Pennies From Heaven
When you owe somebody some money and don’t pay them back, don’t consider it to be a "blessing from the Lord". If that person wants to give you the money (or personal possession) they’ll let you know. Pay back what you owe others without them having to ask you for it. If you don’t have it when you agreed to repay the debt, let the person know when they may expect it. Don’t avoid that person like the plague. Forgetting a debt is one thing. Manifesting a blessing yourself is another.
Operator
We should always be in communication with God at all times. What would we do if God had an answering machine? (We know He doesn’t) GOD I NEED HELP NOW!! "I’m unable to speak with you right now, please leave your name and message". Would He know who we are if we left a message? We may have needed Him that very moment or face death. Would we be able to hear from God or would there be interference on our line? I Tim 2:8.
Milk vs. Meat
Heb. 5:13-14
A mother nurses or feeds her newborn (born again Christian). That mom may wean a child from the breast and introduce some whole milk (a little at a time, maybe some carnation evaporated milk). Later in the child’s life mom eats some meat, she cuts a small piece, chews it up a little and then gives it to the almost toddler to consume. When the child is old enough to come to the table and dine, mom will still cut up the meat, take out the bone and gristle (that which confuses us about God’s Word and others persons actions towards God’s Word). A true meat eater (growing children - all of us should be growing in God) desires meat, milk is not enough. Some adults are babes and some are mature Christians. Some children desire milk and some are ready to be introduced to meat. Man does not live by bread alone...
If you or I am choking on a piece of meat , I hope someone would do the "Heimlich Maneuver" to help me get the trapped substance out of my throat so that I might live. The Word of God is to be consumed a little at a time and washed down with a bit of understanding.
God wants us to get His Word out and not chew and chew. We should eat all the Word and don’t choke. We also should share our piece of meat and not be selfish. If we choke are we going to give up eating? Certainly not!
The Cigarette Situation
"I know if I just take a puff off of just one cigarette it will be all right because I just want to show them that I can smoke and that I’m cool. That little bit of smoke won’t hurt me. I’m around more secondary smoke sometimes and that hasn’t affected me. I don’t crave cigarettes. I’m not an addict. I won’t get hooked. It’s not like I’m doing drugs. I don’t do anything else wrong. Nobody will know I took just one little drag. If they ask me again after this one time I’ll tell them No! I smoked before and I gave it up. Don’t they remember last Lent and the time before when I gave smoking up as my New Years Resolution? I’ll just take one little puff. It’ll be OK". NOT!!
Who sees? Jesus sees and knows. Are not our bodies temples of the Holy Ghost and God cannot dwell in an unclean temple. And if what we do causes our brother to sin are we not also as guilty as him?
One little puff may lead to a pack, a carton or a heavier substance. Secondary smoke is doing more harm than you think.
Besides the above facts, don’t smokers know that you can smell the odor of nicotine (a drug) in their clothes, hair and on their breath. It’s not hidden, most of the time people just don’t say anything.
A Wife
A wife – hands you your mothers birthday card and says, "Here Honey, sign this and say something nice to your mom."
A wife – juggles each days itinerary with a smile when you tell her, the night before: you forgot to remind her but she has a dentist appointment at 0800; has to be at another place by 1000; please don’t be late for lunch with you at 1145; school meeting at 1500; nail appointment at 1630; office party at 1830 (Yes, we do socialize at work. You never know who may need to hear the Word of God). Wasn’t it a good thing she planned that hair appointment yesterday, told Sue she’d go shopping with her next week, picked up a few groceries and this just so happened to be her day off from work? Amazing!!
A wife – reminds you that you do have children and will let you know their names and ages when you ask.
A wife – makes cookies the night before, for her sons 2nd grade party which she is suppose to be attending; walks her preschooler to the bus; comes home and does her daily devotional as she finishes a load of clothes; picks up the mail; takes the clothes to the cleaners; picks up the preschooler from the bus stop; makes dinner; gets ready for a women’s meeting and listens attentively while her spouse tells her of his busy day.
A wife – has super sensitive hearing which lets her know when someone in the house calls out during the middle of the night; and built in ear plugs to disregard the snores.
A wife – may not be the same size as she was when you met, but she continues to be the attractive beauty you married some time ago.
A wife – tells you she loves you and will stand by your side till earthly "death do you part."
When all is said and done, A wife – takes all this in stride, loves every moment and wouldn’t trade her life with anyone.
Does the Church Have a "Head Cold"?
The church body is under the attack of the devil, and the church has symptoms like that of the flu. (Isaiah 29:9-14)
Symptoms:
Stopped-Up Head
Can’t hear the Word of God.
Eyes Swollen Shut
Can’t see our faults and sins.
Body Aches - Pain
Backsliding, Backbiting, Gossip, Hurt by a church member.
Coughing and Spreading Germs
Sowing Discord among the brethren.
Itchy Watery Eyes
We can’t see the enemy before us.
Dizziness
Can’t understand the Word of God.
Headaches
Suffering from attacks of the enemy on our health.
Fever
Hot for the things of this world. Anger towards one another.
Can’t Breathe
Unable to witness to anyone due to a lack of knowledge
(not studying the Bible).
Relief: Open our understanding to His Word and bind up sickness and disease.
Take Medication. Rest — Rest in the Lord, Jesus Christ and have a large dose of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Protector. Let’s have some of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pain Reliever — Taking in the Word of God. Listening instead of hearing. Act on the Word and let our light so shine before men.
Horror Stories
Have you noticed how cartoons have become more violent over the years. What happened to the sweet innocence of "Mickey Mouse", the cuteness of "Baby Huey" and the heroism of "Mighty Mouse"?
My mother once brought to my attention how all "fairy tale stories" had an antagonist, and a protagonist. They could be viewed as "horror" stories to a young child.
Look at "Hansel and Grettel" for example. Two innocent little children taken advantage of and almost eaten by a wicked old witch. Same thing with the "3 Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf" and "Little Red Robin Hood" and the Wolf who ate Grandma". What scary stories to tell a young child and most of us have been exposed to them. Are we exposing our young children to the same thing? They may be classic tales but don’t be surprised if one day there will be a college class on the horror in children’s classics.
"Rock-a-Bye-Baby". What a song we may have sung to our children. "Down will come baby, cradle and all". Were we wishing harm upon our children?. No, I am not taking things to an extreme, but we must watch what goes into the child is the by-product of what is to come out. We’ve been programmed to traditional rituals.
We should wait until our children are old enough to understand and reason for themselves before introducing them to this particular form of literature and/or songs. It’s helpful learning these handed down things if you want to play "Trivial Pursuit", "Jeopardy" or "Name That Tune".
This Is Not My Home
(John 8:23)
"Because of the sin of Adam, you were sent to earth; so that I, the Lord, would know whom to share my kingdom with. You will weed yourselves out and I will know who is for me or against me. You make the choice.
You follow the rules and regulations (Bible) yourself.
Don’t cheat off of your neighbor; he may have the wrong answer".
We are given a Map (The Word) to get home (heaven). If we follow it we will reach our destination, if not we will be lost on another road (destruction).
We get signals from other bases (religions, sects, denominations), but is it from home base? Let us press toward the mark for the prize in Christ Jesus.
While we are here on this earth, we have a purpose; a goal. We have work to do before returning to home base. We must make our quota before returning home (salvation for lost souls). We are to inform (witness) and seek those who desire a better place than in this world. We must let them know they have a choice: to return home to be happy (an eternal R & R), or forever burning in hell. We’re on temporary duty (TDY) here at the present time. We’re going to have a permanent change of station (PCS) move to the 3rd Heaven.
We are here on earth to sell a product (Salvation). Packaging of our product must be right. What we say, how we look and how we act are of the utmost importance. Advertising must be appealing. "No more hatred, no more sin, no more war … only the best". We must be able to communicate the Word of God. We are not of this world but we’ve got to fit in. Clothes — modest but on time. Speech — clear, understandable yet powerful. Mannerism — kind, walking tall in the love and truth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are equipped with tools to aid us on our way: Prayer — is our direct line to headquarters (secret weapon). Holy Spirit — a "Charged Beeper", just like the commercial for E. F. Hutton (when Jesus speaks, we are to listen), we must have ears to hear. "Let’s hear a word from our sponsor". The following are helping tools we need to get home: The Holy Bible — Map and Compass. Prime Example — The life of Jesus. Praise and Worship — a ladder up to and down from heaven. Saints of God — give encouragement. Fellowship — Booster shots. Finally, Death — when our mission on earth is finished, we can say, "It is well; Beam me up Jesus". Will you be ready when He calls?
Heard It Through The Grapevine
Watch that the Grapevine (Grapevine - unofficial an informal communication system) doesn’t turn into the "Gossipvine" at your workplace.
The grapevine is an important asset in the workplace. A lot of times we find out about promotions, opportunities, advancements, gatherings incentives etc. all through the Grapevine. The Gossipvine discusses other people and their business. The Gossipvine is usually cruel and unfeeling. The gossipvine tears down, it doesn’t build up.
"Who’s On First"
God First |
Family Second |
Work Third |
These are three important elements which should be in everyone’s life. How would you handle the following situation? One Monday, you are scheduled to go to your child’s music recital. You are also expected to attend a going - away party at work and there is a revival at church all on the same night at 7 PM. Tough situation? Well, there are different ways to view these events. Let me tell you how I would prioritize the situation.
My child (which is a gift from God) needs my support in all that he/she attempts to do. Either my husband or I would be there for them. Usually the revival will run more than one night. My co-workers, especially the one leaving, should be given an explanation as to why I will not be attending. If it has been placed upon my heart to give the person leaving a gift, then I would do so along with my apology.
Finally, I would let my pastor know that I wouldn’t be able to make it tonight, but Lord willing (and He is) I will try to make it on another night.
At this time, let me mention our children’s activities can also pull us away from other duties we have in our lives. I have seen some parents be slaves to their children’s ambitions and neglect their own personal duties. There is a happy medium and during family discussion times, compromises can be made for all concerned.
"Heavenly Brownie Points"
You don’t want to be sorry that you haven’t made more spiritual deposits into your heavenly bank account. A heavenly deposit is defined as what we do on this earth now that will eventually count later when we reach our heavenly home. (Mat.25:21)
Why should we condemn ourselves with statements like:
"Should of"…"I should have asked the new neighbor in for a cup of coffee and a chat".
"Would of"…"I would have invited them to church if they dressed better".
"Could of"…"I could have bought them some groceries if I knew they were really hungry".
By doing good things in this life, we will be blessed now and also later (Mat.6:3-4). It also wouldn’t hurt us to give each other more compliments here on earth. God prompts us now and then to let someone know that they’re doing a good job, that they look nice today or that you really appreciate them.
How are your deposits coming? Are you making your deposits now so you won’t regret your retirement plan later?
"Believe & Receive"
You ask, "If God is able, then why doesn’t He…?"
"Why doesn’t He heal me?"
"Why doesn’t He use me for His service?"
"Why doesn’t He prove this or that to me?"
Well, first of all, God is sovereign. He doesn’t have to prove anything. Sometimes He does, but that’s up to Him. He is Elohim (the creator). He is El Shaddai (the All-Sufficient One). He is God.
Next, the reason why God does not show Himself to you maybe because of your unbelief in this or that situation. It’s because of a lack of faith. Yes, I too sometimes have to build up my faith level in a particular area. I’m striving to achieve the level that Brother Smith Wigglesworth had. Through the power and anointing of God, he resurrected a woman from the dead. He slammed her against a wall and spoke life back into her body. (Was that the first method of CPR the Holy Ghost way?)
Yes, our faith has to be built up and we do this by praying to Our Father and asking for an extra dose of the "Gift of Faith". Then, while awaiting the manifestation of the "Gift of Faith", we must believe that we have received it.
"Being Humble, Not Humiliating"
We can have a sweet cool spirit, and a calm disposition without appearing defeated. God does not want us to be a slave to anyone not even Him. There is a difference between a servant and a slave.
One (a servant) is glad to do almost anything for someone. He is accustomed to doing for someone and it brings him pleasure to please people.
The other (a slave) is bound to serve. Usually, he is in chains and is forced to do for someone. If he had a choice, he would be somewhere else doing something else. It does not give the slave joy to serve as it does the servant.
Look at Gehazi who served under Elisha (II Kings 4:12,27;5:27) or the servant with the talents in the new testament (Mat.25:20-21). The Prodigal Son realized that the servants in his fathers house were doing better than he was (Luke 15:17).
The word slave is used once in the scriptures (Jer.2:14) and slaves is also used once (Rev.18;13). I would rather be a servant of the Most High God.