I Don't Understand My Husband

Today's Bible Verse: Isa 54:5 For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

Remember that catchy tune of the 70’s—“Macho Man” by The Village People? But that’s not my husband. He’s not a macho man. He’s not a muscular-bound hunk who, with one wink would melt me to nothing.

Instead, I married a man I cannot understand. If you were to peek into our family room, you’d find my husband, Gene on the recliner with a bowl of chocolate ice cream balancing on his slightly protruding belly, pausing only to press the buttons on the remote control. But if you ask him, he’d insist that he’s religiously committed to his exercise routine—every Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any other Monday holiday throughout the year.

Late at night, I call him to come to bed, but he doesn’t budge from the couch. His sniffs are a sure telltale sign that he’s been moved (again) by one of his favorite movies--“It’s A Wonderful Life.” Hmm. I wonder if my sons will grow up displaying that sensitive reaction, contrary to that of the typical macho man?

Nothing has changed over the years. Ever since my sons were small, and even during their teenage years, he’d throw his arms around them and hold them in a big bear hug. And the wide-eye gaze from their girlfriends’ didn’t faze him. He had no qualms in displaying his affection.

I scratch my head at the advice he gives them. Instead of emphasizing they need to strive to succeed, he tells them to make God first in their lives.

And he also teaches me lessons—ones I never asked to learn. Many years ago, financial records showed employees had stolen from the business we ran at that time. He devised a plan. He announced to the family that he had reached a compromise with those responsible. He asked them to repay only a fraction of what they had taken and agreed to drop the charges. But he stated a condition--which they listened to his explanation of forgiveness. He explained to our family that teaching them about God’s forgiveness held a higher priority than sending them to jail. Goodness, I just couldn’t understand his reaction to those who had wronged us.

Dealing with my parents is another area he handles with unusual flair. He readily agreed to invite them to live with us, but what leaves me in awe is his attitude toward them. They’re only his in-laws. I imagine he must know when he shows genuine care for them, it’s an extension of the love he has for me.

Our life goes on. No matter what kind of day we have, he still kneels with me for our nightly prayer. This never-missed routine has been the glue that held us together even through moments when neither one of us understood life.

Perfect he’s not, but he has a perfect way of displaying Godly qualities. I assume he peeked into the manual he must hide under the mattress, “How To Be a Real Man.” And he must have read a husband earns his wife’s respect and admiration when actions follow his words.

Amazing me once again, when I lost my sight, he remained true to the vow he made on our wedding day—for better or for worse.

In my physical darkness, I felt worthless, ugly and unlovable, but with his love, he turned me into a queen. And wearing the crown of his devotion, each day is a celebration of another Valentine.

Janet jeckles@cfl.rr.com www.janetperezeckles.com

Announcements:

Do you need to be prayed for or do you know someone in need? Don't hesitate to contact us at prayerrequest@answers2prayer.org . We are here to pray for you and to offer you encouragements.

Can I Borrow Your Car? Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 11

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Are you rich, filthy rich?

Most of us would answer, "I wish I were!"

If you were to compare your yearly salary (in US $) with that of the rest of the world, what would you find? Would you discover that you truly are poor? Or is it possible that you are better off than you think?

Let's see.

The Per Capita annual Income in this world, according to the World Bank and the CIA Fact Book, adjusted according to the cost of living in each country, or otherwise called the PPP method, is $8,200 US.

For those considered low income, it is $2,190 US.

For those considered middle income, it is $6,000 US.

And then those who are rich, those labelled "high income", it is $29,480 US.

According to world standards, which category would you find yourself in? (See http://www.success-and-culture.net/articles/percapitaincome.shtml ) Would you have ever guessed?

Are we even aware that most people in this world live on $2.00 US a day? Some countries are even worse off. Take Sierra Leone, for instance. There they live on the equivalent of $1.45 US a day! Would we be able to survive with such a tiny sum? Would we be able to provide for our families? Do we even get excited if someone gave us $2.00 US?

Are we rich according these statistics? Filthy rich? We better believe it! Interestingly, we are the first to complain that we have a hard time making ends meet! Is it possible that we are trying to live beyond our means, beyond what we can truly afford?

Now compare our income with what we are willing to part with to help those living in poverty conditions. Does it measure up? Are we even making a difference?

"Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, 'The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford - she gave her all!'" (Luke 21:1-4)

Do we ever give extravagantly like that poor widow in Jesus' day? Do we truly care for the needs of others?

"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Rev 3:17 NIV)

"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!'" (Mark 10:23 NIV)

Those who are rich (that is, living at or beyond the world's high income), especially those who live with the attitude of the rich are referred to as "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" in the Bible. Interestingly, those who are poor and have the attitude of a poor person are labelled as "rich" in God's eyes!

"I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich!" (Rev 2:9 NIV)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3 NIV)

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" (James 2:5 NIV)

In which category do we place ourselves? Who considers us to be rich: The world, or God? Is it possible that we have been blinded by the illicit lover called the almighty dollar? Is it possible that we have lost compassion because of the blinding treasures of this world?

How would you feel if I came up to you and asked you if I could borrow your car? You know me quite well by now, through my writing anyway. But would you loan me your car?

While at college in France I met someone who was living with the mindset of the poor. After a week of taking classes together he told me point blankly, "What is mine is yours! If you ever you need a car, you can borrow mine!" I had never heard anything like that coming from anyone living in the old country!

But he wasn't from Europe. He was from the island of Tahiti, the island renowned for its friendly people, celebrated for its hospitality, and famous for the eagerness of its people to serve without even thinking of compensation!

My Tahitian friend kept his promise. Whenever I needed to go to town and he found out about it, I found myself with a pair of car keys dangling from my fingers.

Not only this, but this man cared for me like a father would have done. He was an older gentleman, married to a lovely lady, and his children were about my age. They had all come to France with him to show their support for his studies. How many delicious dinners did I not enjoy in their company!

One day I woke up with a painful kink in my upper back. He noticed in class that I was in pain. He told me, "Come to my apartment after class!" When I complied, he proceeded to massage the kink in my back for hours, until it was completely gone.

I have never met anyone else like him. He taught me what true giving means. Time was unimportant to him, as long as he could help others. He was truly rich in God's eyes!

TeAmo (that was his name), you have been a wonderful teacher to me!

But what about us? Would we be willing to lend our car like that? Are we ready to put the needs of others first?

"I am rich! Truly rich! I can't believe it!"

The question we need to ask is this: Rich according to whose standards?

Rob Chaffart

A Shining Moment

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

I was never a starter for my high school football team. No matter how much I trained and how hard I practiced I was always on the second string. A few of us backups even jokingly called ourselves the bench boys and gave each other nicknames. Mine was "Splinter."

During one of the last games of the year, though, there came a point when I finally made it onto the field with the starters. It was my big chance and I was determined to prove myself. It wasn’t long either before a fumble miraculously bounced its way into my hands. I saw the end zone and turned to run down the field for a touchdown. It was my shining moment and it felt so good. It lasted for about one second. That is when the shoulder pads of three opposing players crashed into my knees, stomach, and back all at once. It was Splinter’s first and last hurrah before heading back to the bench.

Since that time I have had a lot of shining moments in my life although most of them probably didn’t look that bright in the eyes of the world. I have come to see, however, that Heaven looks at life from a different viewpoint. Heaven sees life through God’s eyes and God’s eyes are always the eyes of love. When I open a door for someone, share a smile with a stranger, and laugh with my children then I know that I am glowing bright. When I stop to help another, pass on a kind word, and do a loving act then I know that I am shining in Heaven’s sight. I have come to learn too that it is these shining moments that make up our lives here. When we finally meet God face to face we aren’t going to be asked how many touchdowns we scored but rather how many lives we touched.

May all of your moments here shine with joy. May you glow with Heaven’s goodness and light every single day. And may your entire life be a touchdown of love in God’s eyes.

Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com

Satan's So-called Deep Secrets. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 10

Today's Bible Verse: Rev 2:24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets…

We all have secrets, some that we will never divulge, and others that we share only with those we consider trustworthy.

I was only twelve when I started attending high school in my hometown in Belgium. In the old country we had memorable lunch breaks. They were two hours long! We went home everyday to eat lunch with our families, and most days I would walk with a friend from class who didn't live too far from me. We would discuss school events, shared interests, holiday plans… In general, we just enjoyed each other's company! Although this friend was a girl, I never saw her as anything but a buddy, a guy with a feminine voice! One day, however, she told me she had a secret. Curious, I wondered if she would share it with me. Unfortunately she did, and afterwards, I sure wished she had kept that secret to herself! At that age I was very girl-shy, so when she blurted out her secret, I was more than a little embarrassed: "I am in love with a guy (she really meant a boy!) In my class and that boy is you!"

My eyes bulged out of their sockets, and suddenly I no longer saw her as a friend, but as a threat to my homeland security! My face turned bright red and I was overcome with fear that she would reach her hand out to my face and try to give me my first kiss. Yuck!!!

Before she could say anything more, I turned around quickly and gasped, "Oh my, my! It's late! I need to go!" And at supersonic speed I left her behind. Needless to say, I never walked home with her again.

Yes, I was indeed that shy and I am ashamed that I didn't keep up that friendship. Poor girl! She must have felt really bad!

Yes, secrets are sometimes best left alone!

The evil one also has a so-called "deep secret". Hardly anyone is aware of his secret. In fact the evil one loves it when people don't even believe he exists! It sure makes it easier for him to have access to the minds of us "dumbos"! And even among those who know about his existence, there are many who neglect reading God's Word, that Word that screams out warnings against the secrets of the evil one:

"Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets…" (Rev 2:24 NIV)

What secret is the apostle John referring to? It is mentioned at the beginning to his letter to the church of Thyatira: "I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality…" (Rev 2:20 NIV)

It's amazing how much devastation is sown through those last bolded words. What was designated as a special wedding gift has been either degraded to animalistic cravings of self-satisfaction, and to lustful objects. Anyone in this situation is far from ever being satisfied. They are constantly haunted by an insatiable hunger, and partaking in their pet sin always leaves them wanting more, always thinking about their next prey.

You may be surprised that all these people are looking for happiness, and that they are dismayed when they can't find it! They continue to hungrily search for it, but it is always out of their grasp.

Maybe the next victim will be the one!

But it never is!

"It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom." (Gal 5:19-21The Message)

Satan's deep secret leaves anyone caught up in it wanting and depressed. They are in a self-inflicted prison where hope is never within their reach. They have been disillusioned by the illicit lover called lust, which has the power to destroy them every time they take a step in pursuit of this so-called happiness. They will never reach their goal. They will never fulfill their full potential. They are the hopeless ones that will remain hopeless.

That is, unless they give a chance to the Lover of their soul.

Only one can bring true happiness, but for some reason we cannot seem to fathom how this can be true. But it is!

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (Gal 5:22-23 The Message)

"I have a secret to tell you! Would you like to hear it?"

It all depends. Do you want to remain being my friend?

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you have a Bible question you would like to see answered? Why not submit it to prayer@Answers2Prayer.org. We have a dedicated team who would gladly take the time to find your answers.

In His love,

Rob Chaffart

4 Candles

Promises, Promises

Today's Bible Verse: Ps 85:7-8 Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly.

"God is the God of promise. He keeps his word, even when that seems impossible; even when the circumstances seem to point to the opposite" (Colin Urquhart).

How many times have you found yourself pushing a trolley down supermarket aisles and thought "there must be a better way!"? For most people, the weekly shop is a chore they'd like to avoid. When e-commerce started to boom a few years ago, the Internet looked like a way to dodge this boring task. Like a lot of other promises of the dot-com era, online grocery shopping hasn't set the world on fire. The struggles of two high-profile US online grocers deflated a lot of the hype, as did the stalling of plans by online grocers in Australia and elsewhere to rapidly expand their delivery areas. They all had a promising idea: help people avoid the supermarkets and the business would roll in, it was thought.

The only problem was that to service these customers, grocers needed to build warehouses and courier systems to get the groceries out to customers which made it hard for companies to pay for all their development programs and still make a profit. So, another promise of the technology age has fallen on stony ground. Computer technology also promised a paperless office, but my desk is littered with print-outs. These promises, and others like them, lacked the necessary end vision to ensure their success. Not so the promises of God – designed to support, comfort and assist, and with an end vision. There is that wonderful offer: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Pet 1:3,4).

So what can we learn from God’s promises? We can have confidence about the future in these times of global economic uncertainty. We can know that God is faithful. We can know that God has a plan. From the rescue of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt; God’s promise of the arrival of the messenger, John the Baptist; the birth of His son; through to the witness of countless men and women of this present age who have called upon His name, God’s promises are real.

So many promises today fail because they are paper promises – easily given and quickly blown away. Not so the promises of God: "I will bless Thee", Gen. 12:2; "I will not fail Thee", Josh. 1:5; "I will heal Thee", 2 Kings 20:5; "I will satisfy Thee", Ps. 132:15. Within those four promises alone, God promised the birth of a great nation; God promised safety and security and that He would be with them always; God promised healing for Hezekiah; God promised abundant provisions and to satisfy the hungry.

The promises of God are real. They have an end vision. They are not based on what seems on the surface to be a good idea. God does not need warehouses and courier services to deliver those promises. They are not promises based on hype and the prospect of profit. Relying on the promises of God is a better way. Trust Him.

"Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly." (Psa 85:7,8)

Pastor Ron Clarke w4w2@bigpond.com

Tempting Curiosity. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 9

Today's Bible Verse: Deut 12:30 Be careful that you don't get curious about them after they've been destroyed before you. Don't get fascinated with their gods, thinking, "I wonder what it was like for them, worshiping their gods. I'd like to try that myself. (The Message)

Have you ever been curious? Even a tiny bit?

What about that locked drawer that your parents forbade you to even glance at? Or that letter addressed to your dad that caused the frightened looks to appear in your parents' eyes?

The sad part about curiosity is that it takes only a little bit of it to entice someone into drugs, smoking, alcohol, or even that three letter word said in hushed tones. And once curiosity is given into, that someone may find themselves addicted for life! Just one tiny bit of curiosity is all it takes, but no tiny bit of anything else can free us from the bonds that imprison us.

But isn't it human to be curious? Put a "do not enter" sign on any door, and you can be sure that someone will try to open it! The "I wonder what's inside" attitude often leads to unsuspected troubles and the evil one knows it!

Look at our great-great-ultra-great-grandmother Eve. She walked in a world that our senses cannot even fathom. She was surrounded by beauty, she had nothing to be afraid of, she could enjoy everything and anything-Oh. Except for that one tree…

And where did she go? Not towards paradise, but straight to the "do not touch" tree (see Genesis 3)!

Then there was King David, the conqueror who established firm and safe borders around Israel. He was so loved by his people that he went down in history as being the best king Israel ever had. He really had it all. But one day his curiosity got the better of him. While admiring Jerusalem from the rooftop of his palace, his attention strayed to forbidden ground: The beautiful woman on the next rooftop. As his attention remained focused on what was not his, his curiosity began to rise. What would it be like … ? (See 2 Samuel 11).

What was David thinking? Weren't his hundreds of wives and concubines enough? But in the end, his curiosity birthed the murder of an innocent man!

Curiosity my friends, often leads to a lot of problems!

Curiosity can also be a good thing, as it can lead people to God. Take Moses for example. One day as he was herding his sheep in the desert he noticed something very unusual: A bush that was burning without being consumed! I think this would have stopped us in our tracks as well! Led by his curiosity, Moses discovered that God was indeed his friend and that this message had to be shared with the world (See Exodus 3).

Too often curiosity becomes an illicit mistress that entangles us in unshakable addictions, rendering us helpless and ineffective. Only by becoming curious about the source of the imperishable burning bush can we discover that our bonds can be broken not through our own efforts, but through the One who paid the price for our total freedom.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36-37 NIV)

"Hey! Look at that bank's huge safe! I wonder what's inside???"

Do you really want to feed such curiosity?

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you have a prayer request? Do you know someone who needs to be prayed for? Prayer works! The Bible confirms this in James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” NIV Send your prayer request to prayerrequest@answers2prayer.org and let us pray in agreement with you! Matt 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” NIV Hallelujah!

Concrete Faith

Today's Bible Verse: Hebrews 11:1-3 - The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. (MSG)

I have a problem with judging distance; I always have, as far as I know. Overall, this has not caused too many problems, except for some with driving and parking -- to which my family will attest! One of my biggest problems has always been with parking ramps. I try to avoid them at all costs.

Recently, my mom was in the hospital. The hospital has a parking ramp. On a couple of days during the week, I had no choice but to park on the ramp. On the first day, I cautiously approached the ramp, driving my van. The bar at the entrance hangs at the seven-foot mark. My head knows that in most ramp parking lots, my van will fit. My eyes, though, tell me a different story. My eyes make me think that I will be bashing my way through -- if I get in at all.

I have had to learn that my eyes are not always my most accurate source of information. Sometimes, I need to lean on the fact that there is more to something than what my eyes see. As I was pulling into the ramp that first day, I was reminded that faith is often like that, and I remembered today's verses from Hebrews. There are many versions; basically, it boils down to the fact that faith is not based on what we see. Faith is believing in what we don't/can't/won't see.

I realized that faith is much more firm and structured than I had thought and had been feeling. Faith is what my heart knows, but my head (logic) and my eyes try to convince me otherwise. We need to keep our eyes and our hearts open for those little ways that God uses to let us know that He's there.

Prayer: God, thank You for the times when we are reminded that we can believe in what we may not always see with our eyes. Thank You for little nudges that move us in the right direction. You are a firm foundation for both our heads and our hearts. Amen.

Karen Lynema kjjal@altelco.net Allendale, Michigan, USA

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca

When I Handle Things by Myself. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 8

Today's Bible Verse: 2 Cor 1:9 Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally - not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! (The Message)

In my old age I have discovered a simple fact: the more I rely on myself, the more I under perform.

When I first started teaching in my neck of the woods, I was heavily involved with my school's extra-curricular activities as well as youth programs at my church. Combining the two didn't always turn out the way I thought it would.

When I undertook a week-long trip to Ottawa with the older kids at my school, I discovered that on such trips sleep is hardly possible (I wonder why? If you want them to come back in one piece, vigilance is a necessity!) But hey, I was young and I could do anything! Wasn't I superman?

Yeah, right!

On the Friday of our return, as we pulled into the school's parking lot, I realized I had a bunch of eager youth from my church impatiently waiting for me. I had promised to take them on a campout that weekend. What had I been thinking? And off I went, using toothpicks to keep my eyes wide-open.

As we arrived 3 hours later to our destination, the first thing I did was find my bed and sleep, Sleep and SLEEP. In fact I was so exhausted that I slept the entire weekend! And boy can I snore! The youngsters were a bit disappointed, and so was I! They did try to wake up the dead, but for some reason the dead were truly dead! The next day, back at school, I kept yawning, and when I wasn't yawning, I was nodding off. What kind of an example had I set for my students?

Amazingly, I never was labelled as "Doopy" or "Sleepy-Head".

Yes, when I try to handle things by myself I am definitely a disappointment to those around me!

Now that I have matured in age, I know that relying on my own efforts is far from ideal. I now try to do what these hundreds of past years have taught me (Well, maybe not hundreds…), I rely on the Source of my energy: on God Himself. And boy, is He amazing!

Day in, day out, I am surrounded with wacky, excited, jumping-bean-like ten year olds. God has also blessed me with an online ministry that is both active and rewarding. Although I am over the threshold of reasonable age, I am provided with the necessary energy to be there for others; and this, without yawning or snoring!

What is the unknown source of my energy? It sure isn't me! I have been diagnosed with a sleep problem and should not be able to function to the best of my abilities, but I do! And it isn't caffeine either! Coffee keeps me awake for days in a row and must be avoided at all cost! My only source of energy is my Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who always comes through when I rely on Him!

"Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally - not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! " (2 Cor 1:9 The Message)

I have also discovered that salvation by works always comes up short as well. We can never reach the level that brings us any satisfaction. In all reality, Jesus is the only One who made our salvation possible and He sure doesn't need our help! "Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving." (Eph 2:8-10 The Message)

The same is true with addictive sin. None of these addictions can be broken through our own efforts. Oh, we may try successfully for awhile, but it never lasts. Only by relying on His power and especially on His love can anyone be set free: "So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through." (John 8:36-37 The Message)

He forgives not because of our efforts, but because He loves us and because we are willing to turn our back on the slime that has infested our lives: "If we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing," (1 John 1:9 The Message)

Too often our reliance on our own efforts becomes a disappointing illicit lover that keeps us from truly experiencing Jesus in our life. Life has never been all about us; it is truly all about Him! How many disappointments could be avoided if we would only rely on the Source of Life Himself!

"Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you." (1 Peter 5:7 The Message)

"But I want so much to visit the French Polynesia!"

And then? If you let Jesus stay at the helm, your trip will be MUCH more adventuresome!

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you know someone who is not saved? Are you not sure how to approach this individual? Why don’t you encourage that person to subscribe to our newsletter at http://www.answers2prayer.org/illustrator.html and watch the Lord work on that individual via our newsletter? Doors will be opened and you will receive the opportunity to share Jesus with that person.

Coincidence

Today's Bible Verse: Deut 11:15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

When I was a boy I was always amazed by what a heavy sleeper my Grandma was. I knew this mainly because her bedroom was right next to the one my brother and I shared. When I would wake up in the morning I would hear her steady snoring echoing through the thin walls. She rarely if ever got up during the night and when she napped in her chair the television and record player never woke her up.

It seemed a strange coincidence then that during the middle of one night she would suddenly awake the moment that frayed wiring in her room caught fire. Her screams awoke my brother who then rushed through the house waking up the rest of the family. The house was made of old, dry timbers and the fire raced through it in a matter of minutes. Smoke filled every room. None of us could see anything. We were all filled with fear and confusion. Still, thanks to my Grandma waking up at just that moment we all made it out safely. My Mom even found our small dog cowering at her feet and picked him up just as we ran out the front door.

Doris Lessing once said that "Coincidences are God’s way of remaining anonymous." I fully believe that to be true. Without the coincidence of my Grandma waking up at just the right second that fire would have cost us our lives as well as our home. Without that coincidence my Grandma, Mom, and Dad would never have touched the lives they did over the years that followed. Without it my brother would never have become a teacher and I would never have written a word. Without it my brothers and I would never have raised seven wonderful children. Without it all the love, learning, and joy my family has shared with others would have been lost.

The next time a coincidence blesses your life then embrace it for the gift from God that it is. We are all watched over with so much love. May we make our lives a gift of love as well.

Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com

Announcements:

Do you have a prayer request? Do you know someone who needs to be prayed for? Prayer works! The Bible confirms this in James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” NIV Send your prayer request to prayerrequest@answers2prayer.org and let us pray in agreement with you! Matt 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” NIV Hallelujah!

Overzealous Deception. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 7

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 7:1-2 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Imagine a 14-year-old attending church with an oversized tummy, rounder than a helium-filled balloon. She is definitely not married and her parents seem to be stand-offish. Her boyfriend has dumped her as he clearly was not the father. Who could blame him? And that girl is attending our church!

Would we be eager to greet her at the door? Would we show courtesy for this soon-to-be-mom? Would we show interest to her upcoming ordeal? Would we throw her in a baby shower? Or might it be possible that we might treat her as an outcast? Point the finger at her? Think, or worse, blurt out: "What a shame! And she dares come to our church!"

What would our reaction really be?

This is how Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have felt!

One day a drunk entered the church we were attending. During the service he rose, wavering, to his feet and began yelling out something too slurred to be understood. The people around him inadvertently moved away from the alcohol-filled air that protruded from his foul mouth. There wasn't a single eye still focussed on the preacher; no one heard what he was saying anymore, for all attention was riveted on the drunken man.

What would your first reaction have been? Would you have felt compassion? Or would you have been filled with indignation? Would you have run to him with open arms to make him feel welcome? Or would you have approached him with clenched fists, ready to show him the door?

One of the members stood up at this point and walked over to the drunken man's pew. He then did the unthinkable: He took that dirty, smelly man in his arms and gave him a hug! He then gently led him out of the sanctuary, where he sat down with him in the foyer and talked with him. He actually took the time to get to know the man! What a testimony!

Would we have done the same?

It is so easy to accuse. Not only does it make us feel superior, it also gives us a semblance of power. "Look at that scum! I am much better!"

But are we really?

"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'" Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." (Luke 18:10-14 The Message)

Interesting! Jesus is quite clear that accusers and spiritual snobs do not go home justified in the eyes of our Almighty God! Rather it is the broken one who "went home made right with God".

Is it possible that the spirit of accusation can fill us with so much hatred and contempt that it robs us of our real purpose in life? How can we reach out to someone if we despise him? How can we love him if we look at him with disdain? How can we be a faithful witness if we run the other way? Can the spirit of accusation possibly become one of our illicit lovers? One of the things that steals our inner peace with God?

Jesus clearly warns us about this: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matt 7:1-2 NIV)

We are encouraged to let God's Spirit do His excellent work of convicting people of sin, and we are NOT to take this responsibility upon ourselves (See John 16:8)! Moreover the Holy Spirit does His excellent work in love! Would we do the same?

May we learn to love the way Jesus loves and leave the accusing to the fallen One: "…the accuser of our brothers…" (Rev 12:10 NIV).

"If anyone boasts, 'I love God,' and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both." (1 John 4:20-21 The Message)

"Look at that man with that long, straggly hair!"

"Hey! Why don't you go and welcome him with a hug?"

"Huh?"

Rob Chaffart

Believing God will Answer your Prayer

Today's Bible Verse: Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

One hot summer day while cutting grass on my employer's lake property, the sky turned suddenly dark, the wind started blowing very hard and it looked like a violent storm was approaching. I prayed, God send this storm across the lake. Just then lightening flashed and thunder rolled. I immediately turned the tractor toward my van and trailer. I drove the tractor on to the trailer and started tying it down. Then I looked up and the storm was on the other side of the lake. I took the tractor back off of the trailer and finished cutting the thirty acres of grass.

On my way home, God started speaking to me and I heard His voice loud and clear. Not with the ears on the side of my head, but the ears of my heart. God said, " YOU HAVE NO FAITH!!"

Tears started rolling down my cheeks because I knew I was hearing God's voice. He was saying you have no faith. You prayed that the storm would move to the other side of the lake, and it did just that, but you didn't have faith enough to believe that I would answer your prayer. YOU HAVE NO FAITH !!!!

I repented and cried all of the way home. I promised the Lord that when I pray, I will believe Mark 11:24.

"When you pray, believe, and it SHALL COME TO PASS"

Bill Saxon

Announcements:

One of the ministries connected with Answers2Prayer provides inspirational stories http://www.sermonillustrator.org. If you have written inspirational stories and would like to share them with others, please feel free to submit them to us. The writer of any story published on our site will receive proper credit. Thank you.

Heartless Lips. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 6

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Have you ever found yourself sitting in church, listening to the sermon, and suddenly your mind begins to drift? Or perhaps you are in the midst of singing praises to the Lord and you discover that your mind isn't focused on the words that your mouth is uttering? Or maybe it's during the service that your mind is suddenly bombarded by the myriads of things on your to-do list or the things you accomplished during the week. Meanwhile, you aren't hearing a word your pastor is saying!

This is a continual problem for me, and I often have to remind myself that I go to church to worship God and experience Him corporately, not to pursue in my mind the things I have laid to rest in order to be able to enjoy God on a personal level!

This text hits home: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matt 15:8 NIV) Aren't we often times filled with heartless lips? Our lips are singing to the glory of God, but our heart is far from what we are actually saying? Are we really giving God the glory or are we cherishing another illicit lover who prevents us from enjoying God's company?

Imagine a boyfriend (or a girlfriend) who tells you: "Whenever I am with you, I can't stop myself from thinking about this other cute guy (or attractive girl). For some reason I cannot concentrate on what you are telling me." Would you continue dating that person?

This kind of double-mindedness can get worse! Imagine it invading the core of our relationship with God. What would happen then? James is quite clear about this: "When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:6-8 NIV )

Ouch! That sure hurts! Is it possible that our double-mindedness keeps us from experiencing God fully in our lives? Is it possible that our prayers are not answered because we are too busy thinking about something other than God's promises? Has doubt crept up in our souls because we let our hectic circumstances dictate our life? Has stress overrun our faith?

Interestingly enough, many do cherish their daily to-do lists, and many favour their myriads of activities. Sadly, many also don't experience God the way they could, many in fact are estranged with the lover of their soul.

"'Will you go out with me? Are you willing to listen attentively to how much I Iove you and how I constantly think about you? Will you return the favour and start experiencing me fully?' Asks the Lord."

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out." (Song 1:2-3 NIV)

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20 )(NIV

Will we accept His invitation?

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you have a prayer request? Do you know someone who needs to be prayed for? Prayer works! The Bible confirms this in James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” NIV Send your prayer request to prayerrequest@answers2prayer.org and let us pray in agreement with you! Matt 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” NIV Hallelujah!

God Will Send His Angels To Guard You

Today's Bible Verse: Psalm 91:11-12 - For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Do you believe in angels? Do they really exist? These questions ran through my mind for quite a few days.

Every morning, when I start from my house, I say Psalm 91 along the way. When I come to verses 11 and 12, I think, "Where are the angels?"

One day last October, I was returning from my friend Jene's house to my home about six o'clock in the evening. To return to my house, I have to catch a train, get down from it, and then catch a bus. It is a long trip; it takes between one and two hours. I got down from the train, and crossed the track, without seeing the signal. (I do not advise anyone to do this; for we are taught in the Bible to obey the rules set by the government!)

Suddenly, my leg got caught in the track. I was not able to pull my leg out. "O God!" No one was near me. But I cried to the Lord: "Send Your angels!" The train was near me. I closed my eyes. I don't know what happened in those few seconds. Someone pulled me out. I was out of the track. When I opened my eyes, no one was there. I praised God.

God will deliver us by His angels when we fear Him.

Psalm 34:7 - The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Master, send Your angels to guard us every day. Let them lead us in our going and tell us the correct way. In the same way, O Lord, may we not deviate from the right way in our spiritual lives. We ask everything in the name of our Lord and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Carolin Divya Kanagaraj carolindivya.kanagaraj@cognizant.com Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca

Announcements:

If you enjoy The Illustrator, encourage someone to subscribe. We also encourage you to share The Illustrator with others, as long as you do so without charging, and as long as you credit http://www.sermonillustrator.org as your source.

The Trap. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 5

Today's Bible Verse: Jer 45:2-5 "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, 'Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.'" [The Lord said,] "Say this to him: 'This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.'"

How easy it is to feel sorry for yourself! Isn't it aggravating to see your colleagues doing nothing, while you work like a slave to get the job done? And to make matters worse, when it's all finished they are the ones who get the credit for the job, while you are treated like a second-hand citizen! What an opportunity to grumble, to let out the poison that invades your soul:

"Poor me! This is so unfair! If I were in charge, things would change! Look at those worthless gnats!" Grumble…grumble…grumble…

Jeremiah's scribe, Baruch, knew exactly how you feel. He had written Jeremiah's words on a scroll and delivered it to the court. Then he was forced to watch while the king became raving mad and burned the scroll, totally disregarding the delivered message. And then to make matters worse, Baruch was treated with contempt. Who did that king think he was!

The same kind of thing happened when Israel had finally been conquered by the Babylonians. Baruch delivered a message to a group of rebels, telling them to stay in the country instead of hiding in Egypt. The response? The rebels accused Baruch of working with the Babylonians (see Jer 43:3)!

Enough is enough! Baruch had tried to deliver God's messages to all of these ungrateful, second-rate citizens, and look how they were treating him! Grumble…grumble…grumble…

How easy it is to identify with Baruch! We have all had our fair share of unfair treatment as well. We also have plenty of reason to grumble! Grumble…grumble…grumble…

But do we really realize the truth about grumbling? That grumbling can lead to destruction, not only of those we grumble about, but of ourselves as well? Where are these people heading? Heaven? Hell? If they are on the wrong path, why are we encouraging them to pursue their road to destruction? Don't we have a mission to rescue the lost ones?

Has grumbling become a mistress? An secret excuse for not carrying out the Great Commission?

Have you noticed that when you are in the mood to grumble, unforgiveness pops up and sours your entire day! Things that were done to you in the past that you had forgiven return to your memory, causing the anger to rise again! Suddenly you are filled with desires of vengeance, anger and torment!

Where did these emotions come from? What truly happened?

Is it possible that the evil one is the one causing these emotions? Not only to rob us of our inner peace, but also to keep us from our given mission? Are the worthless gnats really the ones we should be complaining about? Or should we, instead, be using the occasion to realize how hollow and empty we, ourselves, are? Have we fallen into the devil's trap?

A hunter takes delicate care to disguise his trap with a juicy piece of meat. If I were a wild hare, I, too, would stop in my tracks and lick my chops. I wouldn't realize until it was too late that this was nothing but a trap in disguise, a trap that would only rob me of my life and my purpose.

Grumbling about others is another effective snare the devil uses to make us ineffective, a trap in disguise, a mistress who robs us of what we could become.

James tell us: "Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged." (James 5:9 NIV) and Peter admonishes: "Show proper respect to everyone." (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)

"But you don't understand! I am really being treated unfairly! Those people are just horrible! I can't go on like this!" Grumble…grumble…grumble…

Tell that to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted in Asia. Not a single complaint come from their mouths! Instead they count it a blessing to suffer the way Jesus' did, and they can't stop praising God for considering them worthy of their ordeal!

"With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?" (James 3:9-12 The Message)

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you need to be prayed for or do you know someone in need? Don't hesitate to contact us at prayerrequest@answers2prayer.org . We are here to pray for you and to offer you encouragements.

God has a Plan

Today's Bible Verse: 2 Cor 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs, yet he travels around the world, enjoys fishing, plays golf, and even surfs. “I love living life,” he says. “And I’m happy.”

But he hasn’t always felt that way. When he was around eight years old, the teasing he endured from classmates caused him to feel broken, bitter, hopeless…so much so that he wanted to end his life, since he felt there was no point in living any longer.

But by age 13, his attitude had changed. His mother had made sure he met other disabled people, some with greater handicaps than his, which helped him realize he wasn’t the only one coping with challenges.

At first, Nick didn’t understand Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” But he began to realize he didn’t have to understand it for it to be true. “Just because you don’t see the plans God has for you,” Nick says, “doesn’t mean He doesn’t have any.” So, he gave up his anger and bitterness and began giving thanks for the blessings he did have.

Nick, now an adult, testifies to audiences around the world: “God has given me grace, strength, and comfort through my disability. You can have peace and joy in your life, even in circumstances that don’t make sense or turn your world upside down.”

His testimony has helped an estimated 140,000 people come to faith in Christ. Although some evangelists tell folks that believing in God will cause all their problems to disappear, Nick says, “God is more interested in changing your heart than your circumstances.”

Although Nick continues to ask God to give him arms and legs, he’s content, even happy, without them. “God has given me such a big, big ministry. It’s such a beautiful thing to witness people’s hearts being changed and transformed because of the testimony I bring of God’s glory, grace, and perfection.”

He has learned the same lesson the Apostle Paul learned centuries ago. Paul had something wrong, too, although Paul never said specifically what it was. He only referred to his problem as a “thorn in the flesh,” which implies discomfort of some sort.

Like Nick, Paul prayed for God to remove his problem, but God chose not to. Three times Paul begged the Lord to take the “thorn” away. But each time, God said to Paul, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Like Nick, Paul trusted God to work in his life, despite his problems. And God gave each of them a far-reaching ministry, one that permits others to see the power of God working inside a human body that can boast of little strength of its own.

Their lives, like those of many others, verify the truth of Jeremiah 29:11. God DOES have a purpose for you and me. He DOES have a plan to bring about good through our lives. It matters not whether we are crippled or able-bodied, poverty-stricken or rich, uneducated or a Rhodes scholar…God can use us according to the plans He’s had for us since before He formed us in the womb. (See Jeremiah 1:5.)

© 2009 by Johnnie Ann Burgess

Announcements:

Answers2Prayer has a webpage offering 68 Online Bibles available in different languages. Please visit us at: http://www.answers2prayer.org/bibles.html

If you know of an online Bible in a language that we do not yet have available, please let us know. Thank you my friends.

God bless.

I Remember! Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 4b

Today's Bible Verse: Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame...

What does one do when facing discouraging, mouth-watering temptations?

It has been over a year since my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although I made every effort to bring her over to the country where I reside, I had no choice but to leave her in the tender care of a nursing home in Belgium. I am on the phone daily with her, but sometimes it's as if it is a bore for her to take my calls. I try to involve her in my life, but often she seems uninterested. These times are when discouragement starts knocking on the doors of my heart.

I don't let it ever overwhelm me, however!

Why?

First of all, I remember her medical diagnosis, and I understand what Alzheimer's can do in her poor brain. Secondly I remember the mom she used to be. A mom, who was always available in time of need, a mom, who always had words of encouragement and who always made my favourite dinner when I was down, a mom who involved me in her life and who worried endlessly about my safety. What great advice she used to give! She was a master of surprises, always bringing home a weekly trinket of some sort that meant the world to me. In one word, she was the best friend of my youth.

As a result, I don't stop calling her daily. I want to shower her with as much love as possible. Nothing will ever discourage me from doing so!

When facing our worst nightmares, be they trials, tribulations or temptations, resistance is only possible if we remember.

But what should we remember?

We should remember the times God has shown His love for us! We should remember the Passion Week, the week where the impossible was made possible!

Have you ever wondered why it is called "Passion Week"? It is because Jesus has only one passion, and that is to save you! The Passion Week is real proof of this, for though there were only hours before His suffering an awful death at the hands of Roman soldiers, Jesus was filled with purpose and desire!

The words of the writer of Hebrews reminds us of this: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame…" (Heb 12:2 NIV) Jesus' heart was so totally immersed in his mission that it was ablaze with only one purpose: saving the unsaveable! With passion he cleansed the temple (see Mat 21:12). With passion he uttered one of his deepest desires: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." (Matt 23:37 NIV)

And He has that same longing for each one of us, for you!

As the hours dwindle down to his final arrest, his passion intensified: "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (Luke 22:15 NIV)

If I were facing a cruel execution, I wouldn't even have a hint of hunger, much less would I want to be with others! But Jesus was delighted at the prospect! He couldn't wait to have fellowship with His disciples!

His heart is still ablaze and that fire is you, along with everyone else who, just like His disciples, takes the time to get to know Him!

He died so that we could be free! He died so that we could be saved for eternity! He died so that temptation would lose its lustre on us. But only if we remember!

If we take the time to remember, we will be propelled by his love and we will withstand temptation with flying colors! Only love, His love, can save us from addictions! Self-effort is useless and often digs us deeper into sin.

Remember: "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3 The Message)

Remember! He loves you! He has invested His whole life in you! Victory is yours, and He is always there for you, so that you can be sure of it! Through His love you WILL be victorious!

Where did I leave my false teeth! Oh! My memory is so poor! But who cares! What's more important is to savour the love of the Lover of my soul!

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Do you have questions about the Bible? Come and visit the archives of answers to "Bible Questions of the Week" at http://www.answers2prayer.org/answers.html . The answer you seek will probably be among the many answers received, and if not, you can submit your Bible questions to us.

Watching What you Drink

Today's Bible Verse: Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When I began my first semester of college I am sorry to say that I didn’t get off to a good start. My friends and I excited with our new found freedom from parental supervision spent far too many hours in the campus pub and far too few in the campus library. Thankfully, three things helped to shock me off the drunken path I was taking and back onto the right one. The first of these was having people telling me about all of the stupid things I had done while drinking that I didn’t even remember doing. The second was seeing my first semester grades and realizing just how low my beer powered brain had made them.

The straw that broke the camel’s back, though, happened on an evening when I decided to stay in my dorm room and go to bed early. I had only been asleep a few hours when my roommate came in from a night at a local bar. Heartbroken over a breakup with a girlfriend he had drowned his sorrows in 13 shots of whiskey. Stumbling over to our bunk beds he stepped on me as he struggled his way up to his top one. Then laying down he let out a sad moan and proceeded to throw up. After stripping off his dripping, vomit soaked sheets and helping him back into bed I decided that it would probably be best if I didn’t drink alcohol anymore.

I still carry the wisdom of that lesson with me even now. I know that whatever we drink into our hearts and minds will sooner or later come back out of us. If we are always drinking down shots of anger, frustration, jealousy, envy, fear, and hate then sooner or later that is what is going to come spewing out of us as well. If we watch what we drink, however, and gulp down glasses of love, peace, prayer, kindness, goodness, and closeness with God everyday then that is what will pour out of our souls and bless all those around us. May all of your drinks then be divine ones that bring you only joy and wonderful oneness with God. Cheers.

Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com

Announcements:

Do you enjoy reading Chicken Soup for the Soul? Wait until you visit The Sermon Illustrator http://www.sermonillustrator.org and read it's thousands of inspirational stories. A real faith lifter! Come on over my friend.

An Inconspicuous Enemy. Addictive Lovers of our Life, Part 4a

Today's Bible Verse: Luke 17:32-33 Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

A pastor busily rummaged through everything in the room he had been assigned for this pastoral retreat in Belgium. "Where did I put my glasses?" He fumed, his mood less then patient. "I can't read that thing without my bifocals!"

What further fuelled his foul mood was that fact that his colleagues, fellow pastors from Belgium who were sharing his dorm room, were all laughing at him!

"Stop making fun of me," he challenged. "Help me find them!"

But the group continued in their uproarious mirth, and as time progressed, the pastor's face reddened with anger and his words became a bit more colourful. Finally he threw his arms up in exasperation. As he did so however, his hand touched something familiar on top of his head: His glasses! They had been there all the time! No wonder all the others were laughing at him!

The older we get, the faster we forget. This is a fact of life, one that we can't do anything about. It is, however, also true that the more we fall into sin, the more we forget!

Take Eve, for example. During the first temptation known to humankind, when asked about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she responded: "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." (Gen 3:3 NIV) She forgot what God had really said! If you compare this with Gen. 2:16-17, you will see that she added something to God's words! She added "you must not touch it!" This forgetfulness paved the path to sin!

A man who lives with his mistress may not even remember the names of his children when they visit. Why? Because sin makes you conveniently forget, and forgetfulness opens the doors to a life of addiction and needless despair. Forgetfulness is another weapon of choice by the evil one, one that somehow is cherished by those who have fallen into sin, a mistress in disguise.

When facing challenges, temptation and tribulation, how easy it is to forget the central focus of all history: "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3) No wonder we fall into sin! We too easily forget to resist temptation!

Is this why the Word of God encourages us so many times to remember?

"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." (Deut 5:15 NIV)

"Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. " (Isa 46:8-9 NIV)

"Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17:32-33 NIV)

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal." (2 Tim 2:8-9 NIV)

Remembering is crucial if we want to be victorious, but the only way to remember is when we depend on Jesus to remind us of what really matters at the crucial times of our life!

"O Lord! Help me remember when I am confronted with temptation. Help me remember how much you love me and what you suffered to save me. I depend solely on you for my victory. My memory is bad and my inclinations don't always lean in the right direction. Help me remember that you are my anchor amidst all the turmoil of my life. Thank you so much, Lord! In Jesus' name, amen!"

Where are my keys? Where did I see them last...

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

One of the ministries connected with Answers2Prayer provides inspirational stories http://www.sermonillustrator.org . If you have written inspirational stories and would like to share them with others, please feel free to submit them to me. The writer of any story published on our site will receive proper credit. Please submit your story to us . Thank you.