30 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2966

30 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2966

Look ahead

   

Life can be very tough.

In the process of living, we face some very difficult circumstances and  experience some awful pain.. The  pain and inconvenience are only temporary. The things that cause our pain are temporary. All these things that we have seen and experienced are passing.

Our eternal glory, our indescribable bliss, that wonderful future that we cannot yet see, is eternal ... forever ... incorruptible ... and reserved for us

Let us ask God to be with us during the painful and difficult passages of our life.  Ask God to help keep our hearts fixed on what is unseen.

2 Corinthians 4 : 17

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

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29 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2965

29 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2965

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.

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28 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2964

28 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2964

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.

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27 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2963

27 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2963

Problem solving

We encounter problems every day of our life, irrespective of our religion, language or race. God strengthens every Christian to face every difficulty. !

God knows every future circumstances and prepares us to withstand the trial. Once I come across a problem, I go to God and seek HIS wisdom and directions. Once I did that, the problem is contained and I can trust God to help me resolve the situation. I only need to act on my faith and God always gives a solution to the problem.

Whether we are troubled, under crisis or in peaceful times, we must build a strong foundation of trust and communion with God. This relationship will withstand any hardship.

Problems in our daily lives are unavoidable but God is faithful to solve our difficulties through prayers.

2 Chronicles 20

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26 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2962

26 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2962

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.

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25 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2961

25 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2961

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.

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24 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2960

24 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2960

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

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23 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2959

23 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2959

Be contented

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.

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22 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2958

22 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2958

In difficult times

When I go through a hard time, my experience is both physical and spiritual. And it is during this period of hardship that I must remember that God always cares for me.

If you experience physical suffering, it is difficult to see the hand of God.  We need to offer praise to God, believing that “all things do work together for our good if we love God and are called according to HIS purpose”. By believing and trusting God, we increase our faith.

If you experience spiritual suffering, trace your steps back to the point in time when you wondered away from God and believe that “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Whatever you may be experiencing, go to God for HIS blessing and be assured that HE cares for you.

Psalm 37 : 19

He cares for them when times are hard; even in famine, they will have enough

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21 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2957

21 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2957

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…

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20 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2956

20 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2956

Unique Designer’s Clothes

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.

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19 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2955

19 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2955

Use simple message   

Let us ask God to help us in the following areas :

to spread the Good News about Jesus and help us to speak simple terms about God

to understand that it is alright for us to show our own weakness, fear, and trembling.

to speak with words that demonstrate God’s Spirit and power,

to base our faith on God’s power

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

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18 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2954

18 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2954

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

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17 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2953

17 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2953

Barren or fruitful

Have you been to the desert?  One moment you can only see desolation, dry sand, and large rocks . The next moment when you come to civilization, you find lush, green grass, colourful flowers of all sorts  blooming profusely.

What a difference - the desolate and the vibrant growth were both in desert climate. The verdant growth was carefully tended, watered, pruned and fertilized. The desolate desert was not.

How do you keep our soul from becoming barren and lean ?

How do we make our lives fruitful and alive ?

Just mediate on the Bible all the time !!

Psalm 1 : 3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

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16 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2952

16 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2952

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

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15 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2951

15 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2951

HE fills an empty heart

You may have a  good job, a nice house, great friends, and money but still felt empty inside. You could not figure out what was missing.  Have you heard about a "relationship" with Jesus Christ

Participate in small groups where people gather to share their problems.  Here you can talk about your sense of emptiness. Let  the members of the small group pray for you.

The love of Jesus can fill the emptiness in your heart. You will find purpose for your life in the Bible.

Ephesians 6 : 18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

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14 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2950

14 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2950

Do not be discouraged !!

 Today you may be facing trouble that has being caused by people who have wilfully plotted to do you harm.  Do not be discouraged !!

When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can defeat you. No matter how powerful they are  in the natural, the odds are in your favour because you trust in the Lord. They may think they have got an edge over you, but God is on  your side and that gives you the advantage!

Psalm 33:10

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

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13 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2949

13 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2949

Do not be discouraged.

You may have stumbled your way through much of life and tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments. Be confident that in your spiritual life, God has not let you completely fall. His love, care, concern, Scriptures, servants and helpers are all there to keep you from destruction. His hands uphold you. He is there in times of trial

Let us thank God for his steadying influence in our lives. Let us thank Him for lifting us when we have been down, protecting us when we have been vulnerable and comforting us when we have been broken.

Let us praise God for His grace, His glory and His closeness.

Psalm 37 : 23-24   

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

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12 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2948

12 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2948

Be persistent

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

Do you give up?

Write God off as being deaf, uncaring, or not true to His Word?

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's given to us. We're 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'll 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.

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11 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2947

11 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2947

Mercy and grace

Prayer is a  vital, integral part of my  life.

One of the most powerful, exciting and fulfilling privileges God has given to me is  that of prayer based on the authority of God's Word.

Man instinctively prays in any sticky or happy situation. Whenever we are faced with tragedy, heartache, sorrow or danger, we pray.

I realize that I can come boldly to the throne of grace and receive mercy, cleansing, forgiveness and help for my every need, challenge and opportunity - from  Jesus Himself. I will spend more time in His presence and not be satisfied with an impotent, fruitless life.

Hebrews 4 : 16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

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10 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2946

10 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2946

God is good

God is always good. HE is filled with goodness and HE will never run out of goodness.

HE gave us ears to hear - the birds singing, children laughing, and choirs singing. "The earth is full of the goodness of God." (Psalm 33:5)

He has given us the ability to taste and enjoy food - fruit, vegetables, meat, bread etc. "The tender mercies of the Lord are over all His works." (Psalm 145:9)

Let us thank Him for His goodness

Psalm 119 : 68

You are good and what you do is good.

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09 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2945

09 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2945

The power of prayer

We must understand the power of prayer. We must know the great privilege and responsibility we have, in the family of God, to do this for one another. We need God’s intervention in our hearts and our lives !! Prayers invite God to be at work for His purposes in our live. 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

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08 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2944

08 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2944

We are always victorious !!

We will always be victorious with God’s grace and power.

This is the final message of Revelation. It is the song that is sung throughout the Scriptures. This is the assurance that we have from God himself. Our lives will not be lived in vain. Those who criticize, despise, and beat God's people will be exposed and his beloved children will receive justification and salvation from the Father they love.

Isaiah 54:17          

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

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07 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2943

07 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2943

Always give thanks for everything

We must all learn

how to appropriate the supernatural resources of God by faith

that the Holy Spirit produces the supernatural, spiritual fruit of love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

that the Holy Spirit is ready and eager to lift your load, fill your heart with peace and enable you to demonstrate a thankful attitude, even in times of heartache, sorrow and disappointment

1 Thessalonians 5 : 18

…..give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

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06 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2942

06 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2942

Last ditch effort

Friend, do 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.

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05 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2941

05 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2941

HE orders your steps

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;

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03 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2939

03 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2939

God is timeless

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

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04 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2940

04 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2940

Trust is tough

The tough test of trust comes during the moments when we are most afraid. Trust must be purified through the process of trial and tests. When we are in the company of our Saviour, in peaceful times,  His presence will then be sure and constant when we are most afraid.

Psalm 56 : 3

When I am most afraid, I put my trust in you.

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02 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2938

02 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2938

HE is my attorney

Jesus’ disciples were so convinced of the urgency of passing on to others the message of God's love and forgiveness through Christ that they, and many thousands like them - though they died as martyrs - did not give up their efforts to get the message to us.

When Christ said, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel,' He did not mean only preachers but everyone who believed in Him  Let us publicly acknowledge our love for Christ, and through the enabling of the Holy Spirit we will live  #so that others will want what we have, and we will speak so that they will know what we have.

Matthew 10 : 32-33

If anyone publicly acknowledges Me as his friend, I will openly acknowledge him as My friend before My Father in heaven. But if anyone publicly denies Me, I will openly deny him before My Father in heaven

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01 Sep 2013 Thoughts#2937

01 Sep 2013

Thoughts#2937

Remove that mountain

We all have mountains in our lives from time to time. Just like there are mountains of rock and mountains of ice, our mountains consist of different things – 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"

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