“Happy new year and happy new you!”

Hey you, wake up to a brand new day,

New mercies are here,

Happy new year and happy new you!

Rise up, rise up and shake off

The yesteryears’ dust,

Happy new year and happy new you!

Do you hear the new sound of hope

Thumpin’ at your soul’s door?

Happy new year and happy new you!

Strengthen weak hands and feeble knees;

And march into new boundaries,

Happy new year and happy new you!

On the threshold of a new age

Recognize you’re the essence of heaven here and say:

Happy new year and happy new you!

Happy new year and happy new you

Means in all you do stay joyful and true!

~Uche

“Not Only Christmas Day”

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild

A Short Story on Determination...

" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23 NIV)

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

"We told them so."

"Crazy men and their crazy dreams."

"It`s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

Even the most distant dream can be realized with determination and persistence.

Again, Jesus says, "Everything is possible for him who believes."

I could never fall in love with a skinny man......

This is an interesting short story, a friend sent to my email:

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.

She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.


She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girls 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and well being. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!’ replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.


The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!’ replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, 'I have always
turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'


His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.


Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your life:

Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul; often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37 NIV)

But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

The Sword of the Spirit...

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth….(John 17:16)

Sanctification by the truth of God’s word is of great necessity to the Christian who would be useful in the Master’s hands. This truth enables us gain a revelation of God’s mind concerning every matter of life. By this truth, we understand that our Faith is produced by a spiritual view of the atonement of Christ, and of His infinite fullness as a complete and perfect Saviour.

We also understand that Love is excited by a discovery of the excellence of God’s moral perfections. Holy fear and reverence arise from a sight of the majesty and glory of His natural attributes, and a sense of His presence. Joy may come from a sense of the infinite rectitude of His moral government, from the sight of the glory of God, in His works of providence and grace, or from a general view of the beauty and excellence of divine truth.

Comfort may be derived from evidence of the divine favor; and confidence, from an appropriation of God’s promises to ourselves. And in many other ways, also the Holy Spirit produces spiritual feelings through the instrumentality of the truth. But all religious feeling, produced by impulse, without any rational view of the truth, is to be suspected. It may be the work of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan is very busy in counterfeiting religious experiences for those he wishes to deceive!

Every religious affection has its counterfeit. Thus, even sorrow may be produced by the fear of hell, without any sense of the evil of sin; a presumption of our own ‘good fortune’ may be mistaken for faith, and this will produce (false) joy. We may exercise a carnal or selfish love to God, because we think he loves us, and has made us the objects of his special favor; and the promises of God, so far as they concern the personal good of the believer, may administer as much comfort to the hypocrite as to the real saint.

This is why it’s very important in these times that we should not only exercise a general belief of the great doctrines of the gospel, but that we should have a right understanding of them. The truth in God’s word is so necessary in the Christian warfare that it is called the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b). But of what benefit is the sword to the soldier who knows not how to use it?

Humour Time: It's in the Bible~~~(Just a joke....LOL)

There was a religious lady that had to do a lot of traveling for her business, so she did a lot of flying.

Flying made her very, very nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her to read as it helped relax her on the long flights.

One time, she was sitting next to a man.
When he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and smirk and went back to what he was doing.

After awhile, he turned to her and asked, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"

The lady replied, "Of course I do. It is the Bible."

He said, "Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?"

She replied, "Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that, it is in the Bible."

He asked, "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"

The lady said, "Well, I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven, I will ask him."

"What if he isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.

"Then you can ask him," replied the lady.

Link to more Christian Jokes

How can this be?

This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. Isa 49:8-9 (NIV)

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor 6:2 (NIV)


One of the greatest things that God has done for us in Christ is that He wants to express His nature on this earth through us who believe. Whatever God does is usually very big and unimaginable, and sometimes we may feel so intimidated and inadequate, and even withdraw to our comfort zones.

A look at some stories from the bible will reveal this fact to us:
1. Luke 1:5-25
2. Romans 4:18-21, Genesis 18:10-15
3. Joshua 1: 1-9
4. John 5:1-7
5. Acts 12: 15-16
6. Luke 1:26-38

In these stories, we observe that the people did not have as much benefit of hindsight like we have in this our time. Now we can study about them, and understand how God began a new thing and finished it in their life. And in most cases, the fulfillment of God's word came many generations after they were dead and gone.

The bible tells us that the word of God is like a seed, and a seed has the potential to become a forest. Some seeds grow to become fruitful plants in three months, and some may take many years. Yet whenever the Lord places demand the tree it is expected to produce fruit in obedience (Mark 11:12-14). What is the word of God to you in this season? What is it that God is prompting your heart to do for Him? What bold steps is God telling you to take for Him, and what are you afraid of? Remember that this is a season of God's favour upon us (2 Cor 6-2).

It may be easy to read the bible and to believe for God's favour, but really, when the favour comes you need to have faith in order to lay hold of it.

Sometimes, and maybe most times, the favour of God does not come to us in pleasant forms. Yet, because we trust in Him, through faith we can stand in assurance that He has the best of intentions for our life.

So today, it does not matter whatever obstacles or difficulties you may be passing through.

Whether you are married or single...it doesn't matter!
Whether you've been broken hearted or disappointed in a relationship...it doesn't matter!
Whether you come from a broken home...it doesn't matter!
Whether you have don't have a job or in some financial difficulty...it doesn't matter!

It does not matter because God is aware of these things. There are some things He will remove completely from your life, yet there are others He will leave, and its not because He hates you. Jesus said that "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life (Matt 7:14)." He wants you to minister to Him in that narrow situation, give Him praise in that narrowness, give Him glory in that straitness. And sometimes it may even feel like dying, but not to worry, "a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains" (John 12:24).

There are just a few points here that I would like to mention as attitudes to adopt in receiving or laying hold of God's favour:

1. Study the word of God (2Tim 2:15, Luke 11:28, Matt 22:29, Josh 1:8)
2. Believe the word of God (Mar 1:15, Mar 9:23, Josh 1:7)
3. Pray (Mat 26:41, Mar 13:33, Luk 18:1, Mar 11:24, 1Thess 5:17-18, Phil 4:6)
4. Worship and Praise (Psa 99:9, Luk 4:8)

This is what Jesus demonstrated to us by His life on earth, that is the way of the Master. "And it pleased God that the fullness of the Godhead should dwell in Him bodily" (Col 2:9); and "Christ in you is the hope of God's glory on this earth (Col 1:27)."

This year you need to rise up in the knowledge and understanding of your spiritual position in God and walk in that revelation towards your destiny. The word of God is going forth as I speak to you today. Jesus said His word is Spirit and life (John 6:63). Jesus sent His word and His word healed and delivered (Psalm 107:20).

Remember, God has your victory planned in Christ, but you must learn to rise up in faith, in prayer, and in praise. This is the season to lay hold of your inheritance in Christ, and I declare that the favour of God is upon you, in the name of Jesus. Amen



Note:
Favour in Hebrew and Greek generally
mean: Acceptable (ed, ance), Delight,
Pleasure, Approved, Grace, (graciousness),
Kindness. (Strong's Hebrew / dictionary).

LOL~~~ And may our homes be filled with the love of God, always!♬ ♩☆♬ ♩♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in"

"We do not go into a House together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she asked.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)~~~May our homes be filled with the love of God, always!

A Startling Summons…

“Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out. But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there be not enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you. Therefore watch, for you do not know either the day or the hour in which the Son of Man comes.”~~~ (Matthew 25:1-13 MKJV)

The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ's coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren.

They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, and the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry past the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays.

A startling summons was given. Go ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even those best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, (2Peter 3:14). It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamps when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainly find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may light a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace, have none to spare.

The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work is undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it. Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's coming to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared. The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is too late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far in expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alarm the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduct shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long. God bless you!

*Culled from Matthew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary

The Choice of Fleshly Lust…

“My son, listen to my wisdom; bow your ear to my understanding; in order to keep discretion, that your lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drip honey, and her palate is smoother than oil; but afterward she is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell, lest you should meditate on the path of life, her tracks are movable; you cannot know them. And now hear me, O sons, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your ways far from her, and do not come near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the cruel; that strangers not be filled with your strength, and your labors be in the house of a stranger; and you moan when your end comes, when your flesh and muscle are eaten away, and say, How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction; and I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor bowed down my ears to those who taught me!.”~~~(Proverbs 5:1-13 MKJV)

Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins (The 7^th Commandment: You shall not commit adultery -Exodus 20:14). Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!

“Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well. Should your overflowing spring be scattered abroad as rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only your own, and not strangers' with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. Like the loving deer and pleasant doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times, and be ravished always with her love. And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah, and He watches all his paths. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sin. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.”~~~(Proverbs 5:15-23 MKJV)

Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.

Culled from Matthew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary

The Christian Focus and Self-Discipline

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."(1Peter 1:13-16 NKJV)

Just as men would gird their loins so that their robes wouldn’t get caught on obstructions as they walked, this is how we are to gird the loins of our minds. We must remain focused and sober.

Christians will do well in these times to be sober, to be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and to be temperate in all behaviour. We are instructed to be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in our judgment of ourselves. A strong and perfect trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in our duty. Holiness should be the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those He has saved to become holy.