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)