Wednesday 28 December 2011

The Source of Real Power

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Do you want to make a difference in your life but just can't seem to get there? Do you want to see a change in a situation but it just doesn't seem to happen? Where do you find the real power to make a real difference in your life?
Jesus teaches us that real power is found in one of the strangest, most unexpected places. Real power is found in meekness.
Now when we talk about meekness, or gentleness, we tend to think of something sweet and gentle like a lamb or a baby. But, in God's dictionary, meek does not mean weak. It means "power under control."
Imagine it this way, it's like a rocket launching off a pad. If you took the same amount of energy and created an explosion, it would destroy the launch pad. But because that energy is funneled in a certain direction, it is instead able to launch the rocket into space.
That's what God wants to do in your life. He wants to take the power you have in your words, emotions and drive, and put it under control. But it's your choice. You have three ways you can choose to live your life.
1. The out-of-control life. This kind of living destroys everything around you. It's explosive with a lot of anger, issues, destructive power and undisciplined actions. It may seem like a lot is happening, but it leads to destruction in all areas.
2. The in-control life. In this type of living, you try to control every aspect of your life. This approach will leave you tired and stressed out as you realize you can't keep everything in check.
3. The under-God's-control life. In this type of living, you take the power God has given you and you give it back to him. You stop trying to control everything yourself. Under God's control, you can be used in ways you never thought were possible.
Can you guess which way of living will be the most fruitful? When we submit our life to God's control it will produce the fruit Paul talked about in Galatians 5:22-23, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (NIV).


By Rick Warren


Friday 23 December 2011

Speak to Your Mountain

We've all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it's easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you're facing a financial obstacle. But the more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you've got to dig your heels in and say, "No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I'm not going to speak lack. I'm not going to speak fear. I'm choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says I am blessed. I am favored. I am prosperous. I am healthy. I am whole. I'm a victor, not a victim."

Remember, even if you don't see how things could ever work out, God does. You've got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!


By Joel & Victoria Osteen 

Matthew 21:21-22 
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Sunday 18 December 2011

The Little Things That Tells God Is Watchin' Over You



 
 
The ' L I T T L E ' Things~
cid:1.3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com
As you might
remember, the head of a company survived
9/11  because his son started kindergarten
..

Another fellow was alive because it was

His turn to bring donuts.


One woman was late because her

Alarm clock didn't go off in time.


One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike

Because of an auto accident.


One of them

Missed his bus.


One spilled food on her clothes and had to take
Time to change.


One's

Car wouldn't start.



One couldn't

Get a taxi.


T
he one that struck me was the man
Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning,
Took the various means to get to work
But before he got there, he developed
a  blister on his foot.


He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.

That is why he is alive today..

cid:2.3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com

Now when I am

Stuck in traffic
,
Miss an elevator,

Turn back to answer a ringing telephone
...
All the little things that annoy me.
I think to myself,
This is exactly where

God wants me to be

At this very moment..

cid:3.3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com
Next time your morning seems to be

Going wrong
,

The children are slow getting dressed,

You can't seem to find the car keys,

You hit every traffic light,

Don't get mad or frustrated;

It May be just that

God is at work watching over you.

cid:4.3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com
May God continue to bless you

With all those annoying little things

And may you remember their possible purpose.

cid:5.3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com
cid:7..3614086292@web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com
A
M E N
  - By Anonymous
 





Friday 16 December 2011

The Process of Growing Up

One thing I’ve learned is that just because God puts a dream in our hearts doesn’t mean it’s
going to come to pass without any opposition. See, God is going to grow us up. He’s going to
mature us. He’s going to prepare us to handle the promotion He has in store.
I think about Joseph in the Bible. Starting out, he didn’t have a whole lot of wisdom. He was
young and immature, and God had to do a work in his life. Joseph probably shouldn’t have told
his brothers about his dream that they would one day serve him! As you can imagine, his
brothers were not nearly as excited about that as he was. Long story short, Joseph had to go
through some things to grow up and be ready for the promotion God had in store.
Friend, it’s the same way with us today. You may have a dream in your heart that seems a
million miles away, but just like Joseph, God can take you from the prison to the palace in one
step. During the growing process, keep yourself focused on Him and allow Him to do His work
in your life. Keep a humble attitude of faith before Him, and He will lead you and guide you into
the destiny He has prepared for you!


By Joel & Victoria Osteen

Friday 9 December 2011

Gather Enough Points and Claim Your "REWARD"

Now a days, Department Stores, Groceries and the likes have their own Reward System and they have set-up mechanics for you to claim that reward, like by shopping for a certain amount, then it will have an equivalent point and when you reach the needed points for your Reward, you can claim it.
 



God too has a Reward waiting for us to be claim. The Reward of "Eternal Life".
Have you gathered enough points to claim this Reward? or you have forgotten about it?

Read the following Scriptures for the Mechanics:

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

John 11:25-26 
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

Proverbs  8:35
For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD

 Matthew 25:37-40 
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 6:33


Christmas is a time for sharing and giving, a perfect time for us to earn those points needed for this "REWARD". What is even great about this reward is that, it is for free, you don't need to buy anything or swipe your credit card to earn points. Make an effort, know God, love and share your blessings to others then God will give the "REWARD" that is meant for you.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

First Says Thank You

No matter what is going on in life, you can find a reason to thank God. What you dwell on is what you will draw into your life. You can either focus on your problems, or you can focus on your blessings. The question is: do you want more problems, or do you want more blessings?
One thing I’ve noticed is that when you live with an attitude of constant gratitude, not only do you thank God for what He’s done in your life, you start thanking Him for what He will do in your life. You thank Him for opening doors for you. You thank Him for increasing you. You thank Him for bringing the right people into your life. When you say “thank you” to God for the things that are coming, it’s really a declaration of your faith in Him. You are saying in essence, “God, I’m so sure of Your goodness, I’m so sure that You’re working in my life that I’m going to thank You right now for what You are going to do tomorrow!”
Friend, that’s the kind of faith that pleases God. When we trust in His goodness and believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, that pleases His heart so much. So today, have an attitude of gratitude. Let your faith say thank you. Praise Him throughout the day with a humble heart and watch what He will do on your behalf!
by Joel & Victoria Osteen

This message from Joel and Victoria Osteen comes just in the right time, when the year is just about to end (25 days more and it will be 2012). 
I am sure many of us are still not satisfied with what we have right now (and I am one of those). We dwell so much on our problems making us blind to see the blessings that we have received.
As this year ends, let us count the blessings that we have received, thank God, and expect more blessings to come on 2012.

 

Saturday 3 December 2011

The Prayer of Ruth





This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in Africa .
 
One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving uswith a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. 

 
We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities.  Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.    
One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). 


"And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.  As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.  They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. 

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts.  Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon , as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me.  I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby.  I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills.  I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.
 
During prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children.  "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a hot water bottle today.  It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon." 

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"
As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say "Amen"?  I just did not believe that God could do this.  Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so.  But there are limits, aren't there?  The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland.  I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home. 

Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle?  I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.  By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel.  I felt tears pricking my eyes.  I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.  Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot.  We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly.  Excitement was mounting.  Some thirty
or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.. 


From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys.  Eyes sparkled as I gave them out.  Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored.  Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.  Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be?  I grasped it and pulled it out.  Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle.  I cried. 
 
I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.  Ruth was in the front row of the
children.  She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"


Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly.  Her eyes shone!  She had never doubted!  Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"  Of course, I replied! 
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.  And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon." 

"Before they call, I will answer."  (Isaiah 65:24)