Gifts

Each year at Christmas we think about what to give others. We think about the
people– their likes and dislikes then we set out to purchase the gifts we want them to have. Most of the time those gifts are tangible, they are gifts that a person can touch, smell or taste.

But have you ever thought about giving something that will last long into the years? Something that the recipient will remember and hold in their heart?

Why not consider the gifts listed below? These are gifts Jesus gave to us freely yet we hesitate to pass them on…

To your enemy: forgiveness.
To an opponent: tolerance.
To a friend: your heart.
To a customer: service.
To all: charity.
To every child: a good example.
To yourself: respect.


Have a Merry Christmas !

Praying to a King

Sometimes when I pray I feel like I have to start all over because my prayer sounds so superficial. When I get this way it really bothers me. I mean think about; I am bowing down and praying to a King. And He is not something or someone you can mold into being what you want Him to be.
HE IS GOD! He is the maker of heaven and earth, He is KING who sits on the Throne of Heaven.He is MIGHTY and fights for us, He is FATHER who loves us. WE ARE NOTHING compared to Him. When I pray I am praying to someone who knows me. He knows what I do and say, how I act, and how I treat other people. HE KNOWS ME– and HE KNOWS YOU TOO–

Realizing this brings peace, and prayer time then becomes praise and honor and thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Seeking Him

As I sit at my desk I can’t help but feel that I have been asleep for the past few months. I kept looking at the calendar as weeks approached thinking, “oh, there’s plenty of time to get things started” before the holidays. Now I find myself scrambling just to finish this thought and then on to the next thing. I know that God doesn’t want me to be this way, His word says to trust Him in all things, His word says not to worry and His word also tells me that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. But most importantly I need to sit down with my loving Father and seek His Kingdom first. What does that mean? It means getting rid of all the things that keep me from Him.It means turning off the TV, the computer and putting down the newspaper. It means spending time with Him and allowing Him to be in control, then and only then will you find peace in your heart.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach put aside your agenda and allow God to lead. Spend your quality time with Him.

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34




Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Slave or Servant

I was reading a passage in Galatians the other day and Paul was speaking to them about who they were and what they believed they were. As I was thinking on this it occurred to me that there are numerous passages in the bible that speak of being a slave and being a servant and a lot of those passages speak of being a slave and servant together. I always thought that they were one in the same, but I found out they aren’t.

A Slave Has To,
A Servant Gets To
A Slave Does The Minimum Requirement,
A Servant Does the Maximum
A Slave Goes One Mile,
A Servant Goes Two
A Slave Feels Robbed, is Bound and Fights for His Rights
A Servant Gives, is Free and Lays Down His Rights

So which are you? Slave or a Servant?




Matthew 20:28 (Message Bible)
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."


Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

The Storm Around Us

Some of Friday’s Through the Bible plan reading was in Mark chapter 4. It’s the scripture in which Jesus calms the seas. (verses 35-41).
As I read this, something came to mind that I thought I would share.

It starts in the evening and Jesus says to the disciples, “let’s go over to the other side”. Jesus was already in a boat, so they left the seashore and took Him along. Jesus being tired fell asleep.
While He was sleeping a furious squall came up that left the disciples fearful. The disciples go to Jesus and wake him saying, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”

Now I’m not sure what happened on that boat, but what came to me was that the disciples didn’t know Jesus would calm the storm, they went to Him afraid. Maybe they thought He would help them in a different way or maybe they just needed to hear His voice to calm them, I don’t know. But Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quite! Be still.”

Jesus calms the storms in our lives but why are we so afraid each time one hits us?
Are we afraid He will be sleeping, or afraid He won’t show up or afraid we won’t hear His voice, or afraid He won’t hear our prayers?
Jesus asked the disciples this question, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

I think that is a question we should ask ourselves the next time a storm comes our way.





35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown? 39He got up,rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Mark 4:35-41

Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Gifts and Purpose

When a person tries to be someone they aren't, it’s like trying to force a
square peg into a round hole. Not only does it require a bigger hammer, it’s also a waste of time,energy and talent. That’s why when my husband sees a hammer in my hand he starts to worry.You see, he knows that carpentry is not my gift, but it is his. That’s why I leave the carpentry up to him. If I didn’t then my time and energy are wasted and I end up feeling frustrated and worthless. However, when I work through my own gifting,God works through me to accomplish His own purpose.
God deserves our best and I believe He expects us to make the most of what
He’s given us, instead of worrying about what we don't have, or wanting
what others do have.God has given us a purpose and I believe we need to get involved before we know what our purpose and the gifts He’s given us are.

6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is
prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving,
let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8



Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Numbers Again and Desperation

Since we are recycling last weeks message I would like to expand my thoughts on what was written in this section last week.

Referring to Acts: 2:41(NLT)  41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all..

The reason I repeat the findings from last week is to bring your attention to something else. Desperation.
I’m not sure how many came to know Christ during the apostle’s ministry but resources say there are 2.1 billion Christians in the world today. (I think this number also includes the many different beliefs there are in the world who profess they are Christian but believe something totally different).
To continue; during my research on this subject I also found that it is estimated there are 100 million Christians in China compared to only 5,000 in 1960 and that tens of thousands of people in South Korea fill the churches regularly. One being the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, where 800,000 members attend. These numbers are being added to daily.

Matthew 28: 17-20 (The Message)
 16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though,held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "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."


To quote Pastor Frank, “Are you desperate?”

Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

It's Not about Numbers

As the church administrator I worry a lot as most of you can attest to that statement. I worry about everything including our church’s growth pattern. It’s silly really to worry about something God has in the palm of His hand, I tell myself everyday: “Let it go it’s not mine to hang on to God’s got it covered.” This is what God opened my eyes to this week concerning my worries.

Jesus started his ministry with 12 people. It grew to thousands and thousands that followed him.(Remember the 5000 he fed with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread) But just before his crucifixion some of His followers left and after the crucifixion it dropped to roughly 500 people, then when you read in Acts 1:15 there were only 120 left in the upper room.
But what happened when those 120 were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Peter began to speak boldly about Jesus and before the end of the day 3,000 were added to their number.

To quote Pastor Rick Nakaoga, “when Jesus is present miracles happen.”

Boy did that open my eyes. It’s not about the numbers it’s about the power of Jesus in us.

It’s about us allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through us as He did in Peter.

Acts 2: 16-18 and 21
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
 17 'In the last days, God says,
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
      your young men will see visions,
      your old men will dream dreams.
 18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
      and they will prophesy….

  21 And everyone who calls
      on the name of the Lord will be saved

Sharing Devotions

I received the following through a friend this week and thought of Pastor Sione Tilini’s message from last week. And just like my friend who sent it to me I too think it is worth sharing.

Whenever opposition arises, God’s grace thrives in us. Think about what happens to a tree when a great storm beats violently against it. The wind threatens to uproot the tree and carry it away. It breaks off branches and blows away its leaves. It loosens its roots and blows off its buds. And when the storm is over, things look hopeless.Yet, look closer; the same storm that opened crevices in the earth around the trunk of the tree has helped the roots go deeper. The tree now has access to new, deeper sources of nutrition and water. And it has been purged of all its dead branches. The buds may be gone,but others will grow back more fully. I tell you, that tree is now stronger, growing in unseen ways. And just wait till harvest—because it’s going to bear much fruit!Maybe you’re in a storm right now. The wind is blowing hard, shaking you violently, and you think you’re going down. Beloved, don’t panic! You’ve got to know that in the midst of the tempest, you are putting down deep spiritual roots. God is developing in you a deepening humility, a greater mourning and sorrow for sin, a heightened hunger for his righteousness.God is making you a seasoned soldier of the cross—battle-scarred, but battle-smart and courageous. You may get down on yourself at times—but the Lord never does.
The fact is, he could have acted sovereignly at any time to pluck you out of your struggle.But he didn’t—because he saw it producing in you a greater thirst for him!


Romans 5:3 (NLT) says, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

In 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) we read, For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

You can find this devotion and others online at http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/9880

Re-Evaluating

I have had a rough week examining myself. I have been re-evaluating Who I am in Christ and also being reminded that I am His Temple and that He dwells in me. Well by the end of the week my conclusion was this; I didn’t like what I saw. Mind you, I understand that I am His daughter-but I had to ask myself what kind of daughter was I being? The next thing I had to ask myself (and this one was really hard) what was I doing to His temple– the place He lived? Am I taking care of it and being mindful of what goes into it? That means what I hear and see and eat and again the question arose what kind of daughter am I being?

I was reminded of the two men who went into the temple to pray. The passage is as follows:

Luke 18:10-14 (MSG)
10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. 11 The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man.12 I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' 13 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner." 14 Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face,but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

It wasn’t that I was praying like the Pharisee but God revealed to me that who I thought I was, wasn’t the truth, and when he opened my eyes to the truth I humbled myself before Him and just like the tax collector cried out to God for forgiveness.

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Friends In Our Lives

A couple of months ago a very good friend of mine had sent me an email and said she wanted to
encourage me and asked that I read Psalm 103. Believe it or not I had just read it when I got her email. God puts people in our lives to help and encourage us. I pray that I can be that person to you. If you get a chance read all of Psalm 103– but for now here are verses 1-19.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s

6The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly
7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children

18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

Isn’t God Wonderful?

A Song to Live By

So all week long I have had the song “Filled with Glory” ringing in my
head and I’ve been going around singing it all day long I wake up with it in
my head and go to sleep with it in my head. It just won’t leave me alone.
Since it won’t go away I have decided to see where this thought goes.

1Corinthians 10:31 says this; So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.

What I understand this scripture to say is, that all we have and all we do should
glorify God. As you go about your week, ask yourself:
Will He be glorified in me if I do what I’m doing?

As we join as one
As we live to let your kingdom come
Father through our lives
We want to see you glorified.



Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

A Reminder

The other day I read an article written by Greg Laurie-
In the article he talked about God using us to reach people and he gave examples of people in the bible who God used. I think of his article as a reminder that God can use me. He has a purpose for me and a plan already laid out. It's up to me to search Him and ask for His guidance in the PLAN.

If you get a chance drop by www.harvest.org and check out Greg Laurie's article it's entitled:
People Reaching People

After you read it I hope you come to the same conclusion as me-

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Misunderstandings

I really and truly hate to be misunderstood. Misunderstandings I believe, are a tool of Satan. Think about it: being misunderstood causes a lot of heartache and grief to the person who was misunderstood and to the person taking what was said and misunderstanding it. When this happens I think Satan sits backs and laughs at all the possible ways it can be used.
Our feelings get hurt, we get angry and think, “how could they do this to me?”, or we become bitter and never talk to the person again. So you see, Satan has taken it and destroyed not only a relationship but he has also succeeded at doing what he set out to do and that is to devour you, a child of God.

1Peter 5:8 says this: 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

By being alert we can fight and when misunderstanding happen, and they will happen, we can be ready.

Phil. 2:3-4 says,
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

And…

James 3: 13-18
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.


Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Back Home

We made it back from the mainland and are trying to settle back into our daily routines.
There were a few places I went where I continually prayed that the Lord would cover my heart. I’ll tell you about that another time.

I have a confession to make...Last year when I returned from my trip to the mainland I was ready to sell our house and move. My husband Mike wasn’t but I was. But as I traveled here and there visiting family and friends this year God opened my eyes to a lot of stuff. The main important one being that my desires and His desires are totally different, and my wants aren’t always what's best for me.

My outtake on moving have changed drastically. I know that God has me planted in Waikoloa and at this church for a reason. I know that He has a plan for me here at this season of my life. He’s got it already mapped out– I just need to get out of the way and say, “okay Lord, lead the way and I’ll follow”.


8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Doxology

24To him who is able to keep you from falling
and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy—
25to the only God our Savior be glory,
majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 (NIV)

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

The Pledge of Allegiance

My heart cries for our Country and the things that have been lost. This Memorial Day let us remember not only the people who have fought for our freedom but also for the freedom we stand to lose if we aren't careful.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag, of the United States of America,and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible,With Liberty and Justice for all.

I Pledge Allegiance I Promise to be faithful and true (Promise my loyalty)
to the flag to the emblem that stands for and represents
of the United States all 50 states, each of them individual, and individually represented on
the flag
of America yet formed into a UNION of one Nation.
and to the Republic And I also pledge my loyalty to the Government that is itself a Republic, a form of government where the PEOPLE are sovereign,
for which it stands, this government also being represented by the Flag to which I promise
loyalty.
one Nation under God, These 50 individual states are united as a single Republic under the
Divine providence of God, "our most powerful resource"
(according to the words of President Eisenhower)
Indivisible, and can not be separated. (This part of the original version of the pledge was written just 50 years after the beginning of the Civil War and demonstrates the unity sought in the years after that divisive period in our history)
with Liberty The people of this Nation being afforded the freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and happiness",
and Justice And each person entitled to be treated justly, fairly, and according to proper law and principle,
for All. And these principles afforded to EVERY AMERICAN, regardless of race, religion, color, creed, or any other criteria. Just as the flag represents 50 individual states that can not be divided or separated, this Nation represents millions of people who can not be separated or divided.

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Have a wonderful week and a safe Memorial Day : o )

Is Jesus In The Shadows Of Your Life?

Sometimes in our busyness we get so preoccupied that we move Jesus from the forefront into the shadows. And once we do that things seem to fall apart. I came across something the other day that brought all of this into prospective, it’s written by Don Lessin from The Abba Cry.

Jesus is the way. He is not only the Way to God, but he is the way into all that God has for us. He is the way into our devotions, to our Bible reading, to our prayer life, to our ministry, and to all that we do for Him. In reality we do not do our work for him, but He does His work through us. With Jesus in the center of our being, we are no longer victims of our expectations, circumstances, and things we can’t control. We discover that it’s okay if people don’t meet our expectations, because Jesus is our expectation. Schedules may be good, but they don’t produce life within us because Jesus is our life.

Amen!


Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

The Rescue

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Matthew 14:22-32 (NIV)

When we read the above scripture we often focus on the fact that Jesus walked on water and calmed the sea but forget that He sent them into the storm to start with. He knew what they were about to face and He knew He would rescue them. Sometimes we are so focused on the storm around us that we forget Jesus is with us. He is saying, “Come” as He reaches out His hand to us. He’s there to rescue us and to calm the storm.

For Moms

I came across the following poem and thought how true is this! I know there have been times in my life that I have put housework ahead of my children and I now look back and ask myself why. If you are reading this and you are a mom-Happy Mother's Day! And may God guide you in all your ways.

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love,
I am a housekeeper--not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love,
my children learn cleanliness--not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints
on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the
child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside
to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in
God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child,
but the greatest of all is love.—Author Unknown

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

SOARING

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 40:28-31. Every time I read it I can hear Isaiah’s passionate cry to God’s people. I start to feel the meaning of the words and I find myself filled with strength and love for God and I am lifted as if on eagles wings and before you know it I have forgotten everything that was bothering me.

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Who am I?

While Praying One Day A Woman Asked, Who Are You, Lord?”
He Answered, “I Am” “But Who Is I Am?” She Said.
And He Replied…
"I Am Love, I Am Peace, I Am Grace, I Am Joy,
I Am The Way, Truth And The Light… I Am The Comforter,
I Am Strength, I Am Safety, I Am Shelter, I Am Power,
I Am The Creator, I Am The Beginning And The End,
I Am The Most High.”
The Girl With Tears In Her Eyes Looked Toward Heaven And Said,
"Now I Understand, But Lord, Who Am I?”
Then God Tenderly Wiped The Tears From Her Eyes
And Whispered, “You Are Mine.”




Isaiah 45:5
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God…

Isaiah 49:16
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

God's Love

God's love knows no boundries, He is gracious and full of mercy and His love for us endures forever. May you be blessed with the following scriptures.

Psalm 17:7-8 (NIV)
7 Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Psalm 145:8,9 & 11 (NRSV)
8The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,

Verbal Poison

I read the following and afterward I couldn't help but think just how relevant it was. Especially in today's world. What are we teaching our children and grandchildren when all we do is complain, grumble and criticize?

Written by Joanie Yoder and taken from The Daily Bread Devotional booklet.

What a frustrating problem pollution is! Everybody suffers with it, yet everybody contributes to it. Pollution takes many forms, but one type is often overlooked. Charles Swindoll calls it “verbal pollution,” passed around by grumblers, complainers, and criticizers. “The poison of pessimism,” Swindoll writes, “creates an atmosphere of wholesale negativism where nothing but the bad side of everything is emphasized.” A group of Christian friends became concerned about this form of pollution and their personal part in it. So they made a pact to avoid critical words for a whole week. They were surprised to find how little they spoke! As they continued the experiment, they actually had to relearn conversation skills.

In Ephesians 4, Paul called believers to that sort of decisive action. He said we are to “put off” the old self and its conduct that grieves the Holy Spirit (vv.22,30) and “put on” the new self that builds up others (v.24). As we rely on the help of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), we can make those changes in our conduct, our thinking, and our speaking.
If we want to be rid of verbal pollution, we must choose to change and ask for God’s help. It’s a great way to start cleaning up our spiritual environment. —

Help stamp out pollution—clean up your speech!

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:29 (NIV)

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Easter and U

It's Easter and I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. The following was sent as an email to me and I have no idea where it came from. I hope you enjoy it.

THE U IN JESUS
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.

Happy Easter and have a wonderful week in the Lord!