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So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Now it came to pass...that the Lord looked down upon the army of the Egyptians...and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty... and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it...Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea...Not so much as one of them remained. – Exodus 14:22-28

Another category of leaders we ought to continually uphold in prayer are organisational or team leaders. These people deserve our intercession for the fear of God and His counsel to guide them in whatever they do, as their moves could affect members of their team in a positive or negative way.

From the passage above, Pharaoh mobilised his army to embark on an expedition that was doomed to fail and loss of lives. Maybe if someone had been interceding for him before then, perhaps, things might have been different, and he wouldn’t have led the hundreds of thousands of men with him into an agonising death in the belly of the sea.

In most cases, team members may not have much choice as to whether to join their team leaders in a move that has been doomed to failure. So, they only need to set out to encounter the wrath that has been stored up to be unleashed on the leader. And, sadly, members of the setup who may be innocent usually suffer alongside the leader when he is facing the consequences of his/her action or disposition.

Another example of such fatal expedition in the Bible was the case of King Ahab who was exuberant about the idea of leading his army to go to a war that had been ordained to be his last (1 Kings 22:19-20). Even when he was warned about embarking on the expedition, he turned deaf ears to the prophet and went all the same. He did not return, and many lives were lost in the resultant rout the Israelites suffered at the battlefront.

On the other hand, Abraham and Moses were examples of divinely favoured leaders whose teams benefitted from their right standing with God. Abraham’s followers prospered off him, while the lives of Moses’ team members were often spared because of Moses. This underscores the importance of praying our leaders into right standing with God, so that they can attract fortune to us, not disaster.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Why You Should Pray for People in Authority (1): All Leaders
Why You Should Pray for People in Authority (2): Political Leaders
Relationships That Could Make or Break You
https://daily-dew.com/why-you-should-pray-for-team-leaders/

Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel...Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword...And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. – 1 Chronicles 21:1-15

The passage above offers us an insight as to why we must always uphold our statesmen or political leaders in prayer. They require our fervent prayers because, to a large extent, our welfare depends on what they do or fail to do (1 Timothy 2:1-3). The same way we are affected directly or indirectly by their noble or base decisions.

The policies they promulgate can play a major role in either we are in business or out of it; and this has nothing to do with whether such decisions are righteous or not. Once they are instituted, everyone in their jurisdiction are bound to comply. That is why they deserve our prayers so that they can operate by the wisdom and counsel of God, and so that all they do will be influenced by the fear of God.

In the passage above, we see how Israel lost 70,000 men in one fell swoop on account of the mistake of their ruler. David had woken up one day and felt he needed to know the number of people he governed, so he commissioned a census which proved fatal. And it is interesting that David wasn’t the one who suffered the consequence of his mistake. His subjects did. Perhaps, if the people had been committed to praying for him, he would have been hedged from the temptation to count the people and that would have saved the nation the huge loss of 70,000 lives. But he commanded the counting and God, in His displeasure, punished the citizens which resulted in such huge casualties.

The decision or indecision of our statesmen can impact our wellbeing in a good or bad way, and this has nothing to do with their religious affiliation. So, we must always pray for them to rule by the counsel and fear of God so that we can live in peace and prosperity.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Why You Should Pray for People in Authority (1)
Lessons in Leadership: From a Janitor, Part 1
Lessons In Leadership: From a Janitor, Part 2
https://daily-dew.com/why-you-should-pray-for-political-leaders/

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. – 1 Timothy 2:1-3

It is easy to criticise and make disparaging remarks about rulers and leaders of thoughts in various echelons of our society, be it political, organisational, or religious. By virtue of their office, the persons in leadership are often under the public lens and it does not take much effort to identify, nay criticise, their failings. After all, they are supposed to be public servants; therefore, they ought not to complain about the attention they attract and the criticisms that follow most of their moves.

Meanwhile, just as God has a counsel for every aspect of life, so does He has a precept concerning the way we relate with those who are in positions of authority. There was never a time in the Bible where God commanded that His children should take to the streets and tear down leaders through verbal onslaughts. If anything, God expressly commands in a number of places that prayers and supplications must be made for those in authority.

Why would He say that? The passage above says this is necessary so that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” And, as if sensing that some diehard critics may object to this instruction, the passage further affirms that this practice “is good and acceptable in the sight of God.” Therefore, there should be no disputing that praying and interceding for leadership is a divine injunction. God commands it and He expects us to comply.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

A Lesson in Leadership
Benefits of Wisdom (13): Effective Leadership
Six Leadership Principles to Learn from an Eagle
https://daily-dew.com/why-you-should-pray-for-people-in-authority-1/

They were looking for a Lion, He came as a Lamb, and they missed him.

They were looking for a Warrior, He came as a Peacemaker, and they missed him.

They were looking for a King, He came as a Servant, and they missed him.

They were looking for Liberation from Rome, He submitted to the Roman cross, and they missed him.

They were looking for a fit to their mould, He was the mould maker, and they missed him.

What are you looking for? Lion? Warrior? King? Liberator?

They were looking for their temporal needs to be met. He came to meet their eternal needs, and they missed him.

He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed for your sin. Will you miss him?

He came to make peace between God and man. Will you miss him?

He came to model servanthood for all mankind. Will you miss him?

He came that we might have true Liberty. Will you miss him?

He came to give you eternal life. Will you miss him?

When we submit to the Lamb we will meet the Lion. Join with the Peacemaker and we will meet the Warrior. Work with the Servant and we will meet the King. Walk with the Submitted and we will meet the Liberator. Concern ourselves with the eternal and we will have the temporal.

If Jesus is not fitting into the mould you have, then come to the mould maker and get His new one. Submit to His plan for your life and you will see the eternal need met first, then all the other things you have need of will be taken care of as well.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. – John 1:1

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Purpose: Sent to Restore Israel
How to Obtain Wisdom for Salvation
Top 10 Reasons to Believe in the Christian Faith
https://daily-dew.com/they-missed-him/

Pastoshizzy:
Amen, thanks b.
I may ask for your (personally) advice on an issue bothering me but I don't want any bad mouth chooking into my matter.
I love your posts.

Thanks for your kind words. As for the issue, you can send us an email through dailydewinsights@gmail.com and we trust that the LORD will provide the counsel you need to resolve it.

The interesting true-life conversation below between a father and his five-year-old son underscores the importance of running our good idea on the litmus of divine will and agenda. The dialogue was narrated by the father:

Driving down to my office with my five-year-old son, we drove past Domino Pizza/Coldstone Ice cream.

Son: Daddy, I want to check out that Coldstone Ice cream.

Father: Uh, okay. Maybe we will when we’re going home.

About 3 hours later, I actually forgot and took another route on our way home. On sighting Fountain, he realised we did not pass the Coldstone route.

Son: But, daddy, I said I wanted to check out Coldstone Ice cream!

Father: Oops! Sorry, I forgot.

Son: Can’t we go back?

Father: Sorry, son. No chance. Maybe next time we’ll go there.

Son: Ok… [not so happy]

Some minutes later, whilst still thinking about the encounter.

Father: But, son, you said you wanted to “check out” the ice cream, right?

Son: Yes, dad.

Father: If we had gone there, who would have paid for the ice cream?

He looked stunned for some seconds.

Son: You, of course!

Father: But it wasn’t my idea that we check out ice cream. The idea was yours. Why should I be the one to pay?

The natural, logical answer.

Son: Because you’re my daddy.

Father: Yes, I am. But that doesn’t mean that I have to pay for it just because you want it.

Silence….

Lesson: Now, isn’t that the way we get with God? Yes, He is our Father, and a very loving Father at that. But does that mean He is bound to provide resources for all our whimsical ideas, dreams, business, ambitions, projects, desires, etc?

How many times do we get stunned like that little boy when God decided to look the other way rather than cater to our whims, even though we are very excited about them and cannot wait to get cracking with them? Is your good idea God’s idea? Remember, if it’s not His idea, then God is not obligated to power it. If He did not commission it, He may not sponsor it, and if it is not His will, it will not be on His bill. And this has nothing to with whether He loves us or not.

Meditation: Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. – Psalm 32:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Wise Ideas
Psalm 1 As A Business Principle
14 Questions to Help Clarify Your Steps After A Flash of Inspiration
https://daily-dew.com/is-your-good-idea-gods-idea/

Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” – Nehemiah 2:4-5

Recently, a group of youngsters were asked individually about what they wanted out of life. Surprisingly, only one of them could answer with some measure of clarity; the rest only mouthed some vague aspiration in response, evidence that they had not even taken time to think about what they really want to make of their lives.

Clarity is a virtue, and vagueness is a vice. It pays to be clear about what you want at any point in time. In the passage above, when asked about what he wanted, Nehemiah was unambiguous in his response to the king. He did not bore his listeners with elaborate background details before stating what he wanted, by so doing wasting their time. On the contrary, he was unequivocal in his statement of intent. He wanted to go back to his native land to rebuild the ruins.

All of us are usually presented with life-transforming opportunities at various times. But part of maximising such opportunities is to first know what you really want, and if such break would serve your purpose. The fact that looks like an opportunity doesn’t mean that it is the one for you. Even if it is, you are best positioned to make the most of it after you must have ascertained in specific terms what you really need.

One vital key that helped Nehemiah answer wisely was prayer. He “prayed to the God of heaven” and was then guided in his request. Maybe we can learn from his example.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Time For A Check-up
Learning from Nehemiah: Keep it Cheerful
Purpose: Sent to Execute the Will of God
https://daily-dew.com/learning-from-nehemiah-make-it-clear/

And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” – Nehemiah 2:1-2

There are some lessons on attitude and carriage in this passage for our meditation. Nehemiah had heard about the devastation of Israel, his land of origin, and he was concerned enough about what he heard for his countenance to change from cheer to gloom. And, according to him, he had never worn a long face before the king before, so the king was naturally concerned seeing him in such mood.

The first lesson here is that Nehemiah might not have been appointed as cupbearer of the king if he was always with a gloomy face all the time. No matter how good he might have been as a wine-mixer, the sight of his long look would have disqualified him from being chosen to attend to the king; this thus underscores the importance of maintaining a cheerful countenance.

Secondly, even if Nehemiah had been given to forlorn expression and he had made it, against all odds, to become the king’s cupbearer because of his expertise, his depressed mood would have gone unnoticed by the king when it mattered most that fateful morning, and he would have continued to suffer in silence, getting agitated about happenings in his native land, but not having enough goodwill to do anything about it.

This underscores the importance of always wearing a cheerful expression and maintaining a positive outlook to life.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

What Attitude Does
Watch Your Attitude
Developing The Right Attitude
https://daily-dew.com/learning-from-nehemiah-keep-it-cheerful/

You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. – Job 22:27

9. There is a mystery involved whenever we come into the presence of God.

We are kneeling before the Almighty Sovereign God, Lord of the universe. Be quiet. Be still. Get alone with Him. Humble yourself. Wait on Him. Respect Him as having sense and quit insulting Him with your pet memorized phrases. Tell Him the truth, what you’ve been up to and what you’re thinking now. Tell Him what blesses you about Him, and what areas of your life you need particular help with.

Jesus said He already knows our needs before we ask, but He likes to see if we have figured things out too. So, go ahead and make your requests to Him. Whatever answer comes, accept that as His will, at least for the time being. And keep on praying.

10. Always keep paper and pen handy when you are praying.

My experience is that when you come into the Father’s presence in prayer, He will frequently call your attention to something He wants you to know or do. He may tell you someone to see, something to do, someone to call, something to forgive, a verse to look up, a text to remember, a debt to pay, or a neighbor to help. Write it down. Then, go back to your prayer. Expect to receive from Him every time you turn to Him in prayer.

When we come to pray, entering into the very presence of the loving Heavenly Father, should we be eager and expectant about what is about to happen.

By Joe McKeever

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Reasons Prayers are Not Answered
The First 10 Lessons I Learned About Prayer (1)
The First 10 Lessons I Learned About Prayer (2)
https://daily-dew.com/the-first-10-lessons-i-learned-about-prayer-3/

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

6. Heaven places the same value on our prayers that we do.

If it matters to us, it matters to our Heavenly Father. The widow’s mite did not mean much to anyone else in the Temple that day, but because it mattered a great deal to her, it was precious to the Father. This principle holds true for our prayers, our offerings, and anything else we give to the Lord: when it arrives in Heaven, it carries the same value there we placed on it here.

7. Throw away your clock.

Jesus said it’s the heathen who think they will be heard for their much speaking. The goal in our prayer time is to be real, to touch Heaven, and not to log so much time. Think how insulted your sweetheart would be if you brought along a clock on your next visit, and you kept looking at it to see how much time had gone by so you could feel good about the investment you were making in the relationship. How much time you spend in prayer has little to do with anything. This assumes, of course, that you are spending some quality time with Him each day in prayer.

8. It’s not necessary to know the will of God in order to ask for something.

Go ahead and ask for healing, for that new job, for this blessing, or that condition to change. What if it’s not the will of God? Then, friend, He won’t do it. Do not think you are tying God’s hands by your prayers. That’s why Jesus ended His prayer in Gethsemane with “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” He taught us to pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” My job is to ask. It’s the Father’s place to sort things out and decide what He wishes to answer and grant.

By Joe McKeever

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Some Thoughts on Prayer
The First 10 Lessons I Learned About Prayer (1)
The Pastor Who Taught the Married About Prayer
https://daily-dew.com/the-first-10-lessons-i-learned-about-prayer-2/

1. The only real mistake we can make in prayer is not praying.

If we pray earnestly, almost anything we do is better than not praying. After all, no father rejects the child's plea because she did not use the right words or form. He welcomes his child into his arms.  Someone has said, "Nothing never happens when we pray."

2. No matter how much you pray, you will never be completely satisfied with your prayer life.

You will always feel the goal is out there beyond you somewhere. We must work against perfectionism, that mental disease that convinces us because we're not doing something perfectly, that we should stop it altogether. No matter how ineffective you think your prayers are, believe that they matter to God and keep on praying.

3. The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayer.

Romans 8:26 assures us "He helps us in our weakness because we do not know how to pray." The Greek word translated "helps" is a compound Greek verb "synantilambanomai.”  The "syn" means "together, with us."  The "anti" means "opposite to, in front of."   And the "lambanomai" is a form of the verb "to lift."  Together they tell us the Holy Spirit gets on the other end of our task, opposite to us, and together with us lifts the burden.  He does not do this in our place but works with us.

4. Keep on praying.

Persistence in prayer is taught so many times in the Scripture. My favorite is blind Bartimaeus in Luke 18. Let nothing stop you from praying. Not your own inadequacy (of which there is much), your own needs (which can be overwhelming), not your fears (which never tire of assaulting you), and most definitely not other people (discouragement is all around us). Just keep at it.

5. Our emotions and feelings are irrelevant to effective praying.

We need to rescue our prayer life from the bondage to our emotions. You know, "I don't feel like my prayers go beyond the ceiling," or "I don't feel like praying today." When you turn to the Father in prayer, how you feel has nothing to do with anything. Pray anyway.

By Joe McKeever

To continue tomorrow...

Meditation: ...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. – James 5:16b

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Force of Prayer
A Little Girl’s Prayer
God Answers Prayers
https://daily-dew.com/the-first-10-lessons-i-learned-about-prayer-1/

"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." This is what the Bible says.

Have you heard the phrase, "You cannot keep a good man down."

Now let's look at the practicality of this.

In his book, `Peak Performers,' Dr. Charles Garfield describes how the astronauts keep their spacecraft on course.

"On their flights between earth and the moon, it was said, the Apollo ships were off course much of the time. In each instance, the spacecraft would wander off its path and the crew would correct—wander of and correct, again and again. And do you know what? It didn't matter. What mattered were the results.

They got to the moon. They got home. They did it by having the discipline and knowledge to get themselves back on course. They followed not a perfect path, but a critical path."

Whether we're shooting for the moon, seeking to achieve a better personal or family life, or seeking to obey and serve God, whatever our goals, the principle is the same. There are always unpredictable and unexpected events that call for change and adjustment. Although the astronauts had to be precise in their calculations, they still allowed for mistakes and corrections. The person who doesn't allow for such adjustments will probably not reach his or her goals. As Charles Garfield explained, the "critical path" is the way to reach any target.

For the Christian, our goal is to obey and serve God and to go on to maturity. We will stumble at times, make mistakes, fail, and hit many a bump in the road. When we fall, however, the important thing is the critical path—to get up, correct our course and go on. And as one author reminds us, "The bumps are what we climb on!"

This is why Grace is so important.

I like the bumper sticker that says: "Christians are not perfect, only forgiven!"

When Jesus Christ said to Thomas, the doubter as he is more popularly known, Jesus said: "I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one goes to the Father except through Me."

Jesus was providing for us the critical path.

He knows that the journey to His Eternal Presence is not a smooth ride.

There will be bumps along the way.

Grace makes us see our own plank in our eyes rather than the splint in someone's eyes. Legalism and hypocritical self-righteousness see the mistakes of others and blur the mirror so they cannot see themselves. There are many professing Christians who are so legalistic, cruel and condemning they cannot see their own sins.

And this is so far from the model that Christ Himself displayed.

Do not question any person's state of spirituality.

Never say, be gracious.

Exhibit a Christ-like character.

If for no other reason than this:

There will be three things which will surprise us when we get to heaven; one, to find many there that we did not expect to find there; another, to find some not there whom we had expected; a third, and perhaps the greatest wonder, will be to find ourselves there. Not because we have taken the perfect path but because we have taken the critical path.

By Francis J. Kong

Meditation: Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. - Psalm 25:4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Duck and the Devil
Purpose: Sent to Redeem and Upgrade
How Do You Respond to Discouragement?
https://daily-dew.com/keeping-on-target-the-critical-path/

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time.

Let me tell you about it. I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about “a thousand marbles” to someone named “Tom”. I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say.

“Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital.” He continued, “Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”

“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. No, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.”

“Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I’m getting to the important part.”

“It took me until I was 55 years old to think about all this in any detail”, he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over 2800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.”

“So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away.”

“I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.”

“Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.”

“It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!”

You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show’s moderator didn’t have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss.

“C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.”

“What brought this on?” she asked with a smile.

“Oh, nothing special, it’s just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Sculptor’s Attitude
Blessings That Come Each Day
The 3 “F’s” to Life’s Greatest Riches
https://daily-dew.com/a-thousand-marbles/

Here are some 10 reasons why you should believe in the Christian faith:

1. The Credibility of its Founder: Peter spoke for Jesus’ closest followers when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

2. Reliability of its Book: The integrity of this historical and geographical record is supported by archaeology. The Bible continues to speak not only with spiritual power but also with convincing prophetic accuracy.

3. Explanations for Life: It is the Christian faith that reflects a caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of the natural world. It is Christ who clothed Himself in our humanity to feel what we feel and then to suffer and die in our place.

4. Its Continuity with the Past: The Christian faith offers continuity with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, and Solomon.

5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the World that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them three days later.

6. Its Power to Change Lives: Not only were the first disciples dramatically changed, but so were their worst enemies. Paul was transformed from a killer of Christians into one of their chief advocates (Galatians 1:11-24).

7. Its Analysis of Human Nature: The Bible says that society’s real problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of the family, religion, and the arts.

8. Its View of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We have conceived technologies that will deliver us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to what the New Testament describes as the end times. (Matthew 24:5-31)

9. Its Impact on Society: From rooftops to necklaces to earrings, we see the sign of the cross, bearing visible witness to Christ’s death. Social relief agencies have been fuelled by the direct or residual values of The Bible.

10. Its Offer of Salvation: No other faith offers everlasting life as a gift to those who trust the One who has overcome death for them. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness and adoption into the family of God.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people …And he said to them: “Men of Israel…I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” – Acts 5:34-39

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
Indicators of Matured Christians
When I Say, “I Am a Christian”
Top 12 Offenses Christians Commit in Church
https://daily-dew.com/top-10-reasons-to-believe-in-the-christian-faith/

Here are some of the differences between strength and courage:

It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer
It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide feelings.
It takes courage to show them.

It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

PUSH
Are You Discouraged?
How Do You Respond to Discouragement?
https://daily-dew.com/strength-and-courage/

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them.

She said, “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.”

“Is the man of the house home?” they asked.

“No,” she replied. “He’s out.”

“Then we cannot come in,” they replied.

In the evening when her husband returned home, she told him what had happened. “Go tell them I am home and invite them in!”

The woman went out and invited the men in. “We do not go into a House together,” they replied.

“Why is that?” she asked.

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

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

His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?”

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

“Let us heed our daughter’s advice,” the husband said to his wife. “Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”

The woman went out and asked the three old men, “Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the woman asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love, why are you coming in?”

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

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read;

Helpless Love
Unconditional Love
What Can Love Do?
https://daily-dew.com/the-three-old-men/

Once there was a rich man who bought two beautiful birds as pets for his garden. The birds were some of the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his gardener to be trained.

Many days passed, then one day the gardener informed the rich man that though one of the birds was flying beautifully, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.

The rich man called in healers and magicians from all over the country to tend to the bird, but no one could make the bird fly. Then the rich man thought to himself, “Maybe I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem.” So he called out to his gardener, “Go and get a villager.”

In the morning, the rich man was thrilled to see the bird soaring high above the garden.

Then the rich man asked the villager, “How did you make the bird fly?”

With his head bowed, the villager said to the rich man, ”It was very easy, sir. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting.”

We are all made to fly and fulfil our incredible potential as human beings. But instead of doing that, we tend to sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless; but, for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.

Let us destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. – Hebrews 12:12-13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Booster of Potential
How to be Free, Manifest and Succeed (1)
Where To Look For Business & Career Success

We are in serious need of revival, spiritual rebirth and earnest returning to God when we are guilty of any or all of the following:

1. When we do not love Him as we once did.

2. When earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.

3. When we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.

4. When we have little or no desire for prayer.

5. When we would rather make money than give money.

6. When our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

7. When we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

8. When we make little effort to witness to the lost.

9. When we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

10. When we do not tremble at the Word of God.

11. When we seldom think thoughts of eternity.

12. When we are more concerned about our jobs and careers than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

13. When Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.

14. When our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies, and ungodly lifestyles.

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15. When we watch things on TV and movies that we would not show in church.

16. When our prayers lack fervency.

17. When our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.

18. When our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

19. When we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

20. When we are bored with worship.

21. When we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

22. When we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.

23. When we are unmoved by the thought of our neighbours, business associates, and acquaintances going to hell.

24. When we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our sin.

25. When we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

26. When the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and our church.

27. When we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need revival.

If any of these indicators applies to you, then you need to talk to God right away to take you back to your first love in Christ. Don’t just do a half-hearted, mouthed prayer, but an intense and sincere heart-to-heart communion with your Father. He listens and He answers.

ALSO READ Life Without God

— Author Unknown

Meditation: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil…Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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 2:2-5

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed.

When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally, the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

We are so busy living in a world that is full of noise and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God calling as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, and in the life and work of Jesus Christ. The question is, "Are you listening to what the LORD is saying, or are you waiting to be called? Do you hear the LORD when he speaks to you or you are too occupied with the clatter all around you?”

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Power of Saying
The Process of Creation
The Ambassador of Christ

Once upon a time all feelings and status went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island. The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty. Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do.

But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope. Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.”

Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows the extent of your greatness and what you are capable of.”

The message here is that when we are prosperous, there is a tendency for us to overlook love. When we feel important, we may forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow, we may forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today, every day?

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Unconditional Love
What Can Love Do?
Ten Ways to Love Others

Have you ever had a rock and wished you could change it into a diamond?

Years ago, before the advent of chemistry, a science called alchemy existed, and alchemists had a similar passion: Finding a way to transform worthless metals into gold. Of course, they never succeeded. But God is the master alchemist. He has a passion for taking all things and working them for good.

Charles Spurgeon tells about one man who had complete faith that God would work everything for his good. During the reign of Queen Mary I of England, this man was captured for preaching the gospel. He received the sentence of being burned alive at the stake in London. When he heard the sentence, he said, “Well, never mind. God will work all things together for my good. I don’t know how, but He will.”

On his way to London, the guards treated the man roughly. In fact, they even threw him down to the ground, and in doing so, they broke his leg. Then they mocked the man, saying, “Well, tell us how this will work together for your good.”

He said, “I don’t know, but it will.”

Before they could continue their trip, the guards had to take time to put the man’s leg into a splint. Because of this delay, the group arrived in London a day later than the guards had planned. But the night before they arrived, Queen Mary died, and Elizabeth had taken the throne.

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Instead of burning the man at the stake, Elizabeth pardoned him. So, although his broken leg was a bad thing, God used it for his good, saving his life through the delay it caused.

Do circumstances often seem to work in opposition to your expectations? Do you sometimes despair of any good coming from your situation? Remember that God is in charge. He sees the big picture; He knows the future. He controls all things, and He loves you more than you can imagine.

Through your experiences, He’ll shape you, transforming you into the best person you can be. Trust Him and even thank Him for situations that seem bad, because He works all things together for your good.

May God, the mighty Alchemist, transform the lead of our lives into gold.

by D. James Kennedy

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!

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A Good Thing
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A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room was filled with light and the Saviour appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day.

For many years, he toiled from sun up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough."

And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have laboured long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimetre. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My son, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push, and now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?

"Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my son, will now move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.

Author Unknown

Meditation: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Resume of Jesus Christ
Baby Erik and the Old Man

This is a story that underlines the importance of doing a regular check-up on ourselves to see how we are faring in all aspects of life, spiritually, professionally, socially, etc.

A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits (phone numbers). The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation.

Boy: Madam, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?

Woman: (at the other end of the phone line): I already have someone to cut my lawn.

Boy: Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now.

Woman: I’m very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.

Boy: (with more perseverance): Madam, I’ll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm Beach, Florida.

Woman: No, thank you.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.

Storeowner: Son… I like your attitude. I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.

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Boy: No, thanks.

Storeowner: But you were really pleading for one.

Boy: No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!

This is called Self Appraisal. Our goal should always be to beat ourselves and better our previous record, not focusing on what someone else is doing or not. Always work hard, honest and with dedication. It will always pay up.

Author Unknown

Meditation: Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. – 2 Corinthians 13:5

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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How Do You Respond to Discouragement?

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache,
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved

Meditation: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Used by Permission
Copyright ©1988 Carol Wimmer
All Rights Reserved
www.carolwimmer.com
www.whenisayiamachristian.com
www.facebook.com/whenisayiamachristian

There was once a man who didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays.

His wife, however, did believe and she raised their children to have faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ despite his disparaging comments. On one snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their two children to a special Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about the birth of Jesus that night. She asked him to come along just like she had done so many times before, but he refused her once again, “That story is nonsense!” he barked. “Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!”

So she and the children left, and he stayed home.

A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He then sat down to relax before the fire for the evening when he heard a very loud thump. Something had hit the window. He looked out but couldn’t see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window.

In the field near his house, he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently, they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. And a couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.

The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention by waving a lantern, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn, but they still didn’t catch on.

Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the opened barn doors. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.

“Why don’t they follow me?!” he exclaimed. “Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?”

He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn’t follow a human. “If only I were a goose, then I could save them,” he said out loud. Then he had an idea! He went into barn, got one of his own geese and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it.

His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn — and one by one, the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed loudly in his mind: “If only I were a goose, then I could save them!” Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier that evening. “Why would God want to be like us? That’s ridiculous!”

Suddenly it all made perfect sense to him. That is what God had done! We were like the geese–blind, lost, and perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way, and save us!

As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Jesus Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: “Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”

Perhaps, you can identify with the man’s stance about God and His Son, Jesus; it is never too late to make a u-turn and come to Him. He’s patiently waiting for you.

– Author Unknown

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:18

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

This story encapsulates the virtue of benevolence or doing good at all times, in all places, no matter how inconvenient and hard it may be.

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him like so many others had done before.

‘Leave me alone,’ he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling – her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. ‘Are you hungry?’ she asked. ‘No,’ he answered sarcastically. ‘I’ve just come from dining with the President. Now go away.’

The woman’s smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

‘What are you doing, lady?’ the man asked angrily. ‘I said to leave me alone!’

Just then a policeman came up. ‘Is there any problem, ma’am?’ he asked.

‘No problem here, officer,’ the woman answered. ‘I’m just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?’

The officer scratched his head. ‘That’s old Jack. He’s been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?’

‘See that cafeteria over there?’ she asked. ‘I’m going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for a while.’

‘Are you crazy, lady?’ the homeless man resisted. ‘I don’t want to go in there!’ Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

‘Let me go, officer. I didn’t do anything.’

‘This is a good deal for you, Jack,’ the officer answered. ‘Don’t blow it.’

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Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.

‘What’s going on here, officer?’ he asked. ‘What is all this. Is this man in trouble?’

‘This lady brought this man in here to be fed,’ the policeman answered.

‘Not in here!’ the manager replied angrily. ‘Having a person like that here is bad for business.’

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. ‘See, lady. I told you so. Now if you’ll let me go. I didn’t want to come here in the first place.’

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. ‘Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?’

‘Of course, I am,’ the manager answered impatiently. ‘They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms.’

‘And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?’

‘What business is that of yours?’

‘I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, President and CEO of the company.’

‘Oh’

The woman smiled again. ‘I thought that might make a difference’ She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. ‘Would you like to join us for a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?’

‘No thanks, ma’am,’ the officer replied. ‘I’m on duty.’

‘Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?’

‘Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice.’

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. ‘I’ll get your coffee for you right away, officer.’

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The officer watched him walk away. ‘You certainly put him in his place,’ he said.

‘That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.’

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. ‘Jack, do you remember me?’

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes, ‘I think so – I mean you do look familiar.’

‘I’m a little older perhaps,’ she said. ‘Maybe I’ve even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry.’

‘Ma’am?’ the officer said questioningly. He couldn’t believe that such a magnificently turned-out woman could ever have been hungry.

‘I was just out of college,’ the woman began. ‘I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn’t find anything. Finally, I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat.’

Jack lit up with a smile. ‘Now I remember,’ he said. ‘I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy.’

‘I know,’ the woman continued. ‘Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register. I knew then that everything would be all right.’

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‘So you started your own business?’ Old Jack said.

‘I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually, I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.’ She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. ‘When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He’s the personnel director of my company. I’ll go talk to him now and I’m certain he’ll find something for you to do around the office.’ She smiled. ‘I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet.

‘If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you.’

There were tears in the old man’s eyes. ‘How can I ever thank you?’ he said.

‘Don’t thank me,’ the woman answered. ‘To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you.’

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. ‘Thank you for all your help, officer,’ she said.

‘On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,’ he answered. ‘Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And… And thank you for the coffee.’

– Author Unknown

Meditation: I know that nothing is better for them than…to do good in their lives. – Ecclesiastes 3:12

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also, read:

One Act of Kindness
Kindness is Contagious
A Story About Human Kindness

This is an inspiring anecdote about the balancing act of life.

A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified life. When she met God, she asked Him something that had really bothered her for a very long time. "If man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?"

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. It is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people, and our relationships with God.

This confused the woman, so God began to explain:

"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always what they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know what is in their hearts. Remove your own masks to let people know who you really are.

When someone steals from you, it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have. You never know when you might lose it. Never take your friends or family for granted, because today and sometimes only this very moment is the only guarantee you may have.

When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state is a very fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it's the one thing that you are sure to have for as long as you are on earth.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, do not judge them by how they look or act, instead base it on the contents of what is in their hearts.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that the person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love, because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings you will make up for all of your past hurts times a thousandfold.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is often the most difficult and painful of life's experiences, but it is also the most courageous thing a person can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting temptation is man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptations. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control."

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there are no lessons to be learned from man's good deeds. God replied that man's capacity to love is the greatest gift He has. At the root of kindness and love, each act of love also teaches us a lesson. The woman's curiosity deepened. God, once again began to explain:

"When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness? Each one of us has the power over the balance of love in the world. Use it wisely!"

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction!

- Author Unknown

Meditation: The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. - Deuteronomy 29:29

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Masks
Always Aim Higher
A Story About A Pilot and A Rat

This is a real-life story about the all-important virtue of humility.

Many years ago, a rider came across some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log without success. The corporal was standing by as the men struggled. The rider asked the corporal why he wasn't helping. The corporal replied, "I am the corporal; I give orders."

The rider dismounted, went up and stood by the soldiers, and as they were lifting the log, he helped them. With his help, the log was moved. The rider quietly mounted his horse, went to the corporal and said, "The next time your men need help, send for the Commander-in-Chief."

After he left, the corporal and his men found out that the rider was George Washington.

The message is clear. Success and humility go hand in hand. When others blow your horn, the sound goes further. Just think about it? Simplicity and humility are two hallmarks of greatness. Humility does not mean self-demeaning behaviour.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down. - 2 Samuel 22:28

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

How Do You Respond to Discouragement?
The Resume of Jesus Christ
Lessons on Life

The Truck Driver and the Mental Patient

This is a story about wisdom in unusual places.

One truck driver doing his usual load delivery at a mental hospital parked his vehicle beside an open drain. He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to return from the mental hospital. He jacked up the truck and removed the flat tyre to fix it.

When he was about to fix the spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the four bolts in the open drain. As he cannot fish the bolts in the open drain, he started to panic as to what should be done?

Just then, one patient happened to walk past him and asked the driver why he was looking troubled. The driver thought to himself, since there is nothing much he can do or this mental joker can, he might as well talk to him just to keep the bugging away. So he informed the mental patient about the whole episode with a helpless look on his face.

The patient just laughed at the truck driver and said, “You cannot even fix such a simple problem? No wonder you are destined to remain a truck driver for life."

The truck driver was astonished to hear such a compliment from a mental patient. "Here is what you can do," the mental guy continued...

Continue reading https://daily-dew.com/the-truck-driver-and-the-mental-patient/

This is a very moving story about unconditional love.

A soldier was finally returning home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home but, I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."

"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a landmine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”

"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. They were told their son had died after falling from a building. The police believed it was suicide.

The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him but, to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around but, we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. That Person is Jesus Christ. He beckons all to come to Him irrespective of their handicap.

- Author Unknown 

Meditation: But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. – Luke 6:32

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Baby Erik and the Old Man
The Old Man and the Scorpion
A Story About Human Kindness

Address: Ephesians 1:20

Phone: Romans 10:13

Website: The Bible

Keywords: Christ, Lord, Saviour and Jesus

Hello,

My name is Jesus - The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications

* I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

* I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

* I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

* I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

* The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background

* I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).

* I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

* My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences

* Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the broken-hearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).

* I am a Wonderful Counsellor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).

* Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background

* I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).

* In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).

* My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

* I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments

* I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).

* I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).

* I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).

* I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!

* There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References

* Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47).

When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

- Author Unknown

Meditation: When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” – Matthew 16:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Bird Cage – A Redemption Story
When You are Going through Affliction
Demonstrating the Power of God

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn some life lessons, not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come sometime or later.

- Author Unknown

Meditation: While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Read also:

Baby Erik and the Old Man
A Story About Human Kindness
The Old Man and the Scorpion