Impressions

God gives us impressions. If the impression is from God, He will Himself givesufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. Read the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth. Note that Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's son came to him and brought him external evidence by making a proposal for the purchase. Then Jeremiah said: "I knew this was the word of the Lord." Jeremiah waited until God confirmed the impression by a providence, and then he acted in full view of the open facts, which could bring conviction unto others as well as to himself. God wants us to act according to His mind. We are not to ignore His personal voice but, like Paul and his companions at Troas, we are to listen to all the voices that speak and "gather" from all the circumstances, as they did, the full mind of the Lord. Do not say that you will or will not do. Wait upon God until He makes known His way. If He does not reveal His way, there is no need of action

Number 10 : 33

The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them

HAPPY NEW YEAR

(0459) 31 Dec 2007

Rejoicing in each day

When you are having one of those difficult days when the burdens are heavy, when your heart is broken and your tears are flowing, when it feels like everybody is turned against you, including your Heavenly Father--that's the time to heed this verse by faith.
"This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"

Perhaps your day is full of overwhelming burdens or sorrows. Accept the day God has given you and acknowledge that He is in charge. Anticipate what God is going to do for you today; rejoice and be glad in it. You may not understand His purposes now, but one day you will.

Psalm 118: 24
This is the day which the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it

(0458) 30 Dec 2007

Wisdom and riches

The Book of Proverbs teaches us that all who would live godly must seek the wisdom of God and forsake the wisdom of the world.

To seek divine wisdom, therefore, is to seek to know God better and to possess less.
God is to be sought early in life and early in each day of life. When we show Him we
love Him in this way, He shows us He loves us by filling our day with His wisdom.

Seeking the wisdom of God and the God of wisdom does not necessarily mean we will be paupers on this earth. God says, "Riches and honor are with me; yea durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver" (Proverbs 8:18-19)., "Every man to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
God never intended that we should not have riches; He only intended that riches should not have us. It is vitally important for Christians who possess wealth not to be possessed by it. Seek the wisdom of the Lord early in the day, before earning the wealth of the world. Then use that wealth in a way which will bring eternal reward.

Proverbs 8:1-36

(0457) 29 Dec 2007

Wait for HIM

Trials of mind affect us more deeply than pains of the body. If we give way to anxiety, such trials become troubles. This cannot happen to those who are patient. To those who feel that they are in the hand of God and are encircled with His fatherly providence, and that all things are in His disposal.

When we cannot find the solution to trial or difficulty, we have only to look to God and to wait in patience, and in due time He will come and guide us. When we are confused as to what course of action to take, we should call on Him and wait with patience and He will not fail us.

Psalms 130 : 6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Psalms 18 : 28
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

(0456) 28 Dec 2007

Finding hope in troubled times

We see hope as a weak, delicate thing because we view it as a wish, a desire, something we want to happen...but we are rarely certain. God offers us something more substantial. Hope is a certainty in the present and a firm expectation for the future rooted in God's faithfulness and trustworthiness. It doesn't depend on our desires or wishes or even circumstances. It comes directly from Him: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13,). We are not left to worry and wish and struggle in troubled times. Instead, we can be confident in God who is extremely trustworthy.

Psalm 33:16-22:"The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,even as we hope in you"

What do you gain when you look to God for your hope?

· you have a reason to praise (Psalm 71:14);

· you can rejoice even when things aren't going well (Romans 12:12);

· you will find your strength renewed (Isaiah 40:31) and

· you will have stability, confidence and an "anchor for your soul" (Hebrews 6:17-19).

There are many things that make us feel or believe that our situation or the problems we face are hopeless. But what we feel or believe does not change the character or work of God.

He remains the same: loving, powerful, compassionate, trustworthy, faithful, unfailing.

He just asks you to trust Him with the hopelessness you feel. Bring those troubles to God in prayer and ask Him to show you the hope He offers. Maybe you need to put your trust in Him, not in other things. The great part is that He'll help.

Happy Holidays

(0455) 27 Dec 2007

Never give up

What causes us to tire?
* We get involved in more than we can handle and as a result sometimes tire ofthings that are good for us to do.
* Satan opposes our efforts to do right. That can be wearing, causing a spiritualbattle fatigue.
* Other things catch our attention and may appear to be more appealing.Then we tire of what we are doing; the luster is gone because something else is more attractive. These are just a few reasons.

Remember Paul’s words: “Never tire of doing what is right.” Don’t give in or give up. Determine that first priority will be given to doing right. Examine the source or cause. If it is something that is pulling you away from doing right, don’t let it. Ask God to renew your strength.

Happy Holidays

(0454) 26 Dec 2007

What is faith ?

It simply means resting your burden on God. Abraham was a man of faith. But when God told him he would have a son, he looked at himself and doubted. Obviously, from a human perspective that was a ridiculous notion. Instead of resting his faith wholly upon God, Abraham was trying to carry part of the burden himself. Faith always falters when we trust in our own capabilities. If something can be done by human standards, faith would not be necessary. The essence of faith requires that it is something that can be accomplished only if God undertakes it for us. Are you depending upon your own resources, or are you resting your whole weight upon God? Whether it's for your ultimate salvation or some daily responsibility,have faith in God. Only He can do the impossible.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

(0453) 25 Dec 2007

Tomorrow

Sometimes we question God if HE is realistic ?

We shouldn’t be concerned about tomorrow ?

Suppose we get retrenched ?

Suppose we get sick?

We imagine one bad possibility then another, then both bad possibilities together. We have our needs being met in the past and that we have enough for today. We dread that tomorrow our well may run dry. While it is certainly wise to plan ahead, Jesus taught us that worrying about the future is futile. We should not be troubled by what might happen or what might be required of us. If God has given us food and drink enough for today, why not let HIM worry about our tomorrow ?

Luke 12 : 22

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor
about the body, what you will put on

(0452) 24 Dec 2007

Be safe not sorry

By weighing the warnings of HIS love against the cost of our foolishness, we will soon realize it is always better to be safe than to be sorry. The Holy Spirit is given to us to activate our conscience by bringing to mind a principle or warning from God’s Word. It is really HIS love and wisdom in action. In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira must have quenched the Holy Spirit by turning a deaf ear to their consciences, believing they had plenty of good reasons for doing what they did. Their action cost them their lives.

1 Thessalonians 5 : 19
Do not quench the Spirit

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

(0451) 23 Dec 2007

Love

Telling others of our love and care is important. Spouses, children, loved ones and friends need to hear the words, “I Love You” We must show by our deeds.

1 Peter 3 : 8-9

Love as brothers … not returning evil for evil … but
on the contrary blessing.

(0450) 22 Dec 2007

Be generous

We should be generously give to help others materially or through acts of encouragement. The following are ways of thinking that focus on other people rather than on ourselves. Give love rather than demand itReach out to others rather than expect to be reached out toDesire to be a friend more than to have friendsExpress appreciation rather than expect itRelieve suffering rather than think only of our own sufferingPray “God bless others” rather than “God bless me”Think of the good points of others rather than their failingsForget ourselves in doing deeds that will be remembered

Proverbs 21 : 26

The righteous gives and does not spare

(0449) 21 Dec 2007

Enticements

As we live each day, we must beware of Satan’s enticements to sins. The temptations will appear inviting and harmless, but they are deadly traps. Unless we continually depend on the Holy Spirit, we will be unable to avoid the devil’s tricks.

1 Peter 5 : 8

Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour

(0448) 20 Dec 2007

Troubled times

Conflicts and problems seem to come from people or circumstances, but it may be that spiritual forces are at work. The interference created by Satan, combined with our sinful nature, can make for very rough going times We must be well protected by truth, righteousness, peace, faith, assurance, God’s Word, and prayer. We can overcome the troubled times because God’s Spirit within us is greater that he who is in the world. (1 John 4 : 4)

Ephesians 6 : 12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

(0447) 19 Dec 2007

Ordinary but beautiful

We place great value on beauty and brawn. Attractive women win beauty contests. Men spend long hours and much money building brawny bodies. Ordinary people often did not get noticed. God takes a different view of all this. When we trust Jesus as Saviour, a change takes place in our hearts. We seek to obey HIM, an inner beauty increasingly shines from our face. The more we imitate HIS way of speaking, thinking and acting, the more HIS likeness will take shape in our lives. When this happens even the most ordinary face shines with the beauty that comes from within

2 Corinthians 3 : 18

Beholding … the glory of the Lord, we are being
transformed into the same image

(0446) 18 Dec 2007

Discipline

God disciplines us because HE loves us. HIS purpose is not to harmus but to bring us to maturity, so our lives will be characterized by righteousness and peace. We should not complain but we should thank GOD for loving us enough to make us what HE wants us to be. HE wants us to be like HIS son Jesus. When we stray, HE is grieved. He disciplines us to help us to see HIS way.

Hebrew 12 : 11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

(0445) 17 Dec 2007

Live it well

We live in a spiritually decaying world that is engulfed in darkness. When we compromise with the world, selfishness, and deceit dominate our lives. We will lose our preserving influence and evil spreads all the more. When our words and deeds are based on truth, love and righteousness, we can hold in check some of the moral degeneration that is so prevalent today. Live a holy life and tell others of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Matthew 5 : 13 -14

You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world

(0444) 16 Dec 2007

Is HE listening

What are we to think when we repeatedly ask God for something good, something that could easily glorify HIM, but the answer does not come? When we pray, we may not see how God is working or understand how HE will bring good through it all. So we have to trust HIM. We hand over our rights and let God do what is best.

Matthew 27 : 46

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me ?

(0443) 15 Dec 2007

Under stress

When we are under the weight of stress and hardship, we may wonder whether God has miscalculated our personal capacity to bear the large amount of stress that we can withstand. We are certain we are going to collapse under the weight of the trials but God knows exactly what we can handle by HIS grace. HE knows our limits and will never permit more than we can bear.

2 Corinthians 12 : 9

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

(0442) 14 Dec 2007

Trust HIM

We often go through trying times. Some endure persecution. Others attempt to rebuild their lives after natural disaster. Many live with disabilities and suffering, with little hope of recovering. The known facts are very much against them. But, we have Jesus on our side. We have a hope that does not disappoint.

Jeremiah 32 : 27

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there
anything too hard for me ?

(0441) 13 Dec 2007

Confession

Have you ever thought of the usefulness of the eraser? This simple tool can be used quickly to correct an error, change a figure or start all over again. The Bible tells us to walk upright and enjoy fellowship with Christ and with one another. But we are marked by daily flaws and failures. In such a circumstance, we need to use the ‘eraser’ of confession and start over . When we fall, we can begin anew. All we need is to confess our sin and start over again.

1 John 1 : 9

If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

(0439) 11 Dec 2007

Commitment

The extremes of life can be harmful because a person with too much may encounter as much difficulty as one with too little. In Proverbs 30 the focus is on circumstances. We should ask the Lord to place HIS mark of ownership on our lives. We need to acknowledge HIS wise and loving provision for all our needs. We need to ask God to give us the balance expressed in Proverbs 30. To be contented is to realize that God has already given to me all I need.

Proverbs 30 : 8
Give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted
to me.

(0438) 10 Dec 2007

Self discipline

Proverbs 25 : 28 tells us that if we lack self control we are defenseless. Consistent self discipline will build up our spiritual defense system against the forces of evil. When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control. In Romans 6 : 18, we are reminded “having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness”

Proverbs 25 : 28
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like
a city broken down, without walls

(0437) 09 Dec 2007

Our physical appearances

So much of our time and attention are devoted to physical appearance that it is easy to consider it the most important aspect of our lives. The Bible reminds us that God wants us to see ourselves and others differently. 1 Samuel 16 : 1, when the Lord sent Samuel to anoint a new king over Israel, HE reminded him to look deeper than physical characteristics. “The Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
In James 2 : 1 – 2 ,God has harsh condemnation for those who show favouritism based on appearances.

God does not look at outward appearances, but at what is in the heart.

1 Samuel 16 : 7
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

(0436) 08 Dec 2007

Take the opportunity

How often does God prompt us to take action to meet the needs of others and we let the opportunity go ?

How many times does the Spirit nudge us to say or to do something in Jesus’ name and we shake off the nudging ?

Starting now, let us honour the Lord by responding with action. Let us seize each opportunity God gives us to serve others in HIS name

Galatians 6 : 10
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all

(0435) 07 Dec 2007

Our expectation

Our loved ones can sometimes feel like our enemies when they are not exactly what we want them to be. By changing our focus we can learn to give up the immature idea that others will always meet our arrogant expectations.

When others let us down, we should change our focus and remind ourselves that we who have put our faith in Jesus are God’s children – cherished and cared for by HIM
The Lord has brought us into HIS family and HE will never treat us as an enemy.

1 Peter 2 : 10
(We) are now the people of God

(0434) 06 Dec 2007

What to expect from others

As we grow older each day, we must learn not to expect too much from people. We may pour a good deal of energy and love into a friend or someone who needed your help and see no growth or receive no gratitude for our efforts. Worse still, others may receive the credit for the work we have done.

In such a situation, we will certainly feel deeply hurt.
In such a circumstance, it is appropriate that we look deeply at our motives.
Do you really need to have such an unholy sense of entitlement, or a passion to be seen and applauded for our efforts ?

We should never expect to gain from others what only Jesus can give. Out job is simply to give and leave the results to HIM, knowing that in time we will receive HIS reward.

2 Timothy 4 : 16-17
No one stood with me, but all forsook me…… But
the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

(0433) 04 Dec 2007

Regular checkup

Let us give up our reluctance to examine our selves. Let us call upon God to guide us and undergo a spiritual checkup, just like we visit our physician or dentist for the annual examination.

Proverbs 4 : 20-27 is a useful list for us to conduct our FREE annual spiritual checkup. These regular checkups will help us to restore the spiritual vitality we badly need.
For our ears (Proverbs 4 : 20), are we hearing God’s Word clearly? Do we understand them? Are we doing what the Word tells us to do?
For our eyes (Proverbs 4 : 21,25), are we keeping our eyes on the teachings that will guide us toward righteousness?
For our heart (Proverbs 4 : 23), are we protecting our heart from evil?
For our tongue (Proverbs 4 :24), is our mouth clean and pure ?
For our feet (Proverbs 4 : 26), are we walking straight toward God’s truth without wavering?

Psalm 26 : 2
Examine me, O Lord

(0432) 03 Dec 2007

Good brains are not enough

Why do smart people do silly things ??

Obviously a good brain is not enough to keep a person from making bad choices. Experience and the Bible tell us that the smartest person could make bad choices. King Solomon, despite knowing the connection between the heart and wisdom, disobeyed God by marrying foreign women. As a result the Lord said, “I will surely tear the kingdom away from you” (1 Kings 11 : 11)

The ability to make good decisions demands a heart devoted to God

1 kings 11 : 6
Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did
not fully follow the Lord.

(0431) 02 Dec 2007

HE knows best

We may like to take revenge, silence our critics, insist on fairness and set everything right. As believers we are told to become less concerned with what others say about us. We are taught to be more willing to give ourselves over to God. We learn humble submission to God’s will.
Very often we ask our opponents to justify their charges, or we may meet them with steadfast denial if they charged us falsely. After we have done all that needs to be done, we can only wait patiently for God to vindicate us. We are in God’s hands, no matter what others say about us. God sees our distress and in time will repay us with good.

2 Samuel 16 : 12
It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction,
and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing.

(0430) 01 Dec 2007

Pillar of cloud

Exodus 13 : 21 tells us that the Lord led the children of Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In our daily lives, the Holy Spirit is this pillar of cloud. It is a GIFT to the believer who trusts in HIM. It guides the children of God. When we are led by the Spirit, our lives will be characterized by the love, joy, peace and self-control. (Galatians 5 : 16 – 22).

Exodus 13 : 21

The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud
to lead the way.

(0429) 30 Nov 2007

Answering the call

Have you ever felt confused about God’s calling for your life?

Trials, difficulties, and disappointments are often the tools God uses to test and mold our faith.

When we ignore God’s will, we jeopardize HIS purpose because HE has a divine plan in mind. God knows what HE wants to accomplish and how to do it—something we cannot know until HE reveals it to us. There is grave danger when we assume responsibility and work without God’s approval. Acting on our own strength, we are limited by our finite understanding and ability.

It is when we experience trials and difficulties that we learn to trust God. Without such times of learning, the temptation to give up could become too appealing

When God calls you to do something, HE always makes HIS will clear. You may not know all the details, but you will know that HE has called you.

There is no need to worry about how you will accomplish the work HE has given you. God always equips those HE calls.

You may doubt that God has called you. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are called of God, and HE has a purpose for your life. You are HIS living testimony. Your faith can stir others to trust and obey HIS Word.

As you strive to heed God’s call, you may feel overwhelmed and want to give up. There were times when Moses wanted to give the responsibility of being Israel’s leader. However, when Moses felt discouraged, he cried out to God, and the Lord faithfully refreshed and encouraged him. Nothing this life holds can compare to God’s love and grace. Moses understood this and continued with the responsibility that God had given him.

Godly responsibility requires :
confidence in God;
courage to go forward even though the way may not be clear; and
commitment to Jesus Christ.

Be steadfast in your commitment to God.

God is with us—leading, guiding, reassuring, and reminding us of HIS intimate love and care at every turn.

Only by God’s strength can we do what He has called us to do. Take time to thank Him for loving you and calling you. God uses all who make themselves available to Him regardless of age. Are you prepared to answer His call?

(0428) 29 Nov 2007

Staying close to God helps us avoid life's roadblocks

What are parables ?

They are illustrations used to communicate important spiritual truths. They still work today as much as they ever have !! Jesus used parables to convey spiritual truths that are often difficult to grasp. Imagine that you are driving on a winding road in the country side. There was this bus in front of you, which obstructed your view ahead. You tried many times to pass this huge bus, but the winding road would not cooperate and you could not see well ahead that you need to ensure that the road was clear for you to overtake. Suddenly, the bus veered to the left to avoid an obstruction on the road. Unfortunately, you did not react quickly enough and hit the obstruction, causing great injury to yourself. This modern-day illustration stresses the importance of a close walk with Jesus.

The winding road represents life with all its twists and turns. Indeed, we never
really know what lies ahead in our lives, the trees that will block our way, but
we do know the one who does know; and if we choose to follow Him, we can avoid
much of the trouble that lies ahead.

Matthew 13:35

I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter what
has been hidden since the foundation of the world.

(0427) 28 Nov 2007

Virus and sins

Has your computer ever bogged you down ? Viruses are created maliciously and these virus creators want to make our lives miserable.

Sin resembles a computer virus. Satan wants to destroy our lives by infecting our minds. Just as we let the virus into our computers, we also let darkness into our lives. We let down our guard and hardly notice the sin that infects our minds.

By confessing our sins, study God’s Word and praying, we are building defences, like firewall, to safeguard our minds. With the help of the Spirit, we will keep our minds from becoming unwitting hosts for unwanted guests.

2 Corinthians 10 : 5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

(0426) 27 Nov 2007

Our stops and steps

Sometimes life demands that we weather a storm, or puts us to the test of the boredom. We may feel stuck. What we want most is just out of reach. In such situations, we only need to trust God for guidance. HE will eventually guide us to our desired haven.

Psalm 107 : 30

HE guides them to their desired haven

(0425) 26 Nov 2007

Favourite stories

As we read the Parable of the Lost Son, we are constantly reminded that at some point in our lives, we take the role of one of the three characters in the story. At times we are the disobedient child in need of repentance and forgiveness.At other times we are the big brother who wants to hold on to resentment and withhold forgiveness.As we mature, we become like the father, whose highest desire is to have all his children reconciled. Ask yourself,What is your role in this story ?Do you have the courage to repent and seek forgiveness ?Do you need the compassion to extend forgiveness ? God has given HIS children the ministry of reconciliation. Now, is the best time to start.

2 Corinthians 5 : 18

God … has given us the ministry of reconciliations

(0424) 25 Nov 2007

It is what HE says

In 1 Kings 13 we read of a man of God who performed miraculous sings at the altar in Bethel. But after this great victory, he took the word of another prophet to be the truth even though he knew it was contrary to what God had told him. His disobedience cost him his life. He was eaten by a lion. This story teaches us that God’s Word is superior to anyone else’s word. We must obey God’s Word as only God’s Word can always be relied on.

1 Kings 13 : 9
It was commanded me by the word of the LORD

(0423) 24 Nov 2007

Be reminded

In our daily busy lives we easily forget God and HIS passion for us. We forget that HE lives within and around us and loves us with eternal affection. It helps to have something to remind us of HIS presence. Look around you and you will notice some signs that remind us of God’s love. The blue sky, the green grass and leaves, the mountains and the seas. I like the colour green, it reminds of the green leaves around me, of God’s unfathomable love of man.

Numbers 15 : 38

Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their
garments …. and to put a blue thread in the tassels.

(0422) 23 Nov 2007

Live the supernatural life

Such statements may sound familiar to you “I have tried, but failed so many times; nothing seems to work.”“God doesn't hear my prayers” “I am tired of trying.”“ I've read the Bible, prayed, memorized Scripture, and gone to church. But there is no joy.” BUT do you ask yourself "you trust God for your salvation, but do not believe in HIS other promises concerning your rights as a child of God?" Romans 6 reminds us that every believer has available to him the mighty, supernatural power of the risen Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the believer can live that supernatural life simply by claiming his rights through an act of his will. By faith, we can claim that sin no longer has control over us and that the mighty power of the resurrection is available as promised.

Romans 6 : 11

Even so, consider yourself to be dead to sin but
alive to God in Christ Jesus

(0421) 22 Nov 2007

Made perfect in weakness

God's grace is sufficient for you. His power is made perfect in weakness. You may be enjoying the prime of health, a bright student, a talented artist, or a gifted speaker. You may be feeling on top of the world. Suddenly, one day illness strikes you. On such a situation, remember that God’s grace and HIS written Word assures you that HE loves you. You will recover when you cling on to God’s strength. Always remember to focus on God’s irresistible care.

2 Corinthians 12 : 9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”

(0420) 21 Nov 2007

Praying in God's way

Prayer is an ongoing communication with the Father, which involves listening, speaking, and acting on what we hear.
God has promised to answer HIS children’s prayers, but HE often waits before responding. HE does so for many reasons.

Sometimes HE answers our first request
Many times it takes several petitions before HE responds.
In certain situations, we have to keep asking before God gives HIS answer.

Jesus calls us to a lifestyle of “asking, seeking, and knocking”

• God has to make us ready for what HE wants to give. We may have some attitudes or behaviors that are not right. (James 4:3) He will deal with them before HE gives us His response.

• God may use delays to test our faith or to deepen our relationship with HIM. When there is no response from HIM, HE wants us to keep seeking HIM and conversing with HIM

• God’s timetable often does not match ours. HE knows what HE wants to accomplish in our spiritual lives and in our relationship with HIM. We can trust that the time between our request and HIS reply will be put to good use by HIM.

LUKE 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

(0419) 20 Nov 2007

Circumstances beyond control

Do you often become discouraged and weary when circumstances appear to be out of your control ? You can be assured that God is in control and HE knows the whole story right from the start to the finish.

Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your path.

(0410) 19 Nov 2007

A painful task !!

Prayer of repentance is difficult. Sins that we refuse to confess or acknowledge is a barrier between us and God. It is painful to admit our bad attitudes, destructive behaviour and wrong reactions to God. But God has promised and we have a guarantee that regardless of the deeds we have done, if we confess, HE will forgive.

Psalm 66 : 18
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened

Proverbs 28 : 13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy

1 John 1 : 9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

(0409) 18 Nov 2007

Commitment

Total commitment is the commitment of our intellects, our emotions and our wills to do the will of God in every situation with faith that we can, as promised,trusting Him to help us to do whatever HE calls us to do

Psalm 37 : 5

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him to
help you do it and He will

(0408) 17 Nov 2007

How to be motivated

There are times when our faith burns brightly, and there are times when our faith wavers under trials or doubt. The pages of the Bible are filled with incidences and stories offorgiveness of sins, healing touches, emotional restorations, renewals of faith……. Pages that talk on Jesus who address or rectify sins or setbackssigns and wonders that renew unwavering faiths All these miracles still challenge and encourage us today. Each of these miracles will be an anchor of faith and testimony, one that will inspire again and again.

Ephesians 3 : 20

He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us

(0407) 16 Nov 2007

Be contented

We long for approval, possessions and position. We are never satisfied with what we have. We have this problem because we focus on what we lack rather than on what we have. We are discontented. Contentment is a choice and it is an ongoing process. We must learn to choose wisely.

1 Timothy 6 : 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

(0406) 15 Nov 2007

HE is in control

Jesus urges us to keep our minds filled with the idea of God’s control behind every thing.. We must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and a willingness to ask and seek Fill your mind with the idea that God is always there to help you. Armed with this idea that is formed so powerfully within you, we can go to God to get all difficulties and problems solved. Nothing happens in any particular unless God's will is behind it, therefore you can restin perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. "Ask, and it shall be given you."

Mathew 7 : 11

How much more shall your Father which is in heaven
give good things to them that ask Him?

(0405) 14 Nov 2007

Be still before HIM

It is difficult to find time to become still before God. The disturbance come from both outside influence and our inner selves. Our lives are filled with things that need to be done throughout the day and we have plans for days ahead.

To be still before God is to get ourselves replenished and renewed !! HE gives us strength, patience, love, sound mind and all the good things we so desperately need on a daily basis to continue living in today’s chaotic world.
Unless we remain still before God,
we cannot talk to and give Him all of ourselves amidst the disturbances around us
we will not be able to hear Him and what He wants to say to us. ?

Psalm 62 : 5
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope
comes from him

(0404) 13 Nov 2007

Sustained in silence

Lately have you experienced a rough patch in life?
Do you find it difficult to focus on your Bible study ?
Has it become hard for you to pray ?

When we endure such times, all we need to do is to lie still. Words are not necessary. God knows our needs and HIS mercy will hold us up (Psalm 94 : 18). We can trust HIM to carry us through that dark night of the soul and into the dawning light.

Psalm 94 : 19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

(0440) 12 Dec 2007

Stand firm

The world tells us to compromise for our personal gain, but the Bible tells us to stand firm for our faith not matter what the world says. It is easy to compromise and conform. You are lonely if you stand alone but our faith tells us to be firm

1 Corinthians 16 : 13 - 14

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

(0403) 12 Nov 2007

Be faithful

We are thankful to God and always praise HIM for HIS faithfulness. We must also consider the fact that HE needs us to be faithful too. God needs people He can count on. He needs faithful and wise stewards He can trust. He needs faithful believers to team up with, to manifest Himself in the earth more than ever before.

Luke 12:42

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

(0402) 11 Nov 2007

Trust HIM

How can you be sure that you are saved ? It is not enough to ask Jesus to come to live within us and forgive our sins. We must believe that He will do exactly what He promised to do. By faith, we must be able to say, "I know that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead and that He will come into my life and change me if I ask Him to. I know that He will make me His child and never leave me because all of these are promises from God's holy, inspired Word. Therefore, I believe the promise of Ephesians 2:8,9 - that I attain salvation through trust in Christ." It is not enough to ask Christ into our lives; we must believe His promise, "For by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8, NAS).

Ephesians 2 : 8 - 9

Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.

(0401) 10 Nov 2007

How to master a perfect skill

A person practices to improve his skills. He works hard, repeating the same motions over and over until they become what we would call "second nature" to him. Most of us understand how crucial that kind of training is in the physical realm. We know that you simply can not be a winner without it. We can train ourselves that same way where spiritual things are concerned? Hebrews 5:14 says we can train our senses to discern between good and evil. When you train, or practice, for something, you expose yourself daily to whatever it is you want to become. You practice it over and over until it becomes second nature to you. Spending time with God is "spirit" practice. As you do it diligently, your spirit will grow stronger and will start to overcome the habits of the flesh.

Titus 2:12

It [grace] has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world."

(0400) 09 Nov 2007

How to wait on HIM

Waiting on the Lord sounds easy. After all, we only have to pray and listen for His answer, right? In reality the process is unbearable. Believers must have faith, trusting in God even without knowing when or how He will resolve a situation. Faith cannot function without humility. We must submit to the Lord with the recognition that there is nothing we can do except pause until further instructions come. Believers need patience, which is not an inborn trait. It is a decision to remain calm and quiet in a difficult situation. Believers must have courage to make the choice to exercise patience. Fear of criticism is often the catalyst for believers to get out of God's will.

Psalm 27


(0399) 08 Nov 2007

Pray for others

When we pray we communicate with God.

What do we pray about ??

Do you just pray for yourself only ??

Do you also pray for others ??

Yes, we need to set aside a time for prayer of intercession. Jesus rhetorically asked, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27), yet tells us through James that, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). On the one hand, there is nothing we can do, but on the other hand, our All Powerful God is ready to work, in seemingly hopeless circumstances, when we pray. Prayer of intercession is intentional and time-consuming

1 Timothy 2 : 1

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.

(0398) 07 Nov 2007

Do not do it !!

You are living your life set before you, moving ahead with God’s blessing at every step of the way. Then suddenly, you hit an obstacle. It may be sickness or financial trouble, spiritual failure or family problems. But, regardless of the form it stops you cold. What do you do in such a situation ?Are you tempted to quit?Are you tempted to turn back in defeat ?

DO NOT DO IT

God will enable you to break through that obstacle and keep right on going. It is not easy to do it and it is tough. You have to push on through the tough times if you are ever going to have a breakthrough. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you!

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

(0397) 06 Nov 2007

Be patient

Waiting to see the real evidence of divine action is very frustrating. A person can spend days asking God for release from a stressful situation.A person can pray for weeks for a special gift Timing is important in the Christian life because God is orchestrating events to work for His children's good. In the meantime, He rewards those who remain constant in their vigil. If we run ahead of Him, we will miss out on developing spiritual endurance. Though God's Spirit remains with us, He will not provide strength for us to live outside His will. Waiting means times of fear, stress, or grief, which will weary us quickly unless we are depending on an eternal energy source. Those feelings may intensify our desire to push forward, but the Lord has promised protection and provision for our times of waiting. If we turn to Him in our hour of need, He will give us the tools to triumph. (Psalm 37:34, 39 - 40)

Isaiah 40:29 – 31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

(0396) 05 Nov 2007

Do not be deceived

Some people find it difficult to believe God's promises. This is because they have seen so many things in the natural world that seem to contradict them. they have seen faithful followers go broke. they have seen sick Christians fail to receive their healing. In reality, there is a deceiver at work in the world who is busily doing the same thing he has been doing ever since the Garden of Eden: tricking mankind into believing God's Word isn't true. After working on it for thousands of years, he is a master at it. The next time the deceiver tries to make things look as though God's Word is not going to work for you, to make it look like all hope is lost. Remember to ignore the appearances. believe the Word and refuse to doubt it.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

(0395) 04 Nov 2007

Real happiness

To experience real happiness, you must obey the Word of God. No earthly honor or achievement can compare with the blessing and fulfillment that come from obeying the Word and Will of God. To obey the Word of God is knowing the Word of God. This implies reading, studying, meditating upon and even memorizing the Scriptures. If we neglect this duty, we are omitting a vitally important part of spiritual nurture, without which it is impossible to live a supernatural life. When we read God’s Word, it refreshes, cleanses, uplifts the heart and soul of each one of us. If we lack the discipline to read the Word, we must pray ceaselessly for the Holy Spirit to illumine its truths to our minds and apply them to our lives.

Luke 11 : 28

He replied, 'Yes, but even more blessed are all who
hear the Word of God and put it into practice'

(0394) 03 Nov 2007

Just believe

So much of our life as Christians depends on simple belief. Do we really trust God to do what He says He will do? If we truly believe God will do what He says, the wonderful blessing He promises will be ours. And that applies to every area of our lives - spiritual, physical, material. There is no circumstance or situation which is beyond the ability of God to control. The promises of God are both general and specific, so that they will meet the need of every heart and life.

Luke 1 : 45

You believed that God would do what He said; that is
why He has given you this wonderful blessing

(0393) 02 Nov 2007

Do you plan ahead ?

I can reasonably plan for today, tomorrow, the next few weeks and even months. But that does not mean that my plan will actually be feasible. This is because I cannot see into the future with a certainty.


God says to you and me, "Call to me." In other words, "Talk to me." If we will simply ask God, He promises to, "answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

God is able to go beyond our limited physical, human abilities. He can go beyond anything that we are capable of thinking, or dreaming, or conceiving in our minds. He is above us in His capabilities. His vision is not limited. He knows what will happen tomorrow with a certainty. He knows what will happen next year, and the year after with a certainty.

Jeremiah 33:3.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know

Ephesians 3:20-21.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(0392) 01 Nov 2007

What is your course of action ?

You've been walking by faith. believing God to meet your need. But the results seem slow in coming and you are tempted to give up? Be patient! Do not give up.

Hebrews 6:12

...be not slothful, but followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the promises.

(0391) 31 Oct 2007

Be humble

It should be our objective that all should strive as long as we live, following the example of our Lord recorded in Philippians, chapter 2.

To be poor in spirit implies not only that we have a humble opinion of ourselves, but also that we recognize that we are sinners and have no righteousness of our own;
that we are willing to be saved only by the grace and mercy of God;
that we are willing to serve where God places us, to bear the burdens He allows and to stay in His hands and admit that we deserve no favor from Him.

We are assured of happiness when we are making conscious efforts toward humility. All of this becomes possible as we yield to God's indwelling Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

(0390) 30 Oct 2007

Why are you still waiting ??

How do you know when it is time for a change in the way you have been doing things or in your life situation Sometimes it is very obvious that we need to change or move on to something else. If something unnatural happens telling you what God wants you to do - that is pretty obvious and direct. Perhaps you have been receiving some hints about the way you have been doing things or a need for a radical change in your life. It is time to move on !!! In Acts 10 the apostle Peter was somewhat stuck in his ways. He was a Jewish man determined to lead a Jewish life following strict Jewish teachings. However, things had changed and Peter was still stuck back in the old days. God began to give him some hints. Peter fell into a trance and all these non-Jewish things were being placed before him to eat. He kept refusing in this dream. Peter was determined to continue with the way things had always been. Immediately after receiving this same vision three times a delegation from the Gentile centurion, Cornelius, arrives requesting that Peter come to Cornelius' home. Why? Because Cornelius had had a vision of an angel telling him to contact Peter. After arriving at Cornelius' home Peter was convinced to begin preaching Christ, however, before he could finish all the Gentiles gathered there were saved. Peter was now convinced it was time for a change and that salvation was for all people.

Acts 10:9-16.

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

(0389) 29 Oct 2007

Activate the power

Every believer has the power of the Holy Spirit inside us. The Holy Spirit would not go to work until we put it to work. It is prayer that puts the power within us to work. The Holy Spirit wants to help us, to overcome every obstacle in our lives. All that we need to do is pray to activate the power.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

(0388) 28 Oct 2007

Do not worry

Do you feed yourself with negative thoughts, worry, feeling of joylessness, feeling of self-condemnation, criticism or feeling that you are straying from the ways of God ?

When we choose to have the feeling of negative thoughts we begin to blame God for the situations we are in.

God's Word encourages us not to have negative thoughts. HE tells us to be careful what we feed our spirit. Psalm 103:1 - 5 fills you with fresh hope as you allow His truth to wash over your heart and mind. "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits --Who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit And crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Choose instead to focus on God and ask HIM for a fresh perspective.

Psalm 19 : 14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

(0387) 27 Oct 2007

Be forgiving

It is always easier to gossip about someone who has done you wrong. Instead we should go to the person who has done you wrong, to keep the damage contained to just both of you and work on a reconciliation. I must ask God to forgive my foolish and selfish ways to give me courage to lovingly go to those who sinned against meto help me to bring about a reconciliation

Matthew 18 : 15

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

(0386) 26 Oct 2007

Are you a spectacle ?

Sometimes we see others enjoying a relationship with God, but just don't know how to experience it for ourselves. We linger outside. Sometimes we focus on our own circumstances and we blame God for all the things that have gone wrong. We keep focused on ourselves. Sometimes we keep God at such a respectable distance that He is untouchable. Sometimes we realize our lack of virtue and simply think it can't be for us. Lots of reasons can leave us outside of God's presence. Once you believe His love is real and personal, you can move from being a longing spectator to being in His very presence as His treasured child.

1 John 1 : 9

If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Release your life and all your mistakes to God. Release your sin to Him. Answer the longing in your heart and know that you qualify to enter into a relationship with God...
not because of you... but because of Him!

(0385) 25 Oct 2007

Managing your anger

Anger that is not dealt with brings poison into your soul and gives the enemy of your soul a foothold. God doesn't tell us to never be angry. He does tell us to deal with our anger so it will not poison us (Ephesians 4:26, 27). We often have to live with the consequence of another person's action against us, whether we want to or not. But how do you choose ?whether in the downward spiral of bitterness or in the forward journey of forgiveness.

(0384) 24 Oct 2007

Forgive and forget

Forgiveness is a choice. It is a choice you make for yourself. You do not just forgive for someone else's sake; you do it for your own sake. It is the only way to be free of the anger in the depth of your heart and from the bitterness that is a result from the betrayal. When we hold unforgiveness in our heart, it goes completely against God's advice to us.

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' says the Lord If you have been wronged and it is hanging on and dragging your spirit down, acknowledge the hurt and the hate. Then make a choice to forgive the offending person. Release the situation to God's care and He will deal fairly with him

(0383) 23 Oct 2007

Our bad times

You have ‘down times’ when news seems to come regularly of someone facing health issues, financial difficulties or when lives have been altered and plans and dreams shattered. Calls for prayers came pouring in. We have ‘down times’ at one time or another. They are part and parcel of our journey of life. These are valleys of despair, valleys of sorrow, valleys of sadness and loneliness, valleys of sickness and valleys of the shadow of death. The 23rd Psalm gives us calm during moments of our ‘down times’ "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me, Your rod and staff comfort me." God is always walking with us as we walk through each ‘down time’ in life. HE is there when we are in trouble. HE is the one who will bring peace and rest. During our ‘down times’ we feel hopeless and helpless. It is during these times that we must rely on HIM. We must not run from God in our anguish and confusion. We must not run from God in our pain and tears. We must turn to HIM and HE will give us help, strength, comfort and hope.

Psalm 23: 1

The Lord is my shepherd

(0382) 22 Oct 2007

Continuous conversion

We must continually turn to God as children all days of our lives. If we trust our wits instead of God, we face consequences for which God will hold us responsible. God puts us responsible every time we refuse to convert ourselves. We refuse because of our pride and stubbornness. We must let God rule our lives. We idolize independence and freedom which God considers as stubbornness, and what we consider strength is weakness to God.We must continually subject ourselves to conversion and allow the Spirit of God to work in us.

Matthew 18:3
And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

(0381) 21 Oct 2007

HE is in every situation

If you have just experienced the roughest patch in your life, please be assured that it isa part of God’s plan and that nothing can touch our lives without HIS permission. God never causes us to sin, nor does He lure us to disobey. His purposes are to rescue us from sin's power (Colossians 1:13) and transform us into Jesus' likeness. (Romans 8:29) When we are down, God will reveal to us our weaknesses, faults, and pride. His Spirit will convict us of wrongdoing and lead us to true repentance. He will teach us the consequences of disobedience and the wonders of His forgiving nature. God is present in everyone’s lives, whether believer or unbeliever.HE is involved with unbelievers in a different way, continually extending His love to them in order to convict them of sin and their need for a Savior.

Psalm 34 : 7

God has promised that every believer is encircled with His presence

(0369) 20 Oct 2007

Powerful prayer

The power of prayer is in God's reaction. A righteous persons prays and his prayers are answered A passionate person, believing that God will intercede will pray through every barrier that Satan erects. He stops only when God answers or if the Father makes clear that the request is outside His will. Wise believers devote time and energy to requests of great importance. Through our relationship with Christ, we have been made righteous, which means that we have the opportunity to tap the Lord's supernatural power through prayer.

James 5 : 16

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much

(0368) 19 Oct 2007

Spend more time praying

The single most important daily activity to engage in is spending time with God, meditating on His word and praying. When God does not respond immediately to our prayer, what has gone wrong ? The answer is very simple : prayer is a continuous effort We must expect interference and harassment each time we pray. Satan knows that a devoted believer is dangerous. Make prayer our top priority, set aside time to talk to God.

Colossians 4:2 - 4
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

(0367) 18 Oct 2007

Lessons to be learnt

When we face challenging times, God is always there to protect and guide us. HE wants to teach and guide us through the difficulty. We must always be ready to respond when HE calls. We must have a real longing to follow God’s way and HIS way only. This longing should be like “a deer panting for water” (Psalm 42: 1) We must be willing to be taught by God who will transform trials into times of learning for those who look to Him for guidance. We must have willing spirit if we want to learn from GOD and HE will teach us according to HIS ways and at HIS own timings. When God chooses to teach us it may not be in a comfortable, pleasurable setting. HE may choose pain and trouble as the place of instruction.Hannah pleaded for a child (1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:10). Mary and Martha when their brother Lazurus died. (John 11:17 - 27) We must yield to His will. We must commit ourselves to HIS ways before we can come to know God’s solution.The Lord calls us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and to acknowledge our helplessness without Him. (John 15:5)

Psalm 34:1 - 19
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me: let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to thebroken-heartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

(0366) 17 Oct 2007

Conflict

Differences of opinion are normal, natural and healthy. It is the means we have of going through ideas and issues to come to the best possible conclusion for the entire team.

Differences in personality help bring wholeness as we offer different perspectives. We will be destroyed if we are divided in our purpose. If someone always needs to be right or needs to feel powerful, then their own agenda will replace the purpose of the whole team and the result is hurt and division. “…every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

If you are experiencing conflict, find out if you and the other person have the same purpose at heart. If you both have the same desire, then look afresh at the goal. Focusing together on what is the ultimate purpose will help bring perspective to the differing opinions and personalities. Differences can become the tools that help carve out new paths and better solutions. Jesus must have known how hard it would be for us to stay in unity. His last prayer, before He was betrayed in the garden, was for all believers to be brought to complete unity so the world would know that God sent Him and that He loves them (John 17:20-23).

(0365) 16 Oct 2007

Crisis

Crisis often brings us closer to God because it reminds us that He has total control. All of our hopes and expectations depend upon His mercy and grace. “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) It’s important that we must understand that divine sovereignty does not mean that everything that occurs in the world is God’s will. Solomon, who grew wise from his own mistakes, finally realized, “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) God does not want calamity to happen to us. We encounter so many obstacles in life mainly due to the choices and decision that we made. The many incidences where we escape unharmed should remind us of how great God is. We must know that there are important lessons to learn from such experiences. Although we may have the freedom to make our own decision and choices, we need to submit to God’s sovereign will. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (II Corinthians 3:17)

Psalm 109 : 21

But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for Your
name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me

(0364) 15 Oct 2007

Forever friends

Friends in life are important and provide us with much encouragement and comfort. Sometimes friends do disappoint us and do us wrong. However, as there is a friend who will not only show Himself friendly, but he will stick closer to us than a brother. HE is Jesus Christ. All our other friends may turn away and leave us stranded. Jesus will never do that. HE will always be there waiting for us to return to Him. HE is the only one friend that you can count on forever. He has proven His love by dying for you on the cross (Romans 5:8). There is no greater love, no greater friendship than that.-- Proverbs 18:24A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother..

John 15:12-14.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

(0363) 14 Oct 2007

I am totally dependent on HIM

I am thankful to learn lessons from nature. I learn that bare kernels of grain sown in the ground do not germinate and become plants unless they first ‘die’ So too my old nature must die before God’s new life can germinate in me. We are perishable, but God will raise us to be imperishable. We are dishonorable, but God will raise us up in glory. We are weak, but God will raise us in power. We are sustained by nature, but God will raise us to be sustained by your spirit. We live in total dependence on God!

1 Corinthians 15:35-46

But someone may ask, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendour of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendour of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendour, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendour. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.

(0362) 13 Oct 2007

What is faith made of ?

Our faith is not made just to experience the nice things in life. Sometimes we experience obstacles and difficulties. It is during such period in our lives that we discover what our faith is made of. When the Israelites left Egypt, they were thrilled to move into the promise of a better future. Soon they began to complain. They had forgotten God's faithfulness and provision. They had forgotten the promise. When God gives us a promise, we must exercise our patience and wait for it to happen We always need to walk it out. It is in the journey that character is revealed and built. What makes the difference, however, is how we pass through. Our attitude determines how long we have to wait, whether we spend 40 days or 40 years in the desert.

Psalm 84 : 6

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs.

(0361) 12 Oct 2007

Praying in HIS will

Most of us pray most of the times. Some may claim that they do not seem to get any answers and had become discouraged and wondered if God really answers prayer. The solution is : First of all, do you pray according to the will of God? Remember what God’s Word says. How do our requests relate to the Word of God and what desires HE places in our hearts Paul states that it is God who works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. For example, we can always know that we are praying according to the will of God and the Word of God when we pray for the salvation of souls, for God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. we pray for the maturing of believers because God wants all of us to be conformed to the image of Christ. we pray for all the needs of our brothers and sisters materially, emotionally, and spiritually - because God's Word promises that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Our selfish prayers will not be heard because we are to seek first God’s kingdom Know and understand God’s word very well will help us to have an effective prayer life.

1 John 5:14,15

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have requests which we have asked from Him

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Philippians 2:13
… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

(0360) 11 Oct 2007

Pray

Prayer is much more than asking for our needs. We need to pray at least part of a day. We need to pray many times a day because of the many obstacles we face and God will answer our prayers over and over again.We must be thankful to God because HE is always faithful to us. HE will never ignore or neglect us

2 Timothy 2:14

If we are faithless (do not believe and are untrue to Him), He remains true, (faithful to His Word and righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself

(0359) 10 Oct 2007

Tensed relations

All relationships that are close will develop tension at one time or another. It's simply part of life. Struggles, stresses and worries all take their toll and we can find a relationship has sandpaper edges. Unless short accounts are kept the cycle will go on. If not intentionally stopped it will wreak havoc in any home.


God tells us
to pray
to bless

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27).

God is telling us that our only true resource is prayer.

* Prayer will guard our own hearts from bitterness and hatred.

* Prayer will call in the power of the Holy Spirit to work in the relationship.

* Prayer will bring blessing to the life of the other.

If you find yourself in a tension filled relationship today, begin to pray for the other person.

In the course of life you will encounter tension in relationships with those you love. Choosing to pray about the relationship is the first step. Speaking words of blessing into the relationship is the next step.

Don't settle for sandpaper relationships in your home as the norm.

* Pray blessing
* Act kindly
* Ask God to put love in your heart.
* Treat them as you would want to be treated.

(0358) 09 Oct 2007

Spend more time reading HIS Word

How much do we give priority to Scripture in our personal and professional life ? We get deeper satisfaction in time spent in Bible studies than in other pleasures and hobbies. The extent to which the Scripture is involved in our decision-making, shows how firm we are to withstand the storms of life (Psalm 1 : 3). In addition we will also produce abundant spiritual fruits (Galatians 5 : 22-23). We will readily accept God’s will for our lives, and we become more patient to follow HIS ways. We become less anxious and when fear arises, we will rest in God’s sufficiency (Philippians 4 : 13) As we focus and rely more on biblical principles and adjusting our behaviour to the Lord’s standards, and finding more time and patience in accepting our friends’ and neighbours’ way of life, godliness will characterize us more and more

Psalm 119:1 - 7
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

(0357) 08 Oct 2007

Trust HIM

Sometimes you are faced with a problem so big that you have to worry about it. You may not be able to solve it but it seems you need at least to feel concerned about it. The best thing to do in such a situation is to give it to God. Let HIM be the one who is concerned about it. You can trust HIM to do it well. HE cares for all of us.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(0356) 7 Oct 2007

Taking risks

In Matthew 14 : 22-33 we were told that Peter walked on water. Peter had no trouble walking on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus. As long as his total focus was on Christ, he was fine. When he allowed himself to be distracted by human fears, he fell !

When doubts prevent us from obeying God, we will fail. When we step out in faith, God always assumes full responsibility for the consequences of our obedience.

Remember we fail because we do not obey

Matthew 14:22 - 23
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone

(0355) 06 Oct 2007

Do not judge

Jesus tells us not to judge. We do not accomplish anything by criticism. It is not possible to communicate with God when we are in a critical temper. By being critical, we place ourselves in a superior person’s place. Do not measure others. “ If I see the mote in your eye, it means I have a beam in my own. Every wrong thing that I see in you, God locates in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-20).

Matthew 7:1

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

(0354) 05 Oct 2007

Go to HIM

What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord ?

The name of the Lord reflects HIS power and majesty. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

As we call on the Lord , HE will begin to change who we are and HIS presence will cause a great change in our current state of affairs and refresh the way we live our lives.

There are always changes in our lives and we are faced with many uncertainties. We can depend on God to help us through these changes and challenges. When we feel inadequate, we can call on HIM to strengthen us. When we are lost we call on HIM for direction and wisdom.

Malachi 3 : 6
I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

Psalm 3: 3
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

Proverbs 3 : 19 – 20
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

(0353) 04 Oct 2007

What comes after a trial

Have you ever thought that tomorrow is not promised !!

We may have all the luxuries in life but these may be taken away from us the next moment - like a natural disaster may strike to destroy all our possessions, a terrorist attack to remove all that we dearly treasured.

Many of us may realized that the nice cars, luxury homes and many other dreams that we have been chasing are just not all the important. It is time to understand that serving God is much more important than chasing our own desires. “For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (I John 2:16-17) Proverbs 23:5 reminds us that we really can not depend on wealth. “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Jesus said that riches can literally choke you to death. “As they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” (Luke 8:14)

It is not a sin to want to have nice things. It is a sin when the want for these things becomes our god. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (I Timothy 6:17-19)

Take time to plan and prioritize your life.

James 4 : 14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes.

(0352) 3 Oct 2007

Effective prayer

The most effective way to change one’s life is prayer - praying HIS specific will for yourself or for your loved ones. We are reminded in Colossians 1 on how God delights in responding to requests that someone be filled with knowledge of HIS will and a desire to please HIM

We need to wait patiently for HIM to answer. HE is working to build you or your loved ones’ spiritual understanding. HE wants us to be faithful.

Colossians 1: 9 - 12
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of
God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

(0351) 02 Oct 2007

Our real needs

To receive God’s promises we must trust Him and seek His wisdom. To achieve this obedience is important. This shows that we know God cares about us and we care about Him “Every need Adam had was attended to, but he disobeyed God by falling to a temptation he was warned to avoid.” Man has continued to seek other pleasures and ignored what God offers freely – His love and devotion. The same love He gave to Abraham, Isaac, David, Mary and the disciples. God provides all your needs !!

Lamentations 3:22 - 26
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

(0289) 01 Oct 2007

He will be there to help me

Imagine you a little fish swimming in a huge river. Are you apprehensive of drinking the whole river dry ? Imagine you are stranded in a cave high up in the mountain and there is no hope that help will come to you. Are you afraid you might exhaust all the oxygen in the atmosphere ? "My grace is sufficient for thee." On many occasions, under all kinds of circumstances, God’s promise always comes true. It has happened in your lives as well as those of many others. What kinds of needs do you have today? Are they needs for which God is not able to provide ? Do you trust Him?

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

(0288) 30 Sep 2007

Do you have the Holy Spirit ?

You may have been given all sorts of ways to know whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. There is only one simple answer : by their fruit you will know them. What is the definition of fruit ? Paul gives us the definition of holy fruit LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL.

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(0287) 29 Sep 2007

A life of faith

Do you live a life of faith ?Or do you live a life based on intellect and reason ? The root of faith is the knowledge of the Person leading you, the assurance that you are safe with Him A life of faith changes your character. There are many stages in the change of your character, as each time you pray you experience the blessing of God and change takes place in you. A life of faith is a life of experiencing the love of God and His blessings. You will experience many situations where your faith will be tried and proved and it will stand the test. You will live a life of tried faith built on a real God.

Hebrews 11:8

He went out, not knowing whither he went.

(0286) 28 Sep 2007

Tithing

Christians should be excited about tithing if only we understand how to do it properly.
Scriptural tithing rouses our faith. It activates the power of God in our lives when we do it in appreciation and joy.

Deuteronomy 26:1-2
When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name

(0285) 27 Sep 2007

Where to ask for help

Very often when we encounter times of difficulties we say "Why me? What did I do to deserve this?"

In the story in Chronicles, King Asa had previously received God's support in battle not because he was a good guy, but because he had asked God. And he was not losing it now because he was unworthy. He lost it because he depended on human help when he could have had God's.

We know very well that from the time of Adam and Eve, God's will has been
that we trust Him;
that we come to Him; and
that we rely on Him
instead of some substitute.

Let us ask God that we may totally rely on Him for any battles we are fighting. Ask God to help us not to keep going for human help and that we could rely only HIS help

2 Chronicles 16:7 - 9
Just after that, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, Because you went for help to the king of Aram and didn't ask GOD for help, you've lost a victory over the army of the king of Aram.
Didn't the Ethiopians and Libyans come against you with superior forces, completely outclassing you with their chariots and cavalry? But you asked GOD for help and he gave you the victory.GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God's help. Now you're in trouble - one round of war after another

(0284) 26 Sep 2007

Look ahead

Life can be very tough. In the process of living, we face some very difficult circumstances and experience some awful pain.. The pain and inconvenience are only temporary. The things that cause our pain are temporary. All these things that we have seen and experienced are passing. Our eternal glory, our indescribable bliss, that wonderful future that we cannot yet see, is eternal ... forever ... incorruptible ... and reserved for us Let us ask God to be with us during the painful and difficult passages of our life. Ask God to help keep our hearts fixed on what is unseen.

2 Corinthians 4 : 17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

(0283) 25 Sep 2007