Healing For The Heart

There are many reasons for broken hearts and shattered dreams. Some are of our own making, and some are a consequence of the family and environment we were born into. But there isn't a person on the earth who hasn't been hurt, wounded, and broken by life in some way or another.

Hurt and pain come with the territory; you live on this planet and you're going to have to deal with adversity. Satan (the devil), the adversary of God, who happens to hate your guts, roams around on the earth trying to wreak havoc whenever and wherever he can.

Whether we have been hurt by our own sin or an attack of the enemy, God is a mender of broken hearts and a repairer of shattered dreams. He will not turn His back on our mess, no matter what the reason for it. No one knew this better than David.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken" (Ps. 34:18-19, NIV).

David had experienced many troubles, some of his own making, some because of his enemies. But God was always faithful to him, and He will be faithful to you. If you are struggling with a broken heart, I encourage you to go to the Father and pour out your heart to Him. He wants to heal you and mend you; He wants you to be whole and happy.

If you want to be effective in your mission for the kingdom of God, you need to be whole. Give God your brokenness today. Let His healing hands restore you to the place of strength and joy that He has ordained for you.


Source: Mission 3:16 Devotional by Carman.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing

The Most Important Question Of Your Life...


What Will Happen To You When You Die?

If you are unsure of the answer to this question, or if you are afraid you will not spend eternity in Heaven, there's good news for you: "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE" (John 3:16).

Because God loves and values you so much, He made a way for you to be saved. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die so mankind could be redeemed from sin. The Bible says concerning salvation: "...Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Salvation does not come by joining a church, following a certain religion, doing good deeds, or living a good moral life. The Bible says there is only one way to receive salvation. You must be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Settle the most important question of your life! Pray the following prayer and receive Jesus as your Savior:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the Name of Jesus.

You said in Your Word, "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED" (Rom. 10:9).

I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification.

Your Word says, "...with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness; and with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10).

I do believe with my heart, and I now confess with my mouth Jesus as my Lord. Therefore, I am saved!

Thank You, Lord!

Welcome to the family of God!

If you have prayed this prayer sincerely from your heart, then the Bible says you are now saved! To grow in your new Christian life, it is important to study the Bible and to pray every day to your Heavenly Father. You also need to belong to a good, Bible-based church where you can be taught the Word of God.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time today, we would like to know about your decision. Please e-mail us at yourdestiny@cfaith.com. Be sure to give us your mailing address in the e-mail. God Bless You!


Copyright ?2001 CFAITH All rights reserved.

Hand-Picked by God

When I was growing up, I would hear our ministers say, "The appearing of the Lord is very soon. Jesus is coming." And I thought that meant any day I would be raptured to heaven! Then years went by, and I would hear my Mother say, "Carolyn Ann, Jesus is coming so soon. Be ready." And the years went by again.

When I got older, I continually warned my children when they were young, "Girls, Jesus is coming. We're getting closer and closer to His appearing." And here it is already beyond the year 2000, and I'm saying it more now than ever before.

Why? Because the signs are everywhere. You can get your Bible out while watching the nightly news, and see the signs of His coming happening in the earth today. Even ungodly people are wondering, "What has our world come to?"

This is not the time to get in fear. It's time to get in faith. If you knew that Jesus was coming tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., what would you do right now? You would probably quit reading this article, jump in your car and go to all of your family member and friends' houses and ask them to receive Jesus.

You'd probably be out in the streets all night witnessing to every person you came in contact with. Wouldn't you? You wouldn't even be concerned about getting your seven to eight hours of sleep or what you should wear to go out witnessing. You would just feel an urgency to get up and go!

Well, we are in the last stages of our time here on planet Earth. We do not have much time left. If you have loved ones who are not serving God, then I would suggest you make it your number 1 priority to witness to them. Do what you can to win souls in these last days.

Do you know what I find so exciting about Jesus' return? That He chose you and me to be alive to witness it. Before the foundation of the world, God actually hand-picked you out to live in 2003. Not in 1776. Not in the year 1829. But in the year 2003, God actually picked you out and wanted you to be alive on planet earth. You're one of the ones that He could fully equip and qualify to be able to get His job done in the remaining days that we have left. Does that make you feel a little pressure?

As I meditated on that thought, I bowed before the Lord and wept thinking, "God, You know within me I have the ability to do what You called me to do in these last days." In my own mind, I don't think I can. I feel inadequate, unqualified. Who am I? But because of the written Word of God, He has equipped us and qualified us.

How do we know that we are the generation that will witness the return of Christ? The Bible says that the generation that sees the budding of the fig tree, that means Israel becoming a nation (which was in 1948) that generation will not pass away until they see all things fulfilled.

Folks, there are a lot of things left to be fulfilled. We've got our work cut out for us. If you have family members who are unsaved, witness to them. Get your household saved. Get your friends born again.

Share the love of Jesus with your neighbors. We must get this Gospel out so Jesus can return. Don't let the phrase, "Jesus is coming" become just a religious cliche or a sign you read on a bumper sticker. It's true. He's coming. And we are closer now than we've ever been before.

Do you know what I find so exciting about Jesus' return? That He chose you and me to be alive to witness it. Before the foundations of the world, God actually hand-picked you to live in this particular year; because you're one of the ones that He could fully equip and qualify to be able to get his job done in the days that we have left.


Copyright ?2003 Jerry Savelle Ministries International
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

A True Friend

Everyone needs a friend. We all need someone to "pal around" with, talk to, confide in, and just have fun with. Friends make us feel accepted, appreciated, loved and secure.

Have you ever been to a restaurant, sat at the table and had dinner with yourself? You feel like everyone in the restaurant is staring at you and thinking, "She must not have any friends." That may sound a bit extreme, but I know what that feeling is like.

When my daughters were in High School and busy with all the activities they were involved in, and Jerry was on the road travelling week after week, there were times when I felt so alone. I wanted to go out to eat, but who wants to go to a restaurant alone? I wanted to go out and do things, but who wants to go alone?

Shaking An Attitude Of Loneliness

There were times when I felt like the loneliest person in the world. And yes, many times I cried and complained to God about it, but there came a time when I had to realize, "God has a call on this family and we are instructed to carry it out - every one of us. God does not want me to feel alone while my husband is out preaching the Gospel."

I honestly had to shake myself and realize that I am not alone. I am never alone - not in the restaurant, not in the car, not at my house, never. I have Jesus Christ on the inside of me and He is with me at all times. He is my friend.

We have a sealed contract with Jesus that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We should never allow anything in our lives to take away our devotion towards Him.
- Caroyln Savelle

The word friend is defined as someone on terms of affection, regard for another, a companion, confidant. The wonderful thing about Jesus is that we can talk to him as long as we want - any time we want. We don't have to wait until he gets off work, or wakes up, or feeds the kids. He's there for us throughout the day. He is there for us through thick and thin, through the ups and downs, through it all!

He always has time to spend with you. He's your companion. He wants to hear your innermost thoughts and feelings. He's your confidant. He wants to build you up, give you advice and know what's going on in your life. And guess what? He won't go tell everyone what you said. He doesn't gossip! You can trust Him. Isn't that good news!

Lean On Him

I began to lean on that covenant of friendship that I have with Jesus and He began to fill that empty place in my life. I no longer felt alone or sad. I spoke with my best friend every day. We talked for hours. We communicated with each other and shared things with each other. I noticed that Jesus always fulfills His end of the deal. He was always there for me no matter what. But the real question is: am I always there for Him when He needs me?

What happens when I do have people around and I'm busy with things in my life, do I neglect my Friend? No, you continue to honor that friendship daily. You make time for each other. You sacrifice things so you can spend time together - just like you would for your close friend here on earth.

You cry together, laugh together, confide in each other and create memories together. You develop a long lasting friendship together - you go out of your way for one another.

It becomes an everlasting covenant of friendship. What is a covenant? It is defined as an agreement or a sealed contract. We have a sealed contract with Jesus that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We should never allow anything in our lives to take away our devotion towards Him.

A friend is someone you cherish, speak highly of, respect, honor and enjoy being around. Jesus is that friend to you and me. A healthy friendship is when the strengths of one over balance the weaknesses of the other. You draw on each other's strengths. When you're weak, lean on Jesus. He's got all the strength you need.

You may be thinking, "OK, Jesus is my friend, but I still need friends here on earth." Yes, you do. But once you develop that intimate friendship with Jesus, you won't feel lonely, insecure or sad - you'll be comforted by the Holy Spirit, you'll be fulfilled every day of your life, and in turn, God will send friends into your life for you to enjoy.

Jesus needs you as much as you need Him. Don't neglect the most important Friend in your life. He's always here for you - you can count on it!


Copyright ?2003 Jerry Savelle Ministries International
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Schedule Your Priorities

I attended a seminar once where the instructor was lecturing on time. At one point, he said, “Okay, it’s time for a quiz.” He reached under the table and pulled out a wide-mouth gallon jar. He set it on the table next to a platter with some fist-sized rocks on it. “How many of these rocks do you think we can get in the jar?” he asked.

After we made our guess, he said, “Okay Let’s find out.” He set one rock in the jar.., then another. . . then another. I don’t remem­ber how many he got in, but he got the jar full. Then he asked, “Is that jar full?”

Everybody looked at the rocks and said, “Yes.”

Then he said, “Ahhh.” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar and the gravel went in all the little spaces left by the big rocks. Then he grinned and said once more, “Is the jar full?”

By this time we were on to him. “Probably not,” we said.

“Good!” he replied. And he reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went in all the little spaces left by the rocks and the gravel. Once more he looked at us and said, “Is the jar full?”

“No!” we all roared.

He said, “Good!” and he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in. He got something like a quart of water in that jar. Then he said, “Well, what’s the point?”

Somebody said, “Well, there are gaps, and if you really work at it, you can always fit more into your life.”

“No,” he said, that’s not the point. The point is this: if you hadn’t put these big rocks in first, would you ever have gotten any of them in?”



We're always trying to fit more activities into the time we have. But what does it matter how much we do if what we’re doing isn’t what matters most? Our relationship with God and our family are like the “big rocks.” If we put other activ­ities—the water, sand, and gravel—in first, and then try to fit the big rocks in, not only will they not fit, we’ll end up making a pretty big mess in the process.

hey ppl sori about my msg this afternoon. .guess i was reali very discourage. . anyway i am fine now! LiYan thanks for telling me wat i am suppose to hear!juz wana say that now i realise how much i reali cherish LiYan. . thanks! God thanks for blessing me such a great shep!

wat a long and boring day. . .
dunno wat's coming over me this few days. . .feel so tired in many ways like i'm stretch until almost to break. . .not a good sign rite. . . anyway tml i am having a practical test on oral medication and i tell you i have no clue wat to do and prepare. . haha. . God i feel lke i am walking into a pit of fire soon. . .urgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is not going to happen man. .do you guys know how fustrating is to call someone and that person will nv pick up the phone?!?! hai. . reali wan to talk to her but always seems that God wana me to solve it on my own. . . y?????

hai. . .anyway Poly/Di servie is coming. . .reali hope to see a breakthru in my life soon. . Laziness and temptation,GET LOST FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wounded hands

you carry on even though you are broken

i dun need you is wat you said

leave me alone i can manage

you shake your head as you walk away

all the hurting all the fighting

you must be hiding a broken heart

take a chance let him love you. . .


chorus
wounded hands from up above

waiting with unconditional love

he's knocking at your door

so tell me wat are you waiting for. . .


take a step at the right direction

take a step and dun turn back

close your eyes dun look behide you

close your eyes and fall into his arms

ever searching ever finding

i know wat you longing for

someone to trust someone to love you

*chorus*

arms reaching for your heart

accepting you for who you are

he is knocking at your door

so tell me wat are you waiting for. .

wounded. . wounded hands. .( 4x )

*chorus*

take a step in the right direction

take a step and dun turn back

open your eyes and look above you

open your eyes and find his wounded hand. ..

Read: Psalm 34:4-8

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! ----Psalm 34:8

In this world's misery there is only one sure refuge: God Himself. "He is a shield to all who trust in Him" (Psalm 18:30).

To "trust in" comes from a Hebrew word that means "to take refuge in" or "to hide in" or "to hide with." It suggests a secret place of concealment, a "hidey hole," as we used to say in Texas.

When we're exhausted by our efforts, when we're bewildered by our problems, when we're wounded by our friends, when we're surrounded by our foes, we can hide ourselves in God. There is no safety in this world. If we were to find safety there, we would never know the joy of God's love and protection. We would miss the happiness for which we were made.

The only safe place is God Himself. When storm clouds gather and calamities loom, we must run into His presence in prayer and remain there (Psalm 57:1).

George MacDonald said," That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and desires, without a glow or an aspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to Him,'Thou art my reguge.' "

How safe and blessed we are! ----David Roper



O the sweet unfailing refuge

Of the everlasting arms;

In their loving clasp enfolded,

Nothing worries or alarms. -----Hennessay



Safety is not found in the absence of danger

but in the presence of God.

Four Seasons of a Tree
Don't judge a life by one difficult season

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no--it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are--and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life--can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Read Habakkuk 1:1 - 2:4

Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. ----Habakkuk 2:4

If you were to ask several people to draw a crooked line on a piece of paper, no two lines would be identical. There is a lesson in this: There are many ways to be crooked, but only one way to be straight.

The Lord tells us that the righteous person has only one option - to"live by his faith" (Habakku 2:4). In the chapter prior to this declaration from the Lord, the prophet Habakkuk had complained about the violence and injustice around him. It seemed as if the wicked were swallowing up the righteous (1:13).

God responded to Habakkuk by saying that His people were to be "just" and were to live by faith. They were not to be like the one who is "proud" and "not upright" (2:4). A proud and self-sufficient person will rationalize his faults and imperfections. He doesn't want to admit that he needs God. His ways are crooked.

Wickedness seems to prevail in our world. God urges us to live our lives in faith, taking to heart His assurance to Habakku that there will be a day of reckoning for the wicked.

The only way to please God now and to be ready for that day of reckoning is to live by faith. ---Albert Lee



Lord, grant me grace throughout this day

To walk the straight and narrow way,

To do whatever in Thy sight

Is good and perfect, just and right. ---Huisman



The only right way is the straight and narrow way.

Be a Doer of the Word
by Mark Brazee Author Bio

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

If you want to walk in divine health, as God desires, you have to be a doer of the Word. For one thing, that means meditating on God's healing promises. As you do, you'll find His Word getting so big on the inside that you start acting like a healthy person!

God told Joshua the results he could expect for being diligent in His Word: "For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Did you notice that it doesn't say, "For then God will make your way prosperous"? No, it says, "For you will make your way prosperous." I've also heard it put this way, "Then you will deal wisely in all the affairs of life."

God has made health and success available in every area of your life. Now He says, "I give you the wisdom and ability to deal wisely in all the affairs of life. But it's your choice whether or not you become a doer of My Word and actually receive what I've given you."


Confession:
I have planted God's Word in my heart, and that Word is
life to me and health to all my flesh. Because I meditate on
God's Word, I deal wisely in all the affairs of life.



Source: Prescription for a Miracle by Mark Brazee
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

Evidence of a Changed Life
by Ron Luce Author Bio

So many people use scriptures to prove the fact that God is alive and real. They've heard Bible verses about God from Sunday school classes or in their youth group. They say all the right words and seem to talk about God as if they were close to Him.

The trouble is, they sound like they are talking about a friend of a friend instead of their friend. They talk about God as if He's someone they've heard of rather than someone they've met. They may even say that they have a personal relationship with Him and quote scripture to back it up, but when you look in their eyes, you don't see the evidence of a changed life.

"Having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim. 3:5).

People with a form of godliness but who deny God's power are sort of close to God or they sort of talk about God, but they really have no power in their life. If they had the power of God working in their life, you would see some changes taking place. My question for you today is, "Do you have the evidence of a changed life?"

If Jesus is really real, then when you talk about Him, you shouldn't be talking about a friend of a friend, but your friend. You should be able to refer to personal experiences when He really changed your life.

You can say, "Oh yes, He's changed my life." But how did He change your life? Do you think He's changed your life because everyone's told you that when you prayed the salvation prayer He changed your life? Or, do you know He's changed your life because when you met Him your whole heart changed, your direction changed, and your passions in life changed? Can you say that He stopped you in your tracks and you've never been the same since?

Churches are full of people who talk a lot about God and how Jesus has changed their life, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence. Every once in a while you'll come across someone who may not know all the scriptures, or what the Bible has to say about certain things, but when you look in their eyes and listen to the way they talk about God, you can tell that a miracle has happened in their life. They're so happy, so changed, and so different. Man, they're so happy they're stupid sometimes!

Do you have that? Do you have the evidence of a changed life? Take a good look at your life today (how you talk, how you act, how you think) and write down the things Jesus has changed.


Copyright © 2004 Teen Mania Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Hindrances to Faith

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5).

Both faith and love are of the heart. Notice the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost; the love of God is not shed abroad in our heads. If you let your head dominate you, you'll be in trouble. Also, the Bible doesn't say the love of God is shed abroad in our bodies by the Holy Ghost.

No, the Bible says, "the love of God is shed abroad in our HEARTS." We know from Galatians 5:6 that faith works by love. Faith is also of the heart, not of the head. Many people get into trouble in their faith walk because they don't understand that.

Faith Will Work
Faith will work in your heart with doubt in your head. But, you see, if people don't know that, if people are going by their heads and doubts begin to arise in their minds, they'll think they're in doubt and unbelief. But you can have faith in your heart with doubt in your head.

It's with the heart that man believes, not with the head.

Faith is of the heart, and faith works by love—God's love. The God-kind of love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. We didn't have that love until God gave it to us. And faith works by this kind of love.

The problem with many people is they try to substitute natural human love for divine love, or the God-kind of love, but the two are not the same. Natural human love can turn to hatred overnight, but divine love will not.

In Mark we see how faith works by the God-kind of love:
For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
(Mark 11:23-24)
Reading a little further in verse 25,
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Verse 25 is as much a part of the Bible as Mark 11:23-24.

The Forgiveness Test
Some folks say, "I just can't forgive So-and-so." But the God-kind of love can forgive. Really, if a believer says, "I just can't forgive," he is letting his head or flesh dominate him because the love of God has been shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:5), and love forgives.

Actually, the Bible says we as Christians can forgive just as God forgave us: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING one another, EVEN AS God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32).

I remember a woman in one of the churches I pastored who was an example of someone letting the flesh dominate instead of walking in love. My wife and I had just accepted the pastorate of this church.

As we were moving into the parsonage, this woman came over and began talking to us. The woman said, "Now, Brother Hagin, I know you are going to hear about this, so I want to tell you firsthand myself." (You'd better watch those folks who always want to give you firsthand information; that "firsthand information" is usually slanted in their favor.)

She continued, "I just wanted to tell you how old Sister So-and-so treated me." I listened to the woman for a while, but finally I stopped her and said, "Just wait a minute, Sister. When did this happen?" "Eight years ago next Tuesday," she said.

I was appalled, and I suppose she could tell I was because my mouth fell open, and my eyes bugged out. "Now don't misunderstand me. I've forgiven her," she said, "but I'll never forget how that old devil [speaking of this other woman] treated me."

Without thinking, I pointed my finger in her face and said, "Sister, you're a bald-faced liar." She was stunned. I said, "You haven't forgiven her because if you had forgiven her, you wouldn't still be talking about it."

You see, love not only forgives, but it also forgets.

Forgive And Forget
God didn't say, "I have forgiven you of your sins, but every time I get a chance, I'm going to remind you of them." If God did that, we'd all be in a mess.

No, God cancelled our sins because of Christ's substitutionary work on the cross. God said in Isaiah 43:25: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and WILL NOT REMEMBER thy sins."

We know that God is love. And love says, "their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 8:12). What happens many times is that people let their heads dominate them instead of their hearts. But the Bible says the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom. 5:5), not in our heads.

It's the same way with faith. Faith is of the heart. You could have a heart full of faith and still die of sickness or disease. Or you could have a heart full of faith and never get an answer to prayer.

You've got to release your faith or express your faith. You've got to get that faith out of your heart and into expression. You've got to get your faith working and active. How do you do that? Through actions and words.

It makes a lot of difference, friends, when you walk in love. When you walk in love, your faith will work. If my faith wasn't working, that's the first thing I would check up on—to see if I was walking in love. We know that faith works by love; in fact, faith won't work any other way.

In other words, you could have faith to move mountains, but if you're not walking in love, your faith will be ineffective. You've got to release the love of God from your heart in the same way you release your faith—through actions and words—because faith and love are of the heart. And faith works by love!


Source: Classic Sermons by Kenneth Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications

wow!!! yesterday's sermon was fantastic!!!!!!! reali God was speaking to me!!!! i kept on tearing when i prayed. . hope Weiliang nv see. . hehe. . oops. . anyway, i reali wana to be a person who speaks God's truth!!! i want wateva comes out of my mouth to be impactful!!! when was the last time that God has spoken to me?? Pastor Jeff's question rite? well it was yesterday!!!! hahah!!!! i am so glad that i am serving God with a purpose and leading such a meaningful life in HOPE!! yahoo!!! next sat is our 1st poly and di service!!!! NYP3 let's do well!!!! wear white for God NYP!!!!!!!! btw. . denice janelle and jeraine you gals had done well!!!! thanks for your hardwork and vision you have in NYP3!!!! reali hapi to know you all as my sistas in christ!!!!!!!

JoKeS

>Qn: Why is fish cunning ?
>Ans: cos yu pian mi fen (fish lie to bee hoon)
>------------
>Qn: What animal falls down the most?
>Ans: Fox, cos they jiao hua (cunning)
>------------
>Qn: What animal is most skillful?
>Ans: mouse (lao shu) cos shu shu you lian guo (uncle got training)
>------------
>Qn: Xiao ming drinks milk to grow up, Da ming drinks what?
>Ans: Da ming drink wine, cos Jiu Yang Da Ming
>------------
>Qn: Which chinese host does not have centre parting?
>Ans: wu zong xian (no centre line)
>------------
>Qn: Why Zhou Jie Lun Cross the Street Kana fine by police?
>Ans: Cos Jay Walking
>------------
>Qn:Which emperor (huang di) is blind??
>Ans: Kang xi (Can't see)
>------------
>Qn: How does a fish laugh?
>Ans: HE HE HE
>------------
>Qn: How does a prawn laugh?
>Ans: HEI HEI HEI
>------------
>Qn: Which animal should you look for if you're unable to open a bottle
cap?
>Ans: peacock, cos kong que kai ping
>------------
>Qn: Why baby don't need to brush teeth?
>Ans: cos bei bi wu chi
>------------
>Qn: Which button on your keyboard cannot sing?
>Ans: F4
>------------
>Qns: Xiao Hong, Xiao Bai, Xiao Hei, Xiao Lan, Xiao Huang, who cannot tahan
roller-coasters?
>Ans: Xiao Bai, cos always Xiao Bai Tu

is my blog nice? hehe. . .reali like this alot! finally i change it!!!!!!!!!! yahoo!!! thanks Jon!!!haha!!!! previously ask Josh but then. . . .hai~
anyway, i am glad that i have God with me. . .reali glad. . anyway i am practising on my strumming for 'to the ends of the earth'. . hehe. . Jon be lenient ok??? haha!!

God i repent. . . .

In the shadow of the cross

in the shadow of the cross
i found a place that was big
so that all could see. . . .

then i found tears steaming down my face
and then i realise that the scene i saw was unforgivable. .

Chorus
how could someone so loving
be so misunderstood
how could something so tragic
happen on you. .
as you were on the cross
all i can do is to watch. . .

in the shadow of the cross
i learn to love you more
to think of what you had done for me
i just feel so honoured to have you. .

as i stood there helplessly
as i stood there with fear
torment in my own shame
you use your blood to write my name. . .

Chorus

i knelt in complete surrender
in the shadow of the cross. . . . in the shadow of the cross. .

'sing a new song unto the Lord. . '


~* re-edited by Jo-N, actual composer Sandy Griffin *~

Count it All Joy
by Keith Butler Author Bio


"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2 KJV).

The first time I read, "Brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations," my head had a difficult time accepting it. Temptations, which literally mean "tests and trials," meant bad situations to me.

It was difficult for me to understand how you could count a temptation, test, or trial as a joyful thing. The first thing that came to my mind was problems—pain, anguish, discouragement. They did not mean joy.

Look at what James is saying when he tells us to count it all joy. He says, "My brethren..." Any time you see it say "my brethren," the writer is talking to born again, Spirit-filled believers. He said, "...count it all joy...."

Another word you can use for joy is delight. The word divers means "different," and temptations means "temptations, tests, or trials," So, he said, "My brethren, count it all delight when you fall into different temptations, tests, or trials."

Still, my head just couldn't figure that out. I started meditating on the Scriptures, and I said, "Lord, I know what You said in Your Word; so even though I may not understand it, I will count my temptations, tests and trials a delight. I trust you to reveal to me how I can have joy in the midst of trials.

Now, anyone can count something joyful when things are going his way. But when things go contrary to your plans, it is difficult to express joy.

Joy is a fruit of the reborn, recreated human spirit. When you were born again, the force of joy was placed inside of you. The biblical joy we are talking about is not based on circumstances. We're talking about the joy of God.

Joy is resident in you. I like to call it a force because it can develop and become a force in your life. The force of joy was placed in you the moment you were born again. So whether you feel like it or not, you have joy in you.

You have to activate it by an act of your will. In your darkest hour, you can begin to praise God. It may be dry as a bone at first. But as you continue to give God praise in advance for delivering you out of this trial, the force of joy will rise up in you and turn that situation around for your good.

Scripture References: Acts 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10


Copyright © 2004 Keith Butler Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

help!!!!!!!! i am really very vexed about my life. . .God will you give me strength. . .i am really so tired. . hai. . wat am i suppose to do. . .why it seems that i dun have time to study?? is it because my time management is so bad? hai. . .finally one of my ICA has finish. . .feeling so relieve now. . but tml still got one to go. .urgh!!!!!!!!!!!! God give me strength man!

what a day i have
such a long and 'tired' day
how i wish i can give up
on everything. . . .
But i know i can't. . .
so God please help me!!!

what should i do
give me a sign or someone to tell me what to do
what must i do
so i don't need to feel this bad. . .i had enough. .

' My child. .' was what i heard

' was that you God?'

'Yes it is I. . i heard your cries. . .'

by this time i cried. .

why God life is so difficult!
why must we,Christians see ppl 'face' and mood?
why can't you juz made them serve you!
i am so tired, so so tired. . .

'My child I LOVE YOU. . . '
~* by Jo-N *~

I am a EIFU !

GENERAL LIFE:
EIFUs approach life with enthusiasm and energy.
Highly creative and adventurous, they excel at initiating projects and
getting them off the ground. However they may not be quite as good at
bringing every project through to completion. EIFUs value warm, friendly
relationships,and can mistake a more matter-of-fact approach as rudeness
or hostility.
They value communication and personal growth and their
close friendships are characterized by openness and honesty. EIFUs are
creative problem solvers with the ability to improvise and see
possibilities
in all situations.

LOVE LIFE:
Even though two people from any type can enjoy a
healthy relationship,
EIFU's ideal partner is the IITS, or the IIFS.

WORK LIFE:
Typical EIFU Career Paths: Consultant, Marketer,
Psychologist/Counselor,
Entrepreneur, Actor, Teacher, Counselor,
Politician/Diplomat,
Writer/Journalist, Television Reporter, Human
development/Human Resources,
Clergy/Religious Worker, Engineer, Art director,
Musician/composer.

-=oo=-

Father's Cry
written and sang by Christella

have you ever heard the cry of a Father in despair
have you ever seen the tears from eyes that are lost and bare
he sents out letter everyday despite the no reply
he says one day he'll come back
and i needn't know why

you see Him, arms are open wide
saying "Son i want you by my side"

coz i love you, i simply love love you
won't you come and heed your Father's cry
coz i have given a land of good things
if only you would come
if only you would come
if you would come and heed my cry

Jesus he is patiently standing at the door
he says "my beloved one what are you waiting for?"
i've prepare a place for you. . . . . . . . . . . .



wana know more of the lyric? Go and buy "ELPIZO" !!!!!!!!!!!!!! the cg is great and i got it yestersday but this is my 5th time listening to it!!!!!!!!i tell you it's great!!better go and buy b4 you regret. . . . .dun say i nv tell you. . .

i have spitting blood with phalgm every morning. . .hmm. . wat is happening? is my throat bleeding internally?!?!??! urgh!!!!!!!!!!!! will i not be able to sing anymore???? no!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jo-N's prayer. . .

"dear amighty God,
you are one who created the earth and heaven and of coz the one who created me!!!! (">) God i wan to pray that you will lay your healing hands on my throat that it will be healed!! God i believe in you as you have nv fail to show a miracle and coming to serve u for 2 years plus i realise without you my life will be nothing. . .thanks for everything and everyone you put in my life. . i am so grateful to you!
in Jesus name i pray. . . . . . AMEN!"

Letting Go
>>
>>Jenny was a bright-eyed, pretty five-year-old girl. One day when she and
>>her
>>mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl
>>necklace priced at $2.50.
>>
>>How she wanted that necklace and when she asked her mother if she would
>>buy
>>it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs
>>an
>>awful lot of money.
>>
>>I'll tell you what.I'll buy you the necklace, and when we get home we can
>>make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for the necklace.
>>
>>And don't forget that for your birthday Grandma just might give you a
>>whole
>>dollar bill, too. Okay?"Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl
>>necklace for her.
>>
>>Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure enough, her
>>Grandma
>>gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday.
>>
>>Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls.How Jenny loved those pearls. She wore
>>them everywhere - to kindergarten,bed, and when she went out with her
>>mother
>>to run errands.
>>
>> The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower - her mother had
>>told
>>her that they would turn her neck green.
>>
>>Now Jenny had a very loving daddy. When Jenny went to bed, he would get up
>>from his favorite chair every night and read Jenny her favorite story.
>>
>>One night when he finished the story, he said, "Jenny, do you love me?
>>
>>"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you," the little girl said.
>>
>>"Well, then, give me your pearls."
>>"Oh! Daddy, not my pearls!" Jenny said. "But you can have Rosie, my
>>favorite
>>doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you
>>can have her tea party outfit, too. Okay?"
>>
>>"Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a
>>kiss."Good night, little one."
>>
>>A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, "Do you
>>love me?"
>>"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you."Well, then, give me your pearls."
>>
>>"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you
>>remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play
>>with
>>it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her,
>>Daddy," the little girl said to her father.
>>
>>"No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a
>>kiss."God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams."
>>
>>
>>Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny
>>was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling. "Here, Daddy," she
>>said,and held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace
>>was
>>inside. She let it slip into her father's hand. With one hand her father
>>held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a
>>blue velvet box. Inside of the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls.
>>He
>>had them all along.He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so
>>he
>>could give her the real thing.
>>
>>So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the
>>cheap
>>things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasure. Isn't God
>>good?
>>
>>Are you holding onto things which God wants you to let go of? Are you
>>holding onto harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and
>>activities which you have become so attached to that it seems impossible
>>to
>>let go?
>>
>>Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe
>>this
>>one thing................. God will never take away something without
>>giving you something better in its place.
>>
>>You can do two things with this story:
>>
>>a) You can pass it on and let others be touched by its message, or
>>b) You can delete it and not let it touch your heart.
>>Remember that the greatest gifts happen when you share love and touch
>>other's hearts. God bless you.

hi hi!!!!!!
there's a excited testimony that i really want to share!!!! c">

well as you guys knw my mom is serving in HOPE too!!!hehe~if you dunno,then now you knw!!! wahahaha!! anyway after last year's "Parent's Day" ss, my mom decided to serve God!!(btw she was a church hopper) at 1st i was excited that i actually planned the FU!! hahaha!!!! everything went well in the beginning but slowing (knowing my mom well. . .) my mom stop going to church. . .sob* ya. .but i nv gave up!! i kept on continuing asking my mom to go to church! my mom is willing to go provided my dad and i go along with her. . .in my mind was like,"wow!!! sat already go then sun go again?!? hmm. . .since can learn more why not?!?" hahaha! very enthu at 1st but slowly coz of tireness i stop going. . accompanied by my mom. .. *actually feeling quite guilty man c"(

i kept on praying that my mom 1 day will turn back to God whole-heartedly. .and guess wat? this day has arrived!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!

hmm. .after UPM i went home to do my stuff and confirmation. .with a heart of disappointment, to my amazement i didn't see my dad's car. . .usually he will reach hm faster than me, that's y he always complain y i always reach home so late. . .hehe~ anyway when i reach home i found that my parents were not at home so as usual i ask my helper where are my parents? "o, they went for care group." was her answer. "Huh!!! come again!!! are you sure?!?! they went for cg?!?" was wat i said! i thought my helper didn't know what was cg and anyhow said but she was so sure that my parents told her that they went for cg!!! o my goodness!!!!! they went for cg!!!!! i quickly called my mom to confirm. . but she of coz hung up my call. . .haha!!

so i went to do my things. . .suddenly my phone rang! it was. . . .my sheep, Janelle. . .hahahaha!!!got you!!! but later it was my mom who called! and she told me, "yes i am in the mist of cg y?" i was like asking her wat is she doing there!! coz as her in the past i kept on asking her to go but she said b4 that she won't coz it's too far. . .it is at bedok. . hmm. . .from pasir ris to bedok very far meh? hmm. . . so i actualli got to talk to richard's wife (a UL from family group, dunno her name hehe. .) then she told me, "everything is fine! your parents seems to enjoyed themself!!" PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!

now my mom had reach home. . .so i went up to her and my dad and ask how was the cg and wat they do. .then they said that practically is sit and talk and pray and eat. . wow~sounds cool man!!! don't you agree?!? hehe!

anyway i ask my mom why suddenly she's willing to go for cg. guess wat she says man? she says, "well,if i want to grow in God i can't grow on my own rite? so go for cg and learn more lor~"

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!finally my mom has awaken from her "deep sleep"!!!!!!!!! i am telling you guys this testimony to encourage you that nothing is impossible!!!!! if God can touch my mom's heart why not yours!!!!!!! now just need to pray that my dad will want Jesus to be his Lord and Saviour!!!!! "THANK YOU GOD!!!"

"all things are possible, all things are possible!!" c"P

hey hey. . . . well today actuali feeling abit discourage as i keep on wondering why is it that i SOW on frenz for quite some time BUT still they dun wana come for service. . . WHY?!?! was wat was on my mind this evening. . . but after hearing from LiYan my shepherd!!! i realise that i nearly went into Satan's trap!!!! urgh!!!!! you idiot Satan!!! later i give you my Godly punch into your stinking face then you knw. . . .muhahahahahaha~ sori guess got abit angry. . .anyway, NYP3 let's chong for God man!!! dun care wat is infront of you juz go!!!!!

God Listens to Your Words
by Larry Ollison Author Bio

God listens to your words. In Deuteronomy chapter 1 it says:
The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes. And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.

Yet for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.
(Deut. 1:30-33)
God did miraculous things for His people! However, I want you to note what is said in verse 34. "And the Lord heard the sound of your words, and was angry..." (Deut. 1:34).

God hears our words. Our words can please Him or they can make Him angry. Do you think it's better to please God or make Him angry?

Read the story about Sodom and Gomorrah. They made God angry. Read about the Hebrews who grumbled in their tents. The Scripture said that God heard their words and got angry. It resulted in them wandering around in the wilderness for forty years. Not a single person who grumbled entered the Promised Land. They all died in the wilderness because of the words of their mouths.

If you want to please God, you must take heed of Hebrews 11:6: "Without faith it's impossible to please God." We please God by believing what He says and speaking it. He has given us everything we need to defeat the power of sin in our lives with the words of our mouths and actions following.


Source: Life is in The Blood by Larry Ollison
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries

The Body/Finance Connection

Many people in the Body of Christ are finally realizing that prosperity is not a side issue with God. Well, I'm here to tell you that health is not a side issue either.

The prosperity of your body is as much a part of your covenant as the prosperity of your finances. Health and wealth are spiritually linked. It's what I call the body/finance connection.

One afternoon, as I was praying for people's deliverance from food addiction, the Lord dropped these words into my heart. He said, "Trying to lose weight without presenting your body as a living sacrifice is like trying to prosper financially without tithing. It just won't work."

Any time we step outside of God's Word, we step outside of covenant rights and privileges. On the other hand, when we line up with God's Word, we activate supernatural power on our behalf.

Romans 12 says:
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies - presenting all your members and faculties - as a living sacrifice, holy, devoted, consecrated, and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable, rational service and spiritual worship.
(Rom. 12:1 AMP)
A Living Sacrifice
In order to make a decisive dedication of our bodies to God, we must understand the motivation behind Paul's plea here. It is love. Why does God ever ask anything of us? So He can get something to us. The decision to present your body to God opens the door for blessings. All we have to do is line up with His Word.

His Word says there are three things that belong to Him: your spirit, your body, and your tithe. First Corinthians 6 says:
Do you not know that your body is the temple - the very sanctuary - of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a gift from God? You are not your own, You were bought for a price - purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
(1 Cor. 6:19-20 AMP)
It honors God when we recognize the value of our bodies because it honors the blood.

Say this: "God lives inside me. I have my body because of God. It's not my own. I've been bought with a price. Father, I honor the blood of Jesus by submitting my body to You, a living sacrifice. Now, Father, I'm expecting You to bless it."

When you present your body to God, you are giving God your first fruits so all the rest will be blessed. It's an issue of stewardship. Luke 16:12 says:
And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another, whether God or man, who will give you that which is your own, that is, the true riches.
(Luke 16:12 AMP)
Submitting your spirit to the Lordship of Jesus gives you eternal life. Submitting your tithes and offerings to God gives you prosperity. As you submit your body to God as a living sacrifice, He will get involved in your eating habits.

He will get involved in your weight loss. He will get involved in the health of your body. He wants you walking in perfect health and abundant wealth. He wants you walking in victory in every area of your life.

Health and prosperity are a part of your covenant. Grab hold of them! They are yours!

Meditate on this body/finance connection until it gets deep into your heart and becomes real to you, and go forth and prosper in every way. You've got the right - the covenant right!


Copyright ?2003 Kenneth Copeland Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Bought With A Price

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20).

You've been bought with a price. Let me ask you a question. When God bought you, do you think He got ripped off?

God had to buy us back from the devil because Adam gave the keys to him. Therefore we were all doomed to go to hell.

Now, God is God, so why couldn't He just give him a bunch of gold, a bunch of diamonds, a bunch of sapphires, and say here, this is the price I'm going to pay for them, and get us with that? Because material goods were not good enough. It took the blood of Jesus to buy us.

So what are you saying to God? You got ripped off. You paid too high a price for me?

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).

I want you to notice, it says, seek ye first the kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is God's way of doing things. It's God's way of seeing things. He wants us to see things how He does.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(Gen. 1:26)

This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.
(Gen. 5:1)

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
(Gen. 9:6)
We read it three times, that man was made in the image of God. That means you. Now, "image" is a sculpture likeness梐 reproduction of the form of someone or something.

People are always telling me that I look just like my mama. Now, if someone came up to me and said, "Girl, you are a spitting image of your mother. You look just like her," and then they say, "and your mama is so ugly." There are two obvious problems with that.

Number one, you don't talk about somebody's mother. Number two, if they're telling me that I'm in the image of my mother, and I look just like mother, and then they say my mother is ugly, then I guess that means they're calling me ugly as well.

God's Creations Are Beautiful
So if you are made in the image and likeness of God, who are you to call yourself ugly? Who are you to say that you are worthless? Who are you to say that you can't do it? Who are you to say, Lord, I can't carry out this plan, I don't have what it takes.

He said you are made in His image.

It says in the Bible that man is the glory of God. I looked up what glory meant in this context. Glory is majestic beauty and splendor. Manifestation of His presence. Something that brings honor and renown. A highly praise-worthy asset.

So if I take just the first definition, majestic beauty and splendor, I can say, "For as much I am the image of God, I am the majestic beauty and splendor of God." I'm not telling you that you are the glory of some loser. We're talking about the almighty God!

When you get a revelation that we are made in the image and likeness of God, take a moment just to think about God梩he Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, Pure Being?and no dirt!

And you are the glory of Him? When people see that image and self-confidence, they're going to want to know, whose is that?

Read Matthew 6:33 again and notice that it says, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. We see that as we seek the Lord he'll prepare us.

God is showing us in His Word that we are made in the image of God and our confidence comes from Him. When you seek the kingdom of God first and you learn that you're made in the image and likeness of God, there's a confidence, a confidence that comes from God, and therefore you become attractive.

Think Of Yourself As God Does
So as we are seeking God, all I have to do is stay in the Word, realize I am made in the image and likeness of God, that I am beautiful, I am the glory of God, and not just some loser.

How many know God is rich? He could have said My gold streets are My glory. He could have said, My angels are My glory. No, He said you are His glory. And as you seek first the kingdom of God you begin to learn and understand that, that confidence of God will glare off you.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(1 John 3:1)
I looked up what the word "behold" means. It means to gaze梟ot just to look, but to gaze. It is used as an exclamatory force. Look at what? What manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us. Look at the way the Father loves me! Not only am I made in His image, He loves me!

Unfortunately, in the world today, just because a person has a child and that child may be in the image of them, looks just like them, and acts just like them, that does not mean that they love that child. But with the almighty God, behold, look梂hat manner of love the Father has bestowed on me.

We're all very familiar with John 3:16. It says, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now, it says, "for God so loved." I want you to know you may have been loved, but you ain't been loved until you've been "so loved!"

Don't just read this verse and take it for granted. We're talking about the Almighty God. This ain't just anybody loving you!

So not only are you made in the image and likeness of God, you have the Almighty God, the only One, in love with you. In love with you, regardless of the fact that maybe in the physical realm you feel like you're on your own, that nobody loves you. You may not have grown up in a loving household.

You may not be in a situation where you feel loved. There may not be anybody patting you on the back. Satan will come right in and attack that self-confidence and that self-esteem. But I'm showing you that God loves you. And you are made in His image. So remember that when Satan comes to attack your self-esteem.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
(Rom. 8:35)
Oh, thank you Jesus, that what nobody says is going to separate you from your love. Just because somebody persecutes you or tells you you'll never do anything in your life, don't let that separate you from the love of Christ. Just because some guy may tell you that you are unattractive, don't let that separate you from the love of Christ, because you have found a true love.

I challenge you to stay in the Word on this issue. You are made in the image and likeness of God. Don't ever forget it. Just like you're not going to go tell a child, you look like your mama, and your mama is ugly. Don't tell that to Almighty God. We are His children, made in His image!


Copyright ?2002 Keith Butler Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Jesus, Bartimaeus, and You
by Kenneth Copeland Author Bio

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3).

In my years of ministry, I've seen people who will learn a little about faith and put it into practice. But when they don't get instant results, they sometimes get discouraged. They begin to think they just don't have the kind of faith that people in the Bible had.

If that's happened to you, let me assure you, God hasn't shortchanged you. You have everything it takes to live by faith!

The Word says God has given every man "among you"—or every believer—the measure of faith.

That means He deposited the same measure of faith inside you that He deposited in me—and every believer on earth. It's a force inside your spirit that's just as much a part of you as the juices in your stomach that digest your food. It's as real inside your spirit as your brain is inside your head.

No new creature was ever created with half a faith. Someone might have some kind of deformity in his or her body, but no one has any deformity in his born-again spirit. Everybody's newborn spirit has faith in it. And that faith increases as it hears and receives the Word of God.

It doesn't matter who you are, where you are or what you are. If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, you have more faith capacity in you than Jairus had when he directed Jesus toward his daughter (Mark 5).

You have more faith capacity in you than the woman with the issue of blood had when her touch brought Jesus to a halt in the middle of the road. Your faith is the very same faith Jesus has. He is the Author of your faith.

Has God changed? No. Never has. Never will. So if Jairus...and the woman on the road...and Bartimaeus...and the leper...and the two blind men could receive from the Anointing of Jesus, so can you. You already have in you all the faith you'll ever need. If there is weakness, it is in the development and the release of that faith.

Speak the Word: God has dealt to me the measure of faith. My faith grows more and more as I hear the Word. (Romans 12:3; 10:17)

For Further Study: Mark 10:46-52

Daily Scripture Reading: Proverbs 10-12; Psalms 4-5


Source: Pursuit of His Presence by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

hi ppl. . .well i am struck with me power point presentation. . hahaha! nv knew nurses have to use that too rite?!? hehe~ finally i read finish the story of Dr. Joseph!! wow. . .can't wait for my ppl to read it!!!! it was so inspiring to read man!!! you knw today i was reading this part where it was talking about how worried Dr. Joseph was to tell his church ppl about the fund they need to buy the new building. . guess wat happen?? with courage and faith, he told in the end and to his amazment the respond was great!!! the ppl was so into the project that those who have car, jewellery or wateva they sold it all away!!! as for the students they use their allowance and give totally to the church!!! even the means of not eating in school just to bless the church!!!then there's this small girl that she save up money for a long time to buy an artificial leg but in the end she gave all to the church! hey i tell you, living in Singapore yet still complain of not enough money, i was reali filled with remose. . .so gulity and ashamed of myself. . .i gotta change!!! so wat if i only left only a few cents for this month!!!! i will not complain!! dun eat outside lor!go home and eat!!! ain't that better?!? amen!!!!
God is our provider and our shelter. . . that's wat i believe!!! haha!!!!thinking of how our founder is so greatly used! he's like us, ordinary person but. . .God!! use me!!!!!!
anyway, Jon thanks for helping me! But do tell me 1st ok!!!

have you ever wondered how Dr. Joseph put his whole life into serving God and doing his works? i was reading Dr. Joseph bk when i realise that his faith was so child-like!!!!someone that i long to hear and see. . .i have decided that i reali wan to give my whole life unto God! No matter wat obstacles are infront of me!! Joanne Liu Yu Qing shall be someone who is reali after God's heart and who reali find joy in serving God!!!! this shall be it!!! God be my witness!!!! i shall not give up!! Satan, wait and see. . .juz wait and see. . .

That's why
every morning i wake up to see your face,
i knw i dance is bcoz of your name,
the air i breathe in is the breath of life,
without it i knw i won't be alive!!!!!!!!

that's y i'm so grateful to you O Lord!
that's y i'm so happy to have you Lord!
i dun care wat ppl say
coz i knw in my heart. . . .I LOVE YOU!

ppl may say that i'm crazy,
ppl may say that i'm a lunatic,
ppl may laugh at my faith in you~
BUT I DUN CARE!!!


*a simple song by JO-N*

hey ppl wat's up man. . . .I HAVE LOST MY VOICE. . . .hahahahhaha. . . guess blame it on me. . . .actuali didn't wana go for today's performance BUT as i was sleeping suddenly "seek His kingdom. . . .1st. . ." appeared in my mind!!!!!!!!! i was like wat duh. . . .diao~ but i reali thank God for his message. . haha~
anyway yesterday and today's ss are fantastic man!!!!judging from where i was standing. . .the view was fantastic!!!! for the 1st ss ppl you go guys!!!!!! your energy level is reali so high man!!!! hmm. . . . is it bcoz the songs are nice. . . hmm. . . .hehe~ for the 2nd ss ppl even though the level was not as high as the 1st ss BUT i gotta to say you have done well!!!!!!!!!!!!! alrite!!!!!!!!!!! you knw yesterday's sermon was great! i thank God i sat thru the sermon time! Pastor Ben was great!!! in the past i always have difficulty understanding his sermon BUT no prob liao! but sometimes his jokes is to intellectual for me to understand. . .. sob*
well,how about today's ss?? hmm. . . . .mayb coz the morning was all more to the family side one so not much of dancing but i can see that all of their eyes was so much on us, "the choir!" hahahaha!!! i tell you guys something, when the dancers came out i could see that the 1st row ppl were actuali shocked at 1st but then after that they were like smiling and enjoying themself away. .. hahahahha! you should look at their facial expression. . .hahaha!!!! hmm. . . am i being bad?? . . . . .
anyway reali gotta thank God for Christella!!! dunno her? she from AWAM!!!! yaya!!! she is great!! reali like her person alot!!!! very approachable man!!! her voice is great as she can sing very high!!!!!!!!! and i mean reali high!!!!! you know the cd "alpizo" the songs in there are great!!!!!!!!!! intro you guys to listen to the 1st track, "Father's Cry", Christella is singing and the guitar player is Jacob. . .the song reali can melt my heart man. . . .aw. . . . . hahahaha! Christella thanks for leading the choir this well!!!!!!!!! hmm. . . .wat about our youth choir? do you guys think we did well?? i tell you. . . . . .I AM SO PROUD TO BE IN THE CHOIR AND SINGING MINISTRY! hahahaha!!!! reali enjoyed myself very much!!!!!!! mayb that's y lost my voice. . . hahahaha!!!! k la~ i am tired liao. . . .will blog some other time. . . bye~

The Judas Trap

What comes to mind when you think of Judas Iscariot? Betrayal, murder, deception, greed, envy...all of the above? For centuries, Judas has been relegated to the hall of (villainy) fame. Little thought is given to him beyond the infamous traitor's kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Have you ever considered what must have happened to bring Judas to the place where he was willing to betray the Lord Jesus? The more we know about Judas the more our question is amplified: what happened to him? If Judas could be so easily swayed from his allegiance to the Christ, what will keep us from falling into the same trap?

In a single word, the trap of Judas is called "offense."

Countless Christians fall prey to the same snare, wreak havoc in their families, businesses and churches, and then wither and die spiritually themselves梟ever quite understanding what happened to them.

Let's begin by defining offense. Many fail to recognize offense when it strikes because they have a limited definition of the word. The Greek word for offense, "skandalizo," comes from the word "skandalon." From this word we get our word "scandal."

For the most part, we don't "call it like it is" when it comes to offense. Instead, we stick a more attractive label on it and justify our reactions. Interestingly, the following words are listed as synonyms of "offense" or "offended" in the Thesaurus. It would do us good to commit these words to memory, so that an alarm sounds in our hearts when we hear them come out of our mouths.
Wronged (injustice)

Displeased (disapproval)

Upset (emotionally agitated, or disturbed)

Vexed (angry, irritated or distressed)

Provoked (annoyed, bothered, harassed)

Indignant (exasperated, disgusted, fed up)

Wounded (hurt feelings)

Insulted

"Rubbed the wrong way"

Attacked

Mistreated

Resentful
All of these words are directly connected to the human soul (mind, will, and emotions). Ask a person who has been "hurt" if he's offended and you'll probably be rebuked for being so hard-hearted towards them! The truth is, they have taken offense.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of offense is "something that outrages the senses." When you feel displeased, wounded, indignant, or rubbed the wrong way, you may have taken the bait! Open your heart to the Word of God and let its healing balm penetrate your defenses and release you from the trap of offense.

How did Judas get so far off track? (See Matt. 26:6-16, John 12:4-6, John 6:53-66, John 6:70-71, and Matt. 27:3-5.) Judas had taken offense earlier, had failed to deal with his heart, and that offense had worked in him to the point that he was now convinced that he was right and Jesus was wrong.

The Most Serious Danger
Judas was so deceived that he may have actually believed betraying Jesus was the "right" thing to do. Here is the most serious danger to the individual who takes an offense. Offense opens the door to self-deception, which ultimately leads to death.

This is the saddest thing about the story of Judas. Satan used him as a pawn, taking advantage of the weakness of Judas' flesh to accomplish his purposes. Once Judas' usefulness was finished, Satan abandoned him like an empty shell.

Judas, realizing what he had done, was repentant, but the damage had been done. Overcome by grief and remorse, he went and hanged himself. In our Western culture that just means that he committed suicide, but to a Jew, to be hanged was to be accursed (Deut. 21:23).

At the end of his life, Judas knew that his own actions had cursed him.

I believe there are many in the Body of Christ today who are the victims of the same trap. Some regret the things they have done, but don't know how to reverse the curse they've brought upon themselves or how to repair the damage they've done to the lives, relationships, careers and ministries of others.

Some Christians are so blinded by the self-deception that came in with the offense they don't even see the trap they're in.

One lady wrote me after hearing this message on offense. "I'm offended by your message on offense," she said. Imagine my horror when I realized she wasn't joking. Shortly thereafter she left the church.

It's not uncommon to find believers who are trapped in a vicious cycle of offense. One minister says the point at which we take offense is the point at which we cease to grow any further in our walk with God.

It is certainly the point at which relationships stop bearing fruit in our lives. People are taking the same "offense test" over and over again. We need instructions for recognizing offense and getting it out of our lives.

You wouldn't allow your children to play with matches; don't allow yourself to play with offense. Yielding to hurt feelings, irritation, or resentment is just asking to get burned.

Please, if you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms?
Complaining

Strife

Avoidance
卛t's time to take the cure. Do not let offense go unchecked in your life at any level.


Copyright ?2003
The Judas Trap by Niki Turner
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Confer Not With Flesh and Blood
by Keith Butler Author Bio


"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood" (Gal. 1:15-16 KJV).

Paul gave no attention to what the people said. When he knew what God wanted him to do he didn't then go ask people what they thought about it.

When you've heard from God you don't need to find out what your friends and family think about it. You just need to do it.

When you know that you know that you heard from God, you don't need a sign. You don't need to say, "Give me a sign Lord. Let a rooster cock-a-doodle-doo at midnight and I'll know it's your will." God doesn't lead you by signs; He leads you by His Spirit. When you pray daily, you will hear Him speaking to you.

Some folks don't pray until the emergency shows up. Now, I'm saying this jokingly, but I almost believe that when God hears certain voices praying, He says, "I haven't heard that voice in five years. They must be in trouble again."

Since I'm on this point, there are also folks who don't go to church until things go wrong. God is not your Santa Clause. And he's not God-in-the-Box, where you wind Him up when you want to and out He jumps.

God expects you to live for him with your whole life. He expects you to come before Him in prayer—all the time—daily, so that you can know that you know that you have His direction.

What you need is the Word and to follow the Holy Spirit. You have to spend time in prayer, and let God show you what He wants you to do. Then when you know what God wants you to do, do it.

Someone might ask, "You mean God deals with me in the earth?"

Yes. He made you. He cares about you. Jesus died for you. Do you think He would do all that and then just leave you alone in this earth to fend for yourself until you die? No, He's involved in your life to the extent you will hear His Word and obey His voice through prayer and fellowship with Him. He will show you what He wants you to do in life.

Scripture References: Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Romans 1:1


Copyright © 2004 Keith Butler Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

HEY PPL READ THIS!!!!
How Can I Be A New Creature...
...When I Act Like My "Old Man"?

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

Many people try to live godly lives without a clue on how to BE the new creature God says they are. When a person is saved, oftentimes this is as far as they go. They latch on to "I'm going to heaven" and that's it. They never learn more than "being saved" so they live out lives of struggle and defeat, waiting to go to heaven.

People "try" to be good and change their old nature themselves. They fall, pick themselves up, fall, pick themselves up, and then fall and stay down. They are operating in the same fashion they did before salvation, but trying to make themselves walk right without any help.

Our spirit was renewed immediately but our mind still thinks the same old way.

So how do you BE that new creature? God says you are a new creature, so you are a new creature. Being a new creature in Christ is just that梱ou are brand spanking new and have a fresh, clean slate.

You have a new life, new choices, new future, new options梐 new YOU. Who you were and what you did before you took Jesus as your Savior is now called the "old man."

Just because I tell you that you are a new creature doesn't mean you will act like one. I went years as a defeated Christian before latching on to the "faith message" and learning the "how to's" that should have been added to my "you're going to heaven" message.

First of all, the new creature in you comes out by renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).

Then Ephesians 4 and 5 help you understand some of the things you can do in order to function as this new creature. Ephesians 4 starts off in verse 11 and 12 with the five-fold ministry, telling us that these people are "gifts" to us to help us mature and to build up our foundation of faith. Then in verses 22 and 23, you find that you need to renew your mind.

The best thing you can do is to find a good Word-based church, sit down and shut up. Sit down under good faith-teaching ministries and learn. You will learn more with your mouth closed than you will with it open.

You may be excited about what Jesus has done for you but other than telling people what He's done for you, be quiet and learn how to operate in this new life.

No one expects a first grade student to be proficient in calculus. No one hands a toddler the keys to their car. In our natural life, we learn and grow into maturity. It is the same with our new spirit life. Learn and grow into maturity.

Colossians 3:9-10 says you've put off the old man with his deeds and put on the new one with his renewed mind. A renewed mind is simply that you've changed your thoughts from your old way of thinking to God's thoughts.

This in turn will change your old way of acting into the way He wants you to act. New thoughts change old actions.

I highly recommend you supplement church services with other teachings. Don't leave all your learning to your pastor. This is why www.CFAITH.com is so vital. You can find everything you need under one roof!

Every topic you need information on has good articles written about it. Supplement with faith teaching on satellite, cable, Web sites, magazines, books, videos, and audiotapes.

There is no excuse for ignorance.

Ephesians 4:22 says, "put off concerning the former conversation the old man"梥o what you say is vitally important. Don't run around telling everyone what your old man used to do.

Some people minister by telling who they used to be and who they are now in Jesus. I don't recommend doing that right after salvation. It has been my experience that people who constantly talk about their past never get past their past.

I am reminded of a former lesbian who was constantly called on to give her deliverance testimony in church. She began to have trouble with the temptation to go back into her former lifestyle. People would counsel her to stay in the Word and stop telling people who she used to be, but sadly, she has now backslidden and has left the church completely.

She talked constantly about her past and never took the time to renew her mind; consequently her "old man" kept creeping back in. She went back into her old thought patterns and old way of acting.

You will always add to your foundation. You will never arrive. Someone once said, "Christianity is a journey, not a destination." You don't "get there" and find you know it all. Always learn and grow until Jesus comes back.

Ephesians 4 and 5 show areas YOU have to take responsibility for. YOU put on the "new man" by reading your Bible, YOU put away lying, YOU quit stealing, and YOU speak faith-filled Words.

Realize as you choose to do these things, when you renew your mind to the Word of God, you will find help. You won't be doing it on your own.

If you blow it, remember that God's mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23). Repent, renew your mind daily (2 Cor. 4:16) and go forward.

The more you renew your mind to God's way of thinking (His Word), the less you will act like that old man. You have His Word on it!


Copyright ?2002 Anointed Word Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

When Somebody Does You Wrong
by Kenneth Copeland Author Bio

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19).

Somebody's done you wrong! Sooner or later it happens to all of us. Somewhere along the way, we all get hurt or cheated or lied to or abused.

It's as predictable as it is painful. Yet when it happens, most of us find ourselves strangely unprepared. In our outrage, we often cry out to God against the one who wronged us. We ask for justice, or even vengeance, and end up making things tougher on everyone involved-including ourselves.

If that's been true of you, it's time you found out how you can put the power of God to work for you the next time somebody does you wrong.

Step one: Identify the enemy! Right here's where the majority of us make our biggest blunder. We mistakenly identify our enemy as the person who hurts us. Don't waste your energy ranting and raving or plotting and scheming against people who cause you pain. They're simply under the devil's influence. Aim your spiritual ammunition at the right target. It's the devil who's behind it all. Go after him!

Step two: Fire! Once you've gotten your spiritual guns pointed in the right direction, fire! Hit the devil fast and furiously with the Word of God. Use the Name of Jesus and the power that's been given you as a believer and bind the devil from doing you any further harm in that area. Then move on to the next and most important part of this spiritual battle.

Step three: Pray the prayer of intercession. In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

Crying out for the vengeance of God to strike like a lightning bolt when somebody does us wrong isn't acting like our Father. Remember, God has great, great mercy. Not just for me and you, but for everyone!

The devil will probably think twice before he bothers you again. Next time someone causes you pain, put the power of God to work for you. Identify the real enemy. Hit him hard with the authority you've been given as a believer. Then pray the prayer of intercession.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:6-15


Source: From Faith to Faith Devotional by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

I LOVE YOU JESUS, DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU JESUS, DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART!!!!!!!!!
LET'S TALK ABOUT A DEEP DEEP DOWN DOWN
DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART. . . .
LET'S TALK ABOUT A DEEP DEEP DOWN DOWN
DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART!!!

You are a human shadow. If a loved one needs you,
you are always right at his or her heels! Your
deep social connection with human beings
produces your qualities of genuine caring and
charisma. However, at times you are naive to
the true nature of your loved ones. Remember
that humans' gift of free will does not always
lead them in wise directions. But your essence
of love and friendship represent the other
precious gifts of humanity. Overall you are a
strikingly valuable and innocent being who has
a lot to give.(please rate my quiz cuz it took
me for freaking ever to create)


What Kind of Shadow Are You? (with gorgeous pics)
brought to you by Quizilla

10 Brain Damaging Habits

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

are you surprised?

hey hey! strange rite this title?!?hehe. . but dun be mislead by the title coz wat is mention in it is so true. . .wana print it out go ahead!!!! hope the articles help you in one way or another!!! God bless!!!!!!!

Why Is it So Boring to Be a Christian?
by Eastman Curtis Author Bio


It is possible the reason you think the Christian life is boring is that your spirit has become satisfied with the status quo instead of staying hungry for God.

When you are satisfied, you become spiritually stagnant. And if you have ever seen or smelled a stagnant pond, you know what I mean when I say stagnant. It's not a pretty—or a sweet-smelling—picture!

When you are hungry for more of God, He will begin to change you, and you won't be able to stay the same for long. As a matter of fact, following God and the leading of His Spirit will often lead to a life of high adventure that you never could have expected or imagined.

Unfortunately, some people confuse religion with God. But the two are definitely not the same.

Religion is man-inspired and often lacks the approval and infusion of the Spirit of God. On the other hand, when God gets involved with man, there is a relationship that is dynamic, not static.

That kind of dynamic relationship with God doesn't just happen in the church, because He goes with you wherever you go. With God, anything can happen if you are open to His leading and listening to Him as you go.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matt. 7:7-8 NIV).

So get hungry for a relationship with God. Then hold on to your hat—because life won't be boring anymore!


Source: Xtreme Talk Devotional by Eastman Curtis.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Self-Control
by Ron Luce Author Bio


"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23).

We were talking about growing in the Lord and not being a baby in the things of Christ anymore.

Today's Scripture begins, "the fruit of the spirit." Note that "fruit" does not just appear on trees. You don't walk out to an apple tree one day and see blossoms and the next day see apples.

The apples have to grow. First the blossom turns into a seed, which develops into a small apple, which grows into a large apple, which finally ripens.

This is the same thing that God wants to do in our life. We pray, "Cause me to mature so I grow fruit." You don't just pray for the fruit of the spirit, "God make me patient, God make me kind, God make me loving, God give me self-control, give it to me now."

To mature and grow up as a Christian you must pursue making the fruit grow.

If fruit is going to grow, the seed must be planted, watered, and fertilized. The seed is the Word of God. You plant it in your heart. You begin to learn it, chew on it, and meditate on it. You water it: by partaking in praise and worship, cultivating a humble heart, and adding to your knowledge.

You keep learning more and more about the Lord so you can continue to exercise self-control in the areas you learn about.

The fruit of the spirit is self-control. Begin to demand that you do what you learn about. Picture yourself as a fruit tree, growing the fruit of the Spirit and constantly pursuing maturity and growth.

You are not somebody with just a bunch of blossoms, as a lot of Christians are. You don't have just a lot of little baby fruit. Work to grow mature, healthy, plump, juicy fruit on your tree.

When people get around you they say, "Wow, you have really grown." Those who see you from one month or from one year to the next will see a lot of growth in your life. In areas where you used to be impatient, you're really patient. In areas where you used to be really rebellious, you're really submissive.

Now take five minutes and memorize Galatians 5:22-23. Meditate on these verses as you begin to work on getting mature fruit in your life.


Copyright © 2004 Teen Mania Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Being a Servant Won't Make You Famous, Just Rich
by John Mason Author Bio


Some time ago I received a telephone call. When I answered the phone, the voice on the other end of the line said: "Bang! You're dead!" I paused. I didn't quite know what to think about what had been said to me.

Then I heard a familiar voice, that of James Campbell, a client of mine: "John, just calling to remind you that we all need to die to ourselves every day."

That is true. There is always room at the top for anyone who is willing to say, "I'll serve."

Several years ago I was listening to Zig Ziglar. In his presentation, he said, "You'll always have everything in life that you want, if you'll help enough other people get what they want."

…despite our tendency toward self-promotion, it is always true that more is accomplished when nobody cares who get the credit.
- John Mason

When I heard that statement, something went off on the inside of me. Then and there I made a conscious decision to incorporate that concept into my life. It has made a tremendous difference.

True Christian leadership always begins with servanthood.

Selfishness always ends in self-destruction. John Ruskin said, "When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package."

Being a servant is not always the most natural thing to do. You know, we are all conditioned to think about ourselves. That's why ninety-seven percent of all people, when offered a new pen to try out, will write their own names.

Yet despite our tendency toward self-promotion, it is always true that more is accomplished when nobody cares who get the credit.

God has always called us to serve those whom we lead. Be willing to serve, without trying to reap the benefits. Before looking for a way to get, look for ways to give.

No one is truly a success in life until he has leaned how to serve. The old saying is true: "The way to the throne room is through he servant's quarters."

One of the most powerful decisions you can make in your life is to do something for someone who doesn't have the power or resources to return the favor. In Matthew 23:11 our Lord said: "…he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."

And in Matthew 20:26-27 He declared: "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."

One of the most incredible benefits of being a Christian is the fact that when you give of yourself to help other people, you cannot help but be personally and abundantly rewarded. The rewards and blessings of being a servant always extend far beyond what can be seen or heard.


Source: An Enemy Called Average by John L. Mason
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing Group