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“My green slacks are hanging on the bottom rack on the right side of the closet. I want the forest green ones; not the brownish-green or light green. And, the flowered silk blouse that goes with them is on the top rack hanging towards the middle. You’ll know which one it is when you see it. Just pick out whatever flat shoes you think will look best.” Mom was smiling as she planned her wardrobe for Thanksgiving Day.

I was nearly out the door when she stopped me. “One more thing, you know those gold drop earrings you gave me years ago? I’ll need those, too. And, if you don’t mind could you come early enough to make sure my makeup and hair look nice?” I walked back to give her a hug, kiss, and told her not to give it another thought, “You’ll look just beautiful! See you about 11 a.m. tomorrow. I love you, Mom.”

The short two-block drive to my parent’s home was somber. We’d traveled to Kansas to spend the holiday with them but it would not be celebrated as in years past; Mother had been in a nursing home for several months. The many fractures in her spine from osteoporosis were inoperable; Mother would remain there permanently.

We mustered all our strength to be positive and keep her spirits up as she adjusted to the one thing she’d always feared most-being confined to a nursing home. The only tiny, tarnished, silver cloud to be found was that the home she’d never return to could actually be seen from the facility. I prayed it made her feel like she was only down the street having coffee with a friend.

Always able to hide her feelings so as not to upset her loved ones, Mother appeared to be handling her situation well, although I knew down deep that in a matter of time she’d not be able to keep up the charade. The following morning I arrived with the items Mom had requested and we went to work dressing and primping. She looked beautiful even with the oxygen tubing draped across her cheeks.

With Mom situated in her wheelchair, we made our way to gather with family awaiting our arrival near the foyer. As we neared, I noted instantly that Dad’s blue eyes, which had lost their luster in recent months, instantly came to life and regained their brilliance, for he’d not seen the love of his life “dolled-up” in quite some time. It warmed my heart to view the change.

Our linen-dressed table in the formal dining room was near the fireplace, a pianist played quietly in the background, and the meal was delicious. Everyone at the table was on stage like actors in a play; we struggled to feign jovial attitudes, not only for Mom’s sake, but to prop one another up as we experienced a sorrowful and drastic change in a lifetime of family Thanksgiving traditions.

Still, there was much to be thankful for when I forced myself to see beyond the darkness that tried to encompass me. Mother had enjoyed a healthy life of independence for 83 years with a man she loved dearly. She suffered no pain with her condition and she was still as sharp as a tack!

I was fortunate in having my mom to share the holiday with although it wasn’t at “home” and was missing favorite family dishes as only she could prepare. None of us knew it would be the last Thanksgiving we’d spend with Mother.

Eight holidays later I realize what a true gift the day was. Each cherished moment is remembered as if it were yesterday. My emotions that holiday were intermingled with love and grief. And, to this day they remain the same.

Remember when you count all you are thankful for. Often what seems less than ideal may be your most valuable blessing. Hidden in disguise.

May you all have a lovely Thanksgiving filled with love and many blessings!

by Kathleene Baker

Meditation: Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! – Psalm 107:15

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Blessings That Come Each Day
Do You Reject God’s Blessings?
Blessings We May Not Recognise

God, the Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit code, named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been identified as "Subsequential Internal Non-morality," more commonly known as S.I.N. Some of the symptoms include:

Loss of direction
Foul vocal emissions
Amnesia of origin
Lack of peace and joy
Selfish or violent behavior
Depression or confusion
Fearfulness
Idolatry
Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Best Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. – 2 Samuel 14:14

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Hand
Four Lessons
A Father’s Influence

A cat was so faithful that the woman could leave her baby with it and go out to attend to other matters. She always returned to find the child sound asleep with the cat faithfully watching over him.

One day something tragic happened. The woman, as usual, left the baby in the “hands” of this faithful cat and went out shopping. When she returned, she saw a rather nasty scene. The baby’s cot was dismantled; his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with bloodstains all over the bedroom where she left the child and the cat. Shocked, the woman wailed as she began looking for her baby.

All of a sudden, she saw the faithful cat emerging from under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth as if it had just finished a delicious meal.

The woman went berserk and assumed that the cat had devoured her baby. Without much thought, she beat the cat to death with wood. But as she continued searching for the remains of her child, she beheld another scene. Close to the bed was the baby, who although lying bare on the floor, was safe; and under the bed the body of a snake torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between it and the cat, which was now dead.

Then reality dawned on the woman who now began to understand what took place in her absence. The cat fought to protect her baby from the snake. It was too late for her now to make amends because in her impatience and anger, she had killed the faithful cat.

How often have we misjudged people and torn them to shreds with harsh words and deeds before we have had time to evaluate the situation? It is called the sin of presumption. Presuming things our way without taking the trouble to find out exactly what the situation really is. Little patience can drastically reduce major life mistakes. Who Are you misjudging right now? Don’t think what you think others are thinking. Take time to get the whole truth. Be patient with people, lest you live to regret your actions against them. Be quick to hear, but slow to respond and become angry.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Tramp
Mean Moms
Walk the Talk

I woke up this morning and knew that today,

The sun would not be shining and the clouds would be gray.

As I stepped outside, rain fell upon my head.

My car wouldn’t start so I walked to school instead.

I forgot all of my assignments

I failed all of my tests.

I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request.

“Lord, why is it that things won’t go my way?”

He gently replied, “Dear child it is because you didn’t thank me yesterday.

I woke you up and enabled you to see the sun again.

I gave you shelter, protected your family, and even let you make a new friend.

I blessed you far greater than I ever had before.

But you were too busy to thank me once more.

You didn’t feel sick because I maintained your health.

You had money in your pocket because I maintained your wealth.

You had shoes on your feet and clothes to wear, too.

You had plenty of food to eat and what did you do?

You ignored me and went about your tasks.

But when you wanted something you never hesitated to ask.

I was there when you needed me and that wasn’t too long ago.

But when things started going your way, it was me you did not know.

As if that weren’t enough, I provided your favorite luxuries.

This was something I didn’t have to do-they weren’t even necessities.

And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude,

You decided that after such a fulfilling day, you weren’t in the mood.

So I decided to give you just a little test.

To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed.”

I began to realize what the Lord was saying.

He said, “My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive.

But remember to remember this day as long as you shall live.

I love filling your life with joy, and your pain I’ll alleviate it.

But just a simple thank you would show how much you appreciate it.”

— Author Unknown

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

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Lord, Thank You
Lord, I Thank You
Thanks for Your Time

I woke up this morning and knew that today,

The sun would not be shining and the clouds would be gray.

As I stepped outside, rain fell upon my head.

My car wouldn't start so I walked to school instead.

I forgot all of my assignments

I failed all of my tests.

I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request.

"Lord, why is it that things won't go my way?"

He gently replied, "Dear child it is because you didn't thank me yesterday.

I woke you up and enabled you to see the sun again.

I gave you shelter, protected your family, and even let you make a new friend.

I blessed you far greater than I ever had before.

But you were too busy to thank me once more.

You didn't feel sick because I maintained your health.

You had money in your pocket because I maintained your wealth.

You had shoes on your feet and clothes to wear, too.

You had plenty of food to eat and what did you do?

You ignored me and went about your tasks.

But when you wanted something you never hesitated to ask.

I was there when you needed me and that wasn't too long ago.

But when things started going your way, it was me you did not know.

As if that weren't enough, I provided your favorite luxuries.

This was something I didn't have to do-they weren't even necessities.

And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude,

You decided that after such a fulfilling day, you weren't in the mood.

So I decided to give you just a little test.

To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed."

I began to realize what the Lord was saying.

He said, "My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive.

But remember to remember this day as long as you shall live.

I love filling your life with joy, and your pain I'll alleviate it.

But just a simple thank you would show how much you appreciate it."

-- Author Unknown

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

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Lord, Thank You
Lord, I Thank You
Thanks for Your Time

Californian Kathy Murray says she saved her marriage by giving up trying to control her husband. Despite considering herself a feminist, she follows – and now teaches others – the approach of a controversial book called The Surrendered Wife, which tells women to stop nagging their partners and start treating them with more respect.

The first time I married I was divorced by 26. I married for the second time at 32 but soon found myself sleeping in the guest room. My husband and I fought all the time.

Much of our fighting stemmed from the fact I thought my husband was clueless when it came to raising the children (we had four children between us aged from four to nine years old). We also quarrelled about how to manage our finances, and how often we made love.

I was working full-time as chief finance officer for a private school and also volunteered at my kids’ school and in my community. My husband was a sales rep for a construction company but I was the breadwinner and acted like I was in charge.

I didn’t tell anyone I was in constant conflict with my husband. I was embarrassed, angry, and resentful.

The six principles of being a ‘Surrendered Wife’

Relinquishes inappropriate control of her husband. Respects her husband’s thinking. Receives his gifts graciously and expresses gratitude for him. Expresses what she wants without trying to control him. Relies on him to handle household finances. Focuses on her own self-care and fulfilment

My husband often resorted to watching TV and snuggling with our pets as I’d rage at him over ignoring my needs. I mean all men want sex right? Not my husband. He wanted nothing to do with me. It was awful.

The more I told my husband how he should be, the less he’d try. I couldn’t figure it out so I dragged him to marriage counselling. But that only made things worse, so we sent our children to counselling since they too bore the brunt of so much of our conflict. That didn’t work either.

So I went to counselling by myself and complained about my husband for more than a year. Spending thousands of dollars, only to find myself nearer divorce than when I started.

I’d cry, fight, yell and pout, thinking he would eventually come around, but he didn’t. I lost weight, went to the gym and started getting attention from men which was tempting to act on, but I knew I couldn’t do that, so I’d play the victim card and sulk. That didn’t work either

I was about to end my marriage when I picked up a book called The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle. I mean, they don’t teach us how to be successful in marriage in school and the women in my life didn’t share the secrets either.

It was incredibly humbling to recognise that I had something to do with why my marriage was failing and perhaps even why my first marriage failed. But it was also empowering.

I didn’t know I’d been disrespectful to my husband or even that I’d been controlling and critical.

I thought I was being helpful and logical. I just didn’t know that respect for men is like oxygen, so no wonder my husband was no longer interested in me sexually.

I’ll never forget the day I first apologised to my husband for being rude for correcting him in front of the children or the day I said “whatever you think” when I’d previously been extremely opinionated about what he should do.

I had trained my husband to ask my permission for everything. And then complained about it for a year in counselling that he couldn’t make simple decisions!

I relinquished control of my husband’s life, choices, and decisions, and instead, I focused on my own happiness. I was no longer acting like his mother and started acting like his lover.

We were fighting less and less and my husband started reaching out to hold my hand or pull me in for a kiss.

I had no idea that I was responsible for my own happiness. I thought my husband should make me happy.

I’ve now found subtle ways of getting my husband in the mood for sex, which is far more effective than the days of begging, crying or yelling about wanting it. Even if I’m not in the mood and he is, I often find myself getting in the mood just by being open to receiving pleasure.

My kids began to notice the change in our relationship too, and as a result, their behaviour improved and our home became peaceful and fun again.

Women often ask me if my approach is about dumbing myself down or becoming a submissive wife. I tell them I am a feminist. Surrendering is acknowledging you can’t change or control anyone but yourself. That’s empowering!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. – 1 Peter 3:1-2

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
Laissez-Faire
“How I Killed My Wife!”
When You Reach the Top

You can now donate via PayPal to support Daily Dew in reaching more people around the world. To donate please click https://daily-dew.com/donate/

Michael Jordan was born in 1963, in the slums of Brooklyn, New York. He had four siblings, and his father's earnings were not sufficient to provide for the whole family. He grew up in a poor neighbourhood. Exposed to mindless violence and heavy discrimination in the slums, he saw for himself only a hopeless future.

His father saw in Michael, a lost soul and decided to do something. He gave Michael, who was 13 years old, a piece of used clothing and asked: "What do you think the value of this outfit would be?"

Jordan replied, "Maybe one dollar."

His father asked, "Can you sell it for two dollars? If you can sell it, it would mean that you are a big help to your family."

Jordan nodded his head, "I'll try, but no guarantee that I'll be successful."

Jordan carefully washed the cloth clean. Because they didn't have an iron, to smoothen the cloth, he levelled it with a clothes brush on a flat board, then kept it in the sun to dry. The next day, he brought the clothes to a crowded underground station. After offering it for more than six hours. Jordan finally managed to sell it for $2. He took the two-dollar bill and ran home.

After that, every day he looked for used clothing, washed and ironed it, and sold it in the crowd.

More than ten days later, his father again gave him a piece of used clothing, "Can you think of a way you can sell this for 20 bucks?"

Aghast, Jordan said, "How is it possible? This outfit can only fetch two dollars at the most."

His father replied, "Why don't you try it first? There might be a way."

After breaking his head for a few hours, finally, Jordan got an idea. He asked for his cousin's help to paint a picture of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on the garment. Then he tried to sell it in the school where the children of the rich study.

Soon a housekeeper, who was there to pick his master, bought that outfit for his master. The master was a little boy of only 10 years. He loved it so much and he gave a five-dollar tip. 25 dollars was a huge amount for Jordan, the equivalent of a month's salary of his father.

When he got home, his father gave him yet another piece of used clothing, "Are you able to resell it at a price of 200 dollars?" Jordan's eyes lit up.

This time, Jordan accepted the clothes without the slightest doubt. Two months later a popular movie actress from the movie "Charlie's Angels", Farah Fawcett, came to New York for her Movie promos. After the press conference, Jordan made his way through the security forces to reach the side of Farah Fawcett and requested her autograph on the piece of clothing. When Fawcett saw this innocent child asking for her autograph, she gladly signed it.

Jordan was shouting very excitedly, "This is a jersey signed by Miss Farah Fawcett, the selling price is 200 dollars!" He auctioned off the clothes, to a businessman for a price of 1,200 dollars!

Upon returning home, his father broke into tears and said, "I am amazed that you did it, my child! You're really great! "

That night, Jordan slept alongside his father. His father said, "Son, in your experience selling these three pieces of clothing, what did you learn about success?"

Jordan replied, "Where there's a will, there's a way."

His father nodded his head, then shook his head, "What you say is not entirely wrong! But that was not my intention. I just wanted to show you that a piece of used clothing which is worth only a dollar can also be increased in value, Then how about us - living and thinking humans? We may be darker and poorer, but what if we can increase our value."

This thought enlightened young Jordan. ‘Even a piece of used clothing could be made dignified, then why not me? There is absolutely no reason to underestimate myself.’

From then on, Michael Jordan felt that his future would be beautiful and full of hope. He went on to become the greatest basketball player of all time.

How can you increase your own value?

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…. – 2 Timothy 1:6

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
The Value of Life
Benefits of Wisdom (: Value
How to Get Value Out of the Word

You can now donate via PayPal to support Daily Dew in reaching more people around the world. To donate please click https://daily-dew.com/donate/

You shall not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

You shall not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.

You shall not carry grudges, for they are the heaviest of all life’s burdens.

You shall face each problem as it comes. You can only handle one at a time anyway.

You shall not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.

You shall not borrow other people’s problems. They can better care for them than you.

You shall not try to relive yesterday for good or ill, it is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life and be happy now!

You shall be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own.

You shall not become “bogged down” by frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action.

You shall count your blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, – Deuteronomy 11:16

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.. – Matthew 6:1-4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Family Bible
Changing The Course For Your Family Line
Why You Should Pray for Family Leaders

I ran into a stranger, as he passed by.

"Oh, excuse me please," was my reply.

He said, "Oh, please, excuse me too;

I wasn't even watching; I didn't see you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way, and we said goodbye.

But at home, a different, story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, near the evening meal,

My son stood beside me, very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heartbroken.

I didn't realize how, harshly I'd spoken.

Later that night, while I lay awake in bed,

God's still small voice, came to me and said,

"When dealing with a stranger, such courtesy you use,

But the children you love, you seem to abuse.

Go into the kitchen, and look on the floor,

You'll find some rocks, there by the door.

Those are the rocks, he brought for you.

He picked them carefully: some are rough, some smooth.

He stood quietly, not to spoil the surprise,

And you never ever saw, the tears in his eyes."

By this time…I felt, very, very small

And now my tears, they began to fall.

I walked in his room, and knelt by his bed;

"Wake up, little boy, wake up," I said.

"Are these the rocks, you found for me?"

He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em out by myself, That one's so smooth.

I knew you'd like it.  It's especially for you."

I said, "Thank you so much, and I really want to say,

I am very sorry, for how I acted today;

I should not have yelled, at you, that way."

He said, "That's okay, Daddy. I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too.  Now, why don't we pray."

Are you aware that:

-If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.

-But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

-And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family…an unwise investment indeed.

- Author Unknown

Meditation: Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. – Proverbs 11:29 (NIV)

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

All Just Part of My Job!
Gratitude for the Little Things
A Bowl of Noodles from a Stranger

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, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10 inches of water!”

Author Unknown

Meditation: “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.” – Job 36:26

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Verdict
To Create Anything, You Need this!
You Are Amazing! (And I Can Prove It)

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.”

But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn’t you Johnny?” And then she whispered to him, “Remember, the duck?” So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.”

But Sally smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” And she whispered again, “Remember, the duck?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I was just wondering how long would you let Sally make a slave of you.”

I don’t know what’s in your past. I don’t know what one sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He is ready to forgive you. Perhaps He’s wondering how long you’ll let the enemy make a slave out of you. The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He forgets.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” – Revelation 12:10

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Devil’s Beatitudes
Purpose: Sent to Destroy the Works of the Devil (1)
Purpose: Sent to Destroy the Works of the Devil (2)

I met this guy while I was in Albuquerque and he has a motto he lives by every day. He said listen carefully and live by these four rules: Drink, Steal, Swear, and Lie. I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen while he explained his four rules. So here they are:

1.. "Drink" from the "everlasting cup" every day.

2.. "Steal" a moment to help someone that is in worse shape than you are.

3.. "Swear" that you will be a better person today than yesterday.

4.. And last, but not least, when you "lie" down at night, thank God for the blessing you received that helped you live through the day

I am not as good as I should be; I am not as good as I could be; but THANK GOD, I am better than I used to be.

- Author Unknown

Meditation: Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. – 1 Timothy 4:16

You will succeed in Jesus' Name!

Also read:

Invitation to A Birthday Celebration

This real-life story happened in Japan. In order to renovate the house, a Japanese man broke open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there, because a nail from outside had been hammered into one of its feet.

On seeing this, he felt pity, and at the same time curiosity. When he checked the nail, he discovered it was nailed five years ago, when the house was built!

What could have happened?

The lizard had survived in such a position for five years! In a dark wall partition for five years without moving, it was mind-boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard had survived for five years without moving a single inch since its foot was impaled! So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, to see what it had been doing, and how it was feeding.

Later, not knowing from where it came from, there appeared another lizard with food in its mouth.

He was stunned and touched deeply.

For the lizard that was impaled by the nail, another lizard had been feeding it for the past five years. And it had been doing that untiringly for five long years, without giving up hope on its partner. Imagine what that small creature did, that creatures blessed with intellect cannot do.

Many Christians have abandoned their homes and their loved ones because of financial reasons and inability to see into the future. That Lizard had hopes that one day help would come and its friend shall be delivered. It took five years of waiting for help to arrive. Help came because Hope can never be put to shame.

Never abandon your first love and loved ones. Don’t turn your back on people because they are in difficulty. Don’t see yourself as more intelligent or the best. You may be luckier today, but life is uncertain and things can change tomorrow.

A moment of negligence might break the very heart which loved you against all odds. God created space within our fingers so that we can hold hands. Be there for somebody today.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. – John 13:34

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Vanities of Life
Rules for Happiness
We will Never Serve Your God!

A little boy went to his old grandpa and asked, “What’s the value of life?”

The grandpa gave him one stone and said, “Find out the value of this stone, but don’t sell it.”

The boy took the stone to an orange seller and asked him what its cost would be. The orange seller saw the shiny stone and said, “You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone.”

The boy apologized and said that the grandpa has asked him not to sell it. He went ahead and found a vegetable seller.

“What could be the value of this stone?” he asked the vegetable seller.

The seller saw the shiny stone and said, “Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone.”

The boy again apologized and said he can’t sell it. Further ahead, he went into a jewelry shop and asked the value of the stone. The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, “I’ll give you 1 million for this stone.”

When the boy shook his head, the jeweler said, “Alright, alright, take two 24karat gold necklaces, but give me the stone.”

The boy explained that he can’t sell the stone. Further ahead, the boy saw a precious stone’s shop and asked the seller the value of this stone.

When the precious stone’s seller saw the big ruby, he laid down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby and bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby. “From where did you bring this priceless ruby from?” he asked. “Even if I sell the whole world and my life, I won’t be able to purchase this priceless stone.”

Stunned and confused, the boy returned to the grandpa and told him what had happened. “Now tell me what is the value of life, grandpa?”

Grandpa said, “The answers you got from the orange seller, the vegetable seller, the jeweler, and the precious stone seller explain the value of our life.

“You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but, people will value you based on their financial status, their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk-taking ability. But don’t fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value.”

Respect yourself.

Believe in yourself.

Stay focused.

Don’t sell yourself cheap.

You are Unique.

No one can Replace you!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. – 1 John 3:1-2

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Benefits of Wisdom (: Value
How to Get Value Out of the Word
A Story About the Value of Honesty

Yesterday, as I watched the National Geographic Channel, I came to learn of the fish called The Electric Eel. For the first time, I learnt the actual name is Electrophorus electricus.

The fish is commonly found in the Amazon and generally in freshwaters. In the narration of the documentary, Electric Eels are mostly blind, although they are not born blind. To me, they are such beautiful creatures and I was wondering how come they are blind? I then read about them and came to understand that these animals have three pairs of abdominal organs that produce electricity as a form of defensive mechanism against predators. Whenever the animal is under attack, it activates an electric field of up to 860 Volts (that is nearly 4 times the 220V electricity supplied to our homes) to electrocute its attacker.

The Eel also requires rising to the surface of the water every 10 minutes in order to take in Oxygen before going back under the water. Due to this routine, the fish has developed a mindset that it is vulnerable to attack due to constant coming up to breathe; hence, it is always in a ‘suspicion mode’ – It is always and constantly electrocuting its environment even when it is not under attack. The sad effect is that in the course of continuously electrocuting its environment, its eyes are also electrocuted; hence, its blindness!

But then, as I watched this animal swimming around blind and only using its sense of feel and ears, and being unable to see, it becomes more suspicious and every movement it feels in the waters, it releases further electric shock, thus worsening its own plight. The animal thus goes into a cyclic paranoia and self-infliction of pain that causes it to be further blind beyond remedy.

You see, such is the situation in some people’s life. They suspect everybody and everything! They always have a mindset that ‘someone is undoing me’, ‘something evil is going to happen to me’, ‘someone is planning to harm me’, etc. By having this kind of mental picture, such people release shock waves that electrocute whoever comes near them. Friends, who mean well, are branded enemies; parents are considered evil; siblings are suspected of hatching evil plots; colleagues at work are branded enemies, etc.

When people go into such self-destructive mode, all they think about is themselves and not the feelings of others. The desire to protect oneself ends up in hurting others. Let us all strive to cultivate a positive attitude of love and treat each other in a brotherly manner.

Think and reflect on these things.

by Kwasi Agyenim Boateng

Meditation: Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. – Romans 13:10

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Checking In
Watch Your Attitude
Develop The Right (self) Attitude

Free your heart from hatred.
Free your mind from worries.
Live simply.
Give more.
Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit, but you enjoy the smooth road afterward.

Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8:32

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Five Rules to Be Happy
10 Rules to Post On the Fridge
Some Rules to Make Living Worthwhile

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: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 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 1:1-9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Unanswered Letters
Are You Discouraged?
How Do You Respond to Discouragement?

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: Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Child to Parent
Advice to Parents About Children
How to Make Life Easy for Your Children

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. This happened every day for two years, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and felt miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologise to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot lamented.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and then said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to take note of the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path and this cheered it some. But at the end of tile trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you observe that there were flowers only on YOUR side of the pathway, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you have watered them.

For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. Some of us don't grow old gracefully, some are not so smart, some are tall, large and big, some bald, some physically challenged, but it's the cracks and flaws each of us has that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You just have to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. There is a lot of good out there. There is a lot of good in you!

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; - 1 Corinthians 12:23

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Carpenter’s Instruments
What God Does with Your Flaws
The Seeds You Plant in the Garden of Life

There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.

He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.

He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached to them, that he didn’t even notice his hunger at first.

A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He couldn’t bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn’t relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.

The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn’t climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?

Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling its fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.

Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go of. A man who carries an image of himself as “productive” carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples – they prove he’s “doing everything he can.” He holds onto them compulsively.

This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things, even feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much will God identify us with our faith and His commandments? Do you obey them? But we have always searched after vain pleasures to make us happy, Yet they don’t always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.

How else could the story end?

The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples. I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we receive anything. Ask God and He will give you greater riches.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. – 1 Timothy 6:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Time to Let Go
Let Go of the Past
Has God Let You Down?

Isn’t it strange how a 20dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it strange how 2hours seem so long when you’re at church, and how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it strange that you can’t find a word to say when you’re praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn’t it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?

Isn’t it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn’t it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn’t it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

It’s strange, isn’t it?

– Author Unknown

Meditation: My brethren, these things ought not to be so. – James 3:10

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Shoes in Church
Church Football
Why Go to Church

A 30-year-old son decided to send his father to an old people's home at the insistence of his wife. He brought the father in a car to an old people's home that is run by a Catholic priest.

Then appeared this elderly priest, who came out to have a long chat with the old man. The son wondered and asked the priest whether he knew his father before since they were talking as though they knew each other.

The priest replied, “Yes,” and continued, "He came here 30 years back and took with him a very sick orphan boy whom everyone else had rejected for adoption. This man gave that boy home and save his life. He told us this little boy deserves better, he would dedicate his life to making him a successful young man by the time he turned 25.”

The priest continued, "I don't know how long you have known him, but I can tell you he is a good man and I am glad to inform you that you were that sick boy he took from us.”

The young man, on hearing this, fell on his knees and begged the old man for forgiveness. The man looked at him with a sad smile and said, "Son I have forgiven you. You threw me out of my own home because of your wife. You can take the house, but know that I have removed you as the sole heir to my estate. I have willed all my properties to this home where I now belong."

At the zenith of your success, don't forget where you are coming from. Otherwise, you could miss your destination and lose your crown.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Stop Comparing
Top 10 Predictions
Take Care of Your Parents

A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house, a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house, a mousetrap in the house!”

“I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow. She said, “Like wow, Mr. Mouse. A mousetrap. Like I am in grave danger. Duh…NOT!”

So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now fever is treated with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient. His wife’s sickness continued such that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer’s wife did not get well and a few days later she passed away. So many people came for her funeral, that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat. So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a mousetrap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Plant Four Rows
Developing The Right Attitude
31 Facts About The Rapture

A young lady sat in a bus, an old grumpy lady came and sat by her as she bumped into her with her numerous bags. The other neighbor got upset, asking the young lady why she did not protest and insisted on her rights. She only responded with a smile: "It is not necessary to be rude or argue over something so insignificant! I'll alight at the next stop.”

Here's a response that deserves to be written in gold in our daily behaviour and everywhere: It is not necessary to argue over something so insignificant, our journey together is so short.

If each one of us could realize that our passage down here has such a short duration, to darken it with quarrels, futile arguments, unforgiveness, ungratefulness and bad attitudes would be a waste of time and energy.

Did someone break your heart? Be calm, the journey is so short.

Did someone betray, bully, cheat or humiliate you? Be calm, forgive; the journey is so short!

Whatever penalty anyone serves us, let's remember that the journey together is so short.

Let us, therefore, be filled with gratitude and sweetness. Sweetness is a virtue never likened to bad character or cowardice, but better likened to greatness.

Our journey together down here is really short and cannot be reversed. No one knows the duration of his journey. No one knows if he has to alight at the next stop.

Let us therefore cherish and hold on to friends and family! Let us be calm, respectful, kind, thankful and forgiving. Remember: The journey down here is so short!

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. – Matthew 5:39-41

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Lemon Squeeze
My Friend Barry
Watch Your Attitude

Address: Ephesians 1:20

Phone: Romans 10:13

Website: The Bible.

Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior 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 brokenhearted, 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 Counselor, (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 lamp 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).

Send this resume to everyone you know! You never know who may have an opening! Thanks for your help and may God bless you!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. – Hebrews 2:16

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

It Is All In The Resume
Obedience: Redefining Success
The Variables of Success and Prosperity (Part 2)

A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway. I told him right off he was crazy. He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.

Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there’s been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun’s beat down on that old barn till all the paint’s gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that fellow called it beautiful.

That got me thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there, gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he’s building down the road. He said you couldn’t get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.

It came to me then. We’re a lot like that, you and I. Only it’s on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure, we turn silver gray too, and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. But the good Lord knows what He’s doing. And as the years pass He’s busy using the hard wealth of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons, to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks holler because they want life easy!

They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man’s house. And I reckon someday you and I’ll be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.

And I suspect we’ll be more beautiful than for the seasons we’ve been through here… and just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father’s house.

May there be peace within you today. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. – Hebrews 12:22-23

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Gift
Imagine Hearing This
Do You Reject God’s Blessings?

We all have something to learn from this young girl.

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople’s way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven-year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl’s beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:22

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Gestation of Faith (1)
The Gestation of Faith (2)
Ten Reasons to Believe in the Christian Faith

My child,

Give up! Give up those hurts of the past. It's time to move on. satan loves to have you live in the past because that renders you ineffective to live in the present, in the now.

Tell Me, child. What is it that has happened to you? Who hurt you? What mistakes have you made that you regret? Did what happen to you change the fact that Jesus loves you, and He died on the cross for you so you could live in heaven with Him for all eternity?

Can anything or anyone ever change that fact? You know that nothing can ever nullify what Jesus did for you on the cross. If that's true, and it is, then nothing else matters, does it?

There is nothing that can happen to you, nothing anyone can do to you that can ever change the fact that My Son, Jesus, loves you and died on the cross for you so you gain heaven for all eternity. No one can ever take that away from you. No One!

Hold on to that thought. Put things in their proper perspective. When you do that, you'll see that being loved unconditionally, attaining salvation and the right to go to heaven is your ultimate goal. Everything else pales in comparison to that.

Even physical death cannot take heaven away from you, for then the real you - your spirit - just changes abodes. Physical death for Christians is moving from living in the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body, to living in heaven.

I know, My child, I know. Your mind is often filled with hurtful things that happen to you. Sometimes you even say to people "You don't know how much it hurt Me when such and such happened." Well, I ask you again, does what happen to you in the past change the fact that Jesus loves you and died for you, and now you can spend eternity with Him in heaven? I don't have to wait for your answer, because I know immediately your mind said, "No!"

Then, child, nothing else matters! Compared to eternity, all problems are nothing. Loving Me, being in My family, gaining the right to live in heaven for eternity - that's what's important in life. If you lose that, you've lost it all. Don't hold grudges. Forgive! Nothing you can gain on earth can make up for that loss, and nothing can happen to you on earth that can take that away from you - Nothing!

Love.

- Author Unknown

Meditation: But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. – Romans 8:25

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Time to Let Go
Let Go of the Past
Has God Let You Down?

In one minute, in the privacy of your home, it can be explained how you can know for sure that you will receive the gift of Heaven.

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that ye have eternal life." – 1 John 5:13 (KJV)

Here are four things you ought to know:

God says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." – Romans 3:23
God says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." – Romans 5:12

This is the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The price for sin is death.

God says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." – Romans 5:8

God loves you very much. He doesn't want you to go to Hell. In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to this earth. This is why Christmas is celebrated. Jesus actually lifted the sins from you and placed them upon Himself.

When Jesus was on the cross, His blood cleansed your sin. He paid the price for your sin, which is death. They buried Jesus and He arose from the dead. He conquered death and He conquered sin. This is why Easter is celebrated.

He offers you life.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." – Romans 6:23

Eternal life is a present. You can't get baptized into Heaven; be good to get into Heaven, pay money to get into Heaven; in fact, you can't do anything to get into Heaven, except to accept God's gift and trust Jesus as your only way into Heaven.

God says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." – John 3:16

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." – Romans 10:13

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God..." – John 1:12

"... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." – Romans 6:23

Here is how you receive the free gift of salvation:

Dear Jesus,

Please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. I trust you today, Jesus, to lead me through my life. I trust you today, Jesus, to take me to Heaven. Thank you for your sacrifice for me. Amen

Just as you were physically born to your parents, you are spiritually born into the Kingdom of God when you receive Jesus.

If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, tell a friend. Then find a church and tell the pastor you are a new Christian. Read your Bible and pray daily for the Lord is now your light, your guide and your Savior. Thanks be to God!

- Author Unknown

Meditation: I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. – Luke 15:7

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Heaven and Hell
Don’t Shut Your Heavens! (Part 1)
Don’t Shut Your Heavens! (Part 2)

A lthough things are not perfect

B ecause of trial or pain

C ontinue in thanksgiving

D o not begin to blame

E ven when the times are hard

F ierce winds are bound to blow

G od is forever able

H old on to what you know

I magine life without His love

J oy would cease to be

K eep thanking Him for all the things

L ove imparts to thee

M ove out of “Camp Complaining”

N o weapon that is known

O n earth can yield the power

P raise can do alone

Q uit looking at the future

R edeem the time at hand

S tart every day with worship

T o “thank” is a command

U ntil we see Him coming

V ictorious in the sky

W e’ll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high

Y es, there’ll be good times and yes some will be bad, but…

Z ion waits in glory…where none are ever sad!

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Butterfly Story
The Gestation of Faith (3)
The Gestation of Faith (4)

A bus full of passengers was traveling when suddenly the weather changed and there was a heavy downpour and dangerous lightning. The passengers could see the lightning would appear to come towards the bus and then go elsewhere.

After two or three such horrible instances of being saved from the lightning, the driver stopped the bus about fifty feet away from a tree and said‎, “There is somebody in the bus whose death is a certainty today. Because of this person everybody else may also get killed in the process. Now listen carefully, I want each person to come out of bus one by one and touch the tree trunk and come back. Whosoever is destined to die will get caught up by the lightning and die, and everybody else will be saved‎.”

The passengers had to force the first person to go and touch the tree. He reluctantly got down from the bus and went to touch the tree. His heart leaped with joy when nothing happened to him and he was still alive.

This continued with the rest of the passengers who were all relieved when they touched the tree and returned safely. When it was the turn of the last passenger, everybody looked at him with accusing eyes. The passenger was very afraid and reluctant to go down since he was the only one left to touch the tree. The other passengers had to force him down to go touch the tree.

With fear of death in mind, this last passenger walked to the tree and touched it. As he got there, there was a peal of heavy thunder and a bolt of great lightning struck the bus and killed everyone inside. It was because of this last passenger that the entire people in the bus had been spared all along. He only needed to exit for calamity to fall.

At times, we try to take credit for our achievements, but the good fortune we enjoy could be because of someone close to us, probably our parents, spouse, children, siblings, friends, colleagues, mentors, teams, partners, etc.

”Alone I can ‘Say’ but

together we can ‘talk’.

‘Alone I can ‘Enjoy’ but

together we can ‘Celebrate’.

‘Alone I can ‘Smile’ but

together we can ‘Laugh’.

That’s the beauty of human relations.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. – Proverbs 11:11

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Each Gives What He Has
Ten Ways to Love Others
Mentor, Teacher, Friend and A Jedi Warrior

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure-
That you have no sins of your own.

For, you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. – James 3:17

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Delay Judgement
A Foolproof Guide
How Do You React When Hit By The Truth?