Trouble Is a Stepping-Stone to Growth

Trouble is something

no one can escape,

Everyone has it in

some form or shape-

Some people hide it

way down deep inside,

Some people bear it

with gallant-like pride,

Some people worry

and complain of their lot,

Some people covet

what they haven't got,

While others rebel and 

become bitter and old

With hopes that are dead 

and hearts that are cold...

But the wise man accepts

whatever God sends,

Willing to yield like

a storm-tossed tree bends,

Knowing that God never

makes a mistake,

So whatever He sends

they are willing to take-

For trouble is part

and parcel of life

And no man can grow

without trouble and strife,

And the steep hills ahead

and high mountain peaks

Afford man at last

the peace that he seeks-

So blessed are the people

who learn to accept

The trouble men try

to escape and reject,

For in our acceptance

we're given great grace

And courage and faith

and the strength to face

The daily troubles

that come to us all

So we may learn to stand

straight and tall-

For the grandeur of life

is born of defeat

For in overcoming

we make life complete.

(Helen Steiner Rice)

Daily Prayers Dissolve Your Cares

I meet God in the morning

And go with Him through the day,

Then in the stillness of the night

Before sleep comes I pray

That God will just take over

All the problems I could not solve

And in the peacefulness of sleep

My cares will all dissolve,

So when I open up my eyes

To greet another day

I will find myself renewed in strength

And there will open up a way

To meet what seemed impossible

For me to solve alone

And once again I will be assured

I am never on my own...

For if we try to stand alone

We are weak and we will fall,

For God is always greatest

When we are helpless, lost, and small,

And no day is unmeetable

If on rising our first thought

Is to thank God for the blessings

That His loving care has brought...

For there can be no failures

Or hopeless, unsaved sinners

If we enlist the help of God

Who makes all losers winners...

So meet Him in the morning

And go with Him through the day

And thank Him for His guidance

Each evening when you pray,

And if you follow faithfully

This daily way to pray

You will never in your lifetime

Face another hopeless day. 

(Helen Steiner Rice)

Wear the Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. Accept God's salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people. Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear. I have been sent to preach this Good News, and I am doing that now, here in prison. Pray that when I preach the Good News I will speak without fear, as I should.

Living in the Light

Ephesians 5:1-20

You are God's children whom he loves, so try to be like him. Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God's holy people. Also, there must be no evil talk among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God. You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god. Do not let anyone fool you by telling you things that are not true, because these things will bring God's anger on those who do not obey him. So have nothing to do with them. In the past you were full of of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the things done in darkness, which are not worth anything. But show that they are wrong. It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret. But the light makes all things easy to see, and everything that is made easy to see can become light. This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper! Rise from death, and Christ will shine on you." So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do. Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit. Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Way You Should Live

Ephesians 4:17-32

In the Lord's name, I tell you this. Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing. They do not understand, and they know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.They have lost all feeling of shame, and they use their lives for doing evil. They continually want to do all kinds of evil. But what you learned in Christ was not like this. I know that you heard about him, and you are in him, so you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught to leave your old self- to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God- made to be truly good and holy. So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor. When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what need- words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God's proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

Pride

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is Genesis 11:1-32

People built a tower and a city called Babel as a monument to their own greatness. God thwarted this arrogant behavior by causing all the people to speak in different languages. This caused confusion and the people to scatter all over the world. God will not permit us to replace him as supreme in the universe. We belong to him and are responsible for our actions. The scene is almost spooky: a tall, unfinished tower looming solitarily on a dusty plain. Its base is wide and strong but covered with weeds. Large stones originally intended for use in the tower lie forsaken on the ground. Buckets, hammers, and pulleys-all lie abandoned. The silhouette cast by the structure is lean and lonely. Not too long ago, this tower was buzzing with activity. A bystander would have been impressed with the smooth-running construction of the world's first sky scraper. One group of workers stirred freshly made mortar. Another team pulled bricks out of the oven. A third group carried bricks to the construction site while a fourth shouldered the load up a winding path to the top of the tower where it was firmly set in place. Their dream was a tower. A tower that would be taller than anyone had ever dreamed. A tower that would punch through the clouds and reach the heavens. And what was the purpose of this tower? T glorify God? No. To try and find God? No. To call people to look upward to God? No. Try again. To provide a heavenly haven for prayer? Still wrong. The purpose of the work caused its eventual destruction. The method was right. The plan was effective. But the motive was wrong. Dead wrong. Why was the tower being built? For selfish reasons. The bricks were made of inflated egos and the mortar was made of pride. Men were giving sweat and blood for a pillar. Why? So that somebody's name could be remembered. We have a name for that: blind ambition. We make heroes out of people who are ambitious. And rightly so. This world would be in an even sadder state without people who dream of touching the heavens. Ambition is that grit in the soul which creates disenchantment with the ordinary and puts the dare  into dreams. But left unchecked it becomes an insatiable addition to power and prestige; a roaring hunger for achievement that devours people as a lion devours an animal, leaving behind only the skeletal remains of relationships. Blind ambition. Distorted values. God won't tolerate it. He did not then and he will not now. He took the "Climb to Heaven Campaign" into his hands. With one sweep he painted the tower gray with confusion and sent workers babbling in all directions. He took man's greatest achievement and blew it into the wind like a child blows a bubble. Are you building any towers? Examine your motives. And remember the statement imprinted on the base of the windswept Tower of Babel: Blind ambition is a giant step away from God and one step closer to catastrophe. What towers have you been building? Wealth? Success? Recognition? Focus on what God wants you to build. Simplify your life. Surrender your desires to him! Let him guide your efforts.

Exploration: (Judges 8:1-3); (Judges 15:14-17); (Luke 1:48); (Psalm 10:11)

 

Accountability

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is: Genesis 9:1-10:32)

God promised that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood. A rainbow would follow rain as a reminder that God keeps his promises. Man must treat all living creatures well. God created a special covenant with humans that gave them dominance over the earth, yet it made them accountable to God for each action. There is hardly a more sobering statement in Scripture than Romans 14:12; So each of us will have to answer to God. The words "each of us" apply to Christians and non-Christians alike. And though believers will be saved by grace and not by works, once in Heaven our reward there will be determined on the basis of our works. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) their work will be clearly seen, because the Day of Judgement will make it visible. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone's work to show what sort of work it was. If the building that has been put on the foundation still stands, the builder will get a reward. But if the building is burned up, the builder will suffer loss. The builder will be saved, but it will be as one who escaped from a fire. Jesus said, "And I tell you that on the Judgement Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said." (Matthew 12:36) If we must give an account to God for every word spoken, surely we must give an account for every hour spent carelessly. The wise response to such truth is to evaluate your use of time now and spend it in a way that you would like to hear at the Judgement. And if you cannot answer your conscience regarding how you use your time in the growth of Christianlikeness now, how will you be able to answer God then? In what areas do you need accountability? Prayer time? Bible study? Sharing your faith? Pick an area in your life that needs improvement. Find someone to hold you accountable to help you make the changes that God wants. 

Exploration: (Matthew 12:36); (Hebrews 13:17)

Do Not Criticize Other People

(Romans 14:10-12)

So why do you judge your brothers or sisters in Christ? And why do you think you are better than they are? We will all stand before God to be judged, because it is written in the Scriptures: "As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Everyone will bow before me; everyone will say that I am God.'" So each of us will have to answer to God. 

Faithful to God

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is: Genesis 6:1-8:22

The size of Noah's arc ensured that it could carry tens of thousands of animals. This dramatic event demonstrated God's wrath toward sin, but also his mercy toward those who seek him. Faithfulness to God remains vital, even if everyone around us marches to a different drumbeat. Have you ever seen someone doing something and then you say, "You'll never catch me doing that."? Upright and obedient, Noah stood alone against a carousing, lustful world thank drank itself silly. Who would have thought that Noah would end up drunk? Abraham was ready to push obedience to the next level by sacrificing his only son. Who would have imagined that he would lie straight-faced? Look at Lot standing against the filthiness of Sodom. Hardly does he get delivered from the city's destruction than he falls into incest. Who would have guessed? Bold and courageous David was brave enough to go up against Goliath, the warrior giant of the Philistines; later on he made believe that he was a madman for fear of his enemies. And consider Elijah. We take him to be a rather brave man, wielding the sword of God's vengeance against tens of thousands. But the threat of one woman then sends him into suicidal despair. Peter, as part of the inner circle, followed the footsteps of Jesus closer than anyone. He ended up cursing and denying the Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:11) The things that happened to those people are examples for us. They were written down to teach us, because we live in a time when all these things of the past have reached their goal. Just when you think that you know yourself, you do or say something that seems so out of character. But it's really not. The character of our body of sin and death is to sin. Don't be surprised. Just be careful that you, too, do not fall. God wants us to stand against sin. Sometimes we must do it all by ourselves, but it is always easier to stand with others. If you are slugging it out alone, pray for a friend-someone with whom you can share the joys and struggles of faith.

Exploration: (1 Corinthians 10:13; 15:58); (Galatians 5;1); (Ephesians 6:14); (2 Thessalonians 2:15); (Hebrews 2:18; 12:1-3); (James 1:12)

The Flock of God

(1 Peter 5:8-9)

Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering. 

Broken Worlds

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is: Genesis 4:1- 5:32

After Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sin affected the life and death of every living creature. Sin and death reigned in every individual. Enoch, the one notable exception to the punishment of death, "walked with God." Cain, like Adam and Eve, wanted to keep his distance from God. Rather can confess his sin, Cain tried to hide it to keep it from God. Here is a good rule of thumb: Those who keep secrets from God keep their distance from God. Those who are honest with God draw near to God. This is nothing new. It happens between people. If you loan me your car and I wreck it, will I look forward to seeing you again? No. It is no coincidence that the result of the very first sin was to duck into the bushes. Adam and Eve ate the fruit, heard God in the garden, and crept between the leaves. "Where are you?" God asked, not for his benefit. He knew exactly where they were. The question was a spiritual one, not a geographical one. "Examine where you are, children. You aren't where you were. You were at my side; now you have hidden from me." Secrets erect a fence while confession builds a bridge. Once there were a couple of farmers who couldn't get along with each other. A wide ravine separated their two farms, but as a sign of their mutual distaste for each other, each constructed a fence on his side to keep the other out. In time however, the daughter of one met the son of the other, and the couple fell in love. Determined not to be kept apart by the folly of their fathers, they tore down the fence and used the wood to build a bridge across the ravine. Confess does that. Confessed sin becomes the bridge over which we can walk back into the presence of God. Ask yourself: What am I trying to hide from God? Confess your sins and your desire to live your your life independent of God. He wants us to live in full fellowship and communion with him.


Exploration: (Exodus 2-3); ( Samuel 11-12); (Jonah 1-4); (Matthew 26:69-75)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

(Psalm 51)

God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again. I know about my wrongs, and I can't forget my sin. You are the one I have sinned against; I have done what you say is wrong. You are right when you speak and fair when you judge. I was brought into this world in sin. In sin my mother gave birth to me. You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you crushed be happy again. Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Do not send me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit . Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you. God's save me from the guilt of murder, God of my salvation, and I will sing about your goodness. Lord, let me speak so I may praise you. You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don't want burnt offerings. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.  Do whatever good you wish for Jerusalem. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with right sacrifices and whole burnt offerings, and bulls will be offered on your altar.

Human Spirit

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is: Genesis 2:4- 3:24 

 God the Creator completed his masterpiece by creating man woman. God breathed life and spirit into his special handiwork. Though sin entered the world, God also provided for redemption from sin. God created people with the freedom to choose or reject him. When his creation chose to rebel, God revealed his plan for salvation. God did not create us as robots. Praise him for giving us the ability to serve and love him purposefully. Thank him for his gifts of freedom and creativity. Set aside time today for creative praise. Make that choice today.

(Job 32:8) But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding. 

(Ecclesiastes 12:7) You will turn back into the dust of the earth again, but your spirit will return to God who gave it.

(Acts 7:59) While they were throwing stones, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 

God the Creator

Scriptural Guide for this lesson is Genesis 1:1- 2:3

 The magnificent story of The Beginning revealed God's creativity, majesty, and love. Yet the most humbling, puzzling, and awe-inspiring act took place when God breathed the breath of life into humanity. God demonstrated power and love by creating. With only a spoken word God created everything around us. Then, with loving care, he formed Adam out of the ground. With one decision, history began. Existence became measurable. Out of nothing came light. Out of light came day. Then came sky... and earth. And on this earth? A mighty hand went to work. Canyons were carved. Oceans were dug. Mountains erupted out of flatlands. Stars were flung. A universe sparkled. Our sun became just one of millions. Our galaxy became just one of thousands. Planets invisibly tethered to suns roared through space at breakneck speeds. Stars blazed with heat that could melt our planet in seconds. The hand behind it was mighty. He is mighty. And with this might, he created. As naturally a a bird sings and a fish swims, he created. Just as an artist can't not paint and a runner can't not run, he couldn't not create. He was the Creator. Through and through, he was the Creator. A tireless dreamer and designer. Probe deep within him. Explore every corner. Search every angle. Love is all you find. Go to the beginning of every decision he has made and you will find it. Go to the end of every story he has told and you will see it. Love... He created a paradise. A sinless sanctuary. A haven before fear. A home before there was a human dweller. No time. No death. No hurt. A gift built by God for his ultimate creation. And when he was through, he knew "it was very good." But it wasn't enough. His greatest work hadn't been completed. One final masterpiece was needed before he would stop. Look to the canyons to see the Creator's splendor. Touch the flowers and see his delicacy. Listen to the thunder and hear his power. But gaze on humanity and witness all three. Today you will encounter God's creation. When you see the beauty around you, let each detail remind you to lift your head in praise. Express your appreciation for God's creation. Encourage others to see the beauty of his creation.
(Nehemiah 9:6) You are the only LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, with all the stars. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; you give life to everything. The heavenly army worships you.

(Job 26:7) God stretches the northern sky out over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.

(Psalm 102:25) In the beginning you made the earth, and your hands made the sky.

(Acts 14:15) "Friends, why are you doing these things? We are only human beings like you. We are bringing you the Good News and are telling you to turn away from these worthless things and turn to the living God. He is the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.

(Hebrews 11:3) It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God's command so what we see was made by something that cannot be seen. 

Perseverance

How do you respond when you are "thumped" by people at work, school, family, or anyone in general? Your initial reaction during these times reflects who you are. What responses need to change? The character of a person is checked by these thumps. Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. "You've got to be kidding me" deadlines. Those are thumps. They are those irritating inconveniences that bring out the worst in us. They catch us off guard. They're small, but if you get enough of them, watch out. Thump. Thump. Thump. How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud? Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks. (Luke 6:45) Good people bring good things out of the good they stored in their hearts. But evil people bring evil things out of the evil they stored in their hearts. People speak the things that are in their hearts. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics, but in their day-to-day living. (James 1:1-27) My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom. But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind. Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord. Believers who are poor should be proud, because God has made them spiritually rich. Those who are rich should be proud, because God has shown them that they are spiritually poor. The rich will die like a wild flower in the grass. The sun rises with burning heat and dries up the plants. The flower falls off, and its beauty is gone. In the same way the rich will die while they are still taking care of business. When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all those who love him. When people are tempted, they should not say, "God is tempting me." Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death. My dear brothers and sisters, do not be fooled about this. Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows. God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made. My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God's teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you. Do what God's teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves. Those who hear God's teaching and do nothing are like people who look at themselves in a mirror. They see their faces and then go away and quickly forget what they looked like. But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy. People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their "religion" is worth nothing. Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence. I know I just threw a long scripture at you, but read it again and again and get the true meaning of it please. Like I said in an earlier post, we should never ever let someone that has no joy, steal our joy. When we come across ignorant and stupid people, we need to set an example. Not foe them, but for God. We need to show God that we have heard his message, and that it is in our hearts, and that we will remain faithful and on top of our game. It's all a test. Satan went about roaming the earth looking for someone to test, and he happened upon you. Why? I can't say. But I can say this, don't fall into the trap that he is trying to lay down for you because you will be losing out on a blessing. (Romans 2:7) Some people, by always continuing to do good, live for God's glory, for honor, and for lifethat has no end. God will give them life forever. Life forever... Can you even begin to comprehend that? Not only will you receive eternal life by following God's laws, but you will receive blessings here as well. (Romans 8:24-25) We were saved, and we have this hope. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have. But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently.  No matter what challenges we face, and I know there are many, we must remain steadfast in our faith, hope, and beliefs. (2 Corinthians 6:3-7) We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so nothing we do will be a problem for anyone. But in every way we show we are servants of God: in accepting many hard things, in troubles, in difficulties, and in great problems. We are beaten and thrown into prison. We meet those who become upset with us and start riots. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food. We show we are servants of God by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by true love, by speaking the truth, and by God's power. We use our right living to defend ourselves against everything. I want to end this post by saying that God allows tough situations in our lives in order to refine us and bring us closer to him. We should approach these times with a right attitude and seek his wisdom. God bless you all.

We Can't... but God Can!

Why things happen as they do
we do not always know,
And we cannot always fathom
Why our spirits sink so low...
We flounder in our dark distress,
We are wavering and unstable,
But when we're most inadequate
The Lord God is always able...
For though we are incapable,
God is powerful and great,
And there is no darkness of the mind
That God can't penetrate...
And all that is required of us
Whenever things go wrong
Is to trust in God implicitly
With a faith that's deep and strong,
And while He may not instantly
Unravel all the strands
Of the tangled thoughts that trouble us-
He completely understands...
And in His time, if we have faith,
He will gradually restore
The brightness to our spirit
That we've been longing for...
So remember, there's no cloud too dark
For God's light to penetrate
If we keep on believing
And have faith enough to wait!

When You Feel Angry

I was at work the other day and I had a customer curse me out over a pack of cigarettes that I refused to sell him. Can you believe that? I was called a name, that I will not repeat, over something that costs $3.63. I stood there and got so angry, that I wanted to go outside and beat the brakes off this man. Then I thought about it and realized that he must already have a sad existence if a pack of cigarettes means that much to him. I also realized that anger is not something that falls in line with the way God wants me to live my life. (James 1:19-20) My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. Anger robs you of your joy and it robs you of your blessings. It's a way of letting the devil in and of you losing out. (Ephesians 4:26-27) When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Anger shows that we have lost control, even if for a split second. We have lost our ability to listen to reason. It shows that we cannot listen to advice or even to reason. When we are slow to speak, it does not mean that we are weak. It shows that we are not going to let someone who has no joy, steal our joy. I know it is so much easier to go off on somebody and sometimes no matter how hard we try to keep a peaceful tongue, we end up going off. But as Christians, we need to try to do the best we can and be slow to speak and slow to anger. Words are just that, words. They do not define us as a person. (Proverbs 12:16) Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults. (Romans 12:17-19) If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them," says the Lord. So the next time you're tempted to say or do something out of anger, remember that Scripture tells us to wait on God to punish those who have wronged us. I know that as humans, we are emotional creatures, and it's easier to react than it is to think and remain calm. But we will be only hurting ourselves because we are giving power to the ones that made us angry. We should not give them that power over us. As Christians we need to rise above it all and put those things out of our lives. (Colossians 3:8) But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. A deep personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ will transform every area of our lives. He is there waiting. All we need to do is make the first step. God bless you all.

WHEN YOU FEEL DEPRESSED

HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EVER BEEN DEPRESSED? I MEAN A REAL DEPRESSION WHERE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE NO REASON TO GO ON? YOU JUST WANT TO GIVE UP AND DIE?WELL, I HAVE BEEN FEELING THAT WAY FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I HAD SOMETHING HAPPEN IN MY FAMILY THAT JUST BLEW ME AWAY. I THOUGHT THAT MY WORLD WAS OVER. I CRIED, I SCREAMED, I CRIED SOME MORE, AND I PRAYED FOR DEATH TO TAKE ME. I WANTED TO BE GONE FROM THIS EARTH AND I WANTED TO NOT FEEL ANYMORE. THEN, AS I WAS CRYING, SOMETHING TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT MY TIME TO GO AND THAT THE PERSON I'M GRIEVING FOR NEEDS ME NOW MORE THAN THEY EVER DID. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT BY PRAYING FOR DEATH, I WAS ACTUALLY BEING VERY SELFISH.  I WAS ASKING FOR THE COWARDS WAY OUT. SO INSTEAD OF CRYING, I BEGAN TO PRAY. INSTEAD OF HAVING A HEAVY HEART, I BEGAN TO GIVE PRAISE. INSTEAD OF WANTING TO DIE, I HAD THE URGE TO LIVE AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GOD AND HIS UNDYING LOVE. I HAD THE STRONGEST DESIRE TO SHOUT OUT IN GREAT PRAISE FOR THE ONE THAT WAS GOING TO BRING ME AND MY LOVED ONE BACK FROM OUR DARKEST HOUR. AMEN! I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE IS NO DEPRESSION SO BLEAK THAT GOD CANNOT BRING YOU OUT. NONE. (ISAIAH 40:31) SAYS: " BUT THE PEOPLE WHO TRUST THE LORD WILL BECOME STRONG AGAIN. THEY WILL RISE UP AS AN EAGLE IN THE SKY; THEY WILL RUN AND NOT NEED REST; THEY WILL WALK AND NOT BECOME TIRED."  WHAT GLORIOUS WORDS.  THE SCRIPTURE TELL US THAT WE WILL BECOME STRONG IF WE TRUST IN THE LORD. TRUST. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. TRUSTING HIM TO KNOW WHAT WE NEED. TRUSTING THAT THOSE NEEDS WILL BE MET. (ISAIAH 41:10) GOES ON TO SAY, " SO DON'T WORRY, BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU. DON'T BE AFRAID, BECAUSE I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL MAKE YOU STRONG AND I WILL HELP YOU; I WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH MY RIGHT HAND THAT SAVES YOU." GOD WILL BE THERE FOR US WHEN WE FEEL THAT WE HAVE NO ONE THERE AT ALL. HE TELLS US, DON'T BE AFRAID. PRAISE HIS NAME. WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IN HIM. (1 PETER 5:6-70 READS: " BE HUMBLE UNDER GOD'S POWERFUL HAND SO HE WILL LIFT YOU UP WHEN THE RIGHT TIME COMES. GIVE ALL YOUR WORRIES TO HIM, BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT YOU." HE WANTS TO TAKE ALL YOUR WORRIES FROM YOU. HE'S TELLING US TO GIVE THEM ALL TO HIM, NO MATTER WHAT THEY MAY BE. LET THEM GO. THEY BELONG TO HIM. AMEN. (PSALM 43:5) SAYS, " WHY AM I SO SAD? WHY AM I SO UPSET? I SHOULD PUT MY HOPE IN GOD AND KEEP PRAISING HIM, MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD." CAN IT BE ANY EASIER TO UNDERSTAND? WE HAVE NO CAUSE TO BE SAD OR DEPRESSED WHEN WE HAVE THE LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WITH US. I WANT TO END THIS POST WITH ONE LAST SCRIPTURE THAT SUMS IT ALL UP FRIENDS AND FAMILY... (2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17) MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF AND GOD OUR FATHER ENCOURAGE YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOU IN EVERY GOOD THING YOU DO AND SAY. GOD LOVED US, AND THROUGH HIS GRACE HE GAVE US A GOOD HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT THAT CONTINUES FOREVER.

THANK YOU GOD, FOR EVERYTHING

THANK YOU GOD, FOR EVERYTHING----
THE BIG THINGS AND THE SMALL,
FOR EVERY GOOD GIFT COMES FROM GOD---
THE GIVER OF THEM ALL---
AND ALL TOO OFTEN WE ACCEPT
WITHOUT ANY THANKS OR PRAISE
THE GIFTS GOD SENDS AS BLESSINGS
EACH DAY IN MANY WAYS,
AND SO AT THIS THANKSGIVING TIME
WE OFFER UP A PRAYER
TO THANK YOU, GOD FOR GIVING US 
A LOT MORE THAN OUR SHARE...
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THE LITTLE THINGS
THAT OFTEN COME OUR WAY,
THE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED
BUT DON'T MENTION WHEN WE PRAY,
THE UNEXPECTED COURTESY,
THE THOUGHTFUL, KINDLY DEED,
A HAND REACHED OUT TO HELP US
IN THE TIME OF SUDDEN NEED...
OH, MAKE US MORE AWARE, DEAR GOD
OF LITTLE DAILY GRACES
THAT COME TO US WITH SWEET SURPRISE
FROM NEVER-DREAMED-OF PLACES---
THEN, THANK YOU FOR THE MIRACLES
WE ARE MUCH TOO BLIND TO SEE,
AND GIVE US NEW AWARENESS 
OF OUR MANY GIFTS FROM THEE,
AND HELP US TO REMEMBER
THAT THE KEY TO LIFE AND LIVING
IS TO MAKE EACH PRAYER A PRAYER OF THANKS
AND EVERY DAY THANKSGIVING.

Can I have a few minutes of your time please. I want to talk about love. How many of you out there "love" someone? It could be a parent, a brother or sister, a child, or even a spouse or a significant other. We all have people in our lives that we love. We love them so much that we can't live without them. We love them so much that we do things that are against our own beliefs because we don't want to disappoint them. We want to keep them happy. Why? Because we love them of course. I see it everyday. A young girl with her whole life ahead of her falls in love with a guy that she will do anything for or vice versa. All along, that guy or girl isn't worth the time, energy, or love you're putting into that relationship. But as humans, we crave that love and we crave that special relationship with someone. It's how we were created. But what if I tell you that the love we seek cannot be found in any human form. Would you think I'm crazy? It's true. God created us with a yearning for love. A need for closeness. That need that we have can only be filled completely through our relationship with our creator. We are to look to Him for that desire to be quenched but instead we look to other humans that have the same needs as we have. God's Word is the most beautiful expression of love ever written. His love transcends every kind of earthly love. His love is stronger than any bond between parent and child or husband and wife. No earthly image can accurately portray God's love for us. Galatians 2:20 explains that Jesus loved you enough to die in your place. He chose to accept your punishment so that you could spend eternity with the father. With his death, Jesus committed the greatest act of love ever seen by human eyes. With a love so devoted, so sacrificial, so extreme-- nothing can ever interfere. Nothing can squelch or diminish that love. You can never fall beyond reach of his love. You can't lose it. You can't change it, win it, or control it. His love extends before and beyond time, and he loved you before you even knew him. When you choose to accept his love, you begin the most amazing relationship of your life. Nothing else can ever or will ever compare.
*(Jeremiah 31:3) And from far away the LORD appeared to his people and said, "I love you people with a love that will last forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness.
*(John 13:1) It was almost time for the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end.
*(Ephesians 3:14-19) So I bow in prayer before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name. I ask the Father in His great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love--how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

The Tongue

Learning to control the tongue is an important step in self-control. Have you ever said something without thinking that was hurtful or hateful to someone? Have you ever said things without thinking? Or have you ever used language that was just beyond awful? Well, I have. More times than I care to count. I have had things come out of my mouth that even shocked me when I took the time to think about them afterwards. I never thought anything about what I said because I'm grown. And being grown means that I can say whatever I want right? It means I don't have to worry about the consequences of my words right? WRONG! The Bible tells us that our mouth is the dirtiest part of our body. Not because of what we put into it, but because of what we allow to come out of it. James 3:6-10 says: And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. The tongue is set on fire by hell, and it starts a fire that influences all of life. People can tame every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have tamed them, but no one can tame the tongue. It is wild and evil and full of deadly poison. We use our tongues to praise out Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. We use our tongue to give compliments as well as to tell lies. Psalm 34: 13 says: You must not say evil things, and you must not tell lies. In Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 19 we are given some true wisdom. The Scripture says: If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet. Why does the Bible warn us about talking too much? It's because God already knows what we fail to understand, and that is that our tongue is going to say something we should not say. It's inevitable. It also tells us in Proverbs 21:23 that Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble. Think about how many problems or arguments could have been avoided in your own life if you would just think before you speak. Think about it. When we speak, it should be to help our brothers and sisters not to hurt them. We should be giving encouragement not hatred. (James 1:26) says: People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their "religion" is worth nothing. If you are a true believer of God and want to follow Christ's example then you should live in the Spirit, not the flesh. The next time you catch yourself about to say something you know you should not say, think about this... Would you say that to God or Christ if they were in front of you? Would you allow those types of things to come out of your mouth in their presence? No, you wouldn't. So let's do our best to treat all of our brothers and sisters in the same manner.

You Are Not an Accident

We were created by the Master of all masters. He made us for his purpose and He made no mistakes in His creation of us.Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it. (Psalm 139:15-16) says; You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.
(Acts 17:26) God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly when and where they must live.