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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Psalms 23


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

What Christian does not know or have heard of Psalms 23? The promise in this song is so overwhelming. For it says that if you have the Lord in your heart and soul, what more can you ask for?God is Great! Amen!

picture courtesy of wonders

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Prayer from the Heart

Today Lord, I thank you for all the blessings
that my family and I have been receiving.
I know that inspite of all the problems and
trials that we are experiencing,
You are still with us dear Lord.

I thank you for keeping my family safe and healthy.
I thank you for the food we eat, the roof over our heads.
The many little conveniences that You provide.

I am troubled dear Lord with some concerns.
I pray that you bestow to my son, the wisdom and
Your special favor for him to hurdle his finals.

I pray that you listen to my children's voices and
hear them our dear Lord as only an Omnipotent and
Omniscient God can.

You know what are in their hearts
and I know dear Lord that You never fail.
Jesus never fails.

I claim in the mighty name of Jesus all these.
Amen! Amen!

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

He Lives

One of my favorite Easter Sunday Hymn is a song written by Alfred H. Ackley in 1933.

He Lives

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Chorus
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with meAlong life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A Sure Hope

Konrad Adenauer, a former chancellor of West Germany, said " If Jesus Christ is alive, then there is hope for the world. If not, I don't see the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon". then he added, "I believe Christ's resurrection to be one of the best-attested facts of history.

Christ's resurrection and ours go together. So reasoned the apostle Paul in
I Corinthians 15. And if Christ didn't rise from the grave, what's left? Empty preaching (v.14), false wtinesses (v.15), a futile faith (v.17), unforgiven sins (v. 17), no life after death (v.18), and hopelessness (v.19).

But Christ did rise from the grave. Paul asserted the proof for the resurrection in verse 1 throuhg 11, listing many credible witnesses who saw the risen Lord: peter (v.5), 500 people (v.6), all the apostles (v.7) and Paul himself (v.8).

When the Greek philosopher Socrate lay dying, his friends asked, "Shall we lie again?" He could only say, "I hope so". In contrast, the night before author and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was beheaded, he wrote in his bible, "From this earth, this grave, this dust, my God shall raise me up."

If we trust in Christ as our Savior, we won;t say, I hope so" about ourbown resurrection. Jesus' resurrection gives us a sure hope.

Dennis de Haan


Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord the Judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home
John Wesley

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Friday, March 14, 2008

Furthering the Gospel

There are two ways to look at every situation. How it will affect you, and how it will affect God's kngdon. The apostle Paul was always concerned wiht how his circumstances might aid the spreading of the gospel. When he was unjustly imprisoned, he iimediately looked to see how his imprisonement might provide God's salvation to others. (Phil. 1:13; Acts 16:19-34). whe he was assailed by an angry mob, he used the opportunity to preach the gospel (Acts 22:1-21). When Paul's criminal proceedings took him before the king, his thoughts were on sharing his faith wwith the king (Acts 26:1-32). Even when Paul was shipwrecked on anisland, he used that opportunity to share the gospel there. Regardless of his circumstance, Paul's concern was how he could use his current situation to tell others of God's good news of salvation.

Often weh we encounter a new situation, our first thoughts are not about God's kingdon. When we face a crisis, we can become angry of fearful for our own well-being, rather that looking to see what God intends to do through our circumstances. If we remain self-centered we will miss so much of what God could do through our experiences, both for us and for those around us.

Ask God to make you aware of how He could use your present curcymstances to bless others. Perhaps someone around you needs to see the difference Christ's presence makes in your life. Are youo wioling for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?

Experiencing God Devotional
Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
picture by: fpaengineers

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Faith and Deeds

I got this inspiring story from our church's supplement. I would have asked permission from the author for reprinting but the author is unknown.
Here is the story.

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) mad have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being has been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reaction. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say, hello, anyway... so I thought, this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son and I went out to McDonald's. it was just our way of sharing special play time with son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch.... an overwhelmimg feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see whay they moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell... and there standing behind me were two poor men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's light as he searched for acceptance. He said "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears... as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked them what they wanted. The man doing the ordering said "coffee is all miss" because that was all they could afford. To sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. Then I really felt it... the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me... judging my every action.

I smiled and aksed the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men have chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and slid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said. " Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hands and said, " I did not do this alone for you... God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said. " That is why God gave you to me honey... to give me hope." We are not church goers but we are believers.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned "my project" and the instructor read it... then she looked up at me and said. " May I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is why I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share the need to help people and be helped.

In my own way I had touched the poeple of Mcdonald's, my husband, son, instructor and every soul that I shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn... Unconditional Acceptance. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this. Learn how to love people and use things...not love things and use people.

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Sunday, March 9, 2008

Discouraged? Psalm 23

Whats is a psalm? It is a sacred song or hymn. King David was a a writer of psalms of which the most read and famous of them is Psalm 23. Read on and be inspired by the promise of the song.


1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love
will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

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Saturday, March 8, 2008

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks. In everything give thanks!



1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his
; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Moses 'High'

picture courtesy of: Replacements Ltd.


“Moses might have been ‘high’ on Mt. Sinai” screamed a newspaper article. That really caught my attention. I cannot imagine the leader of the biblical Israelites a drug user.

A study by an Israeli psychology professor by the name of Benny Shannon said that the Israelites who were with Moses at the dessert might have bee all ‘high’ when Moses took the 10 Commandments. Shannon said the plants in the Sinai dessert “contained the same molecules as those found in plants from which the powerful Amazonian hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca is prepared”.

The burning bush of Moses, the thunder and lightning effects could have been just imaginings of the Israelites in their delirious state Shannon stated. He claimed to have experienced the same effect when he tried the ayahuasca plant on numerous occasions.

In advanced forms of ayahuasca inebriation, the seeing of light is accompanied by profound religious and spiritual feelings. As far as Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don’t believe or a legend, which I don’t believe either or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics. This was the statement given to Israel Radio by Mr. Shannon.

If we were to believe Mr. Shannon, then the whole Bible would be a lie. All the miracles and spectacular events were to be considered hallucinations of addicts! The Bible would be likened to a book of fairy tales and legends and tall tales.

Rabbi Yuval Shalow commented on Israel Radio: The Bible is trying to convey a very profound event. We have to fear for not for the fate of the biblical Moses but for the fate of science.

Amen!

Source: Philippines Daily Inquirer 03/06/08

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Be Happy In the Lord!

It is by nature that WE, the human race are never contented with what we have. There is just this one-itsy-bitsy thing that we must have: then, we will be happy. But when that one thing you want more than anything else is finally ours... are we then happily contented? No. We work hard, cajole, snatch, connive, whine, pray to reach that unreachable state of happiness.

Have you turned your Bible to New Testament's Book of Matthew?

Matthew 5:3-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Do You Know How To Pray?

I pray from the heart. No pomp. No glamour. No audience but lots of feelings and sometimes tears. I can pray anywhere. I can pray amidst a large party or when I take a bath. I do not have to be in a church or kneeling in front of an altar to pray.

God is Omnipotent and Omniscient and Omnipresent. Meaning God is all powerful, all knowing and ever present wherever we are. Only God has these attributes.

Who do we pray to? As the book of John 14:1 says: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Who is the ME here? It is our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The disciples once asked Jesus, "Master, how do we pray?". To which Jesus replied: "This, then, is how you should pray:" ~ Matt:6:9.


Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.


Matt: 6:9-13

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Monday, March 3, 2008

Patience

We pray. We implore. We beg. We get impatient. Then we get mad. This is usually the chain of events and emotions we go through when we seek for Divine Grace and intervention.

In this era of nano technology communication through electronic mails, SMS, or long distance phone calls by internet or by regular path, can be had in split second. Almost everything is automated. With a few dial twist, the laundry is done. A click of the microwave knob and the pre-cooked-frozen lasagna is good to eat in seconds. There is proliferation of one-day mail and instant-money-send shops everywhere,The sonic boom has been redefined to super sonic boom. Man is gearing for to do everything in an accelerated pace.


So used are we to the speedy conclusion of all matters that we deem the Lord is working ever so slowly to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Think. Grand designs take time. The Chinese did not build the Great Wall in a year or two. It took 20 years to finish it. The famous St. Peter's Basilica took over a 100 years to finish. The roster of architects kept redesigning and rebuilding the church for they wanted the very best for the Lord.

Great things take a long time to plan, execute and finish. Wait patiently for the Lord. He will give you what is best - in His time!


picture courtesy of : leasingnews

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Saturday, March 1, 2008

What Faith Is

For every wrong or right question you have, God has the answer. For every doubt, fear, or what ever sentiment or predicament you are in, the Bible answers it all.

The following are Biblical passages referring to Faith.

Mark 11:22-24
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 8:5-13
The Faith of the Centurion 5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6"Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
7Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

New International Version
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society

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One Day at a Time


This was forwarded to me. I find it truthful so let me share it with you.


The most useless thing to do ... .......................Worry

The greatest Joy......... ......... ..... .......................Giving

The greatest loss........ ......... ..............................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work........ ..... ....................Helping others

The ugliest personality trait....... ......... ..............Selfishness

The most endangered species..... ......... .............Dedicated leaders

The greatest "shot in the arm"........ .... ...............Encouragem ent

The greatest problem to overcome.... ..... ............Fear

Most effective sleeping pill........ ... ........................Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease..... ...................Excuses

The most powerful force in life........ ...... ...............Love

The most dangerous pariah...... ......... ......... ......... A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer... ................the brain !

The worst thing to be without..... ......... ..................Hope

The deadliest weapon............................................. the tongue

The two most power-filled words....... ...................."I Can"

The greatest asset....... ....... ....................................Faith

The most worthless emotion..... ......... ...................Self-pity

The most prized possession.. ......... .......................Integrity

The most beautiful attire...... ......... . .....................A SMILE!

The most powerful channel of communication. .... ...Prayer

The most contagious spirit...... ...... .....................Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life....... .........................GOD

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Manna from Heaven

Manna: 1. the food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness. Ex. 16:14–36.
2. any sudden or unexpected help, advantage, or aid to success.

When Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt they did not have the time nor the resources to to bring food for their long journey to the promised land. The journey took forty years! No amount of preparation would have helped the Hebrews pack food and water. They were numbering in thousands. There just no way to feed all of them.

Until God.

Every morning, manna can be gathered after the dew is gone. The Bible said that it was the food eaten by the Hebrew during their journey through the desert. The divine supply of manna was one of the miracles of God to show favor to the fleeing Israelites.

Today, there is no manna that we can gather every morning to eat. However, there is another form of manna that God freely gives. We receive help or aid and given advantages that sometimes we really cannot fully comprehend and sometimes do not deserve.

Manna from Heaven. Help and love from Above.

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