Today's Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 11: 1-40
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE
Margret was a very poised woman. She had a good paying job, a wonderful family consisting of a loving husband with four children, and a house that supported her family comfortably. The only thing that Margret seemed unsure about was her schedule. She often asked co-workers what time it was, because she didn't want to miss something important that included her family. Other than that, Margret led the perfect life... Or so it seemed.
Margret, often called "Mags" by her husband, appeared to be in total control of her life. Working decent hours of the day, she was always there for her family for anything they needed. But under the thick cover of perfection and control, Margret's life was anything but coordinated. Worrying daily for her family, Margret's mental state was always in shambles due to the constant worrying that she did. Her family had no clue that Margret was under so much stress until her older son "Michale" announced we was going to enlist in the United States Army.
"Michale," Margret gasped, "Why son? There's so much danger involved in a career like that... Why couldn't you be something else?"
Soon, Margret's son deployed to Iraq, and Margret fell into a state of utter chaos and disorder. Worrying every night for her son's safety, Margret failed to realize that God was in control of her life and would keep things running according to his plan.
After a few months of falling backwards in her daily walk with Christ, Margret's husband suggested they have a family counseling hour using the bible as their backup to help Margret overcome her addiction to worrying.
Within a few weeks of praying and allowing God to re-take over her life and relieve her mind, Margret was her happy self again, only worrying about the time, and not everything that was minuscule and petty.
The Bible tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" and that we should put all our faith and trust in God, for he is the ultimate dealer of all things, and he knows the plan for our daily lives. Falling back on God for prayer and supplication is the best solution for any situation in life... all we need to do is try. Our father in Heaver is listening no matter what.
Don't forget to read Hebrews 11:1-40!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Father's Day; John 3:16-20 & Matthew 5:48
Today's Scripture Reading:
John 3:16-20; Matthew 5:48
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE John 3:16-20
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE Matthew 5:48
Justin had a hard life. His parent's divorced when he was 9, and there had been excessive bickering between the parents ever since. Being just a little boy, Justin had no idea what it all meant, only that he would not see his father as much as he used to. When his mother would call Justin' father to remind him about a special event that Justin was going to participate in, his father would never respond. It was either "I didn't get the call," or "I couldn't make it."
Over time, things smoothed out between Justin's parents, and eventually, Justin's family was on speaking terms with one another, but Justin never forgot about his father never being there for him.
A couple of years later when Justin was 19, Justin's mother was diagnoses with Leukemia, a deadly cancer. Since Justin's family had been "mending their relationship" Justin decided to call his father and alert him of his mother's poor health. Unfortunately, Justin's father was not up to being the father and husband he had pledged to be when he said "I Do" and sadly, Justin's father never showed up to visit his wife.
One day, after four long years with an up-hill battle, Justin's mother's health declined rapidly, and the doctors only predicted a few days of life for Justin's mother. Once again, out of desperation for a shoulder to lean on, Justin called his father and alerted him of this mother's declining health and that this would likely be the last time he would see his wife alive. Hearing those words spoken so solemly from his son, Justin's father quickly drove to the emergency room to say his final goodbyes.
Sadly, after his mother had passed away, Justin's father released a flood of emotion, only to receive a harsh set of words from his son Justin.
"What do you mean 'I loved your mother more than you know?!'" "You were never here for us when we needed you!"
Justin's father could only sob in utter pain at the life he had made for himself, as well as for his family. Amid the all the emotions that were being passed around in the hospital room, Justin's father asked for forgiveness for his past transgressions of not being the "perfect" father.
Being the Christian individual that Justin had always been, Justin prayed with his father to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and prayed for a new beginning for him and his father. Even though Justin did not necessarily have to respond the way that he did, he new that his duty was to follow the image of God for others to see.
The bible tells us that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Even when earthly father's fail us miserably, we always have a heavenly father to whom we can turn to in the worst of times. Our heavenly father can save us from whatever our earthly father's cannot. Whether it be sin in our lives, or just for a fresh beginning, our heavenly father is there for us no matter what. This father's day tell your earthly father that you love them, and forgive them, and don't forget to also tell your father in Heaven that you love him too.
Don't forget to read John 3:16-20 & Matthew 5:48!
John 3:16-20; Matthew 5:48
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE John 3:16-20
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE Matthew 5:48
Justin had a hard life. His parent's divorced when he was 9, and there had been excessive bickering between the parents ever since. Being just a little boy, Justin had no idea what it all meant, only that he would not see his father as much as he used to. When his mother would call Justin' father to remind him about a special event that Justin was going to participate in, his father would never respond. It was either "I didn't get the call," or "I couldn't make it."
Over time, things smoothed out between Justin's parents, and eventually, Justin's family was on speaking terms with one another, but Justin never forgot about his father never being there for him.
A couple of years later when Justin was 19, Justin's mother was diagnoses with Leukemia, a deadly cancer. Since Justin's family had been "mending their relationship" Justin decided to call his father and alert him of his mother's poor health. Unfortunately, Justin's father was not up to being the father and husband he had pledged to be when he said "I Do" and sadly, Justin's father never showed up to visit his wife.
One day, after four long years with an up-hill battle, Justin's mother's health declined rapidly, and the doctors only predicted a few days of life for Justin's mother. Once again, out of desperation for a shoulder to lean on, Justin called his father and alerted him of this mother's declining health and that this would likely be the last time he would see his wife alive. Hearing those words spoken so solemly from his son, Justin's father quickly drove to the emergency room to say his final goodbyes.
Sadly, after his mother had passed away, Justin's father released a flood of emotion, only to receive a harsh set of words from his son Justin.
"What do you mean 'I loved your mother more than you know?!'" "You were never here for us when we needed you!"
Justin's father could only sob in utter pain at the life he had made for himself, as well as for his family. Amid the all the emotions that were being passed around in the hospital room, Justin's father asked for forgiveness for his past transgressions of not being the "perfect" father.
Being the Christian individual that Justin had always been, Justin prayed with his father to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and prayed for a new beginning for him and his father. Even though Justin did not necessarily have to respond the way that he did, he new that his duty was to follow the image of God for others to see.
The bible tells us that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Even when earthly father's fail us miserably, we always have a heavenly father to whom we can turn to in the worst of times. Our heavenly father can save us from whatever our earthly father's cannot. Whether it be sin in our lives, or just for a fresh beginning, our heavenly father is there for us no matter what. This father's day tell your earthly father that you love them, and forgive them, and don't forget to also tell your father in Heaven that you love him too.
Don't forget to read John 3:16-20 & Matthew 5:48!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
All That Glitters; James 5:1-20
Today's Scripture Reading:
James 5:1-20
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE
Katelyn had everything she could ever want. Her family moved to a wealthy suburb, drove expensive cars, knew everyone in the social limelight. However, Katelyn felt as if she had to work twice as hard to fit in with her new life. Previously, Katelyn's family was the average family with the average income that supported a privileged lifestyle, but nothing extravagant. Prior to the "big promotion" in Katelyn's life, Katelyn had always dreamed of becoming popular and being the social drama queen of the community. Living a peaceful and full filling life as a normal teen, Katelyn had a relatively easy lifestyle.
Since the big move, Katelyn feels it's harder to keep up with the daily grind of her new lifestyle and balance what really makes Katelyn "Katelyn." A God-fearing young lady before the big move, Katelyn had always consulted God before she engaged in any drastic changes in her life, however since the "new Katelyn" had emerged, things were beginning to fall apart drastically due to Katelyn trusting her own instincts rather than fall back on God for prayer and supplication.
One night, after a long day with her new friends and family acquaintances, Katelyn received a phone call from one of her best friends from her "old neighborhood." Her friend had accused her of abandoning her past friendships for a more sophisticated lifestyle that didn't include God or any of her prior daily life habits. Katelyn became enraged.
"How can you say that? I'm your best friend for life!" yelled Katelyn. "If you don't trust me that much, then why even call?!"
It was apparent then, as Katelyn screamed obscenities at her friend over the phone, that she was no longer in control of her life, but rather being controled by earthly treasures that profited her nothing but a lost relationship with lifelong friends, but most importantly, her first love, Jesus Christ.
Katelyn quickly hung up the phone in embarrassment from loosing her temper so quickly with her "old best friend." She dropped to the floor in a pile of fancy clothes and jewlery and prayed as hard and as earnestly as she could for a life-changing turn around from Christ.
Even though Katelyn had recieved the "big promotion" in life, she found it hard to fit in. Katelyn had forgotten that God created her in his own special way, and that she didn't need "promotions" to be accepted. The bible warns that if we "store up treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy" we will not store up treasures in the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather than focusing on earthly possessions, we should be more open-minded to God, and focus on how we can better our relationship with God, and our fellow brothern in Christ. It is important to remember God accepts us just as we are, even without all the fancy "bling" that sometimes becomes a stumbling block in our daily lives and that God is the one true possession that is far superior to any other.
Don't forget to read James 5:1-20!
James 5:1-20
CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE
Katelyn had everything she could ever want. Her family moved to a wealthy suburb, drove expensive cars, knew everyone in the social limelight. However, Katelyn felt as if she had to work twice as hard to fit in with her new life. Previously, Katelyn's family was the average family with the average income that supported a privileged lifestyle, but nothing extravagant. Prior to the "big promotion" in Katelyn's life, Katelyn had always dreamed of becoming popular and being the social drama queen of the community. Living a peaceful and full filling life as a normal teen, Katelyn had a relatively easy lifestyle.
Since the big move, Katelyn feels it's harder to keep up with the daily grind of her new lifestyle and balance what really makes Katelyn "Katelyn." A God-fearing young lady before the big move, Katelyn had always consulted God before she engaged in any drastic changes in her life, however since the "new Katelyn" had emerged, things were beginning to fall apart drastically due to Katelyn trusting her own instincts rather than fall back on God for prayer and supplication.
One night, after a long day with her new friends and family acquaintances, Katelyn received a phone call from one of her best friends from her "old neighborhood." Her friend had accused her of abandoning her past friendships for a more sophisticated lifestyle that didn't include God or any of her prior daily life habits. Katelyn became enraged.
"How can you say that? I'm your best friend for life!" yelled Katelyn. "If you don't trust me that much, then why even call?!"
It was apparent then, as Katelyn screamed obscenities at her friend over the phone, that she was no longer in control of her life, but rather being controled by earthly treasures that profited her nothing but a lost relationship with lifelong friends, but most importantly, her first love, Jesus Christ.
Katelyn quickly hung up the phone in embarrassment from loosing her temper so quickly with her "old best friend." She dropped to the floor in a pile of fancy clothes and jewlery and prayed as hard and as earnestly as she could for a life-changing turn around from Christ.
Even though Katelyn had recieved the "big promotion" in life, she found it hard to fit in. Katelyn had forgotten that God created her in his own special way, and that she didn't need "promotions" to be accepted. The bible warns that if we "store up treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy" we will not store up treasures in the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather than focusing on earthly possessions, we should be more open-minded to God, and focus on how we can better our relationship with God, and our fellow brothern in Christ. It is important to remember God accepts us just as we are, even without all the fancy "bling" that sometimes becomes a stumbling block in our daily lives and that God is the one true possession that is far superior to any other.
Don't forget to read James 5:1-20!
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