DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY - HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - 3 THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW. The Conclusion.

I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field. - John Wesley.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24.

Christians without goals are a little like Alice in the fairy tale ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ In a conversation between her and the Cheshire Cat, Alice asked, "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat. - Source Unknown.

Yesterday in Part 2, we discussed the second of the 3 things that we NEED TO KNOW, and as we studied this we realised that ‘WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE.’ We conclude today with the third one...

WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING

Many Christians don't know where they are going, and they will get there in record time! Let us try and answer these questions...

WHY DID GOD SAVE US?
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
HOW MUCH HAVE WE MATURED IN THE LORD SINCE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR CHURCH?
HOW IS OUR CHURCHES AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITIES?
WHERE DO WE EXPECT TO BE 5 OR 10 YEARS FROM NOW?

We need to seriously sit down and take time to answer these questions. We, as the Church, want people to come and imitate us, but it is hard to imitate a parked car! Jesus said... For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' - Luke 14:28-30.

The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder -- waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you. - Thomas Carlyle.

We need to get going in our purpose in God, knowing, that we have the full power of the Holy Spirit behind us! As long as God's people think of Church service as SERVE-US, we will never impact our world for Christ... And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Rom 8:28.

Mark Twain shortly before his death wrote, "A myriad of people are born; they labor and sweat and struggle; they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow;

those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last, the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them, and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever." - Source Unknown.

We are a blood bought, heaven sought, devil fought, Holy Ghost taught children of God! We need to dedicate our lives to God, with the purpose of advancing His Kingdom! Live as He intended us to live, for His glory and purpose!

Loving Father, Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to realise my purpose in Christ. Fill me again Lord, with your love, your compassion, your wisdom, your power, and for your glory. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - 3 THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW. Part 2.

God hangs the greatest weights upon the smallest wires. - Francis Bacon.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24.

The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church.

The Pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord's resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us." The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left. - Source Unknown.

Yesterday in Part 1, we discussed the first of the 3 things we NEED TO KNOW, number 1 being that ‘We Needed To Know Who We Are,’ and today we will study the second one...

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE

Most of us take for granted the things we have, the value of something is the absence of it, we don't really miss something until its gone. We are always reaching for something we don't have, which is not bad in itself, as long as we use what we have to its fullest potential.

The Kingdom principle of USE IT OR LOSE IT, is a principle that we must understand. God has given us all that we have, what have we done with it? Many have great visions of the future, but have no plans for the present; they have become visionaries, dreamers, with no substance. Let us be the people that know what we have, and use what we have to the Glory of God!

To correctly evaluate what we have, we must use the correct evaluation tools, God's perspective, not our's. Let’s look into His storehouse of treasures and find out what we have....

Moses Had A Staff
The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." - Exodus 4:2. Moses had a piece of wood in his hand, yet God used that staff to work great miracles and deliverances for His people.

Samson Had The Jawbone Of A Donkey
And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men. - Judges 15:15. Once again, deliverance came through UNEXPECTED means. We may be holding our deliverance in our hands!

David Had Five Smooth Stones
Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. - 1 Sam 17:40. When David tried to use ‘man’s wisdom’ in putting on Saul's armour, ‘it would not work,’ but he used WHAT HE HAD, and God worked through it.

Elijah Had A Prayer Answered
And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'" - 1 Kings 18:44. The answer to our prayer might not be what we expect, but WHAT GOD STARTS, HE WILL FINISH!

John Wesley's father, Samuel, was a dedicated pastor, but there were those in his parish who did not like him. On February 9, 1709, a fire broke out in the rectory at Epworth, possibly set by one of the rector's enemies. Young John, not yet six years old, was stranded on an upper floor of the building. Two neighbors rescued the lad just seconds before the roof crashed in. One neighbor stood on the other's shoulders and pulled young John through the window.

Samuel Wesley said, "Come, neighbors, let us kneel down. Let us give thanks to God. He has given me all my eight children. Let the house go. I am rich enough." John Wesley often referred to himself as a "brand plucked out of the fire" (Zech 3:2; Amos 4:11). In later years he often noted February 9 in his journal and gave thanks to God for His mercy. Samuel Wesley labored for 40 years at Epworth and saw very little fruit; but consider what his family accomplished! - W. Wiersbe.

We need to begin to see what we have by using God’s eyes. If we are going to measure what we have, then use God's benchmark! But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. -1 Cor 1:27-29.

LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE AND REJOICE IN THE LORD!

Loving Father, Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remember who I am in Christ and who I belong too. Help me Lord, to realise that all I that have, I can use for your glory. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - 3 THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW. Part 1.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way. - Viktor Frankl.

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

The noted English architect Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. A journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the workers, so he chose three and asked them this question, "What are you doing?" The first replied, "I'm cutting stone for 10 shillings a day." The next answered, "I'm putting in 10 hours a day on this job." But the third said, "I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London's greatest cathedrals." - Source Unknown.

As a born again, Spirit-filled, Child of God, we need to have the attitude of third worker. Life is filled with many joyful moments, many sad moments, many exciting surprises, and many depressing disappointments, but the thing that will stand strong, is our faith! For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. - 1 John 5:4.

We cannot allow our life to be controlled by our feelings, emotions, or our opinions. All of these things need to be crucified on the cross with Christ, so that His life can be seen in us. We need to live according to God’s knowledge. There are 3 things we NEED TO KNOW, and we will cover the first one today...

WE NEED TO KNOW WHO WE ARE

We Are A New Person
We are a whole lot different than we used to be! We are a new creation, with a new Spirit. Hallelujah! Praise His mighty name! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Cor 5:17.

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. He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build. - Ian L. Wilson.

We Have Been Raised From Spiritual Death
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. - Rom 8:11. Whoever receives the grace and the Spirit of Christ, and continues to live under its power, will have a life of submission to the Divine will. They shall have a resurrection to eternal life; and the resurrection of Christ shall be the pattern after which they shall be raised.

Once there was a brier growing in a ditch and there came along a gardener with his spade. As he dug around it and lifted it up the brier said to itself, "What is he doing? Doesn't he know I am a worthless brier?" But the gardener took it into his garden and planted it amid his flowers, while the brier said, "What a mistake he has made planting me among these beautiful roses."

Then the gardener came once more and made a slit in the brier with his sharp knife. He grafted it with a rose and when summer came lovely roses were blooming on that old brier. Then the gardener said, "Your beauty is not due to what came out but to what I put in." - Source Unknown.

We Are Strengthened And Renewed By The Holy Spirit
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isa 40:31. The word ‘wait’ means to get ‘plaited’ = get entangled with God. It isn’t passive, it means to get involved in the service of God, and as we do our strength is renewed, and we will have the power to do great thing for His glory!

We are not to get involved with the things of this world, but we are to live for Him, and be changed by having the attitude of Him, in the way we live. Then we will know the acceptable and perfect will of God... Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Rom 12:2.

A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. "You have lost an arm in the great cause," he said. "No," said the soldier with a smile. "I didn't lose it--I gave it." In that same way, Jesus did not lose His life. He gave it purposefully. - Source Unknown.

THE WAY TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE IS TO KNOW WHOSE YOU ARE!

Loving Father, I thank you that Jesus died for me and made me a new person, with a renewed mind, and with a new purpose. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remember who I am in Christ and who I belong too. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - ACCOMPLISHMENT IN GOD.

Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. - John Henry Jowett.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. -John 4:34.

"And we ourselves are 'saved to save'-we are made to give-to let everything go if only we may have more to give. The pebble takes in all the rays of light that fall on it, but the diamond flashes them out again; every little facet is a means, not simply of drinking more in, but of giving more out." - Lillias Trotter.

I am often moved by people who want to accomplish something in life, whether it is education, sports, leadership, business, marriage, family, home etc. All of these are important in life, but the thing that moves me most as a Pastor, is when God’s people want to accomplish something for Him, spiritual accomplishment.

In our Scripture above, Jesus is talking to the disciples, in answer to their question regarding food and drink. They are all hungry and thirsty, including Jesus, but He points out to them that food shouldn’t be their primary concern, but to accomplish whatever the Father has asked us to do, in this case Jesus declares that souls that are more important than sustenance.

You would think in this highly technological world, and with all the modern appliances and gadgets we have to help us in our ministry, that we would grasp this teaching, and make it a priority in our lives, not so. Many Christians will go for sustenance over salvation, hence the need for Jesus to explain this to us.

“The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world, instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results, even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis. God give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost!” - A. B. Simpson.

Here, an opportunity of doing the father’s will presented itself, and He forgot his exhaustion and hunger, and found comfort and joy in doing what He was sent to do, save a soul. This one great objective engaged all His powers, and helped Him stop thinking about his exhaustion, and the requirements of the body.

Oh dear brothers and sisters in Christ, allow the salvation of souls to be more important to you, than sustenance. Allow eating and drinking, toil and respite, reading, thinking, Bible study, prayer, and everything of God, be directed to the accomplishment of this great work of saving souls...

“You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go not only to those that need you, but to those that need you most…It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that society; but to save as many souls as you can; to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance.” – John Wesley.

Christians! Imitate our Master, Jesus Christ! Souls are dying for lack of knowledge, and Jesus has given us the key of the kingdom, the knowledge of his word. Introduce them to the tree of life! Sinners are plummeting by their thousands into hell! The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. - Prov 11:30.

A.B. Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel "Tells rebellious men that God is reconciled, that justice is satisfied, that sin has been atoned for, that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked, the condemnation of the sinner cancelled, the curse of the Law blotted out, the gates of hell closed, the portals of heaven opened wide, the power of sin subdued, the guilty conscience healed, the broken heart comforted, the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone. - M. Cocoris.

Let us GO and help them, and save them from the eternal fire, let them know our love and compassion, let them know that the father’s will, is that none of them should perish! Accomplish great things, for a great God!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to put souls above every accomplishment in my life, make this a priority in my life. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus, amen.

GBYAY

DOGGIE TAILS# 8. Luke and Jerry Inseparable Mates!

Here’s a beautiful Doggie Tail out of Ipswich, Queensland, that would melt even the coldest heart…

JERRY takes his job as an assistant to Luke Sharpe very seriously. Consequently, he expects to be everywhere Luke is and be able to go everywhere his young master goes. The two-year-old Labrador can open doors, turn on lights, pick up dropped items and raise the alarm if something is wrong with Luke. He can even open the door to a front loader washing machine and put the dirty clothes in.

But strictly speaking, Jerry isn't a guide dog like those provided to sight and hearing impaired people, and so he doesn't have a clear legal right to access public places – including shops, restaurants, taxis, buses and trains. It's an anomaly that's being addressed by Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt, whose department has released a discussion paper proposing that assistance dogs have the same legal standing as guide dogs.

As far as Luke's mum Coral is concerned, Jerry has been a godsend for her 18-year-old son who has physical and intellectual disabilities. "It's been the best thing that's happened to Luke by far," she said. The Ipswich family has had Jerry since last December, Mrs Sharpe said, and so far they had not run into an access problems. "Luke is in a wheelchair, so I think people see the dog and think, yes, he needs him, but there are bound to be problems somewhere along the line," she said.

Craig Murray, who trained Jerry for 14 months before handing him over to Luke, said the law changes were important so trainers had full public access while training dogs and so trainers and owners were aware what assistant dogs were allowed to do. "Luke is in a wheelchair, but other people with disabilities might be challenged," he said.

Mr. Murray said increasing numbers of people with disabilities were seeking assistance dogs. "Jerry has been trained to go everywhere with Luke," he said. "He provides Luke with personal support and companionship, so Luke's always got a familiar friend with him. "There's nothing like seeing a kid like Luke get a dog like Jerry and seeing how much their lives are enhanced."

And there's no denying that. Ask Luke how he feels about Jerry and he raises two thumbs up.

Ask me the same question, and I will give the thumbs up, and a bit of financial support as well!

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY - PAY ATTENTION TO THE SMALL 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.’ (Matt. 25: 21)." - Thomas Watson.

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? - Luke 12:25-26.

We should mind little things -- little courtesies in life, little matters of personal appearance, little extravagances, little minutes of wasted time, little details in our work. It seems that a thing cannot be too small to command our attention. The first hint Newton had, leading to his most important optical discoveries, was derived from a child's soap bubble.

The art of printing was suggested by a man cutting letters in the bark of a tree. The telescope was the outcome of a boy's amusement with two glasses in his father's shop. Goodyear neglected his skillet until it was red hot, and the accident guided him to the manufacture of vulcanized rubber -- little things, every one a little thing. Yet how important they proved to be to the man who had the wit to correlate these things with the idea in his head. – Source unknown.

I believe that God is speaking to Christians today, about paying close attention to details, small things. He is saying that we are neglecting the small things, and they have been destroying the great things in our life. For example...

THE SMALL IMPURITIES IN LIFE!
Paul said to the Corinthian Christians... Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? - 1 Cor 5:6. A small quantity yeast will saturate the entire mass of flour, or dough, and spread itself through it all. The idea here is that a single sin indulged in, or allowed in the church, would act like yeast, and it would saturate and corrupt the whole church, unless it was removed. A small impurity can destroy lives, if we do not deal with it.

Imagine all the obstacles a person might have to overcome if he were to walk from New York City to San Francisco. One man who accomplished this rare achievement mentioned a rather surprising difficulty when asked to tell of his biggest hurdle. He said that the toughest part of the trip wasn't traversing the steep slopes of the mountains or crossing hot, dry, barren stretches of desert. Instead, he said, "The thing that came the closest to defeating me was the sand in my shoes." - Our Daily Bread.

THE SMALL THINGS THAT SPOIL
A definition of SPOIL = something taken from another by force or craftiness... Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." - 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... "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in 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, and spiritual exercise, and we will be able to ward off enemies both large and small.

SMALL THINGS SOMETIMES GENERATE BIG OPPORTUNITIES!
And he said, "Take the arrows," and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them." And he struck three times and stopped. Then the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria 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 opportunities. 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.

God is saying to us to pay close attention to small things, details, because it is these small things, that are preventing the great opportunities , that God want to bless us with.

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to be more aware of the small things, that go undetected in my life, help me to be more appreciative of the small things that are around me, and to take the opportunities that you give me, in Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - HOW TO SPEAK GRACIOUSLY. The Conclusion.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. – Source unknown.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Col 4:6.

On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings read: Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, / lies Arabella Young, / Who on the twenty-fourth of May, / began to hold her tongue. -Source Unknown.

Yesterday in Part 2, we studied the ‘FOUR TESTS OF GRACIOUS SPEECH.’ Keeping in mind that, every time we speak, we need to do so in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the conclusion of our study, we share some...

SUGGESTIONS FOR GRACIOUS SPEAKING

Determine To Control Our Tongue
One of the problems of the modern day Christian, is that they have access to so much information, that they want to share it. Whether the information is correct or not, seems to be irrelevant. This is the price we pay for living in the information age! But as Christians we need to think twice before we speak.

James knew the answer to taming the tongue... If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. - Jam 1:26. Religious conviction is designed to bring the whole person under control, and to subdue every member of the body and mind to its demands. If the tongue is not bridled, or if there is any uncontrolled tendency to sin whatever, it proves that there is no true religion.

A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!"
"You mean," she persisted, "that after all the years I've shopped here, you won't sell me half-a-head of lettuce?"
"Look," he said, "If you like I'll ask the manager."

She indicated that would be appreciated, so the young man marched to the front of the store. "You won't believe this, but there's a lame-braided idiot of a lady back there who wants to know if she can buy half-a-head of lettuce." He noticed the manager gesturing, and turned around to see the lady standing behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. "And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half" he concluded.

Later in the day the manager cornered the young man and said, "That was the finest example of thinking on your feet I've ever seen! Where did you learn that?"

"I grew up in Grand Rapids, and if you know anything about Grand Rapids, you know that it's known for its great hockey teams and its ugly women."
The manager's face flushed, and he interrupted, "My wife is from Grand Rapids!"
"And which hockey team did she play for?" - Source Unknown.

Say Only Good Things About Others
In today’s world, it seems to be the fashion to knock someone, or to bring them down a peg or two. The Apostle Paul had good advice when he wrote to Titus... Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. - Tit 3:1-2. We must not fall into the trap of the world, where anything is said, to anybody!

Remember Our Accountability
As Spirit filled followers of Jesus, we need to put into practise, the teachings of our Master... I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Mat 12:36-37. Take on board what Jesus says, and speak well of people, especially in the family of God.

Ask The Lord To Help Us!
When we feel that we are in difficulty, when we have to speak to someone, we need to ask the lord for wisdom in what to say... - Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! - Psa 141:3.

Our words, what we say tell so much about us! We need to have a ‘verbal advantage,’ every time we speak, people judge us by the words we use, we need to put this advice into operation... Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Col 4:6.

Aesop, the ancient storyteller, told this fable: Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion's skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. But the fox, hearing the donkey's voice, said, "If you want to terrify me, you'll have to disguise your bray." Aesop's moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away. - Traditional.

Does our speech, build others up, or tear them down? Does our speech, show the love of Christ? Does our speech, drive sinners away from our Lord? We need to speak graciously at all times, for His glory!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak graciously at all times. Let my words reflect the life and grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - HOW TO SPEAK GRACIOUSLY. Part 2.

Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts. - Thomas Carlyle.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Col 4:2-6.

Yesterday in Part 1, we shared how, in order to ‘Speak Graciously,’ we needed to have grace in our hearts. We also, every time we speak, to do so in the name of the Lord Jesus. Today, we share...

FOUR TESTS OF GRACIOUS SPEECH

Is Our Speech True?
The Apostle Paul told the Church at Colosse, that their gracious speech should be “... seasoned with salt,” he was doing so in the fact that, salt was used for preserving and purifying, and so our speech should truthful and pure. Eph 4:15 tells us to Speak the truth in love... Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

Before we repeat a statement, we have to make sure it is true! Someone said “I believe half of what I see, and nothing of what I hear!” Just because someone said it dose not make it true! It is so easy to jump to a wrong conclusion! It's like the dog story I heard...

There once was a dog named August,
Who was always jumping at conclusions,
One day he jumped at the conclusion of a mule,
That was the last day of August!

Before we believe something, and before we repeat something, make sure it is true!

Is Our Speech Complete?
It is so easy to get half of the story, what is said may be true, but it may not be the complete story! Before we say anything, make sure we get the entire story, keeping in mind that there is also two sides to a story. Let’s get our facts straight before we speak, and the then we will have, the complete story... For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? - Luke 14:28.

John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn't there! So he slammed on the brakes, ordered the hitchhiker out, and said, "Hand over the wallet immediately!" The frightened hitchhiker handed over a billfold, and John drove off. When he arrived home, he started to tell his wife about the experience, but she interrupted him, saying, "Before I forget, John, do you know that you left your wallet at home this morning?" - Our Daily Bread.

Is Our Speech Necessary?
What we say may be true, it may be complete, but is it NECESSARY? Remember... Eph 4:15, “Speaking the truth in LOVE.” Also, in... 1 Pet 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Some of the most hurtful words that have ever been spoken, have been preceded by the words... “it is the truth.” Just because it is the truth, doesn’t make it necessary! There are times when silence truly is golden! I love the old saying... ‘Think before you speak.’

Blessed are they who have nothing to say, and who cannot be persuaded to say it. - James Russell Lowell.

Is Our Speech Kind?
Let our speech be tempered with compassion and love... Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; - Rom 12:10. (KJV)

And in... Eph 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma. - Today in the Word.

Be kind and obliging to each other; study good Christians and their tenderness of behavior. A Christian cannot be a savage, and they need not be a fool. Never put any person to needless pain, show them kindness, compassion, and love in Jesus name.

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak graciously at all times. Let my words reflect the life, love, and grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DOGGIE TAILS #7. Hugo The Great Escape Artist!

Wow! What an amazing story of survival, Hugo, the great escape puppy...

Pup Thrown From A Car!

LOVE may have run out for little Hugo, but fortunately his luck hasn't.

Hugo survived being thrown from a car going 50km/h at the weekend but, thanks to a passer-by, he's recovering in the RSPCA's Hobart shelter.

Hugo was shaken and wobbly, but has no broken bones and is recovering well at the shelter.

RSPCA shelter president Julie Williamson was appalled.

"The sort of person who can throw an animal out of a moving car is probably capable of much worse," Ms Williamson said.

He will make a great pet for someone; they can be assured of a long life for this dog!

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - HOW TO SPEAK GRACIOUSLY. Part 1.

If someone paid you ten cents for every kind word you said about people, and collected five cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor? - Henry N. Ferguson.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Col 4:2-6.

Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both had churches in London in the 19th century. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon's orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon however, that Parker had criticized the orphanage itself. Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printed in the newspapers and became the talk of the town. People flocked to Parker's church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal.

"I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here instead." The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection plates 3 times. Later that week there was a knock at Parker's study. It was Spurgeon. "You know Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me not what I deserved, you have given me what I needed". – Moody Monthly.

Paul says... Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Col 4:2-6. The phrase, ‘always be gracious’ means that whenever we open our mouths, what comes out, must be filled with graciousness. It also has the idea of the Lord’s influence upon our hearts, and its reflection in our life.

We know the tongue has incredible power. A kind word can build you up... The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. - Prov 10:20-21. It is Godly to give compliments whenever we can. A mean or hateful word can break our hearts!

In James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. That is pretty powerful, so we need to consider...

HOW TO SPEAK GRACIOUSLY

To speak graciously, we need to do this... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. - Col 3:16. (KJV). Before our speech can be gracious, we need grace in our hearts!

Why? Jesus says... The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. - Luke 6:45. Someone who says kind things has a kind heart, someone who says negative things, has a negative heart, and someone who says mean things, has a mean heart. What's inside comes out!

Many a blunt word has a sharp edge. Keep your words soft and sweet; you never know when you may have to eat them. - Our Daily Bread.

What if we have grace in our hearts? Paul tells us tells us what happens... And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Col 3:17. Do it all in the name of our LORD JESUS! This means with His approval! Would the Lord approve of our speech?

To speak in the name of Jesus, graciousness must always be in our hearts. No one who curses, swears, lies, gossips, runs others down, is letting the Word of Christ dwell in them richly! We should strive to make this our goal, and whatever we say, say it in the name of the Lord! We’ll have a hard time yelling at another driver in Jesus' name, screaming at our kids, in Jesus' name, or saying unkind things to our spouse, in Jesus' name!

Watching a trapeze show is breathtaking. We wonder at the dexterity and timing. We gasp at near-misses. In most cases, there is a net underneath. When they fall, they jump up and bounce back to the trapeze. In Christ, we live on the trapeze. The whole world should be able to watch and say, "Look how they live, how they love one another. Look how well the husbands treat their wives. And aren't they the best workers in the factories and offices, the best neighbors, the best students?"

That is to live on the trapeze, being a show to the world. What happens when we slip? The net is surely there. The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has provided forgiveness for ALL our trespasses. Both the net and the ability to stay on the trapeze are works of God's grace. Of course, we cannot be continually sleeping on the net., If that is the case, I doubt whether that person is a trapezist. - Juan Carlos Ortiz.

We need God’s grace in our hearts! If we have this, we have true Salvation, and complete submission to Him!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak graciously at all times. Let my words reflect the life and grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - LIVING UNDER THE ANOINTING. The Conclusion.

“Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh....Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." - A. W. Tozer.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. - 1 John 2:20-21.

Gordon Brownville's “Symbols of the Holy Spirit” tells about the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first to discover the magnetic meridian of the North Pole and to discover the South Pole. On one of his trips, Amundsen took a homing pigeon with him. When he had finally reached the top of the world, he opened the bird's cage and set it free. Imagine the delight of Amundsen's wife, back in Norway, when she looked up from the doorway of her home and saw the pigeon circling in the sky above. No doubt she exclaimed, "He's alive! My husband is still alive!"

So it was when Jesus ascended. He was gone, but the disciples clung to his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. What joy, then, when the dovelike Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. The disciples had with them the continual reminder that Jesus was alive and victorious at the right of the Father. This continues to be the Spirit's message. - Thomas Lindberg.

In Part 2, we discussed ‘The Purpose Of the Anointing,’ We realised that the purpose was for Cleansing; for Consecration; and for Coronation. Today, in our conclusion, we study...

HOW TO REMAIN UNDER THE ANOINTING

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. - 1 John 2:18-19.

We have to avoid those whose purpose is to lead us astray. They were part of the church at one time, but now they were no longer true believer’s. “Christ” means “anointed one,” and “Anti-Christ” means “against the anointed one.” It’s not just against Jesus Christ, but also against those who have received the anointing.

We are commanded to avoid these people, and we should not participate in their divisiveness. They like to usurp the leadership in the church, by critically pointing out the things they disagree with. That's the spirit of anti-Christ, (anti-anointed one) it's evil, it's divisive and it's wrong.

We see an example in David's rebuttal to King Saul... Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed.' - 1 Sam. 24:10.

"It is a costly and a suffering thing to come up against the religious system that has ' settled down ' here. It is far more costly than coming up against the naked world itself. The religious system can be more ruthless and cruel and bitter; it can be actuated by all those mean things, contemptible things, prejudices and suspicions things that you will not even find in decent people in the world. It is costly to go on to the heavenlies, it is painful; but it is the way of the pioneer, and it has to be settled that is how it is." – T. Austin Sparks.

Allow God to speak directly to your heart... But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him. – 1 John 2:27.

It does not mean that we shouldn't be taught by Godly people, if that was true, we would have to discount John's letter. It means that we do not need someone to teach us a new gospel, which is far from the one which saved us. It also indicates having a strong enough relationship with the Lord that we recognise His voice. We also recognize those things which go against the Word of God.

We must abide in Christ... And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. – 1John 2:.28. Those who lost the anointing, are those who failed to spend time with Christ. Therefore, spend time with Jesus; every moment of our day should be spent with Him.

“The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.” - James Hudson Taylor.

The ones who are anointed are saved people. The anointing is for cleansing, consecration, and coronation. Remain in the anointing by avoiding anti-Christs, allowing direct revelation, and abiding in Jesus. Live under the anointing and enjoy it!

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that tells me I am anointed. Help me Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live under that anointing, and to trust you for everything. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY

DOGGIE TAILS! #6. PAWS FOR PRAYER

A stray dog called Hama has been taught to sit, stay, bow and perform Buddhist prayer rituals alongside the monks at Buljang Temple on the South Korean island of Chindo.

Now, where can I can I get a Christian Dog, that will bark in tongues, cast out demons, heal sick puppies, and preach the word in season?

GBYAY

DOGGIE TAILS! #5. Dog shoots man.

This is a wonderful case of, "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is yours"...

A TUSSLE over prey between a Bulgarian hunter and his hound ended when the dog shot the man.

The man lost his temper and began beating his Deutsch-Drahthaar hunting dog with a rifle when the animal refused to release a killed bird it had brought back.

But the dog's paw caught the trigger and the hunter was blasted with buckshot. The extent of his injuries was not reported - but local media said the dog injured a paw.

This is what I call one smart Gun Dog!

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY - LIVING UNDER THE ANOINTING. Part 2.

"Come as the fire, and purge our hearts with sacrificial flame; Let our whole soul an offering be To our Redeemer's Name." - Andrew Reed.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. - 1 John 2:20-21.

Yesterday in Part 1, we discussed ‘Who Is Anointed?’ And the fact that the anointed hate sin and walk in righteousness, and that the anointing is not man made! Today we look at...

THE PURPOSE OF THE ANOINTING

The Purpose Of The Anointing Is For Cleansing
We see the example of the act of anointing people with oil for physical ailments... And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. - Mark 6:13.

The practise of anointing with oil was greatly used by the Jews, and it was used symbolically as an emblem of that ease, comfort, and joy, which they prayed to God to impart to the sick… Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. - James 5:14.

In 1818, Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women. The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge of "childbed fever." A doctor's daily routine began in the dissecting room where he performed autopsies. From there he made his way to the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash his hands. Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such examinations with the resultant infection and death. His own practice was to wash with a chlorine solution, and after eleven years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, he lost only 184 mothers--about one in fifty.

He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, "Puerperal fever is caused by decomposed material, conveyed to a wound. . .I have shown how it can be prevented. I have proved all that I have said. But while we talk ,talk, talk, gentlemen, women are dying. I am not asking anything world shaking. I am asking you only to wash...For God's sake, wash your hands." But virtually no one believed him. Doctors and midwives had been delivering babies for thousands of years without washing, and no outspoken Hungarian was going to change them now!

Semmelweis died insane at the age of 47, his wash basins discarded, his colleagues laughing in his face, and the death rattle of a thousand women ringing in his ears. "Wash me!" was the anguished prayer of King David. "Wash!" was the message of John the Baptist. "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me," said the towel-draped Jesus to Peter. Without our being washed clean, we all die from the contamination of sin. For God's sake, wash. - Boyce Mouton.

The Purpose Of The Anointing Is For Consecration
It also represents cleansing of spiritual imperfections, and those under the anointing, get rid of those areas of sinfulness. It is used in the dedication to the service and worship of God. In Genesis 28:18 we see the very first anointing taking place... So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.

Jacob most likely thought of God every time he walked by this place. It represented a place of God's presence, and those under the anointing are themselves a place of God's presence. In Exodus 30:22-30 we see Moses anointing the tabernacle, Aaron, and the priests as ministers (servants) unto God. Everything he anointed with oil was to be used in service unto God, and those under the anointing, are dedicated servants unto God, as we are today, as followers of Jesus Christ.

Charles Spurgeon was saved on January 6, 1850, and on February 1 he wrote the following prayer of consecration: O great and unsearchable God, who knowest my heart, and triest all my ways; with a humble dependence upon the support of Thy Holy Spirit, I yield up myself to Thee; as Thy own reasonable sacrifice, I return to Thee Thine own. I would be for ever, unreservedly, perpetually Thine; whilst I am on earth, I would serve Thee; and may I enjoy Thee and praise Thee for ever! Amen. - Charles Spurgeon.

The Purpose Of The Anointing Is For Coronation
It is ceremonially used in the act of crowning a King, Queen or other Sovereign, as in the case of David... Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. - 1 Sam. 16:13.

The anointing let's us know that we are Kingdom of Priests... and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - Rev. 1:6.

We reign with Christ... The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; - 2 Tim 2:11-12.

And in 1 Pet. 2:9, it says we are a ROYAL priesthood... But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Those under the anointing recognise their position as royalty. When Satan puts them down they can tell him, “Get out of the way... royalty is coming through.”

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that tells me I am anointed. Help me Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk under that anointing, and to trust you for everything. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

Monday… The Conclusion... HOW TO REMAIN UNDER THE ANOINTING
GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - LIVING UNDER THE ANOINTING! Part 1.

"May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God's presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love." - Andrew Murray.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
- 1 John 2:20-21.

Usually when we talk about someone being really anointed, we are referring to the powerful message they had preached, or the moving song they had sung, or the way they played an instrument, or taught a Bible Study. But being under the anointing of God is not to be an occasional experience, but a perpetual lifestyle, and as Christians, we are to be under the anointing continually.

A walk in the Spirit will of necessity be a walk in accordance with the Word the Spirit has inspired. The parallel between Eph 5:18-21 and Col 3:15-17 is significant. The same results are said to flow from being filled with the Spirit in the first cast, and being filled with the Word in the second. To remain filled with the Spirit, and thus enjoy His continuing sanctifying work, will mean continuing to be filled with the Word. The relationship is obvious. - J.O. Sanders.

WHO IS ANOINTED?
According to the Apostle John, the ones who know the truth and walk accordingly have received the anointing, those that have been ‘Born again.’ We can look back to the day that we accepted Jesus Christ and point to it as the time we received the anointing. Some do not recognise this until they become filled with the Holy Spirit... until the day HE became in complete control of our lives.

There are times when the experience of the anointing is felt. Many will liken it to the same type of exhilaration experienced when receiving the Holy Spirit. Those who have the anointing love righteousness. Hebrews 1:9 talks about God anointing Jesus because of His love for righteousness… You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

D.L Moody said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled." - J. Kuhatschek.

Those who have the anointing hate sin. In essence, they have the same mind as God. The anointing comes from God (the Holy One) and not from man. (cf. Acts 10:38). Most Pastors, Evangelists, and other types of ministers, have gone through particular areas of Ministerial training, Internship Program, Bible College or Seminary, Ordination from a Christian organisation.

The anointing, however, does not come from these things. Just as man does not call man into the ministry. Men merely acknowledge the anointing with particular courses of action. Remember, that each one of us that know Jesus, have received the anointing.

Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, "Why do we need this 'Mr. Moody'? He's uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, "No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody." - Source Unknown.

For some of us, we need to walk under that anointing, it means relying on God.

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that tells me I am anointed. Help me Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk under that anointing, and to trust you for everything. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

Tomorrow… Part 2.
THE PURPOSE OF THE ANOINTING.

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - DO YOU HAVE A MINISTRY?

For the sake of each of us he laid down his life--worth no less than the universe. He demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other. - St. Clement of Alexandria.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. - 2Co 5:18-19.

So popular and effective was Campbell Morgan's ministry that he was given all kinds of offers from many different places and people. John Wannamaker, the great merchant of Philadelphia, offered to build Morgan a million dollar church if he would become its Pastor. Morgan turned him down, something the wealthy Wanamaker was not accustomed to in his dealings with people. "I am God's man," said Morgan. "If I did that I would become John Wanamaker's man." - W. Wiersbe.

I hear so many Christians tell me that they don’t have a ministry today, my reply is not for publication! Suffice to say, is it so difficult for them to read the Bible for themselves? Is it so difficult to be obedient? Is it so difficult to put the commands of Christ into practice?

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Mat 28:18-20.

A minister must be learned, on pain of being utterly incompetent for his work. But before and above being learned, a minister must be godly. Nothing could be more fatal, however, than to set these two things over against one another. Recruiting officers do not dispute whether it is better for soldiers to have a right leg or a left leg: soldiers should have both legs. - B.B. Warfield.

Don’t these Christians realise that their lives belong to Jesus Christ? Don’t they realise that they are born again? Don’t they realise that they are new creations? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2Cor 5:17.

Don’t they realise that the Master has given them a ministry? The Apostle Paul defines it so well… All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846. There's more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father's disapproval.

After the wedding the Browning’s sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened!

Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored. - Daily Walk.

Those of us that are in Christ, that is, a ‘Born Again’ Christian, having Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, are a new creature; our old state is changed: we were a child of Satan, we are now children of God; we were slaves to sin, and his works were death; we are now made free from sin, and have the fruit of holiness, and everlasting life. We were full of pride and wrath; now we are meek and humble.

We previously had the devil’s portion in this life, and lived for this world alone; we now have God for our portion, and he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are eternal. Therefore, old things are passed away! Hallelujah! Praise the wonderful name of Jesus!

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - Eph 4:22-24.

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.

Yes! We all have a ministry, and that is to go into our world and win souls for Him! The world is waiting for us, to tell them of the new life they can have in Christ! They can find an end to their unfulfilled lives! They can have the direction of the Holy Spirit in their lives, instead of wandering around aimlessly!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to recognize that I have a ministry, and that ministry is to bring people to you, that they may become new creations. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus, amen!

GBYAY

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - GRATITUDE.

A 12 year old boy named David was born without an immune system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact. When asked what he'd like to do if and when released from his protective bubble, he replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass, and touch my mother's hand." - Source Unknown.

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. - Rom 6:17-18.

Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." - Daily Bread.

I often think of those Christians, whose whole purpose in life is to become famous, or rich, or bigger, or better! How sad they must be, to be free and not to be grateful for it. Don’t they realise the enormity of this truth, which we were once slaves to sin, but now we are free, and that is something to be grateful for! Thank you Lord that we are now slaves of righteousness, and for that we are eternally grateful!

How foolish to try and exceed that, how foolish to forget we were slaves to sin, how foolish to think that there is something better than being set free, from a life of torment, from a life of darkness, from a life serving Satan! How foolish! We were redeemed from the slavery of sin, and became the servants of righteousness. Hallelujah! That is something to be grateful for!

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - John 8:34-36.

Two golfers stepped up to the first tee on the St. Andrews course at Ardsley, New York, one of America's oldest courses. The elder one was a kindly man who played a thoughtful, deliberate game. The younger man was full of pride and impatience. On the first hole he sliced, lost his ball in the tall grass, shot another one, and had a score of eight instead of four or five. On the second tee he began to lecture the caddie: "Keep your eye peeled. I'm not here to do your job for you!" Thereafter, every bad shot was the caddie's fault! At the end of the first nine holes, the young man was so enraged that he discharged the caddie and carried his own bag. "That caddie doesn't like me," he said to his companion, “and I'm sure I don't like him. He made me nervous. Thank God he's gone!"

After several holes had been played without a word, the older player broke the silence: "Several years ago a little kid from Yonkers came up here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a wonderfully sweet-natured boy; quick-witted, willing, and had a nose for golf. Everybody liked him. His name was William; he had a club foot. But that didn't affect his quality as a caddie. It was a pleasure to go out with him. A certain famous doctor, a member of the club, became interested in William and took him South on a long trip. When William returned, he went back to caddying. The doctor, however, had to give up golf shortly after that because of his health. He died a few months later.

One morning I was playing a round with William carrying my bag. Spring was running riot all over Westchester County and the fields and hedges were alive with blossoms. William gathered flowers until he had quite a bouquet. 'Who's the girl, William?' I asked. 'I haven't any girl, sir,' he said sheepishly. 'They're for my friend, the doctor--twice a week I take flowers to his grave.' "You see," the man went on, "the doctor took him down South that winter and operated on his foot. He made the boy whole again. And William never forgot the doctor's act of kindness." "Now that's a caddie worth having," the younger man said. "What ever happened to this William?" "He carried your bag today for the first nine holes." - Bits & Pieces.

Let us be forever grateful, to a wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus!

Loving Father, Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be grateful for what Jesus did for me. I am grateful lord, that I have been set free from sin and that I am now living in your righteousness! In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen!

GBYAY