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.
We came across this story, about a man who was slowly losing his memory. After a lengthy examination, the doctor said that a risky operation on his brain might reverse his condition and restore his memory. However, the surgery would be so delicate that a nerve could be severed, causing total blindness.
The surgeon asked, "So, which would you rather have, your sight or your memory?" The man pondered the question for a while and replied, "My sight, because I would rather see where I am going than remember where I have been."
Our enemy is always trying to dig up the past and keep us all bound up in our failures. But be encouraged! Today is a new day! Today and every day we have a choice to make! Like Paul, we must choose to press forward and put aside our past. We must purpose to keep our eyes on the Lord, not on our successes or failures, but upon on what can we do for Him today!
Be free from the shackles of the past! Keep your eyes on the prize!
just wanted to post some inspiring i've received on my phone… =) i wanted to share it for everyone to read.
If you're living for Christ you may lose some friends, but you won't lose their respect. - Daniel 1
The world reqards quick success but God rewards long term faithfulness. Live today as if you will stand before God tomorrow. The Lord is so pleased with your loyalty and commitment to Him! Keep the faith.
God's guidance is like a flashlight in a dungeon…it doesn't shine on all corners at once…but it gives you just enough light for the next step. Keep walking by faith!
No life ever grows great until it is focused… dedicated… disciplined. But no life is ever happy until it is lived for the glory of God.
In your hurts, your fears, your struggles, your temptations, there is no more wonderful promise than this: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
God measures the person with the burdens he puts on him. When you feel that your load is heavier than the rest, be happy for God sees you're stronger than the rest!
When the idea isn't right, God says NO. When the timing isn't right, God says SLOW. When you are not right, God says GROW. And if everything is right, God says GO!
Everything that God allows to come our way is with a purpose.. He uses even the greatest error and the deepest hurt to mold us into a better person…
Sometimes you have to fight for something to make everything all right. You give your best and you give your all yet you still lose. But if you ever get tired, tell Jesus…He'll take the fight and win it for you!
The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity. These are the choice that measure our life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there's never a wrong time to do the right thing.
Whenever you feel down, hopeless, worthless, like you're the greatest loser on earth, just remember… Jesus thought you are worth dying for.
Your life may be the only Bible some people will ever read. Live it well by bringing light to others in the midst of darkness. Enjoy it.
Serving God is a privilege, not a burden if God gives you an assignment. Count yourself blessed that He considers you faithful enough to trust you with it.
Obeying God sometimes seems like the hardest road to take…but in the long run it is the only lifestyle that brings real peace and genuine joy!
The more a diamond is cute, the more it sparkles. So never despise life's fiery trials, for they are God's way of bringing out the brilliance in you!
Life is a road full of twists and turns. Learn to enjoy the ride no matter how bumpy it is, for every twist and every turn, a blessing is always given in return!
It is a shame for a person to have been a Christian for years but not to have advanced beyond the knowledge of his salvation. - Theodore Epp
Falling in love with God is the greatest romance. Searching him is the greatest adventure. Finding him is the greatest achievement. And being with him is the greatest joy of life.
God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself." - Jer 31:3
His love is great. -Joel 2:13
His love will never disappear. - Isaiah 54:10
His love is more than we can ever know. - Eph 3:19
Never walk away from God's ministry… when you see some fault, be patient and realize that it is a trial. You can't be perfect, but you can always be God's true servant.
And Jesus said; "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!" -Matthew 19:26 NKJV
When you are facing something that seems impossible to you, have faith, for nothing is impossible with God on your side!" After all is it not written: For with God nothing will be impossible! (Luke 1:37) For He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
So don't give up when facing what seems impossible to you. For you do believe in miracles don't you? Well, isn't a miracle something that has happened that seemed impossible at the time?
Therefore the next time you find yourself thinking that something is impossible; remember the first verse of this message and: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong, let all that you do be done with love. (1 Cor 16:13-14) After all, God has said: "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?"
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:6 *NKJV
You were once darkness, now you are light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light. For, if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - Ephesians 5:8 & 1 John 1:6-7
Now how do we walk in the light? Well, your little light shines every time you smile at someone, or do a good deed for them. Also when you take the time to help someone in need, or share God's Word with another. When you reach out to someone who is suffering with pain or sorrow. Thus when, through you actions, you show others what being a Christian is all about. Thus: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19)
Now, if you think your little light is a dim one, well perhaps, as I believe, our little lights are magnified in the immense mirror of God's Love. Perhaps His reflectors are our hearts, spreading the flame of kindness to one another. Therefore, why not shine you light on others today? You will not only help them but it will warm your heart as well!
In Closing, just think, "If everyone would light, just one little candle, what a bright World this would be." Amen.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Does it ever happen to you - that something terribly simplistic just suddenly becomes clear? I realized something about us the other day. We humans are such addictive creatures.
We always hear stories of addictions such as gambling, drinking and using illegal drugs — most of which, many of us have either never allowed ourselves to touch or been able to conquer at some point in our lives. But it occurred to me that these are just a few of many things to which we can become addicted.
I mean, think about it. The more we work and the more money and material things we acquire as a result — the more we want to work in order to purchase more of those things. The more television we watch — the more we don’t want to miss that next episode. The more we win at the leisurely games we enjoy, the more we want to play and win more at those games. The more we sleep — the more we want to sleep! The more we complain — the more we want to complain! The more we eat — the more we want to eat! We have even created nightly support group meetings for our addictions to which, if we’re not careful, we can also become addicted! And there are countless other earthly examples we can probably add! It seems that mankind is hopelessly given to the substances and circumstances around us.
So wouldn’t it be great if we could just switch our focus from majoring on our daily grind, to majoring on the things of the Lord? And then, I'm sure we would find that the more we pray and see God answer our prayers — the more we’ll want to pray and see those victories! The more we share our faith and see people come to know the Lord through us — the more we’ll want to share and see others come! The more we read the Word and gain wisdom for our lives and others' lives — the more we’ll want to read the Word and gain that kind of wisdom! The more we serve God and those around us– the more we’ll want to serve them! And there are countless other heavenly examples we can probably add!
Let’s begin doing more of the things of the Lord and watch how they multiply! I have feeling that we just might experience more joy, peace and contentment than we ever have!
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Charles Finney wrote about how God gave him mighty infillings of the Holy Spirit. He said, "[These infillings] went through me, as it seemed, body and soul. I immediately found myself endued with such power from on high that a few words dropped here and there to individuals were the means of their immediate conversion. My words seemed to fasten like barbed arrows in the souls of men. They cut like a sword. They broke the heart like a hammer. Multitudes can attest to this…Sometimes I would find myself in a great measure empty of this power. I would go and visit, and find that I made no saving impression. I would exhort and pray with the same results. I would they set apart a day for private fasting and prayer…after humbling myself and crying out for help, the power would return upon me with all its freshness. This has been the experience of my life."
D.L Moody said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled."
Let's get right with the Lord today. Let's set aside some time to get before Him and empty ourselves of the world's influences and our selfish ways that we might be filled with His power and anointing! There's so much work to be done!
Yet another inspiring devotion.^^
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
We have a Christian friend who constantly talks about her problems. Every single time we talk to her she tells us how bad things are going in her life and how much she is lacking. Interestingly, in all the years we've known her and prayed for her, things have only gotten worse. Though she has come to believe in the God of victory, she is not living a victorious life. How many of us are in this boat?
We have another friend who has experienced many hard things in her life. But ever since this friend gave her life to the Lord some years ago, her attitude has changed completely. She is grateful, so very grateful for God's salvation and goodness toward her. Though she began her walk with the Lord with nothing, she has been excited at what God has in store for her life and has often spoken in great faith for her future. This girl has come so far. We have watched her blossom as God has done amazing things in her life. She is now part of a thriving ministry and the Lord is using her mightily. He has blessed her with a home, a car and finances and she reaches out to many with all that she has. It's beautiful.
It seems clear, yet took us some time to realize that the thoughts we think and the things we say are so much more powerful than we can imagine. They are life or death to our ministry, our relationships, our finances and everything else.
Are you struggling something today? It's time to start looking up! Stop complaining! Start speaking in faith! Watch how the Lord turns things around! There's so much work to be done!!
Just wanna share a devotion which I received in my email a few days ago. =)
INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME, AND COME TO ME. HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE; AND I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH YOU. -ISAIAH 55:3 *NKJV
Now, Today's Message…
The man whispered, "God, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.
But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
The man cried, "God, I need your help!" And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying.
I have found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted…. even in our electronic age. So don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
i came across these interesting articles… they were so inspiring that i decided to post them for everyone to read… ^___^
How Do You Approach School?
Do you arrive in school eager and ready to learn–or tired and absent-minded?
Read article.
The Importance of Exercise
Most people do not realize the importance of exercise. This is evidenced in a host of ways. Are you getting enough of the right kind of exercise?
Read article.
You Could Be An Artist
Do you think you could ever paint a beautiful landscape, sketch a cat or draw someone’s portrait? You will never know unless you try!
Read article.
What Are You Listening To?
Hundreds of musical genres exist. Do you know the good from the bad?
Read article.
Fun! With Standards
Millions of teens trudge through the week looking forward to a weekend full of parties and “fun.” As teens learning God’s Way, you likely understand that their “fun” is to be avoided. But in what kind of fun can you participate?
Read article.
There are tons more articles found in that website… ^___^ hope you enjoy reading them!
i just started reading one of the books i bought from Doulos… it's a really nice book… the title's Faith Like A Child by Johnny Parker… actually i just brought it with me to school since i thought we wouldn't be doing much today, and i got to read up to chapter nine during ES… >_< i stopped reading when i felt like resting my eyes, and eventually fell asleep.
anyway, the book is about learning how to enjoy life and maintaining a relationship with God, by being childlike in spirit. and no, childlike spirit is different from childish spirit. childish spirit is immature, while a childlike spirit promotes trust and strength (that was a direct quote from the book). being childlike means not forgetting how to laugh and how to play… those words reminded me of my life, where it is only occasional that *eherm* adults laugh in a day, while a kid laughs about forty times per day. i've only read nine out of sixty chapters, but in those first few chapters i've already learned a lot of stuff… i'm really looking forward to finishing the book… here's several inspiring verses included in the first chapter of the book…
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven… a time to weep and a time to laugh."
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Proverbs 18:24
"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."
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."
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
