Friday, October 30, 2009

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

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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).




Saturday, October 24, 2009

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!




Monday, October 19, 2009

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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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 7th 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

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

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.