Stay Strong

When Joshua was by Jericho, it tells us in Joshua 5:13-15, 

 that he didn't know he would encounter such a sight. 

What a surprise he received that day --- 

a man with a drawn sword. 

Would he do like he did -- talk to him?

Now Joshua was no ordinary person, he knew he could succeed

 with God by his side and a great deal of persistence.

As we read on, we find Joshua talking and like a reporter, taking down notes -

1. Humility was big for Joshua, and like you and I, should be big in our lives.

2. He stopped and worshiped God.

3. He asked God (Commander of Army) what he should do.

This was no small matter for Joshua.

 Thank God for men like Joshua. 

Let's be more like him!

The bible says in the Old Testament that the victory was their's. 

Years ago, I didn't realize what the Commander of the Lord's Army meant

 when he said "NO" to the question, 

Are you for us or are you against us?

Now, I think he meant it's up to you, make up your own mind.

First, you and I need to know God is for us, not against us.

No matter what we have said done, 

God is always for us!

Let's keep remembering I'm always for you even in the most trying and difficult situations.

We may wonder why God was using a drawn sword?

Was it to draw Joshua's mind to take his attention off himself 

and on to the battle that was to be?

Yes, I think so.

I read in the Winnipeg Free Press by Og Mandino -

Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. 

What do you think of that?

I think it is very good.

Let's stay strong.  

Light in Darkness

Light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehend it not. 

John 1:5

Think of all the darkness or any evil force that has come against us.

It is only as we put our faith and trust in Him, letting God's light shine though us, 

that we are able to defeat the darkness or evil force that has come against us. 

The bible says in Ephesians 3:18

that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints 

what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the
 love of Christ,

and to know the love of Christ.

The love of Christ has no length, no depth, and no height, and no breadth 

that his light cannot shine though.

And that same light that shines in darkness can shine bright 

in every area of our lives,
putting out that evil force of darkness.

The early church in the book of Acts tells us 

how these twelve disciples let God's love flow through them. 

Each of them had a great testimony of this love.

Can we do the same in this Twenty-First Century? 

The answer  --- Are we willing to pay the price, go the second mile?

God is encouraging us today to let our light shine bright. 

All these forces of darkness cannot stop God from His work in our lives. 

Let this darkness not stop us from continuing the desire to fulfill

 the purpose for which we were created. 

Mother's Day Love

One of my old hymns that I loved playing and singing was,

 "What a friend we have in Jesus."

The hymn says;

 With all our grief and sins to bear.

 What a privilege to carry everything to the Lord in prayer. 

What a great truth of being able to carry everything to God in prayer. 

Now, as I look back over the many years of singing

 and believing the words of the hymn,

 I am so very grateful. 

How I have focussed many times on Him,

 taking my attention off myself, 

and placing it on the one who sacrificed 

His great love for me.

This has enriched my life many times.

Take courage.

 He will do the same for you. 

Just give him your time, 

and see the many ways 

He will make your life such a blessing, 

that you and your children and grandchildren

 will benefit from seeing a big change in you.

I believe this change in you and in your family 

will develop into an expereince so wonderful 

you will all have a 

very happy Mother's Day.

Don't forget to thank your mother

 for all the many wonderful things she has done over the year.

2 Timothy one verse five tells us that 

Timothy had a godly mother and a wonderful grandmother. 

They showed much love toward Timothy,

and it showed in his life. 

Let's be thankful for our prayer warriors of the faith.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

The Love of the Cross

As I was contemplating on what to write,

 I couldn't think of anything better than what just happened to me.

Here it is: 

The other day, as I was preparing a meal, I started to cry,

 and then I was screaming louder and louder. 

I made a cup of tea and went into the other room,

 while I was soon to feel God's powerful love flowing (as it was) all over me.

 The room was filled with His glory 

and the presence of Jesus was felt so strong.

 Oh,

 what love 

he showed me

 that day!

Now, I know God allowed Jesus to go to the cross to bear my sins,

 my iniquities, 

all my sorrows. 

The fact that I was crying because

 I had lost my oldest daughter, Charlotte Mae, many years ago. 

Now as never before, do I realize that Jesus went to the cross, 

taking all of this pain and suffering that Charlotte Mae had so patiently taken. 

This I believe is the meaning of the cross for me. 

Can this also be a very happy remembrance of the cross for you and your family?

Let's do our best to spread the Good News 

of 

His great love.

A Little Knowledge

'A little Knowledge that acts is worth

 more than much knowledge that is idle'. (Khalil Gibran).

The Bible says in James 4:17:

He that knoweth to do good but doeth it not to him it is sin.

How about you and me?

Is there something we can do to help or even change the situation? 

Could it be God speaking to us, and perhaps many more,

 to speak out and take action?

Let's be an innovator,

 like the apostle Paul who wrote, 

Don't copy the behaviour

 and customs of this world, but let God transform

 you into a new person by changing the way - you think.

That is taken from "Our Daily Bread" (by David Mc Casland.)

In Romans, the Apostle Paul's words were,

 "Not conformed to this world;

 but be you transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Now, that's a good way to think.

An Apple a Day

You have heard, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Have you ever taken an apple and sliced it,

watching while you cut it to see how far down the stem goes?

Wow, you say. That's all that holds an apple up on the branch. 

While the winds blew and blew, the apple stayed on the branch.

Did you know the apple is staying on for a great purpose? 

That of receiving its nuourishment.

First, it is very tiny, 

and then gets bigger and bigger, till it is full grown.

How interesting. 

Also, did you know where the apple gets its nourishment?

 Yes, it is the stem, the smallest part of the tree, 

then the branch 

and then a bigger branch

 and then the trunk of the tree

 all play an important task of taking the food (apple food) 

to the apple, through the stem.

The sun and the rain also played a very important part 

in the growth of the apple.

We read that Jesus said:

You are the apple of my eye.

Think on that one.

Proverbs 1 verse 2:

Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Psalms 17 verse 8:

Keep me as the apple of the eye, 

hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

Zechariah 2 verse 8:

He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Let's enjoy our fruit.

Just Keep Going

Living our lives with a purpose.

Living our lives to please God.

Be not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

-Romans 12:21

This can be done with oil in our vessels 

or with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4 says:

We were buried with Him

 through baptism into death, 

that just as Christ was raised from the dead

 by the glory of the father, 

even some also should walk

 in the newness of life.

Now you do those things that lead to holiness

 and result in eternal life.

Being hard pressed on every side,

 yet not crushed.

2 Corinthians 4:8

When we have the power of God 

developing within us 

we can survive our challenges.

We must never give up. 

Christ will always be there for us, 

especially when we keep going.

Just  keep going!