An evening Digest - A Memo: From God to You

A Memo: From God to You - Author Unknown

        I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it.
 

        If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

         Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.

       Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

        Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

       Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

       Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

       Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

     Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!!

Jan 31 - GIVE NO ROOM TO THE DEVIL

“To whom ye forgive anything, I  forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Cor 2:10,11).

        A young girl named Sandy had a strong hatred for her father as she had seen him, in her small age, beating up her mother mercilessly. Bitterness kept mounting in her heart, and when she became a young girl she moved out of the house. One day while speaking to a friend over the phone, she happened to refer to her father. “I hate my father” she spat. That was the last her friend heard on the other end. Anxious to know if anything had happened to Sandy, the friend made enquiries and was shocked to hear that the moment Sandy had said the words, “I hate my father”, demons had entered her and she had fallen on the ground writhing in pain. Finally, as some Spirit-filled servants of God ministered to her, twenty-nine demons came out of her and she became a brand new person in Christ.

          Sandy sincerely confessed to her father all the hatred she had for him and also confessed that she had planned to kill him by poisoning his food. The father was really touched by his daughter’s changed attitude and their relationship became better than ever for the glory of God.

          Yes, the Word of God is true. Satan will take advantage of us if we do not forgive others from our heart. Just as Sandy was giving room for twenty-nine demons, in her heart, if you do not forgive those who wrong you, as days go by, many demons can possess you or afflict you. There is a great blessedness in Christlike forgiveness.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

An Evening Digest - God Remains Faithful

God Remains Faithful Even When We Pull Away From His Love - By Melody M Angco

          Even before you were born, God has already prepared a place for you on earth. You already have a spot in His heart even when you're still in your mother's womb. You were brought to this world with the angels celebrating your arrival. The heavens are filled with joy because another child of God is born. You were raised and God has prepared a good future for you.

         But then there were times when temptations would knock on your door and problems will sweep you off your feet. These factors pulls you away from God, and you will be left wandering in the desert of unhappiness and fear. You become the slave of the world until you come to the point of giving up your life because of too much pressure.

           Many times we've lost our way, lived according to the world, and given up our souls to the call of desires and yet God patiently waits for our return. He sent His son Jesus to rescue the lost. Such a sacrifice that He watched His son died just so He can save the souls of His people. He cries for every souls that are lost and celebrates for every child who comes back to Him.

         Whenever you feel like nobody cares for you and you are being swallowed by pressures in life, start looking up and just whisper God's name, he surely will hear you. Most of the time, we prioritize our jobs, careers, and our desire for earthly things. We focus on things that will merely give us more pressure. The lord said in His word that who ever calls unto Him will be blessed. Why worry for your everyday needs when you can pray and it shall be provided?

          Many successful people still feel empty and unhappy despite all their achievements. Many rich people die of stress when in fact they have nothing to worry in life. And finally, a lot of people work hard everyday and yet find out at the end of the day that their efforts are still not good enough. They all get tired and start asking themselves where and how to find rest. The Lord said, come to me and I will give you rest. Whoever wants to fill something which is missing in their hearts, you've got God to to the job for you.

          People get married and become miserable. The wife starts nagging to her jobless husband. The husband then finds a way to get out of the home and finds another woman. The marriage is already at the point of breaking. As a woman, do you have to bear the pain of losing the harmony and peace inside your home? Turn to God, ask for forgiveness and be humble. He promised to heal broken relationships and restore a shattered home.

          You may be facing a cliff while strong winds are blowing from behind you, you cant look down nor turn your back, but you can look up. Say a prayer, its never too late for a miracle. You may be lost in the wilderness with nothing but darkness, dont be afraid, God is with you, just close your eyes and get on your knees, He surely will send a light for you. The Lord never abandons us, He always has our back, all we have to do is call. No matter how far you are, He hears. No matter how hard the walls around you, He can break it. And no matter how painful the situation is, He can heal it. Now get on your knees, and say His name, Jesus.

Jan 30 - YOUR HEART IS THE PROBLEM

“The waters thereof roar and be troubled” (Psa 46:3).

        We may wonder why some people always shout, get angry and are always in a rage. From the above verse we find that roaring people are troubled people. When your heart is troubled, you unnecessarily shout and get upset over very little things. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isa 57:20,21) So when your heart is restless like a troubled sea and there is no peace in your heart, you will be not only shouting but also casting up mire and dirt on others. In other words, a troubled man will always blame others for everything that is happening around him.

       Child of God, do you blame others for your problems? Then the reason is, your heart is not resting in Jesus. “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psa 37:11). A meek person will be peaceful and at rest no matter what problem or trial he faces.

        How do you face the trials and troubles in life? Do you often accuse others for the problems you face? Do you get troubled about little things? It is a true saying that the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. When our heart is right with God everything will fit in the right place like a jigsaw puzzle.
 

 – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

A PRAYER OF SEEKING HELP FROM GOD. Watch out here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVr2_spFL7Q&feature=player_detailpage

An Evening Digest - A Love Story

A Love Story - Author Unknown

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"
 
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the things that I took for granted.
 
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
 
How could I love something without being able to see it?  Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation.
 
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
 
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.  I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
 
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
 
How could I praise without a voice?
 
Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are  persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.
 
So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."
 
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
 
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but... God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
 

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.
 
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so  selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
 
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
 
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
 
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
 
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I  have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
 
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
 

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."
 
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
 
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

Shall we give our portion to our god? 

MY PORTION YOU WILL EVER BE (With Lyrics) : Don Moen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BA2OpFuVyg

Jan 29 - TO DIE IS GAIN

 “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21).

         Here St. Paul considers as gain, a thing which almost every human being considers as loss. When a saint or a good man dies, people generally consider it as a loss but Paul sees through his spiritual eyes that death is a gain for him, for heaven, for all the glorified saints, and hence for all of us.

         Paul says, “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain,” but for some people it is the other way round: “To me to live is self and to die is loss.” Their earthly riches, possessions, enjoyments, ambition, name and fame, will all be lost for ever once they die, and they do not know whether they have any hope or joy or anything worth rejoicing in, after their death.

         If death has to become a gain to us, there are three things which we need to count as loss, as Paul did. “What things were gain to me, those I counted as loss” (Phil 3:7). The earlier two verses, verses 5 and 6, speak about seven things that Paul counted as loss for Christ. In a sense, these seven things speak about all our boastings in the flesh. Only Saints who have renounced the things of this world and live for Christ can shout and say, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” The things we boast about, including our glorying about our spiritual life, will ultimately bring great loss or disaster to our spiritual life.

        If you live for yourself the very word ‘death’ will give you fear, worry, sorrow, anxiety and pain. Dear child of God, have you come to the spiritual state in which you can say from the heart with Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain,” or are you afraid of death?
 

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

An Interesting Lecture! - Does GOD Exist?

 

Professor   : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student     : Yes, sir.

Professor   : So, you believe in GOD ?

Student     : Absolutely, sir.

Professor   : Is GOD good ?

Student     : Sure.

Professor   : Is GOD all powerful ?

Student     : Yes.

Professor  : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor  : You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student    : Yes.

Professor  : Is satan good ?

Student    : No.

Professor  : Where does satan come from ?

Student    : From … GOD …

Professor  : That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student    : Yes.

Professor  : Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student    : Yes.

Professor  : So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor : Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student   : Yes, sir.

Professor : So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student   : No, sir.

Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student   : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student  : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student   : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor : Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student   : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor : Yes.

Student   : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor : Yes.

Student   : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student  : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student   : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor : Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student  : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student   : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student  : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student   : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student  : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student  : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student  : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor : I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

P.S.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you’ll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won’t you?

Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.

Jan 28 - MAKE A COVENANT WITH YOUR GOD

“The bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember My covenant … and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Gen 9:14,15).

          The rainbow is a sign that all the past sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. When you have genuinely repented for your failings and sins you must enter into a covenant with God – you can be very sure God has forgiven you and cast all the sins you have confessed behind His back. If you do not make a covenant with God, you will be confronted with the same failures no sooner than you repent.

       Many repent for their sins but they do not believe that the Lord has forgiven them and that victory is ahead of them, and therefore they do not enter into a covenant with the Lord. Today the Lord is speaking to you. Enter into a fresh covenant with God. Don’t allow the devil to keep bringing before you all your past failures and mistakes. It is very sure that you are going to have the victory. Keep your covenant with God before you and go from victory to victory.

       The rainbow is seen as an arch. If you are under this arch, under the covenant, that very covenant or arch will cover you and protect you from all the wiles of Satan. So dear child of God, remember, when we break our covenant with God, we are unprotected and exposed to all the assaults of the devil.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Jan 27 - THE DEMON OF ENVY

 “My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psa 73:2, 3).

 

         Many people have slipped and actually gone to the very pit of hell because of envy. “They envied Moses… and Aaron… the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram… They went down into the pit (Sheol)” (Psa 106:16, 17, Num 16:33). In other words, envious people are useless not only for heaven but also for the earth.

      “The patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph” (Acts 7:9). So when we have envy we are practically selling our Joseph, Jesus. We are delivering up Jesus to be crucified. “The chief priests had delivered Him for envy” (Mark 15:10).

       “The Jews which believed not, moved with envy…, gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:5). When we are moved with envy we destroy God’s work and we also become troublemakers for others. Having lost our faith, we try to destroy the faith of others too. But look at the good example of Jesus – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Jesus wanted His disciples to become more useful and do greater works or miracles than He did. If Jesus the Almighty God humbled Himself to such an extent as to raise up man whom He created from the dust to such a level, how much more we need to rejoice and praise God when others, particularly our juniors are respected more than us!
 

        Look at the beautiful spirit of St. Paul: “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (I Cor 1:4). It is easy to thank God for the grace we ourselves have received. But it requires great grace and humility to thank God always for the grace which is given to others.

       Dear child of God, examine yourself and see whether the abominable wicked spirit of envy is working in your spirit.
 

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Christian Relationship Help: How to Forgive

Six Tips on How to Forgive Someone Who Has Hurt You - Karla Downing

Forgiveness is a commandment for Christians (Matthew 6:14-15); yet, there is a lot of misunderstanding on how to forgive.

This Christian relationship help gives you six tips on how to forgive someone who has hurt you:

1. Understand that it is a process. The first step is to commit to that process. Some people erroneously suggest that someone should forgive right away when they find out about a major offense. This isn't possible. Before you can forgive, you have to know what you are forgiving. It takes time to figure out what has happened and how it has affected your life.

2. Reflect on the facts of the situation, your reactions, and how it is affecting you. You have to count the cost in order to forgive by first recognizing how you have been affected by the offense. This way you know what you are forgiving.

 
3. Understand what the offender did and why it was done.This is putting yourself into the shoes of the other person. It gives you a perspective that can help you to be empathetic. Hurt people hurt people. This doesn't mean you excuse the wrong or not hold the person appropriately accountable; it only means that you try to understand the problems the other person had that would have caused him/her to do what was done.

4. Choose to let go of the right to get revenge.You turn the person over to God and allow him to judge in his way and time (Romans 12:19). This can include allowing the person to face the legal, relational, financial and situational consequences of his/her actions; however, you need to let go of your bitterness and resentment and not take pleasure in the person's pain and demise.


5. Treat the person with dignity and respect.You want to love your enemies and offer them a cup of cold water, as Jesus suggested (Romans 12:20); yet, you can still set boundaries to protect yourself. This requires that you take a step of faith and treat the person well. When you do it, it will help you to maintain the forgiveness and allow God to work in the person's life.

6. Choose to no longer be defined by the offense.This is where you integrate the offense into your life as another thing that has happened that you have walked through that God has used to shape and mold you. Your identity is not: "The spouse who was abandoned," The parent who lost his child," or "The unloved child." You have a different perspective that involves acceptance, forgiveness, and faith and a self-image that includes how you have been refined through your life experiences and how God is using it for good.
 
          This Christian relationship help offers you these six tips on how to forgive someone who has hurt you. These tips will enable you to move on from the offense in a way that sets you free and pleases God.

About the Author

If you need more practical tips and Biblical truths to help you change your relationships, get my FREE "15-Day Relationship Challenge" designed to give you back the power over your life. Just click here: Free 15 Day Challenge Karla Downing is an author, speaker, licensed marriage and family therapist, and Bible study teacher. Karla's passion is to help people find freedom in Christ in the midst of their difficult relationships and circumstances through Biblical truths and practical tools.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karla_Downing

Jan 26 - “HOLY GROUND”

The place that God appointed for Noah to rest with the ark was the mountains of Ararat. ‘Ararat’ means, ‘holy ground’. Till he came to the ‘holy ground’, he was wandering aimlessly. True, till we are grounded in holy living we too will be wandering in our Christian life without any purpose or rest in soul.

As far as Noah was concerned, the flood waters were intended to bring him to the ‘holy ground’, Mount Ararat. So also, our tribulations are meant to help us reach the holy mount, Zion.

The ark apparently had no steering; no human effort brought it to the mountain. It is not our greatness or cleverness that can help us live a holy life and reach the holy mount, but the grace of God – provided we abide in Him, as Noah did in the ark.

After reaching the “holy ground” Noah was made the ruler of the whole earth. God brought both Moses and Joshua to “holy ground” before they were made great leaders, before they did great things for God. The amazing thing is that Moses and Joshua were not conscious of the holy ground they were standing on till God told them. Alas, many so-called leaders in the spiritual world think they are living a holy life while their life doesn’t certify so.

When the ark rested on the holy ground the tops of the mountains were seen (Gen 8:5). Seeing the mountain-tops points to our insight into the highest spiritual revelations and experiences – which can be acquired only if we learn to rest in the holiness of God.

When the waters of judgment came down, Noah went up; and after that he came down to have dominion over all the earth. Similarly, when the judgment comes the saints will go up to the mid-sky, and after the seven years of tribulation they will come to the earth to rule with Christ for a thousand years.

The Lord is calling His saints to abide in Him and reach the “holy ground” so that they may escape the judgment and rule the world with Him.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

How heavy is this glass of water?

 A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burden you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

It is well know that too much stress is a "killer." Writing in Eternity magazine some time ago Fred Stansberry talks about "stress-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart and respiratory diseases, migraines, allergies and a host of other psychological and physiological dysfunctions which are increasing at an alarming rate in our Western culture."

Stress is pretty much common to us all in today's pressure-cooker world. It is our responsibility, however, to do what we can to lessen the stress factors in our life wherever possible. To do this the following tips can help.

Write down all your cares and worries. Put them in order of priority and eliminate those that aren't important.

1. Know what your limit is and limit yourself to what you can handle.

2. With stress comes pent-up feelings. Learn how to express these creatively and get them off your chest.

3. Accept the fact that some things can't be changed.

4. Limit major life changes to as few as possible in any one year.

5. Resolve all resentments immediately.

6. Make time for rest and relaxation ... get sufficient sleep.

7. Watch your diet and eating habits.

8. Maintain a regular physical exercise program.

9. Ultimately, however, we need to learn to trust our life to God in all circumstances.

- Story taken from http://www.christianstories.co

Jan 25 - SUPERNATURAL BRAIN

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:3).

         

         “Through faith we understand.” If you have no faith, you have no proper understanding. Without faith, all your understanding of spiritual matters is but misunderstanding. A person can, with his natural brain, understand the natural things of this natural world. But to understand things of the other world, one needs a supernatural brain called ‘faith’ which is activated by the Holy Spirit (I Cor 2:11,12). Human understanding is limited, as the human brain is limited. Once faith comes into our heart, our understanding becomes unlimited – like an ocean. However, when faith is gone, spiritual understanding is dead.

            The Word of God which framed the worlds is framing us also. The Word of God is called the word of faith (Rom 10:8) – which has creative power. The word “frame” in Greek means “to make thoroughly fit.” In other words, faith in God’s Word makes a man thoroughly fit physically, spiritually, emotionally etc. “His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16).

             How can a man believe that God can meet his spiritual needs, if he cannot trust in God for his material needs like health, healing, finance etc?

 – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Therefore, let's believe in god, putting our faith upon him, so that we can, be still and know he is our god.

BE STILL AND KNOW I AM THE LORD - DON MOEN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1REXhK3OsYY&feature=player_embedded

  

 Hide me now
 Under Your wings
 Cover me
 Within Your mighty hand

 CHORUS:

 When the oceans rise
 And the thunders roar
 I Will soar with You
 Above the storm
 Father You are King
 Over the flood
 And I will be still
 And know You are God

 Find rest my soul
 In Christ alone
 Know His power
 In quietness and trust

 Be still and know
 That I am God

 I am the God
 That healeth thee

Avalanche Of Blessing - Author Unknown

Avalanche stands for A mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.

        One day, two men were walking home. All of a sudden, it started to rain. Really hard. Because both of them didn’t have an umbrella, the two guys got soaking wet.

        After a few minutes of torrential rain, the first man cursed. “God, what have I done to deserve this bad fortune?” he growled, hurling his fist to the sky. “Why are you punishing me? I’m minding my own business here, walking home, when You had to make it rain!”. But the second man’s response was totally different. He began to skip, dance, and sing like Gary V in a concert. “Yeepee! Life is wonderful!” he hollered.
  

        With venom in his voice, the first man asked, “What are you so happy about? Can’t you see we’re wet as frogs in a swamp!” The second man said, “My dear friend, I’m a farmer. The rain is nourishing my crops. I will have a bountiful harvest this year!”

         It was the same rain, the same amount of water pelting their bodies, but the two men had two very different reactions. Why? Because one person prepared for the rain and another didn’t.

          There is always an avalanche of blessing that will flow into your life. Financial blessings. Spiritual blessings. They pour like a rampaging river over you. But will you be ready for their coming? If you won’t be ready, you’ll just curse. But who will praise? The person who has planted great seeds in his life. How will you do that?

         Here are the three kinds of seeds that you need to plant:-

                                 1) Seeds of Desire

                                 2) Seeds of Belief

                                 3) Seeds of Action 

        God wants to bless you abundantly. But you need to learn how to be ready to receive those blessings.

- Story Taken from http://www.christianstories.co 

Jan 24 - THE WEAPON OF LOVE

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isa 54:17)

          If no weapon that is formed against us should prosper or overcome us, we must have a greater and mightier weapon than the weapons formed against us. What is this weapon? It is the love of God. When we learn to love our enemies with forgiving love, that heavenly love can conquer all the powers of darkness coming against us.

           The enemy, the devil, may have many weapons, including “fiery darts” (Eph 6:16). Look at the challenging words in the Song of Solomon: “Many waters cannot quench the love; neither can the floods drown it” (S.S. 8:7). Many waters speak of rejections, humiliations, accusations, hatred, persecutions etc coming against us. When we are filled with Calvary’s undying and unchanging love, then these weapons or trials are no doubt but a straw before the fire.

          “Love is strong as death” (S. S. 8:6). In a deep sense, God’s love is stronger than death. Death is the last enemy. If it is possible to conquer the last enemy through the love of God, all other enemies and weapons can be easily conquered by love.

            Perhaps today you are confronted by many of the enemy’s weapons. The only way you can become more than a conqueror over these trials or troubles is by being filled with Calvary’s pure love. Are you able to love those who insult you, humiliate you, persecute you, reject you, despise you, deceive you or deprive you of your money and goods? If so, you are more than a conqueror.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Who shall separate us from the love of JESUS CHRIST? while we remain in weapon of LOVE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nySHhTSVCJw

Who shall separate us

From the love of Jesus Christ

Who shall separate us

From the love of Jesus Christ

Who shall separate us

From the love of Jesus Christ

Shall trouble or hardship

Persecution or famine

Or nakedness or danger or sword

Know in all these things

We are more than conquerors

We are more than conquerors

Through Jesus Christ

We are more than conquerors

We are more than conquerors

We are more than conquerors

Through Jesus Christ


The name of the Lord

Is a strong tower

The righteous run in

And they are safe

Tell me who can stand

Against His mighty hand

When we call upon His name

We are more than conquerors

We are more than conquerors

We are more than conquerors

Through Jesus Christ

True Story of Mother’s Sacrificial Love

 This is a true story of Mother’s Sacrifice during China Earthquake.
 

       After the Earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person was worshiping; her body was leaning forward, and her two hands were supporting by an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head.

      With so many difficulties, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could be still alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away for sure.

        He and the rest of the team left this house and were going to search the next collapsed building. For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his had through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed with excitement,” A child! There is a child!

      “The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3 months old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice for saving her son. When her house was falling, she used her body to make a cover to protect her son. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully when the team leader picked him up.

        The medical doctor came quickly to exam the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside the blanket. There was a text message on the screen. It said,” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” This cell phone was passing around from one hand to another. Every body that read the message wept. ” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” Such is the mother’s love for her child!!

      "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:11

Jan 23 - NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

“Call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isa 55:6).

          'Calling upon God while He is near’ means, being receptive to His Word and correcting our lives according to His counsel when He speaks to us. If we live close to God, in times of troubles and trials, we will be able to boldly testify along with the Psalmist, “God is my refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble.”

         “What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?” (Deut 4:7). If today you live far away from God, far away from His presence, far away from His love, far away from His grace, far away from His power and far away from His goodness, when you face a trial or trouble also you will find God far away from you.

      “There is a place of quiet rest;

       Near to the heart of God,

            A place where sin cannot molest,

            Near to the heart of God.

     There is a place of comfort sweet;

     Near to the heart of God,

           A place where we our Saviour meet,

           Near to the heart of God.

    There is a place of full release;

    Near to the heart of God,

          A place where all is joy and peace,

          Near to the heart of God.”

          When your heart is far away from God, there is no satisfaction, no rest; life will be bitter, empty, dark, filthy and dry.

             May the Lord help us to live very close to Him so that in our troubles, we may have the joy of experiencing our God as a very present help.

 – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7sQyxsRsxkw

 If we call to Him, He will answer us
 If we run to Him, He will run to us
 If we lift our hands, He will lift us up
 Come now praise his name, all you saints of God.
 

 O Sing for joy to God our strength
 O Sing for joy to God our strength, our strength

 Draw near to Him, he is here with us
 Give Him your love, He's in love with us
 He will heal our hearts, He will cleanse our hands
 If we rend our hearts He will heal our land.

Jan 22 - COME TO CHRIST

“Make thee an ark of gopher wood… pitch it within and without with pitch… and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof” (Gen 6:14-16).

          The ark is a type of Christ. Though it was made of wood (humanity), pitch (divinity) covered it inside and outside – making it waterproof. Jesus was all divine in His character and yet so human – having all the weaknesses and limitations of human flesh. By living on this earth in flesh and blood Jesus has shown to us that a sinless life, a victorious life is possible; He has shown us that we can live above the storms of life.

         Those who were inside the ark alone did not drown in the water. We cannot live this life on our own. We need to go to Christ. We need to abide in Him. We need to be kept by Him. “”Without Me you can do nothing,”" He says. Yes, without Him we’re bound to fail, we’re bound to fall. But if we are found in Him, “”hid with Christ in God,”" we shall be buoyant in life’s troubled waters and when He shall appear, we shall appear with Him in glory.

          The ark had one door. There is only one way to Christ. It is a narrow way – that is chosen only by few (Matt 7:14). If you go with the crowd, if you think you must please the world and worldlings, you cannot come to Christ. The way to Christ is called the highway of holiness, (Isa 35:8). To come to Christ you must, of a necessity, separate yourself from every form of sin and uncleanness.”
  

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Shall we offer our life to him wholly on today itself??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTLGBfv4xaM&feature=player_embedded 

All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours

Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, all of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you

Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life

Jan 21 - ‘LITTLE’ THINGS MATTER

     

        How prone we are to overlook little things!  But it is these ‘little’ things that often work destruction in our lives. The Bible teems with many such examples.

         “At the time when kings go forth to battle,” David took a little comfortable rest in his bedroom. That little rest ended up in abominable adultery and the heinous murder of his own faithful soldier. It was a little covetousness for just 30 pieces of silver, that made Judas Iscariot the betrayer of our Lord. Beware of the love of money. Gehazi’s little greed made him a leper all the days of his life. How many spiritual giants have been slain by ‘little’ sins! It was not a big horn, but “a little horn” that cast down “some of the host and of the stars to the ground and stamped upon them” (Dan 7:8; 8:9,10).

         Are we not prone to neglect to nip in the bud things that look small and harmless? This is one of the wiles of the devil to destroy and desecrate our saintly life.

        Peter had not planned to deny the Lord. But in that cold night, having found a bonfire near him, he had only wanted to warm himself there. That little warmth of sitting in the seat of the scornful made his life bitter and he cried bitterly. Peter’s denial has gone down in history as a warning for everyone. It is better to die in cold rather than have a little warmth at the expense of denying the Lord.

         The Lord wants us to be very careful about very little things – be it our very little time, money or any other thing that is at our disposal. Unless we are faithful in very little, we can never be faithful in very much.

         It was reported sometime ago that an eight million dollar rocket was destroyed just because a hyphen (-) was misplaced in the computer programme. Once, an aircraft crashed, killing all the passengers and the crew, all because the mechanic forgot to place a nut in a bolt. He thought he would do it after a cup of tea; but afterwards forgot all about it. Obviously, it appeared a very small job – the nut might have, after all, cost not even a dollar – but the negligence was enough to destroy many lives and the aircraft worth millions of dollars.
 
“The tiniest of coins when held close to the eye, can blot out the sun.”

 – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

A song of Don Moen's "YOU'RE MY HIDING PLACE" represents us where we can hide ourselves and do all godly things that have designed for us even tiny, so that we may enter into the joy of our MASTER as a GOOD FAITHFUL SERVANT. LISTEN it! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhBAbBvcRcE&feature=player_embedded