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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Why Go to Church?

A friend sent me this short anecdote in defense of going to church. Read on and ponder.

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday(or Saturday)'I've gone for 30 years now,' he wrote, 'and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all'

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

'I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals But I do know this.... they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.'

Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!' When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Right? Right!

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Faith and Honor

Today's Scripture

“Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’ He could not do any miracles there…And he was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mark 6:4-6)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that honor and faith work together? When Jesus walked the earth, the people in His own hometown couldn’t believe that He was the Son of God because they were too familiar with Him. They didn’t honor Him, which affected their ability to have faith in Him. When you honor the Lord, when you respect and make room for Him in your life by following the Word of God, it impacts your faith in Him. Part of honoring the Lord is honoring the people He’s placed in your life. God works through people, and the Bible says that the way you treat others is the way you treat Him. Choose to honor people and make room for the Lord to work in your life, today. Look for the greatness in the people around you: your spouse, your children, your friends and family. Treat others with respect, knowing that God is building His character in you. As you choose honor, you open the door for faith to grow. You’ll see God’s hand working in your life, and you will see His hand of blessing on everything you do!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, today I choose to honor You by honoring the people You have placed in my life. Show me how to love others the way You love me so that faith will grow stronger in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Two Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,"Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lie dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen?"

"The first man had everything, yet you helped him", she accused.The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.""Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead". Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Keep Sowing

Today's Scripture

“As long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime and harvest” (Genesis 8:22).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God loves you so much, and He wants you to live in abundance in every area of your life. In the book of Genesis, in the very beginning, He established a system for increase. Everything in life operates off of seedtime and harvest. As long as you have seed, you have increase in your hand. But a seed will lay dormant until it is placed in the right conditions. You have to plant that seed and water it in order for it to grow. What are the seeds you have in your hand? It can be as simple as the seed of a smile that will produce happiness in your life. It can be a financial seed that will produce provision in your life. Give and it shall be given back to you in greater measure. The Bible says that God’s Word is water and when you speak the Word, you are watering your seeds. Ask the Lord today to show you what seeds you have in your hand. He’ll show you where to plant them, and He’ll watch over those seeds to produce an abundant harvest in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for seedtime and harvest. Thank You for the system to activate blessing in my life. Show me where to give the seed I have in my hand so that I can reap the harvest You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

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Monday, May 19, 2008

Live Skillfully

Today's Scripture

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings…” (Proverbs 22:29).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Too often times, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut in life, doing the same thing the same way. But if we are going to live at our best, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day; because when you stop learning, you stop growing, and when you stop growing, you stop living. What are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don’t get trapped into thinking that “good enough” is good enough. You are created for more than just average. Today is a new day and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love, and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you’ll rise up higher and higher. You will stand before kings and rulers and you’ll live the blessed life He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the ability to grow and increase in every area of my life. Show me ways to improve my skills so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

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Sunday, May 18, 2008

What Now?

Is the end near? Is judgment day just around the corner? The signs have been more pronounced. The world is experiencing calamities in the form of hurricanes, typhoons, earthquake, war and famine. New drugs are being invented and produced to counter diseases but still, many are dying.

There are some bacteria-causing diseases that have morphed and became resistant to drugs. The price of gas is exorbitant. Same gender marriages are being legalized. winning argument in support of gay marriages is that homosexuals should have the same rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual marriages. The Judeo-Christian belief in the teachings of the Bible regarding homosexuality has been conveniently disregarded. Oprah is putting up her own new-age religion. With millions of viewers worldwide, she might just hit it big time converting her viewers to her core beliefs.

Are we in the threshold of being another Sodom and Gomorrah? Are we all going to turn into pillars of salt or not? Are we still going to dissect the word of God, twisting it whichever way we can so we can righteously say that what we do is according or supported by the Bible? Are we now one of the growing numbers of unbelievers who support civil rights more than Christian rights?

What now is your moral compass?

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Saturday, May 17, 2008

Pray With Me

I am in one of my "God I have so many problems I just want to curl up and die" mood again. Things have not been going on smoothly. I can feel the frustrations and sadness that some of kids are going through right now and I can't do anything about it. I can feel myself gradually slipping into a helpless stage.

The deceiver is active! All around me, us, problems, situations, predicaments are ever present. In times of tribulation, being human, we feel burdened and sometimes doubtful of caring presence of God. I guess it is alright to feel sad. I guess it is alright to sometimes question God's plan in our lives. I guess we just have to pray harder, work harder and develop a stronger faith in our risen Lord.

Please pray with me that we all prevail all our perceived and real unsurmountable trials.

Lord, we thank you for giving us the chance to live each day. We thank you for the trials that test us like gold. We thank you for the everlasting grace that You forever shine our way. Lord, we humble ourselves and ask that we may be able sail through our problems. May You provide us all our needs in all aspects of oor lives.be May we become living testaments of the Glory of God and His everlasting son Jesus Christ. We claim all these in the Jesus' name, Amen! Amen! Amen!

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Carrot, Egg and Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

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Friday, May 9, 2008

The Power of Two

Today's Scripture

“Two are better than one… If one falls down, his friend can help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God likes two together. The Bible says in Matthew 18 that there is power when two or more pray in agreement. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight! Where there are two or more gathered in His name, God is there. And just like Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs of two to fulfill their mission, God will send a friend or partner to come along side you to help you fulfill your life’s mission. You may not see that special friend or partner right now; but remember, you are never alone because you and God are a majority. Why don’t you step out and be that friend that someone needs today. Is there someone in your life that you can reach out to and offer encouragement and support? Can you be that friend that helps someone when they fall? Sometimes a simple phone call or note of encouragement is all it takes. Be willing to support your friends. Get behind their dreams and encourage them to press forward. As you sow those seeds of hope and faith, God will bring people in your life to encourage you, too, and you’ll move forward in victory all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today

Father God, thank You for the privilege to come before Your throne. Thank You for empowering me by Your Spirit. I ask that You show me ways to be a blessing and encouragement to the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Monday, May 5, 2008

A Godly Geek...

This is a re post from PinayWAHM's site. Thanks!

Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering.

Finally fed up, God said, "THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results, I will judge who does the better job."

So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

They moused.

They faxed.

They e-mailed.

They e-mailed with attachments.

They downloaded.

They did spreadsheets!

They wrote reports.

They created labels and cards.

They created charts and graphs.

They did some genealogy reports

They did every job known to man.

Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than hell.

Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off..

Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld.

Jesus just sighed.

Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming:

"It's gone! It's all GONE! "I lost everything when the power went out!"

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work..

Satan observed this and became irate.

"Wait!" he screamed. "That's not fair! He cheated! How come he has all his work and I don't have any?"

God just shrugged and said,

JESUS SAVES...


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Saturday, May 3, 2008

God's Truths

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139.1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139.2)
I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139.3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10.29-31)
For you were made in my image (Genesis 1.27)
In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17.28)
For you are my offspring (Acts 17.28)

I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah1.4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1.11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139.15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17.26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139.14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139.13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71.6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8.41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4.16)

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Friday, May 2, 2008

A Global Day of Prayer

In the realm of Christianity, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Book of Acts. It is historically and symbolically connected to the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Pentecost is celebrated in the Christian calendar seven weeks after Easter Sunday.

This year, Pentecost Sunday will fall on May 11. For the last 3 years, Pentecost Sunday has been celebrated worldwide in a Global Day of Prayer. This is coined
Ten leading up to One followed by Ninety.

This is the three-part birth of the Christian church: ten days of constant prayer leading to Pentecost, one day of prayer witnessed by the whole city and ninety days of blessings that follow.

10 Ten days of constant prayer: 1-10 May 2008. Millions of "Christians will find ways to pray night and day throughout the ten days leading to Pentecost.

1 The Global Day of Prayer: 11 May 2008: Christians all over the world will assemble to pray. You can pray with your family in your own homes or go to church where prayer groups would have been set up.

90 Ninenty days of Blessing: 12 May to 9 August 2008: In the first Pentecost, Christians transformed communities as they offered themselves to God as instruments through which prayers can be answered.

We have participated in turning off our electricity in March 2008 for the good of the world and mankind. Let us help ourselves and the whole world by praying on May 11, 2008.

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Safety in Numbers

Today's Scripture

“Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Are you facing an important decision today? God wants to give you the answer. He wants to direct your steps. Many times, He will speak to us through the people He has placed in our lives. The Bible says that safety is found in a multitude of advisors. God designed us to live in families, communities, and congregations. We need to be open to receiving input from the people who are close to us.

That doesn’t mean you have to follow everything everyone tells you, but if you’re in a particular situation or relationship, and all the people around you are giving you the same word of caution, it might be God trying to get a message to you. Take that advice and bring it before the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to confirm His perfect plan to your heart. Remember, wisdom comes from God, and wise counsel will always be in agreement with God’s Word. He will always confirm the answer when you ask Him. What ever you are facing today, be open to receiving wise counsel. As you do, you will be blessed and protected and walk in confidence down the path the Lord has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life as wise counsel. Help me understand Your truth so that I can make Godly choices. Keep me close to You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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