Happy New Year :)

Quote for the day

When God is involved, anything can happen. 

Be open. 

When God is involved, anything can happen. 

Be open. 

Stay that way. 

God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords. 

( by Charles Swindoll)

Quote for the day

When prayers go up, blessings come down.

Give them all to Jesus

This is a lovely song...

.
.
.

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?

Are you tired of spinning round and round?

Wrap up all those shattered dreams of your life

And at the feet of Jesus, lay them down.

Give them all, give them all
Give them all to Jesus 

Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys 

Give them all, give them all
Give them all to Jesus 

And He will turn your sorrows into joy.

He never said you only see sunshine

He never said there would be no rain

He only promised a heart full of singing

About the very thing that once brought pain.

Exhaust Forgiveness?

Read: Luke 22:7-38

I had a listener call my radio show recently. “I’ve been a Christian for 5 years, but I haven’t always lived like one,” she said anxiously. “I want to know, does there come a time when God won’t forgive us anymore?” I recounted the following story to her: Jesus had arranged a secret location to eat the Passover dinner with His disciples—something He’d been “very eager” to share with them (Luke 22:7-38). Very eager? Just think about whom He ate dinner with and what would soon happen.

In a few short moments Jesus announced that someone sitting at the table would betray Him (vv.21-22). He already knew that Judas was the hired hit man (vv.3-6). Would you feel “eager” to dine with your assassin?

On hearing this news, the disciples didn’t grow concerned for their Friend’s safety; no, they started discussing who the betrayer could be (v.23). The conversation fragmented further as they argued about which of them would be the “greatest” (vv.24-27).Before the dinner was finished, these same friends frustrated and misunderstood Jesus—with disastrous results (vv.49-50). Jesus also broke the news of Peter’s betrayal (vv.33-34).

Immediately following dinner, Judas would betray Jesus (vv.47-48), Peter would disown Him (vv.54-62), the others would abandon Him (Mark 14:50), and Jesus would be crucified. Jesus knew the evil the evening held, yet He was still “very eager” to share it with His disciples. It was to these flawed friends that He gave His kingdom (Luke 22:28-30).

Can you exhaust the forgiveness of God? my caller asked. Not a chance, I replied. Leave your life of sin but don’t doubt the grace of Jesus. If He welcomes flawed friends like His disciples into His kingdom, He’s got a place for us too.

( by Sheridan Voysey)

Read Romans 8:38-39 to remind yourself of the depths of God’s love. Read 1 John 1:9 for guidance on dealing with sin.

Quote for the day

Promises, though they be for a time seemingly delayed, cannot be finally frustrated....

The heart of God is not turned though His face be hid; 

And prayers are not flung back, though they be not instantly answered.

( by Timothy Cruso)

The Joy of Giving

Joy is the true gift of Christmas, not the expensive gifts that call for time and money. We can communicate this joy simply: with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, forgiveness. And the joy we give will certainly come back to us. Let us pray that this presence of the liberating joy of God shines forth in our lives. - Pope Benedict XVI

The Joy of Giving…

Reggie’s brother gave him an automobile as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve Reggie came out of his office, and saw a street urchin admiring his shiny new car.

"Is this your car, Mister?" he asked. 

Reggie nodded in affirmation, "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was surprised. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you anything? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated. Reggie knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like the one Reggie has. But what the lad said was far beyond Reggie’s expectation.

"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that." 

For a few seconds words failed Reggie and then he impulsively added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?"

"Oh yes, I'd love that." 

After a short ride, the boy turned towards Reggie. His eyes were glowing and he said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?" Reggie smiled a little. He thought he understood what the lad wanted. He wanted to show it off to his neighbours that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Reggie was wrong again.

"Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up the steps. In a little while Reggie heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little brother who was physically challenged. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car. "There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about." 

Reggie got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. His brother whose eyes were gleaming with joy climbed in beside him and the three of them embarked on a memorable holiday ride. 

That Christmas Eve, Reggie learned what Jesus meant when he said: "It is more blessed to give, than to receive..."

Have a JOY-filled CHRISTMAS!

( by Irma Raymond)

The Man Who Almost Missed Christmas…

Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.

- Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)

The Man Who Almost Missed Christmas…

"His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." Matthew 1:18-19

In the Bible there is a man who almost missed Christmas.

It wasn't because he was distracted with holiday parties, visiting relatives or completing his shopping list. He wasn't stranded in an airport or battling a flu bug. He just couldn't see how his current circumstances were part of God's plan for his life.

Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, a young woman chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. In their culture, an engagement was every bit as binding as the marriage ceremony. So when Mary returned home from spending three months out of town and told Joseph she was pregnant, all he could think of was to divorce her quietly.

Joseph knew they hadn't been intimate - he was careful with their purity. Mary's growing belly would give him every reason to believe she'd been unfaithful. And it wasn't just him who would assume so. Everyone in their home town probably knew Mary had been out of town for months, without him.

Law dictated she be stoned to death for being unfaithful to her fiancé. Instead, Joseph planned to quietly end their engagement and say nothing about the unexpected pregnancy. He was a man of integrity.

But Joseph was also a man who didn't fully understand God's plan, and he almost missed being part of it.

Although scripture doesn't tell us for sure, Mary had likely explained to Joseph how the Holy Spirit came to her and placed this baby in her womb. From his perspective, this was a situation to be escaped rather than accepted as something straight from the hand of God.

Scripture explains what happened next: "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins'" (Matt 1:20-21).

What at first looked like a huge problem, a troubling circumstance, a total reputation-wrecker to Joseph, turned out to be the most glorious thing in his life when seen from God's perspective.

From this new viewpoint, Joseph saw what an honour it was to bear this burden. What a thrill to raise and know God's own Son!

While we may not get an angel visitation, we can pause and consider this same possibility in our lives. There have been many instances when my circumstances seemed like a detour, or even destruction, of my plans. At those times I can't imagine God bringing anything good out of what just seems like trouble.

But the story of Joseph brings me hope. It reminds me that God's ways aren't my ways. And sometimes in our greatest difficulties we find our greatest opportunities and blessed responsibilities.

Joseph was given the honor of naming the baby Jesus - the very same name we call on today for help. Had Joseph walked away, divorcing Mary quietly, he would've missed it.

He would have missed Christmas. And he would have missed the life-defining lesson that God's plans aren't always logical in human eyes, but they can always be trusted.

Is there a problem you are facing today? Is it possible this could be part of God's plans for you?

Dear Lord, thank You for Jesus. And thank You that Your plans for us are plans for good and not for evil - to give us a future and a hope. I trust You today with my life and my circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

( by Rachel Olsen)

Quote for the day

Faith is not believing that God can, it is knowing that He will. 

Sharing the Joy of Christmas

As Christmas is round the corner, we've been been busy doing the rounds for Carols singing for the past one week. We are a team of about 15 people and there is a Santa Claus - Albin, my neighbour. 

Albin works part-time for an IT company in our locality. He approached his boss to allow for his absence during the Carols week. His boss agreed on one condition - that we sing for them one of these days :)

Today, we concluded the Carols singing. True to our word, we visited Albin's office. We didn't know what to expect as we've never sung for a non-family audience before, also many of them wouldn't be Christians. 

We entered the office, and they all stood up to welcome us. Their faces bore an expectant look. We sang  songs and read the Bible. Finally, we wished them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And 'Santa' went about distributing sweets to his colleagues! They in turn, treated us like how the families we visit usually do. 

When we left the place, his boss thanked us all for the wonderful experience. No, we had to thank him for the wonderful time we all had. It was a blessed experience and a truly fulfilling one! Somehow, within the context of Christmas, we met unexpected people whom we wouldn't have got a chance to meet otherwise and shared with them the joy of Christmas :) 

Quote for the day

The vinedresser is never nearer the branches then when he is pruning them.

( by David Jeremiah)

The 'W' in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on non-essential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a 6-year-old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Pageant.”

I didn't have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there would be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love” I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow-caps upon their heads. Those in the front row – center stage – held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would hold up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy,” and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.”

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down - totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”. The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

“C H R I S T W A S L O V E”

And, I believe, He still is.

Amazed in His presence…. humbled by His love. Have a blessed Christmas season.

( taken from turnbacktogod.com)

Quote for the day

The army of Israel looked at Goliath through the eyes of man and said he's too big to beat. David looked at him through the eyes of God and said he's too big to miss!

( by Wally Carter)

Faith in the famine

Read: 1 Kings 17:2-16

During the time period of the Kings, Israel didn’t forsake God, but they mixed faith in Him with faith in gods of fertility and rain. Perhaps they were thinking: It can’t hurt to ask a few more gods for a bountiful harvest, right?

Amid that spiritually dark landscape, one person stood out because of his different approach. The prophet Elijah stood strong in faith even though, as James reminds us, he “was as human as we are” (5:17).

In 1 Kings 17, Elijah literally trusted God for his next meal, living out (Matthew 6:31-33): “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

Famine was in the air. How would Elijah find food? But Elijah didn’t need to worry. For the Lord said, “Hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3-4). Kerith Brook was a seasonal stream that supplied water only during the winter rains. Surely, the water supply wouldn’t last through the drought of Elijah’s day. And ravens? They were considered to be unclean creatures! (Leviticus 11:13-15). Yet, despite that, we read: “Elijah did as the Lord told him” (1 Kings 17:5).

Elijah showed us that we can live by faith, for God is faithful. Every day the ravens brought him food; and every day the grain and oil was replenished—just as God had promised. Like Elijah, let’s follow God by faith today.

( by Poh Fang)

Bible verse for today

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

(Romans 8:32).

Quote for the day

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.

( by Elton Trueblood)

Quote for the day

God answers ‘KNEE-MAIL’ without fail.

A Social Network Christmas

I happened to watch this video on 'A Social Network Christmas' today...

Its simply lovely!

This is the link to it  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reMq5fM874k&feature=share

Quote for the day

Lord, I am tired of reminding You of Your promises everyday!
.
.
.
They are so many in number :)
And yet, You keep them, every one of them!!!

Our Greatest Need...

The Love of God and of this world
can never be together in one soul,
but whichever is stronger puts out the other
that thus it may openly be known
who is this world’s lover and who Christ’s follower.
-Blessed Richard Rolle

(Read: Matthew 4:18-22)

Choose God’s Love today.

Our Greatest Need…

If our greatest need had been information
God would have sent us an educator

If our greatest need had been technology
God would have sent us a scientist

If our greatest need would have been money
God would have sent us an economist

If our greatest need would have been pleasure
God would have sent us an entertainer

But our greatest need was redemption
So God sent us an all-sufficient Saviour.

Have a Blessed expreience of God's Love this Advent!

( by Irma Raymond)

Quote for the day

God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule.
He is never too soon, never too late.
The WHEN of His will, is as important as the WHAT and the HOW.

( by Richard C. Halverson)

God who keeps His promises

“Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant."  (1 Kings 8:56)

In short, God is telling us, "Every word of every promise that I have made will come to pass". 

God is not a man that He should lie. Every promise that He has made will come to pass because He is faithful to do all that He has said that He will do. In a world of broken promises and disappointing authority figures, it is easy to become cynical and distrusting. Our negative life experiences with people can cause us to mistrust God in the same way. 

In today's promise, we are reminded that God keeps His promises. All of them. We may not understand His ways at times, but He is always true to His Word. Trust is a huge part of the foundation of our faith. If we struggle to trust Him, we will struggle to believe what He says is true. 

My prayer today is that God will restore childlike trust to each of our hearts in increasing measure so that we will have every confidence that every promise that our Papa makes will come to pass!

( taken from 365promises.com)

Oops!

Read Matthew 7:24-27

In late 2010, a commercial airline copilot had one major oops moment. While the lead pilot had left the cockpit for a break, his clumsy crewman knocked the control column forward as he attempted to adjust his seat. The jet, which had been cruising at 37,000 feet, instantly nosedived more than 2,000 feet. The pilot managed to return to the cockpit, but then faced a struggle with the panicked copilot who wouldn't release his grip on the controls. The tug-of-war resulted in the plane plummeting another 5,000 feet. Finally, the captain returned the aircraft to normal flight mode, much to the relief of 113 terrified passengers!

Like that foolish flyer, we can also behave in ways that place us—and others—in danger. Jesus described a “foolish” builder in Matthew 7. Instead of constructing his home on “bedrock” (v.25), the guy chose a fool-friendly foundation—sand. Not a good idea, for when the wind and rains of a fierce storm hit the house, it “[collapsed] with a mighty crash” (v.27).

This teaching, the finale of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, called people to leave their foolish ways behind and to follow Him. He knew that the “storm,” a picture of God’s future judgment (Jeremiah 23:19; Ezekiel 1:4), would lay bare each person’s spiritual state. It would reveal whether or not they had chosen to follow God (Matthew 6:33), submit to His will (7:21), and walk with Him in obedience and righteousness (7:22-23).

You and I might claim to be believers in Jesus—to have our lives built on the Rock. But if our words and actions deny what He teaches as we foolishly push forward into sin and reckless living, we’re headed for a major spiritual nosedive.

Release your grip on foolish ways and turn over the control of your life to Jesus, and begin soaring with Him!

( by Tom Felten)

Quote for the day

We can't allow tough times to cause us to offer God second-rate worship and offerings.

( by Tom Felten)

Bible verse for today

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:29,31)

Bible verse for today

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

(Psalm 34:8)

Quote for the day

Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances....
......... He sustains us through them.

( by Charles Stanley)

Why Pray?

Taking time alone with God

to think, pray, reflect & talk things over

will result in a happier & wiser you.

Read: Matthew 7: 24-27

Be WISE today!

Why Pray?

“The prayer of the righteous is powerful.” James 5:16

Why pray?

Because nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer, except....

that which lies outside the will of God.

You'll never know...

how many people have been strengthened because you asked God to encourage them.

Or healed because you stood with them in faith.

Or how many spiritual runaways have come home because you prayed for their souls.

None of us will ever know the true results of our prayers this side of heaven,

but we know this:

God's kingdom on earth is established by those who pray.

Through prayer we're invited into a relationship with God 

- a relationship that involves both talking and listening.

Prayer is "talking with God about what we are doing together".

In addition to all the other work that gets done through prayer, the greatest work of all is

the knitting together of our hearts with the heart of God.

Many a person on their deathbed

has regretted their obsession with work, money, pleasure and power.

But have you ever heard of anyone who regretted spending too much time in prayer?

No!!

Where there is much prayer, there's much love.

G. Ashton Oldham says,

"Prayer does not consist in battering the walls of heaven

for personal benefit or the success of our plans.

Rather, it's the committing of ourselves to carrying out God's purposes.

It is a telephone call to headquarters for orders.

It's not bending God's will to ours, but our will to His.

In prayer we tap reservoirs of spiritual power whereby

God can find fuller entrance into the hearts of men."

So Why pray?

That's why!

May YOU have the Grace to find Time to PRAY today!

( by Irma Raymond)

Quote for the day

There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty......
.......God's will is good!

( by Vernon Paterson)

Okay to be great?

Read Genesis 12:1-3

Is it a sin to be great? Over the years, I’ve heard statements that imply it is. Some have said, “It’s not about me. It’s about God.” Or, “People need to see God, not me.” Yes, we should avoid self-promotion, but I wonder if believers in Jesus can take it too far?

To those who think it’s a sin to pursue greatness, have you ever considered that God promised greatness to men like Abraham and David? To Abraham He said, “I will make your name great” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). To David He said, “I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth” (2 Samuel 7:9). Does it get any greater than that?

As I read these passages, it doesn’t seem that God considers achieving greatness in and of itself wrong. He was not concerned that their greatness would take away from His ultimate greatness. In fact, it’s just the opposite. All that we are comes from God. And when we seek to do great things to glorify Him, we are ultimately reflecting the Source of our greatness.

To those who would say, “It’s not about us. It’s about God,” I would ask, “Why isn’t it about us and God?” After all, God created us as His image bearers (Genesis 1:27). As human beings, we are designed to reveal and reflect His greatness and glory to a world that desperately needs to see more of Him.

We shouldn’t look to be honored like the hypocrites who craved to be noticed (Matthew 6:1), but we also don’t need to apologize for greatness when it’s noticed in us. It’s not about stroking our egos and becoming arrogant. It’s about acknowledging a shared partnership and purpose. It’s about celebrating the privilege of having God use our lives to advance His kingdom.

( by Jeff Olson)

Notice why God promised to make Abraham great (Genesis 12:2).

How are you attempting to do great things for God? What’s the balance between pursuing excellence and greatness and leaving the outcome in His hands?

( taken from Our Daily Journey)

Quote for the day

Give not God from the top of your purse…
but from the bottom of your heart!

Things to Forget...

Often when we lose hope and think this is the end,
         GOD smiles from above and says,
 “Relax my dear, it’s not the end, just a bend”!
   
               Read: Luke 21:5-11

               Have a HOPE-filled day!

Things To Forget…

Forget each kindness that you do,
As soon as you have done it.
Forget the praise that falls to you,
The moment you have won it.
Forget the slander that you hear,
Before you can repeat it.
Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer,
Whenever you may meet it.

Remember every promise made,
And keep it to the letter.
Remember those who lend you aid,
And be a grateful debtor.
Remember all the happiness
That comes your way in living.

Forget each worry and distress,
Be hopeful and forgiving.
Remember good, remember truth,
Remember heaven is above you.
And you will find, through age and youth,
That many will come to love you.

Rejoice in God’s message of Love for you:

“I have come to give you life. Life in all it’s abundance.” – John 10:10

( by Irma Raymond)

Quote for the day

Lord, I may not be able to see...but I choose to believe.

I'm glad you're never wrong!

Bible verse for today

In ALL things God WORKS for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ( Romans 8:28)

When God says "ALL", He means "ALL"!
And He "WORKS" for the good of those who love Him. He's not idle - merely watching things happen, but He's actually WORKING for our good.

When God's working for us, in all the areas of our lives, the results gotta be good, worth waiting for!

Quote for the day

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary.

( by Joe Gatuslao)

Quote for the day

Faith is to believe what we do not see...
....And the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. - St. Augustine

FAITH - Forsaking All I Trust Him!

The Value of Hard Places

“So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:12

Being forced into hard places gives us a whole new perspective on life. Things we once valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds such importance.

These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of such trials from no experience often judge others who have had such hardship. It is a superficiality of Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers.

Those who have walked in hard places immediately have a kinship with others who have walked there also. They do not need to explain; they merely look at one another with mutual respect and admiration for their common experience. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard places God has taken them through.

It is impossible to appreciate any valley experience while you are in it. However, once you have reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you were able to walk through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced.

Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know.

( by Manorama)

Feeling Lost?

Today, more than You seeking God,

Know that He seeks You!

Read: Luke 15:1-10

Let Him Rejoice over You today!

God Is Doing a Work in You…

“...grace wherein we stand, and… tribulation [that] works patience.”

 -- Romans 5:2-3

There are two things you can count on as you walk with God:

tribulation that works for you;

and grace that enables you to stand while you’re going through it.

Have you been praying for patience?

Get ready for tribulation; there’s no other way to get it! Patience grows only in the soil of adversity.

The truth is, some of the people you can’t stand right now are the very ones who’ll mature you spiritually and get you to your destiny.

God said, ‘ Moab is my washbasin...’ (Psalm 60:8).

The Moabites were Israel ’s troublesome next-door neighbours who drove them crazy.

But such people can also drive us closer to God!

So, who’s your washbasin? Who brings out the worst in you?

Who drives you to your knees? Who stretches your faith? Who develops your character?

The problem is, we pray for certain things...

but God has a process; only as we get to know Him better do we begin to recognise it.

Here’s how it works:

You ask God for strength and He allows you to go through struggles that develop you.

You ask Him for wisdom and you get to deal with messy situations that have no easy solutions.

You ask Him for success and He gives you ability to work and wisdom to produce.

You ask Him for favour and you get responsibility. (Then you want to run from it.)

There’s a work going on in you right now! You may not be fully aware of it,

but without it you’ll never be qualified to handle what God has in mind.

Want Muscles??? Carry Weights!!!

Do You Ask God For:

Strength… expect struggles.

Wisdom… expect messy situations

Patience… expect tribulations.

It’s a process… allow it to work.

Put your TRUST in HIM today!

( by Irma Raymond)

Is Alcohol for Christians?

Alcoholic abuse has become a cancer that has been eating into the vitals of the modern society. Today, however, we have transformed alcohol into a symbol of status and nobility. Alcohol makes people brutes and an alcoholic makes the family a hell.

Alcoholics do not consider drinking as a sin. Many people think like this – Everything in this world has been created for the enjoyment of man. But God has never allowed His children to indulge in the lusts of people. India has now turned into a den of toddy shops, bars and outlets selling alcoholic beverages. Against this, God gives us timely warning: “Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. At last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder” (Pro 23:31).

Inspite of knowing that alcoholism would cause havoc on our home, society, wealth and even on self respect, we plunge ourselves into ruin very much like a butterfly trying to befriend flames. What a deplorable state of affairs!

We spend more money on alcohol than on food. Most of the road accidents are the results of drunken driving. If we look into the cases of divorce in India, we find the main reason for divorce is alcohol abuse. People with liver and heart diseases are also on the increase in India. Assaults on women and sexual perversions are also on the rise here.

Some people justify themselves by asking what is wrong in taking an occasional drink. They will say that they do that just to get some relief after carrying out all their responsibilities. Such pretext of drinking is not good for a good Christian. God wants us to live a life that is appropriate for the day, abandoning our love of luxury and desire for drinks.

Alcoholism destroys our health and sanctity of our body. What is displayed on the bottle labels and on the boards of shops selling alcohol? Isn’t it “Drinking alcohol is injurious to health?” We should realize our mistakes and give up drinking.

God asks us, “Don’t you know that you are the temple of God and the Holy spirit dwells in you? “If anyone destroys God’s temple ,God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple” (1 Cor 3:17).

Our bodies are temples of God. When we spoil our bodies with alcohol, we are actually pouring dirty water into the temple of God. Any act that destroys the nobility and purity of our body is a sin. We should have this knowledge and conviction.

( by Surjith Jacob taken from turnbacktogod.com)

Bible verse for today

Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)

Your love is beyond comprehension!

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me.

He asked me, “Do you love me?”  

I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!”

Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do — the things that I took for granted? And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my creation?”

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, “Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”

The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?”

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word.”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?”

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?”

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!” I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?”

I answered, “Because I am only human. I am not perfect.”

“THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?”

No answers — only tears.

The Lord continued: “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?”

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

“Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?”

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all.”

DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?”

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? My heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”

The Lord answered,  "That is My Grace, My child.”

I asked, ” Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?”

The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever.”

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, “How much do You love me?”

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour.

And for the first time, I truly prayed.

( taken from turnbacktogod.com) 

There’s no greater love than this,

There’s no greater love than this,

That a man would give his life for a friend;

There’s no higher sacrifice

Than a man would give his life,

You have paid

A precious price for me

Father of Lies

When [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. —John 8:44

Satan’s sway over mankind began when he turned the minds of Adam and Eve against God. In order to pull it off, he had to lie to them about God—and they had to fall for it. In that defining moment, he lied to them about God’s goodness, God’s Word, and God’s intentions (Gen. 3:1-6).

Satan is still up to his old tricks. Jesus said that when the devil “speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar” (John 8:44). It should not be surprising, then, that when trouble interrupts our lives, the father of lies whispers in our ears and suddenly we are questioning God’s goodness. When we are told to follow His commands, we wonder if His Word is really true in the first place. When Jesus tells us things like, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matt. 6:19), Satan tells us that the good life is about piling up things here, causing us to doubt God’s good intentions.

Our problem is that we, like Adam and Eve, believe Satan’s lies. And when we do, our loyalty to God is compromised. Then our enemy slithers off to his next assignment, leaving us alone to face our regrets and the realization that his lies have seduced us away from our truest and dearest Friend. Who have you been listening to lately?

( by Joe Stowell)

Satan can catch you by surprise

And stop you in your tracks,

So keep on guard and trust God’s Word,

Resist his strong attacks. —Branon

The power of Satan is no match for the power of God’s Word.

Is God far away from you?

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.
Read: Matthew 11:28

Find time to lay your burdens down today!


Do You Feel That God is Far Away From You?

I'm going through a dry time, Lord;
I feel no joy inside.
It seems that You are far away
and not here by my side.
I know I have to trust you, Lord,
but sometimes I feel so weak.
I feel my prayers have floundered...
Lord, I need to hear You speak.
Love,
Your Child

-------------------------------------------------


My Child,
I'm right there by you
when the desert winds are dry;
though the sands of time seem endless,
My child, you need not cry....
Every prayer that you have whispered,
every tear that you have shed,
every heartache, every thought...
reaches Me before it's said.

I will calm the restless spirit,
quell the fears you have within,
send My grace like soft new dewdrops
to refresh you once again.
Like a fountain of clear water
I'm right here to help you grow...
be patient now,
My dear child,
your joy will overflow.

Love,
God

Reflection: Read Hebrews 13:5-6

( by Irma Raymond)

Seeing Backward

It is often difficult to recognize the hand of God when we are in the midst of adversity. We often feel God has hidden His face from us. When the Lord takes us through deep valleys, there will be fruit from the deep valley that we cannot see. You must press into Him with all you have during this time.

God uses the deep valley to frame our lives to create a change in our nature, not just a change in habits. The depth and width of our valley is often an indicator of the level of calling and influence we will have on others in the future. Our adversity is not just for us, but others who will be in our future path of influence. This is not very comforting when you are in the middle of the valley, but know this is a truth in the Kingdom.

It is often years later when we discover the wisdom of God and why He intentionally led us through the dark valley. Life is often lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back at through valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale and the spiritual deposits He has made in our life while we were there.

"He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). 

When you begin to realize this, you sit back and breathe a sigh of relief because you know that God was in control all along. It didn't seem like it at the time, but He was.

Do you find yourself in the valley? Now is the time to fully trust Him to guide you to higher ground.

( by Manorama)

Do I love you because you're beautiful?

Blessings always look small if we hold them in our hands.

But if we learn to share them, we realize how great & precious they are.

Read: Luke 12:13-21

Be a Blessing today & May God Bless You!

Do I love you because you’re beautiful

Or are you beautiful because I love you?

—Oscar Hammerstein

Once, a powerful king agreed to help a small, lost boy find his mother. Since the boy described his mother as the most beautiful woman in the world, the king commanded all the beautiful women in the kingdom to come to the castle.

From miles around, they came – women with complexions of porcelain and hair of spun gold, with cheeks the color of apricots and eyes as dark as the raven’s. But none of them was the boy’s mother. When the last of the women had paraded before them, and the king and the boy had begun to despair, they heard a timid knock on the door.

“Come in,” the king said wearily. In shuffled an old washerwoman, her grey hair tied up in a kerchief, her hands rough and red, her dress coarse and patched.

“Mother!” the boy cried when he saw her, and he leapt from his chair and raced into the woman’s arms. The king stared in amazement.

Will I be able to see the real beauty in others today?

Scripture for reflection: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

( by Irma Raymond)

Zero Tolerance

You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people. —Leviticus 19:16

When Shayla McKnight applied for a job for an online printing company, she was surprised to learn that they had a zero-tolerance policy for gossip. The employees are encouraged to confront one another, instead of gossip about their fellow employees. If employees are caught gossiping, they are reprimanded, and if they continue, they are fired.

Long before this kind of policy was ever implemented by a company, God spoke of His own zero-tolerance policy for gossip and slander among His people (Lev. 19:16). Idle talk that foolishly or maliciously spreads rumors or facts about another person was forbidden.

Solomon said that speaking badly of others could have disastrous effects. It betrays confidence (Prov. 11:13), separates close friends (16:28; 17:9), shames and saddles you with a bad reputation (25:9-10), and perpetually fuels the embers of a quarrel (26:20-22). People rarely can undo the damage their untrue words have done to a neighbor.

Let’s ask the Lord to help us not to engage in harmful talk about others. He wants us to set a guard over our mouths so that we’ll instead speak all the good we know about everybody.

( by Marvin Williams)

Many things that others say

Are not for us to tell;

Help us, Lord, to watch our tongue—

We need to guard it well. —Branon

Destroy gossip by ignoring it.

Why Me?

The secret things belong to the Lord our God. —Deuteronomy 29:29

Recently I read Psalm 131, one of my favorite psalms. In the past, I viewed it as an encouragement to understand that mystery is one of the hallmarks of God’s character. It challenged me to let my mind be at rest, since I am unable to understand all that God is doing in His universe.

But then I saw another side of David’s calm spirit: I am unable to understand all that God is doing in me, and it is impossible to try.

David draws a comparison between a weaned child that no longer frets for what it once demanded, and a soul that has learned the same lesson. It is a call to learn humility, patient endurance, and contentment in all my circumstances—whatever they are—though I do not understand God’s reasons. Divine logic is beyond the grasp of my mind.

I ask, “Why this affliction? Why this anguish?” The Father answers, “Hush, child. You wouldn’t understand if I explained it to you. Just trust Me!”

So, I turn from contemplating David’s example to ask myself: Can I, in my circumstances, “hope in the Lord”? (v.3). Can I wait in faith and patience without fretting and without questioning God’s wisdom? Can I trust Him while He works in me His good, acceptable, and perfect will?

( by David H. Roper)

It may not be for me to see

The meaning and the mystery

Of all that God has planned for me

Till “afterward”! —Anon.

In a world of mystery, it’s a comfort

to know the God who knows all things.

The Isolation Chamber

“Be still and know that I am God….” Psalm 46:10

There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities–simply inactivity.

During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, “You must do something,” while God is saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can’t seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.

Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.

Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.

( by Os Hillman)

Quote for the day

We wont be shaken....
.....Coz our hope is in The Unshakable!

My Fingernails Or His Hand?

The Lord upholds him with His hand. —Psalm 37:24

Tough times can cause us to get our perspective turned around. I was reminded of this recently as I talked to a fellow-griever—another parent who, like Sue and me, lost a teenage daughter to death suddenly and without warning.

She told me she had been missing her daughter terribly, and she told God she felt as if she were hanging on by her fingernails. Then she felt as if God reminded her that His hand of protection was there to hold her up—that she could let go, and He would catch her.

That’s a better perspective, isn’t it? This picture reminds us that when troubles come and we feel least able to hold on to our faith, it’s not up to us. It’s up to God to support us with His mighty hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 says: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord . . . . Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” And Psalm 63:8 tells us: “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.”

In tough times, we can become so preoccupied with our role in “clinging to God” that we forget about His promised protection. It’s not our fingernails that sustain us—it’s His loving, upholding hand.

( by Dave Branon)

God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths

Can hold my small affairs;

His hand that guides the universe,

Can carry all my cares. —Anon.

No one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hand.

Walking on impossibilities

“He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water…” (Matthew 14:29)

This is one of my favourite verses in the Scriptures. I like it because it contains an essential truth, which when applied, can help you overcome impossibilities.

Peter was a veteran fisherman. He knew how to stay in the boat during turbulent weather. It may be an impossible task for you but not for Peter. However to walk on water was an impossible task for Peter. He has never heard about such a thing!

But all that changed when Peter found Jesus walking on water. He extended Jesus a rather amusing request: “…Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28)

Why did Peter ask Jesus to ‘command’ him to walk on the water? The root word used here for ‘command’ is ‘keleuson’ (Greek term). It means to ‘give an order’ or ‘incite by word’.

Peter had a revelation of the power vested in the command given by Jesus. He knew if he ever wanted to walk on water, he needed an ‘order’, a ‘command’, a ‘word’ from Jesus. And once he got it, He began to walk on it!

You see, to the natural eye, Peter was walking on the water. But the truth is, he was walking on the ‘command’ or the ‘word’ of Jesus. It’s his trust and dependence on that word that made him walk on the water.

That’s the key to overcoming your impossibilities. What are you facing today? Debt, loneliness, joblessness, sickness, failure, addiction? Whatever that be, do what Peter did. Ask Jesus to give you a word. Spend time in the Scriptures. And when you sense His ‘command’, take it by faith.

Hold on to that word. Confess that word. Walk on that word.

Then watch and see how your impossibilities become marvellous sights of God’s power and grace!

( by Joe Abraham, taken from turnbacktogod.com)

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. - Exodus 14:14

 If you remain still, I will do your fighting for you.

In today's promise, we have an amazing assurance that the God who spoke the entire universe into existence will fight for us if we will only remain still. The NIV Bible says this verse this way...The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." 

I believe there is something in the heart of God that fights on our behalf when we do not try and fight for ourself. Waiting on the Lord is not passive, it is active. When we wait on God to fight for us, we are putting ourselves in a very vulnerable position and by doing so we are demonstrating in a very practical way that we know that our heavenly Dad is the source of our help.

Does this mean that we never wage warfare on a spiritual level? After all, the Bible says that we are to 'resist the devil and he will flee', 'take on the full armor of God', etc. I believe what Exodus 14:14 is talking about is fighting in our own strength. There is a huge difference from fighting our battles in our own best efforts and fighting battles in the power of the Lord's might.

When we learn that the battle really is the Lord's, we can rest in His ability to save us and draw from His strength and not our own. Whatever battle you are facing today, be comforted in knowing that you have a  Father (God) and a big brother (Jesus) fighting on your behalf. You only need to be at peace and watch what happens.

( taken from 365promises.com)

Ten Ways to Love

1. Listen without interrupting.

Proverbs 18:13 – To answer before listening, that is folly and shame.

2. Speak without accusing.

James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

3. Give without sparing.

Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

4. Pray without ceasing.

Colossians 1:9 – For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

5. Answer without arguing.

Proverbs 17:1 – Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

6. Share without pretending.

Ephesians 4:15 – Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

7. Enjoy without complaining.

Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing.

8. Trust without wavering.

Corinthians 13:7 – Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

9. Forgive without punishing.

Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

10. Promise without forgetting.

Proverbs 13:12 – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

( taken from turnbacktogod.com)

Free to Choose

This article affected me much. I realized that faith is not believing that God will always answer our prayers with a 'yes', but believing that He loves us and works for our good even when his reply is 'no' or 'wait'. 

Have a faith-filled day!

Free to Choose...

He knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. —Daniel 6:10

When it was learned that the biggest football game of the 2011 season was scheduled to be played on Yom Kippur, the student government at the University of Texas petitioned school officials to change the date. They said it was unfair to make Jewish students choose between the classic football rivalry with Oklahoma and observing their most important and sacred holy day of the year. But the date was not changed. Even in societies where people have religious freedom, difficult choices are still required of every person of faith.

Daniel demonstrated the courage to obey God no matter what the consequences. When his political rivals set a trap to eliminate him from their path to power (Dan. 6:1-9), he didn’t challenge the law or complain that he had been wronged. “When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (v.10).

Daniel didn’t know if God would save him from the lions’ den, but it didn’t matter. He chose to honor God in his life whatever the outcome. Like Daniel, we are free to choose to follow the Lord.

( by David C. McCasland)

What freedom lies with all who choose

To live for God each day!

But chains of bondage shackle those

Who choose some other way. —D. De Haan

You can never go wrong when you choose to follow Christ.

Bible verse for today

I will say of the Lord,
"He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in Him I will trust." (Psalm 91:2)

God will bring you through...

Tough times don’t last.

Tough people do.

Be Tough today!

God Will Bring You Through…

“...I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Acts 27:25

On his way to Rome , Paul - and 276 others - were shipwrecked.

I can think of three important lessons from their story.

First, that we must listen to God. If we don’t, we’ll experience heartache and loss:

‘...Paul had warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss”…

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said,

followed the advice of the pilot and… the majority decided that we should sail on...’ (Acts 27:9-12).

Notice, being in the majority doesn’t make somebody right.

Who are we listening to?

Do they know God? Are they walking by faith or by human reasoning?

Jesus said, ‘...he who receives whomever I send receives Me’ (John 13:20).

Second, that the purposes of God will always overcome the plans of men and women.

God can actually make mistakes work for our good.

Through this shipwreck Paul landed on Malta and introduced the Gospel to its people.

Instead of beating ourselves up over mistakes, or arguing about who’s right and who’s wrong,

try to see the hand of God in it.

Especially when we are placed in situations beyond our doing, then be certain that the Lord is at work in it.

Finally, whatever we’ve lost, God can restore it.

‘[The people of Malta ] honoured us in many ways and when we were ready to sail,

they furnished us with the supplies we needed’ (Acts 28:10).

Don’t limit God.

He will use people to bless us - people we haven’t even met yet.

Let’s be encouraged;

God will bring you through!

( by Irma Raymond)

Bible verse for today

We place our destiny in the hands of the Lord, not in the hands of men,
because His mercy is as great as His majesty. (Sirach 2:18)

When God says, 'Wait'...

Struggling? 

Take heart & take God’s hand.

There’s no difficulty that He & you can’t handle together.

Like Mary did in Luke 10:38-42, choose the better part today!

God Bless You!

When God says, ‘Wait’…

“[Your] steps… are ordered by the Lord...” Psalm 37:23

What should you do when doors you thought God had opened suddenly slam shut?

You’re thinking, ‘Lord, I did all the right things. Why is this happening?’

Be at peace, God is still directing your steps.

When your hopes seem crushed and your plans have altered,

rely on His superior wisdom and unfailing love.

God has already planned your life from beginning to end,

so trust Him to work things out for your good (Isaiah 46:10-11).

If you give it a little more time, your pain will turn to praise as you realise that He just closed a lesser door to open a greater one.

Timing is so important!

As you begin to understand God’s timing you’ll be better able to cooperate with Him.

When you don’t know,

learn to wait with confidence on the One who does.

The problem most of us have is that we attempt to take the lead role in our relationship with God

and it doesn’t work.

God has that role, and He won’t give it to us!

He gives instructions and we’re supposed to follow,

even when we don’t like or understand the way He takes us.

‘Why does it take God so long to do things?’ you ask.

Because unanswered questions create trust.

When you don’t know, you have to trust the One who does,

and that keeps you growing in faith.

God has a definite plan and time,

and while He’s getting you ready He keeps you in His waiting room.

If that’s where you are today, remember,

it’s only as you reach new levels of maturity

that God releases new levels of blessing into your life.

( by Irma Raymond)