Monday, April 21, 2014

IS BIBLE A LUCKY CHARM?


In 1974, before I went to Africa to fight Muhammad Ali, a friend gave me a Bible to take along on my trip. He said, “George, keep this with you for good luck.” I believed the Bible was just a shepherd’s handbook, probably because the only verse I knew was “the Lord is my shepherd.” But I was always looking for luck, so I carried that Bible with me. I had lucky pennies and good luck charms, so now I added the “lucky” Bible to my collection of superstitious items.

After I lost the fight, I threw the Bible away. I never even opened it. I thought, The Bible didn’t help me win, so why do I need it? I thought I’d get power simply from owning it; I didn’t realize that I needed to read it and believe what it says. Since then, I’ve come to understand that the Bible is my road map, not my good luck charm. - George Foreman, boxing legend & two-time World Heavyweight Champion.

Psalms 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.”

Are you guilty of not opening your Bible and reading enough of God's Word today?

Saturday, April 19, 2014

VICTORY OVER DEATH


“All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning.” -Oswald Chambers.

At a world gathering of religious leaders the spokesman for Christianity came to the heart of the matter when he said, "Religion means to me victory, victory, victory!" That is the thrust of our faith. Christianity means victory over sin! Christianity means victory over death! Christianity means victory over the grave! Christianity means victory over Hell itself! - J. Michael Shannon

William Sangster, the great preacher, was terminally ill with cancer. He could get about but could not speak. One Easter Sunday morning, he seemed especially despondent. Finally he wrote on his pad: "What tragedy! Resurrection Lord's Day and no voice with which to praise my great Redeemer's name." Then he sat dejectedly gazing out the window. Finally, he wrote again: "There is only one thing more tragic to have a voice and fail to praise the great Redeemer's Name." - J. Michael Shannon.

1Th 4:14 says: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

FORGIVENESS


Ronald Reagan’s attitude after the 1982 attempt on his life made an impression on his daughter, Patti Davis.

The day following the shooting her father said he knew his physical healing was directly dependent on his ability to forgive John Hinckley. His daughter said that by this statement it showed her that forgiveness is the key to everything, including physical health and healing. He gave her an example of Christ-like thinking. - Christianity Today.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing." (Luke 23:34).

“The medical evidence is clear and mounting. It's no exaggeration to say that bitterness is a dangerous drug in any dosage and that your very health is at risk if you stubbornly persist in being unforgiving." - Lee Strobel.

“I firmly believe a great many prayers are not answered because we are not willing to forgive someone.” - D.L. Moody.

Monday, April 14, 2014

A NEW LIGHT


One of the greatest tragedies for people would be to live in darkness when they could live in the light…

Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. Then she had an operation in an Ontario hospital. She said, “I just can’t believe it,” as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes. She wept when, for the first time in her life, she saw a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color.

The amazing thing about her story, however, was that 20 years of her blindness was unnecessary. She didn’t know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The Dr. said, “She just figured there was nothing that could be done for her condition. Much of her life could have been different.” - Jeff Strite.

Over 2000 years ago, Christ died on the cross & paid the punishment for our sins. We don’t have to keep living with the burden of guild of our sins anymore. Confess your sins to the Lord now & obtain His forgiveness.

Act 2:38 says: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

UNUSED POWER


An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids, when he said to his friend, “Come & I will show you the greatest unused power in the world.” Then he took him to the foot of the Niagara Falls, “There,” he said, “is the greatest unused power in the world.” “Ah, no, my brother, not so,” was the reply. “The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God.” - Christian Endeavor World.

“God loves to pour out His Spirit with power on those who will dare to align radically their purposes with His.” – Steve Childers.

Luke 11:13 says: “…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Sunday, April 13, 2014

CHEER UP!


“A glad heart makes a cheerful face…’ Pro 15:13.

A Sunday school teacher asked her children, “Why do you have to be quiet in church?” A little girl replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

“A newly married man took up 2 jobs to please his wife with extra gifts. She left for another man saying, “I want a man to spend time with me.”

One Sunday, a pastor announced to his congregation, “I have good news & bad news. The good news is we have enough money to pay for our new building project. The bad news is, it’s still out there in your pockets.” (Selections from net)

Friday, April 11, 2014

CHOOSE A GOOD NAME


At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered the Finnish language. In Finland, to “hoover” means “to be kind, to help.” If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be? - Guy McGraw.

“A man has 3 names; the name he inherits, the name his parents give him and the name he makes for himself." - unknown.

“A good name is what is given you by others and that which has been earned by you.” - Jack Hyles.

Joseph earned the nickname Barnabas, which means, "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36).

Pro 22:1 says: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…”

Thursday, April 10, 2014

SPIRITUAL BLOCKS


In a particular forest, springtime sees great quantities of logs move swiftly down the rivers. Sometimes a jam occurs. Then the timber-worker seeks the log which is blocking the wooden tide. When he finds that key log, he jerks it out of place and the flood moves onward with its cargo.

There is such a thing as a spiritual log jam. We lose our religious enthusiasm, interest in personal devotions wanes, an hour in the Lord's house becomes a bore and the Bible becomes a silent Book. Then we must find the key log that is choking the flood of spiritual life. It may be an unforgiving spirit, or jealousy, or hypocrisy. Jerk the obstruction out of place and spiritual vitality will surge onward. (Taken from ToDay).

Eph 4:31-32 says: “Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.”

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

THE CHALLENGE


Several years ago I met a gentleman who served on one of Walt Disney's original advisory boards. Those early days were tough; but that remarkable, creative visionary refused to give up. I especially appreciated the man's sharing with me how Disney responded to disagreement. He said that Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing. But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn't pursue it.  The challenge wasn't big enough to merit his time and creative energy unless they were unanimous in disagreement! - Charles Swindoll,

The supreme challenge you will face in making Christ-honoring, Biblical changes is dying to self. The Biblical perspective concerning "self" is exactly opposite to what the wisdom of this world proclaims. - John  Broger

Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.…(Gal 2:20).

Sunday, April 6, 2014

WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND?


“If you sow a thought, you reap an act.
If you sow an act, you reap a habit.
If you sow a habit, you reap character.
If you sow character, you reap destiny.” - unknown.

So, our thought-world ultimately reaps our destiny!

Amnon sowed evil thoughts, reaped dissatisfaction & death ( 2 Sam 13:6,15 & 29).

Zacchaeus sowed good thoughts, reaped honor & salvation (Luke 19:3, 7 & 9).

Pro 4:23 says: “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

Phi 4:8 (GNB) says: “In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable.”

A GLAD HEART...


“A glad heart makes a healthy body…” (Pro 17:27).

After visiting America, the duke of Winsor was asked what impressed him the most. He said, “the way American parents obey their children.”

“Many a young man thought that he had chosen the young lady who became his wife – only to find out after the wedding that she had first chosen him.”

“A child’s description of an elevator: “I got into this little room & the upstairs came down.” (Analogy: If one gets into prayer, the heavenliness comes down). - Selected from net.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Interpersonal Interactions


“Nobody raises his own reputation by lowering others.”

“He that slings mud loses ground.”

“It is not always what you say, but the way you say it.”

“Flattery makes friends & truth makes enemies.” – Spanish proverb.

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” – Ann Landers.

“A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” – Pro 15:1

“Be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.” – Phi 2:3.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The Wise & the Fool


“A fool tells what he will do.
A boaster tells what he has done.
A wise man does it & says nothing.” – Unknown.

"A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own.” - Latin proverb.

Pro 14:16 says: “The wise person fears and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and overconfident.”

Pro 13:20 says: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

But who is wise?

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.” - Jesus. (Matt 7:24).

Then, who is a fool?

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” – Jesus. (Matt 7:26).

Be wise Bible wise!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

LEADERSHIP


An ancient Persian proverb:

He who knows not & knows not that he knows not is a FOOL – Shun him.
He who knows not & knows that he knows not is a CHILD – Teach him.
He who knows & knows not that he knows is ASLEEP – Wake him.
He who knows & knows that he knows is WISE – follow him.

“To lead the people, walk behind them.”

“Stay one step ahead of your people, you are called a LEADER; stay 10 steps of your people & you are called a MARTYR.”

“…the LEADER should be like a SERVANT.” – Jesus (Luke 22:26 NLT).