Heavenly Compilation

[mc_simmons]

Hello Brethren in Christ. Welcome to my new thread. The main purpose of this is to share to you some of my spiritual collections which I love to name "Heavenly Compilation", a ministry for our Almighty God. As the world is busy in making us busy in order to divert our attention from our Abba Father, I have chosen to be busy on heavenly things that would keep me and you busy on cleaving with the Lord Jesus as preparation and form of worship for His second coming. Hallelujah!

The two among my fave bible verses that surely support this thread are:

COLOSSIANS 3: 2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So, peep in and enjoy feeding your soul and share the care for others like Jesus cares for us. :note:When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!:note:

 

[mc_simmons]

A LIFE OF SUCCESS

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV)

How does a person achieve extraordinary success? Ken Kragen, a major Hollywood agent, took talented performers like Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, and Lionel Ritchie and made them superstars. His observations on what makes the difference between a star and a superstar might surprise you.

Lots of people sing beautifully, work hard, and stay focused, yet still don't make it to the top.

According to Ken, author of Life is a Contact Sport, superstars are usually the people who get the most help. He taught his clients to cultivate help by making more contacts, sending more thank you notes, and just being nice. Being "helpable" is key to achieving your full potential.

God answers a request from Paul in 2 Corinthians with the phrase we all know so well, "My strength is made perfect in your weakness."

In other words God is saying to Paul, "By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, you can be so much stronger. If you try to do everything on your own, you'll only get so far."

Paul may not have been able to accomplish what he did for the Kingdom of God if he had not understood this message.

By opening himself up to God's help, Paul achieved superstar status in the Bible. He appreciated God's direct help spiritually, as well as the help he received through the people God had placed in his life. In most of Paul's letter we see him thanking his brethren and asking for continued help and support.

By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, your life will be so much more successful. By allowing God to work with you and through you, achieving success is not only easier, it's more lasting and more fulfilling.

Being created by God, we all have the potential for being superstars in the kingdom if only we allow ourselves to accept His help.

by Bonnie St. John, an Olympic medalist

 

[mc_simmons]

Moving Beyond the Moment

MOVING BEYOND THE MOMENT
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Sometimes, the things that hinder us from moving forward in our journey aren't always bad things.

It is possible to become hostage to our past by trying to relive something that has come and gone. This can take the form of trying to relive past achievements or defining moments in our lives.

We've all met people like this. In their wallet or purse they carry pictures or newspaper clippings of a climactic moment in their lives. They speak of the past in the present tense, as if these events happened yesterday.

It is healthy to celebrate our past moments in life, but it is unhealthy to become stuck in a moment and miss the rest of life.

Life is a motion picture, not a snapshot. It is always moving and stands still for no one.

Those who have a snapshot perspective of life can be easily identified by their conversation. They always talk about the past and how things used to be, or they dwell on what someone did to them years ago.

It's almost as if they stopped living once that moment transpired. Although they can easily recall in detail a particular moment in time that occurred years ago, they cannot clearly articulate their plans for the future.

Often, people who develop a snapshot perspective of life lose their identity in the event or situation. They define who they are by that moment in time instead of who they are as a person.

You are more than a moment! You are a motion picture that is not defined by a snapshot or one frame of the picture. If you refuse to allow your past to define your future, you will discover that life has much more to offer you than a memory.

[BOLD]by Pastor J.C. Matthew[BOLD]

 

[mc_simmons]

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

"And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant." Exodus 14:31

What makes an effective Christian leader today?

Is it charisma? Is it ability? Is it communication and oratory skills?

God's view of an effective leader has nothing to do with these qualities. They may be a part of an effective leader.

However, the core attribute of a Christian leader is his integrity with God and his obedience to follow Him. When this happens, God manifests His power in and through that leader.

Moses was effective because he was willing to obey the commands God gave him. When Moses did this, God manifested His presence in him. The result was that people followed. They followed because they saw God working in and through the man. They saw that this man was worthy of following because God's anointing was on him.

When people see the Lord's power manifested in your life, they will have a healthy fear of the Lord.

They will look at you and say, "This person has something I don't have that is worthy of more investigation."

Your challenge is to seek the Lord with a whole heart, resulting in God's power being manifested in the daily activities of your life. When this happens, you can expect others to be drawn to what they see in you.

The problem with many Christians today is that non-Christians see nothing different about the way they live to motivate the unsaved to desire their faith.

What makes you different from your neighbor?

Is your experience with God noticeably different from that of the man next door?

If you're not experiencing regular encounters with God, it's time to ask why not.

We don't live day-to-day for the next spiritual experience, but we should see by-products of a life centered in God that is reflected in fruit from His presence in our lives.

by Os Hillman

 

[mc_simmons]

STEPS OUT OF ANGER

We all have to deal with anger. So, how can we resolve anger?

Here are five important steps to get out of the anger trap:

Step 1: SORT IT OUT

Try to understand why you are angry. Remember, there is a difference between the normal irritations in life and a persistent state of anger.


Step 2: COUNT THE COST

One of the predominant causes of divorce today is negative behavior such as unkind words, abuse and constant fighting. One psychologist says that an
angry confrontation can erase 20 acts of kindness. The point is, anger can cost us dearly if we do not keep it in check.


Step 3: LET IT OUT

Release your anger to God in prayer. Tell God how you feel. He can handle it. Then go talk about it with a friend. Or, even the person you're angry at, if you can do it constructively. Whatever you do, don't keep your anger
locked up in your heart. Repressed anger visits in a host of emotional and relational problems.


Step 4: SET LIMITS

That means to control your words and behavior. God tells us to get a grip on our tongues: "When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who keeps a tight rein on his tongue is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). Don't cross the line of
verbal or physical abuse no matter how frustrated you get. Don't justify or excuse such abusive behaviors.


Step 5: GIVE IT UP

As Christians, we do not have the right to remain angry. In Christ, we have given up that right. We surrender our anger to Him and forgive others as He has forgiven us. When we forgive, we are free indeed. Free from resentment, bitterness, and anger.


So, as we walk today through the mine field of relationships replete with misunderstandings, remember the word of God: "Be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (Ephesians 4:26).

by Dr. David C. Cooper

 

[egcasidsid]

..Thanks..I have now the idea how to hold my anger....
☺☺
..I will try to practice this 5 step...
Thank you and God Bless.....
♥☺☺♥

 

[mc_simmons]

Thanks for the peep, too!

Yes, Esther. That's my prayer for you. Be ye blessed!

 

[mc_simmons]

STORING UP TREASURES

I know a man who has built a small empire of wealth--several large houses, cars, trucks, and large envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash. In addition to having a few thousands in his house, last year, he resorted to hiding a large sum in cash under a doghouse in his yard.

No, I am not giving you his address!

When I think about him and people like him, my heart breaks because, he has pursued and accumulated wealth here and failed to build a relationship with Jesus.

I imagine this is exactly what Jesus was talking about, in Matthew 6:19-21, when he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
To understand what Jesus meant, we need to know what He did not mean. Jesus was not saying we could not have nice things, or that we could not engage in wise financial planning. Moreover, He was not saying we could not enjoy
wealth and the good things in life that God gives us, or we could not run our businesses profitably.

What did Jesus mean?

Jesus is talking about two types of treasures.

The first type is the kind we accumulate on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. Jesus is saying, don't make acquiring and accumulating these types of treasures--houses, cars, degrees, prestige, popularity, vintage comic books, coin collections, paintings, CDs and albums--our main concentration, obsession and addiction, at the expense and neglect of the most important treasure--God and helping those in need.

We should guard our hearts against the addictive pursuit of material wealth because of its dangers--the love of them is the root to all kinds of evils, may hinder people's response to the gospel, create false security, make people proud, cause excessive worry, and lead people to forget God. Working for them may cause excessive tiredness, enjoying them too much may lead to self-indulgence, and misusing them may foster oppression and injustice.

The alternative is laying up treasures in heaven. He is not saying people can buy their way to heaven. However, He is calling His followers to simplify their lives and leverage their time, and wealth for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1Timothy 6:17-19). When His followers with pure motives(Matthew 6:1-4), do good, are rich in good deeds, are generous and willing to share with the marginalized, they will be laying up treasures in heaven.

Jesus goes on to say wherever our treasures and wealth are, our whole selves will be entwined with them. This verse becomes a gracious mirror in which we can see where our hearts really are.

Jesus is warning us against being totally earthbound at the neglect of eternal values.

So, how can we determine today if we are pursuing wealth at the expense of God? How can we understand where our hearts really are? I believe the following questions can help us:

What occupies my thoughts and daydreams when I have nothing else to do?

What do I fret about most?

Apart from my immediate family, who or what do I most dread losing?

What are the things I measure others by?

What is it that we know we cannot be happy without?

Let's pray about and determine how much is enough and release the rest to build the kingdom and help others find the real treasure: Jesus.

by Pastor Marvin Williams

 

[mc_simmons]

A Lifestyle of Giving

A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING


"whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."Galatians 6:7b

When I read that scripture, I get very excited about giving. I mean uncontainable excitement and guess what, I am not even thinking about
financial giving.

It seems sometimes we get stuck there - believing the only way we can give is with money. This means if we don't have any money, we may feel that we have nothing to give.

However, there are so many other ways to give. Matter of fact, giving should be a part of your lifestyle. It should be something that you do so freely and regularly that it's just a natural part of who you are.

So you ask, "How can I give something other than money?"

You can give of your time by serving in a ministry within the four walls of your church or even volunteering with an organization in your community.

Going even further than that, make sure you are giving your time to your family. Don't always give the best of you to everyone else and only give your family your leftovers.

You can give of your heart and compassion to those that may simply need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on or someone to pray with them.

Sometimes giving of your heart may be sharing an encouraging word or even a simple hug or hello to a stranger.

Of course, you can also give of your money--in addition to your regular tithes and offering--you can give to some of the special projects your
church may be working on. You can give to that youth trying to save money to go study abroad. You can give to that family down the street that may be struggling due to someone being laid off. You can give to your local homeless shelter or children's hospital.

Needless to say, daily we are presented with opportunities to give. Let's all make an effort to give something of ourselves daily until it becomes a lifestyle.

I guarantee you will find out what it means to be blessed to be a blessing!

by Tanya James

 

[mc_simmons]

Pleasing the ONE

AN AUDIENCE OF ONE


"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

What audience do you play to?

Each day you are seen by many who will make a judgment about the way you handle yourself among different audiences.

Politicians have learned to play to their audiences, customizing messages for the needs of their particular groups.

Musicians have learned to play to their audiences.

Pastors play to their congregations each Sunday morning.

Workplace believers play to the audiences who will buy their product.

Christ has called us to play to one audience--the audience of Himself.

When you seek to please any other audience in your life, you become susceptible to situational ethics and motivations based on the need for the moment. Your audience becomes a pawn in your hands because you know what they want. Is that wrong? Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

Pure obedience to pleasing God in our lives will often meet the needs of those around us.

It is God's will that you and I love our spouses, provide good services to our customers, and look to the interests of others before ourselves. This will result in meeting many needs of the audiences in our lives.

However, there are other times when our audiences are asking for something contrary to God's will.

Politicians are often forced to appease their audiences, even though it may go against God's laws. When we are asked to go with the flow, we discover which audience is most important in our lives. Is it the audience of One, or the audience of many?

Today, be aware of which audience you are playing to.

Ask yourself why you are taking a particular action.

Is it to please the audience of One?

Or is it to please the audience of others who might negatively impact you should you not play to their tune?

by Os Hillman

 

[mc_simmons]

What Is Quiet Time?

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
John 10:14

A quiet time is an intimate, face-to-face, heart-to-heart connection with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

It's the time when you actually build your relationship with Jesus. Specifically, it is a time for you to get up every day and read the Bible and pray and get closer to Him.

A lot of people say to think to themselves: "I prayed a prayer, but I don't feel closer to God; or I felt really close to God when I was at that retreat or camp, but now I don't feel very close to Him."

You're not going to feel close to anybody if you're not spending time with them.

If you were married and didn't spend time with your spouse, the two of you would not grow any closer. Actually, you would move farther and farther apart.

A quiet time is an expression of your commitment to be a true follower of Christ.

It's as if you're saying, "Lord, I'm going to make sure that I don't accidentally get farther and farther away from You. In fact, I'm going to use this time to get closer and closer to You. I'm going to use it as a time to get fed by You and to get filled up with You and to understand more of You."

Before you do anything else, start your day with God. Talk to Him, seek Him in His Word and pray through your day. Make it your top priority.

Maybe you've never had a quiet time with God before. Start thinking about what kind of quiet time you want to have and where you want to have it. Think about what time you need to get up in order to have enough time to read your Bible and pray before you start your day with the world.

Your personal relationship with God is the dynamite that it will take to effect this generation. You will begin to spread the gospel as your character becomes like Christ. This transformation process can only happen in direct relationship with Christ.

The more we know Jesus, and look like Him, the easier it will be to lead people to him.

by Ron Luce