(Mal 3:16 KJV)  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
 
 

Some thoughts from a Saint:

(Submitted by "Carolyn")
 

SUCCESS IN GOD'S EYES

". . . Be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My
servant commanded you . . . then you will have success" (Joshua
1:7, 8).

A helpful perspective of success in the Christian life is seen in
Joshua's experience of leading Israel into the Promised Land. God
said to him: "Be strong and very courageous; be careful to do
according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do
not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may
have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not
depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is
written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and
then you will have success" (Joshua 1:7, 8).

Was Joshua's success dependent on other people or circumstances?
Absolutely not. Success hinged entirely on his obedience. If
Joshua believed what God said and did what God told him to do, he
would succeed. Sounds simple enough, but God immediately put
Joshua to the test by giving him a rather unorthodox battle plan
for conquering Jericho. Marching around the city for seven days,
then blowing a horn, wasn't exactly an approved military tactic
in Joshua's day!

But Joshua's success was conditional on obeying God regardless of
how foolish His plan seemed. As Joshua 6 records, Joshua's
success had nothing to do with the circumstances of the battle
and everything to do with obedience. That should be your pattern
too. Accept God's goal for your life and follow it obediently.

Don't take this truth lightly. You can be successful if you
commit yourself to being what God has called you to be and follow
Him obediently. You can be successful in business and remain in
God's will even when your competition conducts business under the
table and cheats on taxes. You can run for public office and win
with a campaign that doesn't compromise God's will. Remember: You
can be a failure in the eyes of the world and a success in the
eyes of God--and vice versa.

Lord, I want to be a success in Your eyes. Help me to be strong
and courageous in doing Your will.
 
 

Christian Alphabet 

   A lthough things are not perfect 
   B ecause of trial or pain 
   C ontinue in thanksgiving 
   D o not begin to blame. 

   E ven when the times are hard 
   F ierce winds are bound to blow 
   G od is forever able 
   H old on to what you know. 

   I magine life without His love 
   J oy would cease to be 
   K eep thanking 
   H im for all the things 
   L ove imparts to thee. 

   M ove out of "Camp Complaining" 
   N o weapon that is known 
   O n earth can yield the power 
   P raise can do alone. 

   Q uit looking at the future 
   R edeem the time at hand 
   S tart every day with worship 
   T o "thank" is a command. 

   U ntil we see Him coming 
   V ictorious in the sky 
   W e'll run the race with gratitude 
   eX alting God most high. 

   Y es, there will be good times and yes some will be
bad, but Z ion waits in glory, where none are ever
sad! 
 
 
 

Believers in Christ 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you.

  --Matthew 5:11-12

 For most who can read this Internet message, the sentiments
of this verse seem foreign.  But among those who closely study
persecution, believers in Christ are enduring perhaps the
greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. 
For those of us who live in cozy places where belief is
tolerated and Christians are just considered "unhip" or a bit
out of touch, we need to be thankful that our lives make enough
of a distinction from our culture to be noticed, even if it's a
bit unfavorably.  But at the same time, we need to pray for
other believers throughout the world who are undergoing the
wrath of hell for the faith. 
 

MY PRAYER...
   Great Deliverer, we have many who call on your name with
faith in Jesus who face persecution and hardship every day.  I
pray that they will not lose heart and give up their
confidence.  I pray that you will bring deliverance from this
time of persecution.  I pray that their sufferings will be the
source of powerful witness so others will come to see the great
value of Jesus and our allegiance to him.  This I pray in his
precious and holy name.  Amen.
 
 
 

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must
revere.  Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold
fast to him.

  --Deuteronomy 13:4
 

   So many people want us to follow their lead and obey their
voice. But God has proved himself faithful and loving through
the ages.  In his might he is to be revered.  But rather than
seeing reverence as a "church thing,"  we are reminded by Moses
it is a "life thing."  We are to obey and keep his
commandments, and we are to serve him and depend upon him in
our daily lives.  Rather than silence in the assembly,
reverence is action to his glory! 
 

MY PRAYER...
   Holy and Righteous Father, help me take my worship outside
the church building into my day to day life as I try to live
what I sing, practice what I say, and pursue what I pray.  In
Jesus name.  Amen.
 
 
 
 

GOD'S CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS

Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV)

The world's concept of happiness is getting what we want. All
merchandising is based on this idea. To really be happy, we need
a flashier car, a sexier cologne, or any number of items that are
better, faster or easier to use than what we already have. We
watch the commercials, read the ads, and pursue all the latest
fashions, fads and fancy doodads. We buy into the lie that we're
not really happy until we get what we want.

God's concept of happiness is summed up in the simple proverb:
"Happy is the man who wants what he has." As long as you are
focusing on what you don't have, you'll be unhappy. But when you
begin to appreciate what you already have, you'll

begin to experience the joys of life. Paul wrote to Timothy:
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have
food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:6-8
NIV).

Actually, you already have everything you need to live a joyful
life. You have Christ. You have eternal life. You are loved by a
heavenly Father who has promised to supply all your needs. No
wonder the Bible repeatedly commands us to be thankful (1
Thessalonians 5:18). If you really want to be happy, learn to be
thankful for what you have and not covet what you don't have.

Father, today I want to seek first Your kingdom and Your
righteousness, knowing that You will add to my life all that I
need.
 
 
 
 

GOD’S GOAL FOR YOU
 
 

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness,
knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter
1:5-7 NIV).

A good summary of God’s goal for you is found in 2 Peter 1:3-10.
Your primary role is to diligently adopt God’s character
goals--goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance,
godliness, brotherly kindness and love--and apply them to your
life. Focusing on God’s goals will lead to ultimate success:
success in God’s terms. Peter promises that, as these qualities
increase in your life through practice, you will be useful and
fruitful, and you will never stumble. That’s success!

Notice also that there is no mention in this list of talents,
intelligence or gifts which are not equally distributed to all
believers. Your worth isn’t determined by those God-given traits.
Your worth is based on your identity in Christ and your growth in
character, both of which are equally applicable to every
Christian. Those who are not committed to God’s goals for
character will never fulfill their primary purpose for being
here. According to Peter, they have forgotten who they are. They
are out of touch with their true identity and purpose in Christ.

God loves you and will never leave you. You are forgiven by God
and are His child. You have established your identity in Christ
and live today in union with God. You are becoming increasingly
characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. If you really believed
everything that is true about you, would you be successful? Would
you feel good about yourself? Should you feel good about
yourself? Of course! God has not called you to be a failure, so
follow His scriptural formula and be the success He has called
you to be.

Thank You, Lord, that I can do all things today through Your
Son, Jesus, who strengthens me.
 
 
 

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Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will
be wise.  Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the
Lord's purpose that prevails.

  --Proverbs 19:20-21
 

   "Man proposes, heaven disposes."  Most of us rush to give
advice and make grandiose plans.  The wise man reminds us that
wisdom comes from submitting to instruction for a significant
period of time and then, only at the end of long listening,
does it come.  If you are like me, you would do much better to
let your plans ripen a bit more in the light of the Lord before
you launch into them.  I am comforted that James, the wisdom
writer of the New Testament, reminds us that God will give that
wisdom if we seek it and not doubt.
 

MY PRAYER...
   Almighty God, teach me your ways and help me discern your
paths for my life.  I have so many plans and schemes, but I
know if they are not from you, they will not stand.  Lead me to
your wisdom and I pledge to you that I will not only seek to
know it, but also seek to live it.  Through Jesus I pray. 
Amen.
 
 
 
 

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THINGS THAT REMIND US OF GOD

  God is a little like General Electric,
  He lights your path.

God is a little like Bayer Aspirin,
  He works wonders.

  God is a little like Hallmark Cards,
  He cared enough to send the very best.

  God is a little like Tide,
  He gets out the stains that others leave behind.

  God is a little like VO-5 Hairspray,
  He holds in all kinds of weather.

  God is a little like Dial Soap,
  Aren't you glad you know Him?
  Don't you wish everyone did?

  God is a little like Sears,
  He has everything.

  God is a little like Alka Seltzer,
  Oh, what a relief He is!

  God is a little like Scotch Tape,
  You can't see Him but you know He's there!

  God is a little like The Copper Top Battery,
  Nothing can outlast Him.

  God is a little like American Express,
  Don't leave home without him!

  MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!!!
 
 
 

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Unforgiveness

This is a letter that was sent to a lady because her Pastor had told her she did not have to
forgive a certain offense that had been done to her family.

In my study on forgiveness I came across this:
SIX WAYS TO DETECT UNFORGIVENESS
(1). Unforgiveness ALWAYS keeps score. Luke 15:29
(2). Unforgiveness ALWAYS boasts of its own record. Luke 15:29.
(3). Unforgiveness ALWAYS complains. Luke 15:29
(4). Unforgiveness ALWAYS alienates, divides, and separates. Luke 15:30
(5). Unforgiveness ALWAYS accuses and exposes. Luke 15:30.
(6) Unforgiveness is ALWAYS angry and jealous.
 
 

"And forgive us our debts, AS WE FORGIVE our debtors...For if ye forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt.6:12,14-15,KJV).

"And when you stand praying, if you hold ANYTHING against anyone, forgive him, so that your
Father in heaven may forgive you your sins"(Mark 11:25 NIV).

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's
sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32 KJV).

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you" (Col.3:13 NIV).

We will receive God's forgiveness IN EXACTLY THE SAME MANNER THAT WE OFFER FORGIVENESS TO
OTHERS.
I love each of you and I want us to meet in heaven someday. Your eternal life is much too
important to let anyone "tell" you something is alright that the Scripture clearly says is
wrong. The Bible tells us that in the end times some will preach "what the people want to hear"
not what the Word says, beware of anyone that tells you directly something that conflicts with
Scripture.........They may just be trying to satisfy your "itching" ears.
My precious friends in Christ. DON'T SACRIFICE ETERNITY TO SATISFY THE FLESH . Recently as I
was reading a book this was the one thing that stood out the most. We want to do what our flesh
tells us instead of obeying the "spirit man" Lord, it is my prayer that you give us all the
wisdom to listen to your voice and do your will. We all want to hear "well done, good and
faithful servant."
His Servant (and Yours)
 

1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according
to His will, He hears us.
 
 

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WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOD'S PEOPLE?
 

God's will is to heal. His desire is for good to come to us. But
His ultimate purpose is to bring us closer to Him. The Lord
sometimes uses affliction and infirmity as tools to refine His
servants. He seeks to build character in us.

Not all sickness and infirmity is intended by God to produce
character - much of it accomplishes nothing but destruction. At
times, however, God gives Satan permission to touch us (Job is an
example) and He will not bring an immediate solution because He
intends for Christ to produce something deep in our hearts.

God uses infirmity to:

  * Correct disobedience. He does not discipline you simply to
    punish you for wrong behavior, but rather to restore you to
    right behavior. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now
    I keep Your word (Ps. 119:67). God's discipline is always for
    the good. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I
    may learn Your statutes (Ps. 119:71). When affliction
    strikes, it's wise to let your first response be one of
    broken repentance. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any way in
    which your life may be out of order.

  * Produce greater knowledge of Christ. Affliction naturally
    produces desperation. If you allow your desperation to push
    you into Christ, you will come to know Him in a profoundly
    new and intimate way. Even Jesus sought to be closer to the
    Father. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly (Luke
    22:14).

  * Develop greater spiritual maturity. Calamity can become a
    catalyst for accelerated spiritual growth. The vital
    ingredient for turning affliction into maturity is
    perseverance. We also glory in tribulations, knowing that
    tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
    character; and character, hope (Rom. 5:3-4).

  * Remove judgmentalism. God wants you to have empathy and
    compassion for those who are suffering. When you suffer you
    understand in unfathomable ways with other hurting people in
    the world. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

  * Restores real Christianity. Where there is great persecution
    people turn from being merely believers to becoming
    disciples. When you suffer financial, physical, or family
    distress it can rekindle your zeal for the Lord. Jesus said
    to the believers in Laodicea, because you are lukewarm, and
    neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Rev.
    3:16).

  * Reveal His glory. When the disciples asked Jesus why a
    certain man was born blind He responded that the works of God
    should be revealed in Him (John 9:3). Then Jesus proceeded to
    reveal His glory by healing the man.

  * Accomplish His plan. Chances are that some of you reading
    this are experiencing great affliction. If that's you, take
    heart; God will complete the work He is doing in You. Be
    confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good
    work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
    (Phil. 1:6). His purposes shall be accomplished.
 
 
 
 

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TOTALLY ALIVE

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is
decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day (2
Corinthians 4:16).

You are comprised of at least two major parts: your material self
and your immaterial self. The outer man is your physical body,
and the inner man is your soul/spirit which includes the ability
to think, to feel, to choose (mind, emotions and will are often
collectively identified as the soul), and to relate to God
(spirit). Your body is in union with your soul/spirit, and that
makes you physically alive. As a Christian, your soul/spirit is
in union with God as a result of your conversion, and that makes
you spiritually alive.

When God created Adam, he was totally alive--physically and
spiritually. But because of Adam's sin and subsequent spiritual
death, every person who comes into the world is born physically
alive but spiritually dead. Being separated from God, you lacked
the presence and wisdom of God in your life, so you learned to
live independently of God, centering your interests on yourself.
This learned independence from God is characteristic of the flesh
or the old nature.

When you were born again, your soul/spirit was united with God
and you came alive spiritually, as alive as Adam was in the
garden before he sinned. As the epistle of Epheisans repeatedly
declares, you are now in Christ, and Christ is in you. Since
Christ who is in you is eternal, the spiritual life you have
received from Him is eternal. You don't have to wait until you
die to get eternal life; you possess it right now!

Our hope does not lie in the preservation of the outer man. It
lies in the developing nature of the inner man. Our soul is in
union with God and we are being renewed day by day. We will
eventually lose our physical life, but not our spiritual life.
Our emphasis should be on what is eternal, not on what is
temporal.

Lord, I won't lose heart over the setback in my life today
because my hope lies in my eternal union with You.
 
 
 

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Trust in God at all times

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to
him, for God is our refuge.
 

  --Psalms 62:8
 

   It is so hard to share the secrets of our hearts with
anyone.  We want to keep our secret failings, embarrassments,
and sins hidden, fearing others would reject us and we would
shame ourselves.  But hidden sin is only hidden from us, not
from our Father.  Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a
wedge between us and the God who would forgive us and empower
us to triumph over it if only we would pour out our hearts to
him, because he is our refuge.
 
 

MY PRAYER...
   Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess to you
several things on my heart.  Father, I am afraid for others to
know that I have. Holy God, I have sinned and ask your
forgiveness for. Eternal Lord, I get anxious about. You alone
are my refuge and strength.  I trust these confessions with you
and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit
not to fall into these same traps again and again.  In Jesus
name I pray.  Amen.
 
 
 
 
 

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Trust in the Lord 

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.

  --Proverbs 3:5-6
 

   When things are tough, I find it easy to call on God and
lean on his mercy and grace.  He's my ripcord Savior.  But I
must confess, when I'm reveling in his blessings and things are
going well, I am so much like the Israelites and forget to
acknowledge that all the blessings I have and all the
opportunities I have received come because of his grace.  In my
joy and success, I need to learn to acknowledge him!
 

MY PRAYER...
   Gracious Father, every good thing I have in my life has come
because of you.  The family I have been blessed with, the
protection I have received, the values that I hold, the
successes I have enjoyed, the hope I have, the salvation I have
received, and the future I anticipate are all mine because of
your grace and not my goodness.  Thank you!  Thank you! 
Through Jesus I thank you more!  Amen
 
 

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THE CHRISTIAN'S MAGNA CHARTA

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

The Christian's Magna Charta of protection from Satan and his
evil power is Ephesians 6:10-18. The first thing you should see
in this passage about receiving God's protection is that our role
is not passive. God requires us to be active participants in the
spiritual defense that He has provided for us. Notice how often
we are commanded to take an active role (emphasis added):

    Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His
    might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to
    stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle
    is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
    against the powers, against the world forces of this
    darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
    heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God,
    that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having
    done everything, to stand firm (verses 10-13).

You may be wondering, "If my position in Christ is secure and my
protection is found in Him, why do I have to get actively
involved? Can't I just rest in Him and let Him protect me?"
That's like a soldier saying, "Our country is a major military
power. We have the most advanced tanks, planes, missiles and
ships in the world. Why should I bother with wearing a helmet,
standing guard or learning how to shoot a gun? It's much more
comfortable to stay in camp while the tanks and planes fight the
war." When the enemy troops infiltrate, guess who will be one of
the first soldiers to get picked off!

God, our "commanding officer," has provided everything we need to
secure victory over the evil forces of darkness. But He says,
"I've prepared a winning strategy and designed effective weapons.
But if you don't do your part by staying on active duty, you're
likely to become a casualty." You can't expect God to protect you
from demonic influences if you don't take an active part in His
prepared strategy.

Lord, I choose to be strong in You today and actively stand in
the strength of Your might.
 
 
 
 

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A little boy's prayer

A little boy's prayer. "Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy
and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, and please take care
of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."
 
 
 

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(Carolyn is acelady@earthlink.net)