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There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She also hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.

She often told him, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, ’Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life made her refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: ‘Take good care of your eyes, my dear. For, before they were yours, they were mine.’

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift. This week before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.

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Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who’s crying out to God for a companion.

Before you complain about life, think of someone who died too young.

Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but hasn’t any yet.

Before you argue about your dirty house that someone messed up, think of the people who are living on the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they were in your shoes.

But before you think of pointing a finger at or condemning another person, remember that not one of us is without sin and we’ll all answer to our Maker.

Meditation: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Watch What You Say
Thanks for Your Time
Fable of the Porcupine
https://dailydewinspiration.com/when-your-status-changes/

I showered and

shaved…………. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and

sat…………. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in

prayer……… As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man

next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room

on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much.

A prayer

began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought,

‘This man with the shoes has no pride.

They’re dusty, worn, and

scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the

side!’

‘Thank You

for blessings,’ the prayer went on.

The shoe man

said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’

I tried to focus on the

prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes

again.

Aren’t we

supposed to look our best. When walking through

that door?

‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought,

Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of

praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud…… Sounding

proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters……… His

hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe

man’s voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering…….

And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man

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reached… Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled

out………. What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft

‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored

me……… To tears, and that’s no lie.

It was the same for the

shoe man… For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the

service……. As is the custom here.

We must greet new

visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved

somehow…………. And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and

shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark… And his hair was truly

a mess.

But I thanked him for coming………. For being our

guest.

He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad

to meet you, my friend.’

There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had

a large, wide grin.

‘Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping

tears from his eyes.

‘I’ve been coming here for months….. And

you’re the first to say ‘Hi.”

‘I know that my

appearance……….’Is not like all the rest.

‘But I really do

try………………’To always look my best.’

‘I always clean

and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk.

‘But by the

time I get here………’They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’

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My heart filled with pain………… And I swallowed to

hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize……… For daring to sit

so near

He said, ‘When I get here…………’I know I must

look a sight.

‘But I thought if I could touch you…’Then maybe

our souls might unite.’

I was silent for a moment……….. Knowing

whatever was said

Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my

heart, not my head.

‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said…….’And

taught me, in part;

‘That the best of any man………….’Is

what is found in his heart.’

The rest, I

thought,…………….. This shoe man will never know.

Like

just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

Making a difference in my life.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads us to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Roses and Thorns
Think About These
Why Do We Crucify Him Again?
https://dailydewinspiration.com/shoes-in-church/

The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life, positive or negative, and remarking, “This is good!”

One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, the friend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.

Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” To which the king replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they approached to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. You were right,” he said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”

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“No,” his friend replied, “This is good!”

“What do you mean, ‘This is good’? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?”

“If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you.”

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit. Hold on…God is faithful! Maintain a positive outlook always and never ever give up hoping for the best.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Good Advice to Live By
Is Your Good Idea God’s Idea?
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https://dailydewinspiration.com/this-is-good/

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time.) So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing.

The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. “There’s one more thing.” She said excitedly.

“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.

“This is very important.” The woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say.

“That shocks you doesn’t it?” The woman asked.

“Well to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved and let’s be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise; my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say ‘you can keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn’t Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'”

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The pastor’s eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that that woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral, people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. – 1 Corinthians 15:19

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You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-fork/

A man was passing by some elephants used for circuits, suddenly he stopped, confused that these huge creatures were only being held by a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages, no barricades.

It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and decided to ask him why the elephants just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? If you have the spirit of God in you then there is no limit to what you can achieve in the life and the heights you can attain, because the Spirit that dwells in you is unlimited.

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So break out of your rut and get doing.

Meditation: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Understanding The Difference Between Spirit, Soul And Body (1)
Understanding the Difference Between Spirit, Soul And Body (2)
Understanding the Difference between Spirit, Soul and Body (3)
https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-elephants-rope/

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. – 1 John 5:12

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.

Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.”

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As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told every one of his father’s love of fine art. “I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamoured.

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He told his neighbours it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.

With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved, as many would claim, “I have the greatest collection.”

The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

More voices echoed in agreement.

“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer.

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“Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.

“Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.”

“I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone!”

The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son… gets it all!”

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter Day, the message is still the same – the love of a Father – a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father’s love…whoever takes the Son gets it all.

– Author Unknown

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

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https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-son/

There was a class of young people that no teacher was able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from school this year by these young people.

Finally, a young man out of college heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man “Do you not know what you are asking for, no one has been able to handle these young people, you are just asking for a terrible beating.”

After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said: “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge, just give me a trial basis.”

The next morning the young man reported for class. He said to the class “Young people, I came here today to conduct school, but I realize I can’t do it by myself, I must have your help.”

One big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I’ll not need any help, I can lick that little bird all by myself.”

The young teacher told the class if they are to have school, there will have to be some rules to go by. He also added that he will allow the students to make up the rules and he will list them on the blackboard. One young man suggested, “NO STEALING”.

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Another one shouted, “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.”

Soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher had then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules. Rules are no good unless they are enforced. Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that was pretty harsh, and asked the class would they stand by this punishment. The class agreed.

Everything went well for two or three days. Finally, Big Tom came in one day very upset. He reported that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they concluded that Little Jim had stolen Big Tom’s lunch.

The teacher called Little Jim up to the front of the room and asked him to remove his coat. That little fellow came up the aisle with a great big coat on. Little Jim approached the teacher and said, “I am guilty and am willing to take my punishment but please don’t make me take off my coat.”

The teacher reminded Little Jim of the rules and their punishments and asked him again to remove his coat and take his punishment like a man. That little fellow started to unbutton that old coat, and the teacher saw that he did not have a shirt on under the coat. The teacher asked Little Jim why he came to school without a shirt on. Little Jim said “My daddy’s dead and my mother is very poor, I don’t have but one shirt and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother’s coat to keep my body warm.”

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That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back and wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back without even a shirt on. He knew if he didn’t enforce the punishment, the children would not obey the rules, so as he drew back to strike Little Jim, Big Tom came down the aisle. Big Tom asked, “Can I take Little Jim’s whipping for him?”

The teacher agreed and Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped over and the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half.

The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room. Little Jim had run and grabbed Big Tom around the neck, apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, and explained that he was so very hungry. Little Jim begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him until the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that He shed his precious blood on Calvary so that we can have eternal life in Glory with Him? We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren’t you glad He loves us that much?

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— Author Unknown

Meditation: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-whipping/

Hello guys,

Some interesting thread we have going here on the ever-controversial topic of the spirit, soul and body. I hope I can further shed some light on why the three entities are different, particularly spirit and soul.

Every living being is a living soul. The soul is the actual person. But the soul is not visible and therefore needs the body to house it in order to be able to be or do things on earth. The spirit is the life-giving force that gives the body life. Without the spirit, the body is inanimate. It is the spirit [the breath of God] that animates the body. The life-giving spirit is different from the Holy Spirit though.

As for death, only the body can die. Upon death, the soul [the real person] goes to paradise or hades awaiting Judgment day, the spirit goes back to God to join the power bank where it emanates from, while the body decomposes.

I hope this sheds some more light to this issue?

Cheers.

And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, – Colossians 3:10
In continuation of our series on the differences between the spirit, soul and body, today we shall dwell on how to cultivate these three aspects of human for optimal performance.

Growth is a natural process for most animate; and by virtue of being a living, the body, spirit and soul of human are susceptible to a growth process from a smaller state to a higher or bigger one.

Whilst the body develops through a biological or natural process; the same cannot be said of the other entities making a human. The spirit and soul do not grow or develop through a detached biological process. On the contrary, they have to be consciously cultivated before they can develop.

Even the human body needs more than the workings of biology to blossom and remain fit; as it needs constant attention to be at its best and serve its owner optimally. The same way the spirit and soul requires dedicated attention to develop.

For the soul, which has bearing on the mind and thoughts, it derives its nourishment from knowledge. The best way to develop the human soul is to expose it to learning. The extent that one is exposed to information is the extent his soul will be able. For the soul, the saying, ‘information is power’ is most apposite, as a soul derives its ability to process information and arrives at a course of action based on the exposure it has to knowledge on the matter at hand or a related subject.

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A soul that is not informed will be prone to make bad decisions; while the enlightened soul will most likely make wise choices. Information is the nourishment of the soul. That is why our reference passage above says that the new man within is “renewed in knowledge.” Meanwhile, the depth of bearing of the soul is usually determined by the level of exposure it has to knowledge.

To be continued…

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Understanding The Difference Between Spirit, Soul And Body (1)
Understanding the Difference Between Spirit, Soul And Body (2)
Understanding the Difference between Spirit, Soul and Body (3)
https://dailydewinspiration.com/understanding-the-difference-between-spirit-soul-and-body-4/

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Of all the three entities that make a man, the most complex to explain or understand is the soul. Perhaps, that is why it is often confused for the spirit, or its activities misrepresented as that of the flesh.

The soul is the part of man that constitutes his real personality. It is what is otherwise called the inner man. The inner man is not the spirit; it is the soul. The soul is the summation of the personality of man with direct bearing on the mind, and dictating the pattern and kind of thoughts, desires, feelings, choices, impulses, preferences, peeves, decision making, and other such complex inner workings and processes of man.

The soul is the real person that is powered by the spirit to operate through a body form. Simply put, the soul is the nature of the spirit projected through the flesh. It is what is referred to as the “nature” of man. It is the one that influences individual behaviours and peculiar ways of doing things. The soul is the real person; the expression of the spirit inside through the form of flesh.

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Perhaps, this analogy will help us to understand the three entities better: imagine a car; on its own, a car cannot do much without an engine. Even when it has an engine, it cannot drive itself, except there is someone to drive and control its courses. The human spirit is the engine that powers the car; the human body is the built of the vehicle; whilst the human soul is the driver that steers the vehicle in whatever direction he chooses. These three are interdependent and cannot function adequately without one another.

To be continued…

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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https://dailydewinspiration.com/understanding-the-difference-between-spirit-soul-and-body-3/

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.” – Matthew 12:43
The spirit is the entity that animates the body and supplies it the energy to live. Spirit gives life (read John 6:63 and 2 Corinthians 3:6). Blood is the tangible representation of the spirit. That is why the Bible says ‘the life of every creature is in its blood’ (Leviticus 17:11, 14). Once a creature is drained of blood, the spirit departs from such being and he/she/it becomes a lifeless body.

However, even while the spirit is emblemised by blood, it is nonetheless an invisible entity. It takes more than the physical eyes to see a spirit. It is not a tangible thing, and it can do little on its own except through a physical form. That explains why the spirit is accommodated in a body, through which it lives and operates.

The body is the physical container that houses the spirit, and the spirit is the power source that gives life to the body, without a spirit in a body, the body will be lifeless, the same way a spirit without a body may just be a nuisance all over the place and may not realise its full potential because a spirit is at its best when it is inside a tangible form. That is why the legion of unclean spirits that Jesus cast out of the man at the country of the Gadarenes earnestly begged Him not to render them homeless, but allow them to enter a herd of swine nearby (Mark 5:1-13, Luke 8:36-33).

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If Jesus hadn’t given them permission to go into the swine, they would have been floating frantically in the air looking for a willing or unguarded vessel to enter.

Such is the extent that spirits depend on a physical form to function.

To be continued…

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Purpose: Sent to Save Sinners
Psalm 1 As A Business Principle
Purpose: Sent to Take Our Sins Away
https://dailydewinspiration.com/understanding-the-difference-between-spirit-soul-and-body-2/

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

In the following days, we shall meditate on the much confusing issue of the spirit, soul and body of man. We will explore the differences between these entities, their individual operations and functions, and how each can be enhanced and cultivated, as well as the final destination for each of them.

In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” The Bible later introduced God to us as a tripartite Being: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Therefore, when God set out to create humans in His image and likeness, He also made a tripartite creature, just like Himself. He created a spirit being who has a soul and lives or operates through a body.

Some scholars usually interpret the spirit and soul to mean the same thing or perform the same functions. No, they are not the same, nor do they do the same thing. As our reference scripture above states, the spirit, soul and body are separate entities, and they perform functions unique to each of them.

The spirit is the entity that animates the body and supplies it with the energy to live. Spirit gives life (read John 6:63 and 2 Corinthians 3:6). Blood is its tangible representation. That is why the Bible says ‘the life of every creature is in its blood’ (Leviticus 17:11, 14). Once a creature is drained of blood, the spirit departs from such being and he/she/it becomes a lifeless body.

To be continued...

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Purpose: Sent to Save Sinners
Purpose: Sent to Take Our Sins Away
Purpose: Sent to Absorb the Consequences of Sin
https://dailydewinspiration.com/understanding-the-difference-between-spirit-soul-and-body-1/

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church’s pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend.

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, “A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast,” he began, “when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean.”

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.

He continued, “Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life….to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision.

The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son’s friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, ‘I love you, son!’ he threw the line to his son’s friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered.”

ALSO READ Roses and Thorns

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man’s mouth.

“The father,” he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us.”

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side. “That was a nice story,” politely started one of the boys, “but I don’t think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son’s life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian.”

“Well, you’ve got a point there,” the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn’t very realistic, is it? But I’m standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me.”

ALSO READ The Price Jesus Paid

“You see….I was that father, and your pastor was my son’s friend.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. – Romans 14:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Where Your Focus Should Be
Is Your Good Idea God’s Idea?
How Do You Respond to Discouragement?
https://dailydewinspiration.com/a-salvation-story/

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.
But make allowance for their doubting too.
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting.
Or being lied upon, don’t deal in lies
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating.
And yet don’t look too good or talk too wise.
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master.
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat these two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken
And stop and build them up with worn-out tools.
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss
And loss, and start again at your beginning
And never breathe a ward about your loss,
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone
And so hold on when there is nothing in you

ALSO READ Beauty in Disability

Except the will which says to them: “Hold on!
If you talk with crowds and keep your virtue
Or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch.
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you.
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.
And-which is more-you’ll be a man, my son!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. – Revelation 2:26

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
How Not To Lose It All
31 Facts About The Rapture
Appearances can be Deceptive
https://dailydewinspiration.com/if-you/

A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her. "As soon as I solve one problem," she said, "another one comes up. I'm tired of struggling." Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second, eggs, and in the last, ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After a while, he went over and turned off the burners. He fished out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He poured the coffee into a bowl. Turning to her he asked, "Darling, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavour.

She asked, "What does it mean, Father?" He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg was fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. By being in the boiling water, they changed the water.

He asked his daughter, "When adversity knocks on your door, which are you?"

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5:3-5

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The 99 Club
World’s Greatest Chef
How To Be A Godly Employee
https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-lesson-of-the-coffee-beans/

Think about these thought-provokers:

Just because two people argue doesn’t mean they don’t love each other, and just because they don’t argue doesn’t mean they love each other.

We don’t have to change friends if we understand friends change.

True friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance; same goes for true love.

No matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while; and you must forgive them for that.

You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

It’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

You should always leave loved ones with loving words; It may be the last time you see them.

You can keep going long after you think you can’t.

We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

Either you control your attitude or it controls you.

Sometimes when I’m angry, I have the right the right to be angry; but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

Two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.

ALSO READ Some Thoughts on Prayer
Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become.

No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

It isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others; sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them; and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of circumstances.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. – Hosea 14:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Holding Pattern
Application For Life Partnership (1)
5 Relationships That Could Make or Break You (1)
https://dailydewinspiration.com/think-about-these/

George Carlin - comedian of the ’70s and ’80s wrote something so eloquent and so very appropriate: The paradox of our time in history is that….

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but a narrower viewpoint.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement.

We have more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, talk too much,  drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we love too seldom and hate too often.

We have learned to make a living but not a life.

We have added years to life not life to years.

We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space but not inner space.

We have done larger things but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul;

We’ve conquered the atom, but not inner prejudice.

We write more, but learn less; we plan more, but achieve less.

We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits, and shallower relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight or just to hit delete.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember to say, “I love you” to your partner and loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Meditation: Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. – Revelation 2:5

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Where is Your Focus?
If A Child Lives With Criticism
God Knows…
https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-paradox-of-our-time/

After twenty years of shaving himself every morning, a man in a small Southern town decided he had enough. He told his wife that he intended to let the local barber shave him each day. He put on his hat and coat and went to the barber shop, which was owned by the pastor of the town's Baptist Church.

The barber's wife, Grace, was working that day, so she performed the task. Grace shaved him and sprayed him with lilac water, and said, "That will be $20."

The man thought the price was a bit high, but he paid the bill and went to work. The next morning the man looked in the mirror, and his face was as smooth as it had been when he left the barber shop the day before.

Not bad, he thought. At least I don't need to get a shave every day. The next morning, the man's face was still smooth. Two weeks later, the man was still unable to find any trace of whiskers on his face. It was more than he could take, so he returned to the barbershop.

"I thought $20 was high for a shave", he told the barber's wife, "but you must have done a great job. It's been two weeks and my whiskers still haven't started growing back."

The expression on her face didn't even change, expecting his comment. She responded, "You were shaved by Grace and once shaved, always shaved!"

That is the same way the grace of Christ avails for us, and it doesn’t diminish in measure. For where sin abounds, grace abounds much more (Romans 5:20).

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:16-17

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Little Man at Home Depot
Six Words That Changed a Life
The Little Firefighter – A True Story
https://dailydewinspiration.com/shaved-by-grace/

While a man was polishing his new car, his four-year-old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child’s hand and hit it many times; not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all the fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw his father, with painful eyes he asked, “Dad when will my fingers grow back?”

The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times. He was devastated by his own action. Sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches the boy had done on his car; the child had written ‘LOVE YOU DAD’.

The next day that man committed suicide.

Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful life. Things are to be used and people are to be loved. But the problem in today’s world is that people are used and things are loved.

Let’s be careful to keep this thought in mind: Things are to be used, but people are to be loved.

Meditation: Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Roses and Thorns
The Prayer Chair
Watch What You Say
https://dailydewinspiration.com/anger-and-love/

In a forest, a pregnant deer is about to give birth. She finds a remote grass field near a strong-flowing river. This seems a safe place. Suddenly labour pains begin.

At the same moment, dark clouds gather around above and lightning starts a forest fire. She looks to her left and sees a hunter with his bow pointing at her. To her right, she spots a hungry lion approaching her.

What can the pregnant deer do? She is in labour!

What will happen? Will the deer survive? Will she give birth to a fawn? Will the fawn survive? Or will everything be burnt by the forest fire? Will she perish at the hunter’s arrow? Will she die a horrible death at the hands of the hungry male lion approaching her?

She is constrained by the fire on the one side and the flowing river on the other and boxed in by her natural predators. What does she do? She decided to focus on giving birth to a new life.

Here is what happened next:

- Lightning strikes and blinds the hunter. So he releases the arrow which zooms past the deer and strikes the hungry lion.

- It starts to rain heavily, and the forest fire is slowly doused by the rain.

- The deer gives birth to a healthy fawn.

Similarly, in our life, there are moments of choice when we are confronted with negative thoughts and possibilities on all sides. Some thoughts are so powerful that they overcome us and overwhelm us. Maybe we can learn from the deer. The priority of the deer at that given moment was simply to give birth to its baby. The rest were not in her hands to control, and any action or reaction that changes her focus could likely results in death or great harm.

Ask yourself, where is your focus? Where is your faith and hope? In the midst of any storm, they should be on God always. He will never ever disappoint you. Remember, He neither slumbers nor sleep.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

God Knows…
Roses and Thorns
The Prayer Chair
https://dailydewinspiration.com/where-is-your-focus/

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves

If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy

If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient

If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves

If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world

If children live with recognition, they learn to have a goal

If children live with sharing, they learn to be generous

If children live with honesty and fairness, they learn what truth and justice are

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those around them

If children live with friendliness, they learn that the world is a nice place in which to live

If children live with serenity, they learn to have peace of mind.

What are your children living with?

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man. – Proverbs 27:19

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Prayer Chair
Watch What You Say
Thanks for Your Time

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.

When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.

When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.

When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfil and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, – Hebrews 4:15

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also Read:

Roses and Thorns
The Prayer Chair
Thanks for Your Time
https://dailydewinspiration.com/god-knows/

A certain man sowed a plant of roses and watered it faithfully, and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom and also the thorns. And he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually, it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them.

One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing his faults, recognize the nobility in his soul, and help him realize that he can overcome his faults. If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns.

Our duty in this world is to help others by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love we should feel for each other; only then can we bloom in our own garden.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. – Isaiah 61:3

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Onion
Taking Aim
The Perfect Mistake
https://dailydewinspiration.com/roses-and-thorns/

A young lady had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?" said the father.

"I'm the new minister at your church," he replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church, I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head."

"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me. ’Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because He promised, "I'll be with you always." Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now.'”

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the check. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we all could go like that."

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!” – Numbers 23:10

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
Point of View
God Can Do It
Thanks for Your Time
https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-prayer-chair/

Once an old man spread rumours that his neighbour was a thief. As a result, the young man was arrested.

Days later the young man was proven innocent. After being released, he sued the old man for wrongly accusing him. In the court, the old man told the Judge: “They were just comments, didn’t harm anyone.”

The judge told the old man: “Write all the things you said about him on a piece of paper. Cut them up and on the way home, throw the pieces of paper out. Tomorrow, come back to hear the sentence.”

Next day, the judge told the old man: “Before receiving the sentence, you will have to go out and gather all the pieces of paper that you threw out yesterday.”

The old man said: “I can’t do that! The wind spread them and I won’t know where to find them.”

The judge then replied: “The same way, simple comments may destroy the honour of a man to such an extent that one is not able to fix it. If you can’t speak well of someone, rather don’t say anything.”

Moral: Let’s all be masters of our mouths so that we won’t be slaves of our words.

Meditation: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. – James 3:2

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Taking Aim
Go to Church
The Perfect Mistake
https://dailydewinspiration.com/watch-what-you-say/

My Mother’s father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone. When he mentally replayed his earlier actions, he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen into one of the crates, which he had nailed shut. His brand new glasses were heading for China!

The Great Depression was at its height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. “It’s not fair,” he told God as he drove home in frustration. “I’ve been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this.”

Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather’s small church in Chicago.

The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting the orphanage. “But most of all,” he said, “I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my co-workers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on top!”

ALSO READ The Meeting

The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued: “Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that.”

The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.

There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! Perhaps it is something we ought to try more often, “Thank you God for not allowing my car to start this morning.” He may have been saving your life from a car accident. “Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me lose my glasses; I’m sure they’ll be put to good use or there is a lesson to be learned.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

ALSO READ Are You a Bucket-Filler or a Dipper?

You will succeed in Jesus Name!
https://dailydewinspiration.com/the-perfect-mistake/

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased a the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

ALSO READ What's in Your Sponge?

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus…

A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

Dr. Smith said these words, “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ – Matthew 25:40

You will succeed in Jesus Name!
https://dailydewinspiration.com/taking-aim/

A boy was sitting on a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God. “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!” He yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.

Shortly after, along came a man who had recently completed some studies at a local University. Feeling very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his Joy.

“Hey,” asked the boy in return with a bright laugh, “Don't you have any idea what God is able to do? I just read that God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle.”

The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy, and began to try to open his eyes to the realities of the miracles of the Bible. “That can all be very easily explained. Modern scholarship has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10 inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across.”

The boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible lying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight turned to leave.

Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.

“Wow!” Exclaimed the boy happily, “God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, but He also topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10 inches of water!”

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? – 1 Corinthians 1:20

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also Read:

Brownie Crumbs
Love Yourself
Life’s Storm
https://dailydewinspiration.com/ten-inches-of-water/

I once heard a businessman say one of the saddest statements I have ever heard in my life. He said, "Ever since I started this business I have not had the time to go to church."

That's just so sad. Tells you know where and what his priorities are. Maybe this is the very reason why Jesus Christ said, "It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven….."

Make sure you go to church. So much have changed; consider this.

During the long vacation, a family left the city and stayed with their relatives in a distant place. Sunday morning, the father decided that the family should attend church. Driving past a church in a small town and pointing to it, the father told the children that it was St. Joseph's Church.

"It must be a franchise," her eight-year-old son said. "We've got one of those in our town too."

Isn't it sad when children begin to think this way?

From an unknown author comes this very provoking article entitled "How Will The Church Be Lighted?”

Several centuries ago in a mountain village in Europe, a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. He made a good decision. He decided to build them a church. No one was permitted to see the plans or the inside of the church until it was finished.

At its grand opening, the people gathered and marvelled at the beauty of the new church. Everything had been thought of and included. It was a masterpiece. But then someone said, "Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?" The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls, and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship.

"Each time you are here," the nobleman said, "The place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark.

That's a poignant story, isn't it?

What if every member of the church supported the church? What kind of church would you have? What if every single member served the church, attended the church, loved the church, shared the church, and gave to the church exactly as you do? What kind of church would you be?

Many churches today especially the ones in the western hemisphere of our globe have lost their light. Some are sold and are now converted to museums, while others have been converted into bars and pubs. Only the old and the dying go there. The light is diminishing.

Many churches have lost their calling. Rather than bringing the lost to the Savior they are too preoccupied with their own programs, exalting themselves rather than the Risen Savior.

Many churches today no longer have light. No compassion for souls and no burden to bring the Lost to the Savior. And when churches lose their sense of mission, the whole society is plunged into darkness. Spirituality becomes a game people play. The Bible is mocked by the lifestyles of its religious leaders. Salt loses its taste and light turns into darkness.

A lot of people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity. Somebody says: "Sunday is the day many of us bow our heads. Some of us are praying and some of us are putting."

Go to church. Bring your children with you. What blesses my heart is when I go to church and I see familiar faces of very successful business people and professionals who are deeply committed to their faith.

One businessman told me, "Francis, this is the time I go to church. I do this twice. Christmas and Easter Sunday." The day Christ is born and the day Christ rose from the dead?

Be careful. This one may be funny but it carries a ring of truth to it. Somebody says: "I wish you folks would come to church, If only for a visit. For someday they will carry you in, and the Lord will say, "Who is it?"

-- By Francis J. Kong

Meditation: Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!
https://dailydewinspiration.com/go-to-church/