you are not, I pray that you accept the invitation…because this life’s journey is definitely much better in the light!

Ecclesiastes

The most famous section is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

It is not a book that Christians should ignore. As with all Old Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (Ro 15:4) andadmonition (1 Co 10:11). It is therefore profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

1:1-2:26 - 2:24-26 speaks of enjoyment
3:1-5:20 - 5:18-20 speaks of enjoyment
6:1-8:17 - 8:15-17 speaks of enjoyment
9:1-11:10 - 11:7-10 speaks of enjoyment
12 - Epilogue The "two-section outline"
1:3-11 A poem on human vanity 1:12-6:9
Demonstrating the vanity of human effort 6:10-11:6
Demonstrating the vanity of human wisdom 11:7-12:14
Enjoy our life, as temporary as it is, as a gift from God



Prologue (1:1-11)
Theme (1:1-3)
Cycle of Life (1:4-11)
Life Experiment (1:12-2:26)
A Time for Everything (3:1-9)
Disappointments of Life (3:10-4:16)
The Counsels of Wisdom (5:1-12:8)
Epilogue (12:9-14)

Praise Him With Your Whole Heart

God has given you so much. Yes, I know that sometimes life is hard. Sometimes you just do not feel like praising God. Sometimes we think that life is not fair. You know what? Life is not fair. God is fair. Trust God, not life. Sometimes people are not fair. You may be treated badly. You should not be treated that way. But you know what? People are not fair. God is fair. God does love you. No matter what happens to you in this life, God will still love you. So if life is good, or if life is really bad, take a moment and praise God. God loves you. God has done a lot for you.Just look around.God is Good! Praise God for all the good things He has already done and is going to do in your life.

Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament of the Bible, is a grouping of wisdom sayings and longer, connected poems composed from the 10th to the 4th century BC and finally collected about 300 BC. The sayings are either statements that provoke further thought or admonitions to behave in particular ways. The longer poems celebrate wisdom, encourage its observance, and personify it as a woman who at God's right hand assisted in creation. Egyptian wisdom is evident in Proverbs, making it possible to date the nucleus of the book to pre exilic times. The book as a whole reflects the ideology of enterprising privileged classes and expresses a general confidence in the human capacity to act freely and wisely. Self interest and religious devotion are shown to be congruent. Respect for women (31:10 - 31) is encouraged. The book is conventionally attributed to Solomon as the prototype of Israelite wisdom, but many sages had a hand in composing and collecting the subsections; mentioned specifically are the "men of Hezekiah."

Outline:

Introduction (1:1-9)
Sin and righteousness personified and contrasted (1:10-9:18)
Single-verse contrasts of sin and righteousness (10:1-22:16)
Miscellaneous and longer contrasts (22:17-29:27)
Righteousness in poems of climax (30:1-31:31)

Psalms

Although there is no story flow from one psalm to the next, many of the psalms are gathered into collections: Psalms 3 – 41, 51 – 72, 108 – 110 and 138 – 145 are collections of psalms of David; Psalms 42 – 49, 84, 85, 87 and 88 are psalms of the Sons of Korah; Psalms 50 and 73 – 83 are psalms of Asaph; and Psalms 120 – 134 are called Songs of Ascents.
In the Hebrew Bible, as it was finally canonized, the book of Psalms is divided into five smaller books to correspond in number with the books of the law.
Book 1: Psalms 1 – 41Book 2: Psalms 42 – 72Book 3: Psalms 73 – 89Book 4: Psalms 90 – 106Book 5: Psalms 107 – 150
The Bible is God’s revelation to humanity. Within the Bible, God has chosen to reveal different aspects of his nature in a variety of ways — such as through law, history, proverbs and prophecy. The Psalms are part of God’s revelation through poetry
In Psalms, we see God the Creator, God the Sustainer of his creation, God the Righteous ruler and God the Redeemer of his people. But we also see people like us in a close relationship with this God.

Duct Tape Or Nails?

A man dies and goes to heaven.Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.St. Peter says, "Here's how it works.You need 100 points to make it into heaven.You tell me all the good things you've done,And I give you a certain number of points for each item,Depending on how good it was.When you reach 100 points, you get in.""Okay," the man says,"I was married to the same woman for 50 yearsAnd never cheated on her, even in my heart.""That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!""Three points?" he says."Well, I attended church all my lifeAnd supported its ministry with my tithe and service.""Terrific!" says St.Peter. "That's certainly worth a point.""One point!?!!""I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelterFor homeless veterans.""Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says."Two points!?!! "Exasperated, the man cries."At this rate the only way I'll get into heavenIs by the grace of God.""Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"We often try to fix problemsWith WD-40 and duct tape.God did it with nail

We Cannot Escape God

An individual cannot escape from God. Even if he takes flight and lives on the far side of the sea, lost from sight, still God will follow after him. You cannot escape God, go where you wish, do what you want—you will always end up in God’s hand. And that is very fortunate, for you and for humankind in general. However far people go, they still remain in God’s hand. After they have committed every possible sin and everything about them looks as though they are far, far from God, God will lead them back and hold them with his right hand, so that good may come out of misfortune. Light can penetrate the darkness, and help is at hand in every possible adversity.

What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul?

THERE'S an old gospel song titled "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul?" Its theme is as relevant today as it was years ago. Many people are giving much time and attention to material success and little to their soul.It's easy to get caught up in materialism. Advertising tries to make us believe that we will be whole when we drive an expensive car, live in a big house, and wear fancy clothes. It's a lie. Only relationship with Jesus Christ can make us whole. We find fullness of life through him, not through anything we can buy or through any of our achievements.When we find ourselves tempted by the false promises of materialism, we learn the truth and return to the truth by reading the Bible daily. In the truth of the Bible we discover that we are precious in the eyes of God. We hear that God accepts us and loves us regardless of how we look, what we wear, or what we've accomplished. We can exchange our life for the junk of this world. But we can give ourselves to Jesus Christ and gain eternal life.

Don't Be A Fake

And why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?Luke 6:46 Some people are excellent "fakes." Publicly, they may do an abundanceof "Christian deeds" and use the right Christian clichés. Butprivately, their lives are charades. They aren't listening to God.Their lives are mockeries.A young man who had just graduated from law school set up an office,proudly displaying his shingle out front. On his first day at work,as he sat at his desk with his door open, he was wondering how hewould get his first client. Then he heard footsteps coming down thelong corridor toward his office.Not wanting this potential client to think that he would be thefirst, the young lawyer quickly picked up the telephone and began totalk loudly to a make-believe caller. "Oh, yes sir!" he exclaimedinto the phone. "I'm very experienced in corporate law....Courtroomexperience? Why, yes, I've had several cases."The sounds of footsteps drew closer to his open door."I have broad experience in almost every category of legal work," hecontinued, loud enough for his impending visitor to hear.Finally, with the steps right at his door, he replied, "Expensive?Oh, no sir, I'm very reasonable. I'm told my rates are among thelowest in town."The young lawyer then excused himself from his "conversation" andcovered the phone in order to respond to the prospective client whowas now standing in the doorway. With his most confident voice, hesaid, "Yes, sir, may I help you?""Well, yes you can," the man said with a smirk. "I'm the telephonerepairman, and I've come to hook up your phone!"We sometimes fake the Christian life in the same way. We say we honorGod, but we don't obey Him day to day. Preoccupied with self and wanting our own ways, we ignore God and pretend to be spiritual.Instead of having Christ's character imprinted on our lives, we goour own ways, and our Christianity becomes a forgery.

Separated

WHEN I think of the word separate, I think of young children separated from their parents in a crowd. All of a sudden they realize that their parents are not close by and the children panic. How will they find their parents? Though unable to articulate all that their mother and father mean to them, they know that their security -- food, clothing, protection -- depends on parents who feed, clothe, and protect them from danger.Sometimes in the midst of our busy lives we lose sight of God, who suddenly seems far from us. However, Paul reminds us that as children of God, we are never separated from God's love. Truly, nothing in the world can separate us from God's love, revealed in Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

1 Timothy 4:12 New International Version (NIV)12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.Do not do as I say, do as I do! Your actions speak louder than your words. What you do will speak volumes. When you live a life of love, purity, and faith it will speak louder than the things you say. Did they do you wrong? Treat them with love and it will speak more powerfully than your words will. Be an example in your words, in your life style, in love, in faith, in purity. When you do it God's way, you will get God's results

Tender Hearted

Ephesians 4:31-32 New International Version (NIV)31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ.
God forgave you He died on the cross for you and me.God wants us to be tender hearted. Little kids get their feelings hurt easily? They are tender hearted. As we grow up, we have to deal with pain, disappointment, betrayal, teasing, etc. Some people become filled with bitterness, wrath, anger, … don't do it don't let them get the best of you . Don't let it get to you! If it already has then forgive them. Forgive whomever it was that has done you wrong.It's not worth it. Let the love of Jesus flow through you. Be tender hearted.
We must try to "walk in the light" As that of Christ our Example!

7.Thank You For Everything

God gives us everything we need, but we often forget to say "Thank You." We thank you now, and ask you to help us to remember to give thanks every day for all that you give us. It is God who gives us this life that we live in each day .It is God who gives us the goodness,love, and joy that we share.It is God who showers us withmany many blessings and gives us endless opportunities to grow in love all of our days here.It is God who truly deserves our thanks.Thank you Lord for loving us. Wonderful is my redeemer Praise His Holy Name.May all of us then start each day with a heartfelt:"Thank you God for my life. Which we must live one day at a time.Because we don't know what tomorrow may bring.May all of us fill ourselves withHis wonderful love and endless joy.May all of us share His goodness and light with the world.May all of us live a life full of love, joy, and Happiness" You are our everything.

6.Thank God For The U.S.A.

God bless America has become the catch phrase to make the citizens of this country feel peace in a time of war.it needs to be rephrased to "America bless God." Reason one being that God blesses America every single day, but how often do Americans bless or even acknowledge God? Of course, saying God bless America seems like the patriotic thing to do when tragedy comes.
I thank God for America. I thank Him for starting it, and for keeping His protection over it. I thank Him for His mercy on our nation, and for His continued blessing on us. We can be proud of America, and the freedom, justice, equality, and power that it stands for; but we cannot forget Who is to thank for our prosperity, and Who, ultimately, is in control of things!
God does NOT want to see harm come to anyone. God is a loving God as well as a Holy God Who’s holiness demands justice. God has given each of us a “free-will.” Some folks “will” to do good and others “will” to do bad.some people decided to do bad. Adam and Eve were given a free-will by God, they chose to do bad and paid for it. We also must pay for our own sins. Mankind is sinful and prone to evil. We are prone to hot-tempers, hatred, jealousy, anger and revenge. We are not exempt from terrorism in the United States.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12).
Our desire is to once again see our great country become the Christian nation God had in mind when he sent our forefathers to establish the United States of America? "One Nation Under God!"
In closing here are some great words from our fore fathers:
The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?" - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN"The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart." - PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON"The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests." - PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior (Jesus) of the world is communicated to us through this book." - PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." - PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON (on September 17th, 1796)

Thank You God for The country in which we live.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!

5. Thank God For Our Jobs

Its seems that all my life I have had a hard time keeping a Job. It seem's that the places I have worked have either been bought out or I have been laid off or they have reduced there staff. Again I have changed my job hoping that this is it and here again my job maybe in jeopardy
by a lay off. But I am praying to God that it does not happen. Some of you may have never had to go through this and have had a study job you also need to be thankful. I thank God every chance I get. But then I wonder if he has something bigger and better in store for me? I thank God for the opportunity
for the different job's I have had but I do hope that this one I can stay at I love it where I am at right now. So be thankful of the job you have with places closing up you never know when your number maybe up. I pray it never does! Be happy you have one and that you can support your family.Remember there are people less fortunate then us.
Thank you God for our jobs.

4. Thankful For Prayer

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Do you wonder why your prayers are sometimes not answered? Perhaps you are not thankful. Prayer without thanksgiving is simply a demand notice. It has been said that true prayer must include adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS). As we meditate on God’s past mercies to us, we become thankful and are encouraged to hope that God will again show us favor in our present situation. God is pleased when we remember his past mercies. “Forget not all his benefits,” Psalm 103:2 instructs us.
11. Thankfulness is God’s will for us. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

3.Thankful For the Bible

The Bible. Whether the world is bright or dark, God's Word is always the same. Whether we are young or old, in health or sickness, it is a refuge for the mind and heart. Just think what the world would be like without it, and thank God for His blessed Word that "liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).

2.Thank You For Jesus

Be thankful to Jesus for laying down His life for you. If it were not for Jesus' tremendous sacrifice, we could not be redeemed to Father God.Give all you have to Jesus. Give it with a pure heart, mind & soul. Let us truly thank Him for what we have & what we have to give to others. He said- " Give all you have & come follow me. For I am the way, the truth & the life. I am the light of the world

Jesus told us that no greater love can exist than laying down your life for others (John 15:13). Jesus laid down His life for us. We need to thank Jesus for being our Savior.

Jesus is most precious because He loved us enough to come down from heaven to willingly offer us salvation by grace by offering Himself on the Cross. (John 6:51, John 3:13) He died on our behalf while we were yet sinners. (Rom. 5:8) What an awesome concept that Jesus willingly came to earth to live as God in flesh, in the form of a humble human being, experiencing the same trials and pains we do, to die a most excruciating death in order to purchase (redeem) us by His own precious blood. (1Pet. 1:19)

"Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks for the Holy One; give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ, His Son."

7 Reasons To Be Thankful 1.Thank God

A week from today is Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. So starting today through Thanksgiving I will give you 7 reason's to be thankful. You may have reason's to be thankful feel free to list them in the comment section.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100: 4, 5).



Thank God

Thank God we can count our blessings naming them one by one.We are truly blessed. God is our Creator and Father Gen. 1:1. As any good parent knows, you experience a great joy and blessing when your children are thankful for the things you do for them. God is no different.

Psalm 95:2 tells us: "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving." Your thankfulness should begin with God. Without Him you would not even exist.

He's got the whole world in His hands!

Faith Is The Victory And Standing On The Promise's Of God

Do you need Victory? Do you need strength? Do you need …? With men, it may be impossible but with God, nothing is impossible. By faith, you can have victory with your health, your children, your bills, your spouse, your boss, your parents, and your friends. You can have victory in every area of your life. Find what you need in the Word and stand on the promises of God by faith. Believe what God has already said in His Word and you will have the victory!

Here are a couple of songs we sing that might help you through out the day,though you may not no the tune the words are what is important

Faith Is The Victory

Encamped along the hills of light,Ye Christian soldiers, rise.And press the battle ere the nightShall veil the glowing skies.Against the foe in vales belowLet all our strength be hurled.Faith is the victory, we know,That overcomes the world.

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,Our sword the Word of God.We tread the road the saints aboveWith shouts of triumph trod.By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,Swept on o’er every field.The faith by which they conquered deathIs still our shining shield.

On every hand the foe we findDrawn up in dread array.Let tents of ease be left behind,And onward to the fray.Salvation’s helmet on each head,With truth all girt about,The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,And echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe,White raiment shall be giv’n.Before the angels he shall knowHis name confessed in Heav’n.Then onward from the hill of light,Our hearts with love aflame,We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Standing On The Promise's Of God
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,Thro' eternal ages let His praises ring;Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing.Standing on the promises of God.Standing, Standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, Standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.Standing on the promises that cannot fail,When the howling storms of doubt assail,By the living Word of God I shall prevail,Standing on the promises of God.Standing, Standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, Standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,Standing on the promises of God.Standing, Standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, Standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.Standing on the promises I cannot fall,List'ning ev'ry monment to the Spirit's call,Resting in my Savior as my all in all,Standing on the promises of God.Standing, Standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, Standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.

5 finger prayer

Making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives. > > 1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those > closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our lovedones > is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty." > > 2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, > instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They > need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep > them in your prayers. > > 3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. > Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and > administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. > They need God's guidance. > > 4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the factthat > this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should > remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. Theyneed > your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. > > 5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all whichis > where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As theBible > says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie shouldremind > you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four > groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you willbe > able to pray for yourself more effectively.

The Jars

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 " The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But, they are different he explained.Then he upset one, and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out.Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed.Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts, and attitudes, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.What if someone tipped you over today?What would flow out?Would you reveal the honey of grace, and patience, or the vinegar of anger and sarcasm?Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (Peter 4:8.)Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for some honey.

Listen To God

The Bible says that God is love. Did you know that God/Love wants to reveal to you all the good things that God/Love has prepared for you? Listen to God when you read your Bible. Listen to God when you pray. Listen to God as you go through your day and God will speak to you. God will reveal to your Spirit all of the good things that He has prepared for you. Just spend some time listening to God and before you know it, you will be living in all of the good things God has prepared for you.

Pass It On

John 21:15-19 (NRSV)When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."

YOU'VE probably heard the old story of the Sunday school teacher who asked, "How many of you children want to go to heaven?" All raised their hands except little Johnny, who said, "I can't, teacher. Mummy told me to come straight home after school 'cause we're going to Grandma's." Like the little boy in that story, so many people do not see the possibilities of the bigger picture. We can be so caught up in the immediacy of our small worlds that we may not grasp the possibility of a quality relationship with Christ now and eternal life with him beyond our death.God calls us to follow Christ and to reach out to the larger world. "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15-16) were Christ's last words to his followers. The Christ who calls us as individuals and as the church to take his message to the whole world first calls us to love him; then our service flows from this love. God touches our lives in Jesus Christ, and our love relationship sends us into our world, God's world, to share the Good News.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:Relationship with Christ is more important than anything.

Free To Be Me

"Free to be me!" That's how many people want to be able to live. We live in a day and age of free expression, free thinking, free living, being free spirited, etc. "I just want to be me!" "I just want to be accepted as me!"Is this where we are in our focus on life? Don't we have an appreciation for people who will accept us not for some title we might wear, but simply for what/who we are? For this to be true is fine if we are what we ought to be.It's okay to just be ourselves as long as the being we are is what/who GOD INTENDED for us to be!

Fired Up For Jesus

A poem by:
By: Sheila Miller

I'm fired up for Jesus, want to follow in his steps. To join the war on satan, keeping him in fiery depths.
Come along and join with us,and light the fire within. A battle well worth the fight, to defeat satan and conquer sin.
To see sin and satan fallen, would be a wondrous sight. So get fired up for Jesus, And join us in this fight!

Something To Think About

There was a man who loved dogs. He served as a speaker in various civic clubs to benefit the SPCA. He was known far and wide as a dog lover. One day his neighbor observed as he poured a new sidewalk from his house out to the street. About the time he smoothed out the last square foot of cement a large dog strayed across his sidewalk leaving footprints in his wake. The man muttered something under his breath and smoothed out the footprints. He went inside to get some twine to string up around the sidewalk only to discover dog tracks in two directions on his new sidewalk. He smoothed those out and put up the twine. About five minutes later he looked out and the footprints indicated that the dog had cleared the fence, landed on his sidewalk and proceeded as he desired. The man was mad now. He toweled the wet concrete smooth again. As he got back to the porch he saw the dog come over and sit right in the middle of his sidewalk. He went inside got his gun and came out and shot the dog dead. The neighbor rushed over, "Why did you do that?" he inquired, "I thought you loved dogs." The man responded as he cradled his gun in the crook of his arm. "I do, I do like dogs, in the abstract, not in the concrete.

I wonder if it might not be the same with forgiveness. We love it in the abstract, but when we really have something to forgive, we hate it in the concrete. Concerning forgiveness, remember the word of our Lord, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:13-14).

A Play On Words

John 4:16 New International Version (NIV)16 … God is love… Do you believe that God is love? Many Christians say they believe that God is love, but do we really believe that? Here let me show you what I mean. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 God describes what love is. This is God's definition of love. I am going to replace the word "love" in these verses with "God" and I want you to ask yourself "Is this how I view God?" Here we go.1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 God endures long and is patient and kind; God never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display Himself haughtily.5 He is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); He is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. God (God's God in us) does not insist on His own rights or His own way, for He is not self-seeking; He is not touchy or fretful or resentful; He takes no account of the evil done to Him [He pays no attention to a suffered wrong].6 He does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.7 God bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, His hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and He endures everything [without weakening].8 God never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]...Do you ever wonder "is this God?" or "is this God's will?". One way to find out is to ask yourself "Is this love?". God is love. That does not mean that God has some emotional preference for you. Agape love is an action not an emotion. God will always be patient towards you. God will never boil over with jealousy. God is not boastful. These are all actions. God will never do anything to hurt you.

Job

Job is the first of five books commonly referred to as "The Books Of Poetry". These include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Called suchbecause they are written in poetic style in contrast to the narrative style of most other books.
It is common to suggest that the purpose of the book is to answer the age-old question, "Why does God allow therighteous to suffer?" That is certainly the question Job raises, butit is worthy to note that he himself never receives a direct answer.Nor is one given by the author, other than to answer Satan's challenge,"Does Job fear God for nothing?". We are privileged to know of thechallenge of Satan, and that God allows Job to suffer in answer to that challenge, but Job is never told of this.
Some argue that it was written by Job, Elihu, or Isaiah, or perhaps by Moses, who was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and mighty in words and deeds" (Acts ) He had opportunities in Midian for obtaining the knowledge of the facts related. But, the authorship is altogether uncertain.
Job is humbled by this outpouring of God's power, and he learns to trust where he cannot understand. This leads to his great affirmation of faith, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye seeth Thee" (42:5). God so orders Job to pray for the misgivings of his three friends, but not one such as Elihu whom falsely spoke for the Lord (42:9). Then the book closes with the birth of more sons and daughters and Job's rise to a position of even greater wealth and prominence. Job lived out his additional years as a happy, The Book of Job teaches us to trust in God for all circumstances. When we suffer, it usually is a fruitless effort to try to understand the reasons for the difficulty. Sometimes the righteous must suffer without knowing the reason why; that is why it is important to learn to trust God in everythingcontented man: "So Job died, being old and full of days" (42:17).When we see how great He is, we realize just how little we are. Like Job, we want to bow down in humble submission.
The book of Job also teaches us that God is good, just, and fair in His dealings. He restored Job's fortunes and gave him more than he had ever enjoyed. God always replaces the darkness of our existence with light of His presence when we remain faithful to Him.

Outline of Esther

Queen Vashti Deposed 1 : 1 - 22
Esther Made Queen 2 : 1 - 18
Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy 2 : 19 - 23
Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews 3 : 1 - 15
Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help 4 : 1 - 17
Esther’s Request to the King 5 : 1 - 8
Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai 5 : 9 - 14
Mordecai Honored 6 : 1 - 14
Haman Hanged 7 : 1 - 10
The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews 8 : 1 - 17
Triumph of the Jews 9 : 1 - 17
Purim Cdelebrated 9 : 18 - 32
The Greatness of Mordecai 10 : 1 - 3

Delayed Reaction

Why are prayers not all answered instantly? Why don't we always experience the blessings promised in the Bible immediately?If all results were instant, we could never walk in faith.Without faith, we could never please God. (Hebrews 11:6)If you always reaped the harvest of your deeds immediately, the incentive to do right and refrain from wrongdoing would only be selfish. No faith, or love for God, would be required.During delays we have opportunity to demonstrate whether we really love God, and trust Him, or not.A delay is a test. Without testing, there could be no reward.God does not test us so that we can fail, but so that we can overcome. He believes we will make it with His help.We desire an instant manifestation of victory. What God desires is for us to press into Him and His Word and walk in faith until we see victory.To overcome there must be opposition and struggle. God cannot always shield us from problems without taking away from us the privilege of overcoming.Victory is sweet. What makes it sweet is that it is not easy.If we really trust God, time is not a problem. Leave that with God. His timing is perfect and He is dependable! We know He promised, and can never fail -- and that is enough.

Laugh For The Day

A preacher finished the service one morning by saying, "Next Sunday, I
am going to preach on the subject of liars. As a preparation for my
sermon, I would like you all to read Mark 17."
On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin. Looking out at the
congregation he said, "Last week I asked you all to read Mark 17. If
you have read the chapter, please raise your hand." Nearly every hand
in
the congregation went up. Smiling, the preacher said, "You are the
very
people I want to talk to. Mark has only 16 chapters."

Thought You Might Like This

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class tolook at TV commercials and see if they could use them insome way to communicate ideas about God.Here are some of the results:

GOD is like BAYER ASPIRIN ... He works miracles.GOD is like a FORD ... He's got a better idea.GOD is like COKE ... He's the real thing.GOD is like HALLMARK CARDS ... He cares enough to send His very best.GOD is like TIDE ... He gets the stains out that others leave behind.GOD is like GENERAL ELECTRIC ... He brings good things to life.GOD is like SEARS ... He has everything. GOD is like ALKA-SELTZER ... Try Him, you'll like him. GOD is like SCOTCH TAPE ... You can't see him, but you know He's there. GOD is like DELTA ... He's ready when you are.GOD is like ALLSTATE ... You're in good hands with Him.GOD is like VO-5 HAIR SPRAY ... He holds through all kinds of weather.GOD is like DIAL SOAP ... Aren't you glad you have Him.Don't you wish everybody did?

My Help Come's From The Lord

Can you imagine how things could improve if God Himself was helping you?It can happen.But, to receive God's help you must cooperate with Him.God is ready, willing, and able to help you. He desires to help you. But the choice is yours.When you act contrary to God's principles, you stop God from helping you as much as He desires.To cooperate with God, you must trust Him and walk in faith.You must agree with God and speak in agreement with His Word.And you must walk in love. To do that, constant meditation on God's Word will be required.You will also need to humble yourself and ask the Lord to help you in everything you do. God does not force His help on you without you requesting His help.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah records the last of Old Testament history. The book shows what God can do through a remnant of believers, who rise to God's call through His servant to restore a vital, worshipful relationship with Him.
The book is named after its' principal character. Nehemiah himself is probably the author, the book was most probably around 420 B.C.

The book seeks to show how God favored His people, so recently exiled by strengthening their roots in the homeland of Judah in the face of all kinds of opposition.

The book shows how the broken down walls of Jerusalem and the failing faith of the Jews were restored, through the competent leadership of Nehemiah and through the host of Jewish brethren who responded to the divine challenge to rise and build.

In 457 there had been a small revival under Ezra; but now it was 445 B.C. and God was looking for a man to go to the ruined city and restore safety and order. Nehemiah was that man.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK:
I. Nehemiah prays for the work. (1)
II. Nehemiah prepares for the work. (2)
III. Nehemiah prospers in the work. (3)
IV. Facing the enemy. (4-7)
A. Ridicule
B. Force
C. Discouragement
D. Fear
E. Selfishness
F. Guile
G. Slander
H. Threats
V. Proclamation of the Word. (8-10)
VI. Dedication of the Walls. (11,12)
VII. Condemnation of the wicked. (13)

Ezra

The book of Ezra records the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel through Jeremiah to bring them back to their land after 70 yrs of captivity. Through the protection of three Persian kings, (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes) the second temple was completed and true worship restored in Jerusalem.
The first six chapters cover events during the first two or three years of the reign of Cyrus and the first six years of the reign of Darius I. The last four chapters record events during the first part of the reign of Artaxerxes I. Virtually nothing of the 58 years of Esther is mentioned.
The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel were never able to return from their exile to Assyria. There are many reasons why they did not continue as a national entity

I. The exiles' return from Babylon...............1:1-2:70 A. The decree of Cyrus........................................1:1-4 B. Preparations for the journey.........................1:5-11 C. Those who returned........................................2:1-70 II. Temple building begun....................................3:1-4:24 A. The altar and the foundation.........................3:1-13 B. Opposition to the work..................................4:1-24 III. The building completed..................................5:1-6:22 A. Work resumed..................................................5:1-5 B. Tatnai's letter to Darius...................................5:6-17 C. Decrees of Cyrus and Darius..........................6:1-12 D. The temple finished.........................................6:13-22 IV Ezra's journey to Jerusalem...........................7:1-8:36 A. Ezra introduced...............................................7:1-10 B. Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra........................7:11-28 C. The journey to Jerusalem................................8:1-36 V. The great reformation......................................9:1-10:44 A. The tragic report and Ezra's prayer............9:1-15 B. The abandonment of mixed marriages......10:1-17 C. List of those with foreign wives..................10:18-44

Teach me Thy way,O Lord;I will walk in thy truth.Psalms 86:11

One foggy night, the captain of a large ship saw what appeared to be another ship's lights approaching in the distance. This other ship was on a course that would mean a head-on collision. Quickly, the captain signaled to the approaching ship: "Please change your course 10 degrees west."The reply came blinking back through the thick fog: "You change your course 10 degrees east."Indignantly, the captain pulled rank and shot a message back to the other ship: "I am a sea captain with 35 years of experience. Change your course 10 degrees west!"Without hesitation, the signal flashed back: "I am a seaman, fourth class. You change your course 10 degrees east!"Enraged, the captain realized they were approaching each other quickly and would crash within minutes. So he blazed his final warning: "I am a 50,000-ton freighter. Change your course 10 degrees west!"A simple message winked back: "I am a lighthouse. You change your course!"Like the sea captain, we may need to change course when confronted with the truth. That's what happens when we make it a priority to spend time reading and applying God's Word. It is eternal truth. It doesn't change, so we need to adjust our lives to walk in that truth.So many of us spend our lives avoiding the truth of God's Word because we don't want to walk in it. Christ said in John 8:32 that "the truth shall make you free," but as Herbert Agar wrote in A Time for Greatness, "The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear."What is the Bible to you? A collection of nice stories? The foundation of a conservative worldview? Or is it God's Word, "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword?" (Heb. 4:12). Does anything keep you from obeying God's Word in every area of your life-your business, your marriage, your family? Do you need to adjust the course on which you are heading today?

The Word Is God

John 1:1 New International Version (NIV)1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The Word is God, and we know that God is love, so the Word is love.

Let love (the Word of God) make your decisions. When you have a tough decision to make, dig into love (the Word of God). Find out what love has to say about the issue, and then do what the Word of love has told you to do.

Live For Jesus

Living for Christ begins when we decide to no longer live by the standards of the world, but by the Spiritual truths revealed to us through the Word of God and His Spirit within us. This calls for an undivided heart, loyal only to the Lord our God.

Our new life in Christ is distinctly marked by His Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we are given a new heart.
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh"(Ezekiel 11:19).

Remain Faithful

According to the Bible, we must remain faithful to Christ throughout our lives.
Revelation 2:10
...Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Romans 11:22
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Hebrews 10:38,39
Now the just shall live by faith ; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Hebrews 3:14
For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Be Baptized

Today I had an honor to baptized someone. It is such a neat feeling baptizing someone when he was buried with his Lord in baptism for the remission of sins.And confessed Jesus Christ as God's son. He was so excited, you should of seen the smile on his face when he came out of the water. He is so happy to be a Christian to walk in newness of life.

Let's talk about how you can become a Christian and be happy too.
Acts 2:38): 38 " And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;..."

As Christians we have dedicated ourselves to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1). We will sin (1 Jn. 1:8f). But, we should fight that sin with every fiber of our being, knowing that God has something much better than sin prepared for us

In Acts 8:26-40 we are told of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Philip preached "Jesus" to the eunuch (Acts 8:35). As they were riding along, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "See, here is water! What hinders me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36). Philip told him if he believed with all his heart, he could be baptized. The eunuch answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). Both Philip and the eunuch then went down into the water. Philip baptized the eunuch. Here we see that the eunuch heard Jesus preached to him. He believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He confessed his faith in Christ. Then he was baptized.

So in Conclusion. In our study, we found that the people HEARD about Jesus Christ. They heard that He died to forgive them of their sins. The people BELIEVED this. They believed that Jesus is the Son of God. They understood they were lost in their sins. They were then told to REPENT of their sins. They CONFESSED that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. After confessing, they were BAPTIZED. When they were baptized, their sins were forgiven. They were not forgiven of their sins before baptism. They were forgiven only when they were baptized. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sins? Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Have you been baptized in order to have your sins forgiven? If you have not, then you are still in your sins. You are lost. Obey the Gospel today just as lost sinners did in the Bible.

Confess

Confess Jesus Christ before men in order that He might confess you before the father. . . Matthew 10:32
Romans 10:9
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Are you willing to make this great confession before mankind? If so Jesus will confess your name before the Father in heaven.
We confess our belief in Jesus Christ as the one who saves us...
Jesus spoke of some in His day who believed that He was the promised Messiah but who remained unsaved. The Bible says in John 12:42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue." Remember that Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." To refuse to confess Jesus is to deny Him. The chief rulers believed on Him but they would not confess their faith in Christ before men and therefore Jesus would not confess them before the Father. Yes, one may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God but becoming a Christian involves more than mere belief. Jesus said "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Do you think that one could be saved without loving Christ? Yet, love for Christ is expressed in ones willingness to submit himself to the commands that Jesus Christ has given recorded for us in the pages of the New Testament. It is sad that men have accepted the teaching that salvation is by "faith only," especially since the Bible so clearly says that it is not. You ask, where does it say that? In James 2:24 we read, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." Is that clear enough friends? Will we accept it for what it says?

Repent

Like love and faith, repentance motivates action. It motivates us to hate sin and love righteousness, and thus it motivates us to flee from sin and to "bring forth fruit ... worthy of repentance."
Repentance is a most painful process, and the longer we put it off, the more painful it becomes. Yet, when we allow God's word to work in us we learn what Jesus meant by a "light yoke" (Mt. 11:28) and Paul by "...the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension," (Phil. 4:7).
Repentance is a turning away from sin as a result of godly sorrow; confession is its positive counterpart.

Sin may be attractive, but it is what separates us from God according to Isaiah 59:2-
"...your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God."
Therefore, if we want God's forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins.
Repentance means "turning away from sin." We must do this and make the constant effort to sin no more. In Luke 13:3 Jesus said this about the need for repentance-
"...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Please notice also what is said in Acts 17:30 -
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."
Are you willing to turn away from sin? To renounce sinful behaviors and thoughts and turn to the Lord? If so, then you are on the road to salvation, but you have not done all the Lord commands.
Repenting of sin is NOT enough!

Believe

1. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world as the savior of mankind. In (Matthew 3:17) the Holy Spirit testified that Jesus was the Son of God. In (Matthew 16:13-16) Peter confessed that Jesus was the Son of the living God. The church of Christ believes that Jesus is, THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD."
2. We believe that Jesus came to earth because of the love of God (John 3:16). John tells us that Jesus came to earth, and lived among us for awhile (John 1:18). Peter stated that he was an eyewitness of all that Jesus did while He was here (2 Peter 1:16-18).
3. We believe that the church of Christ is the church Jesus promised to establish (Matthew 16:18-19). We do not have any man, or organization, as our head. Jesus is our head, and all we do is directed by Him (Ephesians 1:22-23).
4. We believed the Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We believe the Bible is our only authority, it was given by God to inspired men (2 Peter 1:20-21), and it contains all that we need for living godly lives (2 Peter 1:3).
5. We believe there are several steps that must be taken to find salvation.
a. We must hear about Jesus. Paul tells us in (Romans 10:17), "That faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We proclaim God's word so all men will have the opportunity to hear about the salvation God provides (Romans 10:8-10).
b. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). When Peter was asked who Jesus was he replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent for the atonement of our sins.
c. We must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3). To repent means to turn away from sin. This means we stop the practice of sinning and live righteously. Repentance means that we have a deep sorrow for having offended God by our sins(2 Corinthians 7:8-10).
d. We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, our Lord (Matthew 10:32-33). Peter made this same confession in (Matthew 16:16) and we must do so as well.
e. We must be baptized into Jesus for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Our baptism into Jesus is by immersion (Romans 6:3-4). Jesus also taught that we must believe and be baptized into Him (Mark 16:15-16).
f. We must be faithful till death (Revelation 2:10). Our crown comes after a life of faithfulness.

5 Steps 1st Step Hearing

In the next 5 or 6 days I would like to talk to you about 5 easy steps into becoming a Christian.(Or called the plan of salvation) They are hear,believe,repent, confess,and being Baptized. I hope you may receive a blessing from it.

Let us first establish that hearing God's word is a condition of salvation. In John 6:44, Jesus stated: 44"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." Note first that this is a condition of salvation: 44" N o one can come to Me, unless ... and I will raise him up on the last day." Now, what does it mean that the "Father ... draws him?" This is explained by the quotation (in verse 45) of Isaiah 54:13:"And they shall all be taught of God." Many think that this implies some miraculous impartation of knowledge. However, the verse goes on to explain this in very natural terms: " Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me." This is not necessarily miraculous, since we all can hear and learn of God from His written word.
The importance of hearing is further impressed on us by Romans 10:17, which is the only verse that we know which tells us specifically how to acquire faith: 17"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Most religious people know that faith is an important aspect of our relationship with God. However, do they understand what we must hear in order that we may receive "a faith of the same kind as ours" (2 Pet. 1:1) that was held by the apostles?
Jesus associated our salvation with knowing the truth, which is only possible by continuing in His word (John 8:31-32).
Jesus answered in John 8:32: 31"If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We control what we hear, and what we hear is of the greatest importance.
Jesus said that we must do 21 "... the will of My Father who is in heaven."How do we know what the will of God is? This is given in the next verse: 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock..." It is essential that we hear (actually listen) to what God has revealed. This first step, learning the truth, is essential to doing God's will.

You Are Not Under A Curse

You are not under the curse! You are under the blessing! Now sometimes it may seem like all you have in your life is the curse – sickness, disease, poverty or lack, no friends, trouble at home, etc. You know at times life can be that way but that is not how God intended it be. That is why God made a way out for you. Jesus came so that you can out from under the curse, so that you could live and walk under the blessings of God. How do you go from being under the curse to being under the blessing? It may take a miracle to get you from where you are to living under the blessing

Against The Rock

There was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as; "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it? etc." Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough."

And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of Prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" To this the Lord compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your hands are callused from constant pressure; your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom.

This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."

I now know what my rock is. I don't have to be discouraged anymore. It's my job to obey.

Making Pancakes

Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents
pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter,
opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which
by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on
the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his
kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental
mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon 's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made
a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it
turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky, we insult a friend, we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything
else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be
glad we tried.

May The Lord Bless You

May the Lord open up the windows of heaven and pour you a blessing that you will not have room enough to receive it all.May the Lord bless you exceedingly and abundantly,above all you could ever hope for.May the Lord bless you that you may walk in a financial overflow.May you fall in love with Him for the rest of your days.

2 chronicles

2 Chronicles continues the history of David's royal line. In chapters 1-9 it describes the building of the temple during Solomn's reign.Chapters 10-36 follow the history of the southern kingdom of Judah to the final destruction of Jerusalem and the people being taken captive of Babylon.

Outline: The reign of Solomon 1:1-9:31
The kings of Judah-10:1-36:14
The destruction of Jerusalem 36:15-23

Satan's Meeting

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.In his opening address he said,"We can't keep Christians from going to church.""We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."" We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.""Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.""So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..""This is what I want you to do," said the devil:"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!""How shall we do this?" his demons shouted."Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered."Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.""Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10- 12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.""Keep them from spending time with their children.""As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!""Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.""Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical mus ic constantly.""This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.""Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.""Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.""Invade their driving moments with billboards.""Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..""Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. ""Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.""Give them headaches too! ""If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.""That will fragment their families quickly!""Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas." "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.""Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.""Have them return from their recreation exhausted.""Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.""Keep them busy, busy, busy!" !"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.""Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.""Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.""It will work!""It will work!"It was quite a plan!The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.Having little time for their God or their families.Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

God Is Love

God loves you and that God is love. When you know how much God loves you, it will change you. It will change the way you think. Why worry? God loves you, and no matter what happens everything will work out. The knowledge of God's love for you becomes the foundation for your entire life. You will become as solid as a rock."and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."As you understand more about God's love for you, you will find it easier to love others. It will be easier to love people who are nasty or difficult. You will become more and more like God as you learn how to love other people."Love has been perfected among us in this:"Your love is made perfect through loving other people. Love is an action, not a feeling. The more you act in love towards others, the more your love is perfected. Love is perfected by doing the right thing, even when it is hard to do.

Love Is Stronger Than Hate

Love is stronger than hate. Good is more powerful than evil.You can walk in victory no matter what anyone does to you.ROMANS 5:5 NIV5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.HEBREWS 13:6 NIV6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Thinking Thought's Of Faith

Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.The Word of God is telling us what to think. To live in faith you will have to discipline your thought life. Let's run a little test. We will start by defining fear. Fear is a confident expectation of something bad or undesirable. Now think on something that is - true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Are you thinking of something that is bad or undesirable? God is training us to think thoughts of "faith" rather than thoughts of "fear". When you discipline yourself to think on these things you are developing your faith. Learn to walk in a confident expectation of things that are good and desirable.

1 Chronicles

Chronicles seem like a repeat of Samuel and Kings but they are not. The main theme is that God is always faithful to his covenant. 1 Chronicles begins with an outline of history from Adam through the death of King Saul. The rest of the book deals with the reign of King David. These books serve as both a warning and encouragement to the Jews to be faithful to the Covenant.

Outline:List of generations 1:1-9:44
The reign of David 10:1-29:30

A Perfect Friend

PROVERBS 18:24 RSV24 There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is afriend who sticks closer than a brother.Would you like to have a perfect friend?A friend who loved you no matter what you did.A friend who would always be there when you needed them.A friend who knew you intimately yet still loved you.A friend who always encouraged you and never put you down.A friend who was smart but not conceited.A friend who had no personal problems to distract them.A friend who was powerful and famous, yet down-to-earth andapproachable.A friend who is righteous yet merciful to others.A friend who never makes a mistake.A friend who enjoyed having a good time and sharing a laugh with you.A friend who had the knowledge and ability to help you witheverything.A friend who is not too good to wash your feet or clean yourtoilet, yet talented enough to be the best at everything.A friend who puts your interests ahead of their own.A friend who loves you more than you love yourself.A friend who would be willing to die for you.There is only one. His name is Jesus, and He wants to be your friend.fect

Something To Think About

TEACHER APPLICANT
After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning, and I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and evencensor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases,check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment,recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments.Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicapsget an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!You want me to do all of this and then you tell me...I CAN'T PRAY?"

What Is Your Motive?

PROVERBS 16:2 NLT2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.Motives are important to God.God is interested in WHY we do things, not just in WHAT we do.Why do you do what you do?Is it to help others? To please God? Or do you live focused totally on yourself?PROVERBS 21:2 LB2 We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives.1 CORINTHIANS 4:5 NIV5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At thattime each will receive his praise from God.One main reason we are not qualified to judge others is because we don't know their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Only God does.

The Healer Picker Upper

Good Comes To Those Who Wait

If you are like me, you don't like to wait. My personality is such where I want to do it right now...think about it later. Why plan when you can just start doing it. And sometimes that is the way t o go but usually not.
When we are facing changes or when God is renewing, we must learn to wait, to be patient. Why? If we rush forward without the Lord we will be out of step with His timing.
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently"(Romans 8:25).
Rushing into a huge purchase can foolishly put us under a huge financial burden. Don't rush into things think things out,pray about it.The reason we wait is to purge ourselves of our human, impulsive ways.
Today, someone is rushing into something when they need to slow down and really seek the Lord's Will and see what the scriptures say. Slow down! Seek the Lord. Search the scriptures. Do what is right, not what "feels" right.
Today is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it.
Good comes to those who wait!!!!!!!

Victory

1 JOHN 5:4 NKJ4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.We all love to win.Victory is sweet. One reason it's so sweet is that it's usually not easy. Victory takes effort -- often great effort.Effort is also required in the spiritual battle of good against evil we are all engaged in. But the effort required of us is to maintain our attitude of faith in God and His Word.We cannot overcome the strategies of the devil by our will power, or by our own strength. We must use the spiritual weapons God has provided for us.As a child of God -- you are a winner! The victory is already yours through what Jesus Christ did on your behalf. Don't let the enemy steal the victory away from you.Your enemy comes to steal your faith. Don't let it happen.

John 14:15 "Do You Love Him?"

15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.Do you love Jesus? When you miss your prayer time do you miss Jesus? Do you long for His presence as you go through your day. When you are tempted do you think about Jesus? When you see that good looking girl/guy do think about what Jesus has done for you? Do you have any limits or boundaries to what you will do for Jesus?Peter loved Jesus. When Jesus said that He was going to go to the cross, Peter stood up and said "I won't let it happen to you." Jesus turned to Peter and said "before the roster crows you will deny me three times."Where do you draw the line. Be honest, be real with yourself. How far are you willing to go for God? Get as specific as you can with where the limit of your love is. Think of something that God asked you to do, but you did not do it. Think of something you did, that you know you should not have done. Think about the last time you reached that boundary and you said, "I won't do that" or "I won't say that" or "I won't go there".

I MAY NEVER SEE TOMORROW

I may never see tomorrow, there's no guarantee,And things that happened yesterday belong to history.I can't predict the future, I can't change the past,I have just the present memories to treat as my last.I must use this moment wisely, for soon it will pass away,And be lost forever as a part of yesterday.I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet,Be a friend unto the friendless, make their life complete.The unkind things I do today, may never be undone,And friendships that I fail to win, may never more be won.I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray,And I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this day! [author unknown]

The apostle Paul declared that we are to be, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16), and "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time" (Col. 4:5). Friends, are we taking advantage of this day - the only day we are guaranteed? Remember, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 The. 5:2).

John 3:16

You may find it difficult to believe -- but it's true -- God loves you. His love for you is not based on your appearance or your performance -- but on the fact that you are His creation -- His child.Just as a good parent loves their children, so God loves His children -- and even more so. You will not be able to make God stop loving you, no matter what you do or don't do. You can displease Him, you can disappoint Him, you can anger Him -- but you can't make Him stop loving you.What are the practical consequences of God loving you? First,it means you can trust Him. No one who truly loves you will mistreat you. Second, it means God is doing all He can to help you and bless you.

Faith and Fear

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Faith and fear are opposites. Faith creates. Fear destroys. Faith believes. Fear doubts. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Fear is the substance of things you do not want. Faith and fear are powerful forces in the earth. Faith is used by God to do good. Fear is used by Satan to destroy. Faith and fear have the power to change the course of your life. Faith or fear will affect your destiny. Faith will bring about God's will in your life and fear will stop God from working in your life.

Something To Think About

All though this might not be your devotional type. It is the thought for today. I found this to be kinda funny. I recieved it in my e-mail today and thought I would change things alittle. Sometimes we need alittle cheering up when we are down. Hope you enjoy it.

An article from 'The Active Senior' NewspaperThis is a true story.

An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle. She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"
The four men didn't wait for a second invitation. They got out and ran like mad. The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why. A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down in the same row. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station. The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly wonman described as white, less then five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair and carrying a large handgun.
No charges were filed.JUST REMEMBER: IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A SENIOR MOMENT, MAKE IT A MEMORABLE ONE.

2 kings

Writer: Jeremiah
This book continues the history of the kingdoms to the captivities. It includes the translation of Elijah and the ministry of Elisha. During this period Amos and Hosea prophesied in Israel, and Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah in Judah.
Second Kings is in seven parts:
1.The last ministry and translation of Elijah, 1:1-2:11.
2.The ministry of Elisha from the translation of Elijah to the anointing of Jehu, 2:12-9:10.
3.The reign of Jehu over Israel, 9:11-10:36.
4.The reigns of Athaliah and Jehoash over Judah, 11:1-12:21.
The reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash over Israel,
5.the last ministry of Elisha, 13:1-25.
6.From the death of Elisha to the captivity of Israel, 14:1-17:41.
7.From the accession of Hezekiah to the captivity of Judah, 18:1-25:30.
The events recorded in Second Kings cover a period of 308 years.

1 Kings

Book Introduction - 1 Kings
Writer: Believed to be Jeremiah
First Kings records the death of David, the reign of Solomon, the building of the temple, death of Solomon, division of the kingdom under Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and the history of the two kingdoms to the reign of Jehoram over Judah, and Ahaziah over Samaria. Includes the mighty ministry of Elijah.
The book is in seven parts:
1.From the rebellion of Adonijah to the death of David, 1:1-2:11.
2.From the accession of Solomon to the dedication of the temple, 2:12-8:66.
3.From the division of the kingdom to the death of Jeroboam and Rehoboam, 12:1-14:31.
4.The kingdoms to the accession of Ahab, 15:1-16:28.
5.Accession of Ahab to his death, 16:29-22:40.
6.From the reign of Jehoshaphat to the accession of Jehoram over Judah, 7.Ahaziah over Samaria, 22:41-53.
The events recorded in First Kings cover a period of 118 years

Invest Your Life Wisely

PHILIPPIANS 3:14 KJV14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling ofGod in Christ Jesus.What will really matter at the end of your life on earth?Will what you are giving attention to now still be importantthen?Or, will you be filled with regret for what you did -- or didn't do?Distractions abound. TV, phone calls, web sites, books, movies.It might be a good idea to stop and evaluate how you areinvesting your time.1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 NIV24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but onlyone gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Run to win. Win what?The true prize is to know God intimately and be His friend.2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 NIV18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what isunseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen iseternal.One day, possibly soon, you will stand before God. Why notorder your life now based on that "final reckoning?"A wise person would not invest everything in somethingtemporary. A wise person invests in something that will last.Invest your life wisely!

Fingers of Prayer

The "Fingers of Prayer" will help us remember who to pray for:1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is a "sweet duty."2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, ministers, and our elders. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our secular leaders. Pray for our President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in. [author unknown]