What's Love Got To Do With It?

by Norm Miller
*Video Interview of Norm Miller
Chairman of the Board
Interstate Battery System of America, Inc.
 

How long has it been since you have spent over 2 months with one person? I’m talking day and night, 24-7! Probably not since being with yo’ mama! Well, my wife, Anne, and I…just the two of us…took a once in a lifetime trip in the summer of ‘03. We rented a 36’ motor home in Langley, B.C. (western Canada) near Vancouver and off we went.

We began planning this full summer “get-away trip” the previous fall, and after several considerations, our plan evolved into a 5,006 mile adventure from Vancouver, Canada…back down to glacier national park in Montana…then north to Canada again, through Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper…and on up the Alcan highway into Alaska, through anchorage… out west to the literal end of the road, homer! We then made a u-turn and headed back east and south, down the “Marine highway” on the ferry systems of Alaska and Canada.
It was indeed an adventure for sure, but also quite a challenge. The roads are often mountainous, curving and narrow, with little or no shoulders at all. and the days were packed with so many decisions to agree on, i.e…when to leave, when to stop, what to eat and when, where to park at night, which spot, what view, how private and on and on and on…everyday! yes, it was indeed a challenge! I learned many things from this trip – especially these five:
1. I’m impatient
2. Intolerant
3. Rude
4. Sometimes even mean!
5. And….so is my wife!
Anyway, when we turned the motor home that last morning, Anne and I both shouted with glee, “we made it, we actually made it!!!”
But, that’s not the focus of my story. What I want to express is a wonderful by-product of the trip.
You see, long before the trip, I began visualizing what each day would be like, and I saw a relaxed casual approach to everything. Thinking along those lines, I decided my mornings would be mine, no rush, no pressure. I love long quiet times alone when i wake and draw near to god through devotionals, Bible reading and just thinking and praying. this is a special time for me.
With all that in mind, I decided I would read the New Testament again, slowly and thoroughly, reviewing the footnotes, reading the corresponding verses, i.e. --- a slow, relaxed absorption of it all by adding this study to my usual morning times with the Lord. How wonderful, I thought. I’ll have plenty of time, no rush, just slow and easy. I can’t wait!
Fast forward now to only 2 weeks left on our journey and I was only in the last part of Matthew. Can you believe it?! I had not even completed the first book of the New Testament.
It’s difficult to explain how this happened, but in reality, I just had not done it. With the long days (sunsets at midnight), I stayed up later. Then the early dawns at 4:00 a.m. or so, made for fitful sleep, plus some medication contributed, as well as a casual, procrastinating, relaxed approach to time in general. Looking back over those first six weeks of all that, plus outright laziness, I just didn’t get it done.
I was pretty bummed about it, kind of depressed, knowing it was too late to complete my plan, reach my goal - accomplish what I determined to be “wonderful”. I had blown it!
For some reason as I sat there, I began thinking about, what is the one most important thing god desires of and for me? I thought of the time where some lawyers asked Jesus, “what is the most important commandment?” He answered, “You are to love your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and likened unto that – love your neighbor as yourself.”
I thought of the fact that love is a verb, the action word in the most important commandment from God Himself. It seemed then that love must be the most important verb (action) in the bible. Nope, I said, “it must be the verb in Genesis 1:1.” ‘in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth’. created is the first verb and the most important – yes God’s first action – created.
He created us to love him, then others. Well, I pretty well had known all this – not thinking about verbs and all that. I felt I was a pretty good “lover”, in general, as per the command. I’m thankful and grateful. I pray regularly for his kingdom - I pray for folks. I try to be obedient, be responsible/spirit led, a good giver, I help others, try to evangelize, introduce others to the Lord, draw near to God every day, asking for an ever-increasing love for him and others. I gotta’ be a good “lover”, right?
But my thoughts continued on thinking that if love is my most important action response to God, then what specifically is love? I mused over some scriptures as they came to mind; scripture says God is love….love covers a multitude of sins…without love as our motivation, all other actions are empty, worthless, like a bell with no “clangor”…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…they’ll know you by your love. Now understand, I was just thinking, not making an exhaustive search through the Bible or going to a concordance, etc….just sequence thinking things out.
In my memory, next came the “love chapter” – 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, kind, not rude, etc….I have read it, and heard it, at almost every wedding scores of times, but I couldn’t recall all of it, so I turned to it in my bible and read: “Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous, does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, is not rude, does not seek its own, i.e. not self-seeking, is not easily angered or provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, is not resentful, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; is long suffering, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never quits, fails or ends.
I stopped right there and I was prompted to think of this as a “behavior scale” to see how I was doing. Oh, I’m fine, I thought. I have known this for years, I mused, until I re-read….love is patient, love is kind, does not act unbecomingly (those three were far enough and more). I had failed all three of them in the last 24 hours!
My 67 days, 24-7 with Anne had partly been a difficult adjustment to which my response was impatience, intolerance, rudeness, anger and arrogance among others! Slowly I realized that in my every day life, I had also committed these same sins, but interspersed among them were many times of “doing good” also, which diminished their significance (to me).
Confined in the motor home, one on one, day after day, god showed me clearly my true, unloving behavior. There was no getting away from it. Then I experienced even greater shock because this was the first time I realized that this behavior convicted me of failing in my love for God.
I had never equated my behavior toward others as lack of love for God. I think my past approach was that “I’m human;” I’m not perfect, I’ll try, then confess when I fail, he forgives me (1 John 1:9), which is true; however, this does not fulfill his intentions for me.
Now, understand that I have always known that this behavior is sin, i just had not thought of it as the sin of me not loving god as per the commandment, “if you love me, you’ll keep my commandments”. At any rate, I was convicted right then.
Jesus said, “They’ll know you by your love.” Love that is patient, kind, not rude, self-serving, not envious (jealous), not a braggart, not arrogant, that is not easily provoked, not resentful and all the others – 1 Corinthians 13.
The scripture that teaches, “be doers of the word, not just hearers” came to my mind and that the “love God and love others command” is the most important of all, and it is specifically spelled out in 1 Corinthians 13. It is the very foundation of the faith, i.e. first things first. Again, Jesus said, “If you love me you’ll keep my commandments.” Keep this one and we’re a long way along on keeping them all! I felt like God then said to me, “Norm, love is the New Testament”!
Right then I made a bookmark and wrote down these “love specifics” from 1 Corinthians 13. Since then, I’ve tried to begin my morning prayers by going down the list, rethinking the past 24 hours and confessing my failures to him, one by one (if I hadn’t already confessed them when they happened). In order on it and I began my morning prayers by going down the list, rethinking the past 24 hours and confessing my failures to him, one by one (if I hadn’t already confessed them when they happened).
After that, I start with patience again and go through the list asking god to give me the patience of Christ, the kindness of Christ, not to be selfish or jealous, or resentful or rude, on and on, after which reminding him that he said he would give me anything I asked for that is in his will!
You know what? He’s doing it! I’m loving more and better! I’m happier, slower to anger, less intense, more friendly, i.e. more patient and kind! Less rude, on and on!
I’ll close with this question. Can you quote me the scripture, 1st Timothy 1:5?
“The goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith!”

Let this be our prayer for one another!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to know Christ like Norm knows him?
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you prayed today and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and take control, we would love to hear from you.

Source : http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/stories/nm_love.htm

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Depression Story - There is hope! You are worth it!

I remember not so long ago sitting on my couch unable to form any words with my mouth. My husband asked me questions and I could only muster up enough strength to look back at him with a look of "why don't you just kill me now?" I couldn't speak. I was so emotionally exhausted and mentally burnt out from suffering from depression. I could not sleep and would get up in the middle of the night to stare out the window in darkness. I was completely lost in depression.
I was 25 years old and I had suffered a traumatic work related experience that left me in emotional shock and disbelief. I went through anti depressant drugs which didn’t work for me and only made things worse. In fact, they brought on thoughts of suicide instead.
My world had crumbled due to the recent loss of my job thanks to the betrayal of mentors whom I had admired and sought for advice. Problem was their advice got me in hot water. Perhaps I wasn't strong enough to make my own decision and listen to the warning bells going off in my own head. Now I was devastated.
The ones I admired and trusted had abandoned me. My life was now in pieces and my career as the department's head stripped away from me thanks to another’s selfish ambition. I forever played the events over and over in my mind and I grew in anger, bitterness and depression.
Their words and actions cut threw me because I had put those leaders on such a high pedestal and when they let me down, I was deflated and incorrectly thought God was unhappy with me. I put those leaders in the place of God and so I thought surely God did not love me to allow such a thing to happen to me.
My family managed to get me outside to walk and get exercise. My father in law and I were walking alongside each other and we looked down and saw coffee cups littered on the ground. He asked me if I thought it was the fault of the coffee shop that their litter was on the ground. I looked at him strangely. Then he reminded me that even though God-fearing people had betrayed me, I should not attach them to God.
Amidst all of this, my husband and I were also expecting our first child. It was hard to feel any joy over the event at the time of my pregnancy. But, I now realize it was God’s perfect timing. My depression was so horrible that I would easily have committed suicide but for some reason could not bring myself to harm an unborn child. It was the child within me that kept me alive.
I tore myself up inside, attacking myself for trusting the wrong people as my leaders, I remember one early morning around 3am not being able to sleep with all the anger, bitterness and depression. I got up and yelled at God through my window looking outside as the rain poured down. The tears flowed alongside the rain. I got my Bible out and started reading in the Psalms where David is crying out wanting an answer from God as to why his enemies surrounded him. A familiar cry came from within my own heart, “Where are you God!?”
On that early morning and through the tears, I looked up and I saw a vision of God opening His arms out to me and I heard a voice say, “Trust me”. I then remembered Proverbs 3:5-6 which reads,

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.” (The Message)

Then my mind went to the story of Joseph in the Old Testament who was betrayed by his brothers and thrown into a pit and sold as a slave. Later, his master’s wife accused him of doing wrong to her and he was thrown in jail. I could definitely relate. I read the entire story again of how God was still with Joseph and God used the evil that was done to him for good. God somehow took Joseph from slavery and into the position of governor of the land of Egypt under Pharaoh to save the people from famine. Joseph’s despair later enabled him to bring hope to many.
When my son was later born, I gave him the middle name of Joseph, for my son was my hope child and a constant reminder that God could use the evil that was done to me and turn it into good. I hung on to that hope that perhaps my hardship could one day prevent other people’s hardship just like Joseph did.
My doctor at the time, offered little help other than drugs. Well-meaning people made comments like “you’ll get through this” but that did not provide hope. I soon realized that if I was going to get out of depression, then I had to take the steering wheel and do something about it myself. I couldn’t leave it to time or only to my doctor to help me. I couldn’t blame others for my state of mind. So, I set out determined to find an answer and the answer I found was different than what I heard on the commercials for anti-depressants (no kidding). I started to research medical journals on my own and discovered what truly cures depression.
That seems like ages ago...
However, it was only a few months later that I was able to find joy again. I came out of my pit and these days I look out of my window excited about life. When my husband talks to me, I am excited to answer! My passion is for life. My joy is found in living and in helping others find joy out of depression!
This is where God began to turn the evil into good…
After having coffee with a friend and months after my recovery, she asked me,

"Wow, you’ve come a long way! What exactly do you think helped you get out of depression?”

She had been a loyal friend giving me strength throughout my journey back to joy and had been there through it all. I shared with her the discovery I made of 6 major ingredients that the medical journals reveal to cure depression better than any antidepressant.  They are all ingredients that can easily be implemented. There are some specific guidelines that originate with general lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, supplements, sleeping routines, social cirles and your self-talk (how you talk to yourself).  The website below explains them.
The more we talked, the more we realized that many of our friends and family members were going through the same thing and needed to hear my depression story and what helped me. Perhaps my story could help people around the world!
So, I started out doing research on using the internet for sharing my story. I had no formal training in this whatsoever but that didn’t stop me. I went to work. Soon I was interacting with thousands of people in over 80 countries. I absolutely loved the emails I started to receive from people sharing how their lives became changed after reading my own story and my research on my website.
One woman had been on antidepressant drugs for over twenty years but became depression-free and drug-free after going through my compiled story and research.
Another woman wrote…

“I just want to thank you. These tips have really changed my life in less than a month. I honestly believe that God has brought this website over my path for recovery. The work you done is wonderful and a true inspiration. If I think where I was a few weeks back, I can't believe I am out of that hole. God will bless you for this wonderful work you are doing. You have inspired me so. Thanks again.”

The act of putting my website together to help others has only helped me further in my moving beyond depression. I am more aware of what to look out for in my life and I am having great joy helping others!
I've even found it in my heart to forgive what was done to me. It's the only way to survive. Do I still feel angry? Sure, from time to time. But, I have learned that anger gets me nowhere. I am now stronger because of what I had to go through; and perhaps smarter. No longer do I put others in the place of God either. That role is only for God. He is the creator of the universe and only He is perfect – no person; only God. The best thing is, not only is God all powerful, He is also personal and wants to know me. Psalm 139 reads,

“God… I'm an open book to you;
      even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother's womb.
   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body” (excerpted from The Message)

Once you fall into a pit of depression, it can be very hard to get out. But, it is possible and you need to be shown the way like a guide with a flash light through a very dark tunnel. I had friends, family and my hours of research to guide me. If my research and personal experience could help you along your own journey, you are welcome to read about it at: www.cure-your-depression.com
There is hope! You are worth it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you, like Merri Ellen have been deeply hurt and betrayed and are living with anger, depression and bitterness, there is hope for you too.  We encourage you to open yourself up to God, and allow Him to love you, heal you and give you joy.
Here is a prayer you can pray for the first step.

Dear Father, I need You. I am so hurt and bitter and depressed. Please come into my life and forgive my sins and heal me.  Fill me with your love.  Enable me to forgive those who have hurt me—just as Jesus forgave those who beat and crucified Him. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Source : http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/stories/giesbrecht_m.html

The Gift of Forgiveness

by John William Smith

The Christmas of 1949 we didn’t have a tree.
My dad had as much pride as anybody, I suppose, so he wouldn’t just say that we couldn’t afford one.
When I mentioned it, my mother said that we weren’t going to have one this year, that we couldn’t afford one, and even if we could – it was stupid to clutter up your house with a dead tree.
I wanted a tree badly though, and I thought – in my naïve way – that if we had one, everybody would feel better.
Taking Matters into my Own Hands
About three days before Christmas, I was out collecting for my paper route.
It was fairly late – long after dark – it was snowing and very cold.
I went to the apartment building to try to catch a customer who hadn’t paid me for nearly two months – she owed me seven dollars.
 Much to my surprise, she was home.
She invited me in and not only did she pay me, she gave me a dollar tip!
It was a windfall for me – I now had eight whole dollars.
What happened next was totally unplanned.
On the way home, I walked past a Christmas tree lot and the idea hit me.
The selection wasn’t very good because it was so close to the holiday, but there was this one real nice tree.
It had been a very expensive tree and no one had bought it; now it was so close to Christmas that the man was afraid no one would.
He wanted ten dollars for it, but when I – in my gullible innocence – told him I only had eight, he said he might sell it for that.
I really didn’t want to spend the whole eight dollars on the tree, but it was so pretty that I finally agreed.
I dragged it all the way home – about a mile, I think – and I tried hard not to damage it or break off any limbs.
The snow helped to cushion it, and it was still in pretty good shape when I got home.
You can’t imagine how proud and excited I was.
I propped it up against the railing on our front porch and went in.
My heart was bursting as I announced that I had a surprise.
I got Mom and Dad to come to the front door and then I switched on the porch light.
Surprise!!
"Where did you get that tree?" my mother exclaimed.
But it wasn’t the kind of exclamation that indicates pleasure.
"I bought it up on Main Street. Isn’t it just the most perfect tree you ever saw?" I said, trying to maintain my enthusiasm.
"Where did you get the money?" Her tone was accusing and it began to dawn on me that this wasn’t going to turn out as I had planned.
"From my paper route." I explained about the customer who had paid me.
"And you spent the whole eight dollars on this tree?" she exclaimed.
She went into a tirade about how stupid it was to spend my money on a dumb tree that would be thrown out and burned in a few days.
She told me how irresponsible I was and how I was just like my dad with all those foolish, romantic, noble notions about fairy tales and happy endings and that it was about time I grew up and learned some sense about the realities of life and how to take care of money and spend it on things that were needed and not on silly things.
She said that I was going to end up in the poorhouse because I believe in stupid things like Christmas trees, things that didn’t amount to anything.
I Just Stood There
My mother had never talked to me like that before and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
I felt awful and I began to cry.
Finally, she reached out and snapped off the porch light.
"Leave it there," she said. "Leave that tree there till it rots, so every time we see it, we’ll all be reminded of how stupid the men in this family are."
Then she stormed up the stairs to her bedroom and we didn’t see her until the next day.
Dad and I brought the tree in and we made a stand for it.
He got out the box of ornaments and we decorated it as best as we could; but men aren’t too good at things like that, and besides, it wasn’t the same without mom.
There were a few presents under it by Christmas day – although I can’t remember a single one of them – but Mom wouldn’t have anything to do with it.
It was the worst Christmas I ever had.
Fast Forward to Today
Judi and I married in August of 1963, and dad died on October 10 of that year. Over the next eight years, we lived in many places. Mom sort of divided up the year – either living with my sister Jary or with us.
In 1971 we were living in Wichita, Kansas – Lincoln was about seven, Brendan was three and Kristen was a baby. Mom was staying with us during the holidays. On Christmas Eve I stayed up very late. I was totally alone with my thoughts, alternating between joy and melancholy, and I got to thinking about my paper route, that tree, what my mother had said to me and how Dad had tried to make things better.
I heard a noise in the kitchen and discovered that it was mom. She couldn’t sleep either and had gotten up to make herself a cup of hot tea – which was her remedy for just about everything. As she waited for the water to boil, she walked into the living room and discovered me there. She saw my open Bible and asked me what I was reading. When I told her, she asked if I would read it to her and I did.
The Truth Comes Out
When the kettle began to whistle, she went and made her tea. She came back, and we started to visit. I told her how happy I was that she was with us for Christmas and how I wished that Dad could have lived to see his grandchildren and to enjoy this time because he always loved Christmas so. It got very quiet for a moment and then she said, "Do you remember that time on Twelve Mile Road when you bought that tree with your paper route money?"
"Yes," I said, "I’ve just been thinking about it you know."
She hesitated for a long moment, as though she were on the verge of something that was bottled up so deeply inside her soul that it might take surgery to get it out. Finally, great tears started down her face and she cried, "Oh, son, please forgive me."
"That time and that Christmas have been a burden on my heart for twenty-five years. I wish your dad were here so I could tell him how sorry I am for what I said. Your dad was a good man and it hurts me to know that he went to his grave without ever hearing me say that I was sorry for that night. Nothing will ever make what I said right, but you need to know that your dad never did have any money sense (which was all too true).
We were fighting all the time - though not in front of you - we were two months behind in our house payments, we had no money for groceries, your dad was talking about going back to Arkansas and that tree was the last straw. I took it all out on you. It doesn’t make what I did right, but I hoped that someday, when you were older, you would understand. I’ve wanted to say something for ever so long and I’m so glad it’s finally out."
Well, we both cried a little and held each other and I forgave her – it wasn’t hard, you know.
Then we talked for a long time, and I did understand; I saw what I had never seen and the bitterness and sadness that had gathered up in me for all those years gradually washed away.
It was marvelously simple.
The great gifts of this season – or any season – can’t be put under the tree; you can’t wear them or eat them or drive them or play with them. We spend so much time on the lesser gifts – toys, sweaters, jewelry, the mint, anise and dill of Christmas – and so little on the great gifts – understanding, grace, peace and forgiveness. It’s no wonder that the holiday leaves us empty, because when it’s over, the only reminders we have are the dirty dishes and the January bills.
The Great Gift
The great gifts are like the one gift – the gift that began it all back there in Bethlehem of Judea. You can’t buy them, and they’re not on anybody’s shopping list. They come as He came – quietly, freely, unexpectedly – and if you’re not careful, you’ll miss them entirely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you have unforgiveness in your life that is making life miserable for you?  Why not let Jesus show you how to forgive those who have hurt you? If you don’t know Jesus, we encourage you to pray the following prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person you want me to be. Amen.

Saying this prayer is the first step towards a personal relationship with Jesus, who will guide and encourage you every step of the way.

Source : http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/christmas/js_giftof.htm

God’s Powerful Message to Hurting Women- I Can Heal You

The number one question that people ask of God is why He allows suffering to come to them. This question has caused more than one pause for minister and layperson alike.
As a woman, it can seem like your suffering has gone unnoticed. After all, women are the keepers of the earth and home. You look after your families much like the woman mentioned in Proverbs 31. You don’t clothe them with scarlet but you do pray for them and that covers them with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with your own pain and hurt, there seems to be no one there for you. Maybe your heart is broken over a divorce. It could be that someone has brutalized you physically or mentally. You have learned to hide your pain and go on for the sake of the kids or for your livelihood. After all, the bills don’t stop coming because we are hurt.
Even at church on Sunday, you greet others with a smile that hides deep suffering inside. But how far can that really get you? Some women feel that there is strength in pain. The truth is that there is strength but not  that way.
When the hurt is that great, even your soul aches. In this life, it seems quite unfair that the deeds of the guilty can go unpunished. The only way that you see to stay in the “game of life” is to deny your pain and thus, a big part of yourself.
God wants you to know right now that  just will not do. Did you know that His heart is broken when your heart is broken? If Jesus wept for Lazarus in his death, he is surely weeping at the feet of the Almighty for your life. John 3:16 tells us that God loved every human being so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to be a living sacrifice for us once and for all time. Does that sound like a God who doesn’t want your hurt to be healed?
God stands ready at the door of your heart to come in and change your life. There is one thing that you need to know: God is not like any man, woman or child that you have ever met. Even the most loving person in your life will let you down. It may not be their intention but it is human nature. God is not a man. He will never lie to you or make a promise to you that He doesn’t intend to keep. It’s time for you to hear God’s message of healing for your life.
Read the following verses:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
-Lamentations 3:22-23

God desires to sustain you with His love. It is an everlasting love that no man or woman can understand. You have to accept it on faith. Remember the faith you had as a child? That same childlike faith is what God works through to heal your heart, mind and soul.
This is not just a promise for the believer but the non-believer as well. It is human nature to hold onto pain and try to rationalize how you feel about it. God says to cast the burden of that hurt on Him. Pray right now, wherever you are for God to heal every part of you from the pain that you are experiencing. Let Him be your strength.
Additional Scriptures:

To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
-Isaiah 61:3

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
-Isaiah 40:31

Source : http://christianinspirational.org/god%E2%80%99s-powerfulmessage-to-hurting-women-i-can-heal-you/

A Guide to Better Life

On September 18, 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an Internet sensation viewed by millions, an international media story, and a best-selling book "The Last Lecture" that has been published in 35 languages. To this day, people everywhere continue to talk about Randy, share his message and put his life lessons into action in their own lives.

In a letter to his wife Jai and his children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe, he wrote this beautiful "guide to a better life" for his wife and children to follow. May you be blessed by his insight.

POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Personality: 
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community: 
15. Call your family often
16. Each day give something good to others
17. Forgive everyone for everything
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day
20. What other people think of you is none of your business
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life: 
22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything
24. Do the right things
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
27. The best is yet to come
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
29. When you're awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with, people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.

Not only will it enrich YOUR life but also that of those around you.

source : http://www.livepositiveway.com/

Every moment is a reason for you to celebrate

You fall. You lose. You fail. During these times, you struggle between holding on and letting go of your faith. You either blame God, or yourself. You become depressed, pathetic, and pessimistic. You have to know, beloved, that these are the times when God holds you the tightest. These are the times when He is closest to you.
Remember the cross. Jesus did not give his life for you to suffer, or hurt, or lose. You are destined to win.
Then why did you have to go through that? It’s because it’s part of your growth. God is either teaching you something important. God might have a bigger plan in His mind. Eitherway, it’s not the end of the road. It’s not the end of EVERYTHING for you. God wants you to know that your story goes on, and it’s bound to be more beautiful.
His ways are not your ways. His thoughts are not your thoughts. Every moment is a reason for you to celebrate because you know that your God is faithful, and He has the final say. You have a future— a bright one, indeed— and He will get you through. You just have to be patient. You just have to have faith in Him.

Source: godsradicaldaughter

Does God Exist?

One Of The Best Arguments.!! I have ever read


Don’t miss even a single word…. It’s Too good


An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new students to stand and…..


Prof: So you believe in God?


Student: Absolutely, sir.


Prof: Is God good?


Student: Sure.


Prof: Is God all-powerful?


Student: Yes..


Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn’t. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)


Prof: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fella. Is God good?


Student: Yes.


Prof: Is Satan good?


Student: No.


Prof: Where does Satan come from?


Student: From….God…


Prof: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?


Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything. Correct?


Student: Yes.


Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)


Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?


Student: Yes, sir.


Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)


Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son…Have you ever seen God?


Student: No, sir.


Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?


Student: No, sir.


Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?


Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.


Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?


Student: Yes.


Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist.
What do you say to that, son?


Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.


Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.


Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?


Prof: Yes.


Student: And is there such a thing as cold?


Prof: Yes.


Student: No sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture the after becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)


Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat..
But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it .
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)


Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?


Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?


Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light…..But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?


Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?


Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.


Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?


Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought.. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is
not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?


Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.


Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)


Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)


Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)


Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)


Prof: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.


Student: That is it sir… The link between man & god is FAITH . That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation…and if so…you’ll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same…won’t you?….this is a true story, and the


student was none other than …….
APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India

source : http://www.livepositiveway.com 

Risky Gratitude

Risky Gratitude 

Every day, thousands of young girls pretend that Barbie dolls and Disney princesses meet the man of their dreams, marry, and of course, live happily ever after. If only we were made of plastic, perhaps our realities would mesh with the fantasies we had so many decades ago. But let's be honest. The curtain doesn't come down when we say, "I do." In fact, it is just the beginning of a new chapter — a chapter that can be both challenging and rewarding. So how can our flesh-bound bodies find true happiness and satisfaction in marriage? I once knew someone who complained relentlessly about her husband's dirty socks on the floor. I knew it affected Brittney* greatly and I tried to be sympathetic to her complaint. However, I couldn't help but secretly be jealous of her since I discovered a year earlier that my husband was having several affairs. I longed to have a spouse who loved me with a sincere, faith-filled devotion, regardless of where he threw his socks at the end of the day.

Living out this principle in our relationships is risky!

 

Now that I'm remarried, I better relate to Brittney. Although I've never gotten upset at Allen over his socks, other things that are just as trivial have sent me into a tailspin. Last week, I snapped after I made it clear that I needed time for myself. Despite my warning, Allen followed me around the house trying to get some attention. I lashed out at him, coming to the conclusion that he didn't care enough about me to respect me or my boundaries. I watched as my words caused Allen's face to twist with confusion, sorrow and grief. Here was my man, just wanting to spend time with me, and yet I grew angry. The apostle Paul commands us to think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ... anything ... excellent or praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8). I was mad at Allen because I didn't follow this advice. Instead of thinking about the truth — that he sacrificially loves me — I convinced myself that he didn't care about this introvert's need to rejuvenate through solitude. I stopped remembering how noble he was in marrying me, a broken, fragile woman. I forgot how admirable it is that Allen's love freed me to love again. As my mind veered far away from the Spirit-inspired words of Paul, I lost sight of the sheer gratitude I normally have for my husband.
Living out Paul's principle of focus upon admirable things in our relationships is risky. It means that rather than jumping to conclusions or demanding our rights, we first frame our hurts and disappointments with the other person's best characteristics: the things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Then, and only then, should we give voice to our complaints. But, don't be surprised if you realize that in light of all your husband's great attributes, his socks aren't so stinky after all.

---

* Not her real name. 

by Stacy Voss : http://www.heartlight.org/articles/201005/20100518_riskygratitude.html

Why are they good examples of leaders?

Bible Verses About Faith

Below are several Bible verses about faith.  Feel free to add your favorite in the comment box.

FAITH DEFINED:
^“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1-2
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED:
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.”  Psalm 138:7
“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.”  James 1:3
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8
“In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength in my inner self.”  Psalm 138:3
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psalm 147:5

FAITH PROMISES
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.” Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him.”  Lamentations 3:25
“The Lord upholds all those (of His own) who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14
“Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
ACTIONS OF FAITH
“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habbakuk 2:4
“The Lord is my portion, says my living being; therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” Lamentations 3:24
“When Jesus heard [it], He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Matthew 8:10
“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”  Matthew 8:26
“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Matthew 9:2
“But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.” Matthew 9:22
“Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9:29
“And immediately Jesus stretched out [His] hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Matthew 14:31

“Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great [is] your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”  Matthew 15:28
“But Jesus, being aware of [it], said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Matthew 16:8
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.” Matthew 21:21
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:5
“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34
“Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” Mark 10:52
“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Luke 7:9
“Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50

RESULTS OF FAITH:
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”  Hebrews 11:7
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Hebrews 11:11-12
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11:17-19
“By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” Hebrews 11:23
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” Hebrews 11:24-28
“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30

My great source : http://devotionalchristian.com/bible-verses-about-faith/

Bible Verses about Self-Control

 I read and i love this article from http://devotionalchristian.com, so i copy this, i hope can bless other people who really need this verse...for me i really hard to take my self control so this article mean so much for me... feel free to comment and thank you so much

Self-control: “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.” Below are verses which relate to self-control. Some of these are examples and comparisons. Others are information and directives. The verses are by no means exhaustive. Please feel free to offer additional passages that speak to you regarding self-control in the comment box below.

In comparison, self-control:
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32

Our responsibility to be self-controlled:
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6
“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 23:20-21
^“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:5-8
” But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” 1 Corinthians 7:9
“that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,” 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Self-control is evidence of faith and the Holy Spirit in our lives:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. . . 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:19-20, 26-27

Passages of consequence with a lack of self-control:
Eve and Adam eat forbidden fruit–disobeys God. (See Genesis 3:17-19)
Cain kills Abel–does not control his envy and jealousy. (See Genesis 4)
Esau trades birthright for porridge–does not control his hunger. (See Genesis 25:29-34)
Lot’s wife turns into pillar of salt–does not control longings. (See Genesis 19:15-26)
Abraham has child with servant-girl, Hagar, rather than waiting upon God’s promise with Sarah. Ishmael and Hagar is sent away and wars continue to this day as a result. (See Genesis 16:2)
Moses kills an Egyptian–doesn’t exercise forbearance and restraint. Seeks to exact justice that was not his to render. (See Exodus 2:14)
Moses strikes the rock–doesn’t control impatience. (See Numbers 20:1-12)
David’s adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband–doesn’t control his sexual appetites, or his desire to go to any length to give into them. (See 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Chp.14)
Peter’s impulsive blow to soldier’s ear when Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. (See Luke 22:49-51)
Bearing false witness–Ananias and Sapphira. (See Acts 5:1-11)

Examples of self-control:
Joseph ran from Pharoah’s wife–didn’t succumb to her wiles. (See Genesis 39)
David not killing Saul when he had opportunity. (See 1 Samuel Chapters 24 and 26)
Jesus when He resisted temptations in wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11)
Jesus waiting three days, and not going to Lazarus before he died. Emotion did not dictate His actions. (See John 11)
Jesus’ sinlessness. (Hebrews 4:15)

Compiled by © Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Source : http://devotionalchristian.com/self-control-bible-verses/

10 Bible Verses about Strength

10 Inspirational Bible Verses about Strength

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Habakkuk 3:19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  (13)  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

1Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen

Source : http://devotionalchristian.com/10-bible-verses-about-strength/

Bible Verse That Says God Is Love

Bible Verse That Says God Is Love

1 John 4:7-8 ESV Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (8) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Jesus Commanded Love

John 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:12-14 ESV “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (13) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. (14) You are my friends if you do what I command you.
1 John 3:23-24 ESV And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. (24) Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Matthew 22:36-40 ESV “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” (37) And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (38) This is the great and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

1 John 4:16-19 ESV So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (17) By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (19) We love because he first loved us.

We Love Because He First Loved Us

1 John 4:19-21 ESV We love because he first loved us. (20) If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (21) And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Bible Description Of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant (5) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; (6) it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (7) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Without Love All Is Nothing

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 ESV Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
Colossians 3:14 ESV And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
Hebrews 13:1 ESV Let brotherly love continue.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Romans 12:9-10 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV Let all that you do be done in love.
Ephesians 5:25 ESV Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Leviticus 19:34 ESV You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Matthew 5:43-44 ESV “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Galatians 5:13-14 ESV For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (3) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Romans 13:8 ESV Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
1 John 3:10-11 ESV By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (11) For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

i copy this from incredible source : http://devotionalchristian.com/bible-verses-about-love/

Is Your Life Balanced?

Is Your Life Balanced?

The top three goals of humans seem to be Wealth –Health – Purpose.

Let me address each of these because they actually all interrelate. If you have wealth, and tons of it, but your health is deteriorating, what good is your wealth? If you have great health, good looks, and your weight and teeth are perfect, what good is it if you have no purpose? If you have purpose and are blessed with good health, what can you accomplish with no money?

I speak from experience here. I have been a multi-millionaire and bankrupt. God has blessed me with fair looks and good health – even at my tender young age of 67! I also have a purpose in life, so I get to experience all three so far. I want to say, though, that once you get all three of your life goals together, you must continue to work at keeping them

Let me start with purpose first, because without purpose, there is no point of having wealth or health. Where does purpose come from? If all that your life is about is eat, sleep, work – and you do this every day, then your life has no purpose whatsoever.

Now, let me begin with some good news! Every person on the face of the planet has equality concerning the time that the Good Lord gives us. The rich man or woman has exactly 168 hours a week to eat, sleep, work and accomplish purpose. The poor beggar on the street has exactly 168 hours a week to eat, sleep, and accomplish purpose. Because they typically don’t work, their purpose may simply be to figure out where their next meal will come from – or where they are going to sleep tonight.

Purpose comes from one of two sources: Internal or external. Some sense early in life – internally - what they want to become, or they have a particular gift (like music or art), so they figure out what their purpose is, and they act upon it for the rest of their life.

Purpose comes from without. This sense of purpose can come from a person’s awareness of their surroundings. Maybe they come from broken homes, or from alcoholic parents. They develop a purpose from their surroundings, and that purpose can be used for good – or evil, depending on the influences they had as a child usually.

The other sense of purpose that works from the external and internally is God-given, and here is how I know that to be true: Solomon, the wisest man ever to live, said this in Proverbs 10:6 (The MESSAGE Version): “Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” So, you see, blessings (including wealth, good health and purpose) are given by God. The recipient must choose to be “good”, or “evil”. If the choice – as a result of one’s childhood surroundings – is to do evil, then the mouth of that wicked one will be abuse, and we all know how this may manifest itself.

I want to work from the angle of God-given external purpose, which then becomes internalized once we understand what God’s intent, purpose and plan is for our life.

Mine is clear. I write books. That is my passion. That is my God-given talent. I also sell real estate for a primary source of income. I’m a landlord, and I have other means of supporting myself, but using the God-given talents or gifts that He gives us is key to discovering our purpose for being on the planet in the first place.

Identify your talent. If you do not have one, ask God to show you what He has given you, or what He intends to give you should you seek out His purpose for your life.

I found out what God’s will is…His plan and purpose. From that, I gathered what His plan and purpose for me is. You can do it to by seeking Him out, and asking Him for direction and purpose.

Sometimes, I refer to the Bible as the source of discovery about life. Now, I'm reminded of the young man who was asked, "Which books- aside from the Bible, helped you the most? He said, "My mom's cookbook and my father's checkbook!"

I have studied the Bible from the age of eleven, and I get certain things – like when Jesus was walking upon the earth, and He said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” - John 6:40.

God’s will, therefore, is that every soul on the planet who looks to His Son – and believes in Him, will reap the benefit of spending eternity in heaven. That’s a pretty good goal. For God to accomplish that goal, He uses people….anyone who is willing to be used for the purpose of telling as many souls as possible about God’s Son.

If that is God’s primary will, and it is because Jesus said so, then it stands to reason that God’s plan and purpose for us must surround that primary goal of His.

Therefore, I came to the conclusion that God’s plan and purpose for me and for you is to first seek out His Son.

Once we believe in Jesus, we get to ask God to reveal His plan and purpose for our life.

By believing, God means that we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, that He came to this planet for one purpose, and that was to become the one-time sacrifice for our nasty sins….and He would exchange our sins for His righteousness. To believe on God’s Son is to believe that Jesus did die on a horrific cross of crucifixion, and that He was raised from the tomb in which He laid for three days…as witnessed by over 515 people, including eleven of His apostles. To believe on God’s Son also means that we choose to believe that He took upon Himself all of our sins, and only He can forgive those sins. To believe on God’s Son also takes an act of asking Him to save us from our sins, and from the punishment for those sins – which would be to spend eternity in a place of torment called hell.

Once we accept His Son as our Savior, we are then promised two things: Heaven for eternity, and we also are given the gift of having the Holy Spirit of God dwell within us, and He is here to lead, guide and direct our paths to accomplish God’s will on the earth.

Knowing that, we then get to ask God to help us to accomplish His will. To do that, it may require that we have wealth, health and purpose combined.

Once our purpose is defined (usually by the gifts that God chooses to give us to accomplish His primary will), we can then ask Him to take care of our daily needs…like food, clothing and shelter, and then we can ask Him to give us the extra resources of wealth to go out and get the job done.

Only God gives us the power to get wealth….and to be healthy. Deuteronomy 8:18 reads this way: “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”

So, now that you know where wealth comes from, and you decide to use your abundance of it (beyond your daily bread needs), what are we supposed to do with it to further God’s primary will?

We find that in Isaiah, God is very upset with His people. We play at church, and we play at life. We have no true purpose because we don’t ask God to divulge His plan and purpose for our life. Listen to what God tells us – through His prophet Isaiah:

"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.“ Isaiah 1:14-17 – The MESSAGE.

Pretty harsh, wouldn’t you say?

God’s primary will is that we use His gifts, including health and wealth – to tell others about His Son, and secondarily, to “Do good unto others….to work for justice (not social justice, but equal, righteous justice), and to help the down-and-out (poor) and to take care of the homeless, the orphans, the widows, and to go to bat for those who cannot defend themselves.”

That’s a pretty good calling. With that as our purpose, it’s easy to now understand why Jesus gave two commandments, and these two would take care of all of the previous Laws of Moses – Ten Commandments.

The two new commandments from Jesus are: “Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, and love your fellow man as well as you love yourself.” - Mark 12:30.

To do good, we must try not to do evil.

3 John:11 puts it this way: “Friend, don't go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God's work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn't know the first thing about God.”

Jesus gave every one who believes on Him a plan and a purpose. He spelled it out in Matthew 28:19-20 –“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." - The Message.

The AMPLIFIED Version of the Bible sums it all up. Love for God and our fellow man, and wanting to accomplish God’s will for them…which is to win them to Christ and give them the gift of heaven, is our plan and purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:1 –“ I want you to eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make love your aim, your great quest; and earnestly desire and cultivate the gifts that God has given you - especially that you may interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching”.

Do you truly want to have the purpose and plan that God has designated for you to accomplish? If that is the case, then it would be fitting for you to ask God to help you to accomplish His will, His plan and His purpose for your life.

Remind Him that He said He would give you all the resources and gifts necessary to accomplish that purpose.

To do God’s plan and purpose is to reach that state of absolute peace and harmony with God. He wants us to have a close relationship with Him. He wants us to know Him intimately, and what better way to do it all than to do His plan and purpose for your life?


Source : http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=128084

What Makes Some Of Us Rich?

What Makes Some Of Us Rich?

Text-Matthew 20

A Story About Workers

Verse 1-2 "God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. 3-5"Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went. 5-6"He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o'clock. At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?' 7"They said, 'Because no one hired us.' "He told them to go to work in his vineyard. 8"When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.' 9-12"Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.' 13-15"He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'

16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

The parable (earthly story with a heavenly meaning) of Matthew 20 has multiple things to garner from it.

The first realization is in the last verse.

Moses, Abraham, King David…all came before you and I were born - yet, when we die, our spirit gets to go to heaven immediately. Those who were here before Jesus died on the cross – have been waiting in a placed called “Abraham’s Bosom” since their death. They are waiting for the great rapture of the saints. So, we were last, but we taste heaven first – until the great day of the rapture. At that moment, the last (the “dead in Christ”) shall be raised first…and those of us who remain shall then be caught up last. That is the dual meaning of Matthew 20:16.

Now, I want to get to a more practical application of Matthew 20, and that is found within the confines of the griping and complaining spoken of in verses 9-15.

The “estate manager” in this parable is, of course, Jesus. Jesus is saying to them (and now us), “Listen, and let me make you aware of some things you are not seeing clearly. First, you all agreed to work for me for a dollar, so I am honoring my commitment to pay that dollar. Those who came in and started working at 5PM get the same reward as those who toiled all day in the fields….yet some of you complain about that. What you are missing, in heavenly terms, is the fact that all who work in my vineyard, on my behalf, are going to receive the same reward regardless of whether they have served me for fifty years, ninety years…or one day, and that reward is heaven itself. Do you think the reward is unfair?”

The other wonderful things that the workers who murmured missed out on was that they complained about fellow workers….not unlike Christians do today in God’s vineyard.

We say, “I am teaching Sunday school, and that other guy isn’t. Shouldn’t I get more credit….more recognition…more blessings?"

What Jesus wanted them to understand (and now us) is that they should never complain about how long someone works for Him – or about what their “gifts” are. Instead, they should be rejoicing over the fact that those who worked the longest have been blessed longer – knowing they are serving the almighty Himself. They should be asking themselves, “Oh, that I could have been working the Master’s Plan for longer than a day, a week, a year, or five years.”

This story is not finished, because Jesus would like us to know that we should always be content in whatever state we find ourselves – as long as we are working in His vineyard.

Paul, the apostle, sums it up like this: “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 all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13.

Now, we learn more from God’s Owner’s Manual – The Bible. Here in Phillipians, God wants us to know that, whatever gifts He gives you (or me) are different, but they are all used so that we might do the jobs necessary to win souls into the kingdom (working in the vineyard of earth).

He allowed Paul to be rich – and allowed him to be in poverty. Paul learned, through trials and times of testing, to trust Christ who “allowed him to do all things, and gave him strength, gifts, tools, resources, to do the job.” When Paul was filthy rich, he was content. When he was dirt poor – he was content.

This author has been a multi-millionaire – and a bankrupt, yet I have learned (through a trip through God’s Boot Camp – described in greater detail in two of my books …Satan’s Games and You Can Take It With You), that I can be content – even happy…when God gives me fortunes – or when He decides to give me just enough to meet my “Daily Bread Needs”. Being content is learned…it isn’t a gift.

When we learn to be content, we discard jealousies – as described in Matthew 20, and we develop a sense of contentment that is then elevated to the word satisfaction. We become satisfied knowing that whatever God gives us for gifts, tools, resources (finances) are to be used to first take care of our daily bread needs (food, clothing and shelter) – which becomes contentment, and then those resources are to be used to further God's plan and purpose for our lives. We then become satisfied with God’s plan for our life, which is to give…and not to receive.

How many of us can truly say, "We are happy? Satisfied? Content? Unfortunately, many are never satisfied. The media conditions us to "want more". It's Satan's game to detract us from what brings true contentment, happiness, peace and joy, and that is found when we are working God's plan and purpose for our life.

Our gifts, tools and finances are to be used to further the work of Christ, which is to do the “Will of the Father”. And what is that will? Jesus spelled it out quite clearly in John 6:40, when He said, “ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

So, this message all ties together with an attempt on my part to have you develop an "attitude change".

It has been said that we Christians need to develop an “attitude of gratitude”, and I agree…only, I would add that we need to have an attitude of contentment - and gratitude that, no matter when we came into the household of God, we all share the same reward. We all receive the gift of eternal life in heaven, and all that heaven offers, and we should be happy - not jealous, for all who receive that reward with us. Heaven - that wonderful gift of God, is spoken of - and a first-clas tour of it is hosted by me in my book, Heaven-How Do I Get There?.

We also get to pile up treasures on the other side. And, we do it by working the vineyards of the Master on this side.

Someone once said that the graveyard is a sad place….and it is for those who have gone on to a place called Hades…and who await their fate at that Great White Throne of Judgment, but it is equally sad for those who died – never knowing what God’s plan and purpose for their life was.

I almost went that route. In 2007, however, I asked God to show me what His plan and purpose for my life is. Part of that is to share, in writing, many things. Parts of those life-lessons are written here in these articles. They are intended to encourage and to help Christians become better workers in the vineyard of life.

God has a plan and purpose for your life, too. Ask Him what it is…. but, be prepared to go through His “Boot Camp”. It won’t be fun, but you will not trade the end results for all the gold in the earth, believe me!

What makes us rich? It is seeking God’s plan and purpose for our life – then working that plan, and becoming content.

Use the tools, gifts, and resources that God gives (or will give) you, and it will lead toward satisfaction. Don’t look around at others and become envious of what their gifts are. Instead, remember that the master of lies – the great deceiver….the one who wants to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10), wants to pull you away from doing God's plan and purpose for your life, but Jesus came to let you have life on this planet…an abundant, content, satisfied life - doing and working His plan.

Your reward is the same as it is for all who serve….eternal life in a place where there is no sorrow, no pain, no illness…and where you will meet loved ones who have gone on before you.

Satan wants to rob you of that blessing of working out God’s plan and purpose for your life. Jesus wants you to enjoy life to the fullest. Which will you choose?

John Tyler, Author

Be sure to visit with us if you are a “rookie author” and need help. Some of the gifts God has given this author includie helping others to share experiences, write articles and books, and to encourage others. That website is www.RookieAuthors.com

Also, if you don’t have a daily devotional, head over to www.ChristianDailyBread.com, and take a look at all the “stuff” there that should help you in your daily walk with Christ.

good source for me and blessing me with their articles : http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=127767