KEEP MOVING.......
Deuteronomy 2:3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
A college class was graduating on a hot and humid day. As the graduants walked across the platform and received their diplomas from the president of the college, he smiled, shook their hands and said loudly, “Congratulations!” Then, in a much lower voice, one that was firm and could be heard only by the graduates, he would say, “keep moving.”
He was only trying to keep the line moving across the stage, but his words were good advice for a lifetime: “keep moving.” After every achievement growing up, graduation, marriage, job promotion, even retirement the best advice is “keep moving. Don’t stop. Don’t stagnate..”
There is more to life than you have found thus far. This is not the end: it is only the beginning. “keep moving.”
When we approach life with this attitude, we look forward to the future and what God has in store for us.
Monday, November 19, 2012
AT THE BASE OF AN OLD OAK TREE.
AT THE BASE OF AN OLD OAK TREE.
Luke 18:13 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(KJV)
A long time ago, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods.
As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family who had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there.. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
'Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive.'
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
'Have you ever told a lie?' He asked?
The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?'
The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more.
'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked?
And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?'
The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.'
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Luke 18:13 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(KJV)
A long time ago, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods.
As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family who had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there.. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
'Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive.'
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
'Have you ever told a lie?' He asked?
The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?'
The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more.
'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked?
And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?'
The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.'
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
JUST CHECKING IN ….
JUST CHECKING IN ….
Psalms 103:-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw that the man hadn't shaved in awhile. His shirt was kind of’ shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, bowed his head, then arose and walked away.
In the days that followed each noon time came this chap and each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister’s suspicions grew, and robbery was his main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him, “What are’ doing’ here?”
The old man worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunch time was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. “I stay only moments, see, ’cause the factory is so far away; As I kneel here talking’ to the Lord, this is kind of’ what I say: “I Just Came Again to Tell You, Lord, How Happy I’ve Been, since We Found Each Other’s Friendship and You Took Away My Sin. I Don’t Know Much of How to Pray, but I Think about You Every day. So, Jesus, this Is Jim Checking’ In.”
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said “Thanks.” He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he’d never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim’s prayer:
“I Just Came Again to Tell You, Lord, How Happy I’ve Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship and You Took Away My Sin. I Don’t Know Much of How to Pray, but I Think about You Every day. So, Jesus, this Is Me Checking’ In.”
It was past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn’t come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry. He went to the factory and asked about Jim and found out he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he’d given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, his reward. The head nurse couldn’t understand why Jim was so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; “The nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, that all the while everyday at noon He’s here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: “I Just Came Again to Tell You, Jim, How Happy I Have Been, since We Found this Friendship, and I Took Away Your Sin. I Always Love to Hear You Pray, I Think about You Each Day, and So Jim, this Is Jesus checking’ In.”
Psalms 103:-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw that the man hadn't shaved in awhile. His shirt was kind of’ shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, bowed his head, then arose and walked away.
In the days that followed each noon time came this chap and each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister’s suspicions grew, and robbery was his main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him, “What are’ doing’ here?”
The old man worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunch time was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. “I stay only moments, see, ’cause the factory is so far away; As I kneel here talking’ to the Lord, this is kind of’ what I say: “I Just Came Again to Tell You, Lord, How Happy I’ve Been, since We Found Each Other’s Friendship and You Took Away My Sin. I Don’t Know Much of How to Pray, but I Think about You Every day. So, Jesus, this Is Jim Checking’ In.”
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said “Thanks.” He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he’d never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim’s prayer:
“I Just Came Again to Tell You, Lord, How Happy I’ve Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship and You Took Away My Sin. I Don’t Know Much of How to Pray, but I Think about You Every day. So, Jesus, this Is Me Checking’ In.”
It was past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn’t come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry. He went to the factory and asked about Jim and found out he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he’d given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, his reward. The head nurse couldn’t understand why Jim was so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; “The nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, that all the while everyday at noon He’s here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: “I Just Came Again to Tell You, Jim, How Happy I Have Been, since We Found this Friendship, and I Took Away Your Sin. I Always Love to Hear You Pray, I Think about You Each Day, and So Jim, this Is Jesus checking’ In.”
ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY KNOCKED OUT
ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY KNOCKED OUT
Psalms 107:26-31 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
As my wife and I were working inside, we heard something hit the window. Looking out and seeing nothing, we stepped outside and there on the front porch was the still body of a woodpecker — a beautiful yellow-bellied sapsucker.
He had flown into the window, and, we presumed, broken his neck. My wife picked him up for a moment and stroked the red cap on his head and laid him back down.
Just then, I saw an eye blink. I was holding a utility cloth in my hand, and I picked him up and covered him, all but his head. His heart was racing wildly, and I felt just a twitch of his foot. I realized that this now helpless creature, if only knocked out, could revive at any moment and give me quite a pecking.
Instinctive caution urged me to leave the bird there and hope he would come around, and that was my plan, that is, until I saw the neighbor’s big black cat approaching in his most stealthy stalking mode.
I took the bird inside and found a box with a lid — if he revived and got loose in the house he probably would kill himself trying to get out.
I placed the bird-in-the- box in a quiet place and went about my work. About half an hour later, I walked close enough to the box to detect any activity, but there was none. Then my wife came in and spoke to me. Suddenly, there was scratching and a flurry inside the box that made me fear the lid would not remain closed.
We took the box outside, and carefully began to open the lid. As it opened an inch or so, the bird burst out and flew vigorously away to resume his place in God’s grand scheme of things.
As I saw that cat approaching earlier, I remembered 1 Peter 5:8 – - “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour”
That little bird, in his natural healthy state, would never fall prey to the cat, but he was knocked out.
My thoughts went back 25 years to a time in my life when I was spiritually “knocked out, and got to my wit end” I was dead in my sin and as helpless to ward off the attacks of the enemy of my soul as that little bird lying on my porch.
Then a wonderful, loving Savior reached down and picked me up. He sheltered me and let me know I was loved and protected — I only needed to trust Him. He didn’t put me in a box, but he gave me strength and the desire to “vigorously fly away” spiritually to take my place in His wonderful design for my life in His kingdom.
Don’t wait to be knocked down before you come to yourself. Your case may be different from the prodigal son who came back alive.
Psalms 107:26-31 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
As my wife and I were working inside, we heard something hit the window. Looking out and seeing nothing, we stepped outside and there on the front porch was the still body of a woodpecker — a beautiful yellow-bellied sapsucker.
He had flown into the window, and, we presumed, broken his neck. My wife picked him up for a moment and stroked the red cap on his head and laid him back down.
Just then, I saw an eye blink. I was holding a utility cloth in my hand, and I picked him up and covered him, all but his head. His heart was racing wildly, and I felt just a twitch of his foot. I realized that this now helpless creature, if only knocked out, could revive at any moment and give me quite a pecking.
Instinctive caution urged me to leave the bird there and hope he would come around, and that was my plan, that is, until I saw the neighbor’s big black cat approaching in his most stealthy stalking mode.
I took the bird inside and found a box with a lid — if he revived and got loose in the house he probably would kill himself trying to get out.
I placed the bird-in-the- box in a quiet place and went about my work. About half an hour later, I walked close enough to the box to detect any activity, but there was none. Then my wife came in and spoke to me. Suddenly, there was scratching and a flurry inside the box that made me fear the lid would not remain closed.
We took the box outside, and carefully began to open the lid. As it opened an inch or so, the bird burst out and flew vigorously away to resume his place in God’s grand scheme of things.
As I saw that cat approaching earlier, I remembered 1 Peter 5:8 – - “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour”
That little bird, in his natural healthy state, would never fall prey to the cat, but he was knocked out.
My thoughts went back 25 years to a time in my life when I was spiritually “knocked out, and got to my wit end” I was dead in my sin and as helpless to ward off the attacks of the enemy of my soul as that little bird lying on my porch.
Then a wonderful, loving Savior reached down and picked me up. He sheltered me and let me know I was loved and protected — I only needed to trust Him. He didn’t put me in a box, but he gave me strength and the desire to “vigorously fly away” spiritually to take my place in His wonderful design for my life in His kingdom.
Don’t wait to be knocked down before you come to yourself. Your case may be different from the prodigal son who came back alive.
Monday, November 5, 2012
ARE GROWING UP IN THE LORD OR YOU ARE GROWING OLD?
ARE GROWING UP IN THE LORD OR YOU ARE GROWING OLD?
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
So you want to be a "Spirit-Filled" Christian, eh?
Wanna be an encouragement to others?
Be the spiritual leader in your family?
You see, most Christians will say "yes" to all questions above.
All Christians have that desires of hearing God's voice and his leading.
All Christians would like to see themselves being an encouragement to others.
All Christians would like to have a deeper relationship with God.
TRUTH: I hate to say this, but some Christians will not reach the spiritual level that they desire.
Why?
Simply stated, some Christians aren't willing to do the hard work and discipline necessary to become a "Spirit-Filled" follower of Christ.
If you're not willing to carry your own cross then don't expect to grow in faith.
Spiritual growth requires constant appraisal of oneself, are you overcoming those things that overcame you in the past , are able to fast and pray for hours more than before, do you now have self control, can now abstain from some things, are able to worship God for hours nonstop etc.
If you really want to move to a higher level in your spiritual life, know God intimately and discover your life's purpose...now is the time.
Go and start reading, and meditating God's Word.
No more excuses. No more laziness. No more procrastination.
Dr. E. Stanley Jones once said...
"I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety.
In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air.
A John Hopkins University doctor says, 'We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact.'
But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; we are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality."
Worry is focusing on your problems and issues in life.
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
So you want to be a "Spirit-Filled" Christian, eh?
Wanna be an encouragement to others?
Be the spiritual leader in your family?
You see, most Christians will say "yes" to all questions above.
All Christians have that desires of hearing God's voice and his leading.
All Christians would like to see themselves being an encouragement to others.
All Christians would like to have a deeper relationship with God.
TRUTH: I hate to say this, but some Christians will not reach the spiritual level that they desire.
Why?
Simply stated, some Christians aren't willing to do the hard work and discipline necessary to become a "Spirit-Filled" follower of Christ.
If you're not willing to carry your own cross then don't expect to grow in faith.
Spiritual growth requires constant appraisal of oneself, are you overcoming those things that overcame you in the past , are able to fast and pray for hours more than before, do you now have self control, can now abstain from some things, are able to worship God for hours nonstop etc.
If you really want to move to a higher level in your spiritual life, know God intimately and discover your life's purpose...now is the time.
Go and start reading, and meditating God's Word.
No more excuses. No more laziness. No more procrastination.
Dr. E. Stanley Jones once said...
"I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety.
In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air.
A John Hopkins University doctor says, 'We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact.'
But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; we are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality."
Worry is focusing on your problems and issues in life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
