ALL THE CREDIT TO GOD

Who invented the telegraph?

God did. God used Samuel F. B. Morse.

One day Morse seemed to be at a dead end in his electronic experiments.  Whatever he tried, didn't work. Do you know what he did?

He says in his own words: "I prayed for more light".

God gave this humble inventor the answer to his electrical problems.

Morse later said: "That's why I never felt I deserved the honors that came to me because of the invention associated with my name. I had made a valuable application of the use of electrical power, but it was all through God's help. It wasn't because I was superior to other scientists."

And then, Morse makes this statement: "When the Lord wanted to bestow this gift on mankind. He had to use someone. I'm just grateful He chose to reveal it to me."

Samuel Morse thanked God. He gave all the credit to God.

(harold740.tripod.com)

Jesus said, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)

So then, as the scripture says, "Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done." (1Co 1:31)

“It is, perhaps, one of the hardest struggles of the Christian life to learn this sentence – ‘Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name be glory’." - Charles Spurgeon.

THE STRUGGLE MAKES US TICK

Some years ago, the First Baptist Church, Lilburn, Georgia presented me with a beautiful grandfather clock as a gift after years of ministry with them as their pastor.

My wife & I were so thankful for their generosity & thoughtfulness. Through the years we have enjoyed the clock & its beautiful chimes.

It is wonderful to see how the clock works because of the weights that are attached. All I have to do is keep the weights pulling downward & the clock gets doing its job. If the weights are removed, the clock will not work.

I have learned that I am a lot like that grandfather clock.

The weights that God places on my life keep me doing my job. They cause me to lean upon the everlasting arms!

In the Christian life, the problems we must endure are the very things God often uses to bring us to victory.

- J. Mike Minnix (sermoncity.com)

“It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down. For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given. For the morrow we are told to trust. It is not ours yet. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear.” - George Macdonald.

Mat 6:34 (GNB): “So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.”

Then Jesus said to all the people: “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).

SURROUNDED BUT UNDEFEATED

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare with unseen wicked forces. To overcome our enemy in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must remain determined in our confidence in God & determine never to accept defeat.

A story from the Korean War illustrates this attitude.

As enemy forces advanced, Baker Company was cut off from the rest of their unit.

For several hours no word was heard, even though headquarters repeatedly tried to communicate with the missing troops.

Finally a faint signal was received. Straining to hear, the corpsman asked, "Baker Company, do you read me?"

"This is Baker Company," came the reply.

"What is your situation?" asked the corpsman.

"The enemy is to the east of us, the enemy is to the west of us, the enemy is to the north of us, the enemy is to the south of us."

Then after a brief pause, the sergeant from Baker Company said with determination, "The enemy is not going to get away from us now!"

Although surrounded & outnumbered, he was thinking of victory, not defeat.

- Our Daily Bread (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, 'he's so big, we can never kill him.' But David looked at the same giant and thought, 'he is so big, I can't miss him’.” - Dale Turner.

1Jn 4:4 (GW): “Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is GREATER than the one who is in the world.”

THE SECRET OF VICTORY

Griffith Thomas once told the story of a poor Negro who was a helpless slave to drink. He tried again & again to get free & others tried to help him, but he could not get rid of his drunkenness until he was saved.

When he committed himself to the Lord Jesus, there was a wonderful change & someone said, "So you have got the mastery of the devil at last?"

"No," he said, "but I have got the Master of the devil."

Since Satan is a supernatural enemy, it takes a supernatural power to overwhelm him. Christ is that Power. Christ in the believer is not only the Hope of Glory - He is the secret of victory.

- The Brethren Evangelist. (moreillustrations.com)

“He who stands upon his own strength will never stand.” - Thomas Brooks.

1Jn 5:4 (ESV): “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.”

“Many are called, few are chosen, but fewer still are faithful. These are the over comers spoken of ten times in the book of Revelation. They are disciples of Jesus who have not only been accepted by God but who have been tested by Him through many circumstances and who have been approved by Him.” - Zac Poonen.

DEVIL IS A LIAR

One of the happiest men I ever knew was a man in Dundee, Scotland, who had fallen & broken his back when he was a boy of fifteen.

He had lain on his bed for about forty years & suffered much pain, but the grace of God was so abun¬dant upon him, that I almost imagined that when the angels passed over Dundee, they would stop at this bedside to get refreshed.

When I saw him I asked if satan ever tempted him, thinking of God as a hard Master & doubting His love.

"Oh, yes," he said, "many times, as I see others in prosperity, satan says, `If God is so good, you might be rich & well.'"

"What do you do when satan tempts you?" I asked.

"Ah, I just take him to Calvary & show him Christ & His wounds & say, `Does He not loves me?' And Satan got such a scare there hundreds of years ago, that he cannot stand it; he leaves me every time."

- D. L. Moody (moreillustrations.com)

(Jesus told them) “You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a LIAR and the FATHER OF ALL LIES.” - John 8:44.

“I came to serve notice on the devil - he is a liar!” - T.D. Jakes.

WILLING TO WASH WINDOWS

A neat, rather prepossessing young man applied to John Wanamaker for a job a number of years ago, in Philadelphia, and when told that there was no job for him, said, "I am willing to do anything."

Thinking to get rid of him, Mr. Wanamaker said, "The only job I have is a job of washing windows."

"I will take it," said the young man. He washed those windows as they had never been washed. In time he became the manager of the great store.

When this manager died, after twenty-five years of splendid service, Mr. Wanamaker said, "I am willing to pay as high as one hundred thousand dollars a year for a manager who can fill the place of the one I lost."

What the Church needs is men and women who are willing to "wash windows" for the sake of the Kingdom.

- Canadian Churchman. (moreillustrations.com)

“God is not looking for extraordinary characters as His instruments, but He is looking for humble instruments through whom He can be honored throughout the ages.” - A.B. Simpson.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Paul (Phil 4:13 MKJV).

GOLD FOR OTHERS

No author ever wrote of the family joys & sorrows & affections in such a tender manner, ever struck the lyre of domestic affections with such winning touch, as did the English writer Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870).

Perhaps the fact that his own home was a desert had something to do with that magnificent expression of family hopes & joys & sorrows.

There may be gold for others in our own disappointments.

(moreillustrations.com)

“We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.”- Henry W Beecher.

Jas 1:2-4 (GNB): “My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

2Co 1:4 (GNB): “He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.”

GOD’S PLAN

God disappoints us and baffles us sometimes in order to make us succeed.

If Phillips Brooks had succeeded as a school master, he would never have stood in the pulpit to move men with his mighty ministry.

If Frederick Robertson had got his commission in the British army, he would never have written the sermons which still throb with his great & yearning spirit.

If Hawthorne had been retained at the custom house, he never would have written those wonderful studies in the deep places of human sorrow & love & sin.

(moreillustrations.com)

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go." - Alan Redpath.

Rom 12:2 (GNB): “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”

“When we want to know God's will, there are three things which always concur: the inward impulse, the Word of God and the trend of circumstances. Never act until these three things agree.” - F.B. Meyer.

TO HAVE HOPE IS TO HAVE HIM

Don Moen was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from his mother-in-law; a tragic car accident had just occurred.

Don’s sister-in-law, Susan, her husband & their four little boys were on an automobile trip when tragedy struck.

They all were seriously injured & their eight-year-old son was dying from his injuries.

As Don & his wife grieved & poured out their hearts to the Lord, they felt helpless to communicate any hope to Susan & Craig.

Don recalls asking the Lord to help him express hope to the family members.

In a very short time, Don scribbled some lyrics & composed the music for a chorus that, to this day, gives believers a deep sense of hope in the midst of difficult times.

The lyrics read:

“God will make a way,
where there seems to be no way;
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
hold me closely to His side;
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way!”

To put it simply, the only way to have hope is to have Him.

(aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“The greatest faith is born in the hour of despair. When we can see no hope and no way out, then faith rises and brings the victory.” - Lee Roberson.

Psa 27:14 (GW): “Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD.”

Psa 71:5 (GNB): “Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young.”

GIFT

When Livingstone went to Africa, a Scotch woman who had saved up thirty pounds, gave it to him with the words: "I want you to save yourself needless toil and exposure by hiring some competent body servant, who will go with you wherever you go, and share your sacrifices and dangers."

With that money, Livingstone hired his faithful servant, Sebantino.

In the heart of Africa, a lion threw the missionary down and crushed the bones of his left arm.' But Sebantino saved Livingstone at the risk of his own life.

What if the gift had not been made?

(moreillustrations.com)

Jas 1:17 (GW): “Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.”

“Every good gift that we have had from the cradle up has come from God. If a man just stops to think what he has to praise God for, he will find there is enough to keep him singing praises for a week.” - D.L. Moody.

THE TEACUP

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques & pottery & especially teacups.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful cup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the cup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red & I was clay. My master took me & rolled me & patted me over & over & I yelled out, 'let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the cup said, "and suddenly I was spun around & around & around. Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded & said, 'Not yet.'

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat!" the teacup said. "I wondered why he wanted to burn me & I yelled & knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening & I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf & I began to cool. ‘There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed & painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot & I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening, nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

"Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened & he took me out & placed me on the shelf.

One hour later he handed me a mirror & said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled & patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I knew it hurt & was hot & disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed & painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life.

And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

May we all see ourselves & God's creative mastery in this story.

~ Author Unknown (creativebiblestudy.com)

Then the LORD said to me, "Don't I have the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like clay in the potter's hands. (Jer 18:5-6 GNB)

“Life's trials are not easy. But in God's will, each has a purpose. Often He uses them to enlarge you.” - Warren Wiersbe.

SOMEONE OUT THERE NEEDS HELP

Tears have always welled in my eyes because I thought God does not love me after many failures in life especially with the recent passing away of my daughter. As I walked past a TV set in the living room, my attention was taken by the word, "Someone out there needs help."

I turned toward the TV screen. "God loves you," the man continued. He seemed to speak directly to me as his kind face reinforced his compassionate, yet urgent words. Tears welled in my eyes. "No body loves me. I had thought".

The preacher proceeded to affirm, that no matter who you are or what you have done, God loves you. If you will ask for forgiveness of sins and accept Jesus into our lives, He can change it.

At these words I felled to the floor weeping freely. l understood for the first time that here was my escape from the void and the tragic circumstances in my life.

Then I said to Him. "Dear God, I am a lost sinner. I believe you died for sinners. I therefore receive you now as my personal Lord and Saviour."

- Jennifer Asadu (2jesus.org)

1Jn 1:9 (GW): “God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong.”

John 1:12 (ESV): “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

“It is altogether doubtful whether any man can be saved who comes to Christ for His help with no intention to obey Him.” - A.W. Tozer.

AREN’T YOU BLESSED?

If you own just one Bible ... you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the entire world does not have access to one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

- (Sent in by Billie) 2jesus.org

Deu 26:11 (GNB): “Be grateful for the good things that the LORD your God has given you and your family…”

Psa 145:2 (GNB): “Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever.”

OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity is the flower of time which blooms for a moment & is gone forever.

Napoleon said, “There is in the midst of every great battle a ten to fifteen minute period that is the crucial point. Take that period & you win the battle; lose it & you will be defeated.”

D. L. Moody recalls an incident in his ministry that brought him great distress because he failed to redeem the time. “On the night when the courthouse bell of Chicago was sounding an alarm of fire, my sermon was upon ‘What Shall I Do with Jesus?’ I said to the audience, ‘I want you to decide this question by next Sunday.’ What a mistake! That night I saw the glare of flames & knew that Chicago was doomed. I never saw that audience again!”

(preceptaustin.wordpress.com)

Eph 5:15-16 (GNB): “So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days.”

“The question of speaking to souls is a question of personal love to the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not say you have no gift for it. Do you love Christ? If so, you will never lose an opportunity of speaking a word for Him.” - G.V. Wigram.

ANGER

Then God asked Jonah, "What right do you have to be angry over this plant?" Jonah answered, "I have every right to be angry-so angry that I want to die." (Jonah 4:9; GW)

“Jonah is an example of how the character of a good & a great man can be marred by anger & his usefulness wasted. His story suggests the folly, the danger & the injury of anger.

Anger is one of the most common sins, yet one of the most dangerous & injurious to the peace & well-being of man. More than any other sin, it blasts the flower of friendship, destroys peace & concord in the home, incites to crime & violence & turns love & affection into hatred.” (moreillustrations.com)

Eph 4:26 (GNB): “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.”

“Anger is the fruit of rotten roots.” - Joyce Meyer.

Jesus said, "But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Mat 6:15)

“ANGER is one letter short of DANGER.” - Author unknown.

IS YOUR LIVING IN VAIN?

It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church.

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds & a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless & asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.

We all fellowshipped for a few minutes & someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered & gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.

A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place & to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down.

People gasped & whispered & made faces. He made his way down the aisle & up onto the pulpit he took off his hat & coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher ... he was the "homeless man."

No one said a word.

The preacher took his Bible & laid it on the stand. "Folks I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today."

Then he started singing the words to this song. "If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can cheer somebody with a word or song. If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong. Then my living shall not be in vain."

"Is your living in vain?"

- Amanda Colegrove (2jesus.org)

“As long as I see any thing to be done for God, life is worth having; but O how vain and unworthy it is to live for any lower end!” - David Brainerd.

Jas 2:20 (MKJV): “But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

HOW DO YOU DRESS FOR CHURCH?

One Sunday morning the congregation of a ritzy church (with vaulted ceilings, hand carved oak pews, stained glass windows & deep plush carpet) had a stir.

A man came in just minutes before the service was to begin & he was dressed poorly. He had on boots, overalls, a flannel shirt & a cowboy hat.

The congregation was aghast! Many quickly sent notes to the minister about this concern. At the end of the service the minister greeted the poorly dressed man & asked him if he enjoyed the service.

The man exclaimed that he enjoyed it very much. The minister asked the man to consider possibly dressing differently & told him to pray to Jesus about how he would have him dress if he should return again.

The next week the man returned. He was dressed the same & once again the congregation was disturbed.

At the end of the service the minister greeted the man again & asked him what he had been told by Jesus concerning his how to dress for church?

The man exclaimed, "I spoke with Jesus about this but Jesus said He didn't know how I should dress for this church because He has never been here."

- (2jesus.org)

Jas 2:2-4 (GW): “For example, two men come to your worship service. One man is wearing gold rings and fine clothes; the other man, who is poor, is wearing shabby clothes. Suppose you give special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say to him, "Please have a seat." But you say to the poor man, "Stand over there," or "Sit on the floor at my feet." Aren't you discriminating against people and using a corrupt standard to make judgments?”

“Many come to bring their clothes to church rather than themselves.” - Thomas Fuller.

SLOW DOWN & LOOK BACK

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash.

At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish & win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times & began to cry.

The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down & looked back. Then they all turned around & went back. Then all nine linked arms & walked together to the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium stood & the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why?

Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down & changing our course.

- (2jesus.org)

Rom 15:1 (KJV): “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

“Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many dull pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army and many lame sheep in His flock. Yet, He bears with them all, and casts none away. Happy is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.” - J.C. Ryle.

BEAUTY FOR ASHES…AS GOD IS IN CONTROL

A story Billy Graham shared. It is about trusting God even when we can't see what's ahead for us.

There was a man who became shipwrecked on a deserted island. He managed to build himself a hut to live in & with it stored the possessions he was able to salvage from his boat after it was wrecked.

He would watch every day for some sign of a ship or airplane passing by. He prayed to God for help. Some days he would get discouraged & wonder if he would ever get off that island, but still, he prayed.

One day he was on the other end of the island & noticed some smoke coming from the direction of his hut. He ran as fast as he could back to the hut & then realized that his hut & all his belongings were destroyed by a fire. All that was left was the smoke & the ashes.

He asked God why this had to happen. He did not understand. Soon he would find out.

Later that day a ship appeared on the horizon & soon landed on the island & rescued him. They told him that they were plotting a different course & noticed smoke off in the distance & thought the smoke was a signal for help.

It was a sign for much needed help & it was a sign from God that He was still in control & He would not forsake His beloved child.

Out of the ashes of this life we can build another day! We can have beauty for ashes as God is in control.

- (2jesus.org)

Isa 61:3 (KJV): “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

“God is in control, and therefore in everything I can give thanks - not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it.” - Kay Arthur.

ROCK OF AGES

Augustus Toplady was one day overtaken by a severe thunderstorm in Burrington Combe, a rocky glen running into the heart of the Mendip Hills. There was no habitation anywhere near, and no place to which he could turn for shelter from the storm.

Looking about him, he saw two massive pillars of rock, a deep fissure in the centre of a precipitous crag of limestone, and took refuge there. Standing there in safety, he escaped the storm.

Finding a piece of paper lying near, he picked it up and with his pencil wrote the famous, familiar hymn, first published in 1775:

'Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee….'

(moreillustrations.com)

Psalms 18:2 (CEV): “You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.”

“Unless you have a rock-solid commitment to truth, the Bible won't change your life.” - Winkie Pratney.

“Unless we are firmly anchored in the Rock of Ages, unless we trust in the living God, unless we are vigilant in prayer and fellowship with God, the enemy will be able to vanquish our children.” - Michael Youssef.

LAST WORDS

Our glorified Redeemer spoke His last words in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible – “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end….Yes, I am coming quickly.” (Rev 22:12-13, 20)

To which we cry “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

An ancient legend says that in the early church a believer was about to be martyred for his faith in the Messiah and as they tied his hands to the stake, they asked if he had any LAST WORDS, to which he jubilantly shouted “HE IS RISEN!”

Unknown to the authorities, in the surrounding hills, the followers of Christ had gathered to watch the execution. When they heard the martyr’s last words “HE IS RISEN,” they cried out with one voice “HE IS RISEN INDEED!”

(preceptaustin.wordpress.com)

“Return to the battle again, no longer trusting in the false and insufficient human resources which so foolishly we had taken into the battle, but now trusting in the limitless resources of our risen Lord.” - Alan Redpath.

“The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Risen Christ. His anointing filling, empowering work is a baptism of love that gives power to make Jesus real to you and known to others.” - Winkie Pratney.

JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE TODAY

Jesus said: “I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.” (Rev 1:18)

What is one of the greatest proofs of Jesus being alive today?

He answers the prayers of anyone who call upon Him by faith!

The Bible says: “Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you and you will honor me." (Psalms 50:15)

In fact, God said in Isaiah 49:23: “You won't be disappointed if you trust me."

Is the Lord Jesus really answering the prayers of people today?

Check for yourself by reading the testimonies of people in the websites like:

www.precious-testimonies.com

www.truthsaves.org

www.testimonyshare.com

www.reliable-bible-verses.com

www.fishersofmen.com

www.2praisegod.com

www.allaboutgod.com

www.testimonies.com.au

www.path2prayer.com

www.ucb.co.uk

www.capechristian.com

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org


Psalms 34:8 says: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

FEAR OF DEATH

For the twentieth anniversary of Larry King Live, Barbara Walters interviewed the man who became famous interviewing others. She asked him direct & revealing questions.

Two of the most telling responses came when she probed about fear & faith.

Walters asked King, “What is your greatest fear?”

He immediately replied, “Death.”

This interview occurred in 2005 when he was at the very top of his career & had much to lose, but none of that mattered compared to the fear of death.

Her follow-up question was, “Do you believe in God?”

King stated, “Not sure. I’m an agnostic.”

Regardless of our success or status, if we’re uncertain about God we will most assuredly be fearful of death.

Easter reminds us that the fear of death dissolves when we walk with the One who walked out of the tomb.

- From ‘Men of Integrity’ (ministry127.com)

“By accepting His death as our death we enter into this union with the Lord.” - Watchman Nee.

Heb 2:14-15 (CEV) says: “We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. But he also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying.”

THE WONDROUS CROSS

Matthew Arnold, strolling home after the last Lord's Day of his life, remarked to a friend, "Those words we just sang are the finest in the English language."

Mahatma Gandhi asked some missionaries who visited him during a fast to sing a hymn for him. "What hymn?" they inquired. "The hymn that expresses all that is deepest in your faith," he replied.

Arnold and Gandhi were both speaking of that incomparably greatest of hymns, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." written by Isaac Watts in 1707.

The whole meaning of life is contained in these lines:

“When I survey the wondrous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so Divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

- Charles G. Hamilton, (moreillustrations.com)

Rom 5:8 (GW): “Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us.”

SACRIFICE

A farmer in North Carolina once drove with two high-mettled horses into town. Stopping in front of one of the stores, he was about to enter when the horses took fright. He sprang in front of them & heroically seized the reins.

Maddened by strange noises, the horses dashed down the street, the man still clinging to the bridles. On they rushed, until the horses, wild with frenzy, rose on their haunches & leaping upon the man all came with a crash to the earth.

When the people came & rescued the bleeding body of the man & found him in death's last agony, a friend bending tenderly o'er him, asked: "Why did you sacrifice your life for those horses & wagon?"

He gasped with his breath as his spirit departed, "Go & look in the wagon."

They turned & there, asleep on the straw, lay his little boy.

As they laid the mangled form of the hero in his grave, no one said, "The sacrifice was too great."

The sacrifice of JESUS:

"He died for you! He died for me,
His blood bath atoned for our race;
O wonderful love! He came from above
To suffer and die in our place."

- L. G. Broughton (moreillustrations.com)

2Ti 1:9 (GW) says: “God saved us and called us to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and kindness. Before the world began, God planned that Christ Jesus would show us God's kindness.”