Stops & Steps 0814 01I2009

Facing uncertain times

Everyday we try hard to maintain some degree of control in our day and in our plans. This measure of control can be shaken at times. God knows we will face uncertainty in our lives. HE offers encouragement and instruction. In order not to be shaken, we have to bring God into focus daily as we begin each day. Walk with Him step by step through whatever our day holds. His presence will not only enrich our ordinary steps today, but will also hold us steady through the uncertain steps of the days ahead.

Psalm 16 : 7 - 8
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken

(Stops & Steps 0814 01I2009)

Stops & Steps 0813 31XII2008

HE knows everything

God always know everything.

God knows everything - all things possible, everything actual; all events and all creatures of the past, the present, and the future. Nothing escapes His notice. You cannot hide anything from God

We need not have to be concerned whether God hears our prayers because He knows our thoughts and the intent of our hearts. He is capable of giving the same attention to our prayers as to the million individuals who are praying to Him. He knows everything.

Ezekiel 11:5
For I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

Psalm 139 : 1 - 5
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.

(Stops & Steps 0813 31XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0812 30XII2008

What is faith ?

You have faith in your friends or colleagues because they have demonstrated themselves to be trustworthy. How much more should you have faith in God who has demonstrated His faithfulness and trustworthiness many times over ??

However, God promises can only become a reality only when we act upon them and claim them in faith. Be assured that God’s promises are faithful and true.

Hebrews 11 : 1
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead

(Stops & Steps 0812 30XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0811 29XII2008

The way I live my life

Every person gives evidence to personal beliefs and priorities by the way he or she lives. As Christians, we should be like salt and light, which simply cannot be ignored.

It is like adding salt to soup, the improved taste is obvious, and when we bring light into a darkened room, we shall see the difference.

Our character, conduct, and conversation should make a statement about the importance of God, the necessity of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

To achieve that we begin by reading and studying the Word of God. Through His Word, God reveals Himself and this will affect the way we lead our daily lives.

Matthew 5: 13 - 16
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

(Stops & Steps 0811 29XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0810 28XII2008

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.

(Stops & Steps 0810 28XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0809 27XII2008

Be obedient

Whenever things become difficult, who do you blame ?

The right attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. When once we get there, there is nothing easier than living the saintly life; difficulty comes in when we want to take over the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own ends.

Whenever you obey God, you will enjoy peace. Whenever the peace does not come, tarry till it does or find out the reason why it does not.

You have doubts whenever you cease to obey. When you have obeyed God, the problems never come between you and God. Any problem that comes between God and yourself springs out of disobedience.

John 14 : 27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: . . Let not your heart be troubled.

(Stops & Steps 0809 27XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0808 26XII2008

Secret for success

Be encouraged and never give up!

Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6
Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge Him

(Stops & Steps 0808 26XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0807 25XII2008

Do not judge others

Very often we allow our personal preference, peer pressure and concerns affect our relationship with our family members and friends. We should not let our personal opinion or position to influence them. Most important of all, we must not judge others. We should always bear in mind to always please God and honour Him in ways we feel are appropriate.

Let us ask God to guide us and help us not to judge others based on human observations and our preference about those conclusions. Ask God to help give us courage to honor Christ according to our convictions, but also to give us the wisdom to do so in ways that bless God’s people.

Romans 14 : 5
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

(Stops & Steps 0807 25XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0806 24XII2008

Everything is OK

You can find peace, joy and contentment when you focus on God instead of your circumstances. Believe in God's sovereignty. It enables you to view life differently, because no matter what happens around you... everything is well.

Galatians 5 : 22 - 23
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Stops & Steps 0806 24XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0805 23XII2008

Continue to grow

We know something is horribly wrong when a child is not making progress in his or her growth and maturation. Arrested development is a cause of great concern. The same is true of our spiritual lives. God wants us to progress and mature spiritually. HE wants us to continue to grow.

We must thank God for loving us and saving us. We must ask God to help us to mature, as we seek to follow HIS habits and fill ourselves spiritually with the things that will help us to grow. We must acknowledge that true growth can only come from God.

1 Peter 2 : 2 - 3
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

(Stops & Steps 0805 23XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0804 22XII2008

Don’t you ever worry ?

Yes sometimes we just can’t help it. Sometimes problems are too big for us not to worry. Yet God tells us to worry about nothing.

We must pray about everything.
God can handle anything, big or small. If it concerns you, it concerns Him.

We must tell God our needs.
We must talk things over with God and tell Him what we need. We must ask Him for guidance and His supply

We must also remember to thank Him for His answers.
We must start by thanking in advance. Then we must exercise our faith.

If we do this we will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep our thoughts and our hearts quiet and at rest as we trust in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

We must ask God to tell us how to deal with the worries that crowd in upon our heart and mind today. We must ask God to quiet our heart and mind today. We must ask God to help us to see each worry that creeps in as a call for prayer.

Philippians 4:6
Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything: tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers

(Stops & Steps 0804 22XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0803 21XII2008

Do you have the patience to wait ?

Many of us do not like to wait, standing in lines, waiting for appointments or held up in the traffic. We do not like our plans to be delayed !!

When God is taking a bit longer to answer our prayers we struggle to wait on the Lord.
Be patient ! do not make any changes without God’s approval.

We will discover God's will and purpose.
Our impatience can cause us to miss out on the best that God has planned when we make alternative plans. The goodness of the Lord will be poured out upon those who choose to be still before Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

We will acquire supernatural strength for the work.
Frequently, the Lord asks us to serve in capacities beyond our natural abilities. Through His Holy Spirit, He will provide the empowerment needed for the task that He has assigned.

We will receive answers to prayer.
By remaining where we are, we will be rewarded with a response from our God as well as His direction and help. (Psalm 40:1 - 3)

We will see God at work.
The sovereign Lord - Creator of heaven and earth, giver and sustainer of life - will turn His efforts toward us for our gain and also for the benefit of others. (Isaiah 64:4 )

Ask God to develop in you a character that is willing to wait.

Isaiah 40:28 - 31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom. 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.

(Stops & Steps 0803 21XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0802 20XII2008

Peace

We need inner peace but we also need peace with others.

Inner peace begins with a relationship with God and it continues as we focus on His strength and allow Him to fill us. In Isaiah 26 : 3 we are taught that God will keep us in perfect peace as our mind focus on Him and trust Him. Inner peace hinges on our trust in God. If you cannot find inner peace in you and you are filled with anxiety, choose to trust God. He will guide you through the maze of life. If you choose not trust Him, you will find yourself walking the road to stress and worry.

Peace with others begins as we understand that God has called us to be peacemakers in our world. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Isaiah 26 : 3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

(Stops & Steps 0802 20XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0801 19XII2008

Be loyal

Do you believe that God engineers circumstances ??
Most of the time we treat the things that happen as if they were engineered by men.

To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, and that is to our Lord. If we learn to worship God in the difficult circumstances, He will alter them in our favour when He chooses.

The idea is not that we do work for God, but that we are so loyal to Him that He can do His work through us

Romans 8 : 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

(Stops & Steps 0801 19XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0800 18XII2008

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.

(Stops & Steps 0800 18XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0799 17XII2008

Pray and be patient

Do you regard prayer as simply as a list of requests to God, asking Him to solve our problems and get us out of a sticky situation ? If so, you have missed what He is offering us through prayer !!

He knows we will all have times of need. He invites us to come to Him boldly. It is not a promise of an immediate solution to our problem. It is a promise to find the mercy and the grace... the strength to walk where we need to walk right there in our need.

God answers our crisis prayer right in the moment of need. Other times there is no immediate answer.
He offers grace, giving us strength and wisdom, patience and endurance.
He offers mercy and holds us through the storm.
He helps us in our time of need.

Be patient and continue praying and looking expectantly to receive just what you need to carry you through

Hebrews 4 : 16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

(Stops & Steps 0799 17XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0798 16XII2008

# 798

Step out in faith

There are times when you know what God has called you to do, but you just do not feel you have the inner resources you need to do it.

Everything you will ever need to accomplish what God has called you to do has been placed inside you by God.
Faith is in there.
Power is in there.
Love is in there.
Believe that. Speak it out.

Step out in faith

2 Timothy 1:4,6-7
Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears.... I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you.... For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(Stops & Steps 0798 16XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0797 15XII2008

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


(Stops & Steps 0797 15XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0796 14XII2008

Always give thanks

Prayer is more than making requests to God.

Remember the Bible story of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Those outcasts were miserable, falling apart and isolated. They were hated, feared and despised. Then Jesus healed them.
Nine of them ran towards town anxious for others to see them... to receive their approval and acceptance. Only one returned to Jesus. He fell at His feet, thanking God for the incredible gift of a new life.

1 Thessalonians 5 : 18
.. give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(Stops & Steps 0796 14XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0795 13XII2008

Trust HIM

God will faithfully meet the needs of those who seek Him. In whatever He leads us to do, He will enable us to do by supplying us with the necessary needs as we continue to trust and obey Him. We must bear in mind that we do not receive when our motives are not pure and not according to His will. Most important of all, we do not receive and do not have God’s help because we do not ask. (James 4 : 2)

Let us examine our motives and relate our needs to God’s commands.

Philippians 4 : 19
And it is He who will supply all your needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us

(Stops & Steps 0795 13XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0794 12XII2008

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.

(Stops & Steps 0794 12XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0793 11XII2008

Be satisfied

We must learn not to complain of want, for we have learned in whatever condition we are to be content. We must know how to be abased, and how to abound. In any and all circumstances we must learn to face plenty and hunger, abundance and want. We can do all things through God

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

(Stops & Steps 0793 11XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0792 10XII2008

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.

(Stops & Steps 0792 10XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0791 09XII2008

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

(Stops & Steps 0791 09XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0790 08XII2008

HE is my attorney

Are you going through some kind of trial right now?
Are you having a difficult marriage or a problem child ?

Whatever you are going through right now, do not give up. Ask God to help you.
Jesus intercedes on our behalf! An intercessor is one who pleads the case of another in prayer. Jesus goes to God in prayer for us.

1 John 2 : 1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

(Stops & Steps 0790 08XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0789 07XII2008

HE is always there

I have encountered difficulties, opposition, problems and challenges. In such times as these, I have needed and claimed the promises of God.

Not only can we be free from fear, but He will strengthen and help and uphold us.

Isaiah 41 : 10
Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand

(Stops & Steps 0789 07XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0788 06XII2008

Change of attitude

God wants us to treat each other as He has treated us, thinking of others' needs and God's will before our own.

Let us ask God to transform our heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to take control of our thoughts and make our heart’s desire to reflect the passion of Jesus Christ. Ask God to forgive our tendency to think of our own importance, our own will and our own self-justification.

Philippians 2 : 5 - 6
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…

(Stops & Steps 0788 06XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0787 05XII2008

Uniquely you !!

Do you know that is a special set of clothing that is always in style. It is the clothing of character and is best worn in the company of your friends and acquaintances. It requires good qualities to wear this special clothing and it is always a blessing to those who meet us.

Colossians 3 : 12
As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

(Stops & Steps 0787 05XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0786 04XII2008

The Bible


The Bible is the book of God's love for us. Throughout its pages, in every chapter and verse, we can discover who God is and how much He loves us.

The Old Testament tells of God's love and faithfulness to His chosen people Israel, while the New Testament reveals, through Jesus Christ, God's amazing love for each one of us.

There is endless food waiting for you in God's book of love. Become one to feast on the abundance of God’s house.(Psalm 36 : 8)

Exodus 34 : 6-7
The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin

(Stops & Steps 0786 04XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0785 03XII2008

Turn our weaknesses into strengths



Our inadequacy can prevent us from stepping out in faith to do what God calls us to do. We must turn our inadequacy to a blessing.

Even the apostle Paul felt inadequate, but he did not allow his feelings to hold him prisoner and prevent his sharing the Gospel. He drew closer to God. Let us pray and meditate more often so that our reliance upon God will be strengthened. We shall no longer rely on our own strength but become more motivated to work in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember how God demonstrate the great things HE can do with so little and accomplished amazing feats through these men
Moses and David were mere shepherds, and
Gideon was least among Israel's men (Judges 6:15),

2 Corinthians 3:1 - 6
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


Let us draw closer to God.

(Stops & Steps 0785 03XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0784 02XII2008

HE keeps His promises


Are you in a situation where you are torn between the desire to surrender your life to the Lord and the desire to be your own person. You may have great plans for your life and you are afraid of God and what HE might do to change your plans.

Do you really love God ?
Do you trust God to give you a full and abundant life here on earth and for all eternity ?

Say yes to both questions and let God take command of your life at this very moment.

Pray to God that you will surrender your will to do the will of God in all things. Acknowledge that HE is a God of love, wisdom, compassion and concern who wants the very best for you.

Deuteronomy 7 : 9
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps His promises and constantly loves those who love Him and who obey His commands


(Stops & Steps 0784 02XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0783 01XII2008

Feeling of inadequacy

Sometimes we struggle with feelings of failure because some responsibilities appear to be bigger than we are able to do. Problems can develop when we feel inadequate. We try to convince ourselves that a task is too great and He should not expect so much.

Inadequacy can cause us to turn away from some opportunities given by God. The Lord may have provided us with a situation that is just right for sharing the Good News of Christ with a friend or acquaintance. But how many times do we back off and end up without making use of such opportune moments because we are afraid that we would not know what to say?

Inadequacy grows out of fear - fear of failure and fear of not meeting people's expectations. No matter how unqualified we feel, fear is not an acceptable excuse for avoiding responsibility. The truth is that no believer has the perfect qualifications or skills to accomplish some of the awesome tasks God calls us to do. Only the Holy Spirit is adequate! We need only to be willing.

God has given us a spirit of power, not one of timidity (2 Timothy 1: 7) and we only need to step out in faith and the Holy Spirit’s strength and courage will be there to help us.

Ephesians 3:14 - 21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

(Stops & Steps 0783 01XII2008)

Stops & Steps 0782 30XI2008

Be serious only to HIM

All concerns of life are designed by God. The little things of life, eating and drinking, walking and talking, are all designed by God. These are the things in which our Lord lived.

Do not pose as someone who is philosophical.

We should take God seriously.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.


(Stops & Steps 0782 30XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0781 29XI2008

Be a cheerful worker

It pleases God to do things without complaining or arguing, so that we may be blameless and pure
It please God to be His child without fault in this dishonest and wicked generations
It please God that we have not disappoint or frustrate the efforts of those who led us to HIM
It pleases God to rejoice together with all His followers


Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life— in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

(Stops & Steps 0781 29XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0780 28XI2008

Ask HIM for help

How many times do we carry a burden or a problem we cannot solve? We are upset and worried instead of asking God for help.

We must realize that

God has been very good to us.
God makes us realize that with Him all things are possible.
God listens and answers our prayers
God loves us.
God wants to help us.

What problems are you carrying today? Why don't you stop and ask God to help you.

Luke 11 : 9
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you

(Stops & Steps 0780 28XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0779 27XI2008

Be persistent

What do you do when you become
exhausted in prayer,
desperate of ever seeing God answer?
Do you give up?

Do not quit. Do not lose hope. In Luke 11:1 - 13 Jesus tells us to persist until we see the answer. We are to keep on asking until it is given to us. We are to keep on seeking until we find it. We are to keep on knocking until the door is opened. Ask, seek, and knock are all present tense verbs here in the original Greek, which means that they speak of continuous or habitual action. Therefore, if we believe Jesus means what He says, we will do what He tells us to do.

One of the major keys to answered prayer is persistence. . . .

Bear in mind that God’s ways is not our ways. If there is a delay in the answer, you can be sure it is because God has a purpose.

(Stops & Steps 0779 27XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0778 26XI2008

Be a good audience

In our daily journey through life, we come across many successful people who believe in money and trusted no one. It is a fact that their personal lives are falling apart. This will happen soon !!

How can you help ? You only need to be a good listener. You need not have to preach or give a Bible tract. Just be a friend. By your life and attitude, reflecting Christ who is genuine, caring and worthy of trust, you will ultimately bring the Lord Jesus into their lives !!

Proverbs 22 : 11
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend


(Stops & Steps 0778 26XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0777 25XI2008

The power of prayer

We must understand that it is a great privilege and responsibility to pray for one another.
We need God’s intervention in our hearts and our lives !! Our prayers invite God to be at work for His purposes in our lives. There is power in prayer !

Philippians 4:5, 6.
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus


(Stops & Steps 0777 25XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0776 24XI2008

Living from the future


Let us ask God for

- the motivations of our life to come from the future God has appointed for us rather than from the past we have lived.

- every one of our fellow Christians to be mature in this matter too.

- help, if we are lacking in any way, that God may disclose this to us, and change us!

- help to hold true to what we have already attained.


Philippians 3:11-15
I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

(Stops & Steps 0776 24XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0775 23XI2008

Do not quit


We must not give up on any difficult situations. There is hope. God, through His Spirit and His word, can powerfully change your lives.

Proverbs 3 : 5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

(Stops & Steps 0775 23XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0774 22XI2008

Looking for love, joy and peace ?

- The answer is – be filled with the Holy Spirit !!

- The Holy Spirit has pure spiritual power.

- Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails.

- Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit.

- Self-control is so powerful it can master all the uncontrollable desires of your flesh.

- The fruits of the Spirit are strong. So strong that if you will let them flow out of you, they will correct the problems in your life. They will keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They will keep you on your feet in all circumstances and situations.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


(Stops & Steps 0774 22XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0773 21XI2008

Do not be afraid

God is our helper ! We will not let fear be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal Lord.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

(Stops & Steps 0773 21XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0772 20XI2008

HE plans all our moves


Are you looking for direction, for purpose, for meaning to your life?

Finding the will of God has been difficult for many people. But the truth remains that He promises to give wisdom to any who ask, and we have that privilege when we belong to Him by virtue of having received the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

If you are facing a difficult situation in your life, wait on Him and avoid the usual rush to a decision that might be disastrous. "He is faithful who promised." Depend upon Him to make the way clear as you lay the decision prayerfully before Him.

Psalm 37 : 23
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;



(Stops & Steps 0772 20XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0771 19XI2008

He knows everything !!

It is amazing that God knows and hears our prayers even before we think about them or open our mouths.

God examines our hearts and knows everything about us. He knows when we sit or stand. He knows our every thought. He charts our path ahead of us, and tells us where to stop and rest. Every moment, He knows where we are. He knows what I am going to say before we even say it.

Matthew 6 : 8
Your Father knows what you need before you ask



(Stops & Steps 0771 19XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0770 18XI2008

I am not weak

Jesus gave all Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit lives in us, making our bodies a Temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and blessing us in many ways (Romans 8).

The Holy Spirit
makes us courageous even in the face of attack, criticism and ridicule.
produces fruits (Galatians 5 : 22 – 23)
pours love into our heart (Romans 5 : 5) do not make us weak
is a powerful force to help us overcome sin (Romans 8 : 13)
helps us to live self disciplined lives

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline

(Stops & Steps 0770 18XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0769 17XI2008

Remove that mountain

We all have mountains in our lives from time to time – our problems, our attitudes, our stubbornness,………

Sometimes God responds to our faith and He removes our mountain immediately. But other times it is like the iceberg. It seems to cast a shadow on our lives for too long and we fear it may never go.

We must have faith in God, believing in God's power. He will do the casting into the sea in His time. He is the mountain mover and as we ask Him for a tenacity of faith to believe, He will work! Trust God and His power.

Let us ask God to give us a tenacity of faith to believe. Ask God to give us confidence in His power to work in His time.


Mark 11 : 22-23
Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him"




(Stops & Steps 0769 17XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0768 16XI2008

How to describe men’s love for money

Men’s love for money is being ruined by materialism, the love of money and the love of things. Men are greedy and are grasping for more than they have. Their appetites become insatiable.

Stay away from the love of money. There is nothing wrong with money.

Men’s love for money can be compared to a pan of frogs in cold water placed over a low flame. As the flame warms the water, the frogs relax. And by the time the water is boiling, it is too late for them to jump out of the pan. They are boiled alive. In contrast, if the frogs were placed in a pan of boiling water, they would leap out instantly.


Hebrews 13 :5
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never, never fail you nor forsake you'



(Stops & Steps 0768 16XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0767 15XI2008

Spend time with Him

Some begin prayer times by reading God’s Word. It is best to have a daily quiet time that includes prayer. It may be hours, but start somewhere with a regular time. You cannot expect God's blessing if you fail to spend time with Him.

Frankly, the benefits of time spent in prayer are so great; at times I wonder why we do not pray more! God will bless you as you devote more time to prayer.


(Stops & Steps 0767 15XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0766 14XI2008

The transformed Life



The experience of salvation means that
• in your actual life things are really altered,
• you no longer look at things as you used to;
• your desires are new,
• old things have lost their power.

If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the alteration evident in your actual life and reasoning, and when the crisis comes you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. It is this complete and amazing alteration that is the evidence that you are a saved soul.

The salvation that is worked out by the Holy Ghost releases you entirely, and as long as you walk in the light as God is in the light, He sees nothing to censure because His life is working out in every particular, not to your consciousness, but deeper than your consciousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.



(Stops & Steps 0766 14XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0765 13XI2008

Tested faith

Faith that is not tested may be true faith, but it is sure
to be little faith, and
likely to remain small so long as it is without trials.

Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against you.

Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

All of us will have trials enough without seeking them.

Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience,
thank God for what grace you have;
praise Him for that degree of holy confidence where you have attained:
walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

1 Peter 1:7
The trial of your faith.


(Stops & Steps 0765 13XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0764 12XI2008

Judging Others

It is so easy to judge others.
We have no right to judge others when
• we do not know their struggles.
• we do not know their situation.
• we do not know their hearts.

When we judge others
- we put up a barrier between others and ourselves.
- we often spread that judgmental feeling to others in gossip.
- our stubbornness to only view them with a judgmental spirit erects a barrier, an obstacle, which can cause them to become discouraged and fall.

We must ask God
- to help us be more patient with the failures of others, just as He is patient with ours.
- to forgive us for not being more of an encouragement to those who are weak and struggling.
- to forgive us for being a hindrance to others.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.


(Stops & Steps 0764 12XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0763 11XI2008

Looking forward

As we approach each new day with some introspection, we are reminded of the briefness of time.

As we look back over our failures, mistakes and missed opportunities,
we must make plans to make better use of our time during the days ahead.
we must take time to be pleasant,
we smile,
we should extend the small courtesies we often omit
we should show love to our family and loved ones.

We must take time get acquainted with our families as we go to work with a sweet spirit.
Let us take time to express our love.

Philippians 3 : 13
Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead,


(Stops & Steps 0763 11XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0762 10XI2008

Be impartial

Do you have partiality toward some individuals over others?
Do you harbor discrimination toward those who may be different from you?

Allow God to change your way of thinking!

It is a fact of life in most societies that the attractive individual has many advantages in regard to employment, educational assignment, social life, and more.

We as human beings have a natural preference to be partial in our relationships and dealings with others over a broad range.

Most of us have been on the receiving end of one form or another of partiality by others. If such partiality when experienced is in the negative, it is not very pleasant and sometimes affects him for life.

The good news is that God
is not a respecter of persons or
has partiality based on certain qualities that a person may or not have.

Acts 10:34-36
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ - He is Lord of all.

Romans 2 : 10-11
...but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

Galatians 2:6.
But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.


(Stops & Steps 0762 10XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0761 09XI2008

The secret that has not been revealed !!

Today most of us feel unhappy and unsatisfied with life because we have put emphasis on the wrong thing. The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is no private life with God.

The central thing about the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, not public usefulness to men.

John 18:36
My kingdom is not of this world.


(Stops & Steps 0761 09XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0760 08XI2008

The irony

To follow Christ means
that we give up everything and follow him.
that we receive untold blessings in this life and eternal life with God in the life to come.

Yes, it is hard
Yes, the burden is light because we know our lives are not lived in vain, that we are living life as God intended it, and when life is over, it is not really over! We get to go home and be with our Lord!

Let us ask God to
give us courage to face the challenges that we must confront.
give us charity to deal appropriately with those we meet.
give us thankfulness for all that we have done to bless us.
give us clarity to see that living for Jesus is the best of all choices.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.



(Stops & Steps 0760 08XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0759 07XI2008

What holds you back ?

If you have a desire to give, yet financial commitments keep holding you back, you may be surprised to learn that what you need is not more money. What you need is a spiritual advance.

You need to take the Word of God and destroy the images of poverty and lack within you. You need to replace them with a vision of the sufficiency of God. Then more things, including money, will come.

How?

By spending time thinking on the prosperity promises He's provided for you in His Word.
By meditating on them.
By believing you receive those promises actually being fulfilled in your life.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

(Stops & Steps 0759 07XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0758 06XI2008

Food for the year

Anthropologists say that eating certain food to change one’s fortune goes back to ancient Babylonia.

The prophet Jeremiah was not looking for good luck As God’s spokesman during a difficult time in Israel’s history, he suffered rejection and persecution. Yet God’s Word produced deep joy in his heart.

Eating special food would not influence the year ahead. But if I make God’s Word a part of my life each day through reading, study and memorization, that will make a difference.

Jeremiah 15 : 16
Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.



(Stops & Steps 0758 06XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0757 05XI2008

Reach out

God has a plan to reach the world with His grace.

We start where we are and reach out to those around us. We then share our joy with those in our region. Then we reach out and take the gospel all over the world. As we offer ourselves to be used, we also trust that the Holy Spirit's power and presence will go with us.

Acts 1:8
[Jesus said] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

(Stops & Steps 0757 05XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0756 04XI2008

Our daily devotion

We put aside time for the spiritual exercise of prayer and Bible study. This devotion requires diligence. Very often, as we sat down to get a nice little routine going, only to have it interrupted, shortened or terminated by any number of crisis moments, attentions or demands of those close to us. These interruptions become very easy for us to come to the conclusion that we might as well just quit even trying to seek and take time for this area in our lives. We must not quit – diligence in this area is always for our benefit and the benefit of those around us. Such rewards should encourage us never to quit seeking and taking time for spiritual exercise.

Luke 18:1
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.

Psalm 119:105
Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling.

(Stops & Steps 0756 04XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0755 03XI2008

Love is the greatest

As we live each day of our lives, there will be the untimely passing of someone dear to us. Someone who meant so much to us. Someone who had given us his life and his love. That someone is now gone. Gone and never to return our calls and our smiles.

Let us now remember that no matter what we are doing, no matter how busy we are, no matter how we feel, we must never forget to show love. We must not wait until it is too late. Tell someone that we love them, and not wait for life to pass us by. Let us enjoy life to the fullest

If we live life to the fullest -- no matter what our health problems may be -- if we live life to the fullest, we will be loved and remembered all our days. No matter what we can offer each other, no matter what we can do for each other, we must never forget to give love. To give love to the fullest is to receive love in return.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

(Stops & Steps 0755 03XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0754 02XI2008

To have a master

It means that there is
one who knows me better than I know myself,
one who is closer than a friend,
one who understands the remotest abyss of my heart and satisfies it,
one who has brings me into the secure sense and
one who solves every confusion and problem of my mind.

To have a master is this and nothing less

Our Lord never enforces obedience;

In the Bible obedience is based on the relationship of equals, that of a son with his father. Our Lord was not God's servant, He was His Son.

John 13 : 13
You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am.

(Stops & Steps 0754 02XI2008)

Stops & Steps 0753 01XI2008

Be watchful


The scriptures remind us that the devil loves to catch us napping -- napping in regards to sin. Sin can creep up on us just as quickly and unexpectedly as night-time, once the sun begins to set, if we are not ever watchful.

We need to be watchful of the company we keep; watchful of the things with which we fill up our minds; watchful of the words we speak; watchful of the time we must choose to set aside for fellowship with Jesus and His Word.

His words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of us, and keep us from stumbling, -- stumbling into the darkness of sin.

His fellowship not only urges us to run from temptation that we might live godly lives, but also draws others to Him as the light of His love reflects through us to an increasingly darkened world.

1 Peter 5:8
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.

Psalm 119:105 - Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling.

James 1:12-15
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.




(Stops & Steps 0753 01XI2008)

Winner or loser ? 0752 31X2008

In society everyone wants to be first in everything. To be in the second place is to be the first loser. Many pride themselves on being first, whether in school, business or sports.

Jesus said, ‘ If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all’. What He means is that if anyone wants to be first then he should serve. Giving our lives to God and doing His will is far more important than anything this world has to offer.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we may live our His will in our lives. We must ask Him to enable us to be humble servants, helping those who truly need help.


Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."


(0752 31X2008)

Just wait for the result 0751 30X2008

Many people do not have the patience to wait for the result to happen.
They will pray for others or lay hands on someone and pray for healing or deliverance and then, when they do not see any immediate, outward change taking place, they will withdraw their faith and assume nothing has happened.

Remember that it is faith, not appearances, that makes miracles happen.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(0751 30X2008)

Those were the days 0750 29X2008

Many of us like to long for and desire to live again in times that have already passed. These good old times are quite attractive to many of us – whether things they were a few months ago or maybe even a few years ago. All of us will agree that life was “simpler” and the same unit of money will buy us so much more than today.

Solomon tells us in his wisdom, that, regardless of when those "good ol' days" might be, we should not let ourselves long for those days or compare our current place in life to those bygone days. He tells us that it is not from wisdom that we ask why the former days were better than these. Longing for those days cannot bring back the joy or contentment that we had, but, on the contrary, will bring only bitterness and sadness, as we find ourselves sulking in our current situation. Solomon explains it best in verse 14 when he instructs us to remember that "God has made the one as well as the other." As children of God, our ultimate desire and happiness should be found in living within God's will. That, unfortunately, requires us to accept the bad with the good. God promised us a more abundant life if we would ask Him into our lives, but that abundance refers to joy, contentment, and peace -- not money, health, and fame. That contentment and joy comes only by accepting God's will for our lives and trusting that the things He places in our paths are there for a reason. Things in this life will not remain constant, and we cannot always live in "the good ol' days", but God is constant and we always live in the God days.

Ecclesiastes 7:10,14
Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

(0750 29X2008)

Our daily battles 0749 28X2008

The battles we face each day are both physical and spiritual. It is the spiritual battle with powers that we do not easily see and which are very powerful. We should not dismiss this as an imaginary battle or as an irrelevant struggle.

Just as clearly as Satan was crouching at Cain's door, desiring to have him, so he crouches at our door (Gen. 4:7). He will use his forces of evil to do all he can to defeat, destroy, or corrupt us.

We must take this war seriously and recognize the spiritual power of our foe.

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.


(0749 28X2008)

Love 0748 27X2008

If you will build your life on love, even the most violent storms of this world will be unable to shake you.
If you will build your life on love, it will make you solid in every area of your life.
If you will build your family on love, you can win back those the devil has stolen from you. You can win them to Jesus with the love of God.
If you will build your business on love, you will prosper beyond your wildest dreams.

When love rules, prosperity can flow!
Commit to living the life of love today.

John 15:17
This is my command: Love each other.

In Luke 6:47-48,
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

(0748 27X2008)

Opening the gift 0747 26X2008

Many of us have experienced the custom of exchanging gifts. The person receiving the gift has no say in the matter and some end up getting exactly what they want, while others must accept the one with which they were given. Sometimes the gift received is used, useless, broken or bawdy. We wonder why anyone would give it and why it was we who received it, and sometimes our responses are less favourable than what they would normally be.

Life is somewhat like this custom. Each new day is a gift to be opened.

Sometimes we get exactly what we want; other times, what we need. Sometimes the gift is one we would rather not have been given; sometimes we want the life others have been given, and sometimes, when we don't want to deal with what's been given us, we pass the responsibility on to someone else -- we trade the gift, as it were.

Sometimes it's not possible to see it as a gift at all, and we question Why? or Why me?

It is at this time, perhaps more than ever, that we accept and utilize God's gift of choice to us -- not choice in what we are given, but in how we may choose to respond to what we are given. We have the choice in times of tragedy to accept and allow the help, love and comfort of others, and the choice to share with others in our times of triumph.

Philippians 3:13,14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


(0747 26X2008)

Patience 0746 25X2008

Patience is the ability to stand fast on the Word of God. It would not go to work unless you let it go to work. It is wrong to think that patience will go to work for us without our help.

In the first place, James says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God" (James 1:13). And in the second place, that trial is not going to make your faith stronger. In fact, it will destroy it if you will let it.

James 1:4
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

(0746 25X2008)

Going off-course 0745 24X2008

Spiritual well being requires continual safeguarding. We need our spiritual food on a daily basis. To skip a day of walking with the Lord, is to have a day of spiritual deterioration. It is dangerous. When spiritual laziness continues and drags on for weeks, months and years, the result is a degeneration of our spiritual life. When that happens it is hard to even think of spiritual things.

Proverbs 18:9.
He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Proverbs 19:15
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Romans 8:5-6.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(0745 24X2008)

Endless love 0744 23X2008

There are times when it seems others will exhaust our ability to love, either because of their need being so great or because of their unwillingness to love in return.

When love is low, do not withdraw or give up. Draw near to God and draw near to his people asking for his grace to help in your time of need (Heb. 4:16).

1 Thessalonians 3 : 12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

(0744 23X2008)

Surrender 0743 22X2008

We know what are the things that are holding us back from fully following and serving God. We must seriously search ourselves and surrender them.

Jesus comes to us with his nail-scarred hands and reminds us that He gave up everything to redeem us. He now wants us to surrender to the Cross the things that hold us back.

Matthew 10 : 38-39
And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.


(0743 22X2008)

How to honour Christ in our lives 0742 21X2008

We can try all our best to follow Jesus but we will often fail. Our sins stares us in the face.

We have to start with our sins and failures and then move on to His grace and forgiving love. The cross always reminds us that we are meant to honour and serve the Lord in the way we are called to, and to speak only the word he has given us by virture of his spirit within us.

John 8:28-29
Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."



(0742 21X2008)

Words can bite 0741 20X2008

Mean and unkind words, filthy words, thoughtless words have the power to gobble up the good feelings people have about themselves, leaving them feeling all chewed up inside -- consumed by feelings of inadequacy, self-hatred, depression and the like.

When we use words the wrong way they have the potential to gobble up people on the inside.

The truth is that God never wants anyone to feel eaten up. He loves us so very much and He wants each one to be whole and healthy inside. This is why within His Word He speaks clearly to us concerning our mouths and the right way to use them. Instead of using words that bite and gobble others up, He says: Watch the way you talk ... say only what helps, each word a gift. Now isn't that something to think about!?

James 3:3-6
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything -- or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony into chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the put of hell.

Mark 11:25
And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive -- only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.

Ephesians 4:29
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

(0741 20X2008)

Trust Him 0740 19X2008

Just think of the game of life that we play with God. How often we have become so preoccupied in areas where He has not called us, going blindly ahead without waiting for His direction. Then, after sorting out the self-inflicted chaos, He has been gracious enough to reward us anyway!

We must thank God for directing each one of us through our day. We must thank God for being with us everyday.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

(0740 19X2008)

Who is holding on to whom? 0739 18X2008

Have you experienced yourself in a position searching for some answers. You were going through some very difficult times in your life and you are facing problems in many areas.
You felt somewhat helpless to overcome the problems in your life. The solution is to get a tighter grip on God and to hold on to His strength and comfort.

When we allow God into our hearts, He immediately cups His hands around us, and we will always remain in His hands. Each time we hear from God and follow His will and commands for our life, God squeezes His grip a little tighter to draw us closer to Him. The tighter His grip becomes and the closer He draws us to Him, the more confident and content we become in our daily lives, and the easier it becomes to face and overcome our problems. No matter how much we try, we can never strengthen our own grip enough to make sure we will never let go, but we can have assurance that God will never let go of us.

John 10:27-30
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."


(0739 18X2008)

It is stressful to be hostile 0738 17X2008

Modern illnesses and diseases like ulcers, tension, headaches and many others are due to stress caused by hostility.
When you think of hostility, you think of being angry when something serious happens. It is often the little things that cause the worst problems – when someone ruins your favourite outfit or the cook puts gravy on your noodles after you have repeatedly told him not to.

Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13 and not counting up the evils done to you. Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!

Remember:
It doesn't take a medical miracle to turn your life around.
All it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love...is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it--pays no attention to a suffered wrong.


(0738 17X2008)

How to be rich 0737 16X2008

There are two ways of being rich – have a lot or want very little

To want very little is the easiest for most of us.
Many people make themselves miserable by wanting more than they can ever have. They can never get enough of the insatiable desire for more, better and newer things.

We need not learn how to get more but how to get along with what we have got, and get on with the business of really living.

Luke 12 : 15
Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions

(0737 16X2008)

To be angry, is it good or bad ? 0736 15X2008

It is not easy to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time , for the right purpose and in the right way.
It is sinful if anger is mingled with malice.
It is safe and good if anger is associated with a holy disposition.
It is sinful to become angry with someone because of personal resentment or envy.
It is healthy and effective to be angry, when aroused by injustice or evil and accompanied by a sincere desire to see God’s will performed.

Ephesians 4 : 26-27
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.


(0736 15X2008)

Getting into trouble 0735 14X2008

When our tongue is not being used for constructive and useful purposes we are more likely to get in trouble with it. We find it so easy to say the kinds of things that are disrespectful, slanderous, cruel, or immoral.


Proverbs 21 : 23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.



(0735 14X2008)

Character building is important 0734 13X2008

The people of ancient China built a massive wall to protect themselves from the barbaric hordes that swept down from the north The wall was too high for the enemy to climb, too thick to tear down and too long to go around. Yet during the first 100 years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times.

The enemies simply bribed a gatekeeper and then marched easily through a gate.

The fatal flaw in this defense system lay in spending its wealth to build a wall but paying much less to build the character of the gatekeepers.

Proverbs 14 : 34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people

(0734 13X2008)

Trust 0733 12X2008

Trust God no matter how terrifying things around you seem to get.

He will
always be faithful
never be out doing something else when you need help
be right there to deliver you from any problem
be right there to deliver you from any catastrophe
be right there to deliver you from any kind of devastation

No other can deliver like Him!

Psalm 91:7-10
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.



(0733 12X2008)

Be patient and wait 0732 11X2008

When you come across the word "wait" in the Bible; God is saying wait and be patient and it is serious business.

King Saul found out the hard way that to launch out when God says, "wait" can be very costly. In fact it cost him the kingdom (1 Samuel 13), which God then gave to David.
In Acts 1:4 "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father.."
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.(Acts 2:1-3a)."
They waited and the Holy Spirit came upon them empowering them to be the Lord's witnesses as He had promised (Acts 1:8).
On the day of Pentecost alone about 3,000 people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41).

When God says to "wait"
* there is always a good reason
* it will always be to your benefit
* it will always be better later

Wait on the LORD.
It may be hard to do but it is a very important and at times courageous thing to do. So, Wait and Be Patient


(0732 11X2008)

Facing pressures 0731 10X2008

Everyday as we go about in our life, we face pressures from every angle, yet we are not crushed. We are puzzled but not in despair, we may be mistreated or misunderstood but we do not give up. We may be struck down but we are not destroyed. We are always up and about doing the work of our Lord, that the life of Jesus also may be made noticeable in our attitudes, habits, actions and behaviours.

There are several ways we can face the pressure of life.
The way many try to handle pressure is by "screaming" and "flailing" about. It may result in someone rescuing you but most likely it will not be a long-term solution.
Another approach is that of the apostle Paul's. Paul realized that the pressure of life was only temporary and he also saw and understood an amazing thing. What Paul could see and understood was that the more pressure he was under the more of Christ that was evident in his life. The weaker Paul became physically the stronger he became spiritually as the Lord manifested Himself in Paul's life (John 14:21).

What hope do you have?
Who will help you in your time of trouble?
Who will sustain you when the pressure is becoming stronger and stronger?

The writer of Hebrews says, "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?'" We must look beyond this world and remember that just as our Lord Jesus was victorious and rose again - so will we who know Him as our Savior. We may be hard-pressed but through the great sacrifice of our Lord we will never be destroyed.

So the next time you are tempted to start screaming and flailing about remember that your Lord is with you and He will never ever forsake you.

2 Corinthians 4 : 8-11
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.


(0731 10X2008)

Did you choose not to obey Him ? 0730 09X2008

We struggle each day with being fully obedient to God. Intentionally or not, we choose each day to obey certain commandments, and to disobey others.
Children choose not to obey their parents.
Christians place their job or family before God as they run late in the morning, and decide to skip their quiet time with God.
Getting to a vacation destination becomes more important than attending church on a Sunday morning, and the holiness of the Sabbath day is forgotten.

It is so easy to make God's commandments into multiple choice, that we often don't even realize we are doing it. But just as the Israelites would not receive the full blessing of God's promised land without complete obedience, we also cannot receive the full measure of blessing that God has for us, if we do not commit ourselves to a fully obedient lifestyle. While none of us can ever be perfect or live a sinless life, we should still strive for that supreme level of obedience. If we stumble every now and again, we need to receive His forgiveness, and set our eyes back upon the Lord. The Lord will never lead us astray.

If we devote our lives to God, to the study of His word, and to fellowship with His people, we can so engrain ourselves with God that obedience becomes natural for us. But devotion and time are the keys. It takes a sacrifice of our time, our desires, and our wants, to bring us to a level of obedience that is pleasing to God.

Deuteronomy 8:1
All the commandment which I command you this day you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers.

(0730 09X2008)

Always look ahead 0729 08X2008

As Christians, we know that all the sins that we had in our life before our salvation have been forgiven and forgotten by God. But many of us many not be able to forget those sins and we still have thoughts of them in our minds. We are reminded of the sins of our past, and this may often cause us much grief and confusion in the present. Recalling these sins bring a negative impact on our lives.

In the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife was reduced to a pillar of salt because she looked back. She cast a backwards glance toward the cities of sin, a glance that showed a still-present desire for that sinful place from which she was departing. God was providing freedom and a new life for her, but part of her heart still remained in her sinful past. She was unwilling to completely give up and abandon that past, and thus God brought the same destruction upon her.

Jesus told us that He came into this world that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We can receive much more abundance and joy in our lives by trusting and relying on God than we will ever receive from the sins we commit.

Genesis 19:26
But Lot's wife behind him looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

(0729 08X2008)

Blooming where we are planted 0728 07X2008

Have you seen a single full blooming flower in the midst of weeds ?

This picture reminds me of courage and beauty. This single flower bloomed where it was planted, bringing beauty to its austere surroundings.

I believe God challenges us to be like this blooming flower : to be content in our surroundings, and to be so rooted and grounded in God that we can grow and bloom in this world. Although we may be only one individual, with God's help, we can make a difference wherever God has planted us.

Let us ask God to help us not to fret about our position in life. Instead help us to reflect the beauty of His love in all of life's circumstances.

Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.



(0728 07X2008)

Reflections 0727 06X2008

We have been given the ability to choose how we will live our lives: on our own, or in the Spirit of the Lord, so that our lives may be a close reflection of His. For when we live "in the Spirit", it is His love, His care, His being there, that makes that reflection possible, even when, or especially when, our days are dull, overcast, and seeming to have no sun.

Let us reflect not only on how Christ lived and died for us, but also on how we can live our lives as reflections of Him.

Let us ask God to guide us and lead us through our dark days, as well as through our sunny ones. Let us live to be His reflections.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.


(0727 06X2008)

Encourage one another 0726 05X2008

In our daily lives, we meet people with hearts, people with pain, people with a past, people who need to know Jesus and His resurrection and saving power ! We must share what we know with them in truth and in love. These are God's people. They must be encouraged to shine and reflect the love that Jesus has so graciously poured upon them! We must love one another!
Let us ask God to help us to see in these people gifts, talents and potential to be awesome disciples of Jesus. Let us ask Him to help us to encourage these people to stay filled with the Holy Spirit and to walk in His love.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

(0726 05X2008)

What God desires most 0725 04X2008

It pleases God when we fear and respect Him.

God's pleasure is not in our strengths or our accomplishments. He does not take pleasure in the things that we can accomplish in this world, or in what our stature is in society. Those living during the Psalmist's time relied heavily upon the strength of a horse. When they failed to have the strength or ability to accomplish certain tasks, they brought in the horses to give them strength. We often do the same thing when our own resources do not seem to be enough to get us through. We turn to computers, the Internet, television, friends... the list goes on and on. And perhaps there are times when we are successful with these means. But what really brings pleasure to God, and what He desires most, is that we always turn to Him first. We can lean as heavily as we like upon Him, and He will never fail us. It may turn out that God does indeed point us to another resource, but at least we have started in the right place.

Psalm 147:10-11
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

(0725 04X2008)

God's tools 0724 03X2008

Why do we have afflictions in our lives? We have some sufferings simply because we are human. They are just a part of human life. We get older, and our bodies begin to run down. Not every sickness, every accident or every problem we face comes because God is angry at us or is disciplining us. They may just be a part of life.

We also have problems because Satan is against us. He would love to destroy us.
We encounter obstacles because we have disobeyed the Lord.

All these afflictions are God's tools for helping us grow. We don't really grow until we've
been through the furnace, through the storm or through the battle. God wants to raise mature sons and daughters, and that is why we have afflictions.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, butthe Lord delivers him out of them all" (v. 19). He does not keep us out of them. He delivers us from them. Sometimes He changes the circumstances. Sometimes He changes us. The real secret of deliverance is not the circumstance around you but the faith within you. Expect affliction, but trust God for deliverance.

Perhaps God's greatest use of affliction is as a tool for helping you grow into a mature Christian.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all


(0724 03X2008)

Fellowship of love 0723 02X2008

Walking God's way can sometimes be a lonely path. But the loneliness is temporary. The faith we develop over time through daily prayer, study of God's word, church attendance, and sharing our concerns with other believers is strong enough to sustain us when we face opposition. As we go about doing our daily work, we can quietly send out positive ripples of attitude and action that will make others want to have a personal relationship with God.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(0723 02X2008)

Encouragement 0722 01X2008

How many of us honestly see life as vanity, as meaningless, or a chasing of the wind. Many of us fail to find meaning and purpose in the things of this world. Many try comfort and support in women, wine, money and possessions and none of these bring them joy or happiness. In fact, they all bring them more worry and regret than anything.

One simple verse "Banish anxiety from your heart, and cast off the troubles of your body" and you will find how much more peaceful and joyful our lives would be.

As Christians, we have God's gracious gift of being able to cast our cares and anxieties upon Him, so that we need not bear them ourselves. For us, this lesson is one that we are still learning, but the more we practice it, the easier and more peaceful our lives become. May it be an encouragement to know that we can cast our cares upon Jesus and banish the anxiety from our heart. Our heavenly Father will handle it for us.

Ecclesiastes 11:10
So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigour are meaningless.


(0722 01X2008)

Commit yourself 0721 30IX2008

What is commitment ?

It is something that we all struggle with or we have a reputation for avoiding. It is something that we are called to, and something that we must all do at some point in our lives.

When we are committed, we are put into charge or trust or obligate. Most of us like to be in charge and trusted, but few like to be obligated to. To be obligated to means to sacrifice. Most of us want all of the benefits that come along with commitment, without incurring extra work

So often, we fail so miserably in our commitments to God, to our churches, to our families, and to our jobs.
Since we are the one to make the commitment, so we are responsible for keeping them, no matter how difficult it may be at times. If we fail to keep a commitment, it would have been better had we never made the commitment in the first place.

Jesus tells us in the Scriptures that, of those who are given much, much will be expected in return. We cannot be committed to anything without giving of ourselves on a regular basis.

If we commit ourselves to do something, we should make sure that we can carry out that commitment. Perhaps that may require us to sacrifice something else that we would have liked to have done.

Commitment takes sacrifice, but the results are well worth the effort. As Christians, we should follow the example of Christ, who made the supreme sacrifice to fulfill His commitment to God and to us.

Luke 12:48b
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.


(0721 30IX2008)

The object of our faith 0720 29IX2008

Our faith in God is in direct proportion to our knowledge and understanding of who God is and all that He has promised to do in and through us.

As we come to a fuller understanding of how great God is and what awesome plans He has for us, our faith in His ability to provide and care for us increases.


Isaiah 40:31 - 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.

Luke 17:6
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."


(0720 29IX2008)

HE is different 0719 28IX2008

As we journey through life, we face many adversity and trials. Many of these could freeze our hearts, yet some still move through life with love. They could do so because of God. He is a ray of sunshine, who warms us to the very centre of our being. His love can free us from the most chilling of life’s circumstances, melting even the coldest of hearts. He makes the difference.

Ephesians 3:17-19
I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know his love -- although it can never be fully known -- and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.


(0719 28IX2008)

But why ? 0718 27IX2008

There are so many things in life that we just can't explain. Often these are the things that are completely beyond our control.
- Maybe someone we love was taken from us because of a thoughtless accident, or as a result of a disease.
- Maybe we are dealing with the loss of our own health or someone else's.
- Maybe we have lost a job unexpectedly.
- Maybe a dream will not be realized.
- Maybe a relationship has died, and we are grieving that loss.
- And the list goes on.

Today's verse admonishes us not to lean on our own understanding, but this is exactly what we do. When things do not go the way we think they should, we try to pull them apart, to dissect them, to bring about some kind of understanding.


"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6) When we bring our focus back to God, from ourselves and from our loss, then we discover that it is God who understands our hurt, and it is God who is able to make our paths straight again. It is God who can heal us of all our hurts.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

(0718 27IX2008)

Glorious ending 0717 26IX2008

We all make mistakes as we go through life and we all learn from those mistakes.

Every time we try something new we run the risk of making yet another mistake, and yet, if we are to be successful, we must run that risk constantly, every day. Every risk we take and every mistake we make builds our knowledge and increases our chances of making the ending glorious.


We know that life was not meant to be easy but God is there to help us. Often our lives appear to be clouded by problems and difficulties, but He is beside us. We lose faith in ourselves, and feel insecure and inadequate, but God has faith in us. It is difficult sometimes to look on the bright side of things, but if we have faith in God then we can see that side. Like Paul, we have thorns in our flesh, and we ask that God gives us the strength to bear and conquer those thorns so that we may come to a glorious ending.


2 Corinthians 12:9-10
His answer was, "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.



(0717 26IX2008)

Do you fight alone ? 0716 25IX2008

You may have some things in life that have really been quite frustrating. Things which you cannot control and over which you have no authority. You become irritated when things hold you back or hold you down and you cannot move or control those things.

Read Paul’s words in verses 12 and 13 in which he says that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness. You must honestly believe that Satan pays particular attention to us when we are striving to do the right thing and get closer to God. Satan realizes that he cannot snatch us out of God's hands, but through his powers in this world he can bring problems into our lives in order to push us back away from God. Satan knows that if he can get us away from God then that might potentially keep someone else from ever coming to know God. These "things" we cannot control that come into our lives may be more than just earthly problems and barricades.

How do we control and handle those things over which we have no control?

The first thing we need to do is to learn to recognize when these things may be part of a greater attack by Satan and his demons. Once we identify where the true problem lies, then we can better equip ourselves to handle it. If we are to do battle against these evil powers, then we will need to call upon a higher power to go into battle with us. By putting on the whole armour of God, we can take with us into battle His words and His strength. Only through the power of God will we ever stand a chance against "the wiles of the devil". Once we realize that we are in the midst of a battle that we cannot fight alone, then we have the victory in sight. By calling on God and standing strong in Him, we can always overcome the battles we face, whether they be of this world or of the rulers of darkness.

Ephesians 6:10-14
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

(0716 25IX2008)

Blind spot 0715 24IX2008

A blind spot is a place where we cannot see.

In our journey of life, we have a responsibility to keep alert at all times. When God gives us direction, we must not lose our focus on Him, or be led astray by Satan, who attempts to sneak up into our blind spot.

A collision with Him could mean a total change in our direction, with devastating consequences.


Let us ask God
- to give us an attitude of complete awareness of His presence always. Let us ask God to
- to keep us attuned to the course He has laid out for us.
- to help us to be alert and aware of the blind spots in our lives, where Satan waits for us to make a mistake.
- to make straight our pathways, never wavering in our awareness and our love for Him

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies -- make straight your way before me.

(0715 24IX2008)

Pray at all times 0714 23IX2008

In your neighbourhood or place of work, you may be surrounded mostly with people many of whom are not Christians. We must do our best to encourage, and be encouraged.

When God spoke through the prophet to the children of Israel in Babylon, He instructed them to go on with their lives and to pray for the nation where they lived, even though Babylon was unbelieving and enslaved them. Life cannot grind to a halt during troubled times and in troubled places. When things are unpleasant or distressing, we must pray, adjust, try to help as best as we can, and follow the Lord's movement. We may find it hard to pray for the place and time we live in, and especially for those we think are responsible for the prevailing conditions. Yet it is in such places, at such times, and for such people, that prayers are most needed. As the apostle Paul writes:


When God puts us in places that are free of outward trouble, we should also give thanks for that outward peace. And we should pray that, while living in peaceful places, we and others do not succumb to complacency, nominalism, and the type of contentment that makes people forget and turn away from God.

Jeremiah 29 : 7
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

1 Timothy 2 :1 - 3
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour.

(0714 23IX2008)

Place and pace 0713 22IX2008

In our spiritual lives, we must learn to keep place and pace in our walk with God. Within our world, God calls us to act justly and to love mercy but in reality, it is often easy to become side-tracked, to get off on a tangent and lose our place or focus. Before we know it we have all but forgotten God's original purpose for us, His children.

Other times we forget to keep pace as we walk with Him. We seek to lunge ahead of His timing, or lag behind due to lack of faith or will-full pride which often results in undue frustration, fatigue, even pain as we may experience the humiliation of falling to failure.

The only way that place and pace can be maintained is through trust and obedience to His commands, which calls for submission upon our part to His leadership. We can only do so through humility, loving submission to our wonderful and wise, all-knowing, heavenly Father whose place (focus) and pace is always geared for our well-being, refreshment, joy and pleasant communion.

Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

(0713 22IX2008)

God time or my time ? 0712 21IX2008

Today we measure success by activity and by how much one accomplishes. It is sad to say that finding time with God for steady spiritual growth is a lost priority. We find it extremely hard to look at time in terms other that projects, performance and accomplishments. Some may view time spent with God as a virtual impossibility. Such
forces at work in our world pull us into a whirlwind of activity or busyness. Inevitably we become impatient.

But King David knew his daily need of time alone with God and, though faced with trials and pressures that were pulling him other directions, he vowed in strong determination that nothing would keep him from meeting with God daily and at the beginning of his day. He vowed:

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch.

The rewards of time alone with God are often not immediately evident, and in our impatience we run to something more visibly practical. But there is a self-deception at work here as well. The negative effects of ignoring daily time alone with God are also not immediately visible.

Unless we make time alone with God a priority, the other hours devoted to our busy schedule will be poorly used. We are prone to ignore times of retreat because our work, our ministry, our families, all seem so much more important. Doing seems so much more practical than praying or meditating on the Word. But the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation on the Word do not constitute idleness. They are rigorous disciplines that are vital to the spiritual life.

(0712 21IX2008)

If I only had more ..... ? 0711 20IX2008

Many have complained that 24 hours a day is not enough. We want more !!

Time is "invisible". So often we make the excuse that we cannot serve God because we do not have the time. We often even fail to pray just because we do not have the time -- when, in reality, that is when we most need to pray. For Colossians 1:16 does not just tell us that all things (including time) were created by Him, but that all things (including time) were created for Him. When we feel so rushed and pushed to be somewhere, we need take just a moment to offer up our daily schedule to God in prayer. If we are faithful to serve him, as the gentleman showed, He will be faithful to provide us the time.

There are always going to be things in our lives that consume our time, and we are never going to be able to give enough time to all of those things. But we should never borrow from our time with God in order to give time to other things in our life. Many of us have little problem with tithing of our income, but how many of us can say we tithe of our time? Is God not worth a mere ten percent of our time? Not counting time spent sleeping, there are approximately 15-16 hours in a day. Do we devote ten percent or one and one-half hours to God?

Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

(0711 20IX2008)