Archive for March, 2010

I read a story about a man who lived in a tiny apartment and died in extreme poverty. At one point in his life, he had even been homeless, living on the streets. This man never had any successes to speak of nor any noted victories. He lived and died as just another face in the crowd.

After the funeral, some family members went to his little run-down apartment to clear out his belongings. They found a painting hanging on the wall so they decided to sell it at a garage sale. The woman who bought the picture took it to a local art gallery for an appraisal and was shocked to discover that the painting was extremely valuable. The piece of art that hung for so many years in a little run-down apartment was painted by a famous artist who lived in the early 1800s. The woman decided to auction off that painting and ended up selling it for several million dollars.

Just think how that poor man’s life might have changed if he had known the value of what he possessed. He was a multimillionaire and didn’t even know it. So many people live like that today with priceless treasure inside, and they don’t even know it. Sometimes we have to explore what’s on the inside of us to really understand what we have.

I encourage you today; don’t settle for living a mediocre existence. You are a masterpiece created by the most famous Artist of all. Every morning when you get out of bed, remind yourself, I am important. I am handpicked by God, and I am a person of extreme value and significance.

For we are God’s masterpiece…(Ephesians 2:10, NLT).

by Victoria Osteen

Remain in His blessings:]

Sharing God’s Plan Of Salvation

Jesus told His disciples, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The implication is that if we are really following, we’ll be fishing -soul-winning. Jesus’ last words were, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The Christians in the New Testament went everywhere, preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).

How, then, can you and I be effective witnesses for Him?

1. Ask God to give you an evangelistic burden for others. Ask Him to help you see the world as He sees it, and to lay upon your heart a handful of people for whom you can earnestly pray. Then pray over those names every day. Keep a little prayer list, and pray for an opportunity of reaching these souls for Christ. An old song says, “Lord, lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me; / And may I humbly do my part to win that soul to Thee.”

2. Live a consistent Christian life before these people. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). We must live obedient lives of integrity and authentic faith. We must love when others hate, and forgive when others harbor grudges. We must remain trusting when others panic, and be honest when all around us are cooking the books. Not that we’re going to be perfect-only Christ was sinless. But we must have a growing, maturing Christian life that others recognize and respect.

3. Build bridges to others. When the Lord shows you those needing Christ, seek to build a relationship with them. Remember how Jesus went to the home of Zacchaeus where many sinners had gathered? While we must be careful not to place ourselves in an environment where we’ll be pulled down, we must be equally careful to cultivate friendships with those needing Christ. Perhaps Christ has placed you in your particular school or workplace just to reach those whom no one else can reach.

4. Learn the Gospel. Memorize the following verses and practice saying them in a mirror or to another Christian until you’re comfortable sharing them with someone needing Christ: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9, 10, 13; 1 John 5:1, 13.

5. Watch for openings to share a word for Christ. Peter said: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

6. If the right opportunity doesn’t come naturally, create one. Sometimes we wait too long, looking for just the right time to invite someone to church or to share with them the message of the Gospel. There often comes a point when we must prayerfully introduce the subject and do our best to impress someone with their need for Christ.

7. Leave the results with God. We’re responsible for sharing the Gospel, but only God can convert the soul. Having done your best, let Him do the rest. And if you ever feel you’ve botched the job, think of Edward Kimball. He was determined to win his Sunday school class to Christ, including a teenager named Dwight Moody who tended to fall asleep on Sundays. His heart pounding, Kimball entered the store where the young man worked. “I put my hand on his shoulder, and as I leaned over I placed my foot upon a shoebox. I asked him to come to Christ.” It didn’t seem to go well, and Kimball left thinking he had botched the job. Moody, however, left the store that day a new person and eventually became the most prominent evangelist in America during his generation.

Be blessed………

The Bible tells us that Daniel had an excellent spirit. If you study his life, you’ll find that he chose excellent friends. Do you know who he hung out with? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – the three Hebrew teenagers who refused to bow down to the king’s golden idol. It’s no wonder Daniel was a person of excellence. His friends were people of courage and integrity, people who wouldn’t compromise.

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to make sure the people you are choosing to spend time with have qualities that you want. Whether you realize it or not, the people you spend time with are rubbing off on you. Don’t think you can just sit in the lunchroom every day and listen to gossip and people badmouth the company and not be affected by it. Whether you join in or not, that poison is going inside of you. If you stay there long enough, more often than not, you’ll become a gossiper just like them. What’s the solution? Find somewhere else to eat lunch. Sit at a different table. Go outside. Yes, people may talk about you, they may think you’re odd, but you need to just rise above it. You have a destiny to fulfill. You are going places. You have to set yourself up for success by keeping that poison out of your life.

Psychologists tell us there is something called the “law of the group,” which means we associate with people according to the way we see ourselves. Have you ever noticed how, most of the time, people who gossip find other people who gossip? Negative people gravitate toward other negative people. Complainers seem to always find the other complainers. That’s where that saying “birds of a feather flock together” comes from. We find people just like us. Knowing this, I encourage you to evaluate your friendships. If your friends are all negative, tend to compromise, or settle for mediocrity, it’s time to get some new friends. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 13:20 that if you spend time with wise people, you will become wise. In the same way, if you spend time with victorious people, you will become victorious. If you spend time with successful people, you will become successful. So choose your friends carefully so you can set yourself up for success and be equipped to move forward in the destiny God has prepared for you!

by Joel Osteen

Remain in HIS Blessings :]

As believers, we have to have a made-up mind. If we want to see God work in our lives, we can’t go back and forth on what we believe. If you leave church on Sunday all excited and feeling confident that God loves you, but by Tuesday you’re wondering if He’s there or how He feels about you, that’s being double-minded. When you’re double-minded, the Bible says you’re unstable.

God wants us to be stable and secure in His love for us. Sometimes we have to choose to believe His Word even when we don’t feel it. We have to know He loves us even when the pressures of life make it difficult to feel that love. Life will try to put a spirit of heaviness on you. Circumstances will try to bring you down, but God wants to take you up higher. He wants to do things that no man can do. He wants bless your life. But it all starts when you come into agreement with Him. You have to get up every morning and say, “God, I know You are for me; You’re not against me.” You have to have a made-up mind!

Today, no matter what you are facing, no matter what you are feeling, choose to believe God’s Word. Know that He loves you and wants the best for you. He is working in your life and taking you one step at a time. Let His love build confidence and security in You because He is faithful, and He will finish the work He started in you!

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does (James 1:6-8, NIV).

by Victoria Osteen.

Remain in HIS Blessings:]

I heard a story about a little girl who was carefully saving her allowance money so she could buy something special at the toy store. She didn’t have much, only a few dollars, but one day her daddy took her to the store. She was overwhelmed by endless aisles filled with games, dolls, and trinkets. Finally, a particular item caught her eye, and she knew it was exactly what she wanted—a lovely strand of white, plastic pearls. She made her purchase and immediately went home to show off her treasure. She was so proud of that necklace. She wore it every day for several weeks. Her father saw this as an opportunity to teach her about trust, so one day he asked her, “Honey, will you give me your pearls?” “No, Daddy, I love my pearls!” she replied. “I can’t give you my pearls!” Her father didn’t mention the pearl necklace for several days, and then he asked again, “Sweetie, do you trust me?”

“Yes, Daddy.” “Will you give me your pearls?” And again she answered,” No, Daddy, I can’t give you my pearls!” Several more days passed, and the father went a third time to his daughter. “Do you trust me? Will you give me your pearls?”

Finally, with tears welling in her eyes, she reluctantly took off her beloved plastic pearls and handed them to her father. “Here, Daddy. You can have my pearls.” Immediately, the father pulled from his pocket a small blue box and handed it to his daughter. Her eyes grew wide with excitement as she opened it to find the most gorgeous strand of genuine pearls. As he fastened the pearls around her neck, the father said, “I had these special pearls for you all along; all you had to do was trust me.”

Is there something you are holding on to today that is keeping you from God’s best? If you’ll trust Him and let go of what’s in your hand, an exchange will take place. God will let go of what’s in His hand for you—peace, strength, wisdom, favor, and more. He’ll give you exactly what you need.

Remember, God is taking you on a journey of faith. Be open to seeing things from a new perspective. Don’t settle for second best when God has so much more. All you have to do is learn to trust in Him!

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

By Victoria Osteen

Remain in HIS Blessings:]

 ACROSS 
1 the best of ___ and the finest of wines (Isa 25:6)
5 the idolaters and everyone who loves and ___ falsehood (Rev 22:15)
10 I had rebuilt the wall and not a ___ was left in it (Neh 6:1)
11 who is praised by all the churches for his ___ to the gospel. (2 Cor 8:18)
14 After an ___ of several years I came to Jerusalem (Acts 24:17)
16 know that you have no authority to impose ___ , tribute or duty on any Ezra 7:24
18 Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the ___ of the world! (John 1:29)
19 the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to ___ out the land (Josh 14:7) KJV
20 Adam and Eve probably did not have one
22 “Teacher, what good thing ___ I do to get eternal life?” (Matt 19:16)
23 to another faith by the ___ Spirit, to another gifts of healing (1 Cor 12:9)
24 they consult a wooden ___ and are answered by a stick (Hos 4:12)
26 The ___ of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (1 Thess 5:28)
28 But the meek will ___ the land and enjoy great peace (Ps 37:11)
31 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and ___ not on your own (Prov 3:5)
33 Do not touch my anointed ___ (Ps 105:15)
34 such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ___ (Gen 41:19) KJV
36 Those who see you ___ at you, they ponder your fate (Isa 14:16)
38 No widow may be put on the ___ of widows unless she is over sixty (1 Tim 5:9)
39 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the ___ (Gen 48:16) KJV
41 the ephod, close to the ___ just above the waistband (Ex 39:20)
43 His face ___ like the sun, and his clothes became as white (Matt 17:2)
45 cups shaped like almond flowers with ___ and blossoms (Ex 37:19)
46 seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and ___ mate (Gen 7:2)
48 If the ___ wishes to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value (Lev 27:13)
50 Men of all ___ came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 4:34)
51 from merchants and traders and from all the ___ kings (1 Kings 10:15)
53 others asked, “How ___ a sinner do such miraculous signs?” (John 9:16)
54 When the disciples saw this, they were ___ . “Why this waste?” (Matt 26:8)
55 The Danites answered, Don’t ___ with us (Judg 18:25)
DOWN 
1 See, I will send my ___, who will prepare the way before me (Mal 3:1)
2 A few days later King ___ and Bernice arrived at Caesarea (Acts 25:13)
3 last letter in Hebrew
4 Then they ___ in his face and struck him with their fists (Matt 26:67)
6 exalt him that is low, and ___ him that is high (Ezek 21:26) (KJV)
7 chore, job
8 A mocker resents correction; he will not ___ the wise (Prov 15:12)
9 yet at the ___ of water it will bud and put forth shoots (Job 14:9)
12 a wedding took place at ___ in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there (John 2:1)
13 I the LORD search the heart and ___ the mind (Jer 17:10)
15 God gave unto them Saul the son of ___ (Acts 13:21) KJV
17 ___ though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4)
21 unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been ___ with (Jer 3:2) KJV
22 neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat ___ grapes, or dried (Num 6:3) KJV
23 remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many ___ (John 12:24)
25 I also want women to ___ modestly, with decency (1 Tim 2:9)
27 who ___ to be Jews though they are not (Rev 3:9)
29 took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ___”!” (John 12:13)
30 Bathsheba bowed, and did ___ unto the king (1 Kings 1:16) KJV
32 Picnic pests (Prov 30:25)
34 seven thin ears and ___ with the east wind sprung up after them (Gen 41:6) KJV
35 The LORD is ___ to anger, abounding in love (Num 14:18)
37 they that use this world, as not ___ it (1 Cor 7:31) KJV
40 Then will the lame leap like a ___ (Isa 35:6)
41 The LORD descended to the top of Mount ___ and called Moses (Exod 19:20)
42 the 8^th letter of the Greek alphabet
44 The word of the LORD that came to ___ son of Beeri (Hos 1:1)
47 He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of ___ ago (Mark 6:15)
49 anyone who says to his brother, ___ ,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin (Matt 5:22)
52 have them shut the doors and ___ them (Neh 7:3)

Remain in HIs Blessings :]

We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols

So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob

Remain in HIS blessings:]

Why am I here? Who am I? What will happen when I die? These questions have intrigued people throughout the ages. And the answers can be discovered by understanding God’s plan of salvation.

You have probably heard the story of God’s love referred to as the “Gospel” or “Good News.” What is the Good News? Simply this: Because of what Jesus has done, your sins can be forgiven and you can live forever.

What did Jesus do? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world as a human being, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and rose from the dead.

Because Christ died to pay for our sins, your sins can be forgiven. And because He conquered death, you can have eternal life—you can know for sure what will happen to you after you die.

But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly ask for it. God requires an individual response from you.

________________________________________________________________________

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

What does this mean? Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. He is waiting for you to receive Him into your heart and life. All you have to do is invite Him in.

But your first step is to ask for forgiveness:

Repent…that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. —Acts 3:19

Once you’ve asked for forgiveness, your next step is to believe and trust in the gift God is giving you.

Understand, this gift of forgiveness and eternal life is free. It’s something you can’t earn.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. —Ephesians 2:8,9

The word grace means “undeserved favor.” It means God is offering you something you could never provide for yourself. You don’t have to work for this gift. All you have to do is believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you. Do you believe?

The Bible promises that when you sincerely ask God for forgiveness and trust in Jesus, you will experience new life in Christ.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9

Today, with all your heart, surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Confess your sins. Ask God to forgive you. Say that you’ll trust in Jesus. And thank Him for the gift of everlasting life. Pray now:

“Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.

“Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

There is nothing magical about the words you use. It is the attitude of your heart that God cares about.

Your final step in becoming a Christian is to receive this free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. The Bible teaches:

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. —John 1:12

When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God. You have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer. At any time. About anything.

The Christian life is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity. Joyfully receive it!

If you just made a commitment to Christ today, let us know. We’d like to send you some helpful information about your new life in Christ.

Read these other scriptures to help you in that new life:

John 3:16

Ephesians 2:8,9

1 Corinthians 15:3,4

1 John 1:9

1 John 4:14,15

1 John 5:1

1 John 5:12,13

You will never regret making this decision.

(Lifelong Warranty and i sure guarantee YOU that)