We don't always need to know where we are going as long as we know whom we are following. God is in control. Even when we wind up in strange places or unusual circumstances, the Father is not caught by surprise.

Mike Clay

God Loves You

There are certain key things that every new believer in Christ should know. The first is that you are God's child -- God loves you! You can be sure that God loves you forever.

You can also know that God loves you so much that He came searching for you, even when you are lost.

The parable in the Bible of the woman with the lost coin tells us this. "Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says,

'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

In the same way, God gave His only Son Jesus Christ so that we might come to have eternal life. Let us pray that: you and I will have God's heart of love for those who do not know Christ.

God's love for us is wonderful! Let us share His love for the world with those who do not know Him.

(Weekly Global Media Outreach Prayer Letter
Global Media Prayer Team

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor will labor in vain.

And A Meadow Lark Sang

The child whispered, "God, speak to me." And a meadowlark sang, but the child did not hear.

So the child yelled, "God, speak to me!" And the thunder rolled across the sky, but the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said, "God let me see you."And a star shone brightly, but the child did not notice.

And the child shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And a life was born, but the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair, "Touch me God, andlet me know you are here!"

Whereupon God reached down and touched the child. But the child brushed the butterfly away and walked away unknowingly.

- Ravindra Kumar Karnani

Translated from the Hindi language.

"Our own reality may be difficult for us to face withhonesty, but it is the only reliable and reasonableplace to begin."- Donald DeMarco

Our Prayer

So much Him, so little me... that as I work it is Him they see... no longer I but Jesus in me.

(shared by Cherry during this morning's devotion)

Do not worry

Do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Matthew 6: 31-32

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

Victor Hugo

One Solitary Life

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in an obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years, he was an itinerant teacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never traveled, except in his infancy, more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself.

While he was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth, his seamless robe.

When he was dead, he was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave through the courtesy of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of all human progress.

I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary personality.

Rev. Dr. James Allan Francis

If your knees are shaking, kneel on them.

Grace before reading a book

Grace before reading a book

Eternal Father, as we open the pages of this book we have chosen to read, we would express our gratitude for all the noble thoughts, which the mind of man has given to the world.

We are grateful for the opportunity afforded us by good books to become companions of great minds and hearts. May we keep our minds always open and receptive to truth and beauty, knowing that these finally are manifested in our character.

May we treat this book as we respect and admire a friend. May we always choose for our reading moments books, which will elevate our hearts, ennoble our minds and lift our spirits.

For all the good things which come our way, we are grateful and most of all, dear Father, may we be worthy of them.

Amen.

(From the book Treasury of Courage and Confidence by Norman Vincent Peale)

God governs

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth – that God governs the affairs of men.

Benjamin Franklin

Biblical Verse

Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. (NLT)

Ecclesiastes 10:10

God's Embroidery

God's Embroidery

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering.

As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.

She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."

I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.

Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."

Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life." I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"

The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side."

Author: Unknown

Does God still speak to us?

Does God Still Speak To Us?

A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"

After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways. It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God.. If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.

He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street." This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will". He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop.

He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."

The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep.

He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid."

Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and t-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you."

The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We Were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?" The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand.

He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.

Author Unknown

A Love Letter

Dear Friend,

As You got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday but I noticed you were to busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work or class.

I waited again. When you ran around the house or dorm getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes w/ nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.

I watched as you went to school and work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities, I guess you were too busy all day to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me even yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV or the net; I don't know if I like TV or computers or not, just about anything goes there & you spend a lot of time each day in front of them, not thinking about anything-just enjoying the show.

I waited patiently again as you watched TV and ate your meal but again you didn't talk to me. At bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time.

That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

Because I love you so much, a long time ago I left a wonderful place called Heaven and came to Earth. I gave it up so that I could be ridiculed and made fun of. and I even died so you wouldn't have to take my place.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, praise or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Love Always,
Your Friend,
Jesus

The Resume of Jesus Christ

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible.
Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background

I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49)

I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills, Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18)

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33)

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6)

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3)

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105)

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21)

Major Accomplishments

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26)

I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15)

I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15)

I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead.

There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15)


(Yhen's Note: This article is one of the best things I found on the web. My apologies if I am not able to name the author here for I also do not know him/her. To whoever you are, thank you for inspiring us to be true Christian workers with Jesus as the ultimate example.)

Dear God

Dear God, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so tha t I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess w ith my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.In God's Name, May God bless you.

The Five-Finger Prayer

THE FIVE-FINGER PRAYER


1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your little finger should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Christian Spirituality

Christian Spirituality

All people express some form of spirituality, but not all spirituality is transforming. In fact, most of us don’t feel all that changed! Archbishop Desmond Tutu comments: “Spirituality of transformation is the basis of any true and lasting transfiguration in our world” (God has a dream, p. 108).

The gospel proclaims that God doesn’t merely seek to forgive us and then leave us in our same sinful and suffering lives. God’s will is for our transformation. In Luke 9 we find the account of Jesus’ “Transfiguration” or transformation. Through these three devotions, we’ll focus on insights found in this chapter.


Read Luke 9:28-36


Transfiguration!

For a moment, the veil was removed and Jesus’ divine nature was clearly evident. Jesus’ face shone with glory. His human flesh radiated divine presence. In Jesus, God’s holiness and our human-ness, the sacred and the ordinary are united in glory.

Moses represented the Law, Elijah the Prophets and now here was Jesus, the Messiah. Peter wanted to build three houses for them, but the Father speaks from heaven, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him” (9:36).

Matthew’s account adds the further words, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 17:5) We’re not transformed merely by the Law and Prophets. Spoken and written words aren’t enough. The Father called to Peter – focus on my Son! Our lives are changed by the incarnate, Living Word of God.

When the disciples looked up again, all they saw was Jesus.

In Christ, God loves us so much that God accepts us as we are. But God loves us too much to leave us that way.

The gospel is not just the good news of forgiveness, but also of transformation!

In Jesus we are adopted as sons and daughters of God our Father. In Jesus we hear the Father saying to us, “behold, my beloved sons and daughters”.

What a transformation this brings in the sense of identity and worth for all of us, and especially for the marginalised! We are not merely God’s servants. We are friends of God, sons and daughters.

Jesus bore our humanity that we might participate in his divinity. He took upon himself our brokenness that we might share in his holiness. He experienced our death that we might enjoy his eternal life.

We’ve been created to share in God’s glory.

Read aloud the following verses:

· “What we do know is this: when Christ is revealed, we will be like him, we will see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, such as he is pure.” I John 3:3

· “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness…so that you…may become participants in the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4

· “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Our efforts to transform poverty and injustice won’t be sustained or successful by our own efforts (obedience to laws), or our own strong words (prophetic proclamations). It will only be sustained as we participate in the life of the God in whom we are living.

As Jayakumar Christian, the national director of World Vision India says,

“I don’t carry the burden of taking God to the poor. I only carry the burden of following God there. We don’t merely implement projects. That’s the devil’s bluff. We are on sacred ground for we walk with the God who has gotten up from his throne to respond to the cries of the poor. We are communicating who God is. We are making a theological statement by our involvement with the poor. This is the nature of the God I worship. People should look at the way we work and discern that this God is a different God. World Vision’s credibility is a small thing. God’s character being expressed is our longing.”

Discussion and reflection questions

1. What is your response to this idea that God wills our transformation, and that to be a Christian is to express more and more God’s glory?

2. Reflect for a moment privately on ways God has changed your life through Christ. If Christ could transform another aspect of your life in the coming months, what would you ask him to do?

3. Jayakumar says, “People should look at the way we work and discern that this God is a different God. World Vision’s credibility is a small thing. God’s character being expressed is our longing.” How can we as World Vision more effectively express “God’s character”?

Prayer

Pray together, either silently or aloud, for the very character of Christ to be expressed both in our individual lives, as well as in our life as an organization.

Conclude by praying in unison:

“Holy God, transform us more and more into the image of your beloved Son. We long for your character to be expressed through us. May the world encounter your transforming beauty, goodness and holiness through our life and work.

Give us today everything we need to walk according to your will through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to the glory of God the Father. Amen.”