The dead shall rise"

          "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud

                command, with the voice of the archangel and with The 

                trumphet call of God, and the dead in christ will rise first

                                     1 THESSALONIANS 4:16

What an odd Sunday afternoon I had My mother-in-law recently purchased a family grave plot at a cementery called Forest Lawn. However, she would not sign the papers until Ken and I looked at the lot and gaveour approval. "Do I have to?" Iwhined at Ken.,I could think of better things to do with our sunday afternoon.

         Being the submissive wife, I trekked to Forest Lawn with Ken, looked at my gravesite located in a section called "Murmuring Pines," and listened to the realtor (that's what she wasa tua.ly called renind me that what with my head "here," and my feet "there," I would have a grand view of the valley and distance mountains. That's important, I told her. I also told her I did  not have plans to stay there very long. Smile.

         While the realtor and my mother-law- conferred over the papers, I looked around at the hundred of tombstones. It suddenly struck me that i was sitting on the exact spot where my body will rise, shoul I die before christ comes. Sitting on that grassy hillside did more to ignite thereality of the Resurrection than hearing sermons or reading essays on the subject.

         The Resurrection is. not something to be spiritualized away. Ohe day actuall graves and reunite to rise. Dead men, one day shall  live,  shall live,  hallelujah!

            Lord, You  are the ressurection and  the life and I praise You that 

            Eternal life is your glorious gift to those whi believe. One day the

             Dead shall rise.  Me included!

    https://www.facebook.com/sheng.canto/posts/10202685669341734

"TELL THEM YOUR STORY"

                                  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he

                                               Proverb 23:7 NKJV

          What we think about deremines what we do. Even more important, the Scripture tells us what we think about shapes our attitude and how we live our lives.

The Greek city of philippi was one of the places where the apostle Paul had a fruitful ministry. The Greeks were great thinkers. They loved a good debate, a lively conversation about philosophy, or a rousing time of oratory that might trigger the imagination. Paul wrote to the Philippians:

        

          "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,

           Whatever things are just, whatever things are pure

           Whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good

            report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything

            praiseworthy meditate on these things."

                                  Philippians 4:8 NKJV

          It's interesting to note Paul wrote this immediately after three other concerns in Philippians, chapter4. First, he tells two women who are having an argument to become of "the same mind in the Lord." Paul wants them to be at peace with each other and to rejoice together in the Lord.

          Second, Paul tells them to be gentle with all me. That's descriptive of having peace with these who don't know the Lord. And third, Paul advises them not to be anxious or worried about anything, but to turn all total peace of mind and heart.

         Paul is encouraging the Philippians to be one God's "peace people" by turning their thoughts toward God's blessing and Word. He makes it very clear what the result will be:

                        ...and the God of peace will be with you."

                                            Philippians 4:9

          As we look for the good in others, and meditate on the unending goodness of our Creator, we find the path toward peace with others and the peace that passes all understanding in whatsoever the  situation we find ourselve.

          Thinking right is more than positive thinking it is living a life that is filled with God's goodness, wisdom, and mercy! So Tell Them Your Story!

" forsaken feeling"

      "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi,

      Eloi, lama sabahthani?' Which means, 'My God, my God,

       Why have you forsaken me?'"                   Matthew 27:46

                    

       I received a letter the other day from a man who described his painful feelings of separation from the Lord. He was a strong believer, but because of a death in his family he felt as though God had forsaken him. This man was ashamed and upset with his emotions, trying desperately to feel connected with the Lord. He said in his note, "Joni, I don't know if I'll ever be able to experience closeness to God again."

      I put down his letter and recalled those dark times when I, too, felt like God was far away. It's frightening to feel that the Lord has turned His back on you. But if you've ever experienced that dark emptiness, you've not alone.

      Jesus felt the same way. There was a time when the Son of God Himself was unable  to experience closeness with His Father. It happened on the cross. And when He felt separated, He cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?

      It's hard to explain, but I draw comfort from the knowledge

      That even Jesus was unable at least at one point in His life

       to experience closeness with the Father. That fact alone 

       convinces me that the Lord would not condemn me for 

       feeling separated from Him. The lack of closeness won't last

       Forever. Jesus came through it, and He'll give you all the 

       hope you need to come through it, and He'll give you all the

       Hope. You need to come through those feelings, too 

       Lord Jesus, I can't begin to imagine You agony of feeling

       Separated from the Father. I'm simply grateful that you

       Understand my feeling today. With you, I had always close

       God thank You for assuring me that you will never leave

       forsake me.

        

"LOVE JESUS BY LOVING OTHER

         "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of

                        These brother of mine, you did for me.

                                   M A T T H E W 25 : 40

Have you ever thought that if you could just see Jesus with your own eyes, it would be easier for you to believe in Him? Would it suprise you to know that you can see Him? In fact you do every day! You look right into His face, but you don't recognize Him.

He's the janitor at your school and the handicapped boy or girl who always feels left out. He's the teacher no one likes and the kid no one wants to eat lunch with. He's walking on the streets and riding in the traffic. He's the ragged woman with her shopping cart full of junk and the old man selling papers on the corner.

 

Jesus wears millions of disguises, and He wants you to look for Him in people's faces. If you want to love and serve Jesus. . .love and serve another person.

The year is A.D. 33. It's late on a stormy Friday afternoon, and I am standing on a rugged hill by a trash heap outside Jerusalem. I huddle with a group of women just a few yards from the cross. Large drops of rain begin to pelt the dust, and I clutch at my head shawl, wiping away tears and rain.

           I cannot take my eyes off Jesus. His body is ramrod stiff, covered with caked dirt and blood, back arched, near death, yet hands stretch and fingers splayed. Jesus' head bobs against the crossbar and He groans, "I thirst."

           I step out of the group and cock my ear. Did Jesus say He was. . . Thirsty A soldier, half-drunk, cracks off a stock of hyssop, spears a sponge and, afte soaking it in venegar wine, laughts and thrusts it into His face.

           I am horrified. Wait. Don't give Him wine gone acidic. 

           This is the Lord who is asking for a drink O, God, if 

          only i had a jug of fresh spring water! But History is 

          written. I am helpless to do anything.

           It is this year. It is late on a stormy afternoon. You 

           drive by a nursing home, recalling a community notice 

          mentioning the need for more dinnertime volunteers at 

          the home.

          Jesus said that when we meet the needs of our neighbors, 

          we have ministered personally to Him. Hurting people our 

           neighbors, we have ministering personally to Him. Hurting 

          people are our neighbors. History can be rewritten we can 

          still give the Lord that drink.

       

"TRY PRAYING INSTEAD"

      "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and

        petittion, with thankgiving, present your requests to God. And the

        peace of God will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus."

                                           PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

       What do you worry about? Other people's opinions of you? Your family? Money? Grades? Your safety? Whatever it is, I want to tell you something worry is a total waste of time. It accomlishes zero.

       Instead of spinning your wheels on an endless cycle of worry, try praying instead. Take your worried and shape the' into prayers for instance.say you've been worrying about an argument you had with a friend. Take that worry and pray, "Father, help me repair friendship. Show me what to do." I will. Then I'll send My peace to replace your worry. Try it! It works!

       When people face trials, they often turn to prayer only as a last resirt. I knew a man who was fighting a valiant battle with cancer. As people observed the gradual effect on his body and lifestyle, one person said, "Well they're time to begin praying."

       Another man was going through an extremely difficult time at work. It was a crisis of major proportion that had ominous implications for him and for the future of his company. He just couldn't resolve it. Finally he said, "I've tried everything I know to get through this situation and nothing has worked. It's time to start praying."

       In both of these instances, prayer was seen as a last-ditch effort to resolve the people. Only after all other options were eliminated did the person decide to pray. It was a desperate grasping at straws."

       Instead of prayer being a last resorts, it should be one of the first thing we do. The Lord anseers prayer, and He wants us to come to Him continually with all of our needs ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible tells us to " anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer. . . let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). 

       So don't wait. It's always time to pray.

                              Any hour when helping others

                                 Or when bearing heavy care

                                  Is the time to call our Father

                                It's the proper time for prayer

Your partner in Prayer,

>God

"Wrong expectation"

                "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 

                                    Hosanna in the highest!'"

                                          MATTHEW 21 : 9

No wonder those people waving palm branches were so excited. They had great expectation of Jesus. This was the one who would throw the Romans oppression out of the Holy City. He would cast off the burden of taxes. He would feed and protect them, giving them back their national dignity

                But as the week wore on, the mood of the crowd changed. Why wasn't Jesus making His move? Sure He made a few appearances in the temple, but did He remain aloof, retreating to a nearly village outside the city walls every night? Why wasn't He spending time with the "right" people, the political types who got things done?

                The mood of the people soured by midweek. And the rest is history. I wonder. . .are we all different from those people? When expectation are running high, when we think we're got God's plan neatly figured, when were convince ourselve that the Lord's job is to make our lives easier. . . Don't you think our praises may sound a bit empty?

            

                Do we sing our hosanna to the  Most high when psalm 

                sunday turns into  blue monday? Let's not turn on God 

                with lackluster halfhearted praises when he  doesn't. 

                Follow through on our expectations. Let gives Jesus for 

                who He is, not what we think He ought to be.

                Praise You who You are and what You intend to do.

                My only expectation is that You will fulfill Your glorious

                Purpose in my life.

              

"You Don't Have to Prove Anything"

"Don't try to get into the good grace of important people, but enjothe company of ordinsry folks. And don't think you know it all!"

ROMANS 12 :16

   You don't have to prove to people how cool popular you are. Or elbow your way into the "In" crowd by pretending to be something you're not. Believe Me, you are a treasure to Me just because you're you. It's your inner self that makes you valuable. I want you to learn to value yourself. You'll never be happy until you do. It doesn't matter how many "big shots" you impress, if you still hate yourself inside, you're going to be miserable. Find your worth in our relationship. My neighbor seemed upset with me. Apparently I had done something that bothered her. When I asked if I had offended her. She responded with a curt "no!" I told her, "I don't want any bad feeling between us. If I've done something to offend you, I apologize." Since then the climate has remained cool.

 Aeroplane Ryu Someone has said, "The more I get to know the human race, the more I love my Dog." Dogs are loyal, dependable, eager to please, and quick to forgive and forget.  Don't you wish people were more like that? But sometimes no matter how hard we try to have a good relationship with someone, it doesn't work. Apostle Paul addressed that situation on you.' He knew that some people problem as may never be resolved. It takes that two to guarrel; it takes two to reconcile. If you do your part and problem remains, there is still a plan to follow. Don't harbor resentment or retaliate with the weapon of sillence. Work at overcoming evil with good (v21), and let God work out the problem. We need to keep following the step given in Roman 12 : 9-21 until we resolved any obstacle even do they are not. Learn to enjoy all Kind of ordinary people without putting on any kind of act. Each person is person is special and rare to Me just as you are.

"A Sneak Preview"

                           " As far as sunrise is from sunset,

                      (The Lord) has separated us from our sins.

                                           PSALM 103 : 13

       Here's something that might surprise you. Even though I'm the smartest Person ever, I have a bad memory when it comes to one thing: when you tell Me you're sorry for for all the bad stuff you've dones and decide to stop doing it, I can't even remember what it was that you did wrong. I'm serious. I forget it, it's vaporized I don't file that stuff away to pull out later and rub it in your face. Actually, you probably remember what you did wrong better than I do. I don't want to remember the bad things you've done. I'd rather start over wuth you and move on.

 I never used to understand Christians who longed to go to heaven. To me, it was a place where not only God would know all a d see all, but my friends and family would, too. I cringed to think of their reaction to my hidden sins.

       Upon my arrival in heaven, I imagined standing under a marquee of theater: NOW SHOWING: THE UNCENSORED VERSION OF JONI. I gasped at the next line: COME ONE, COME ALL FREE POPCORN.

       I imagined walking down the aisle passing friends and relatives, people I respected like my sixth-grade teacher, my hockey coach, my Friday sunday school leader, and the parents of all my old friends. Then I spotted others loje the handicapped boy in school I had made fun of, all the janitors and motel maids I had ignored, and the rowdy-looking kids I remember from friday night parties.

       Standing in front of the crowd, I heard a big voice boom from behind a projector, "we've been waiting for you. Before we begin, do you have any introductory remarks?" I imagined my knees shaking and stomach churning as a jumble of ugly and dirty scenes flashes before my mind. All I could do was shrink into my seat and weakly say, " Roll it! 

       I'm so relied it's figment of my imagination. . . .

           God not only wipes clean the slate of your sins when you

           Truly confess and repent, He goes one step further: He credits

           The righteousness of Christ to you. In heaven, your life

           Will be known for God's goodness.

           Thank you, Lord, for not only paying the debt of my sin but for

           Crediting the righteousness of Christ to my life.

"LET LOVE TAKE OVER"

 "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed Love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful Life fear of fear of judgement Is one not yet fully formed in love.

 1 JOHN 4 : 18

Fear is one of the most the destructive, paralyzing emotions in the world. It can keep you from fulfilling your dreams doing the things that will make you the happiest. Fear hits different people in different ways. Some people fear failure; some fear success. Some fear dying, and others fear living. Some fear the criticism that keeps them from moving forward toward their dreams.

Let Me tell you a secret that will get rid your life of fear. A heart that is filled with love has no room for fear. As My love rushes in and takes over, fear has to let go and find another place to hangout. So let Me fill you with My love and watch fear disappear. Love is my specialty!

 More than grains of sand or in the sky surely that's how many people have lived on the earth. And that God has loved and continues to love every one is astounding. How could there be enough divine love to go around? Because we're touching on such astronomical numbers, perhaps God only loves the world in a general sense.

     Not so. God's love is infinite. Spurgeon defines it this way:"In math, if you divide an infinite number by any other number, no marre how large, you still get an infinite result. Jesus' love is infinite, and eventhough it is divide up for every person on earth, His love is still infinitely poured out on each one of us." As today's verse says, love is mDe complete among us.

     That's enough love to take away your guilt, dissipate your anger, fill up your loneliness, and assure you of heaven. Love so infinite will more than meet your desires and longings. What's more, His love is for you to give away.

      God's love is like trigonometry, for if you divide love, it will always multiply. Give love away, and it will always come back to you with its arms full. As someone has said, "Throw it away, empty your pockets, shake the basket, turn the glass upside down, and tomorrow you will have more love than ever." Remember, God's love may be divided up for an infinite

      number of people on earth, but because His love is eternal and without end, He can still infinite pour out His love  On you. Just for you.

      Lord, You left Your Father's thru So free, so infinite Your grace!

   You emptied Yourself of all but love

    And bled for Adam's helpless race!

    "Tis mercy all, immense and free,

   For Oh, my God, it found out ne."

         

"Friends are Demon"

          "But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the

             darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

                                             M ATTHEW 8 : 12

Jesus' teaching about hell is meant to strike terror in ours hearts, warning us if heaven is better than we could dream, so hell will be worse than we can imagine.Hell warns us to seek heaven.

          When I was first injured, doctors pumped me up with powerful drugs to get rid of the infection that was raging through my body. When nurses turned me facedown on the Stryker Frame, I could only see the floor and people's feet. Horrified, I saw the ugly cloven hooves of demons where there should have been shoes of nurses. The feet of friends were webbed with claws. I scream at the nurses not to flip me face up, fearful that I would see ugly monsters, but when they turned me over, I was shocked to find eveything normal. Friends are Demon. Huh!!

          What a hell. Looking back, I know that my terror was drug induced. But those frightening images remained with me even through subsequent year of backsliding and bitterness. In fact during thisr yaers when I teetered on the brink of rejecting Christ rntirely, scary cloven hooves would flash in my mind. For me, it was a warning.

          We all go through hell now and then. But our hellish moments on earth can't even begin to touch the hell that awaits unbelievers. So why should we complain if God decides to give us a tiny infinitesimal taste of what actual hell could be like? Rather than be angry, be thankful that Jesus saves.

          There's nothing you could possibly be put through on earth

          That can even begin to feel like the real hell. So every time

           you think circumstances are hellish, breathe a sigh of relief

           That Jesus has saved you from the real thing.

           Thank you, Jesus, that You've saved me not only for heaven

           But from hell.

"THE BIG PICTURE"

           In my father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would

              have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 

            And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and 

               take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

                                             J O H N 14 : 2-4

           My Son Jesus, can't lie. So when He says there's home in Heaven for those who follow Him, it's true. Heaven is real as real as anything you can touch right now. It's actually more real, because it will last forever, and the stuff you can touch now will eventually turn to dust. So what's uphere? well, I have a room all ready for you. All the things you love are in it, and some things are there that you will love and don't even know about yet. Ever of sky-blading? Never mind. You'll see. The best news is, I'm here waiting for you. When you're finally home with Me, it will be awesome forever, I'm looking forward to seeing you face to face, but first, you've got a lot of living to do on earth. So hang in there!

          During  World War II, parachutes were contructed by the thousands in factories across the United States. From the worker's point of view, the job was tedious. It required stitching endless length of color fabric, crouched over a sewing machine eight to ten hours a day. The result of the a day's work was a formless, massive heap of cloth that had no visible resemblance to a parachute.

         To keep the workers motivated and concerned with quality, the management in one factory held a meeting with its worker each morning. The workers were told approximately how many parachutes had been strapped onto the backs of pilots, copilots, and other "flying" personnel the previous day. They knew just how many men had jumped to safety from disabled planes. The managers encouraged their workers to see "the big picture" of their job.

        As a second means of motivation, the workers were asked to form a mental picture of a husband, brother, or Son who might be the one saved by the parachute they were sewing. The level of quality in that factory was one of the highest on record!

        Don't let the tedium of each day's chores and responsiblities wear you down so you only see the "stitching" in front of you. Keep your eyes on the big picture. Focus on why you do what you do and who will benefit from your work, including those you don't know and may never meet. You may not have all the answers to the question, "why am I here? But you can rest assured, the Lord does!

        Ultimately, the Bible tells us we will be in heaven for eternity and that is the biggest picture of all! God is preparing us for heaven, just as He is preparing heaven for us. He is creating us to be the people they want to live forever.

        Whatever mundane tasks or trivial pursuit you undertake today, see them in the light of eternity. They will take on a whole new meaning!

                            

"DON'T GIVE UP"

            "So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the

                right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up."

                                          G A L A T I A N  6 : 9

           Sometimes the temptation to quit is overwhelming. When you feel beat and burned out, it seems like nobody cares whether you keep trying or not. Wells there's something I want you to hear loud and clear. I care! Never forget that for a minute. 

           In the midst of all your challenges, I'm with you. Life is a big tug-of-war between the call to care about others and to do good, and the temptation to quit. Quiting days that nothing matters and life is a throw away. When you hang in there and keep on keeping on," you affirm My call on your life to make a difference.

           Are You in the midst of a frustrating struggle? Before you throw  in the towel, remember this story about the bulldog.

          A man once owned two very fine bird dogs, and he spent many hours training them. One day he looked out his window just in time to see an ugly little bulldog digging his way under the fence into his bird dogs' yard. As the dog wriggled under the fence, the man realized it was too late to stop him.

          He though to himself how uneven the fight would be the. The poor little bulldog was surely no mztch for his animals snipping, barking, grwling tails and ears flying the battle raged. When the little dog had had enough, he trotted back to the hole under the fence and shimmied out.

          Amazed that none of the dogs looked any the worse for the fight, he didn't give the incident another though until the next day, when he saw the little bulldog coming down the sidewalk toward the hole in the fence. To his amazement, a repeat performance of the previous day's battle began. And once again, the little bulldod picked his moment to end the fight, left the bird dogs barking and snarling, and casually slid back under the fence.

         Day after day for over a week the unwelcome visitor returned to harass his bigger canine counterparts. Then the man was obliged to leave for a week on business. When he returned,he asked his wfe about the on-going battle.

         Battle?" She replied, "why there hasn't been a battle in four days."

         "He finally gave up?" Asked the bird dog owner.

         "Not exactly," she said. "That ugly little dog still comes around every day....he even shimmied under the fence until a day or so ago. But now all the he has to do is walk past the hole and those bird dogs tuck their tails and head for their doghouse whinning all the way."

         Sometimes persistence is the key to success!

         So, dig in, and stand up. I've got you covered, and I won't let you go. Don't give up! I love you.

"WHO WILL I BE TO YOU"

                              "But what about you?" (Jesus) asked.

                      "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered

                        "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

                                             Matthew 16: 15-16

         Im not a gray-haired old geezer, sitting on a rusty throne in Heaven. I'm alive I'm powerful, present-tense Person, who loves you with a powerful, present-tense love. I was, and I am, and I will be forever. I am the unchanging word of truth.

         I can tell you Who I am. But only you can say Who I will be to you. I want to be your Father  (a good Father Who's involved in your everyday life), your Friend ( a friend Who knows your strengths and weaknesses and is always on your side), your savior (the One comes to your rescue in everyday problem), and your guide through the tricky maze of life. It's your call. Who do you say that I am?

Title:               I worship you    

Intro:

Verse1:          Our God comes to a life in power

                      It's always a time of rejoicing

                      Our God comes make a room for Him

                      In our life in His Presence

Verse2 :         Behold He Comes

                      Come and see and exalt His names

                      Behold He comes 

                      Let us come and worship Him

                      You are the Christ 

                      the Son of the living God

                      Sovereign God of All

 

Chorus:          I (we) worship you.        (3x)

                   

"Don't count Sheep, Pray!"

                         "On my bed I remember you; I think of you 

                                through the watches of the night."

                                                Psalm 63:6

         If you can't sleep at night, pray. If the devil is keeping you awake, just pray. He'll get get off your case; I guarantee it. Sometimes I'll wake you up at night. Don't wonder about it just pray your way back to sleep. Sometimes someone on the other side of the world needs prayer, and I will wake you up to pray for them. If you wake up late at night, ask Me, "Lord, what is it? I will tell you how to pray, and then you pray that way . It doesn't have to make sense why or who.

         As a child, my favorite part about visiting the beach was going to the boardwalk. After a day in the ocean, we'd shower, dress, and run up to the boardwalk for ice cream cones. My sisters and I would sit on a bench, lick our cones, and watch all the people stroll by. Kids with cotton candy. Lovers ambling arm-in arm. Older ladies in flowered dresses with parasols. People-watching was the neatest part.

          I still enjoy looking at people, thinking about where they live, wondering where they work, and if they're happy. Studying people, for me, is a habit. Wouldn't it be great if we were as concious about studying God as we were people. Watching Him, wondering about Him, looking closely at what makes Him who He is and just. . . Enjoying Him.

          Charles Spurgeon said, "To contemplate God is a subject so vast, that our thoughts are lost in His immensuty, so deep that pride is drowned in this infinity. No subject will tend to humble the mind more than thoughts of God. But while contemplating God humbles the mind, also expands the mind. Nothing will so enlarge your intellect or magnify your soul than a devout, earnest investigation of God."

          As today's Scripture suggests, perhaps the best time to 

          contemplate God is on your bed, even through the watches

          Of the night. Without noise and distractions, and with your

          Mind ar rest, your thoughts will become lost in Him immen-

          sity. Even Psalm 4:4 suggests, "When you are on your beds,

          Search your hearts and be silent."

          Remember, I never sleep. So don't be surprised if you wake

          up in the night and find Me there. Make Me part of your night

           Time, too

"Slow Down"

                    "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One 

              of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation,

                          In quietness and trust is your strength."

                                        I S A I A H 30 : 15

         Repentance is just a fancy word that means "to turn around." It literally means "change your mind." My advice is to change your mind about all the busyness in your life. Most people think the more they plan and more they do, the safer and stronger they will be. I see it differently. I want you to slow down and take time to be quiet. Rest and trust Me, and 'll help you to be strong and successful anyway. That doesn't mean that you never have to plan or take action,  but it does mean that if all you do is plan and try, you're missing out on My best for you.

         I don't have to listen to you!" That's a sentence parents don't like to hear from their teenage children. It means they have decided not to obey their parents. Usually, it's spoken in anger and soon forgotten. Sometimes, though, a teen might decide to make that attitude a way of life. When that happens, it's hard for everyone in the family. A child's refusal to obey authority creates on going turmoil in the home and saps the joy from life.

         The teenage openly rebels, thinking he would be happier by resisting authority. But instead, he can actually be one miserable in his heart.

          The prophet Isaiah told them to slow down resisters rebellious, lying people who refused to listen to what God was saying (isaiah 30 : 15). Ineffect, they said to Him, "We've heard enough. We don't have to listen to you! Their of resistance turned them against God 's trust.

           Rebellion is not limited to teens or the people of Isaiah's day. sometimes we too wear the wear the resisters label. We read God's word and decide it's too restrictive. Or we sense that God wants us to do something, and run from it. That leads only to misery. Instead, if we obey God's Word, we will enjoy His peace in our hearts

            Taking time out to be with Me during a busy day is always a good idea. As you wait on Me , I'll give you the strength you need Slow down a little!

"You can't, But I can"

                 "With your help I can advance against a troop; 

                             With my God I can scale a wall."

                                            Psalm 18 : 29

          If you do the possible, I will do the impossible. In My book, the Bible, a soldier named Jonathan tracked a huge army of enemy soldiers and defeated them all with only the help of his butler. Two guys beat whole army! Was Jonathan a Superman or Rambo? No, he was a fairly decent soldier, but he was just a person. Jonathan did what he knew was right. He fought the enemy. I did the rest. 

           If you will step out and out and do what you know needs to be done, I will finish the work you start in My name. Are people hungry in your town? Begin feeding a few if them, and I will help you feed the rest. I will tell you to do things that you can't do. But don't be afraid. If you start it, I'll finish it.

           When you read this psalm, you are struck by the fact that God moves heaven and earth to come to your aid when you cry to Him for help. At your heartfelt plea, your Lord thunders from heaven and scatters your enemies. Verses sixteen, seventeen, and nineteen then add, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

          Don't ever think that when you pray for God's support, He remains uncaring or unfeeling about your plea. God is not off somewhere on a mountaintop at an arm's lenght from your cry. When you pray help, He does not lean over the wall of His ivory tower to tell you to beg louder.

          God is attentive to your needs as a caring father is to his dearest son. When you send out a distress call to the Lord, He parts the heavens to come to your rescue. And if you need to be reminded, read Psalm 18 in its entirety.

          No one who lets out a genuine cry of distress is thinking

          about manipulating God. Impossible! A heart plea for help

          Carries with it no desire to control the way the Lord deals 

          With you. Rather, such a prayer implies that you've cast

          Youself on the Lord's mercy, with no hint of imure motive.

          When you pray like that, God immediate recognizes the

          Sincerity of your heart and rushes to your aid.

          

         

"GO FOR IT"

     "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 and in purity."

                                      1 T I M O T H Y 4 : 12

      You don't have to wait until you're thirty to do big things. Look at all the young people in the Bible who accomplished wonders for Me. David killed Goliath heard My audible voice while all the adult priest were sleeping. Many agreed to be the mother of My Son, although she was an unmarried teenage virgin. 

       I'll work My Miracle through anyone who believes My words and obeys My voice. (Believe Me, if I waited around for the perfect, mature christian, I'd never get anything done!) Regardless of your age. You can do great things through Christ. I believe in you so go for it!

       Some people will do anything to save a buck. Like the misery uncle I read about who invited his nephews to hunt for arrowheads in the field behind his house. Before the search could begin. However, he told the excited youngsters they had to move all the rocks out of the field and clear away the underbrush. By the time they were finished, it was too late to search for arrowheads. Later they learned that none had ever been on his property. When they complained to their dad, he said, "My old skinflint brother bamboozled you out of a day's work." Those boy will not soon forget how they were taken advantage of.

       There's nothing wrong with being frugal. It's a matter of good stewardship. But there is something wrong with being so thrify that you won't pay a boy what he's worth.

      Stinginess at the cost of someone else's humiliation or hurt is not what our Lord wants. In 1Timonthy 6 :18. We learn that we're to do good" and be "ready to give, willing to share." We're to be fair, giving, and generous people. God is the ultimate giver. He gave His Son, at unbelievable sacrifice, to offer us new life (John3:16). Lets follow His example of love and generoity then we won't be  accused of being an "old skinflint." 

The One Who Believe in You,

>God

"HE COMES"

                      But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly

                       Await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

                                              Philippians 3 :20

        Jesus is My ambassador to the human race. He came down to earth two thousand years ago and said, "I know a country called Heaven. Anybody who follows Me can go there" then Jesus returned to heaven. "OH Jesus is Full of Grace." His offer is still open.

        But wait, there." more. Jesus is coming back to earth a second time He comes, He won't appear as a baby, Instead, He'll be riding a white horse. The sky will split open, and He'll descend with massive fireworks. He 's coming to bring My children home. If you've made Him your King, then that means He's coming back for you. Look for Him soon." Another inspired song written to exalt our God.

Title:          OH Jesus is full of Grace

Intro:

Verse1:     The earth is the Lord 

                 The fulness is in this world

                 And those who dwells therein

                 The heaven are your 

                 This earth is also yours   

                 And this world and fulness thereof

Chorus:     OH Jesus is full of grace

                  I'm save by His Grace in Him

Bridge:       Jesus only your name that we are save

                  You come for the lost thru your name

                  And we are save

Verse2:      When the fulness of time has come

                 God send forth His only Son to save

                 this world who dwells therein

                 He was born of a woman born under the law

                 To Redeem and called us to be His Son.

             

"THROW OUT CATALOG"

            "What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but 

            Lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for"       

                                   M A T T H E W 16 : 26    

            Suppose life was like a mail-order catalog, and could just flip through the pages, selecting everything your heart desired: computers, cars, clothes, fancy vacations, fame, money, power no limits. Only the day your order was delivered, it came with a bill that said, "Payment required: Your eternal soul," Would you still place the order? Lots of people do. But they don't fully understand the trade they're making. To begin with, the catalog is a rip-off. It will never deliver in full anyway. And even if it did, no amount of stuff would ever satisfy your soul's restless longing for Me.  

            Christian are commanded to lose their lives. This means they ought deliberately release their lives to God and His kingdom. One of the greatest hindrances to your being on mission with God will be your view of what constitutes your legitimate rights" that is those things thar you feel you have a right to experience and enjoy. It's not difficult to turn over to christ those things that are not sacrifice or you would prefer to do without anyway. Rather, it is the things that are good and that are dear to you that may stand between you and God's will.

             It's good to be near your grown children and grandchildren, for example, but God may want you to go to another city or continent on mission with Him. It's good to get adequate rest, but you may receive a call of distress. In the middle of the night. You may assume that you have a right to certain material things, yet God may ask you to release all of your possessions to Him and His purposes (Matt.19:21).     

             Jesus modeled perfectly this attitude toward life. He had a legitimate right to enjoy the comforts of heaven. Yet He did not look at it as a right He shoukd hold on to; nor did He see leaving all that was His as a sacrifice too codtly to make (Phil. 2:5-11). As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world. 

             Has the world convinced you that there are certain rights that you must protect? Are you trying to save your life? Have you noticed that in so doing, you are actually losing the life God wants you to have. So throw out the world catalog and open up the pages of My plan for you the Bible. My love delivers what it promises!    

 

"THERE ARE CLUES ALL AROUND YOU"

                          "I'm single -minds in pursuit of you; don't

                           let me miss the road sign you've posted."

                                               Psalm 119:10

         I have posted obvious signs along your path that lead to Me. Keep your eyes open there is no way that you've going to miss Me. I want you to find Me even more than you do. I've made the way clear and straight for those who are really looking. There are clues all around you in the outrageously beautiful world i made in the diversity of people i created in their millions of different fingerprints and individual faces, voices, and personalities. Best of all, planted clues inside of your own heart a soft voice that tells you with every beat that I am real, and I love you. Follow the clues.

        Tommy was like many Christians. He had been taught that if he truly wanted God to guide his steps each day, he should spend time. With God first thing every morning. He found a copy of a through the Bible in one Year plan and got down to business; three chapters each morning and two each at night.

         Somehow though, the inspiration he expected to discover escaped him. He discussed the problem with his friend Carl Frank said, "I wasn't sure how I would find the time to read the Bible every morning, but I manage to squeeze it in. Sometimes I have to rush through the chapters a little, but I always remember what I've read You could quiz me on it and I'd get in 'A.' So why do I feel as if haven't really read it?"

         Carl answered, "It sound to me as if you're reading the Bible the way you would a textbook. If you want to get into the meaning behind the words, pray before read and ask God to reveal things to you. Instead of looking at the Bible as a reading assignmemt, think of it as a special meeting time with God time you set aside to sit down and hear what He has to say to you."

        "I get it," Frank said. "I was doing the old 'what's in it for me?' and expecting God to reward me for putting in the time."

         "Give yourself time to read and study," Carl suggested. "Even a few extra minutes can makes a big difference. Just remember: the more time you give to God, the more time. He gives back to you. Your day will go much better if you let Him set the pace and listen for what He has to say."

         While it is important to read the Scriptures daily, it is far more important to read until you sense in your spirit that God has said something to You. Don't be concerned about a specific number of verse or chapters. The key is to read with a listening ear.

        

"Remembering God"

              "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." 

                                        J O S H U A  24 : 15

               A rabbi once summoned the townfolk to meet in the square for an important announcement. The merchants resented having to leave the businesses. The farmers could scarely see how they could leave theirs fields. The housewives protested against leaving their chores. But obedient to the call of their spiritual leader, the town people gathered together to hear the announcement their teacher felt was so important to make at that time.

               The rabbi said, "I wish to announce that there is a God in the world." And with that, he departed. 

               The people stood in silence stunned, but not bewildered. They understood what he had said, with an understanding born of a heartfelt conviction. They realized they had been acting as if God did not exist. While they observed rituals and recited the correct order of prayers, their actions did not comply with the commandments of God. Their daily bread was sought and taken with little thought and reverence for God.

                We may not openly deny God, but we try to confine Him to some remote corner of life. We keep Him away from our daily doings, associations, obligations, experience, joys, heartaches, and all the commonplace things required to keep body and soul together. The fact is however:

    

              + There is a God in the world you call your neighborhood

              + There is a God in the world you call your workplace

              + There is a God in the offices your frequently, the hospitals

                  You visit, the airports through which you travel, the 

                  shops in which you make your purchases, and the 

                  Dozens of places you walk in the course of a week.

               There is a God....and He wants to be a part of everything

               You do.

               Recognize He is with you wherever you go today. 

               The knowledge that He is with you and that He is 

               Interested in every detail of your life will bring joy 

               and peace to every experience.

                 

"Crazy Moment"

        " Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that

        stretches afar. In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror."

                                       I S A I A H 33 : 17-18

        It's easy to lose sight of God. You get home late, you put on a casserole, but the phone rings and you forget about turning off the oven. Exasperated, you dump the casserole in the garbage. So you whip up something quickly only to have three out of five around the dinner table turn it down. And for dessert? How about refereeing a fight over who gets the last of the chocolate-chip ice cream?

        God barely gets noticed during times like that. If we're thinking, we may quickly fire off a prayer for help. But we need more than that.  We need to be driven to our knees by the overwhelming conviction that we have absolute nowhere else to turn.

         It takes crazy moments, times when you almost border on mental collapse, to force you to your knees to seek Jesus. Maybe you sing a hymn as tears splatter on the hymnal pages. Maybe you pray the Twenty-third Psalm over and over until your nerves quit jangling. Then, oh, the delicious calm that sweeps over you when all you see is the King in his beauty and an uncluttered landscape of peace. When your focus is fixed so on the Lord, those Crazy moments fade into the background, just as today's reading assures.

         

        Ah, but what about that late dinner and the failed casserole

        And the fight that spilled over into the evening? It hasn't changed.

        But your focus has. Be driven to your knees by the overwhelming

        Conviction that you have absolute nowhere else to go.

         You are the Lord of my crazy moment, and I thank You, God, for

          Allowing those nerve-wracking times. When they happens, it's

         Your way of reminding me to look to you,my King.

        

"I Want You To Meet My Friends"

        If one falls down, his friend can help him up, But pity the man 

                         who falls and has no one to him up!

                                       Ecclesiastes 4:10

        Just a word of advice: make good friends. I've designed human to need each other. No one is strong enough to succeed on his own. Even professional athletes have managers and agents. Needing friends doesn't make you weak; it just makes you human. You can tell good friends by how they treat you when you fall down in life. Do your present friends ditch you in bad times? Then you need new friends.

        From the beginning of time, God made it clear that it is not good for His people to be alone (Gen.2:18). God design us to cooperate. Throughout the Scriptures He speaks of His people as a community that accomplishes more togerther than separately. God did not create us as isolated individuals, each seeking to achieve our  own goals. Rather the success of our endeavors depends upon our interdependence. This is why He established the church and release His Holy Spirit to empower the community of believers to spread the gospel. We are to be a kingdom of priests ( 1 Peter 29).

         During difficult times it is critical that we are walking in fellowship with other christians. When a crisis hits, it is overwhelming to face it alone. But we have cultivated supportive friendships, we will find strength in the comfort  and encouragement of those who care about us. Interdependence is also a safeguard for us when we are lured by temptation. The consistent testimony of those who have to temptation is that isolated themselves from believers and were not held accountable by christian friends.

       If you are not a part of a caring community of believers, you are missing out on what God designed you for. You are also in danger of falling into sin. You must link your life with others who are seeking God's will. Seek to be a person who willingly joins others in carrying out God's assignments. Strive to be the source of support and encouragement that those around. 

You need.

       A church is a place a place where My family comes together to love Me and to love each other. A person who truly loves Me will stick with you when you run into tough times. In fact, i have some incredible new friends i want you to meet. And they need you just as much as you need them!

"Your will be done"

The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great. 

Psalm 115: 12 -13 NKJV

  There is a dream dreaming us," a Bushman once told Laurens Van der Post. We are part of a dream, according to Him, part of a vision. What is more, we can become aware of it. Although we are far removed from the Bushmen and their vision, it seems we can indeed come to a sense of being dreamed, being seen, being known. Our mind's desire is to know to understand; but our heart's desire is intimacy, to be known, to be understood. To see God with our mind would be to know God, to understand God; but to see God with our heart would be to have a sense of being known by God, of being understand by God. If there a is dream dreaming us, it will be God's vision of us, and if we have a sense of being part of that dream, it will be our heart's vision of God. As we explore and encounter God's dream for us we find our clearest and highest sense of identity and purpose in life, which gives us motivation and direction for each day. Do you have a sense of God's vision for your life today? How does He see you? What does He desire for you? What does He dream of you doing, becoming, and being?

  We know from His Word that God desire for you to be a person of character and quality, a person of noble and uncompromising virtue, a person of strength and spiritual power. He is calling you to a close, personal, and intimate relationship with Him. He eagerly desires to entrust you with His plan and  desires for your life. God has given you specific talents, abilities. Spiritual gifts, and material endowments which she longs for you to use to their fullest purpose in your heart today to be His friend, His child, His heir, so that He can do what He loves to do reward you with even greater blessings.