The Hand that Gives - Gathers!

The Bible teaches that we should provide for others when they appeal to us in a time of extreme need. The Lord Jesus directly commanded it when He said, "Give to everyone who asks of you.." The same truth is also found in Ecclesiastes 11:2 where we are instructed to "give a portion to seven, and also to eight." We are not only told to look after our own personal needs, but we are also to be concerned about the pressing needs of those around us.

Do you of know of someone that needs a bag of groceries? Would that large underprivileged family at the end of the block enjoy some delicious meal you could provide? If so, do that deed of kindness today! Remember, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." (Prov.19:17) (HGB)



"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4

What is your Priority?

Putting Christ first in our lives brings satisfaction that lasts!

To be successful and to be an effective witness for Christ, we, as believers, must keep each aspect of our life in the proper order of priorities. No matter what we aspire for, our having ceaseless longings and desires, to climb the ladder of success, consider this.. first matter of business must always be, God's business!

Our awesome God knows that we have earthly needs (Matt. 6:32), and He knows that you have tasks to do here on earth. But think of this thing: ...He expects us to give Him first place and to seek His righteousness above all else!

What is your priority, my Friend?

Time Alone With God

Did you know that God wants to spend time alone with you? (John 4:23)

When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he becomes a member of God's family . .
a child of God. . he can call God his father! (Galatians 3:26 Living Letters) Any good father wants to spend time with his children - sometimes with all of them together . . but often with each one alone. That is the way that a person gets to know another person well - by spending time alone with him.

So the best way to get to know your Heavenly Father is to spend time alone with Him. He has made it clear that He is interested in us who are His children.

Whatever the time, be consistent in meeting Him, Jesus rose early to pray... and He went somewhere that was quiet - a good idea for us!

There is no ritual to your time alone with God ... any more than there would be in spending time alone with an earthly parent.

And He is looking forward to spending some time alone with you tomorrow and every day! (BGEA 77)

May this inspirational message help you strengthen your fellowship with our Lord Jesus!

Begin the Day with Hope

While we usually wake up each morning anticipating the activities of a new day, sometimes we experience feelings of dread. After a night of fitful sleep, we may feel ill-equipped to face the problems we expect to encounter. Dark, depressing thoughts can quickly overwhelm us. Instead, look forward in faith to God, backward in gratitude for His mercies and forward in expectation of His mighty deliverance. Thus, we could enter the new day with hope!

Christian friend, some mornings you and I will wake up to a very difficult day. When this happens we can either give in to despair or follow the example of King David in Psalm 3:5, 6.

Faith, gratitude, and expectation will enable us to face the most trying day with strong confidence in God!" (HVL)

"Times of Silence"

The silence of a moment would often bring the words of Psalm 46:10 to mind: "Be still. and know that I am God." Also, in Habakkuk 2:20... the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him."

But there are other times of silence when GOD speaks to us. Sooner or later we lie sleepless as a result of illness, grief, or anxiety. These can be precious moments of quiet solitude when we tell the Lord we love Him and want Him to speak to us. In the stillness, we can learn lessons we'd learn in no other way. We experience a new peace - a fresh sense of His presence. But we need not wait for a sleepless night!

Let's set aside some time today to be silent before God!!! - (HVL)

The quiet hour is the power hour.

"Times of Silence"

Devotions that Work

Devotions. Quiet Time. Bible Study. Many titles and many different approaches, but one purpose: to keep us in touch with God and His Word. Time alone with the Lord can be hampered by busy schedules, shortened by interruptions, or neglected by apathy. But personal devotions are essential for spiritual growth and effective service. Perhaps you feel that way, but you've been spending more time in working at devotions that you have in learning from them. If so, it may help to divide your time into several segments.

PRAYER. As you begin your quiet time, ask God for guidance and freedom from distraction. This will help to quiet your heart and prepare you for fellowship with Him.

BIBLE READING. Make God's Word the very heart of your devotions, for it is the source of all truth, and a guide for living. Bible study will be ineffective without a method of Scripture selection, so choose a basic approach--verse by verse, thematic, or possibly a character study (like King David). Keep the passage short, and read it slowly and thoughtfully.

DEVOTIONAL READING. With the Scripture passage firmly in mind, turn to a guide such as Our Daily Bread (available in any Christian Bookstores) or devotional commentary. From these you can get helpful insights and practical applications.

MEDITATION. Reread the Scripture and allow each truth you find to become a part of your thinking. This will help you get a grasp of God's Word. Also, as you notice key verses, memorize them for later reference (example: John 3:16).

PRAYER AND APPLICATION. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you implement what you've learned. Then as you get into your day, put into practice any words of advice or wisdom you discovered in your meditation. Especially helpful are short statements that capture the day's theme.

Make a habit of learning and growing in the Lord each day. (I DID!!) Then, instead of just working at devotions, you'll have devotions that work. (DB '84)

A Gift from God!!

The Bible tells about the kind of gift that shows the generosity of the giver... (1 Peter 4:10).. it is the manifold Grace of God!!!!

GRACE is undeserved favor. It is the free kindness that comes from the Lord. It includes all the help the Lord offers those who wait upon Him. Grace is experienced not only as the favor of His forgiveness, but also as the energy and ability He gives to enable His people (we) to live His way!!

The Grace of God gives us to serve HIM is absolutely free!! It surpasses anything this world has to offer - and it's ours for the asking.

The only limit to God's grace is the limit we put upon it!