VIDEO THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD

Sept 27, 2010

I believe that life is the most precious gift that exist in this world and that the future of our world depends on our spirit’s being strong, courageous, happy and at peace.

I believe that one thing we are given is the right to an absolutely joyful life and we have the choice to either accept that joy, or deny it. Choosing to accept joy means living up to our own voice.

To honor our heartfelt desires, to bring forth our talents, to look at whom we truly are as a gift to be given not only to ourselves, but also to those who share our lives. Take care and God bless!!

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. PSALM 119:105

Arthur Hays Sulzberger was the publisher of the New York Times during the Second World War. Because of the world conflict, he found it almost impossible to sleep. He was never able to banish worries from his mind until he adopted as his motto these five words—“one step enough for me”—taken from the hymn “Lead Kindly Light.”

God isn’t going to let you see the distant scene either. So you might as well quit looking for it. He promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future. We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow.

God is leading you. Leave tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow.

from TRAVELING LIGHT

Receiving the Good Things in Life

Psalm 34:8-10

Two conflicting opinions about material wealth exist among believers. One says that to be truly spiritual, a Christian must keep few worldly goods. Proponents of the opposite idea think that prosperity is a sign of God’s favor and, therefore, a desired possession can be claimed by faith. Bewildered, many followers of Jesus wonder, Which of the two is the correct approach? But neither answer gives the full picture.

A hindrance to answering the question is our common view of what constitutes “good things”; usually these are defined as items and experiences that make us feel happy. From God’s perspective, however, the good things in life are those that fit into His individualized purpose and plan for us. His will could include prosperity, robust health, talents, and opportunities. But more than likely, the Lord’s plan involves some periods of trouble and need, and He considers those times valuable too.

When our vision of what is truly good clears, we are ready to understand how to receive God’s blessings. The key to receiving life’s good things is to seek the Lord Himself rather than just the treasures He has to give. We often approach God with an empty basket rather than an open heart; we tell Him what we need and wait for the bin to be filled. But an open heart says, “God, I just want more of You.”

According to Psalm 34:8, God is good, and James 1:17 says that He is the source of “every good and perfect gift.” Giving blessings from His storehouse is in God’s nature, but He wants His children to seek Him above all else.

Man’s Grief and God’s Compassion

“For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” (Lamentations 3:31-33)

The five chapters of the unique book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah in his grief over the destruction of Jerusalem, are all written as acrostics, with each verse of each chapter beginning with successive letters of the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet. That is, verse 1 of each chapter begins with the letter aleph, verse 2 with beth, etc. (like A, B, etc. in English). The middle chapter is written in acrostic triplets (the first three verses beginning with aleph, and so on). Thus, chapter 3 contains 66 verses instead of 22.

The three verses of our text are right at the midpoint of this middle chapter, comprising the final triplet of the first half of the book, and thus uniquely constituting its central theme. As such, it could well also be the heart cry of every saint in any age experiencing God’s chastening hand.

Although Jeremiah himself had not sinned, his nation had grievously sinned, and thus all Israel had finally come under the rod. Nevertheless, the prophet could assure his people that God still loved them and would renew His compassion even in the midst of their grief. God does not willingly send affliction, for He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

When we suffer, or our nation suffers (as it surely will if it continues its present rebellion against God), it is well to remember His promise. “He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever” (Psalm 103:9). It is true that “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). HMM

Let us run with patience

“Let us run with patience.” (Heb. 12:1.)

TO run with patience is a very difficult thing. Running is apt to suggest the absence of patience, the eagerness to reach the goal. We commonly associate patience with lying down. We think of it as the angel that guards the couch of the invalid. Yet, I do not think the invalid’s patience the hardest to achieve.

There is a patience which I believe to be harder—the patience that can run. To lie down in the time of grief, to be quiet under the stroke of adverse fortune, implies a great strength; but I know of something that implies a strength greater still: It is the power to work under a stroke; to have a great weight at your heart and still to run; to have a deep anguish in your spirit and still perform the daily task. It is a Christlike thing!

Many of us would nurse our grief without crying if we were allowed to nurse it. The hard thing is that most of us are called to exercise our patience, not in bed, but in the street. We are called to bury our sorrows, not in lethargic quiescence, but in active service—in the exchange, in the workshop, in the hour of social intercourse, in the contribution to another’s joy. There is no burial of sorrow so difficult as that; it is the “running with patience.”

This was Thy patience, O Son of man! It was at once a waiting and a running—a waiting for the goal, and a doing of the lesser work meantime. I see Thee at Cana turning the water into wine lest the marriage feast should be clouded. I see Thee in the desert feeding a multitude with bread just to relieve a temporary want. All, all the time, Thou wert bearing a mighty grief, unshared, unspoken. Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud; but I would ask more from Thee. I would be, in my cloud, myself a rainbow—a minister to others’ joy. My patience will be perfect when it can work in the vineyard. —George Matheson.

“When all our hopes are gone,
‘Tis well our hands must keep toiling on
For others’ sake:
For strength to bear is found in duty done;
And he is best indeed who learns to make
The joy of others cure his own heartache.”

Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it

“Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it.” Song 8:13

My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Ten of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys!

It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, “I am thy salvation.” No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it.

Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. To-night, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.

I will praise Thee, O Lord

“I will praise Thee, O Lord.” Psalm 9:1

Praise should always follow answered prayer; as the mist of earth’s gratitude rises when the sun of heaven’s love warms the ground. Hath the Lord been gracious to thee, and inclined His ear to the voice of thy supplication? Then praise Him as long as thou livest. Let the ripe fruit drop upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Deny not a song to Him who hath answered thy prayer and given thee the desire of thy heart. To be silent over God’s mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as basely as the nine lepers, who after they had been cured of their leprosy, returned not to give thanks unto the healing Lord.

To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthful and invigorating exercise which quickens the pulse of the believer, and nerves him for fresh enterprises in his Master’s service. To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellow-men; “the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.” Others who have been in like circumstances shall take comfort if we can say, “Oh! magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together; this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.”

Weak hearts will be strengthened, and drooping saints will be revived as they listen to our “songs of deliverance.” Their doubts and fears will be rebuked, as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They too shall “sing in the ways of the Lord,” when they hear us magnify His holy name. Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels pray not, but they cease not to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, are never weary of singing the new song, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

VIDEO The One I’m Dying For

Feb 13, 2008

This video has a very good message for each of us. The video and lyrics of the song go well together.

Recommended by http://altruistico.wordpress.com/

A Plate of Experiences

I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. JEREMIAH 29:11

Last night during family devotions, I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables, and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?”

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren’t they? Some days are “three-cookie days.” Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables—twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn’t it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all.…

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did.

The Great House of God

Wisdom for Good Health

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

God cares deeply for the physical bodies that He’s given His children. Let’s review some simple ways to look after yourself physically.

First, pay close attention to what you eat. Your body will use whatever food you give it—whether good or bad—as fuel. The decision about what kind of fuel to consume is yours alone. When you fill your body with the wrong things, you are limiting its efficiency, energy, and overall potential.

Second, exercise is vital to a healthy body. You may say, “Well, I just can’t do that.” Yes, you can; it is a matter of discipline. You may not enjoy exercise, but your body needs it. If all you can do is walk, then walk!

Third, wisdom about health requires examining your attitude. How’s your outlook regarding yourself, your life, and other people? A positive attitude affects the body by freeing it of stress.

Finally, spending time in prayer and Bible study affects physical well-being. You were created to be in relationship with God; it only makes sense, then, that actively engaging in this relationship and realigning your mind and spirit toward Him can have beneficial effects on the body He created for you.

Many people attempt to separate spiritual life from the physical. This is not what God intended. If you truly believe your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20), then you must realize that failing to maintain your health is both a physical and a spiritual problem. What is the Lord saying to you about the way you care for your body?