DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - CHRIST MY ALL!

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
- Amy Carmichael.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. - Philippians 3:8 – 12.

It’s all about knowing Jesus, what is better than that? Paul said that he held everything else to be worthless in comparison with that knowledge, and he was willing to sacrifice everything else in order to obtain it. Are you willing to sacrifice everything to know Him?

Christ for sickness, Christ for health,
Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,
Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,
Christ today and Christ tomorrow;

Christ my Life, and Christ my Light,
Christ for morning, noon and night,
Christ when all around gives way
Christ my everlasting Stay;

Christ my Rest, and Christ my Food,
Christ above my highest good,
Christ my Well-beloved Friend
Christ my Pleasure without end;

Christ my Saviour,
Christ my Lord Christ my Portion,
Christ my God,
Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep
Christ Himself my soul to keep;

Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace
Christ hath wrought my soul's release,
Christ my Righteousness divine
Christ for me, for He is mine;

Christ my Wisdom, Christ my Meat,
Christ restores my wandering feet,
Christ my Advocate and Priest
Christ who ne'er forgets the least;

Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide,
Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide,
Christ the Ever-living Bread,
Christ His precious Blood hath shed;

Christ hath brought me nigh to God,
Christ the everlasting Word
Christ my Master, Christ my Head,
Christ who for my sins hath bled;

Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown,
Christ the Plant of great renown,
Christ my Comforter on high,
Christ my Hope, draws ever nigh. - Author unknown.

C.H. Spurgeon, first words in the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, said this….

I would propose that the subject of the ministry of this Church, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this building shall be frequented by worshipers… shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what my creed is, I reply, "It is Jesus Christ."

My venerated predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a [theological heritage] admirable and excellent in its way. But the [legacy] to which I would pin and bind myself forever, God helping me, is Jesus Christ, who is the arm and substance of the gospel, who is in Himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth. Do you know Jesus? Do you know Him intellectually, personally & relationally? Our greatest quest in life should be to know Jesus.

If you don’t know Jesus and want to get to know Him, you can find what you want here… AN OPEN INVITATION.

Loving Father, I thank you that I know your dear son Jesus! I thank you for the love, joy and peace that my Lord and Saviour has brought into my life! I thank you that He took me from a life of misery, to a life of never-ending happiness! I pray that anyone reading this will also know this life. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus ! Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - A HEART STARTER #16.

Bees can show you something about teamwork. On a warm day about half the bees in a hive stay inside beating their wings while the other half go out to gather pollen and nectar. Because of the beating wings, the temperature inside the hive is about 10 degrees cooler than outside. The bees rotate duties and the bees that cool the hive one day are honey gatherers the next. - Bits & Pieces

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. - Mark 3:13-15.

Well, that’s another weekend gone, and we are starting a new week. Monday’s can be very lethargic, and not easy to get going, so I thought by way of encouragement, that we could have a ‘Heart Starter’ from God, rather than six cups of coffee!

Every year in Alaska, a 1000-mile dogsled race, a run for prize money and prestige, commemorates an original "race" run to save lives.

Back in January of 1926, six-year-old Richard Stanley showed symptoms of diphtheria, signaling the possibility of an outbreak in the small town of Nome. When the boy passed away a day later, Dr. Curtis Welch began immunizing children and adults with an experimental but effective anti-dipheheria serum. But it wasn't long before Dr. Welch's supply ran out, and the nearest serum was in Nenana, Alaska--1000 miles of frozen wilderness away.

Amazingly, a group of trappers and prospectors volunteered to cover the distance with their dog teams! Operating in relays from trading post to trapping station and beyond, one sled started out from Nome while another, carrying the serum, started from Nenana. Oblivious to frostbite, fatigue, and exhaustion, the teamsters mushed relentlessly until, after 144 hours in minus 50-degree winds, the serum was delivered to Nome.

As a result, only one other life was lost to the potential epidemic. Their sacrifice had given an entire town the gift of life. - Source Unknown.

I thought that to get our hearts started today, we could look at the subject of teamwork, and that we could take our example from Jesus, who understood teamwork when He picked the twelve disciples, and also from the other people that we read about, who also understand teamwork…

There's a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago. He was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy and he could afford only a few minutes, but if they wouldn't mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show's director agreed happily.

But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened. He went through the short monologue and then stayed. The applause grew louder and louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes. Finally he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage someone stopped him and said, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?"

Jimmy answered, “I did have to go, but I can show you the reason I stayed. You can see for yourself if you'll look down on the front row." In the front row were two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that's exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.” - Tim Hansel.

Wow! Now that our hearts are beating regularly, let’s consider what we have just read over a cup of Java, and ask the Lord to help us to be the kind of team worker that He wants us to be.

Loving Father, I thank you for the beautiful weekend that I had. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to understand teamwork. Lord Jesus, you have set the example for us, help us to put it into practice, that we may bring glory to your name. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

SUNDAY'S HYMN.

I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE. View and listen, here.

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – JESUS IS FAR MORE…

Or haven't you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. - Matthew 12:6.

What is the greatest construction project built by human hands? Jesus is greater still!

What is the most ‘holy’ place you have been? Jesus is far holier still!

What is the most awe-inspiring site you have visited? Jesus is far more awesome!

What is the most inspiring event you have ever attended? Jesus is far more...

Jesus is the One Who Is Greater! Nothing else, no one else, can hold a candle to him.

As John the Baptist said… none of us are even worthy to untie his sandals.

Loving Father, I thank you that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you revealed to me Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Forgive me for the times I may have misused His name or underestimated His glory. Restore in me the child-like sense of joyous wonder that I need to have in His presence. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY – A CHEERFUL HEART #41.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Pro 17:22.

Friday has come and brings to an end another working week. What better way to get into a good frame of mind than to end it with a good laugh, especially at the Scots expense…

Sandy was drinking at a pub all night…
When he got up to leave, he fell flat on his face. He tried to stand again, but to no avail, falling flat on his face. He decided to crawl outside and get some fresh air to see whether that would sober him up. Once outside, he stood up and, sure enough, fell flat on his face. So, being a practical Scot, he crawled all the way home.

When he got to the door, he stood up yet again, but fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door into his bedroom. When he reached his bed, he tried once more to stand upright. This time he managed to pull himself to his feet but fell into bed. He was sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He woke the next morning to his wife shaking him and shouting, "So, ye've been oot drinkin' as usual!"

"Why would ye say that?" he complained innocently.

"Because the pub called an' ye left yer wheelchair there again!"
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A Scottish newspaper ad…
"Lost - a £5 note. Sentimental value.”
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The Average Englishman…
In his home he calls his castle, puts on his national costume - A shabby Raincoat patented by Charles MacIntosh of Glasgow, Scotland.

He drives a car fitted with tyres invented by John Boyd Dunlop of Dreghorn, Scotland.

At the office he receives his mail with adhesive stamps which, although they bear the queen of England's head, were invented by John Chambers of Dundee, Scotland.

During the day he uses the telephone, Invented by Alexander Graham Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland.

At home in the evening he watches his daughter ride her bicycle, invented by Kilpatrick MacMillan, A Blacksmith from Dumfries, Scotland.

He watches the news on television which was invented by John Logie Baird of Helensburough Scotland and hears an item about the U.S. Navy founded by John Paul Jones of Kirkbean, Scotland.

He has now been reminded too much of Scotland and in desperation picks up the Bible, only to find that the first man mentioned in the good book is a Scot - King James VI - who authorized it's translation.

No where can an Englishman turn to escape the ingenuity of the Scots, he could take to drink but the Scots make the finest in the world, he could take a rifle and end it all but the breech-loading rifle was invented by Captain Patrick Ferguson of Pitfours, Scotland.

If he escaped death, he could find himself on an operating table, being injected with Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming of Darvel, Scotland, and given an anesthetic, discovered by Sir James Young Simpson of Bathgate, Scotland.

Out of the anesthetic he would find no comfort in learning that he was as safe as the Bank Of England which was founded by William Patterson of Dumfries, Scotland.

Perhaps his only hope would be to get a transfusion of good SCOTTISH blood!
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LOVE…
A young man said to his father at breakfast one morning, "Dad, I'm going to get married."

"How do you know you're ready to get married?" asked the father. "Are you in love?"

"I sure am," said the son.

"How do you know you're in love?" asked the father.

"Last night as I was kissing my girlfriend good-night, her dog bit me and I didn't feel the pain until I got home."
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Wee Hughie And His Girlfriend…
Wee Hughie adored and loved his girlfriend, Lorraine, to whom he was engaged to be married. wedding plans were well underway, and he was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with Lorraine.

However, a beautiful young lady, called Clearly, came to work in his glen and they found that they got on together very well and as time went by, Wee Hughie realised that he was in love with Clearly and that the Love was reciprocated.

Being a gentleman he decided that as he had promised to marry Lorraine he would do so and steadily removed himself from his other relationship.

One day, he and Lorraine were walking along the banks of the River Tay. As they walked, Lorraine slipped and fell into the river and was swept away and drowned.

He stood on the bank for a few minutes feeling very sad before walking away singing happily. And this is what he sang.

"I can see Clearly now Lorraine has gone"

WE ARE REMINDED THAT BEING CHEERFUL KEEPS US HEALTHY… IT IS SLOW DEATH TO BE GLOOMY ALL THE TIME!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remind myself that Jesus died to set me free, help me Lord to live that life, and be determined in Him to have a cheerful heart, in Jesus wonderful Name I pray, amen!

HAVE A GREAT AND GODLY WEEKEND!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – THE TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT… The Conclusion.

No more convincing evidence of the absence of parental affection exists than that compiled by Rene Spitz. In a South American orphanage, Spitz observed and recorded what happened to 97 children who were deprived of emotional and physical contact with others.

Because of a lack of funds, there was not enough staff to adequately care for these children, ages 3 months to 3 years old. Nurses changed diapers and fed and bathed the children. But there was little time to hold, cuddle, and talk to them as a mother would.

After three months many of them showed signs of abnormality. Besides a loss of appetite and being unable to sleep well, many of the children lay with a vacant expression in their eyes.

After five months, serious deterioration set in. They lay whimpering, with troubled and twisted faces. Often, when a doctor or nurse would pick up an infant, it would scream in terror. Twenty seven, almost one third, of the children died the first year, but not from lack of food or health care.

They died of a lack of touch and emotional nurture. Because of this, seven more died the second year. Only twenty one of the 97 survived, most suffering serious psychological damage. - Charles Sell, Unfinished Business.

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. - Mark 8:22-25.

We conclude our study on a ‘Touch of encouragement” with a reminder that not only was it a personal touch, but it was also a…

A PATIENT TOUCH
There was no hurry; hope was born as Jesus took the time for this man. God is so patient with us, while we live in an “impatient generation.” We've all heard of folks who… “Stand at the microwave and scream hurry up!" And with people we have even less patience! But Jesus was patient to bring a hopeful encouragement to this man. We must also do the same.

The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried. The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. "What's the trouble, Mr. brooks?" he asked. "The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't!"

Haven't we felt the same way many times? Some of the greatest missionaries of history devotedly spread the seed of God's Word and yet had to wait long periods before seeing the fruit of their efforts. William Carey, for example, labored 7 years before the first Hindu convert was brought to Christ in Burma, and Adoniram Judson toiled 7 years before his faithful preaching was rewarded. In western Africa, it was 14 years before one convert was received into the Christian church. In New Zealand, it took 9 years; and in Tahiti, it was 16 years before the first harvest of souls began.

Thomas a` Kempis described that kind of patience in these words: "He deserves not the name of patient who is only willing to suffer as much as he thinks proper, and for whom he pleases. The truly patient man asks (nothing) from whom he suffers, (whether) his superior, his equal, or his inferior...But from whomever, or how much, or how often wrong is done to him, he accepts it all as from the hand of God, and counts it gain!" - Our Daily Bread.

Not only was it a personal and patient touch, but it was a…

A POWERFUL TOUCH
It was so sensitive, and I believe that as Jesus took the man by the hand, the man knew that this touch was one of power, that could bring healing, Jesus' touch was powerful in that it was, comforting, it was as if Jesus seemed to say “allow me,” it was such a sensitive touch.

"We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honor, nor life, in comparison to their salvation...

When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you...Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes." - Richard Baxter.

It is a risk to seek the touch from Jesus that will encourage us. Why? Because it is us who will need to change. This man, whom Jesus healed, was never the same again! Will we allow Jesus touch us, to encourage us, and to comfort us? Even, if it calls for us to give up a very sensitive and personal part of our life? Be assured that when Jesus touches you, it is a touch of encouragement.

Loving Father, I thank you for your touch of encouragement. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to reach out and touch others with the same encouragement. Change me Lord, for your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY – THE TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT. Part 1.

"How shall I feel at the judgment, if multitudes of missed opportunities pass before me in full review, and all my excuses prove to be disguises of my cowardice and pride?" - W. E. Sangster.

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. - Mark 8:22-25.

A woman named Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. "I just can't believe it!" she gasped as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes after her recovery from delicate surgery in an Ontario hospital. She wept for joy when for the first time in her life a dazzling and beautiful world of form and colour greeted eyes that now were able to see.

The amazing thing about the story, however, is that 20 years of her blindness had been unnecessary. She didn't know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The doctor said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done about her condition. Much of her life could have been different."

As I read the news account of her case, some questions came to mind. Why did she continue to assume that her situation was hopeless? Had no one told her about the wonderful advances in eye surgery? Then I thought of the plight of those unreached by the Gospel. How many will go on living in moral blindness unless we bring them to the Saviour? Millions will never know anything but spiritual darkness because no one has shared with them the Light that has come into the world. – Source unknown.

THE TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT…
The Scriptures tell us that “They” perhaps this man's friends or family, brought him to Jesus. It is the concept of being a “Stretcher Bearer.” These people had enough faith and action to know, that if they could get him to Jesus he could be healed. The Scriptures say they “begged” Jesus to touch this man.

Do we believe like this? Do we believe Jesus can still heal and change the lives of people? After the request to touch the blind man, Jesus touches him with a touch of encouragement... He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Why? When Jesus usually healed on the spot, why would he take this man out of the town of Bethsaida?

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. - Matt 11:20-22.

The city of Bethsaida had become too hardened to be touched by Jesus. Sad, but the fact remains true today. Many in and out of the kingdom have hardened hearts toward the true touch of Jesus. I believe that's why our churches are empty today, with no prayers for healing; When will we learn that Jesus is moving and working among us, to touch us and others.

But this man, thanks to friends, would be the recipient of a touch of encouragement. As Jesus took this man by the hand to lead him, I believe this TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT was...

A PERSONAL TOUCH...
A touch that was tender and loving. Our church, town, families, friends, strangers; they all need a touch from us in the most personal way we can touch them. Jesus gives us an example how… by showing an interest in the man. I'm sure this man was perhaps lonely and discouraged, having to live in darkness, and now all the attention for the moment, was being given to him. The world wants to know that we are interested in them; people really want to know that God loves them, and they are looking for His love through us. Jesus took the time to touch!

During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier's fiancé had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking.

When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell's heart was touched and he said, "Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!" - Our Daily Bread.

Loving Father, I thank you for your touch of encouragement. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to reach out and touch others with the same encouragement. Change me Lord, for your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY – YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

The thief had nails through both hands, so that he could not work; and a nail through each foot, so that he could not run errands for the Lord; he could not lift a hand or a foot toward his salvation, and yet Christ offered him the gift of God; and he took it. Christ threw him a passport, and took him into Paradise. - D. L. Moody.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' – John 3:6-7.

In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing.

Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man. Dr. Sacks asserts, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible."

To truly see Jesus and his truth means more than observing what he did or said, it means a change of identity.
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When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. - G.W. Knight.
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London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.

As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. "Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site."

Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball. When we become God's, the old life is over… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Cor. 5:17. He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build. - Ian L. Wilson.

You too, can have a relationship with Jesus today. Below is a prayer that if prayed sincerely from your heart will help you discover Jesus for yourself, in agreement with His Word…

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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. - Rom 10:9-10.

“Lord Jesus, I want to be born again, and I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, forgive me for my sins, fill me with your Holy Spirit. I open the door of my heart and receive you as my Lord and personal Saviour. I thank you that I AM BORN AGAIN. Help me to follow you all the days of my life, in your mighty name I pray. Amen"

If you have prayed this prayer from your heart, then according to God’s word, the Bible, you are born again, a Christian, a child of God. I would love to hear from you if you prayed this prayer, or if you would like to find out more about the Christian faith.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - A HEART STARTER #15.

"The days in which we live are days of great opportunity and of grave responsibility, and a second-hand religion is not good enough for times such as these. They demand that we should always be at our best if we are to seize our opportunities and manfully shoulder our responsibilities." - J. A. Broadbelt.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. -Romans 12:1.

Boarding the SS Dorchester on a dreary winter day in 1943 were 903 troops and four chaplains, including Moody alumnus Lt. George Fox. World War II was in full swing, and the ship was headed across the icy North Atlantic where German U-boats lurked. At 12:00 on the morning of February 3, a German torpedo ripped into the ship. "She's going down!" the men cried, scrambling for lifeboats.

A young GI crept up to one of the chaplains. "I've lost my life jacket," he said. "Take this," the chaplain said, handing the soldier his jacket. Before the ship sank, each chaplain gave his life jacket to another man. The heroic chaplains then linked arms and lifted their voices in prayer as the Dorchester went down. Lt. Fox and his fellow pastors were awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross. - Today in the Word.

Well, that’s another weekend gone, and we are starting a new week. Monday’s can be very lethargic, and not easy to get going, so I thought by way of encouragement, that we could have a ‘Heart Starter’ from God, rather than six cups of coffee!

I thought that today to really get our hearts started we could look at the subject of Christian sacrifice, and that we could take our example from Paul, and from the other people that we read who sacrificed so much for others that they may gain, and that God may get the glory…

Paul implores the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul.

The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things.

The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God. – Matthew Henry.
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People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply acknowledging a great debt we owe to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny? It is emphatically no sacrifice.

Rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, danger, foregoing the common conveniences of this life--these may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing compared with the glory which shall later be revealed in and through us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father's throne on high to give Himself for us. - David Livingstone.

Wow! Now that our hearts are beating regularly, let’s consider what we have just read over a cup of Java, and ask the Lord to help us to be the kind of leader He wants us to be.

Loving Father, I thank you for the beautiful weekend that I had. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to present my body as a living sacrifice, that I may bring glory to your name. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – ENCOURAGE AND EMULATE OUR GODLY YOUTH.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. - 1 Timothy 4:12.

The idealistic passions of youth must not be rationalised away or patronisingly pushed to the side.

If you are younger, you are not only part of the church of tomorrow; you are also God's servant today. Serve Him mightily, and be an example to those who are older! If you are older, don't look down on the enthusiasm of youth, but encourage it, and be inspired to emulate it!

Let's remember, some of our best examples are those who are younger, and who serve our Lord with an exciting faith!

Loving Father, I thank you so much for energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate Christians who are in the younger years of their adulthood. By the Holy Spirit, empower their witness, bless their service, and keep their hearts pure as they grow and mature in your service. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – THE SALVATION ARMY.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7.

Lately, I have been reading about the Salvation Army and their founders, William and Catherine Booth. Going over the material has really stirred my spirit, and I was reminded of the great faith that was demonstrated by the founders, and the soldiers of the Army, they were remarkably compassionate and courageous people.

If I am honest with myself, I suppose the reason for the study is that I have been thinking a lot about my Grandparents, and especially my Uncle John Brown (I am named after him,) who were all officers in the Salvation Army.

I also think of the legacy that they left me, and although my wife and I are Pastors with the Assemblies of God, my roots lie with the Army. I am so thankful for my family and the all the prayers that went up for me, and how the Lord so graciously answered them.

But this post is not about me, its about...

William Booth…
The Salvation Army founder, William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, on 10 April, 1829. He married Catherine Mumford - later known as 'the Army Mother' - in June, 1855, and the couple went on to raise 9 children.

From his earliest years, Booth was no stranger to poverty. William was just 14 when his father died, and was already working as a pawnbroker's apprentice to supplement the family income. Although he despised the trade, William completed his six year apprenticeship to help support his family. Nevertheless, working as a pawnbroker created in him a deep hatred of the poverty and suffering he saw daily.

A fiery, impulsive teenager, William became a Christian at age 15 and began attending the Wesleyan Chapel in Nottingham. A passion to reach the down-and-out of Britain's cities with the Gospel of Christ became the driving force throughout his life. Booth's talent for preaching was evident even as a teenager, and his concern for the poor led him to take his message to where the people were - the streets. Booth later worked as a traveling evangelist with various branches of the Methodist church; however, it was through preaching in the streets of London's slums that he discovered his life's purpose and The Salvation Army was born.

Catherine Booth…
Catherine Mumford was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on 17 January 1829. From an early age she was a serious and sensitive girl. She had a strong Christian upbringing and by the age of 12 had read her Bible through eight times! But it was not until she was 16, after much struggling, that she was really converted. In her hymn book she read the words, 'My God I am Thine, what a comfort Divine', and realised the truth of this statement for herself.

At 14 she was seriously ill and spent a great deal of time in bed. But she kept herself busy, and was especially concerned about the problems of alcohol. She wrote articles for a magazine, which encouraged people not to drink.She met William when he came to preach at her church. They soon fell in love and became engaged. During three years of engagement, Catherine was a constant support to William in his tiring work of preaching, through her letters. At last on 16 June 1855, they were married.

Unlike most weddings, theirs was very simple with no great expense. They wanted to use all their time and money for God. Even on their honeymoon, William found himself asked to speak at meetings. Together they accepted this challenge of being used by God before even thinking of themselves.

At Brighouse, Catherine first began to help in the work of the church. She was extremely nervous, but found the courage to speak in children's meetings. She enjoyed working with young people. However it was unheard of for women to speak in adult meetings. Catherine was convinced that women had an equal right to speak.

At Gateshead, when the opportunity was given for public testimony, she went forward to speak! It was the beginning of a tremendous ministry, for people were greatly challenged by her preaching. Catherine found the courage to speak to people in their homes, and especially to alcoholics whom she helped to make a new start in life. Often she held cottage meetings for converts.

She was also a mother with a growing family of eight children and was dedicated to giving them a firm Christian knowledge. Two of them became Generals of The Salvation Army. In 1865 when the work of The Christian Mission began William preached to the poor and ragged, and Catherine spoke to the wealthy, gaining support for their financially demanding work.

In time she began to hold her own campaigns.When William Booth became known as the General, Catherine was known as the 'Army Mother'. She was behind many of the changes in the new movement, designing a flag, bonnets for the ladies and contributing to the Army's ideas on many important issues and matters of belief. She died in 1890.

Bramwell Booth, describing the last moments of her life, wrote: "Soon after noon, I felt the deepening darkness of the long valley of the shadows was closing around my dear mother, and a little later I took my last farewell. Her lips moved, and she gave me one look of inexpressible tenderness and trust, which will live with me for ever. Again we sang:

My mistakes His free grace doth cover,
My sins He doth wash away;
These feet which shrink and falter
Shall enter the Gates of Day.

Holding her hand, the General gave her up to God. It was a solemn and wondrous scene ... the dear General bowing over his beloved wife and companion in life's long stress and storm, and giving her, his most precious of earthly joy and treasure, to the eternal keeping of the Eternal Father...

Their eyes met the last kiss of love upon earth - the last word till the Morning, and without a movement the breathing gently ceased, and a Warrior laid down her sword to receive her crown. "

Loving Father, I thank you for the leaders that I have had, and for the Godly examples they have been to me, and for all the answered prayers that have resulted in my walk with Jesus. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to consider the outcome of their way of life, and to imitate their faith. In Jesus wonderful name, I pray, amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - SALVATION.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY – GENUINE REVIVAL!

Revival is an invasion from heaven that brings a conscious awareness of God. - Stephen Olford.

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? - Psalm 85:6.

I have been thinking a lot about revival lately, and about all the rubbish that passes for revival. I hope and pray that you will receive this post the way that it is intended... to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I myself, for instance, am not especially gifted, and am shy by nature, but my gracious and merciful God and Father inclined Himself to me, and when I was weak in faith He strengthened me while I was still young. He taught me in my helplessness to rest on Him, and to pray even about little things in which another might have felt able to help himself."

"Do we give sufficient attention to the theme of gaining Christ? It is our joy and privilege to know Him as God's unspeakable gift, but none knew this more fully than the apostle Paul. But was he satisfied with this knowledge? Or was Paul's soul-consuming desire, at all possible cost, to gain Christ; and thus to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings?

Oh! that Christ may be so known by us as a 'living, bright reality' that our one desire-our one absorbing heart-passion may be that we personally gain Christ-that we personally know Him as the apostle longed to do."

"I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working."

"Perhaps if there were more of that intense distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the hardness of our own hearts and our feeble apprehension of the solemn reality of eternal things may be the true cause of our want of success." - Hudson Taylor.

Revival is the people of God living in the power of an ungrieved, unquenched Spirit. - James A. Stewart.

The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with men, but by men in our churches becoming filled with God. - Howard Spring.

A genuine revival without joy in the Lord is as impossible as spring without flowers, or day-dawn without light. - C.H. Spurgeon.

A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness, making God's love triumph in the heart. - Andrew Murray.

A revival means days of heaven on earth. - D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again. - Vance Havner.

All of the above know what genuine revival means, and I pray that we can learn from them and begin to show the supremacy of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, cause revival in me, that the beauty, majesty and supremacy of Jesus may be shown forth in my life, toward others. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - A HEART STARTER #14.

Leadership is not magnetic personality. That can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people; that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to higher standards, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. - Peter Drucker.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Heb 13:7.

Well, that’s another weekend gone, and we are starting a new week. Monday’s can be very lethargic, and not easy to get going, so I thought by way of encouragement, that we could have a ‘Heart Starter’ from God, rather than six cups of coffee!

Today we are having a look at some examples of leadership. Whether we are at home, in the workplace, school or college, we are surrounded by leadership, some good and some bad, but whatever the type, we can all learn from them. As Christians our example is Jesus and the Bible. Look at some of the examples of leadership, and judge what one suits you…

Cal Thomas found himself called a "Christian leader" by a leading Christian magazine and he wondered what that meant. More speaking engagements? Perhaps an appearance on a Christian talk show?

"It would certainly give me the right to start putting Scripture references under my signed name in books I have written. I would surely sign more Bibles, which I find a curious practice since I didn't write that Book."

Thomas wonders if we have reversed things. God's strength is made perfect in weakness. "In a church I once attended, there was a man of tremendous faith. His wife is an alcoholic, His daughter has psychological problems. He was often poor in health. Yet, week after week, he never complained. He always smiled and asked me how I was doing. He faithfully brought to church a young blind man who had no transportation. He always sat with the blind man, helping him sing the hymns by saying the words into his ear. That man was a `Christian leader' if ever there was one." - "Dear God, Please Don't Let Me Be a Christian Leader," Fundamentalist Journal.
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The following principles of leadership emerge from biblical teaching:
1. Christian leaders should be certain that their goal is to serve God and others, not to receive the title or honor that comes with leadership.
2. Leaders should not use their position for their own advantage or comfort. No task should be "beneath" them--although some tasks may be delegated. They should not ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves.
3. Leaders will seek to distinguish their own preferences from the will and welfare of the group as a whole.
4. Normally the position should seek the leader. There may be some situations in which persons may apply or volunteer. Nevertheless, when someone strongly desires a particular responsibility, his or her motivation should be carefully examined.
5. We must learn to see each other as valuable to the Lord and basically equal in his sight. - Millard J. Erickson.
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George Bernard Shaw's statement frequently flashes through my mind: "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."

In a day of passing the buck with merely a shrug, those words bite and sting. It's one thing to sing and dance to liberty's tunes, but it's something else entirely to bear the responsibility for paying the band. There are numerous examples of this. Being in leadership carries with it a few privileges and perks, but living with the responsibility of that task makes a reserved parking space and your own bathroom pale into insignificance.

Conceiving children is a moment of sheer ecstasy, but rearing them as a loving and caring parent represents years of thankless responsibility. Enjoying a great conference is both delightful and memorable, but behind the scenes - count on it - are unseen hours of creative thinking, disciplined planning, and responsible arranging. Running an organization that gets a job done, leaving those involved feeling fulfilled and appreciated, can be exciting, fun, and stretching, but it's a nightmare unless the details of responsibility are clearly set forth and maintained. - Charles Swindoll.

Wow! Now that our hearts are beating regularly, let’s consider what we have just read over a cup of Java, and ask the Lord to help us to be the kind of leader He wants us to be.

Loving Father, I thank you for the beautiful weekend that I had. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be the kind of leader you want me to be, and to be a good example for others to follow, that I may bring glory to your name. Use me Lord, to lead others by my example. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – PASSIONATE ABOUT HOLINESS.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8.

The call to holiness is easy to disregard in a world which lives by much different standards.

The enemy gets us to evaluate our lifestyle with those around us, deceiving us into diminishing our sins in comparison to others. But the issue is not comparison shopping our sin; the issue is a thankful heart that has been cleansed by the Holy Spirit, and saved by grace. Ignoring, or demeaning the Holy Spirit's call for holiness, is rejecting God.

Let's be passionate about holiness in our lives, both because it is what God wants, and also because it is what we should seek.

Loving Father, forgive me if I have been trying to water down the significance of my sin. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to kindle in me a passion for holiness, and empower me to live in a way which honours you for all that you have done to save me. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY – A CHEERFUL HEART #40.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Pro 17:22.

Bible Confusion…
The little girl was sitting with her grandmother, who had presented her with her first little children's Bible, in an easy-to-read translation, when she was very young.

Now, a decade or so later, the elderly lady was ready to spend a few sweet moments handing down the big old family Bible, in the time-honored King James Version, to her only grandchild.

Understandably excited, the youngster was asking a number of questions, both about the family members whose births and deaths were recorded therein, and about various aspects of the Scriptures themselves.

Her grandmother was endeavoring to answer all the child's questions in terms she could understand, but the one that stopped her cold was this sincere inquiry:

"Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? Was it the Virgin Mary, or the King James virgin?"
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How can I get to heaven?
I asked the children in my Sunday School class, "If I sold my house and my car, held a big garage sale, and gave all my money to the church, would I get into heaven?"

"No!" the children all answered.

Then I said, "If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?"

Again, the answer was, "No!"

"Well," I continued, "then how can I get to heaven?"

A five-year-old boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead!"
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Hospital Admission…
A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and went in for coronary surgery. The operation went well, and as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy waiting by his bed.

"Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," the nun said while patting his hand. "We do have to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?"

"No, I'm not," the man whispered hoarsely.

"Can you pay in cash?"

"I'm afraid I can't, Sister."

"Do you have any close relatives, then?"

"Just my sister in New Mexico," replied, "but she's a spinster nun."

"Nuns are not spinsters, Mr. Smith," the nun replied. "They are married to God."

"Okay," the man said with a smile, "then bill my brother-in-law."
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HUGGING…
It's wondrous what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you're blue
A hug can say, "I love you so,"
Or, "I hate to see you go."
A hug is "Welcome back again."
And "Great to see you! Where 'er you been?

A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug, there's just no doubt about it --
We scarcely could survive without it!

A hug delights and warms and charms;
It must be why God gave us arms
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers;
And chances are your favorite aunts
love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them, puppies love them,
Heads of states are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make your travel so much merrier.
No need to fret about your store of 'em;
The more you give, the more there's more of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!
- Dean Walley, the Messenger.
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WE ARE REMINDED THAT BEING CHEERFUL KEEPS US HEALTHY… IT IS SLOW DEATH TO BE GLOOMY ALL THE TIME!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remind myself that Jesus died to set me free, help me Lord to live that life, and be determined in Him to have a cheerful heart, in Jesus wonderful Name I pray, amen!

HAVE A GREAT AND GODLY WEEKEND!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - JEHOVA JIREH - “The Lord Will Provide.”

"Every thing that a man leans upon but God, will be a dart that will certainly pierce his heart through and through. He, who leans only upon Christ, lives the highest, choicest, safest, and sweetest life." - Thomas Brooks.

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." - Gen 22:14.

The small boy had been consistently late for dinner. One particular day his parents had warned him to be on time, but he arrived later than ever. He found his parents already seated at the table, about to start eating. Quickly he sat at his place, then noticed what was set before him--a slice of bread and a glass of water. There was silence as he sat staring at his plate, crushed.

Suddenly he saw his father's hand reach over, pick up his plate and set it before himself. Then his dad put his own full plate in front of his son, smiling warmly as he made the exchange. When the boy became a man, he said, "All my life I've known what God was like by what my father did that night." – Source unknown.

“The Lord will provide.” As we read the account of Abraham's testimony to the goodness of God, in providing a ram to take the place of his son on the altar. We realise that the Lord will provide for us also, if we will trust Him, like Abraham did. There are 3 things that trust must be made of, but before we get to that, we must understand HOW the LORD PROVIDES...

HE PROVIDES THE RIGHT THING!
“A ram.”- A substitute. Because of sin we were under condemnation, under the curse, devoted to death. Only God could provide the needed sacrifice, neither EDUCATION nor CIVILISATION could avail, but REGENERATION through the blood of God's appointed Lamb…

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Gal 2:20.

HE PROVIDES THE RIGHT PLACE!
“On the mount of the Lord.”- It is very significant that on the same mount, perhaps on the very spot, where the ram was caught in the thicket that was to die in stead of Isaac, Jesus the Lamb of God was caught among the ropes and nails of the Cross, and offered as a sacrifice for our sins. That mount of sacrifice became a mount of communion for Abraham, because of the Cross; we are made near to God, the veil has been torn asunder, and we can now enter into His presence, and have fellowship with God…

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.. - Heb 4:14-15.

HE PROVIDES AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Just when the knife was uplifted and the death stroke about to fall, the voice was heard and the substitute seen. God's clock is never one moment behind! Some people maybe reading this as a last hope of despair. LISTEN to the voice and LOOK at the substitute Lamb that took our sin, guilt, grief, sorrow, and shame. Faith will be tried, and may be tested to the utmost limit, but He will not go above what we are able to bear, and will with the temptation make a way of escape. “Why does this happen to our faith?” Because man's extremity is God's opportunity!

At one time J. Wilbur Chapman experienced a great sorrow that nearly shook his faith. In addition, his finances were almost depleted just when it was necessary for him to take a long trip to the western United States. One of the elders of his church who was a wealthy banker came to his home to offer a word of comfort and encouragement. As he left, he slipped a piece of paper into the pastor's hand. Chapman looked at it and was surprised to find that it was a check made out to him and signed by this rich friend.

But the figures to indicate the amount of the gift were missing. "Did you really mean to give me a signed blank check?" he asked. "Yes," said the man. "I didn't know how much you'd need, and I wanted to be sure you would have enough." Later Chapman commented, "While I never had to use that check, it gave me a secure feeling to know that thousands of dollars were literally at my disposal."

Someone once said, "God too has given us a signed check in Philippians 4:19 to provide for every genuine need that arises in our lives." – Source unknown.

3 WAYS TO TRUST THAT THE LORD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE!

CONFIDENTLY...
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? - Rom 8:32.

EXPECTANTLY...
And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. - Heb 11:11.

CONTENTEDLY...
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can human beings do to me?"- Heb 13:5-6.

Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:

Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. - Our Daily Bread.

He will provide wisdom for the meek, strength for the weak, weapons for the warfare, comfort for the time of sorrow, and grace for every need. He is our provider in LIFE; He is our provider in DEATH; He is our provider in ETERNITY! HE IS JEHOVAH-JIREH!!! It's time to turn from our worldly ways, worldly crutches, worldly trusts, and make Jesus our personal Jehovah-Jireh!

Loving Father, I thank you that you are my Jehovah-Jireh, my provider. I thank you Lord that when I am in need, you have already seen that need and provided for it! Help me Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to come before your throne, confidently, expectantly, and contentedly, knowing that you will always provide, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name, I pray, amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY – A HUMOROUS LOOK AT BEAUTY!

My wife was grading a science test at home that she had given to her elementary-school class and was reading some of the results to me. The subject was "The Human Body," and the first question was: "Name one of the major functions of the skin." One child wrote: "To keep people who look at you from throwing up." - Contributed by Sam Jarrett, Reader's Digest.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. - 1Pet 3:3-4.

The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance. After his address, a woman "with an almost unbelievably plain face" came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers. He replied, "While I have troubles of my own of that kind, I've discovered that if you light it up from within, any old face you have is good enough." - Our Daily Bread, December 7, 1992.
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Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), former president of Harvard University, had a birthmark on his face that bothered him greatly. As a young man, he was told that surgeons could do nothing to remove it. Someone described that moment as "the dark hour of his soul." Eliot's mother gave him this helpful advice: "My son, it is not possible for you to get rid of that hardship...But it is possible for you, with God's help, to grow a mind and soul so big that people will forget to look at your face." - Our Daily Bread, June 15, 1992.
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An ad appeared in a newspaper that read: "Farmer wants to marry woman, 35, with tractor. Send picture of tractor." - Source Unknown.
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The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is the reason he made so many of them. - A. Lincoln.
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It was absolutely amazing. I was in West Africa--Timbuktu to be exact--and the missionaries were telling me that in that culture the larger the women were the more beautiful they were thought to be. In fact, a young missionary who had a small, trim wife said that the nationals had told him she was a bad reflection on him-- he obviously was not providing well enough for her. A proverb in that part of Africa says that if your wife is on a camel and the camel cannot stand up, your wife is truly beautiful. - J. Stowell, Fan The Flame, Moody, 1986, p. 119.

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to understand that it is my inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, is of great worth in your sight. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - ATTEND TO THE LITTLE THINGS.

"It is better to have God’s approval, than the world’s applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God's face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant." - Our Daily Bread.

THE SMALL THINGS THAT SPOIL
A good definition of SPOIL = something taken from another by force or craftiness. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. - Song 2:15.

We must watch the small things which may spoil our testimony. This is a warning to believers to crush our sinful appetites and passions, which are as little foxes, which destroy our graces and comforts, and squash good beginnings. Whatever hinders us in that which is good, we must destroy it.

Remember... "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. - Luke 16:10.

Be on guard against the “little foxes,” that evil thought, that hasty word, that burst of temper, that snap judgment which may bring defeat. Put on the whole armour of God by prayer, Bible study, Spiritual exercise, and we will be able to keep at bay enemies both large and small.

SMALL THINGS SOMETIMES GENERATE BIG OPPORTUNITIES! Then he said, "Take the arrows," and the king took them. Elisha told him, "Strike the ground." He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times." - 2 Kings 13:18-19.

In neglecting small things, the King exposed half-heartedness, in neglecting small things it resulted in lost opportunity. Our unfaithfulness limits the goodness of God, but if we are faithful in the small things, He will be faithful in the big things.Everybody has dreams of great opportunies. The reason our ship hasn't come in, is probably because we have sent none out.

So many have said, "Well, if I had more ---------- Oh, the things I could do.” God is asking us, “What are you doing with what I have given you?” Health, home, children, husband, talent, money, etc. The smallest deed for Him, does not escape the eye of the Father, and He will bless it.

The Irish Potato Famine (1846-1851) resulted in a 30 percent drop in the population of the west of Ireland. The prolonged suffering of the Irish peasantry had broken the survivors in body and spirit. John Bloomfield, the owner of Castle Caldwell in County Fermanagh, was working on the recovery of his estate when he noticed that the exteriors of his tenant farmers' small cottages had a vivid white finish. He was informed that there was a clay deposit on his property of unusually fine quality. To generate revenue and provide employment on his estate, he built a pottery at the village of Belleek in 1857. The unusually fine clay yielded a porcelain china that was translucent with a glass-like finish. It was worked into traditional Irish designs and was an immediate success.

Today, Belleek's delicate strength and its iridescent pearlized glaze is enthusiastically purchased the world over. This multimillion-dollar industry arose from innovative thinking during some very anxious times. - Bits & Pieces.

As I said before, I believe that God is telling to us to pay close attention to small things, details, because it is these small things, that is upsetting our lives in great ways.

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to be more aware of small things that go undetected in my life, which can cause problems with far reaching consequences. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - A HEART STARTER #13.

It is said that as the great Michelangelo painted the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel, lying on his back for endless hours to finish every detail with great care, a friend asked him why he took such pains with figures that would be viewed from a considerable distance. "After all," the friend said, "Who will notice whether it is perfect or not?" "I will," replied the artist. - Today In The Word.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. - Titus 2:7-8.

Well, that’s another weekend gone, and we are starting a new week. Monday’s can be very lethargic, and not easy to get going, so I thought by way of encouragement, that we could have a ‘Heart Starter’ from God, rather than six cups of coffee!

There is nothing employers love more than a good worker, especially one who has integrity, and is a good example in all they do. Employers know that these employees are the best achievers.

What qualities in employees irritate bosses the most? Burke Marketing Research asked executives in 100 of the nation's 1000 largest companies. At the top of the list was dishonesty. Mrac Silbert, whose temporary employee firm commissioned the study, says, "If a company believes that an employee lacks integrity, all positive qualities, ranging from skill and experience to productivity and intelligence, become meaningless."

Six other factors were discovered, making a total of "seven deadly sins" that can cause you to lose your job. They are listed below in decreasing order of irritation value...

1. Irresponsibility, goofing-off and doing personal business on company time.
2. Arrogance, ego problems and excessive aggressiveness. Bosses dislike those who spend more time talking about their achievements than in getting the job done.
3.Absenteeism and lateness.
4. Not following company policy.
5. Failure to follow the rules makes management feel an employee can't be trusted.
6. Whining and complaining.
7. Laziness and lack of commitment and dedication. If you don't care about the firm, they won't care about you. - The Pryor Report.
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Integrity is more than not being deceitful or slipshod. It means doing everything "heartily as unto the Lord" (Col. 3:23). In his book Lyrics, Oscar Hammerstein II points out one reason why, a reason Christians have always known:

"A year or so ago, on the cover of the New York Herald Tribune Sunday magazine, I saw a picture of the Statue of Liberty . . . taken from a helicopter and it showed the top of the statue's head. I was amazed at the detail there. The sculptor had done a painstaking job with the lady's coiffure, and yet he must have been pretty sure that the only eyes that would ever see this detail would be the uncritical eyes of sea gulls.

He could not have dreamt that any man would ever fly over this head. He was artist enough, however, to finish off this part of the statue with as much care as he had devoted to her face and her arms, and the torch and everything that people can see as they sail up the bay. . .

When you are creating a work of art, or any other kind of work, finish the job off perfectly. You never know when a helicopter, or some other instrument not at the moment invented, may come along and find you out. “ - Oscar Hammerstein II.

Wow! Now that our hearts are beating regularly, let’s consider what we have just read over a cup of Java, and ask the Lord to help us to have integrity, and set a fine example.

Loving Father, I thank you for the beautiful weekend that I had. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to have integrity, and to be a good example for others to follow, that I may bring glory to your name. Use me Lord, to encourage others by my example. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:15.

Can you think of a more terrifying thought than God not forgiving us our sins?

We know how much He paid so our sins could be forgiven! We know how much He loves us! We know how much He wants us to be in relationship with him! So why would He withhold His forgiveness? Because we demonstrate that we have not received it or do not understand it!

God is gracious and he will not accept those who are not gracious!

Loving Father, there are those that I do find it difficult to forgive. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, right now while I'm praying, soften my heart, cleanse my soul of any bitterness or resentment, and empower me to let go of the pain of the past, and forgive. I thank you for this grace to not only be forgiven, but also to forgive. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY – A CHEERFUL HEART #39.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Pro 17:22.

Four-Letter Surgery…

Jerry is recovering from day surgery when a nurse asks him how he is feeling.

"I'm OK but I didn't like the four-letter-word the doctor used in surgery," he answered.

"What did he say," asked the nurse.

"OOPS!"
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Old Maserati…

I was living in the mountains above Denver when my college buddy, Gary, arrived in his ancient Maserati sports car. He had just driven it from Ohio, and as he pulled into my driveway, the car broke down.

Calls to auto-supply houses and garages in search of replacement parts proved futile. The 1962 model was simply too rare. Responses ranged from "Mas-a-what?" to "You've got to be kidding." One guy just laughed.

I was at the end of the listings in the Yellow Pages when I dialed Victor's Garage. "Vic," I said, "you're my last hope. Do you carry any parts for a 1962 Maserati?"

There was a long pause. Finally, Victor cleared his throat. "Yes," he replied. "Oil."
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New Car…

The first Sunday after my husband and I bought a new car, we parked it in the last row of the church lot, not wanting to be ostentatious.

While talking with friends after the service, my husband accidentally hit the panic button on his electronic key. Immediately our car's horn blared and its lights flashed.

Watching my husband fumble with the button, his friend teased, "Wouldn't it have been in better taste to just put a few lines in the church bulletin?"
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SELFLESSNESS…

In Ernest Gordon's true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp, Through the Valley of the Kwai, there is a story that never fails to move me. It is about a man who through giving it all away literally transformed a whole camp of soldiers. The man's name was Angus McGillivray. Angus was a Scottish prisoner in one of the camps filled with Americans, Australians, and Britons who had helped build the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. The camp had become an ugly situation. A dog-eat-dog mentality had set in. Allies would literally steal from each other and cheat each other; men would sleep on their packs and yet have them stolen from under their heads.

Survival was everything. The law of the jungle prevailed...until the news of Angus McGillivray's death spread throughout the camp. Rumors spread in the wake of his death. No one could believe big Angus had succumbed. He was strong, one of those whom they had expected to be the last to die. Actually, it wasn't the fact of his death that shocked the men, but the reason he died. Finally they pieced together the true story.

The Argylls (Scottish soldiers) took their buddy system very seriously. Their buddy was called their "mucker," and these Argylls believed that is was literally up to each of them to make sure their "mucker" survived. Angus's mucker, though, was dying, and everyone had given up on him, everyone, of course, but Angus. He had made up his mind that his friend would not die. Someone had stolen his mucker's blanket. So Angus gave him his own, telling his mucker that he had "just come across an extra one." Likewise, every mealtime, Angus would get his rations and take them to his friend, stand over him and force him to eat them, again stating that he was able to get "extra food." Angus was going to do anything and everything to see that his buddy got what he needed to recover.

But as Angus's mucker began to recover, Angus collapsed, slumped over, and died. The doctors discovered that he had died of starvation complicated by exhaustion. He had been giving of his own food and shelter. He had given everything he had -- even his very life. The ramifications of his acts of love and unselfishness had a startling impact on the compound.

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" - John 15:12.

As word circulated of the reason for Angus McGillivray's death, the feel of the camp began to change. Suddenly, men began to focus on their mates, their friends, and humanity of living beyond survival, of giving oneself away. They began to pool their talents -- one was a violin maker, another an orchestra leader, another a cabinet maker, another a professor. Soon the camp had an orchestra full of homemade instruments and a church called the "Church Without Walls" that was so powerful, so compelling, that even the Japanese guards attended.

The men began a university, a hospital, and a library system. The place was transformed; an all but smothered love revived, all because one man named Angus gave all he had for his friend. For many of those men this turnaround meant survival. What happened is an awesome illustration of the potential unleashed when one person actually gives it all away. - Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat.
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WE ARE REMINDED THAT BEING CHEERFUL KEEPS US HEALTHY… IT IS SLOW DEATH TO BE GLOOMY ALL THE TIME!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remind myself that Jesus died to set me free, help me Lord to live that life, and be determined in Him to have a cheerful heart, in Jesus wonderful Name I pray, amen!

HAVE A GREAT AND GODLY WEEKEND!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY