Forum: Lifestyle
Ladies eat fish...it will make your babies more intelligent
Originally posted here...
Amazing Facts
About our Body
50,000 of the cells in your body will die and be replaced with :new cells, all while you have been reading this sentence! :
In one hour, your heart works hard enough to produce the equivalent energy to raise almost 1 ton of weight 1 yard off :the ground. :
Scientists have counted over 500 different liver functions. :
In 1 square inch of skin there lies 4 yards of nerve fibers, 1300 nerve cells, 100 sweat glands, 3 million cells, and 3 yards of *lo** vessels. :
The structural plan of a whale's, a dog's, a bird's and a man's 'arm' are exactly the same. : :The world's first test-tube twins were born in June 1981. :
There are 45 miles of nerves in the skin of a human being.In a year, a person`s heart beats 40,000,000 times.
:Most people blink about 25 times a minute. :
Each square inch of human skin consists of twenty feet of :*lo** vessels. : :Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 :miles per hour.
Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself.
Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for :your heart.
You use an average of 43 muscles for a frown. You use an average of 17 muscles for a smile.
Every two thousand frowns :creates one wrinkle.
The average human blinks his eyes 6,205,000 times each year. :
The average human produces a quart of saliva a day or 10,000 gallons in a lifetime.
Every person has a unique tongue print.
The average human's heart will beat 3,000 million times in their lifetime. The average human will pump 48 million gallons of *lo** in :their lifetime. : :You burn 26 calories in a one-minute kiss.
The average human body contains enough: Sulphur to kill all fleas on an average dog, Carbon to make 900 pencils, Potassium to fire :a toy cannon, Fat to make 7 bars of soap, Phosphorus to make :2,200 matchheads, and enough Water to fill a ten-gallon tank.
:Among the first known "dentists" of the world were the Etruscans. :In 700 BC they carved false teeth from the teeth of various :mammals :and produced partial bridgework good enough to eat with.
Ophthalmic surgery was one of the most advanced areas of medicine in the ancient world. Detailed descriptions of delicate cataract surgery with sophisticated needle syringes is contained in the medical writings of Celsus (A.D.14-37)
A sneeze zooms out of your mouth at over 100 m.p.h.
If you were freeze-dried, 10% of your body weight would be from :the microorganisms on your body. According to the World Health Organization, there are :approximately 100 million acts of sexual intercourse each day.
Your ears and nose continue to grow throughout your entire life. :
When you eat meat and drink milk in the same meal, your body does not absorb any of the milk's calcium. It is best to have 2 hours between the milk and meat intake.
Only humans and horses have hymens.
The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't repair itself.
Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell.Does God really care about the poor?
Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them?
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking of me right now.
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
"I'll just have to go blind"
A man was having a lot of trouble with his eyes. His doctor examined him and recommended the name of another doctor he should visit, saying, "I would advise you to go at once and take plenty of money with you, for it's going to cost a lot."
The man had eighty dollars in the bank, so he got his money and went to see the other doctor. After examining him, the doctor said, "I never accept less than five hundred dollars for this particular operation."
"Well, then," said the man, "I guess I'll just have to go blind, because I have only eighty dollars."
But the good doctor said, "There is one other way to solve our trouble. You don't have enough to pay the bill, and I can't charge you as little as eighty dollars, but there is another way open to usI will do the operation for nothing." And that is just what he did.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Doesn't God care that I'm poor?
But to the poor, O Lord, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are a storm beating against a wall, or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. You cool the land with the shade of a cloud. So the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you, I will never forsake you."
Can anything separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungery or cold or in danger or threatened with death?No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
All the silver
In his book, The Life of Johnson, James Boswell describes how Johnson would frequently give all the silver in his pocket to the poor, who watched him, between his house and the tavern where he dined. Johnson would walk the streets at all hours and said he was never robbed, for the rogues knew he had little money, nor the appearance of having much.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Why should I help the poor?
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The Lord rescues them in times of trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him, he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to him.
A greedy person tries to get rich quick, but it only leads to poverty. Greed causes fighting; trusting in the Lord leads to prosperity. Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty.
About this week's promise
To be poor means that something is lacking from our life.
The Bible focuses primarily on two kinds of povertypeople who are in need of basic necessities (like food and clothing) and people who are in need of God (for they lack the Holy Spirit's presence in their life). We are calledcommandedto help both of these kinds of people as much as we possibly can.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Can evil overcome me?
I look up to the mountainsdoes my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you and will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Protection for the soul
Psalm 121 is one of a collection of "songs of ascent" sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of Israel's great feasts. Basically it is hymn of trust that God will watch over his people as they journey along potentially dangerous roads, up through the hills of Judea to the Holy City.
Does God say that his people will never encounter trouble? No. The awful truth is that even Christians get robbed and mugged, raped and murdered. Statistics indicate that more followers of Jesus were martyred for their faith in the twentieth century than in the previous nineteen centures c****ined. You will not find any biblical evidence to suggest that believers are exempt from the ugly violence of a fallen world.
As Jesus said in Matthew 10:28: At worst, evil people "can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul."
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
What can you expect when you love God?
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Be faithful yourself
When big problems come, there is something in all of us that wants to bail out, throw in the towel, wave the white flag of surrender, and retreat to someplace less stressful.
This explains why so many people under great stress and strain walk away from God, a marriage, a friendship, or a church. When the future looks stormy or uncertain, it becomes easy to rationalize, to jettison one's convictions, to go back on promises.
Before you succumb to panic and start to renege on a commitment, you need to strongly consider God's promise. It tells us that we have something within us (Someone, actually) who desires for us to be loyal and who gives us the courage and grit to hang tough. The Holy Spirit will, if you ask him, enable you to persevereeven in the face of overwhelming trouble.
Praying God's Promise
God, you are always faithful to me. By the power of your Spirit, help me to keep my commitments in tough times. I want to be reliable and trustworthy. I want to be wholly devoted to you, through thick and thin. Fill me with your Spirit so that I have the courage to stand firm.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
How does God show himself to you?
To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble.As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true.
Faithful and dependable
A hot morning shower, a fresh cup of coffee. The lights in your kitchen and bathroom. What would you do if you were deprived of the basics of your dependable morning routine? Many of us would start shutting down. It's easy to take hot water and electricity for granted. The same is true of faithful love. It's easy to take for granted the person who is always there to listen to your problems. It's easy to take for granted the person you run to when you're frustrated or in trouble. It's even easier to take for granted God's faithful care for you and your family. Every day God sustains the world in which we move and live. He provides food, clothing, and opportunities for employment. Most important, he showers love and concern on us every day. Our God is a faithful God. He is entirely dependable.
That same type of faithful and dependable love is the foundation of every strong relationship. Love is cheap if it's given only when things are going fine. Our love for others must be consistent and dependable.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Live your success and fulfillment here and now, not in some
distant, imagined future.
Do not set yourself up as a hostage to your circumstances or
your inventory of possessions. Choose right now to live
richly and fully no matter what.
Make joyful and thankful use of whatever you have, wherever
you are. There is so very much you have going for you.
Pay no attention to those who scream that you must have this
thing or that experience in order to be happy. Ignore them,
and simply choose to be happy by creating your own
interpretation of happiness all around you.
Keep in mind that most of the people who tell you how bad
things are, seek to gain their own power or profit from your
dismay. Life is good, life is rich, life is joyful and
fulfilling to the extent you choose to make it so.
Open your eyes, look around, and see how truly beautiful
your world can be. Real success is yours the moment you
begin to make it.
Ralph Marston
What you passionately and purposefully seek to have, you will
have. What you passionately and purposefully seek to avoid,
you will also have.
When you intensely focus your energy upon anything, that
thing grows more real and influential in your life. That
holds true whether it is something you strongly desire or
something you strongly detest.
If you put your effort into fighting against something, you
end up giving more strength and consequence to whatever
you're fighting against. Instead, find a desirable
alternative and put your energy into working toward that
alternative.
What you hold most firmly and consistently in your mind, you
create and become. So keep your thoughts focused on moving
toward the desirable, enjoyable and fulfilling things.
The most effective way to move away from what you don't want
is to actively move toward what you do want. Rather than
defining your life by what you oppose, challenge yourself to
develop positive goals that you can enthusiastically embrace
and follow.
Your life naturally and persistently flows in the direction
where your attention is focused. So choose to focus on the
best you can imagine.
Ralph Marston
ones that keep you on track.
The big, momentous decisions set the direction for your
life. And the small, everyday decisions are what enable you
to maintain that direction.
Small decisions are easy to make. Unfortunately, they are
just as easy to ignore.
Pay attention and take active, intentional control of the
small decisions. You'll quickly experience great power in
their cumulative influence.
The big decisions are expressions of your commitments. The
small, moment-by-moment decisions give life and substance to
those commitments.
Give careful thought and consideration to the big decisions.
Then use the hundreds of small decisions you make each day
to bring those big decisions to life.
Ralph Marston
have otherwise known you could go. Curiosity is, at its
heart, a love for life and everything in it.
Those who are the most authentically and persistently
curious are the best informed. Simple, sincere curiosity
brings a richness of wisdom and unique experience into your
life.
The biggest impediment to curiosity is arrogance. For in
order to be truly curious, you must first admit that you do
not know.
Keep in mind that intelligence is more than a measure of
what you already know. Intelligence depends on always being
open to learning new things, some of which will contradict
and supersede what you already thought you knew.
Though curiosity will often compel you to undertake great
effort, curiosity itself requires no effort. Drop your
pretenses, allow yourself to be curious, and you are.
There is no end to the wonder that you can discover,
wherever you are, whatever you do. Be curious, and be fully
alive.
Ralph Marston
-- Edited by YUNG_BERRY at 10:18, 2008-07-13
-- Edited by Dane at 17:25, 2008-07-13
Who you are now is enough. What you have now is plenty.
Here in this moment all is well. Allow yourself to be fully
present in what is now.
Gently relax into the endless depth of life's rich and
magnificent abundance. There is plenty, and it is now yours
to live.
Feel the perfect peace of simply being as you are. Need
nothing, and have everything.
Watch the wonder of all that is as it dances in front of
your eyes. Feel the lightness and the limitless nature of
who you truly are.
Know the immense joy that is in every little thing. For it
is now and you are fully here.
Ralph Marston
Moving just one step forward will give you a positive
foothold upon which to build.
Often it is easy to choose to see yourself and treat
yourself as a victim. Yet by making such a choice, you
quickly surrender control over your own life.
Instead of giving up and becoming a victim, know that there
is always something positive you can do. There is always
some action with which you can move yourself forward.
Life's greatest triumphs often have their origins in times
of great difficulty. In each challenge there is fertile
ground for building great value.
Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? The best way
to get away from that feeling is to step forward and do
something positive and productive.
With every positive action, your power increases. Step by
step, moment by moment, move your life exactly where you
choose to go.
Ralph Marston
and positive about the day ahead. Imagine that you're highly
effective, able to achieve whatever you set out to do with
confidence and ease.
In your mind's eye, see yourself working with discipline and
focus, quickly and easily making the decisions that move
your world forward. Visualize yourself as always knowing
what to say and do in every situation.
Imagine yourself being the person you've always wanted to
be. Imagine living the life you've always dreamed of living.
See it all in rich and colorful detail. Allow yourself to
dream, and know, with absolute certainty, that you can have
it, you can do it and you can be it.
Make your image of yourself and your life a positive one,
and you'll program yourself for real, sustained success.
Imagine yourself at your very best, and hold that image
firmly in your mind, day after day, moment by moment.
What you're able to imagine, you're able to create and
experience. Dare to imagine, and then put your precious time
to good use by bringing your imagination to life.
Ralph Marston
Then release them and be free to rise above the limitations.
Savor the disappointments one last time and remember all you
have learned from them. Then let them go and eagerly look
forward to new and fruitful experiences.
Sincerely and completely forgive those who have brought you
pain, including yourself. And feel the healing that
immediately takes hold.
Be truly thankful for having been through so much. Then get
busy creating the best of what can be.
Let go of the useless drama that is already over. Hold on to
the positive value that you've gained from it all.
Always there are new possibilities to explore, new ways to
grow, and new worlds to experience. With each new now, the
world is filled with fresh opportunities to be.
Ralph Marston
three steps at once. Or you could simply take one step, and
then the next, and then the next.
Being able to think things through is a tremendously
valuable skill. But don't let all that thinking prevent you
from doing.
Sometimes it pays to think of a more efficient or effective
or faster way to complete the task. Other times you're
better off when you just go ahead and do it.
Analyzing what you must do can be helpful. Yet analysis by
itself won't get the job completed.
After you think it through, go ahead and get it done. Put
your clever thinking into action, and you'll have something
of tangible value to show for it.
Put your mind to work and you'll create great ideas. Then
put those ideas to work with your efforts, and bring them
successfully to life.
Ralph Marston
life the best it can possibly be. There is so very much you
have to express, to give, to experience and to contribute to
the magnificent fabric of life.
You are worth the discomfort and frustration that you'll
regularly need to get through. You are worth the pain that
the world will sometimes offer.
For within you is the capacity for great joy and astounding
achievement. Within you are beautiful and worthy dreams that
long to be fulfilled.
You are one of a kind and you are filled with a driving
purpose. You are worth whatever it takes to give that
special purpose a lasting and meaningful expression.
Yes, the disappointments, inconveniences, pains, problems
and annoyances will surely and steadily come. Yet they are
indeed quite trivial compared to the precious possibilities
that live within you.
Make whatever efforts necessary, endure whatever setbacks
you must, move forward through whatever challenges may come
along. For there is no question that you are worth it.
Ralph Marston
you can work to create or acquire.
The experience you seek is unfolding in every moment. Let
life flow as it will, and you move toward your dream.
What you see as a challenge is the opportunity for which
you've been waiting. Now is your time to achieve.
Those who say you are doomed, do not yet understand how
truly abundant life is. Those who claim that your best days
are behind you, do not grasp the awesome power of now.
Greet the rising sun with joy and lightness in your heart.
This is your moment to shine.
You have just now arrived upon this magnificent shore. Live
the richness that is all around.
Ralph Marston
the items as you complete them.
The most effective power you can have is power over your
own actions. Instead of hoping or plotting to gain power over
others, make use of the power you already have over yourself.
Identify a difficult situation and get to work untangling
it. Choose a compelling possibility and make progress toward
bringing it to life.
This is a dynamic moment that responds to your input. Put
thoughtful, positive effort into it and you get valuable,
meaningful rewards out of it.
Leave it to others to do the complaining, blaming, fretting
and worrying. Focus your efforts on positive pursuits that
will make a real difference.
The best way you can spend this day is in getting something
accomplished. Get positive, get busy and truly enjoy how
great it feels.
Ralph Marston
success is even better, because it is repeatable, robust and
sustainable.
Overnight success almost never happens. And in the rare
event when it does happen, there's a dreadful fear that it
will disappear as quickly as it appeared.
Slow success is confident, lasting success. Success earned
over time is success that you can genuinely enjoy,
appreciate and continue to build upon.
Instant success depends upon being at exactly the right
place at precisely the right time. Slow success, on the
other hand, makes a small yet significant opportunity out of
each moment and every situation.
Instead of wishing for immediate results, work patiently for
the more realistic, reliable and valuable results that can
only come with time and commitment. Steadily spread your
success over time, and it will always be yours.
Every minute of every day there is a way to be slowly and
steadily successful. Gather the small opportunities as they
come, and the rewards will be great indeed.
Ralph Marston
Even though your morning may not have been productive, there
is still much you can accomplish in the afternoon. Even
though you've suffered some setbacks, there are still plenty
of options for moving forward.
Even though you may disagree with what someone has to say,
you can benefit greatly from understanding that person's
point of view. Even though you find yourself in difficult
and challenging circumstances, there is much value for you
to create.
Even though you may feel like quitting, you have what it
takes to keep going. Even though the goal seems far away,
every step brings you closer.
Even though there are plenty of reasons for you to feel
sorry for yourself, you can choose instead to renew your
determination and enthusiasm. Even though your path is
filled with obstacles, you can truly enjoy the sense of
accomplishment that comes from successfully moving beyond
each one.
Even though darkness may at times surround you, your light
can shine more brightly than ever. Even though you may
occasionally grow weary, there's always a way to renew and
re-energize yourself.
Even though the road has its twists and turns, the journey
is worth the effort. Keep going, keep growing, keep learning
and loving and living with all the richness your precious
life deserves.
Ralph Marston
Today's Scripture
"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
You are God's representative in this earth. When you follow the Word of God and allow Him to work in your life, you are letting your light shine. When you are good to people and show them kindness, even when they don't deserve it, you are shining your light. When you smile and keep a good attitude, even when things don't go your way, you are setting an example so that people will glorify God in heaven. Notice this scripture says, "they will see your good works..." People aren't impressed by our knowledge or what we say, people are drawn to God by our good works.
Ask the Lord to show you ways to share His goodness with others. Look for opportunities to let your light shine everywhere you go - at home, at work, in the grocery store, at the gym. There's always an opportunity to be an example of God's goodness. As you do, it will bring honor and glory to God; and when you honor Him, He always honors you. He will continue to pour out His abundant blessing in every area of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for trusting me to be Your representative in the earth. Show me ways to reflect Your goodness to others. Use me today everywhere I go for Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Bless One and All,
Ras ~Q
What is life?
Life is a gift, accept it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is a mystery, unfold it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a struggle, face it.
Life is beauty, praise it.
Life is a puzzle, solve it.
Life is opportunity, take it.
Life is sorrowful, experience it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a goal, achieve it.
Life is a mission, fulfill it.
belief is powerful, belief is faith
so dont believe in any thing wou dont want to be true.
a word of advice by me.
Today's Scripture
"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal toward Him" (II Chronicles 16:9).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf! He's looking for hearts that are faithful to Him. He wants to amaze you with His goodness, and make you an example of His faithfulnessespecially when everything around you seems difficult. It's not much of a stretch to believe for blessing and promotion when everyone is being blessed. When everything is going great around you, it's easy for people to look at your life and say, "Oh, that's just because the economy is strong and we live in a land of abundance." But when things don't look so good and you prosper anyway, that's a greater testimony to the world. People will know that it makes a difference to serve the Most High God!
Keep your heart turned toward God and expect increase even if things look difficult. Remember, God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf. He is building a testimony in you. He wants to pour out His abundant blessing and fulfill every dream and desire in your heart to His glory!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness and desire to show Yourself strong on my behalf. I invite You to work in my life. Keep my heart and mind close to You always. I bless Your Holy Name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Bless One and All,
Ras ~Q
The 7 Covenants in Scripture, Part 2***daily devotional Video
Tuesday
During the recent Fire Conference in Massachusetts, Pastor Benny taught on the power-packed subject, The Seven Covenants. These are seven revelations that reveal Gods purposes, he said, and God is the Originator and Initiator of every covenant. On todays program, go through the first two covenantsAdamic and Noahicas you discover Gods sovereign plan for mankind. If you yearn to be part of the great army that touches our generation for the Lord, this amazing telecast is for you!
The 7 Covenants in Scripture, Part 1***daily devotional Video
Monday
Worcester, located in central Massachusetts and the states second largest city (after Boston), is noted far and wide as the "Heart of Massachusetts. The DCU Center, Worcesters state-of-the-art arena and convention facility, hailed as one of the most successful entertainment and convention complexes in the nation, was home on June 20-21 to a unique training opportunity, welcoming people from throughout New England and North America to the exciting Benny Hinn Ministries Fire Conference! Pastor Benny taught on the power-packed subject, The Seven Covenants, pointing to the fact that every covenant has promises, terms, *lo**, and a seal. This is a program that you wont want to miss!
Today's Scripture
"God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Aren't you glad we serve a God who promises to supply all our needs! When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and follow His commands, you have access to God and everything He is; peace, provision, protection and more. That means no matter what is happening in the world today, as you obey God's Word, your needs will be met. No matter what is going on with the economy, gas prices, or housing market, God is still your Source; and if your Source is okay, then you are okay, too. Rest assured there is no lack in heaven.
Not only is God able to meet your needs, He wants to meet your needs. It gives Him great pleasure to bless and prosper you. Begin to expect that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Look for His hand of provision in your life and praise Him for His faithfulness. As you do your part, God will do His part. He will open the windows of heaven and pour out His abundant blessing on every area of your life
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for Your provision in my life. Thank You for loving me and guiding me. I trust that You are meeting every one of my needs today. Help me to follow Your commands that I may honor You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Bless One and All,
Ras ~Q
Do you pray like the Pharisee or the tax collector?
""The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'"
The lesson of two prayers
"These two prayers stand in sharp contrast to one another.
The Pharisee barely acknowledges God at all. He used his time in the Temple as an opportunity to justify himself. In the guise of thanking God, he cut down others and congratulated himself. There was no humility in him.
The tax collector, on the other hand, was rightfully aware of his sin before the most holy God. He made no claims for himself. He didn't try to justify his action. He only admitted he was a sinner.
Jesus declared that it was the humble tax collector, not the proud Pharisee, whom God was willing to justify.
May God give us the courage to admit our true condition before him. Take time to meditate on God's holiness, and give up justifying yourself. In humility, cast yourself on the Lord's mercy.
A prayer for today
O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner
from The One YearŽ Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton (Tyndale) entry for March 8"
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
When and how do you pray?
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the harp and lute and the harmony of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Giving thanks morning and night
What a way to start the day! The verses in Psalm 92 represent one of the first prayers on the priests' lips on the Sabbath day: "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!"
What if before you read your morning paper, before you head out the door, before you start the countless tasks you have to do for each day, you determine that you're going to start your day with praise for how God has "thrilled" you? Right now, you have the chance to start afresh. A new day is before you. Why not start things off right with a regimen of praise instead of the old routine? In prayer today, proclaim his unfailing love, and tonight, before going to bed, praise him again for his faithfulness.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
How can I please the Lord?
But Samuel replied [to Saul], "What is more pleasing to the Lord, your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebelling is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols.
If you love me, obey my commandments. You are my friends if you obey me.
True Friends of Jesus Obey Him
How do we demonstrate our friendship with Jesus? Quite simply, we do what he says. If we refuse, we have no right to call ourselves his friends.
In 1 Samuel 15 the Bible tells how King Saul disobeyed the Lord's command to completely destroy the enemies and their livestock. When Samuel asked the king why he heard the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle, Saul basically replied, "Oh, right, thanks for reminding me. We're saving those to offer to the Lord later!"
Samuel recognized a lie when he heard one and replied, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV). God wants the same from us, not some great annual recommitment that we soon break. He wants consistency. Regularity. Faithfulness. He wants our obedience.
(Tyndale House) p 162
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Why is obedience important to my spiritual life?
Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. You will receive a curse if your reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn from his way by worshipping foreign gods.
If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me.
"Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them."
Countercultural Obedience
To speak positively of obedience today is be profoundly countercultural. The valid suspicion of talk about obedience is grounded in the experience of authoritarianisms, both past and present. Obedience is confused with "blind obedience," which is normally odious. Obedience is confused with conformity, with going along, with asking no questions. But obedience really means responsiveness; it is related to the Latin audire, to hear, to listen, to respond appropriately. Obedience is not the surrender of responsibility but the acceptance of responsibility for what we respond to and how.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
What does God promise to those who obey?
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.
Do What He Says
Believers who build their lives on a solid foundation are like the man whom a reporter found in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Amid the devastation and debris, one house still stood firm on its foundation. The owner was cleaning up when the reporter approached him. "Sir, why is your house the only one still standing?" the reporter asked.
"I built this house myself," the man replied. "I built it according to the Florida state building code. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane. I did, and it did! I suppose no one else around here followed the code."
If you have built your life on Jesus Christ and His teaching, you will stand when the storms of life hit. If you are not merely a hearer but a doer of the His Word, you will endure. The true Christianthe one who has built his or her life on the right foundationwill stand the test.
by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House) p 113
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Facing the spiritual battle
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord's message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be saved from wicked and evil people, for not everyone believes in the Lord. But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one. May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.
About this week's promise
In order to be effective on the battlefield a soldier must be both well trained and properly equipped. The warrior must be alert for surprise attacks. So it is in our spiritual battle with Satan. Determined to destroy our faith by leading us into sin and discouragement, Satan attacks with blatant temptation and deceptive lies. The Bible teaches that the best weapons for this warfare are the Word of God and prayer.
The faith of the Thessalonian believers was being tried by persecution. Undoubtedly some of them were wavering, even failing, as the surrounding evil put them to the test. This was an important time for Paul to remind them that, no matter what happened, God's faithfulness would prevail over evil and strengthen them so that they could endure.
(Tyndale House) pp1277,1059
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Homesick for God
The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
How many people have you made homesick for God?
Spread the good news
The Samaritan woman was so amazed by Jesus and his revelations about who he was and about the secrets of her heart and life that she forgot her water jarthe very reason she'd come to the welland rushed back to the village to tell others about the "man" she had met. Up and down the streets she shared the good news about Jesus, for she had seen the Lord, the Messiah! Having received the living water, a perpetual spring within her that gave her eternal life (v. 14), she wanted others to know him too. So the people began streaming from the village to see him, eager to meet this incredible man who told people the secrets of their hearts.
Sharing with others what Jesus had done in us and for us stirs up interest in those who don't know him. His revelation in our lives draws to him people who desire to have him work in their lives as he does in ours. With whom could you share the Good News today? Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to his working in the lives of others, and be ready to share the hope that's within you.
LORD, forgive me for times when my excitement over knowing you has waned. I want others to know you and experience your work in their lives. Use me to spread the Good News. I pray that I will be so amazed by what you reveal to me today that I won't hesitate to share my hope with those who don't yet know you.
Adapted from The One YearŽ Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for May 5.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Do I need to fear the devil's intrusion?
"But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when Satan, who is completely armed, guards his palace, it is safeuntil someone who is stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings."
The Stronger Man
Do not be misled: Satan is strong in power and cunning. He has laid low some of God's choicest servants because they underestimated him and overestimated themselves. Even Samson with all his strength was no match for Satan. Nor was Solomon with all his wisdom.
So how can you keep the devil and his buddies out of your "house"? A man stronger than the one who controls you must deliver you. Only one qualifies as stronger than Satan: Jesus Christ.
I want to make it clear that genuine Christians need not fear being possessed or controlled by demons; Jesus is not into a time-sharing program with Satan. The Bible tells us, "He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." (1 John 5:18)
Oh, Satan may knock on the doors and rattle the windows. He may threaten to "huff and puff and blow the house down." But he cannot enter because someone stronger has taken up residence. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4 KJV)
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
What hope do I have to face evil?
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was seated on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Hovering around him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings.In a great chorus they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!"
Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin's fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords' loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums,
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.
The day of march has come
In 1887, Ernest Shurtleff was about to graduate from Andover Seminary. Ernest wrote a hymn for the entire graduating class to sing. He told his fellow seminarians, "We've been spending days of preparation here at seminary. Now the day of march has come, and we must go out to follow the leadership of the King of kings, to conquer the world under His banner."
Thus, "Lead On, O King Eternal" was written for a seminary graduating class. Our commencements are not always so dramatic, but there is no reason our eternal King cannot open a new door for us today. We can step out and march under His banner, "not with fears, for gladness breaks like morning where'er face appears."
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
How can I defend myself against Satan's attacks?
Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and *lo**, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT
Tricking Houdini
During his life, Harry Houdini had a standing challenge that he could escape from any jail cell within an hour. A small town in the British Isles had just constructed a new jail cell they thought was escape-proof, and they wanted to put it to the test. Houdini entered the cell and immediately went to work. After two grueling hoursan hour past his deadlineHoudini finally withdrew his file from the lock and leaned against the door in exhaustion. To his amazement, the cell door swung open.
The jailors had tricked the great magician by closing the jail door but never bolting the lock. He was free all along, he just didn't know it.
Satan has the same strategy, doesn't he? His greatest weapon is to make us think that we are trapped, when in reality the cell door is always open. Satan can't bind us, so he tricks us into making us believe the cell door is locked.
Adapted from a devotional by Frank Martin in Embracing Eternity (Tyndale House) p 292
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
What do I do when Satan attacks?
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Not the real thing
Wickedness, when you examine it, turns out to be the pursuit of some good in the wrong way. You can be good for the mere sake of goodness; you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness. You can do a kind action when you are not feeling kind and when it gives you no pleasure, simply because kindness is right; but no one ever did a cruel action simply because cruelty was wrongonly because cruelty was pleasant or useful to him. In other words, badness cannot succeed even in being bad in the same way in which goodness is good. Goodness is, so to speak, itself; badness is only spoiled goodness.Evil is a parasite, not an original thing.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Someone to count on
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands.
The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments.
The Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
About this week's promise
"You can count on meI will never let you down." That is faithfulness. Husbands and wives vow on their wedding day to be faithful to one another, devoted and committed to one another in all area of marriage. It is a vow to be with one's mate, to stay with one's mate, and to build up one's mate. Again and again throughout the Bible, God holds faithfulness up as one of his foundational qualities and a foundation quality he expects from his people. There is nothing like the faithfulness of a mate, friends and family, and God to build our sense of security.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
Today's Scripture
"...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows" (John 10:10 AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God doesn't want you to live with a "barely-get-by" attitude. He has new seasons of increase in front of you. He wants you to thrive, to live an abundant, overflowing life. Sometimes when things seem difficult, it's easy to slip into a "survival mode." When times get tough, it's tempting to just hunker down and settle where you are. If you're not careful, you'll develop a survival mentality that will keep you from growing and releasing your faith. You'll be happy just to "break even." But as God's children, we're not supposed to just break even; we're supposed to break through to a new level! We're supposed to believe for more of God's favor, increase, and promotion no matter what is happening in the world around us. Make up your mind today that no matter how difficult things seem, you are going to thrive every day! Take hold of God's promises and declare that you are rising higher. As you continue to expect His favor and increase, you'll see His hand of blessing in your life, and you will thrive and live in victory all the days of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me life. I choose today to agree with Your Word which says I can thrive and enjoy my life to the full. Help me see Your hand at work more and more each day. I bless You and give You praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Bless One and All,
Ras ~Q
Today's Scripture
"Just as the rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, making things grow and blossomso will the words that come out My mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do" (Isaiah 55:10-11, Message).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Rain is symbolic of God's blessing, favor, and refreshing. His Word is like rain that causes us to flourish and blossom in every area of life. The scripture says we should live like a well-watered garden, vibrant and growing. We should live under God's cloud of blessing. How do we do that? In the natural, a cloud is formed when moisture vapors rise up from the earth into the atmosphere. Eventually, the moisture is so abundant that the rain begins to fall. In the same way, your praise is like the invisible vapors that rise up to heaven and form a cloud. Eventually, your praise will activate an outpouring of God's blessing, favor, and provision in your life.
Do you feel like you are in a dry season? Begin to praise and thank God that He is bringing you through to a place of refreshing. Magnify and bless Him for His goodness in your life. As you turn up your praise, God will turn up the rain and you will experience His abundant outpouring. You'll experience His blessing and provision and live as an overcomer in every area of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to bless and honor You. Thank You for this day. Thank You for giving me life. Thank you for making me new. Thank you for saving me and filling me with Your peace and joy. Rain on me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Bless On ean dAll,
Ras ~Q
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr.
""The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?""
Martin Luther King Jr.
"Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person."
C. Neil Strait
" If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking him if there's anything you can do. Think of something appropriate and do it."
E. W. Howe
"If you look for the worst in people and expect to find it, you surely will."
Abraham Lincoln
"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."
Arthur C. Clarke
"Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, determined effort, and skilled execution. The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." Chinese proverb
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
Dr Seuss
"The things you fear are undefeatable, not by there nature, but by your approach"
Jewel Kiltcher
"Never fear shadows.... that always means there is a light shining somewhere." Jonathan Sant
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