Give, and it will be given to you

Give, and it will be given to you

 

AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning.  A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her.  The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank.  Shortly afterwards a bird catcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches.  The Ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot.  In pain the bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove take wing.

 

Luke 6:38 ESV, Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

 

Lighthouse

Lighthouse

 

Along the sea-coast of most lands there can be seen some very useful buildings, built upon rocks or lofty hills near the shore. Some of these are called lighthouses, and others beacons. The first are chiefly intended to guide ships into harbor, or to point out the course they should steer; the latter are to warn of rocks and sands, on which vessels may be wrecked. Such buildings may have been seen by only a few of our young readers, but there are other kinds of "lighthouses" and "beacons" with which they may become more familiar, and they are found in God's Word, the Bible. The Bible is a "lighthouse" to guide us in the right way that leads us to a blessed life on earth and to everlasting life in Heaven.

 

The Bible is also a "beacon" to warn us so that we may avoid becoming shipwrecked. These "lighthouses" and "beacons" in the Bible are not built of brick and stone, but of the clear instructions and commands of God and the examples we have in the actions and conduct of people who lived many years ago. As we look at these short sketches of young people in the Bible and observe their behavior, may the Holy Spirit teach us to watch and pray that we may be guided safely over the voyage of life, live lives that are pleasing to the Lord, and may be saved from dangers more fatal than pointed rocks and hidden sands.

Knowing God’s Will

Knowing God's Will

 

A young man facing the future and unsure of what the next year would bring, concluded, "Nobody knows what God's will is." Is he right? Does a lack of certainty about the future translate into not knowing God's will? The concept of knowing God's will is often limited to discerning what specific situation we will be in at some future time. Although seeking God's specific leading is part of it, another aspect that is just as vital is to follow the clearly defined elements of God's will each and every day.

 

Only by staying in God's Word, seeking strong godly counsel, and maintaining inner peace can a Christian avoid traps regarding His will. If a believer finds himself or herself outside of God's will and is experiencing a lack of peace, he or she must be willing to abandon everything and seek God's path again. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13).

 

Victim or Victor

Victim or Victor

 

A woman lamented losing $50,000 worth of heirlooms dating back to the Civil War that were stolen from her home last July. The nineteenth century antiques were discovered missing after a new maid cleaned out more than she was hired to do.1 We all treasure earthly heirlooms. But God has given a promise to believers that are far more precious than any keepsake--and it needs protection. Prowling around, discouragement creeps inside the safe haven of our Christian homes. When we close the door at night, drained from life's unceasing activity, discouragement can rob us of the full and joyful life God wants to give us: "...for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart [italics added]" (Galatians 6:9). So how do we bolt the doors and keep the bandit of discouragement from stealing God's promise?

 

As a Gods child, we have the right to claim God's promises. When discouragement sneaks in and you don't feel like reading the Bible--go to the Word. When you're frustrated with life's circumstances and are tempted to quit--go to the Word. Protect your heart from discouragement. Open the Bible. Claim His promises. And that old desperado named discouragement will be driven away. Fear knocked at the door and faith answered. No one was there.

 

How to Pray in GOD's Way

How to Pray in GOD's Way

 

Please teach me, Lord, I want to know exactly how to pray. I need some words, Which ones are right? Please tell me what to say. I've bowed my head, I have knelt down, But... should I be upright? I've closed my eyes, I've raised my hands or should I fold them tight? Do I stand up? Should I sit down? Dear Lord... what do you like? Are lights turned on or are they off? Maybe... candle light? Wear my glasses? Take them off? Be at my desk or table? Should I whisper? Speak out loud? Do I quote the Bible? What do you think about the time? Do You prefer the dawn? Should I pray fast, Or keep it slow? Better short... or long? What are the rules? I want to do it right. How do I know You will even hear, That I am in Your sight? And while I sat there quietly, Waiting for some sign, I heard a gentle voice say,

 

"Oh, dearest child of mine...Do you think I really care, About the time of day, Or whether you are standing up, Or kneeling when you pray?" "I don't care about your posture, Or about the place you choose; Just open up your soul to Me, I have no other rules. Tell me what is in your heart, And tell me what you seek; Tell me of your sorrows, And of those things that made you weak."  "Speak to me in private, About what concerns you most; I know about your good deeds... You have no need to boast.  My child, you don't need lessons, Just talk to me each day; Tell me anything you want, dear child, Anyone can pray." You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. Psalm 65:2.

God’s Mercy Will Never Dry Up

God's Mercy Will Never Dry Up

 

Sometime back I heard of this interesting example. A small fish lived in a stream in which water was exceedingly decreasing. The fish felt worried that as the water was steadily going down if the stream would dry up altogether all of a sudden. So it complained to God out of anxiety. God asked the fish whether it had enough water to swim. The fish answered that it had; God asked whether there was enough water for the fish to drink. It said there was; Again God asked whether it had enough water to breather and the fish answered that it had.

 

Then God asked the fish, why it was so anxious when it had everything it needed? Many of us are worried in this way. If you set your faith on God, you can live in joy. His mercy will never dry up. It will be poured on us continuously. If you have lost faith in prayer, resume praying. For God's mercy endures forever!! "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

 

You are God’s beloved

You are God's beloved

 

Studies have shown that in the heart of every child is a cry for his father's approval. Something happens when a father says to his boy, "Daddy is so proud of you." Or when a father says to his girl, "You will always be Daddy's favorite girl." You can catch such a similar special moment in the Bible when God the Father displayed His approval of His Son — "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) The Bible shows us that Jesus' ministry began with the approval of the Father, even before He had performed any miracle.

 

Now, you may think that God would naturally say that of Jesus, but not of us. My friend, the truth is that Jesus came for us and as us. He died for us and as us. He received the approval of the Father for us and as us. He came as our representative. And if that is not enough, God tells us in His Word that we are "accepted in the Beloved"!Why did God specifically say "accepted in the Beloved" and not simply "accepted in Christ"? I believe that it is because He is calling to our remembrance what had happened at the Jordan river where He said, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God wants us to know that we are His beloved and that He is well pleased with us.

 

God sees us as His beloved because He has made us accepted in the Beloved. He wants us to wake up every day knowing that we are His beloved, unconditionally loved and wholly approved. The more we know how much we are loved and treasured by God, the more we can expect good things to happen in our lives. We can expect to be healthy and whole. When we realize that we are the objects of God's love, instead of becoming easily frightened or threatened by anything or anyone, we become confident that we will win every fight of life. That, my friend, is how your heavenly Father wants you to live. So live life today confident that you are God's beloved!

 

More Blessed To Give Than To Receive

More Blessed To Give Than To Receive

 

A wise woman, who was traveling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone." And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Acts 20:35,

 

It's important to remember that "God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving". Jesus says that it is "more blessed to give than to receive". Isn't it a blessing to know that you've helped out someone in need? Doesn't it make you feel good? I think it feels a lot better to give to help someone else than when someone gives to us, even though that's great too. It's always rewarding when you help feed a homeless person or someone in poverty who can barely feed themselves. I think it's rewarding to go on a trip to a third world country and just help those in need and pour into their lives. Isn't that what Jesus did for us? To feed the hungry and help those in need? We should follow Jesus' example of service in everything we do. We need to have an attitude of a servant.

 

Gods Given Wisdom

Gods Given Wisdom

 

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). When we think of wisdom, we tend to picture a composer or an artist at work on a masterpiece. But wisdom is simply a new approach to anything.  Earle Dickson, an employee of Johnson & Johnson, married a young woman who was accident-prone. Johnson & Johnson sold large surgical dressings in individual packages, but these were not practical for small cuts and burns. Dickson put a small wad of sterile cotton and gauze in the center of an adhesive strip to hold it in place. Finally, tired of making up these little bandages every time one was needed, he got the idea of making them in quantity and using crinoline fabric to temporarily cover the adhesive strip. When the bandage was needed, the two pieces of crinoline could easily be peeled off, producing a small, ready-to-use bandage.

 

The firm's president, James Johnson, saw Dickson put one of his homemade bandages on his finger. Impressed by its convenience, he decided to start mass-producing them under the name Band-Aids. Dickson had been looking for a way to handle a small problem, and in the process he invented a useful new product. True, Gods given wisdom will lead you in peace and prosperity.

No job is greater than the next

No job is greater than the next

 

There was an Old Persian fable of a hen, a mouse, and a rabbit that lived together in a little house in the woods. They shared all the work and lived in harmony. The chicken found the firewood, the mouse brought the water from a nearby brook, and the rabbit cooked the meals. All the three did their own work faithfully and contentedly. One day, while the hen was out in the forest looking for wood, a nosy crow approached her, and asked what she was doing. When he heard, the crow began caw, telling the hen that she did the hardest part of the work, and that rabbit and mouse were taking advantage of her. The chicken continued to do her work, but she couldn't stop thinking about what the crow said. These feelings festered and festered, and by the time she got home, she was so upset that she burst out in tears, screaming, "It's not fair! I do the hardest work of the three of us! That's it! I'm not going to gather this heavy firewood anymore!" Immediately the rabbit and mouse also continued to argue that they had been doing the hardest work until they were tired, and finally decided to switch jobs.

 

 From now on the rabbit would gather the firewood, the hen would bring the water, and the mouse would cook. As the rabbit hopped into the forest for wood, a fox trailed him, caught him, and ate him. The hen put the pail into the creek, but current pulled the pail down under, and the hen with it. The mouse, while sitting on the edge of the big pot of soup, lost his balance and fell in. Discontentment not only destroyed their happiness, but even their lives. We all have a job to do here. No job is greater than the next — no person is greater than the next, no matter what those crows might tell you. We are all working for the same King, and we can worship Him even while gathering firewood, if that's what He's called us to do! "Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

 

Let’s throw it out

Let's throw it out

A couple travels so much that it seems like the wife is always packing suitcases. With the luggage laid out on the bed, she begins: This "little thing" and that "little thing." She never thinks she is packing much until she tries to pick it up. It weighs a ton! Walking with it seems impossible; running with it would be absurd. Yet that's exactly how "weights" of pessimism and negativity which block your relationship with God, are established. Bit by bit, this "little thought" and that "little thought" that isn't of Him gets shoved into the "suitcase" of your mind. Each small act of choosing your own negative or pessimistic thoughts over His thoughts of faith and hope add one more weight. Soon your soul is so oppressed that fellowship is lost.

 

In the night you doom the next day by deciding, Things won't get any better. Tomorrow will be just like today. What's the use? God wants to set you on the road to freedom tonight. He wants you to start throwing off those weights of pessimism and get back in the race! He's telling you, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV). Before you sleep tonight, think of one "weight" (pessimistic attitude) that you will refuse to carry anymore. Then call on the Lord for His strength and throw it off and you will rejoice in freedom from oppression.

 

God is at work in our lives

God is at work in our lives

 

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

 

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. When we are in the point of asking, "God, how can you do this to me?" we can find the answer in prayer. Like Job we need to turn to God and speak to Him. Let us recommend ourselves to God for His mercy and compassion. We may not understand what's happening to us right now, but let us believe God knows what is best for us. Helen Steiner Rice once said, "Whenever we are troubled, and when everything goes wrong, it is just God working in us to make our spirits strong." Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge

 

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat . Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built. Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. His son Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

 

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again. For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

 

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal. Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

The deeply religious South African runner, who prays each time he prepares to take to the race track- Oscar Pistorius

"Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

For six or seven hours in July, Oscar Pistorius lay face down in an American tattoo parlour as 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 was inked across the length and breadth of his back.

Each time he knelt in his blocks at the recent World Athletics Championships in Daegu, parts of the Bible excerpt could clearly be spotted peeping out of the side of the running vest of the biggest draw of the championships aside from Usain Bolt.

The message is a poignant one for the deeply religious South African runner, who prays each time he prepares to take to the race track.

"It's something important to me," he says, speaking during a week-long visit to London in the days after his historic displays in Daegu. "It was something that I read and I really liked it. There's different things I like - the reference to putting your body through its paces and subjecting yourself to hard work, the aspects about preaching to others."

Pistorius is clearly at peace with the message, so much so that he fell asleep while the tattoo artist emblazoned the words over his back.

They are the words of St Paul, whose ultimate goal was to seek the approval of Christ while Pistorius's, at least from the outside looking in, appears to be more simple - approval by the Paralympic and Olympic movements and the ability to compete at both events.

The Greatest Worker Makes The Least Noise

The Greatest Worker Makes The Least Noise

 

Don't we usually connect loud noise with work? What a racket our great machines make! Perhaps you've seen highways being built. Great earthmovers, concrete mixers, power shovels, and ditch diggers with their big diesel motors make a terrific rattle, clackety, clack, rumble, and groaning. And when rock is blasted to make way for the highway, what a big boom or go in a busy factory. In some you can't hear yourself talk. Or stand by a busy street crossing when all the cars and trucks start up as the light turns green. The very earth shakes with the racket. So we might easily believe that work and noise must always go together. But the world's greatest worker does most of the world's work in complete silence or with very little noise. We are so busy listening to man-made noises we don't take time to think that all about us God is causing great changes right under our noses and with absolutely no sound whatever or with very little. Consider the important ways His work is done.

 

 

The grass under our feet, in the cow pastures, on the prairies of the West and the plains of Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America—this grass that covers millions of square miles—is the food for all grazing animals. Without it we wouldn't have milk on the table. All this grass grows without a sound. So do the other crops on which human life depends grow—tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, beans, squash, peaches, apples, and the hundreds of other crops that give us life. The work our human minds perform—how silent that is! The brain sends signals to our muscles, telling them what to do or not to do. And without the faintest whisper of noise, God works through our brains. I could go on to list the silent works done by man, too, and show how most of our best work is done silently. But let's save that for another time. So don't mistake noise for power or work. Don't mistake man's noise for God's voice. For he speaks and works quietly, And we should stop and listen more often. Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors. 1Samuel 12:7.

Victory Over Every Giant

Victory Over Every Giant

 

Ever wonder why two people can hear the same thing and yet have very different responses? For one, what is said makes him afraid and discouraged. For the other, his heart is so filled with faith that he dares to come against the devil and what he is doing. In the Valley of Elah, Goliath the Philistine giant taunted the armies of Israel for 40 days. When David came on the scene, he heard the same mockings of Goliath that the rest of the Israelites heard. But somehow, those same words which caused fear in the soldiers angered David. What did David know or see that the others failed to see?

 

What is the new covenant? It is the covenant of grace. And grace means unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor. God wants us to know that He has cut this covenant with us through Christ our representative. And according to the covenant, we have His undeserved favor. We are blessed because Jesus took our beating. Because of what Jesus has done on the cross, we have victory over every giant. Isn't that good news? Today, God wants you to stand before your "giant" and declare that in spite of what you are going through, in spite of what is happening, you believe that God is for you because of what Jesus has done for you. And then, before your very eyes, you will see the giants of accusation, intimidation, condemnation, disease and debt fall flat before you!