MY BROTHERS FUNERAL
ON FEBRUARY 4TH OF 2003 MY BROTHER
DIED OF CANCER AT THE AGE
OF 52. MY BROTHER ASKED ME A COUPLE
OF MONTHS BEFORE HE DIED IF I WOULD
PREACH AT HIS FUNERAL. I AM NOT A
MINISTER BUT MY FAMILY LOOKS TO
THE CHRIST THAT IS WITH IN ME. I DECIDED
TO TAKE ON THIS CHALLANGE. I WANTED
TO TRY TO BRING PEACE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I MOSTLY WANTED TO DO IT FOR THE
LORD. I FELT THAT IF I DIDN'T DO IT
I WOULLD ALWAYS REGRET IT. I HAVE
A CD "SONGS AND SERMONS" BY BILLY GRAHAM.
ON THIS CD IT HAS GOT 5 SHORT SERMONS
SCATTERED THROUGH OUT THE CD.
I TOOK ALL FIVE OF THESE SHORT
SERMONS AND MADE ONE. I WANTED TO
MEMORIZE THE SERMON. I WANTED
TO DO THE BEST JOB THAT I COULD
POSIBLE DO. I HAD THE SERMON MEMORIZED
BEFORE MY BROTHER DIED. IN MY BROTHERS
LAST FEW HOURS I REPEATEDLY QUOTED
THE SERMON THAT I WAS GOING
TO GIVE AT HIS FUNERAL. I QUOTED IT
SO MANY TIMES THAT I NEW IT VERY WELL.
THE LORD DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB
WORKING THROUGH ME AT THE
FUNERAL. I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT
ANY BETTER THAN WHAT I DID.
IT GAVE PEACE TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS
BY ME DOING IT. I GIVE ALL GLORY TO THE
LORD FOR HE MADE IT HAPPEN. THIS IS THE SERMON
THAT I MEMORIZED.
THIS IS THE SERMON I GAVE
IN THE BEGINNING MAN CHOSE TO LOVE
AND OBEY
GOD.AS A RESULT HIS LIFE
WAS A PARADISE BUT ONE DAY SOMETHING
HAPPENED, MAN DELIBERTLY REBELLED
AGAINST GOD. HE WILLFULLY BROKE GODS MORAL
LAW AND MANS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
TO GOD WAS BROKEN. HE BEGAN TO SUFFER
AND DIE AS THE DISEASE OF SIN ENTERED
THE HUMAN RACE.
HE LOST THE PEACE,
JOY, AND SECURITY
THAT HE HAD. THE PERFECTION OF
GODS HANDY WORK WAS STAINED. EDEN
BECAME FOR MAN A PARADISE LOST.
HAVING EXCEPTED THE FACT OF GOD.
THE NEXT QUESTION WE ASK IS WHAT
KIND OF A PERSON IS
HE.WE HAVE ALREADY
SEEN EVIDENCE THAT HE IS A GOD
OF ORDER,
DESIGN AND PERFECTION, BUT
WHEN WE PICK UP THE BIBLE. WE DISCOVER
THAT GOD IS MUCH MORE. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT
HE IS A GOD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND
HOLINESS. THE BIBLE TEACHES HE IS
A GOD OF JUDGEMENT,
THAT HE IS SO
PURE THAT NO INPURITY CAN STAND
IN HIS PRESENCE,
BUT MORE,
THE BIBLE
TEACHES THAT GOD IS LOVE AND
IT IS BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE, THAT
HE CREATED THE HUMAN RACE.
THOUGH WE LIFT OUR VOICES AND
CRY FOR HELP STILL WE CHOOSE DELIBERTLY
AS ADAM DID THE WRONG WAY. AS WINSTON CHURCHILL
ONCE SAID, MAN HAS IMPROVED HIMSELF
EVERYWAY EXCEPT MORALLY.
WE RESORTED TO EVERY MEANS TO REGAIN
PARADISE. OUR MOTIVES HAS BEEN GOOD.
OUR ATTEMPTS COMENDABLE,
BUT THE BIBLE SAYS THEY ALL
FALLEN SHORT,
BUT GOD FACED A DELEMA, IN SPITE OF MANS REBELLION
GOD LOVED HIM BUT BEING JUST HOW
COULD HE FORGIVE MAN IN LESS THE PENALTY
OF SIN BEEN PAID. THIS WAS
THE QUESTION GOD FACED AND
WITH HIS LOVE FOR MAN SO STRONG HE
IMMEDIATLY TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO
RESTORE THE BROKEN FELLOWSHIP
TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR MANS
REDEMPTION. TO THE AMAZENENT OF
THE WHOLE UNIVERCE GOD DECIDED
TO BECOME A MAN IN THE PERSON OF HIS SON.
MAN CAN NEVER BE NEUTRAL ABOUT
THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST. HE IS THE ONE
WHO SAID,
I AM THE DOOR BY ME IF ANY
MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED.
I AM THE GOOD SHEPPARD. THE GOOD
SHEPPARD GIVES HIS LIFE FOR HIS
SHEEP. COME INTO ME ALL YOU THAT
LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I
WILL GIVE YOU REST. I AM THE LIGHT
OF THE WORLD. HE THAT FOLLOWS
ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.
THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THE COMING
OF JESUS CHRIST WAS NOT JUST TO
HEAL AND TEACH. HIS PRIMARY PURPOSE
WAS TO REDEEM. HE WAS BORN
TO DIE TO BE A RANSOM FOR MANY.
ON A RUGGED HILL, A CROSS STOOD
BLEAK AGAINST THE SKY AND BECAME
THE PITABLE POINT OF HISTORY.
WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT CROSS
IS A MYSTERY, IN SOME MYSTEREOUS
WAY GOD TOOK ALL OUR SINS AND LAID
THEM ON HIS SON. GOD WAS SAYING
FROM THE CROSS TO THE WHOLE
HUMAN RACE,
I LOVE YOU, I WILL FORGIVE
YOU.ON THE MORNING
OF THE THIRD DAY AFTER HE
WAS CRUCIFIED. THREE WOMEN
WENT TO HIS TOMB TO ANOINT THE
BODY WITH SPICES. THEY WERE THE
FIRST TO HEAR THE MOST DRAMATIC
ANONCEMENT THAT THE HUMAN EAR
HAS EVER HEARD. HE IS NOT HERE HE
HAS RISEN. I AM HE THAT LIVES AND
WAS DEAD CHRIST SAID. I AM ALIVE
FOR EVERMORE AND BECAUSE I LIVE
YOU SHALL LIVE ALSO. FOR THE FIRST
TIME SINCE SIN ENTERED THE HUMAN RACE.
THERE WAS HOPE FOR MANKIND.
I would like to tell you how I came to Christ.
In 1977 I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I was married with 3 very small children that I loved so much. My wife and I separated and divorced. I was so depressed on what was going on in my life that I got fired at my place of employment. I was so depressed I felt like I had nothing to live for. I decided I would take my own life and not have to go through the pain that I was going through. I took a hand full of pain pills and that just made me sick to my stomach. Then I went to the drug store and bought a package of over the counter sleeping pills. I took the whole package and it still didn't work. I was getting more depressed that I could not even end my own life. I decided that I would do it right by driving my car into a telephone pole. It was at night when I was going to do this. I seen the telephone pole that I was going to use for my distruction. I said three words at the moment "help me Lord." I wasw startled when my radio station that I was listening to said the words "spread the word" with a pause before and after. Suddenly 2 white clouds lit up the sky. They moved toward each other and when they met the clouds went downward as one cloud. At the same time the clouds met. There was so much love of Gods word filling me that I had tears of joy running down my face. I could not remember one though that I had of God's word that he filled me with. I just knew that I had been touched by God. I was not a very religious man. I was never raised that way. But I was religious enough to call out for the Lord. I realize what had happened to me now that I have matured as a Christian. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. It has been 28 years that have gone by now. I started taking baby steps and now I am making long strides for Christ. I feel that I have just now found out what my calling was when I heard the words "spread the word." This is why I e-mail out poems and daily inspirations, it is the way the Lord wants me to serve him. I was called back to my job a couple of weeks later. I have 32 years in at my work place and will be retiring in the near future. My ex wife and I never got back together, but from that day on I have had peace about the break up. You may not have believed in what I have just told you but it doesn't matter because I know it is true and changed my life in Christ.
Gemma Light 5 days ago
David 5 days ago
David 5 days ago
Titti ♥♥♥ 
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6 days ago
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David 7 days ago
Storm - Ororo Monroe 7 days ago
David 8 days ago
David 8 days ago
David 9 days ago
10 of 232MoreHi my sweet friend David :-)
Thank you so much for being you.
Hope you have a lovely weekend doing what you like doing and may your week be blessed and filled with joy.
Sending Gemma cuddles xx
MAY 17TH
FROM THE HEART
A DAILY INSPIRATIONAL
CALENDAR
by HELEN STEINER RICE
LIFE IS LIKE A GARDEN
AND FRIENDSHIP LIKE A FLOWER
THAT BLOOMS AND GROWS IN BEAUTY
WITH THE SUNSHINE AND THE SHOWER.
HONOR AND MAJESTY ARE BEFORE HIM;
STRENGTH AND BEAUTY ARE IN HIS SANCTUARY.
PSALM 96:6
TODAY PLANT THE SEED OF FRIENDSHIP WITHIN
YOUR HEART. WITH WARMTH OF LOVE AND
SHOWERS OF KINDNESS, WATCH FRIENDSHIP FLOURISH.
WITHOUT SEEMING RHYME OR REASON, HOPE
ALLAY'S THE SOUL'S WORRIES WITH THE CERTAINTY
OF HUMMINGBIRDS, WHO KNOW PRECISELY THE
DAY TO FLY SOUTH.
UNKNOWN
WHEN ALL OF OUR EARTHLY HOPES SEEM
LIKE CASTLES IN THE SAND, WE CAN HOLD TO THIS-
HEAVEN IS OUR HOME, AND WE ARE BUT SOJOURNERS HERE.
UNKNOWN
HOPE IS A WAKING DREAM.
-ARISTOTLE-
STREAMS IN THE DESERT
DAILY THOUGHTS FROM
THE DEVOTIONAL CLASSIC
by MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN
AS HE NEARED
DAMASCUS ON HIS
JOURNEY, SUDDENLY A
LIGHT FROM HEAVEN
FLASHED AROUND HIM.
ACTS 9:3
THE VISION CAME IN THE MIDST OF COMMON TOIL,
AND THAT IS WHERE THE LORD DELIGHTS TO GIVE
HIS REVELATIONS. MY FATHER GOD, HELP ME TO
EXPECT THEE ON THE ORDINARY ROAD. LET THE
HUMBLE LIFE BE TRANSFIGURED BY THY PRESENCE.
PREPARING YOUR HEART
FOR PRAYER
PRAYER IS THE GENIUS AND MAINSPRING OF LIFE.
WE PRAY AS WE LIVE; WE LIVE AS WE PRAY. LIFE WILL
NEVER BE FINER THAN THE QUALITY OF THE CLOSET.
-UNKNOWN-
THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM,
WILL COME DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD,
PREPARED AS A BRIDE ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND.
A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE WILL SAY "BEHOLD,
THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL
DWELL WITH THEM, AND THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE,
AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE
THEIR GOD, AND HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM
THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR
MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN,
FOR THE FIRST THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY."
HE WHO IS SEATED ON THE THRONE WILL SAY,
"BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW."
REVELATION 21:2-5
THE GRACE OF MY LORD WAS POURED OUT
ON ME ABUNDANTLY, ALONG WITH THE FAITH
AND LOVE THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.
1 TIMOTHY 1:14
HE WHO LOVES HIS WIFE LOVES HIMSELF;
FOR NO ONE EVER HATED HIS OWN FLESH,
BUT NOURISHES AND CHERISHES IT,
JUST AS CHRIST ALSO DOES THE CHURCH,
FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY.
EPHESIANS 5:28-30
AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT TO CHRIST,
SO ALSO WIVES SHOULD BE TO THEIR
HUSBANDS IN EVERYTHING.
EPHESIANS 5:24
LORD, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREATNESS AND
FOR THE INDESCRIBABLE JOY OF YOUR NEW
CREATION. I THANK YOU FOR THE ABUNDANCE
OF GRACE I HAVE RECEIVED IN CHRIST JESUS,
AS I PURPOSE TO BE FAITHFUL AND LOVING IN
MY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND IN
SERVICE TO OTHERS.
MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST BE
WITH US TODAY AND ALWAYS!
IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY,
AMEN.
ALL THINGS PASS
by HELEN STEINER RICE
LET ALL YOUR THOUGHTS BE HAPPY, DEAR,
TO CHASE AWAY ALL THOUGHTS OF FEAR.
THINK OF LOVELY THINGS YOU'VE SEEN
LIKE ROLLING SLOPES OF VELVET GREEN,
FLUFFY CLOUDS OF AZURE BLUE,
SPARKLING DROPS OF CRYSTAL DEW,
ROBIN REDBREASTS ON THE WING
TELLING US AGAIN IT'S SPRING,
GOLDEN BEDS OF DAFFODILS,
VIOLETS BLOOMING ON A HILL...
DON'T "CLOUD" YOUR MIND WITH ANXIOUS FEAR,
JUST FILL YOUR HEART WITH "SUNNY CHEER,"
AND WAITING DAYS WILL SOON BE OVER
AND YOU'LL AGAIN BE "BACK IN CLOVER"
FOR "ALL THINGS PASS"... AND THIS WILL, TOO,
AND WITH GOD'S HELP YOU'LL COME "SMILING THROUGH"
LET, I PRAY THEE, THY MERCIFUL KINDNESS
BE FOR MY COMFORT, ACCORDING TO THY
WORD UNTO THY SERVANT.
PSALM 119:76
KJV
YOU WILL INCREASE MY HONOR
AND COMFORT ME ONCE AGAIN.
PSALM 71:21
NIV
BUT YOU, O LORD, ARE A COMPASSIONATE
AND MERCIFUL GOD.
YOU ARE PATIENT, ALWAYS FAITHFUL AND
READY TO FORGIVE.
PSALM 86:15
GOD'S WORD
THE LORD IS MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS;
HE IS SLOW TO GET ANGRY AND FULL
OF UNFAILING LOVE.
PSALM 103:8
NLT
I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD
IN THY LOVINGKINDNESS,
BECAUSE THOU HAST SEEN MY AFFLICTION;
THOU HAST KNOWN THE TROUBLES OF MY SOUL.
PSALM 31:7
NAS
YOU HAVE SEEN ME TOSSING AND
TURNING THROUGH THE NIGHT. YOU HAVE
COLLECTED ALL MY TEARS AND PRESERVED
THEM IN YOUR BOTTLE! YOU HAVE RECORDED
EVERY ONE IN YOUR BOOK.
PSALM 56:8
TLB
HE HAS REMEMBERED HIS LOVE
AND HIS FAITHFULNESS
TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL;
ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
HAVE SEEN THE SALVATION
OF OUR GOD.
PSALM 98:3
NIV
FOR HE HAS DELIVERED ME OUT OF ALL TROUBLES;
AND MY EYE HAS SEEN ITS DESIRE UPON MY ENEMIES.
PSALM 54:7
NKJV
MAY 16TH
FROM THE HEART
A DAILY INSPIRATIONAL
CALENDAR
by HELEN STEINER RICE
LITTLE DO WE REALIZE
THAT THE GLORY AND THE POWER
OF HE WHO MADE THE UNIVERSE
LIES HIDDEN IN A FLOWER.
THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING THE GLORY OF GOD;
THEY ARE A MARVELOUS DISPLAY OF HIS CRAFTMANSHIP.
PSALM 19:1
TODAY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A FLOWER, SEE GOD'S LOVE
AND A MESSAGE FROM HIM.
THERE IS NO PRICELESS JEWEL
OR PRECIOUS GEM
THAT CAN OUTSHINE HOPE.
UNKNOWN
AH, HOPE!
WHAT WOULD LIFE BE,
STRIPPEDOF THY ENCOURAGING SMILES,
THAT TEACH US TO LOOK
BEHIND THE DARK CLOUDS OF TO-DAY,
FOR THE GOLDEN BEAMS THAT
ARE TO GILD THE MORROW.
-SUSANNA MOODIE-
STREAMS IN THE DESERT
DAILY THOUGHTS FROM
THE DEVOTIONAL CLASSIC
by MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN
A CHEERFUL HEART IS GOOD
MEDICINE, BUT A CRUSHED
SPIRIT DRIES UP THE BONES.
PROVERBS 17:22
SADNESS DISCOLORS EVERYTHING; IT
LEAVES ALL OBJECTS CHARMLESS, IT
INVOLVES FUTURE PROSPECTS IN
DARKNESS; IT DEPRIVES THE SOUL OF
ALL ITS ASPIRATIONS, ENCHAINS ALL ITS
POWERS, AND PRODUCES A MENTAL PARALYSIS!
CHEERFULNESS... MAKES ALL ITS SERVICE COME
OFF WITH DELIGHT. SHUN THE SPIRIT OF SADNESS.
PREPARING YOUR HEART
FOR PRAYER
PRAYER IS ... ALWAYS AFFECTED BY THE CHARACTER
AND CONDUCT OF HIM WHO PRAYS. WATER CANNOT
RISE ABOVE ITS OWN LEVEL, AND THE SPOTLESS
PRAYER CANNOT FLOW FROM THE SPOTTED HEART.
STRAIGHT PRAYING IS NEVER BORN OF CROOKED CONDUCT.
-LEONARD RAVENHILL-
CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD,
THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.
FOR SINCE DEATH CAME THROUGH A MAN,
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD COMES ALSO
THROUGH A MAN. FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, SO IN CHRIST
ALL WILL BE MADE ALIVE. BUT EACH IN HIS OWN ORDER:
CHRIST, THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD, THOSE WHO
ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS COMING. THEN THE END WILL COME,
WHEN HE DELIVERS THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER,
WHEN HE HAS ABOLISHED ALL RULE AND ALL AUTHORITY
AND POWER. FOR HE MUST REIGN UNTIL HE HAS PUT ALL
HIS ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. THE LAST ENEMY
THAT WILL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26
IN CHRIST I HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, HAVING
BEEN PREDESTINED ACCORDING TO THE PLAN OF HIM
WHO WORKS ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE COUNSEL
OF HIS WILL, THAT WE WHO HAVE TRUSTED IN CHRIST
SHOULD BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.
EPHESIANS 1:11-12
I WILL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH AND LAY HOLD
OF THE ETERNAL LIFE TO WHICH I WAS CALLED WHEN
I MADE THE GOOD CONFESSION IN THE PRESENCE
OF MANY WITNESSES.
1 TIMOTHY 6:12
LORD, I THANK YOU THAT YOU ALONE ARE GOD AND
THAT THE RESURRECTED CHRIST IS THE
FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO WILL BE RAISED
FROM THE DEAD. I THANK YOU FOR THE
INHERITANCE YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ME. HELP
ME TO REMAIN FAITHFUL IN THE GOOD
FIGHT OF FAITH.
MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST BE
WITH US TODAY AND ALWAYS!
IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY,
A SPECIAL PRAYER
FOR YOU
by HELEN STEINER RICE
OH, BLESSED FATHER, HEAR THIS PRAYER
AND KEEP ALL OF US IN YOUR CARE
GIVE US PATIENCE AND INNER SIGHT. TOO,
JUST AS YOU OFTEN USED TO DO
WHEN ON THE SHORES OF THE GALILEE
YOU TOUCHED THE BLIND AND THEY COULD SEE
AND CURED THE MAN WHO LONG WAS LAME
WHEN HE BUT CALLED YOUR HOLY NAME!
YOU ARE SO GREAT
WE ARE SO SMALL
AND WHEN TROUBLE COMES
AS IT DOES TO US ALL
THERE'S SO LITTLE THAT WE CAN DO
EXCEPT TO PLACE OUR TRUST IN YOU!
SO TAKE THE SAVIOUR'S LOVING HAND
AND DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND
JUST LET HIM LEAD YOU WHERE HE WILL
THROUGH "PASTURES GREEN AND WATERS STILL"
AND PLACE YOURSELF IN HIS LOVING CARE
AND HE WILL GLADLY HELP YOU BEAR
WHATEVER LIES AHEAD OF YOU
AND GOD WILL SEE YOU SAFELY THROUGH
AND NO EARTHLY PAIN IS EVER TOO MUCH
IF GOD BESTOWS HIS MERCIFUL TOUCH.
SO I COMMEND YOU INTO HIS CARE
WITH LOVING THOUGHT AND A SPECIAL PRAYER
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, WHATEVER BETIDE YOU
GOD IS ALWAYS BESIDE YOU
AND CANNOT GO BEYOND HIS LOVE AND CARE
FOR WE ARE ALL A PART OF GOD,
AND GOD IS EVERYWHERE!
BUT I WILL SING OF YOUR MIGHT;
I WILL SING ALOUD OF YOUR
STEADFAST LOVE IN THE MORNING.
FOR YOU HAVE BEEN A FORTRESS FOR ME
AND A REFUGE IN THE DAY OF MY DISTRESS.
PSALM 59:16
NRSV
I WILL GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND WILL SING PRAISE TO THE
NAME OF THE LORD MOST HIGH.
PSALM 7:17
NAS
MY HEART IS STEADFAST, O GOD,
MY HEART IS STEADFAST;
I WILL SING AND MAKE MUSIC.
PSALM 57:7
NIV
SING A NEW SONG TO THE LORD!
SING IT EVERYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD!
PSALM 96:1
TLB
FOR THE LORD SAYS, "BECAUSE HE LOVES ME,
I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL MAKE HIM GREAT
BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN MY NAME."
PSALM 9:14
TLB
I COME TO YOU FOR PROTECTION, O LORD MY GOD.
SAVE ME FROM MY PERSECUTORS- RESCUE ME!
PSALM 7:1
NLT
TURN YOUR EAR TO ME,
COME QUICKLY TO MY RESCUE;
BE MY ROCK OF REFUGE,
A STRONG FORTRESS TO SAVE ME.
PSALM 31:2
NIV
HAPPY IS THE PERSON WHO TRUSTS THE LORD,
WHO DOESN'T TURN TO THOSE WHO ARE PROUD
OR TO THOSE WHO WORSHIP FALSE gODS.
PSALM 40:4
NCV
PROTECT ME, BECAUSE I AM FAITHFUL TO YOU,
SAVE YOUR SERVANT WHO TRUSTS YOU.
YOU ARE MY GOD.
PSALM 86:2
GOD'S WORD
Hi David,
Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers.
Your cup runneth over :)
-Storm
MAY 15TH
FROM THE HEART
A DAILY INSPIRATIONAL
CALENDAR
by HELEN STEINER RICE
MEMORIES GROW MORE MEANINGFUL
WITH EVERY PASSING YEAR,
MORE PRECIOUS AND MORE BEAUTIFUL,
MORE TREASURED AND MORE DEAR.
I COMMUNE WITH MY HEART IN THE NIGHT;
I MEDITATE AND SEARCH MY SPIRIT.
PSALM 77:6
TODAY RECALL HAPPY HAPPENINGS
OF BYGONE YEARS AND DON'T EVEN
THINK OF THE TEARFUL TIMES.
IF YOU DO NOT HOPE,
YOU WILL NOT FIND WHAT IS
BEYOND YOUR HOPES.
-ST CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIE-
HOPEFUL EYES PERCEIVE THE LIGHT
WHERE OTHER EYES SEE ONLY NIGHT.
UNKNOWN
HOPE IS ABOUT BELIEVING
WITH A HUMBLE HEART
THAT TOMORROW CAN BE DIFFERENT.
IT'S ABOUT KNOWING
THAT LIGHT WILL COME
TO CHASE AWAY THIS DARKNESS.
UNKNOWN
STREAMS IN THE DESERT
DAILY THOUGHTS FROM
THE DEVOTIONAL CLASSIC
by MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS
ABOUT ANYTHING.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
NO ANXIETY OUGHT TO BE
FOUND IN A BELIEVER. VARIED MAY
BE OUR TRIALS, OUR AFFLICTIONS,
OUR DIFFICULTIES, AND YET THERE
SHOULD BE NO ANXIETY UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES. WHATEVER TRIES
US IN ANY WAY, ... THE DIFFICULTIES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE FAMILY,
OUR TRADE, OUR PROFESSION...
SPEAK TO THE LORD ABOUT IT.
PREPARING YOUR HEART
FOR PRAYER
THE POSSIBILITIES OF PRAYER ARE THE POSSIBILITIES
OF FAITH. PRAYER AND FAITH ARE SIAMESE TWINS. ONE
HEART ANIMATES THEM BOTH. FAITH IS ALWAYS PRAYING.
PRAYER IS ALWAYS BELIEVING.
-UNKNOWN-
THE LORD MOST HIGH IS AWESOME,
THE GREAT KING OVER ALL THE EARTH!
GOD IS THE KING OF ALL THE EARTH,
AND I WILL SING HIS PRAISE.
GOD REIGNS OVER ALL THE NATIONS;
GOD IS SEATED ON HIS HOLY THRONE.
PSALM 47:2,7-8
AS LIVING STONES, WE ARE BEING BUILT INTO
A SPIRITUAL HOUSE TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD,
OFFERING SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE
TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE
CHOSEN PEOPLE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD,
A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSSESSION,
THAT WE MAY DECLARE THE PRAISES OF HIM
WHO CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS
MARVELOUS LIGHT.
1 PETER 2:5,9
THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO ALWAYS LEADS
US IN TRIUMPH IN CHRIST AND
THROUGH US SPREADS EVERYWHERE
THE FRAGRANCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE
OF HIM.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:14
I WANT THE LORD TO ESTABLISH MY
HEART AS BLAMELESS AND HOLY BEFORE
OUR GOD AND FATHER AT THE COMING OF
OUR LORD JESUS WITH ALL HIS SAINTS.
1 THESSALONIANS 3:13
LORD, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME DOMINION
AND FOR CREATING A PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN
POSSESSION. I THANK YOU FOR LEADING ME
IN CHRIST'S TRIUMPH. ESTABLISH MY HEART
AS BLAMELESS AND HOLY BEFORE YOU.
MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST BE
WITH US TODAY AND ALWAYS!
IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY,
AMEN.
A SEED IS SOWN
by HELEN STEINER RICE
SEED MUST BE SOWN TO
BRING FORTH THE GRAIN,
AND NOTHING IS BORN
WITHOUT SUFFERING AND PAIN
AND GOD NEVER PLOUGHS
IN THE SOUL OF MAN
WITHOUT INTENTION AND
PURPOSE AND PLAN.
YOUR PROMISES HAVE BEEN THROUGHLY TESTED;
THAT IS WHY I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
PSALM 119:140
NLT
THOU HAST TRIED MY HEART;
THOU HAST VISITED ME BY NIGHT;
THOU HAST TESTED ME AND DOST
FIND NOTHING; I HAVE PURPOSED
THAT MY MOUTH WILL NOT TRANSGRESS.
PSALM 17:3
NAS
THE PROMISES OF THE LORD ARE
PROMISES THAT ARE PURE,
SILVER REFINED IN A FURNACE ON THE GROUND,
PURIFIED SEVEN TIMES.
PSALM 12:6
NRSV
FOR YOU, O GOD, HAVE TESTED US;
YOU HAVE REFINED US AS SILVER IS REFINED.
PSALM 66:10
NKJV
I AM TRUSTING GOD-OH, PRAISE HIS
PROMISES! I AM NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING
MERE MAN CAN DO TO ME! YES, PRAISE HIS PROMISES.
PSALM 56:10-11
TLB
YOUR KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM,
AND YOUR DOMINION ENDURES THROUGH ALL
GENERATIONS. THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO ALL
HIS PROMISES AND LOVING TOWARD ALL
HE HAS MADE.
PSALM 145:13
NIV
FOR I HAVE SAID, "LOVINGKINDNESS
WILL BE BUILT UP FOREVER;
IN THE HEAVENS THOU WILL
ESTABLISH THY FAITHFULNESS."
PSALM 89:2
NAS
YOUR KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM,
AND YOUR DOMINION ENDURES
THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS.
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO ALL HIS PROMISES
AND LOVING TOWARD ALL HE HAS MADE.
PSALM 145:13
NIV
BUT KNOW THAT THE LORD HAS SET
APART THE FAITHFUL FOR HIMSELF;
THE LORD HEARS WHEN I CALL TO HIM.
PSALM 4:3
NRSV
LET ME LIVE IN YOUR HOLY TENT FOREVER.
LET ME FIND SAFETY IN THE SHELTER OF YOUR WINGS.
PSALM 61:4
NCV
MAY 14TH
FROM THE HEART
A DAILY INSPIRATIONAL
CALENDAR
by HELEN STEINER RICE
MY GARDEN BEAUTIFIES MY YARD
AND ADDS FRAGRANCE TO THE AIR...
BUT IT IS ALSO MY CATHEDRAL
AND MY QUIET PLACE OF PRAYER.
WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE SPLENDOR
OF HIS HOLINESS; TREMBLE BEFORE HIM,
ALL THE EARTH.
PSALM 96:9
TODAY, JUST AS FLOWER'S PURPOSE IS
TO BLOOM, LET YOUR PURPOSE BE TO SERVE.
HOPE GIVES WINGS TO THE WISHES
OF THE SOUL.
UNKNOWN
WHEN THE DARKNESS CASTS SHADOWS
UPON US AND THE ANSWERS ARE NOWHERE
IN SIGHT, HOPE LIFTS US UP ON A WING
AND A PRAYER AND CARRIES US BACK
TO THE LIGHT.
UNKNOWN
HOPE IS THE GENTLE URGING OF THE
SOUL WHEN THE MIND, HEART, AND
BODY ARE TOO TIRED TO GO ON.
UNKNOWN
O HOPE! DAZZLING, RADIANT HOPE!
WHAT A CHANGE THOU BRINGEST TO
THE HOPELESS; BRIGHTENING THE
DARKENED PATHS, AND CHEERING
THE LONELY WAY.
-AIMEE SEMPLE MC PHERSON-
AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK MAY NOT SPEED
YOUR JOURNEY, BUT IT DOES IMPROVE
THE SCENERY ALONG THE WAY.
UNKNOWN
STREAMS IN THE DESERT
DAILY THOUGHTS FROM
THE DEVOTIONAL CLASSIC
by MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN
WE LIVE BY FAITH,
NOT BY SIGHT.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
GOD NEVER WANTS US TO LOOK
AT OUR FEELINGS. SELF MAY WANT
US TO; AND SATAN MAY WANT US TO.
BUT GOD WANTS US TO FACE FACTS,
NOT FEELINGS. WHEN WE FACE
THESE PRECIOUS FACTS,... GOD
WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR FEELINGS.
PREPARING YOUR HEART
FOR PRAYER
AMONG THE CALLINGS AND PRIVILEGES
ACCORDED TO GOD'S CHILDREN, PRAYER
HOLDS THE SUPREME PLACE AND IS OF
INESTIMABLE VALUE BOTH TO THE PRAY-ER
AND TO THOSE FOR WHOM HE PRAYS.
-WILLIAM WALLACE HORNER-
DURING THE DAYS OF HIS FLESH, JESUS
OFFERED UP PRAYERS AND PETITIONS WITH
LOUD CRIES AND TEARS TO THE ONE WHO
COULD SAVE HIM FROM DEATH, AND HE WAS
HEARD BECAUSE OF HIS DEVOUTNESS.
ALTHOUGH HE WAS A SON, HE LEARNED
OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS WHICH HE
SUFFERED; AND BEING PERFECTED, HE
BECAME THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION
FOR ALL WHO OBEY HIM, BEING DESIGNATED
BY GOD AS AN HIGH PRIEST ACCORDING TO
THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.
HEBREWS 5:7-10
HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, I HAVE
PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM I HAVE GAINED
ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH
I STAND; AND I REJOICE IN THE HOPE OF THE
GLORY OF GOD.
ROMANS 5:1-2
THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE
VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
THEREFORE, I WILL BE STEADFAST,
IMMOVABLE, ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF
THE LORD, KNOWING THAT MY LABOR IN THE
LORD IS NOT IN VAIN.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:57-58
LORD, I THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE WORTHY
OF ALL PRAISE AND THAT JESUS BECAME THE
SOURCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION FOR ALL
WHO OBEY HIM. I THANK YOU FOR THE PEACE
AND HOPE I ENJOY IN HIM, AND I ASK THAT I
WOULD ABOUND IN THE WORK OF THE LORD
AND HOLD FIRMLY TO THE TRUTH.
MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST BE
WITH US TODAY AND ALWAYS!
IN CHRIST NAME WE PRAY,
AMEN.