Leave the Light On!

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Early in my walk with the Lord, I had a pastor friend who agreed to be my mentor. We met on a regular basis and enjoyed a good cup of coffee and a time of meaningful fellowship. As I was complaining about some of life's challenges one day, I remember him saying, "The problem with you D'Acchioli is that you don't leave the light on.

"I replied, "What do you mean by that?

"Then he explained, "Well, we all possess this remote-control light switch, it's called Jesus. We are free to turn it on anytime we want. However, you seem to turn it on only when you are in trouble. You have to leave it on!

"It is funny, I remember thinking this exact same thing during the time of the Gulf War several years ago. Even the most liberal of the news media were on television asking the American people to turn to the Lord in prayer. I am sure that most of them did not even have a true understanding of what that meant; it just seemed like the politically correct thing to do. As a society, we have a habit of turning to God only in times of trouble. You see, we tend to get comfortable in the darkness.

The wise counsel of my pastor friend could not have been simpler, "If you leave the light on, you won't find yourself in as much trouble." Think about it this way. If you were to go home tonight and enter into a completely dark house, you would probably know exactly how to navigate around the obstacles that exist without turning the light switch on. Why? Because you have memorized where the obstacles are.

Now, what if one of your family members decided to move a few things around on you? You would likely enter into a dark room and stumble over those pieces that had been relocated. After your first Dick Van Dyke trip over the ottoman, what would you do? Turn the light on! Illuminate the room! There is no need to stumble your way through the darkness of life. What my pastor friend was really saying is that if you leave the light on, you won't be tripping over stuff! It's the difference between being ready for life's inevitable minefields or wishing you were more prepared after the mishap.

D'Acchioli, Vince. Wired to Work! Huntington House Publishers: Lafayette, 2001, p. 34 - 36.

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The Aïe Aïes of the "I". The "I" Series part 1

Today's Bible Verse:

Gal 5:19-21 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. (The Message)

The Aïe Aïes of the "I"…
What kind of a title is this? It sounds like total nonsense!

A linguist would tell you that "Aïe" is the French way of saying "Ouch". Therefore, the title literally means: "The Ouch, Ouch of the 'I'".

Still confusing, isn't it?

But then, whenever we talk about the "I" it WILL be confusing!

The world (which includes each of us!) Is obsessed with "self". We tend to spend most of our efforts looking out for good ol' number 1! We are concerned about "our" rights, we worry about "our" pleasures and how we will spend "our" leisure time. We are concerned for what is important to "us", to what touches "us" and "our" families! And woe be it to anyone who tries to interfere with "our" concerns! Thus, the "I" becomes more important than anything or anyone else!

Take, for example, your colleague, Harry. Is it fair that he was promoted instead of you? Haven't you put in just as many hours of hard work these last couple of years? Didn't you deserve that promotion? So often we fail to rejoice with the blessings that are bestowed upon our friends because of jealousy! The "I" gets in the way!

Is it possible that this is why so many walk around with serious addictions, and although they try everything to break their bad habits, they remain unsuccessful? Is it possible that this is why unhappiness and even suicide are on the rise? Because hope in "self" leads to disillusionment? Is it possible that this is why so many children and spouses are abandoned? Because the search for "self"-happiness takes precedence? Is this why so many of us can never be truly satisfied? Because material pursuits cannot truly bring happiness? Is it possible that focus on the "I" will only cause us pain, will only cause us to say "Ouch!"?

"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." (Gal 5:19-21 The Message)

So is there a cure?

You bet! And it's a simple one! Instead of concentrating on the "Aïe aïs" of the "I", let's start focusing on real, unselfish love-the kind that that excludes the disenchanting "I"!

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matt 22:37-39 NIV)

"Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV)

Jesus is our guide to real happiness! "I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." (Phil 4:12-13 The Message)

Happiness can only be found in One, Jesus Christ. And the act of interaction with His beloved creation allows us to access that happiness.

Years ago in my wilder days, I was obsessed with popular music. My weekly highlight was the Top 40. I would not only faithfully listen to it every Saturday, but I made very neat lists (difficult for me, as my writing is worse than a doctor's!) Of every single hit on the "hit parade". Nothing and no one could stop me from listening to my obsession. If for some reason, there was a TV show I didn't want to miss that was being broadcasted at the same time, I would do both at the same time. I have no idea how I ever remained sane in such conditions, as multi-tasking isn't a strong point for me, but then again, it could be argued that in those days, I wasn't truly "sane"!

What I was doing back then was nurturing the "I". Oh, I could be friendly with others and I could dedicate time for them, but only as long as it didn't interfere with "my" schedule, with my "precious" Top 40. I really was in the middle of the "Aïe aïes of the 'I'"!

This only began to change when I fell heads over heels in love with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Oh, the "I" is still in existence, but by the grace of God, it is slowly decreasing. My motto has become: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 NKJV)

Too many of us accept Jesus as our Saviour, but too few of us accept Him as our Lord and Master as well! No wonder we are headed for so many catastrophes!

As long as I try to satisfy my "I", I will never be truly satisfied! As long as I try to find my own freedom, I will never be truly free! Instead, I will wallow in the pain brought about by "I" focus, I will flounder in the "Aïe Aïes of the 'I'"!

Reality is: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matt 20:16 NIV); and "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) The "I" interferes far too often, and it is the primary cause of us missing out on real happiness!

"I wonder…" Here I go again with my "I"!

Rob Chaffart

Like a Hand in a Glove

Today's Bible Verse:

Ps 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 says, " I have set the Lord always before me." What does this mean? To set the Lord always before you means to allow Him to be the driving force in your life. In my seminars I often bring this point home with the use of a baseball mitt. There are several different types of mitts available. Serious baseball players would probably choose their gloves according to the position they were going to play. An outfielder or pitcher's glove would be needed to snag those long fly balls. A first basemen's glove would need to be able to scoop the ball out of the dirt when it comes to first base. A catcher's mitt must be equipped with a little extra padding in order to take the heat.

As is the case with each individual glove, you and I have also been designed for a unique purpose. It is important to understand that a baseball glove is nothing more than a useless piece of leather without a hand to guide it. A person's hand enables that glove to work for a particular purpose-its intended purpose. In much the same way, we are nothing more than a physical body unless the Lord is working in and through us. As our Creator, He is the only one who understands how we work, and therefore He is the only one who is able to direct us toward the fulfillment of our intended purpose.

Perhaps this has happened to you. You are playing catch-warming up before the game. You take off your glove to adjust your cap or uniform and someone throws the ball at you, unaware that you do not have your glove on. There is no time to prepare. So what do you do? You take the glove and throw it at the ball-hoping to knock it down so you won't have to chase it. Some of us are trying to navigate through life in much the same way. If God's hand is not in our glove (life), we will spend the rest of our lives chasing obstacles.

D'Acchioli, Vince. Wired to Work! Huntington House Publishers: Lafayette, 2001, p. 32 - 33.

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The Healer

Today's Bible Verse:

Exodus 23:25 Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be upon your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.

I received Jesus Christ as Lord when I was quite young in Sunday school and I started to witness from an early age on. In Primary school I was the chairlady of our Christian union. That must have made the devil very mad about me because I developed a personal touch with the Lord when I was very young. One day while in college, I was traveling to town from upcountry. Our vehicle got involved in a very serious road accident which messed many people’s lives. The Lord had revealed it to me earlier in prayer and I had taken time to pray, though not gotten it right that it would be a road accident, I only knew that something serious was to cross my life but I saw the Lord ’s saving hands comes to rescue me.

By God’s grace I escaped from the accident unhurt but after some time my leg developed very sharp pains. I could not walk by myself and the pain was too much to bear. One day in a wheelchair waiting for an x-ray I turned to the Lord “Lord your word says that you shall never leave us nor forsakes us. Do you mean even now you are here in this wheelchair with all the pain that I am going through?” I heard a voice answer, “Just flash back and remember from where I have delivered you from the snares of death!” Amazingly I looked around to see who had spoken but there was no one, there was only my sister who was next to me but she never heard any voice. Going through the x-ray there was a bone which had twisted from its position causing me a lot of pain. Comforted by that voice I changed from complains and started worshiping God, from there when we returned home, my leg healed completely from all pain after suffering for a couple of months.

It was not long before I had a growth in my body and the doctor referred me for an emergency operation. I cried so much complaining that the Lord was so unfair to me. After complaining for long without any answer I got to know that our Lord dislikes complaints and when we complain, even if in our test we are at the stage of 99% to receive our answer, we return ourselves back to scratch and restart again from 0% until we pass the test. Complaining to God causes one to mark- time in one place for a wrong time without receiving an answer.

“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” 1Corinthians 10:10 KJV

I had strong faith that the Lord is able to heal me without a scar and always asked him to perform a miracle. It wasn’t easy waiting for about 3 yrs on God. The pain became unbearable and I decided to book for the operation. Placing my booking in January, I was told I had to wait 4 months. I felt exhausted to have to wait that long but I would always remind God about his promises. A month to the operation date, I had gone for morning prayers, and after the session was over, I stood outside the church in tears of desperation. Two ladies from the church approached me to find out what was the problem. When I shared about my problem and the trust I had in God to heal me without operation, one of them back to her office shared with Lucy (who is also a prayer warrior at Answers2Prayer) what I was gong through . Lucy asked her to invite me to their office so that they could pray with me.

In the course of the week I visited their office and we I joined hands with Lucy in prayer.

While in prayer, I felt my body become hot almost to the point to interrupt the prayers. After finishing my friend Lucy confirmed she felt the same. Since then the pain stopped instantly. It happened 2 weeks before the operation. I knew the Lord had done something! I decided to go back to the same doctor to prescribe for a second scan at the same place the previous scan was done. Who knows that there is nothing impossible with God! The growth was completely gone!!!!!!!!!

I took the new results to the hospital where I had booked the operation, now 1 week to the operation date and all were amazed of its disappearance. When the Lord pays back to you what the devil has stolen or destroyed in your life, he ensures that you recover everything in full! The same time I was given a date to go and collect the money that I had placed for booking the operation. It was returned in full without me asking for it! Praise be to the almighty God of Host!

Like all that was not enough, years later, I developed a serious chest problem. It was hard to breath and for more than I month was admitted in hospital. I could not breathe by myself without support of an oxygen machine. For some time no medicine would work on me and almost everyone lost hope, but do you know when we get to the end and nothings seems to work out that is when the Lord comes. Some people would not visit me for a second time after seeing me in such a bad state.

Taking account of my life I would feel that I had not done enough for the Lord to take me home that early. I remembered there was a time I desired to confirm through prayer and fasting whether the Lord is real and whether there is a place in heaven after death as the bible tells us. He confirmed it is true that he is there and that there is a place for those who will live as it pleases him according to his word. Then he asked me if I am sending materials to build my mansion. I asked how we send materials, and then he said by serving the destitute, visiting the sick and those in prison.

I felt I had not done my part for me to rest. I asked him to breadth life in me again and cause me to breadth well naturally. God is so faithful! He remembered me from his throne seat of mercy and my body started responding!! I started breathing slowly myself and I was eventually healed!

"Is anything too hard with the Lord ?” Gen 18:14 KJV

The main subject that I learnt through all these is that our darkest hours in life are opportunities to develop a good relationship with our Maker. It’s not a time to grumble but to understand the will of God in our lives.

The Lord also entrusts us in his assignments.

Get this as I conclude. One day I was standing in a bus stop waiting for a bus. Besides there was an insane disturbed and soiled man, who was lighting a fire early in the morning, his long unkept hair was all over his head and shoulders in tied knots. The bus was taking too long to appear and within me I prayed that the bus would appear soon. I heard a voice say, “First talk to that man!” Looking around to see who had spoken, I could not see anyone. Ignoring the voice, I prayed again for the second time in my heart for the bus to appear immediately. Again I heard the same voice. “I said first talk to that man!” I knew it must be the Lord speaking. I hesitated then I said, “Lord start the conversation,” as I walked near the man.

Looking at me, the man was very happy. All of a sudden he stopped what he was doing and asked me to buy him tea. I was very happy how the conversation started. I told him that Jesus loves him so much. He asked me whether on earth there is anyone who loves him. I introduced Jesus to him and asked him whether he would invite Jesus in his life as his personal Saviour. He was so touched and seemed to be getting back to his senses. He did not hesitate to accept Jesus as his personal Saviour. I asked him to close his eyes in order to pray which he did. I led him to the Lord through the repentance’s prayer. After 2 days I brought him clean clothes which he accepted and invited him for morning glory prayers. As we were on the way, he saw a certain building where he remembered some people from his own rural area.

Isn’t the Lord so loving and caring unto all that he has created?

His healing power is still in work even today!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe you are saying that you have prayed more than enough and nothing good seems to happen, You may be going through the making in his hands. Do your part and stand still. He will soon come to your rescue. Only believe and when he is through with your process, he will surely show up for your case.

Seasons keep on changing. His season of making you what seems best for him is only for a while, and you will soon see a breakthrough it all.

Stand still and know that he is your God! "And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever." NKJV Exodus 14:13 KJV

Winnie Ngugi, Nairobi, Kenya Winnie@answers2prayer.org

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Do you Have Any Questions?

Today's Bible Verse:

Rom 12:1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. The Message

Now that warmer weather is here, we have been visiting the local hardware stores to buy some flowers for our garden.

Since I spent many years teaching all types of organizations good communication skills, I am aware of customer service efforts in every business I visit.

Two chain stores in our area compete for everyone's business, but only one really provides service.

"Hello! Do you have any questions?" The man asked.

I was momentarily stunned by his approach as I entered the store.

"Well, no. Not right now," I replied.

Then as I walked through the store I must have been asked four times if I needed help.

The other store offers little assistance. I've actually wandered through the store in search of a clerk to discover a number of people waiting for him, too.

Which one do you think I shop most?

The one with the answers.

But, I also discovered that for some people that extra attention is annoying.

"If I have a question I'll ask."

"If I need help I'll go find it."

"I know what I want so don't bother me."

Okay, so what's my point in sharing this?

If God were a hardware store which one would He be?

I believe it would be the one with all the help.

When you are facing challenges in your life, listen carefully. You can hear a voice asking "Any questions?"

"Can I help you?"

Oh, maybe not His voice, but all along your journey through it, He sends His customer service people. Believers.

You may not recognize them. There's no uniform or name tag

Still, they are there.

Even so, there are those who are annoyed by an out stretched hand, an offer of help. They are the ones who will "ask if they need to", "go find it themselves," or "know what they want, so don't bother them."

One of God's customers will take time to acknowledge His help by saying thanks.

The other customer will complain because he didn't get help but it was there all along.

Heaven Depot is always open.

"Do you have any questions?"

Bob Perks 2believe@comcast.net

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Raising Billy from the Dead. When Suffering Seems Unbearable, Part 12

Today's Bible Verse:

Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Does God still raise people from the dead today? Yes, He Does. Satan has worked his way into the hearts of people today so that even most of the people who attend church do not believe that our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:18). This Word of God was written in the first century after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it was speaking about before the time it was written, and the day it was written, and now we are living in the "forever" part of that verse.

Some will say, "we knew this man was crazy!" With that risk I still tell you that God does still work the miracle of raising the dead to life today. You with doubt will have all kinds of justification. However, it was not your son who was dead. It was not you who saw The Power of God Reach down and touch him and bring life back into him as he lay on a carnival lot.

One weekend, when my son Billy, (Billy was then 4 years old) we were driving down I44. At Lebanon we saw the Ferris wheel of a carnival that was set up and Billy asked me if we could go to the carnival. I wanted to do something special for him so I said, "sure." When we got there I bought tickets and he started riding the kiddie rides. He rode the kiddie cars, the airplanes, and even the live pony. Then he saw the motorcycles. They were full size, but ran around on a circle platform that had arms attached to each one moving it around in a circle. They did not move very fast. A safe ride, if only the safety pin had been installed that held the cycle to the arm. Why did Billy pick the only one that did not have a safety pin? To our God Be All The Glory.

As I stood and watched this ride come apart, I saw the motorcycle do a complete flip and land with the handlebars on Billy's face. I jumped over the ropes and, not being a strong person, I somehow lifted this motorcycle and threw it aside. Billy lay there not moving or breathing. I picked him up in my arms and with blood gushing all over my clothes I carried him I knew not where through the carnival crowds. Finally, a policeman made me lay him down and I knew Billy was dead. I, being led of The Holy Spirit, fell upon his dead body, covered him and prayed, "Father, I give unto You this child. If it is Your Will to take him home now, he is Yours. O Lord, if it is Your Will for him to live then I ask that You breathe in him The Spirit of Life. O Lord, Your Will be done." As if lifted my body off him, Billy opened his eyes and said, "Dad, tell me this did not happen."

This is the child who the hospital insisted on keeping all night because the x-rays showed he had been hurt very badly but the doctors could not find anything really wrong with him. Much blood had been lost, his nose was broken, one eye was crossed, his skull was cracked, his teeth were all out of place, but all his actions, and senses were normal. He did spend the night in the hospital and he did come and see me the next day. His eye was swollen shut but he was alive and active. God had risen him from the dead and he lives today and to God Be All The Glory! You can believe what you want but I know what God did in this child's life. (Billy is now 26 years old in 2009)

Bill Dorman (Received on Sunday April 23, 2000)

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Drops Of Love

Today's Bible Verse: Prov 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Near where I live there’s a little garden wall that’s seen better times.
It’s only about two and a half feet tall with a row of capping stones along the top. These capping stones are rectangular pieces about three feet long by a foot wide by a foot tall.

You would think they were solid enough to last forever but one has split lengthways. Half of it sits on to of the wall; the other half has fallen off and embedded itself in the dirt and the flowers.

It would take a strong man with a big chisel quite a while to such damage – but raindrops did it!

Once upon a time the wall had a wrought iron fence on top. During the last world war railing were amongst the many iron product gathered up for the armaments industry. Taking the railings away left a line of holes in the capping stones. They were only about an inch deep but that was enough.

Rain drops filled the holes and every winter they froze. The ice would expand ever so slightly. Not enough to do any damage. Not at first.
But year after year after year the rain drops filled those holes and froze.
One year, many years after the railings were taken away, that capping stone split!

It would have been sudden and completely unexpected (especially for the flowers growing under the piece that fell!)

Love works the same way. You might think you are wasting your time loving the unlovable, trying to get through to a heart of stone. Don’t give up. Remember what gentle little raindrops can do.

Keep loving, and one day… David McLaughlan copyright 2009 david.mclaughlan@btinternet.com http://www.wayfarerstales.com/

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The Cormorant

Today's Bible Verse: 1 Thess 5:17-18 Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I had a day with nothing to do, so I got the bike out and cycled to the next to some shops in the next town. At one point the cycle path took me alongside a river and under a bridge.

The bridge is a fairly major affair. Passing under it you hear the near constant thunder of overhead traffic. The metalwork at one end of the bridge was being sand-blasted. It stands on two massive concrete supports that disappear into the river.

One of those supports had stopped a big branch from floating on downstream. The branch had stopped other debris, forming a little platform between the concrete and the fast flowing water.

As I came out from under the bridge I slammed on the brakes and stopped, rigid, suddenly not wanting to move in case I disturbed the picture.

A beautiful black-blue cormorant sat on that soggy platform. Its tail was in the river, its beak was inches from the concrete, but its wings were spread wide – and it just stood there.

So, I did too.

I looked at my shadow. I squinted at the sky. It occurred to me that the bird, which spent so much of its life in cold rivers or sea water, was actually sunbathing!

It had found this perch where no one could reach it. It had shut out the noise of the sand-blasting and the vibrations of the traffic, and it was soaking up the sun.

I have no idea why but it came into my mind that I was watching a perfect metaphor for prayer in the modern world. We would all like time, we would all like peace, we would all like to be able to go off on some retreat and commune with God. But it so rarely happens like that.

So, sometimes we give up.

It’s not a case of one or the other, though. We don’t have to follow either of those two paths. We can follow the cormorant’s example.

Find a place, no matter how wet, no matter how untidy, but find a place of your own. Then tune out the constant noise, the endless bustle, the expectation that you should be doing something else.

Then spread your heart wide, like those beautiful wings … and just soak up The Son!

David McLaughlan copyright 2009 david.mclaughlan@btinternet.com http://www.wayfarerstales.com/

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Hijacked! When Suffering Seems Unbearable, Part 10

Today's Bible Verse: Luke 18:27 What is impossible with men is possible with God.

My brother received a prayer request from a colleague, about a lady who was hijacked by gangsters with her car last Thursday, the colleague, is the lady’s family friend.

The gangsters were communicating with the lady’s phone to her family demanding 1 million by latest tomorrow 15th may 2009 or else collect her body in a certain place.

The company that sold the line of that phone (I don’t prefer using names) together with authority tirelessly, tried to track the location of the transmission but it kept changing from one town to another, still giving threats. The lady told them to sell her car but it could not amount to 1 millionh. The gangsters later changed to communicating through messages.

My brother came home on Tuesday very discouraged and we tried calling the sister to the lady just to encourage her but she was very discouraged, I gave her our Email A2P but she could not concentrate. We just broke down working with only 3 days left, we asked God to send angels to pursue the gangsters and the fire of God to roast their plans. Sorry to the gangsters, that we had to ask God’s judgment upon them.

Yesterday, my brother could not help interrupt me in my evening classes to tell me that the lady had been released, very safe without 1 million and left in a far town but safe. My bro. Received the sms from the sis lady who was traveling overnight to collect her sis. I yet don’t know the fate of the gangsters but what I know is that God will always guard his people jealously against our enemies but we have to utilize his power by faith.

It may not be our prayers (me and bro.) That only worked but prayers of saints somewhere because that trend is usually witnessed, people ending losing their lives.

What I have realized is that, there is much of God’s power released for us to use but unless we connect with the Holy Spirit we may not realize, thus it will work as per how every saint will utilize it. I’m challenging myself and the whole body of Jesus Christ not A2P; indeed, I thank God for A2P because of connecting me to my spiritual destiny. I really enjoy A2P family!

How I pray that God will open the saint’s eyes to use the power and authority given to us, through the name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ, because if we don’t use it on earth, in heaven we will not need to use it, God will be there with us and everything will be taken care of, we will need not to bide any devils there.

ACTS: 2:43 “and fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by apostles” KJV

ACTS 4:30 “By stretching forth thine hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of they holy child Jesus” KJV

Help me celebrate Christ.

In his love,

Winnie Ngugi Kenya May 14, 2009

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What You Can Take With You

Today's Bible Verse: 1 Cor 8:11 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him...

I stopped at a local convenience store the other day to fill up my gas tank before heading back home. After pumping the gas I headed in, grabbed a pack of gum, and got in line to pay. In the front of the line was a tired looking woman, holding a toddler in her arms. Behind her and just in front of me was an older man with white hair and a white shirt. He smiled kindly at me and patiently waited while the woman struggled to hold her child while she counted out change with her free hand. She searched twice in her pocket book but still didn’t have enough money to pay for the two gallons of milk she had brought to the counter. I could see her lips tremble and her eyes moisten as she apologized and picked up one of the gallons to take back.

It was then that the older man stopped her. With a gentle smile he told the cashier that he would pay for the milk. The look of relief on the poor woman’s face touched my heart. She thanked the older man while he smiled again and said not to worry about it. As she exited the store I could see that her eyes were still moist, but this time the tears were for a different reason. As he paid for her milk and his own items the white haired angel in disguise smiled at me one last time. Then as he was walking out of the store he gave me a wink and said, "You can’t take it with you, you know."

What he said is true. You won’t need any pockets for the clothes you are buried in. Every dime you have made in this world has only been a loan for you to use for a short time. Still, there are a few things that the white haired gentleman and all of us will be taking with us when we do go to our final home. Every look of relief that we bring to another will go with us as will every bit of love we share and kindness we do. Every moment of learning and joy will come with us as well. And every smile that we bring to God’s face will be waiting for us when we get there.

Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com Announcements:

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The Crash. When Suffering Seems Unbearable, Part 9

Today's Bible Verse: Jer 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

"I was confronted with a knee surgery two years back when I was out with some of my friends late in the night drinking. I was totally drunk and riding to get more liquor when I crashed up and saw my left leg broken into pieces.

The bottom half of my leg was still there because of the skin. I was there on the road bleeding and bruised and crying out in pain. There was not a soul to help me out. By sheer God's grace an ambulance had just then dropped a patient back home and was on its way back to the hospital. On the way he saw me on the road and took me to the hospital. I also had head injuries.

Then they informed my family and they arrived at the hospital. In spite of my wayward nature God was still there for me. The doctors immediately made arrangements to stitch my head and an orthopaedic surgeon came and conducted a surgery on my leg, which lasted for more than 12 hours.

After the surgery I was shifted back to my ward still in deep sleep during which time my body temperature touched 113 degree centigrade. This was mainly because of the foreign body - a steel rod that they had inserted in my leg.

The doctors gave up hope and they all including my family knelt down beside my bed and prayed.

Praise God the next day my temperature was back to normal. I was on crutches for three months. Now I am back in action. I can run around and play. I can drive and am leading a perfectly normal life. I am 26 now got married and am having my first child due in November.

This is indeed a miracle and how God saved me form the state I was in. Though I was a sinner and had moved away from God. He did not leave me he stayed with me protected me and bought me back close to him. Now I know that I am always in very safe hands close to him.

All the friends for whom I was ready to give up my life because of pleasures were not there with me when this happened. I realized that they were there because of the money I had and because of the parties I used to host. They were very materialistic.

When I needed the most only God could help me and no man can do it. It is better to be close to God and be happy than being happy with the world which is short lived."

Stanley Deepak, India, Spring 1999.

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Gently Directing

Today's Bible Verse: Psalm 117:2 For his lovingkindness is great toward us; and the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever. Praise ye Jehovah. (ASV)

Nehemiah 9:17b - But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them. (GNB)

As I was sitting in a public area recently, I saw a beautiful picture unfold before my eyes. A very tall dad walked in, with his very small son walking slowly in front of him. As soon as they entered the building, there was a choice of which way to go -- right or left. The little boy started to head right, but the father walked up behind him, gently took hold of his shoulders, and steered him to the left. The wee son walked in the direction that the father steered him. I wonder what the father would have done had the son determined to go the other way. Would he have gently directed his son once again in the right direction? If the little boy had decided to go the wrong way once again, I wonder how many times the father would have been patient and directed his son again and again.

I thought about how like Jesus that dad was. Jesus is gentle. He steers us in the direction that He wants us to go -- in the direction that is best for us.

Yet so many times, even after Jesus holds our shoulders and steers us, we don't allow Him to do so. We jerk ourselves out of His gentle hands and go the direction that we want to go. What does He do when we react like that?

We have the freedom of choice. We can choose to go where the Father directs us, or we can choose to go the way we want. Yet, we know that no matter our choices, He is watching over us. He does care. He stands patiently by and is so willing to direct us again and again if need be.

Lamentations 3:22 - It is by the kindnesses of Jehovah that we are not consumed, for His mercies are not ended. (LITV)

Let us ever be aware of God, the Father, directing us. Let's be willing to be directed -- the very first time.

Prayer: Father God, when we really think about You and Your patience, we are overwhelmied. Thank You for loving us exactly the way we are and for being so kind and gentle and patient with us. We are human. We are frail. We are stubborn. But Your love is unending. Your mercies are unending. Thank You. Amen.

Judy Miller gjmiller@telusplanet.net Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

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Leaving Room to the Real Provider. Am I in the Way? When Suffering Seems Unbearable, Part 8

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 17:20 I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Faith is not what it appears to be. It is beyond anyone's comprehension, especially if it is rooted on the One who is above our circumstances! "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20 NIV)

We need to ask ourselves an important question: Who do we trust?

One church has an ardent desire to build a church school. A renowned motivator is hired, carefully designed pamphlets are developed, sermons designed to encourage pledges and donations are preached, elders visit members, advertising the upcoming school, and the venture is broadcasted in every corner of church life.

Another church raises funds for a much needed enlargement to their sanctuary. When missionaries visit, however, they realize that the people the missionaries are serving are in bigger need than they. Filled with compassion, they donate all the money raised for the sanctuary to the missionaries.

Would you like to guess which church proceeded to grow beyond its bounds?

One church continually emphasizes the necessity of bringing their tithes to the local church. Another one lets their needs be known only to God. Still another church refuses to receive tithes, and instead, places an offering box at the back of the church for anyone who feels impressed by God's Spirit to give to the local ministry.

Would you like to guess which ones grew beyond their bounds?

Have we forgotten that humanly speaking, we can't provide for our own needs? There is only One who always comes through for us! Why are we still looking to other sources of blessings? Where is our faith?

Let us remember the mustard covered faith that Jesus encourages us to obtain: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20 NIV)

Do we want to see miracles? Let's stop relying on other human beings, and instead, let's learn to rely on our Provider! Only then will we see the mountains of our lives move out of the way!

No matter what our needs may be, He will shine! But our faith has to be anchored in the Provider, not on our own or other people's efforts!

Too often we do not leave enough room for God and we succeed in hindering His best intentions for us. May we learn to share all of our needs solely with our Maker, and then stand back expectantly, watching for Him to take action! "I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God." (Ps 38:15 NIV)

Miracles are only possible through the only Provider of all of our needs! Do we believe that?

P. S. The next few devotionals will be written by ordinary people who left room for God to act, and then watched as miracles were performed before their eyes. Nothing is too difficult to God! "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27 NIV)

Hallelujah!

Rob Chaffart

Add Value

Today's Bible Verse: Rom 9:16 Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy. The Message

It’s just a thought. But give me a moment and see if it works for you.

If someone does a good thing … well … it’s down to them … it’s their story. The credit, the kudos, whatever, are all theirs, right? Well, yes … and no.

Jackie was at work in the hairdressing salon. Her baby-bump was plainly visible, but she was learning to work around it. And, to be honest, she was quite enjoying the attention it generated in a working environment that was almost exclusively female.

She was cutting the hair of a woman who had never been to the salon before and they were chatting happily about life, pregnancy, everything. Then the woman asked if Jackie’s mom was a knitter. If she was, the woman was sure she would be busy knitting a bundle of clothes for her new granddaughter of grandson.

Jackie, didn’t miss a snip. She’s a professional. She said she loved hand-knitted stuff and that would be really nice – but her mom had died when Jackie was a little girl. Jackie had never learned to knit. So, it would probably be shop-bought clothes.

A few weeks later Jackie turned up for work and her supervisor handed her a parcel. The day before, Jackie’s day off, a woman had come in and left this for her. Inside was a bundle of truly beautiful, hand-knitted baby clothes.

Jackie’s mom hadn’t been able to knit for her grandchild, so a stranger, with the heart of an angel, had stepped in and did it for her.

Now that’s a beautiful story. And all credit would go to that woman for her kindness.

Except that it happened almost twenty years ago. That baby bump is now a handsome, athletic young man.

But Jackie kept one of those knitted tops in a memories box and every once in a while when things get tough it reminds her that there is still plenty of kindness out there. Telling me the story she will happily share with anyone given a chance, she could still feel the tears of appreciation gathering.

The woman never came back to the salon as far as Jackie knows, but two decades later Jackie still looks out for her, and there are very few things she wants as much as the opportunity to tell that woman, Thank You.

The gift was a kind one, very kind, but the memory it could have been left behind as her son outgrew those clothes. Life goes on, after all.

Jackie didn’t allow that to happen. As far as she is concerned the story is all about that stranger in the salon, but by keeping the memory close to her heart and by her hope of one day being allowed to show her appreciation, I think Jackie has added to the gift.

She has taken something special and polished it, preserved it and passed it on to others.

The giver deserves credit for the gift, but the receiver has his or her part to play as well. We can be passive recipients, or we can be people who add value.

So, here we are with the gift of another day. You might have the gift of friends, you might have the gift of your health. You choose the gift.

Then tell me – whatcha gonna do with it?

David McLaughlan copyright 2009 david.mclaughlan@btinternet.com http://www.wayfarerstales.com/

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Enjoy!

Mustard Covered Faith. When Suffering Seems Unbearable, Part 7

Today's Bible Verse: Matt 17:19 Why couldn't we drive it out?

One day Jesus' disciples faced utter defeat. At the insistence of desperate parents, they had tried, without success, to drive a demon from a boy suffering from seizures so bad that they often threw him into the fire or into the water. The boy's life was constantly in danger, and he was in continual, terrible pain. At their wits' end as to what to do, the parents came to Jesus' disciples for help. But it wasn't long before the disciples were also at their wits' end.

When Jesus showed up, however, He "rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment." (Matt 17:18 NIV)

Perplexed, the disciples came to Him and asked: "Why couldn't we drive it out?" (Matt 17:19 NIV). In other words, they didn't understand why they couldn't heal the boy themselves!

So often we run to faith healers who don't seem to know how to heal. So often we rely on humans for miracles that they cannot provide. Only One can heal! Sure, He gave authority to His followers over sicknesses and demons, but it is still Jesus who heals!

Jesus' answer to His disciples' question should shake us to the core: "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20 NIV)

Remember, we are talking about Jesus' disciples here, the ones who left their jobs and families behind to follow Him! The ones who received authority over sicknesses and pain (see Mark 6:7)! The ones who experienced Jesus firsthand! If they don't have the necessary faith, then how can we ever hope to?

But Jesus isn't asking for a lot of faith. He is only asking for a mustard seed's kind of faith.

How big is a mustard seed?

About 2 mm in diameter.

What happens when it is planted in fertile soil?

It grows so big (as high as 10' in southern Golan near Avne Eitan, Israel that it can even break through solid concrete!

By itself, the mustard seed is helpless and worthless. It cannot do anything. It cannot grow. It cannot move. It cannot make any difference whatsoever in this world.

When it is planted in fertile soil, however, it can grow and grow, until it reaches out to Heaven.

The same is true with us. We may think we have faith, just as the mustard seed may think it can grow humongously big, but in all reality, just like the mustard seed cannot grow without its life-giving source, the fertile soil, our faith cannot grow by itself. Just as the mustard seed, by itself, is worthless, our own faith, by itself, is worthless. But if that mustard seed is planted in fertile soil, it will grow. In the same way, if our mustard seed faith is planted in the fertile soil of Jesus, our Master, then we will truly experience the unbelievable. Then we will, without a doubt, make a difference in this world!

We cannot be proud of our faith. If we are, then we really we don't have faith at all. Faith is only possible through true humility and total dependence on God: "You do not support the root, but the root supports you." (Rom 11:18 NIV)

We need childlike faith in order to experience God in our lives. A small child is completely depended upon his parents. In the same way, we are also dependant upon our Heavenly Father. In all reality however, we so often don't depend upon God, and when we don't, we step right into the rattle snakes' nests of life, causing limping and pain! We could have avoided the trouble if we had only listened to Him! Only through Him can rattle snakes be rendered defenceless ("…they will pick up snakes with their hands… it will not hurt them at all…" (Mark 16:18 NIV)

Let's also remember than no matter what, we must not seek after our own interests. We must bring out the glory of God around us! "If you believed, you would see the glory of God" (John 11:40 NIV)

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5 NIV)

Do you have that kind of mustard's seed faith?

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!

In the Right Hands

Today's Bible Verse: Col 1:20 All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe — people and things, animals and atoms — get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross. (The Message)

"What do you do with all the junk?" He asked as he walked down the hill.

"What you see as junk, I see as possible treasure," I replied.

"You call all that treasure?" He asked.

"Only when I see it as something else, something new."

I've been working in my back yard the last few weeks.

It's part of a "keep myself busy" plan. Since the economy is flat and speaking engagements few, I try to keep myself busy doing things that need doing around the house.

I am self employed. Well, unemployed. No, self reliant, independent, and sometimes bored.

So, the yard and the shed need attention. Next week is clean up week in my community, so we get to haul all the things we no longer need to the dumpsters outside the township building.

There was, indeed, a hidden treasure in this pile of throw aways. It was during my digging phase that I found it.

My wife decided she wanted to expand a section of the rock garden in the corner of the yard.

While cleaning up I found this tiny bottle. It's about two inches high and a half inch thick. It looks like it had a cork in the top, but I am thinking perhaps a glass stopper. Like one in a perfume bottle.

Of course, my mind begins to play with all kinds of possibilities. I wondered who it belonged to, where it came from, was it a gift from a young man to his sweetheart?

I showed it to my neighbor and challenged him with the idea.

"It's junk! Look, there's a piece broken on the top. I'd toss it out," he concluded.

Not me. It's still useful. I know every time I see it my mind will dance. I like seeing it as a gift. Not only the imagined one from a guy to his girl, but the gift I was given just because I found it.

It can still hold something. I'll find a small cork and add a little colored water to it.

When I hold it I will imagine the hand that tossed it aside.

Junk? Just because it's slightly damaged doesn't mean it has lost it's purpose.

Like me. I've been damaged, broken, chipped and after all that I still have a purpose. God picked me up out of the trash pile, dusted me off and found something new I could do many times.

Perhaps this time, writing is the one thing I was meant to do all along. Maybe, just maybe, I needed to be broken and tossed aside in order to fulfill His plans for me.

So, next time you pass by a lost soul, beaten down and damaged, tossed aside and seen as junk by others, remember, that is God's vessel.

In the right hands, even a broken bottle is a treasure.

Bob Perks 2believe@comcast.net