Thank you, Lord

Thank you, Lord,
For the trials that come my way,
In that way I can grow each day,
As I let You lead;
And thank you, Lord,
For the patience those trials bring,
In that process of growing
I can learn to care.

Chorus:
But it goes against the way I am,
To put my human nature down
And let the Spirit take control,
Of all I do;
‘Cause when those trials come
My human nature shouts the thing to do,
And God’s soft prompting
Can be easily ignored.

But I thank you, Lord,
With each trial I feel inside
That You’re there to help, lead and guide
My way from wrong;
‘Cause You’ve promised, Lord
That with each testing
That Your way of escaping
Is easier to bear.

Yes, I thank you, Lord,
For the victory that growing brings
In surrender of everything
Life is so worthwhile;
And I thank you, Lord,
That when everything’s put in place,
Out in front I can see Your face
And it’s there You belong.

This beautiful song ‘Thank you, Lord’ came to mind today. The lyrics are so real to my heart now as compared to the times when I sang them at Life BP YF as a teenager. Looking back on God’s guidance and goodness upon my life, I really have so much to thank Him for. He has done so much for my family, my loved ones, my friends, my life. Throughout every single one of life’s trials, I have realized that without my God, I am really absolutely nothing. Throughout this 1 life, God has chosen to be so gracious and compassionate towards me even though it is so evident that I absolutely do not deserve His amazing grace and mercy. How great is Your love and how great is Your mercy, dearest Lord. Thank you so much for the wondrous victory that growing in You brings. In surrender of everything to Your loving Hands, life here on earth is truly so worthwhile because You are here to help, lead and guide me..each and every step of life's journey till I see You again in eternity.

Dearest God, from my heart..Thank You.

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may Heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day.

~ Mary Fairchild

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

~ Luke 2:11

A Man of God

Go all out for God and He will go all out for you.

~ Jonathan Goforth

The following rules for daily living were made by Dr. Goforth in 1894 and written on the fly-leaf of his Bible:

Seek to give much -- expect nothing.

Put the very best construction on the actions of others.

Never let a day pass without at least a quarter of an hour spent in the study of the Bible.

Never omit daily morning and evening private prayer and devotion.

In all things seek to know God's Will and when known obey at any cost.

Seek to cultivate a quiet prayerful spirit.

Seek each day to do or say something to further Christianity among the people around you.

That Dr. Goforth lived up to these rules there is not the least doubt. He surpassed them. His love for the Bible is well known. His Bible was always open and he took every opportunity to read it. Even after becoming blind, he had a Chinese man read to him at least twelve chapters a day. His loyalty to the Bible as the Word of God and his defense of the fundamentals of the Faith have been outstanding in his career.

He was a man of prayer and through prayer and Bible study has sought to know God's Will. It was this love for Bible reading and communion with God that gave him the power to move audiences to a conviction of sin and repentance. At all times he kept "self" in the background and relied wholly on the power of the Holy Spirit to take of the things of Jesus and reveal them unto his hearers.

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit' -- 'But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you' -- have ever been his battle-cry. Though Dr. Goforth's preaching contained a stern denunciation of sin and would in no case tolerate compromise with sin, he has always been very tender in dealing with sinners.

While the Goforths were attending a summer conference, south of Chicago, it was announced that a "brilliant speaker" was to come on a certain day for just one address. A very large expectant audience awaited him. The chairman introduced the speaker with such fulsome praise there seemed no room for the glory of God in what was to follow. The stranger had been sitting with bowed head and face hidden. As he stepped forward he stood a moment as if in prayer, then said:

"Friends, when I listen to such words as we have just been hearing I have to remind myself of the woodpecker story:

A certain woodpecker flew up to the top of a high pine tree and gave three hard pecks on the side of the tree as woodpeckers are wont to do. At that instant a bolt of lightening struck the tree leaving it on the ground, a heep of splinters. The woodpecker had flown to a tree near by where it clung in terror and amazement at what had taken place.

There it hung expecting more to follow, but as all remained quiet it began to chuckle to itself saying, 'Well, well, well! who would have imagined that just three pecks of my beak could have such power as that!'"

When the laughter this story caused ceased, the speaker went on, "Yes, friends, I too laughed when I first heard this story. But remember, if you or I take glory to ourselves which belongs only to Almighty God, we are not only as foolish as this woodpecker, but we commit a very grievious sin for the LORD hath said, 'My glory will I not give to another.'"

Many times Jonathan Goforth on returning from a meeting would greet his wife with, "Well, I've had to remind myself of the woodpecker tonight," or, "I've needed half a dozen woodpeckers to keep me in place."

Early in life he chose for his motto, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD" (Zech. 4:6).

~ 'Goforth of China' by Mrs. Rosalind Goforth

He is the Reason for the Season

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever..

~ Isaiah 9:6-7a

*~ THANK YOU SO MUCH LORD FOR YOUR WONDROUS BLESSINGS UPON RUN THE RACE UTH CAMP 2006 ~*!

The Word of God

Nothing can touch the Word of God. Not all the powers of earth and hell, men and devils combined, can ever move the Word of God. There it stands, in its own moral glory, spite of all the assaults of the enemy, from age to age. 'For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.' (Psalm 119:89)

~ C.H. Mackintosh

He is God

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be..
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my Guide, and
He is my Peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my Comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the wise,
The Power of the powerful,
The Ancient of days, the Ruler of rulers,
The Leader of leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and
The Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and
Ever cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can defeat the evil prince of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this..
He said it and that settles it.
God is in complete control,
I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing..for GOD IS! =)

~ Author Unknown

How great are You Lord

How great are You Lord

How great is Your mercy

How great are the things

That You have done for me

How great are You Lord

Your loving kindness

Is filling my heart as I sing

How great are You Lord

How great is Your love

It reaches to the heavens

How great is the heart

That sought and rescued me

How great are You Lord

Your loving kindness

Is filling my heart as I sing

How great are You Lord

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

~ Jeremiah 32:17-19

Above All

Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth

Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.

Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all things.

In Your hands are strength, power and might to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.

~ 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

When It's All Been Said And Done

When it's all been said and done

There is just one thing that matters

Did I do my best to live for Truth?

Did I live my life for You?

When it's all been said and done

All my treasures will mean nothing

Only what I've done for love's reward

Will stand the test of time

Lord, Your mercy is so great

That you look beyond our weakness

And find purest gold in miry clay

Making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise

Here on earth and ever after

For you've shown me Heaven's my true Home

When it's all been said and done

You're my Life when life is gone

Lord, I'll live my life for You.

Our God always knows best

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:14

Grant me a clear and passionate call, Lord.

Is my calling sure?
Is my vision clear?
Is my passion burning strong for Jesus Christ alone?
Is my character fully submitted to Him?
Are my fears at bay?
Is my psychological baggage surrendered?
Are my ears open to the Holy Spirit?
Is my pace sustainable?

Dearest Lord,
My heart's desire is to say 'yes' to all of the above.
Please help me be who You want me to be.
Nothing of myself, but everything of You in this 1 life, I pray.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling,
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

~ Galatians 6:14

Nearer to Thee, precious Lord

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee..
Even though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee!

Winter

The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.

~ Richard Sibbes

Be an Example

Many now are watching the footsteps that we take;
Many soon will follow in the choices that we make.
So let us then be faithful to be what we should be,
And leave a good example that they can clearly see.

Be an example of the believers in word and in conduct;
Be steadfast in love, in faith, in purity of life.
For those behind us, let us stand within the gap and make a difference in their lives;
Be an example to follow Christ.

Let us then be watching the weary, day by day,
Looking to encourage and to lead them in the way;
To run the race with patience;
On Jesus fix their eyes,
And challenge them with excellence, that they might win the prize.

Be an example of the believers in word and in conduct;
Be steadfast in love, in faith, in purity of life.
For those behind us, let us stand within the gap and make a difference in their lives;
Be an example to follow Christ.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ~ Matthew 5:8

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
May I devote my life wholly to Thee:
Watch Thou my wayward feet,
Guide me with counsel sweet;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
Teach me to do Thy will most lovingly;
Be Thou my Friend and Guide,
Let me with Thee abide;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;
Until Thy holy face one day I see:
Keep me from secret sin,
Reign Thou my soul within;
Purer in heart, help me to be.

~ F. E. Davison

Calvary Love

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.

~ Amy Carmichael

Love

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

~ Mark 12:30-31

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often. One night, the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big sky lights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practise by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs..

Jesus Christ is the source of our existence and He is our eternal Saviour. Without Him, we will be nothing. Without him, we are nothing..remember we can only do all things through Christ that strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

A Broken Spirit

God will never plant the seed of His life upon the soil of a hard, unbroken spirit. He will only plant that seed where the conviction of His Spirit has brought brokenness, where the soil has been watered with the tears of repentance as well as the tears of joy.

~ Alan Redpath

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

~ Psalm 51:17

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

~ Psalm 34:18

"Trust Me, My child," He says. "Trust me with a fuller abandon that you ever have before, Trust Me, as minute succeeds minute, every day of your life, for as long as you live. And if you become conscious of anything hindering our relationship, do not hurt Me by turning away from Me. Draw all the closer to Me, come, run to Me. Allow Me to hide you, to protect you, even from yourself. Tell me your deepest cares, your every trouble. Trust Me to keep my hand upon You. I will never leave you. I will shape you, mold you, and perfect you. Do not fear, O child of My love, do not fear. I love you."

~ Amy Carmichael

The Pastor and his son

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, "OK, Dad, I'm ready."

His Pastor Dad asked, "Ready for what?"

"Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out."

Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain."

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?"

Dad answers, "Son, I am not going out in this weather."

Despondently, the boy asks, "Dad, can I go? Please?"

His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son."

"Thanks Dad!"

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract. After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch. He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady.

She softly asked, "What can I do for you, son?"

With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, "Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE."

With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. "Thank you, son! And God bless you!"

Well, the following Sunday morning in church, Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, "Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?" Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face.

"No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, "I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away." I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, "Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me." I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, "Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU." Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more. You see -- I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell."

There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son..except for One.

This Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to the King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message. Don't ever let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people! Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

~ Proverbs 30:5

Almighty Father

Almighty Father,
You alone are holy.
You are my refuge,
I will trust in You.
You are a tower, a mighty fortress.
You are my strength and shield,
You are God.

Almighty Father,
You alone are holy.
You guide my footsteps that I may not fall.
In joy or sorrow,
I will exalt You.
You are my righteousness,
You are God.

Almighty Father,
You alone are holy.
You are Creator,
You are all in all!
Yours is the power,
Yours is the glory.
Yours is the majesty,
You are God.

Romans 8..to me

God
I may fall flat on my face
I may fail until I feel
Old and beaten and done in
Yet Your love for me is changeless.

All the music may go out of my life
My private world may shatter to dust
Even so You will hold me
In the palm of Your steady hand.

No turn in the affairs
Of my fractured life
Can baffle You.
Satan with all his braggadocio
Cannot distract You.

Nothing can separate me
From Your measureless love:
Pain can't
Disappointments can't
Anguish can't
Yesterday, today and tomorrow can't
The loss of a dearest one can't
Death can't
Life can't
Riots war insanity unidentity.
Hunger neurosis disease--

None of these things
Nor all of them heaped together
Can budge the fact
That I am dearly loved.
Completely forgiven
And forever free
Through Jesus Christ
Your beloved Son.

~ R. H. Calkin

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~ Romans 8:35-39

We all want to do the will of God, and we know that there is nothing nearer to His heart than the evangelization of the world.

~ Oswald J. Smith

God has huge plans for the world today! He is not content to merely establish a handful of struggling churches among each tongue, tribe and nation. Even now He is preparing and empowering His Church to carry the seeds of revival to the uttermost ends of the earth.

~ David Smithers

Absolute Surrender

Lord, here in Your precious Word I give myself, my husband, my children, and all that I have or ever shall possess, all to You. I will follow Your will, even to China. Lord, open doors, and I will go and tell the Chinese of Your great love. In time of need, supply for us; in time of sorrow, give us peace; in times of joy, send someone to share. Help me to never murmur nor complain. I love You, Lord Jesus.

~ Tanna Collins

This note comes from a page in Mrs. Collins’ Bible that was found at the scene of the airline crash in Tibet in which the entire family perished in 1994.

Holiness

The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun;
The Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing;
The Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete.

~ 'Christ is All'

Living out God's thoughts

Let your highest ambition be to become what God has planned for you. Lay all your plans at His feet. Let God’s will be your will, and He will lead you to just that life which will be for you the most beautiful, the most honourable and the most blessed. If you would have God’s thoughts to live out in your life, you must go to God for them. You must sit down often with Him in the silence. You must look reverently into the divine Word and ponder deeply on its holy sentences. You must turn your steps habitually to the place of prayer. You will not have heavenly visions if you never look upward for them.

Am really blessed by this very encouraging and thought-provoking paragraph written by J. R. Miller. May God help us be what He wants us to be..may we daily live out His thoughts and purposes for our lives..=)

When I really enjoy God I feel my desires of Him the more insatiable and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable. O' this pleasing pain. It makes my soul press after God.

~ David Brainerd

Jesus for us is all our righteousness before a holy God, and Jesus in us is all our strength in an ungodly world.

~ Robert M. McCheyne

Before I loved Him, He loved me.
Before I found Him, He found me.
Before I sought Him, He sought for me,
Yes, Jesus cares for me.

Lord God, not a word upon my tongue but for Thy glory, not a movement of my temper but for Thy glory, not an affection of love or hate in my heart but for Thy glory, and according to Thy blessed will.

~ Andrew Murray

It is so sweet to be nothing and less than nothing that Christ may be my All in all. ~ David Brainerd

Oh, the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be
When I let the Saviour's pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered:
"All of self, and none of Thee."

Yet He found me: I beheld Him
Bleeding on the accursed tree;
Heard Him pray, "Forgive them, Father,"
And my wistful heart said faintly:
"Some of self and some of Thee."

Day by day, His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and oh, so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered:
"Less of self and more of Thee."

Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
Grant me now my soul's desire,
"None of self and all of Thee."

~ David Brainerd

The Purpose Of My Soul

Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, determined choice.
To yield to God's supreme control
And in my every trial rejoice.

~ Anon.

Dearest Teresa, thanks so much for sharing this very encouraging quote with me. May each of us surrender every single aspect of our lives to God's sovereign control come what may. Thank God that He always knows best and we can trust Him with our lives. Love you sis..God bless..*hugs* =)

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

~ Proverbs 22:4

The Beautiful Names of Jesus

Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Gate (John 10:9)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

~ Psalm 8:1

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

~ Philippians 2:9-11

His Greatly Beloved Are We

A man greatly beloved.
~ Daniel 10:11

Child of God, do you hesitate to appropriate this title? Ah! has your unbelief made you forget that you are greatly beloved too? Must you not have been greatly beloved, to have been bought with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot?

When God smote his only begotten Son for you, what was this but being greatly beloved? You lived in sin, and rioted in it, must you not have been greatly beloved for God to have borne so patiently with you? You were called by grace and led to a Saviour, and made a child of God and an heir of heaven. All this proves, does it not, a very great and superabounding love?

Since that time, whether your path has been rough with troubles, or smooth with mercies, it has been full of proofs that you are a man greatly beloved. If the Lord has chastened you, yet not in anger; if he has made you poor, yet in grace you have been rich.

The more unworthy you feel yourself to be, the more evidence have you that nothing but unspeakable love could have led the Lord Jesus to save such a soul as yours. The more demerit you feel, the clearer is the display of the abounding love of God in having chosen you, and called you, and made you an heir of bliss.

Now, if there be such love between God and us let us live in the influence and sweetness of it, and use the privilege of our position. Do not let us approach our Lord as though we were strangers, or as though he were unwilling to hear us -- for we are greatly beloved by our loving Father. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" ~ Romans 8:32

Come boldly, O believer, for despite the whisperings of Satan and the doubtings of thine own heart, thou art greatly beloved. Meditate on the exceeding greatness and faithfulness of divine love this day, and so go to thy bed this evening in peace.

~ C.S. Spurgeon

Love this world through us

Love this world through us, dear Lord,
Love this world through us.
Broken lives are everywhere
Lost in sin and dark despair.
Only You can help them,
Save and set them free.
Use our lives to reach them, dear Lord.
Love this world through us.

His Sheep Are We

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
~ Psalm 100:3

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
~ Psalm 95:7a

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
~ Isaiah 40:11

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
~ Psalm 79:13

Our good Shepherd has in His flock a variety of experiences, some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith, but He is impartial in His care for all His sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to Him as the most advanced of the flock.

Lambs are wont to lag behind, prone to wander, and apt to grow weary, but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with His arm of power.

He finds new-born souls, like young lambs, ready to perish -- He nourishes them till life becomes vigorous; He finds weak minds ready to faint and die -- He consoles them and renews their strength. All the little ones He gathers, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of them should perish.

What a quick eye He must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far-reaching and potent arm, to gather them all! In His lifetime on earth He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort, and now that He dwells in heaven, His loving heart yearns towards the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently did He gather me to Himself, to His truth, to His blood, to His love, to His church! With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself!

Since my first conversion, how frequently has He restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of His everlasting arm! The best of all is, that He does it all Himself personally, not delegating the task of love, but condescending Himself to rescue and preserve His most unworthy servant. How shall I love Him enough or serve Him worthily? I would fain make His name great unto the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for Him?

Great Shepherd, add to Thy mercies this one other, a heart to love Thee more truly as I ought.

~ C. S. Spurgeon

If You Know The Lord

If you know the Lord, you'll need nobody else,
To see you through the darkest night.
You can walk alone, you only need the Lord,
He'll lead you through on the road marked right.
Take time to pray everyday,
And when you're heading home, He'll show you the way,
If you know the Lord, you'll need nobody else,
To see the light, His wonderful light..=)

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

~ Job 19:25

You Are My Hiding Place

You are my hiding place,
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance,
Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You,
I will trust in You,
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

~ Psalm 37:4-5, 23-24, 30-31, 37-40

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth..~ Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember I am the LORD,
I am the LORD your God,
Present yourself to Me a sacrifice..
And in the days of my youth
I will always praise You,
I will remember You are my God.

Chorus:
In the twilight of my years,
In the springtime of my life,
In my laughter, in my tears,
You are my God.

You are the God of my days,
You are my light, my praise,
I will remember You are my God..=)

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.

~ Amy Carmichael

The Lord's name is to be praised!

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

~ Psalm 113:1-6

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.. ~ Psalm 92:1

Thank you, God, for giving me many gifts of my very own.
Thank you, God, for giving Your only Son for us to atone.
Thank you, God, for giving me salvation, full and rich and free.
Thank you, God, for giving me a beautiful life, knowing Thee.
Thank you, God, for giving me the Holy Spirit, three in One.
Thank you, God, for everything; for You left nothing yet undone.

~ Joyce C. Lock

Dearest Father God,

i thank you for the precious gift of Your only Son Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for giving us the Lamb of God to save all of us in this world from our sins. Lord Jesus, thank you so much for embracing Your wounds so sacrificially to heal us from our sin. Thank you so much for making me to know You and to love You in this life. Thank you for all the ways You have been so faithful and gracious to me. i praise You today that You welcome me to worship You every moment of my life in spirit and in truth. Teach me how to worship You truly in this life, Lord. From my heart, i will never understand why You allowed certain things to happen in my life..i ask You to teach me to trust You daily and believe totally that You absolutely know best. Thank you that even when my heart condemns me You are bigger and greater than my heart. Thank you for helping me see Your Hand even in the most painful of places. Give me the grace and the courage to bring every wound of my life to Your healing light. Please continue to give me Your eyes to see, Your ears to hear, and Your very own heart to feel and experience the pain of others who are hurting too, and to also understand that You desire Your best for the lives of Your children always. Help me recognise and resist the lies of the enemy every day of my life and to encourage and help others do the same for Your glory. Please fill me, precious Spirit of the Living God..and grant me Your all-sufficient power and grace to live victoriously in this imperfect world. Dearest Father, continue to teach me to long for You more than for what You might do for me..help me to lay all of my burdens down and rest in You completely. Thank you for Your perfect, compassionate and unconditional love that will never ever let me go. May You continue to help me to always choose faith over fear no matter the circumstance and to always hear and obey Your still, small voice. i bring my life to You and surrender all of me to all of You, my precious Lord, my loving Redeemer..my one true God.

In the power of Your holy and glorious name,
amen.