Saturday, October 22, 2005
Thought of the Day
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a bad tree
bear good fruit.
-Matthew 7:18
Monday, October 17, 2005
Web of Life
Beautiful strong
Endless connecting
Winding from one to another
Colorful web
changing and growing
Holding us fast in life.
We are one with the trees
One with the earth
The sky and the seas
We are branches of God
Rooted deep in life.
Endless connecting
Winding from one to another
Colorful web
changing and growing
Holding us fast in life.
We are one with the trees
One with the earth
The sky and the seas
We are branches of God
Rooted deep in life.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Positive Words
The Power of Words
*Words have power, some examples:
#problem# change to *challenge*
#difficult# change to *interesting*
#I'll try# change to *I'll do my best*
#scolded# change to *sent a message*
#I have to do# change to *I must do*
#stressed# change to *overwhelmed, in demand*
#I am angry# change to *I am extremely disenchanted*
#I am so nervous# change to *I am so energized*
A mental worrior is someone willing to change first and be responsible !
Madness
The most insane thing is to keep doing the same thing again and again and expecting to achieve different results!
Being committed is not the same as interested, it is responsibility!
Whatever happens................ Whose responsibility?
Answer: myself !
*Words have power, some examples:
#problem# change to *challenge*
#difficult# change to *interesting*
#I'll try# change to *I'll do my best*
#scolded# change to *sent a message*
#I have to do# change to *I must do*
#stressed# change to *overwhelmed, in demand*
#I am angry# change to *I am extremely disenchanted*
#I am so nervous# change to *I am so energized*
A mental worrior is someone willing to change first and be responsible !
Madness
The most insane thing is to keep doing the same thing again and again and expecting to achieve different results!
Being committed is not the same as interested, it is responsibility!
Whatever happens................ Whose responsibility?
Answer: myself !
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Follow Your Dream
Once upon a time, there was a large mountain side, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born.
Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken.
Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more.
While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies.
"Oh," the eagle cried,
"I wish I could soar like those birds."
The chickens roared with laughter,
"You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, in time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken.
Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the poor eagle passed away.
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are.
So if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born.
Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken.
Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more.
While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies.
"Oh," the eagle cried,
"I wish I could soar like those birds."
The chickens roared with laughter,
"You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, in time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken.
Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the poor eagle passed away.
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are.
So if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Wounded In The Church (2)
When Jesus...knew how long he had been there, He said, 'Do you want toget well?'
John 5:6
When you've been hurt in church you can choose to remain a victim by dwelling on how things should have been, or use the experience to grow wiser and more discerning.
The paralysed man at the pool had been there for 38 years. When Jesus discovered how long he'd been there He asked,
"Do you want to get well?"
It was time for him to stop seeing his handicap as part of his identity. Because he'd been incapacitated for so long he thought like a victim.
Listen:
"I don't have anybody to put me in the pool" (v.7 ).
Translation?
"Nobody really cares."
When Jesus commanded him to get up, He knew it would take real courage to overcome his feelings of hopelessness and self-pity. But when the man obeyed, he was healed on the spot. God never forces healing on you, even if you'rehurting. No, you must want to get well and make a conscious decision to believe you can. Getting hurt is inevitable; living like a victim is a choice.
The church will always have people who speak without thinking and hurt others.
But listen: "You're part of the body of Christ" (Colossians3:15 ).
Apart from it, you've no function, no spiritual food supply and no fulfilment, so you die spiritually. Understand this: it takes the same energy to choose healing as it does bitterness - but the results are very different! One leaves you paralysed by the past, the other gives you hope for the future. So, which will you choose
John 5:6
When you've been hurt in church you can choose to remain a victim by dwelling on how things should have been, or use the experience to grow wiser and more discerning.
The paralysed man at the pool had been there for 38 years. When Jesus discovered how long he'd been there He asked,
"Do you want to get well?"
It was time for him to stop seeing his handicap as part of his identity. Because he'd been incapacitated for so long he thought like a victim.
Listen:
"I don't have anybody to put me in the pool" (v.7 ).
Translation?
"Nobody really cares."
When Jesus commanded him to get up, He knew it would take real courage to overcome his feelings of hopelessness and self-pity. But when the man obeyed, he was healed on the spot. God never forces healing on you, even if you'rehurting. No, you must want to get well and make a conscious decision to believe you can. Getting hurt is inevitable; living like a victim is a choice.
The church will always have people who speak without thinking and hurt others.
But listen: "You're part of the body of Christ" (Colossians3:15 ).
Apart from it, you've no function, no spiritual food supply and no fulfilment, so you die spiritually. Understand this: it takes the same energy to choose healing as it does bitterness - but the results are very different! One leaves you paralysed by the past, the other gives you hope for the future. So, which will you choose
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Wounded In The Church (1)
'My grace is...all you need.'
2 Corinthians 12:9
Are you upset over the treatment you received at the hands of church people who chose to condemn instead of helping you?
Or who neglected you when they should have sought you out, restored you spiritually and returned you to the flock?
Most people who've been wounded in the church could easily convince a jury it should never have happened. And it shouldn't!
But it did - and reliving it won't change it.
Think: if you were mugged and taken to the hospital, you wouldn't spend all your time obsessing about the mugger who beat you up, would you?
No, your main concern would be recovering as fast as possible! Ironically, with physical wounds we seek help immediately, but with emotional ones we'reinclined to focus on the problem instead of the solution.
General Robert E. Lee once visited a house in Kentucky where a very bitter woman showed him the remains of a magnificent tree the Unionartillery had destroyed. She expected Lee to sympathise with her and condemn the Yankees. But instead he quietly replied, "Cut it down, dear lady, and forget it.
" No amount of bitterness could change that tree, but it could certainly change her, and not for the better. Paul says he begged God to take away his pain until, "He told me,
'My grace is...all you need'...Once I heard that...I quit focusing on the handicap" ( 2Corinthians 12:9 ).
Quit focusing on your hurt; turn it over to God!
2 Corinthians 12:9
Are you upset over the treatment you received at the hands of church people who chose to condemn instead of helping you?
Or who neglected you when they should have sought you out, restored you spiritually and returned you to the flock?
Most people who've been wounded in the church could easily convince a jury it should never have happened. And it shouldn't!
But it did - and reliving it won't change it.
Think: if you were mugged and taken to the hospital, you wouldn't spend all your time obsessing about the mugger who beat you up, would you?
No, your main concern would be recovering as fast as possible! Ironically, with physical wounds we seek help immediately, but with emotional ones we'reinclined to focus on the problem instead of the solution.
General Robert E. Lee once visited a house in Kentucky where a very bitter woman showed him the remains of a magnificent tree the Unionartillery had destroyed. She expected Lee to sympathise with her and condemn the Yankees. But instead he quietly replied, "Cut it down, dear lady, and forget it.
" No amount of bitterness could change that tree, but it could certainly change her, and not for the better. Paul says he begged God to take away his pain until, "He told me,
'My grace is...all you need'...Once I heard that...I quit focusing on the handicap" ( 2Corinthians 12:9 ).
Quit focusing on your hurt; turn it over to God!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Rosary
Our Lady of Rosary
Hail Mary, full of Grace
The Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women
and Blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinner
now and at the hour of our death
Amen!
Friday, October 07, 2005
St Francis of Assisi
God spoke to Saint Francis, "Go, Francis, and restore my Church."
Francis heard the words coming from the crucifix - which right away tells us something.
Francis was in a church and he was praying!
If we want God to speak to us than we also must spend that time in prayer.
Another word for prayer is "relationship" - we speak to God and God speaks to us.
As readily as we want God to listen to us - so we must give that same readiness to listening to God.
If we want God to answer our prayers - we must be ready as Saint Francis, to respond to God in the same manner.
Francis heard the words coming from the crucifix - which right away tells us something.
Francis was in a church and he was praying!
If we want God to speak to us than we also must spend that time in prayer.
Another word for prayer is "relationship" - we speak to God and God speaks to us.
As readily as we want God to listen to us - so we must give that same readiness to listening to God.
If we want God to answer our prayers - we must be ready as Saint Francis, to respond to God in the same manner.
Glorify God in your body!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
which you have from God?
You are not your own;
you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
which you have from God?
You are not your own;
you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.
Lord Prayer
OUR FATHER - Daddy, Father of us all, You love all your children, even those who don't know You.
WHO IS IN HEAVEN - You are Lord over all. Eventually, we will all come face-to-face with Your infinite love and realize how little we have loved. Help us all to discover Your love here on earth and convert to it before it's too late.
HOLY IS YOUR NAME - Help us all to revere You and to recognize Your great mercy. Help those who, because of their involvement in evil, are most in need of Your mercy. Help us all to turn away from everything that is not of You.
YOUR KINGDOM COME - Whatever is fighting against Your kingdom, Jesus has already defeated through the cross and resurrection. May his Precious Blood cover every evil-doer to break Satan's strongholds and heal their minds and souls.
YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN - Help us all to know Your will, clearly and accurately, and fill us with a zeal for doing what You ask of us. Give us special graces to hear and grasp Your will more profoundly.
GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD - You know what we need for understanding and doing Your will. Help us all to receive it and be nourished by it. Evil-doers are starving for You; use the circumstances of their day to help them find You.
FORGIVE US OUR SINS - Forgive us for succumbing to temptation and allowing ourselves to be confused about what is right and what is wrong. Forgive us for contributing to evil in our world, as we are all guilty to some extent.
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US - Lord, I do forgive. I ask You, merciful Father, to forgive those who have passed onto us their legacy of evil. Break the chains of hatred and violence that hold so many people in Satan's grip.
DO NOT SUBJECT US TO THE TRIAL - Do not let anyone for whom I'm praying die before they have recognized and accepted Your love. Help us all to become like Jesus, who is the human embodiment of Perfect Love.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL - Deliver me and the whole world from all tactics of the devil. Rescue evil-doers from lives as Satan's instruments; set them free to see enjoy Jesus Christ here on earth and eternally in heaven.
AMEN!
WHO IS IN HEAVEN - You are Lord over all. Eventually, we will all come face-to-face with Your infinite love and realize how little we have loved. Help us all to discover Your love here on earth and convert to it before it's too late.
HOLY IS YOUR NAME - Help us all to revere You and to recognize Your great mercy. Help those who, because of their involvement in evil, are most in need of Your mercy. Help us all to turn away from everything that is not of You.
YOUR KINGDOM COME - Whatever is fighting against Your kingdom, Jesus has already defeated through the cross and resurrection. May his Precious Blood cover every evil-doer to break Satan's strongholds and heal their minds and souls.
YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN - Help us all to know Your will, clearly and accurately, and fill us with a zeal for doing what You ask of us. Give us special graces to hear and grasp Your will more profoundly.
GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD - You know what we need for understanding and doing Your will. Help us all to receive it and be nourished by it. Evil-doers are starving for You; use the circumstances of their day to help them find You.
FORGIVE US OUR SINS - Forgive us for succumbing to temptation and allowing ourselves to be confused about what is right and what is wrong. Forgive us for contributing to evil in our world, as we are all guilty to some extent.
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US - Lord, I do forgive. I ask You, merciful Father, to forgive those who have passed onto us their legacy of evil. Break the chains of hatred and violence that hold so many people in Satan's grip.
DO NOT SUBJECT US TO THE TRIAL - Do not let anyone for whom I'm praying die before they have recognized and accepted Your love. Help us all to become like Jesus, who is the human embodiment of Perfect Love.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL - Deliver me and the whole world from all tactics of the devil. Rescue evil-doers from lives as Satan's instruments; set them free to see enjoy Jesus Christ here on earth and eternally in heaven.
AMEN!
Learn To Let Go
Stop allowing yourselves to be...unsettled.
John 14:27
Some children at summer holiday camp were discussing creation. One asked,
"If everything has a purpose, how come God made poison ivy?"
Another replied, "Because He knows there are some things we should keep our hands off!"
Keeping your hands off certain things isn't easy,especially when you're insecure or controlling by nature. "But sometimes my partner drives me crazy."
Maybe you drive them crazy too! No two people are a hundred percent compatible.
God says, "A man [shall] leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one" ( Genesis 2:24).
"Leaving" is easy, but "becoming one"takes a life time of sacrifice and hard work!
Jesus said, "Stop allowing yourselves to be...unsettled" ( John 14:27).
You're doing it to yourself! Learn to "let go" and work on developing the fruits of the Spirit. That'll keep you busy! Letting go doesn't mean you don't care, it just means allowing others to learn from their consequences. It calls for focusing on Jesus rather than obsessing over the other person.
Isaiah 26:3 says, "You...keep in...peace all those whose thoughts are fixed on You."
Letting go means caring about instead of care-taking. It means stepping out of the middle and not trying to influence the outcome - like fixing, judging, nagging, scolding, arguing, criticising and regulating.
It's about facing each day with God's help and cherishing every minute. It's about realising that the only person you can change - is you!
It's about fearing less and trusting more.
It's about accepting that "amid all these things weare more than conquerors...through Him" ( Romans 8:37 ).
John 14:27
Some children at summer holiday camp were discussing creation. One asked,
"If everything has a purpose, how come God made poison ivy?"
Another replied, "Because He knows there are some things we should keep our hands off!"
Keeping your hands off certain things isn't easy,especially when you're insecure or controlling by nature. "But sometimes my partner drives me crazy."
Maybe you drive them crazy too! No two people are a hundred percent compatible.
God says, "A man [shall] leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one" ( Genesis 2:24).
"Leaving" is easy, but "becoming one"takes a life time of sacrifice and hard work!
Jesus said, "Stop allowing yourselves to be...unsettled" ( John 14:27).
You're doing it to yourself! Learn to "let go" and work on developing the fruits of the Spirit. That'll keep you busy! Letting go doesn't mean you don't care, it just means allowing others to learn from their consequences. It calls for focusing on Jesus rather than obsessing over the other person.
Isaiah 26:3 says, "You...keep in...peace all those whose thoughts are fixed on You."
Letting go means caring about instead of care-taking. It means stepping out of the middle and not trying to influence the outcome - like fixing, judging, nagging, scolding, arguing, criticising and regulating.
It's about facing each day with God's help and cherishing every minute. It's about realising that the only person you can change - is you!
It's about fearing less and trusting more.
It's about accepting that "amid all these things weare more than conquerors...through Him" ( Romans 8:37 ).
Change How You Think
If anything is excellent or praise worthy - think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
You don't have more problems than other people - you just think about them more often! Stop: go back and reread that sentence.
Take a moment and consider what it means. It's what you think about that produces how you feel.
If you don't believe that, try getting angry without first having angry thoughts, or getting sad without first having sad thoughts.
You can't do it, can you?
To experience a feeling you must first have the thought that produces it. That's life-changing information; it's knowledge the devil doesn't want you to have.
If you change how you think you'll change how you feel!
Nothing can hold your negative feelings in place other than your own thinking. The truth is, it's your thinking that's negative not your life! Once you understand that you can get back on the path to happiness again.
But change takes time.
You didn't become negative overnight and you won't become positive over night.
But you can start.
How?
By doing 2 things:
First, by treating your negative thoughts in the same way you treat flies at a picnic - shoo them away and replace them with thoughts that are "excellent and praise worthy." You have that choice!
Second, by thinking about God's goodness. David did: "Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies" ( Psalm 103:2-4).
So if you're serious about changing your life, start changing howy ou think!
Philippians 4:8
You don't have more problems than other people - you just think about them more often! Stop: go back and reread that sentence.
Take a moment and consider what it means. It's what you think about that produces how you feel.
If you don't believe that, try getting angry without first having angry thoughts, or getting sad without first having sad thoughts.
You can't do it, can you?
To experience a feeling you must first have the thought that produces it. That's life-changing information; it's knowledge the devil doesn't want you to have.
If you change how you think you'll change how you feel!
Nothing can hold your negative feelings in place other than your own thinking. The truth is, it's your thinking that's negative not your life! Once you understand that you can get back on the path to happiness again.
But change takes time.
You didn't become negative overnight and you won't become positive over night.
But you can start.
How?
By doing 2 things:
First, by treating your negative thoughts in the same way you treat flies at a picnic - shoo them away and replace them with thoughts that are "excellent and praise worthy." You have that choice!
Second, by thinking about God's goodness. David did: "Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies" ( Psalm 103:2-4).
So if you're serious about changing your life, start changing howy ou think!
Stop Getting Upset!
Don't worry about anything.
Philippians 4:6
Forty percent of what we worry about never happens.
Thirty percent has already happened.
Twelve percent focuses on opinions or situations wec an't change.
Ten percent is about our health, which only worsens it.
Eight percent concerns real problems we can influence.
Think: ninety-two percent of our worries are needless!
Worry comes from a Greek word meaning, "to divide the mind."
Anxiety splits us right down the middle. Rather than take away tomorrow's trouble, it robs us of today's strength. And who can afford to lose strength? "But how can I stop worrying?"
Paul offers a two-pronged answer: God's part and our part.
Our part includes prayer and gratitude:"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done" ( Philippians 4:6).
Do you want to worry less?
Pray more! And express your gratitude.
God wants to be thanked before He gets invoiced!
And what's God's part?
Listen:
"If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 4:7).
Believing prayer ushers in God's peace.
Imagine having God's peaceful state of mind!
Do you think He battles anxiety?
Wrings His hands or asks the angels for antacids?
Your problem is less to Him than a twig to an elephant.
God enjoys perfect peace because He enjoys perfect power - and He offers His peace to you. Just do your part
Philippians 4:6
Forty percent of what we worry about never happens.
Thirty percent has already happened.
Twelve percent focuses on opinions or situations wec an't change.
Ten percent is about our health, which only worsens it.
Eight percent concerns real problems we can influence.
Think: ninety-two percent of our worries are needless!
Worry comes from a Greek word meaning, "to divide the mind."
Anxiety splits us right down the middle. Rather than take away tomorrow's trouble, it robs us of today's strength. And who can afford to lose strength? "But how can I stop worrying?"
Paul offers a two-pronged answer: God's part and our part.
Our part includes prayer and gratitude:"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done" ( Philippians 4:6).
Do you want to worry less?
Pray more! And express your gratitude.
God wants to be thanked before He gets invoiced!
And what's God's part?
Listen:
"If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 4:7).
Believing prayer ushers in God's peace.
Imagine having God's peaceful state of mind!
Do you think He battles anxiety?
Wrings His hands or asks the angels for antacids?
Your problem is less to Him than a twig to an elephant.
God enjoys perfect peace because He enjoys perfect power - and He offers His peace to you. Just do your part
Stay Focused
I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing.
Philippians 3:13
The poorest man in the world is not the one without money, he's the one without a vision for his life.
But vision requires focus.
When you'respread too thin you become mediocre at everything and excellent at nothing.
Failure always results from saying yes to too many things.
Because something is good doesn't mean it's right for you.
When your plate is full from doing what God has given you to do, learn to say no to everything else.
"No" sets you free from other people's expectations and the need for their approval.
"No" doesn't mean never, it just means"not now."
If you try to fight on every front you'll wear yourself out and fail to win where it counts. Fighting a battle without spoils is like pouring water on a burning shack. Unless somebody's life's in danger it's probably not worth fighting for. Conserve your energy for when it's your home, or something really important is at stake.
You always lose when you:
(a) fight the wrong battle;
(b) fight at the wrong time;
(c) fight when you shouldn't be involved;
(d) fight because you need to win in order to feel good about yourself;
(e) fight though the battle has been lost but your pride won't let you swallow it.
Stay focused on your goals.
Keep your eyes on the prize that God has set before you.
If the enemy can't defeat you, he'll distract you with side issues or disqualify you by getting you to make bad decisions.
Either way, he wins and you lose!
Philippians 3:13
The poorest man in the world is not the one without money, he's the one without a vision for his life.
But vision requires focus.
When you'respread too thin you become mediocre at everything and excellent at nothing.
Failure always results from saying yes to too many things.
Because something is good doesn't mean it's right for you.
When your plate is full from doing what God has given you to do, learn to say no to everything else.
"No" sets you free from other people's expectations and the need for their approval.
"No" doesn't mean never, it just means"not now."
If you try to fight on every front you'll wear yourself out and fail to win where it counts. Fighting a battle without spoils is like pouring water on a burning shack. Unless somebody's life's in danger it's probably not worth fighting for. Conserve your energy for when it's your home, or something really important is at stake.
You always lose when you:
(a) fight the wrong battle;
(b) fight at the wrong time;
(c) fight when you shouldn't be involved;
(d) fight because you need to win in order to feel good about yourself;
(e) fight though the battle has been lost but your pride won't let you swallow it.
Stay focused on your goals.
Keep your eyes on the prize that God has set before you.
If the enemy can't defeat you, he'll distract you with side issues or disqualify you by getting you to make bad decisions.
Either way, he wins and you lose!
The Rebekah Principle (2)
Before we leave her, let's learn 3 more important lessons from Rebekah:
(1) When you give generously, you get back more than you ever thought possible. Jesus said, "With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" ( Matthew 7:2 ). We set the standard of what we receive, by what we give. Rebekah gave more than was asked, and received back more than she ever expected to get. She became the great-greatgreat-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmotherof the Messiah! Give what you can; you'll be amazed what God will giveyou in return.
(2) When you give generously, your loved ones will be blessed too. When Abraham's servant revealed who he was, he brought out gold articles and rich garments and gave them to Rebekah. But he also gave precious things to her mother and brother. The rewards of your generosity will always overflow and touch the lives of those closest to you.
(3) When you give, the impact of your generosity will often out live you.In the moment of giving you cannot imagine how your actions might impact the lives of others in the future.
Imagine what the world would be like if Michelangelo had said, "I don't do ceilings,"
if Noah had said, "I don't do boats,"
if David had said, "I don't do Goliaths,"
if Mary hadsaid, " I don't do virgin births,"
if Paul had said, "I don't do letters,"
and if Jesus had said, "I don't do crosses."
A life style of generous giving will out live you and bless those who follow you.
(1) When you give generously, you get back more than you ever thought possible. Jesus said, "With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" ( Matthew 7:2 ). We set the standard of what we receive, by what we give. Rebekah gave more than was asked, and received back more than she ever expected to get. She became the great-greatgreat-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmotherof the Messiah! Give what you can; you'll be amazed what God will giveyou in return.
(2) When you give generously, your loved ones will be blessed too. When Abraham's servant revealed who he was, he brought out gold articles and rich garments and gave them to Rebekah. But he also gave precious things to her mother and brother. The rewards of your generosity will always overflow and touch the lives of those closest to you.
(3) When you give, the impact of your generosity will often out live you.In the moment of giving you cannot imagine how your actions might impact the lives of others in the future.
Imagine what the world would be like if Michelangelo had said, "I don't do ceilings,"
if Noah had said, "I don't do boats,"
if David had said, "I don't do Goliaths,"
if Mary hadsaid, " I don't do virgin births,"
if Paul had said, "I don't do letters,"
and if Jesus had said, "I don't do crosses."
A life style of generous giving will out live you and bless those who follow you.
The Rebekah Principle (1)
You have shown kindness.
Genesis 24:14
One day as Rebekah was standing by the well, an elderly man approached and asked her for a drink. Without hesitation she said yes. Then she offered to water his camels. That was no small offer. One camel can drink 20 gallons of water. Do the maths: 10 camels at 20 gallons each equals 200 gallons. 200 gallons drawn with a 5-gallon jar equals 40 trips to the well. 40 trips at 3 minutes each equals 2 hours. What Rebekah didn't realise was that her simple act of generosity would change her life forever. Little did she know that her actions were the answer to a servant's prayer and the plan of a sovereign God. All she did was do what she felt she should, but in so doing she became the bride of Isaac, the inheritor of Abraham's fortune, and a predecessor of our blessed Lord Jesus.
Rebekah went the extra mile. Her generosity stands in stark contrast tothe prevailing attitudes of our day. She said, "I'll not just do what you ask of me, I'll do more." In contrast many of us say, "I'm going to do the least that's expected of me and try and get the most out of it."Sadly this spirit has also crept into the lives of God's people. Few individuals desire to do more than they must. Everywhere you look yousee an attitude of minimum effort for maximum payment. The Rebekah principle teaches us that when you go through life looking for small opportunities to be generous, it pays big dividends.
Genesis 24:14
One day as Rebekah was standing by the well, an elderly man approached and asked her for a drink. Without hesitation she said yes. Then she offered to water his camels. That was no small offer. One camel can drink 20 gallons of water. Do the maths: 10 camels at 20 gallons each equals 200 gallons. 200 gallons drawn with a 5-gallon jar equals 40 trips to the well. 40 trips at 3 minutes each equals 2 hours. What Rebekah didn't realise was that her simple act of generosity would change her life forever. Little did she know that her actions were the answer to a servant's prayer and the plan of a sovereign God. All she did was do what she felt she should, but in so doing she became the bride of Isaac, the inheritor of Abraham's fortune, and a predecessor of our blessed Lord Jesus.
Rebekah went the extra mile. Her generosity stands in stark contrast tothe prevailing attitudes of our day. She said, "I'll not just do what you ask of me, I'll do more." In contrast many of us say, "I'm going to do the least that's expected of me and try and get the most out of it."Sadly this spirit has also crept into the lives of God's people. Few individuals desire to do more than they must. Everywhere you look yousee an attitude of minimum effort for maximum payment. The Rebekah principle teaches us that when you go through life looking for small opportunities to be generous, it pays big dividends.
Lessons From Noah
By faith Noah...
Hebrews 11:7
You can make a difference in your family! Listen: "By faith Noah...built an ark to save his family." Noah's obedience to God didn't benefit just him, it also saved his family. It took him 100 years but he did it: andby God's grace you can win your family too.
You can make a difference at any age! Stop putting restrictions on yourself because of age. Noah was 500 years old when he started preaching and building the ark. It's not over until God says it's over!
You can make a difference for future generations! When Noah stepped out of the ark God used him to start the world all over again. Wow! Listen:"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" ( 2Chronicles 16:9 ).
God is still looking for people to partner with so that He can fulfil His purposes. But to qualify you must:
(a) dare tostand out in the crowd. Noah believed in his vision when nobody else did.Difference-makers are different. Don't let that bother you;
(b) dare todo things for the first time. Don't let the words "it's never been done before" keep you from doing what God asks. Folks said, "It's never rained before, who needs a boat?" But they were wrong and it cost them dearly;
(c) endure the rain to see the rainbow. So take your stand andbelieve God, for what He's promised you - He'll perform!
Hebrews 11:7
You can make a difference in your family! Listen: "By faith Noah...built an ark to save his family." Noah's obedience to God didn't benefit just him, it also saved his family. It took him 100 years but he did it: andby God's grace you can win your family too.
You can make a difference at any age! Stop putting restrictions on yourself because of age. Noah was 500 years old when he started preaching and building the ark. It's not over until God says it's over!
You can make a difference for future generations! When Noah stepped out of the ark God used him to start the world all over again. Wow! Listen:"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" ( 2Chronicles 16:9 ).
God is still looking for people to partner with so that He can fulfil His purposes. But to qualify you must:
(a) dare tostand out in the crowd. Noah believed in his vision when nobody else did.Difference-makers are different. Don't let that bother you;
(b) dare todo things for the first time. Don't let the words "it's never been done before" keep you from doing what God asks. Folks said, "It's never rained before, who needs a boat?" But they were wrong and it cost them dearly;
(c) endure the rain to see the rainbow. So take your stand andbelieve God, for what He's promised you - He'll perform!
Water-walking (3)
Then those who were in the boat worshipped Him.
Matthew 14:33
The story of Peter walking on the water ends with the words: "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him." There's an important principle here: God reveals Himself. You reflect on what He's done and respond in worship. Your love for Him grows. This may happen to you in adramatic way such as a walk on the water. But usually it happens in ways that are easily missed, such as a still small voice within that whispers, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" ( Hebrews 13:5).
John Ortberg writes: "You need to worship God not because His ego needs it, but because without worship your experience and enjoyment of Him are not complete. You need to worship, because without worship you can forget you have a big God and end up living in fear. You need to worship,because without it you can forget His calling and begin to live in a spirit of self-preoccupation. You need to worship, because without it you can lose your sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with the blinders on. You need to worship, because your natural tendency is toward self-reliance and stubborn independence."In Mark's version of the water-walking story he records that the disciples were amazed "because their hearts were hardened." Each time you pause to remember what God has brought you through, your heart will become tender and your lips declare: "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth" ( Psalm 34:1).
Matthew 14:33
The story of Peter walking on the water ends with the words: "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him." There's an important principle here: God reveals Himself. You reflect on what He's done and respond in worship. Your love for Him grows. This may happen to you in adramatic way such as a walk on the water. But usually it happens in ways that are easily missed, such as a still small voice within that whispers, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" ( Hebrews 13:5).
John Ortberg writes: "You need to worship God not because His ego needs it, but because without worship your experience and enjoyment of Him are not complete. You need to worship, because without worship you can forget you have a big God and end up living in fear. You need to worship,because without it you can forget His calling and begin to live in a spirit of self-preoccupation. You need to worship, because without it you can lose your sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with the blinders on. You need to worship, because your natural tendency is toward self-reliance and stubborn independence."In Mark's version of the water-walking story he records that the disciples were amazed "because their hearts were hardened." Each time you pause to remember what God has brought you through, your heart will become tender and your lips declare: "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth" ( Psalm 34:1).
Water-walking (2)
When he saw the wind...he was afraid.
Matthew 14:30
The truth about water-walking is: the fear never goes away! If you want to grow, you must go into new territory, and each time you do you'll experience fear. Give up trying to make fear go away! Fear and growth go together; it's a package deal. The decision to grow means choosing between risk and comfort. Each time you get out of the boat you become alittle more able to get out the next time. It's not that the fear goes away, you just get used to living with it. You realise that it doesn't have the power to destroy you. On the other hand, every time you choose to stay in the boat rather than heed the call of Christ to "Come," the voice inside you gets a little quieter, until finally you don't hear it at all.
Did Peter fail? No. Besides Jesus, he's the only man who ever walked on water. Failure isn't an event, it's just an opinion. It's not what happens to us, but how we think about it. Only Peter knew the joy of being empowered by God to do what couldn't humanly be done. Walking on water changes you forever. And only Peter knew the grace of being liftedby Jesus in a moment of desperate need. He understood in a way the others couldn't that when you take baby steps of faith, the Lord will never let you drown. He had an experience with Christ the others didn't have. So,failure isn't sinking in the waves, it's never getting out of the boat!
Matthew 14:30
The truth about water-walking is: the fear never goes away! If you want to grow, you must go into new territory, and each time you do you'll experience fear. Give up trying to make fear go away! Fear and growth go together; it's a package deal. The decision to grow means choosing between risk and comfort. Each time you get out of the boat you become alittle more able to get out the next time. It's not that the fear goes away, you just get used to living with it. You realise that it doesn't have the power to destroy you. On the other hand, every time you choose to stay in the boat rather than heed the call of Christ to "Come," the voice inside you gets a little quieter, until finally you don't hear it at all.
Did Peter fail? No. Besides Jesus, he's the only man who ever walked on water. Failure isn't an event, it's just an opinion. It's not what happens to us, but how we think about it. Only Peter knew the joy of being empowered by God to do what couldn't humanly be done. Walking on water changes you forever. And only Peter knew the grace of being liftedby Jesus in a moment of desperate need. He understood in a way the others couldn't that when you take baby steps of faith, the Lord will never let you drown. He had an experience with Christ the others didn't have. So,failure isn't sinking in the waves, it's never getting out of the boat!
Water-walking (1)
Peter...walked on the water.
Matthew 14:29
Here are some things you need to know about water-walking:
(1) Everybody has a boat. Your boat is whatever gives you your greatest
sense of significance and security. It's what you're tempted to put your
trust in, especially when life gets stormy. Want to know what your boat is? Your fear will tell you. Ask yourself, "What is it that most produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind and stepping out in faith?"
(2) You must keep your eyes on the Saviour, not the storm. When did Peter sink? When he "saw the wind." We all know what it's like to see the wind, don't we? You begin a new adventure full of hope. Maybe it's a job or a new relationship. Maybe you're trying to succeed in a new venture. At the beginning you're full of faith; it's blue skies; then reality sets in. Set backs. Opposition. Financial challenges. Life's fullof surprises so we should expect it, but somehow trouble still has the power to blind side us. Because of the wind some of us never leave the boat. But the truth is, there's no guarantee that life in the boat will be any safer. Everything's risky! Baseball's greatest hitters fail 2 times out of 3. But if you don't step up to the plate you'll never know the joy of hitting a home run. Understand this: if you live in the boat you'll eventually die in the boat, and you'll end up wondering what your life might have been if only you'd been willing to step over the side.
Matthew 14:29
Here are some things you need to know about water-walking:
(1) Everybody has a boat. Your boat is whatever gives you your greatest
sense of significance and security. It's what you're tempted to put your
trust in, especially when life gets stormy. Want to know what your boat is? Your fear will tell you. Ask yourself, "What is it that most produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind and stepping out in faith?"
(2) You must keep your eyes on the Saviour, not the storm. When did Peter sink? When he "saw the wind." We all know what it's like to see the wind, don't we? You begin a new adventure full of hope. Maybe it's a job or a new relationship. Maybe you're trying to succeed in a new venture. At the beginning you're full of faith; it's blue skies; then reality sets in. Set backs. Opposition. Financial challenges. Life's fullof surprises so we should expect it, but somehow trouble still has the power to blind side us. Because of the wind some of us never leave the boat. But the truth is, there's no guarantee that life in the boat will be any safer. Everything's risky! Baseball's greatest hitters fail 2 times out of 3. But if you don't step up to the plate you'll never know the joy of hitting a home run. Understand this: if you live in the boat you'll eventually die in the boat, and you'll end up wondering what your life might have been if only you'd been willing to step over the side.
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