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