Spiritual Motivation and Insight

[TonyB06]

The story is told of an atheist in London who sought to make sport of a man with little education who was converted only a few years before.

"Do you know anything about Jesus Christ?" he asked.

"Yes, by the grace of God, I do," was the answer.

"When was He born?"

The man gave an incorrect answer.

"How old was He when He died?"

Again the answer was incorrect. Other questions were asked with the same
result until the atheist said with a sneer, "See, you do not know so much about Jesus as you thought, do you?"

"I know all too little," was the Christian's modest answer, "but I do know this: three years ago I was one of the worst drunkards in the east end of London. Three years ago my wife was a brokenhearted woman, and my children were as afraid of me as if I had been a wild beast. Today I have one of the happiest homes in London, and when I come home at the close of the day, my wife and children are glad to see me. Jesus Christ has done this for me.

This I know."

By H. M. S. Richards

[Lady of Pearl]

This is a very encouraging post especially the one on Employment and Change.

Startover
When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way
Start over
When you've made your plans and they've gone awry When you've tried your best and there's no more to try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why
Start over
When you've told your friend what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And now you're all alone and it's up to you
Start over
When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren have come along
Start over
When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill...
Start over
When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it
Start over
When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you
Start over
Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Be Done"
Don't just sit there.........

START OVER- Author Anonymous

[CrimsonTide4]

God's Holy Presence Within Me
Is My Inspiration Along My Life's Path.

When I ask God for guidance,
my prayer is not a one-time occurence.
I return again and again in prayer
to the guiding presence of God
within me until living from
that presence is a constant for me.
My prayer for guidance is an ongoing
state of mind, and divine wisdom
is God's ongoing response to me.

The presence of God inspires me
to make choices on my life's path
that reflect God's love for me
and my love for God.

Living from the guiding presence of God,
I am sure to choose wisely I make my choices
not because I want to avoid what seems fearful,
but because I am inspired by what brings
me peace.

At any crossroad in my life, I can choose
the best course of action for me.
Attuned to God's holy presence within me,
I am guided by divine wisdom.

"The Lord will guide you continually."--Isaiah 38:11

[CrimsonTide4]

Thought for Today:

10 GUIDELINES



A Memo From God

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to you to grant you peace, joy, happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing this seems very little to ask. I know, I already gave you the Ten Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also.

1. QUIT WORRYING

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way.

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST

Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. NO, not Your list. Put it on MY to do list. Let me be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help until you turn it over to me. And although my to do list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put in my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME

Once you have given your burdens to me quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problems with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE

Don't wake up one morning and say, Well, I'm feeling much stronger now; I think I can handle it from here. "Why do you think you are feeling stronger now?" It's simple. You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you will never forget. Please don't forget to talk to me OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only need to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT

I manage to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to do list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, and rush.

9. BE KIND

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF

As much as I love you, how can you not love your self? You were created by me for one reason only-to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are precious to me. Don't ever forget that! With all my heart I love you,

--author unknown to me

[CrimsonTide4]

The Silver Refinery


Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable _expression in the third verse. "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3 One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to Visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.

"But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver.

[DIVINEeyeAM]

A Strong Woman vs. Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape... But a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything... But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her... But a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... But a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings .

A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face... But a woman of strength wears grace .

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

-Dorothy Lee

[CrimsonTide4]

"Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the Living God." Heb 3:23



A WILDERNESS OF THE EXACT OPPOSITE!



In the book "The Journey" by Rick Joyner he tells how the Israelites were promised a "land flowing with milk and honey". Like our lives today, between the place where we receive the promise of God and the Promised Land (the fulfillment of the promise), there is usually going to be a wilderness that is the exact OPPOSITE of what we have been promised. A place that is going to require faith.



God’s promise to Israel was clear that He would bring them to "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exod. 3:8). Then, for the first three days of their journey toward that land, they did not even have water to drink. Try to comprehend just how great this trial was. Have you ever gone without any liquids for just one day? Think what it would be like for three days, which takes a person to the limits of what the human body can endure. Then think about doing this in the wilderness with two million people kicking dust in your face! This was a trial.Then, when they finally came to a well and their hopes rose to the very heights, the waters were bitter!


When disappointment results in complaining, the destroyer of our faith is released and much is lost. The wilderness is meant to test our faith. The first lesson in the wilderness we must learn is that complaining is the language of unbelief! Complaining is a telltale sign of a hardened, unbelieving heart. (Heb 3:7-13) Faith moves God. Unbelief provokes Him and is a never-ending circle in the desert. We will not attain the promises of God with unbelief in our hearts. PRAISE is the language of faith! Do it!

[CrimsonTide4]

The Assignment of "Waiting"

The Spirit of God has a way of helping us overcome bad choices that were made in the past. Some of us made a simple choice concerning a financial transaction years ago and may be still suffering from that one choice. It may have been something as simple as purchasing something when it wasn't the time.

Some of us have made bad choices concerning career moves and even relationships. The choice seemed right at the time, but the choice did not have the substance to endure the test of time. A simple choice can sometimes turn into years of frustration and discouragement. A purchase made outside of it's due season can come back to 'cripple you' when it's time to purchase a real necessity, such as a house or a car.

These simple, but significant 'set backs' will sometimes be the burdens that cause! Most believers to be discouraged in their faith towards God's faithfulness, and even can cause doubt in their own significant Assignments and Callings.

God, however, has a Way of bringing life back to those who suffer from bad choices. He has a sure Way of restoring lives into the Fullness of Joy. He and the Holy Spirit have devised a Plan that will bring ultimate restoration. It's called...Waiting.

The Assignment of 'Waiting with God'

There is indeed an assignment for Waiting. Some of the issues we have in life must be waited out. We must embrace the practical strengths of the Holy Ghost that will enable us to endure the process of perfection that God is releasing to our situation. God doesn't always speak to the mountains in our lives, nor does He automatically cause them to disappear. There is a method to the Ways of God.

He has within Himself the power to assign the "Strategic Purpose of Waiting" into your life progression. Waiting with the Lord is another way of waiting "on God." You must understand that God is also in this waiting process with you. You are not in it alone. Do not wait with the issues. Change your company and wait with the Spirit. When you wait alongside the Spirit, He will download new insights into your life that will give you a strategy on how to deal with the circumstance. If you are waiting alongside the negative issue, you will become more frustrated and depressed.

What is the Purpose of Waiting?

There is a purpose in Waiting. God is giving you the power to outlive the choice. With some of us, these bad choices have walked with us for years, and have been instrumental in deflating many dreams and desires. It has had a way of shackling your expectations, and setting an extreme limitation on your Joy and Faith.

But God is always faithful. He will destroy the powers of the bad transactions in your life, and activate the Eternal Life inside of you that will empower you to "outlive and outrun" the bad choices you have made. His strategy in Waiting will navigate the deliverance you need, as well as the Favor you have been waiting for.

The Power to Get Up and Run Again

God is setting the appointed time for your refreshing. Refreshing at the wrong time may be all right, but not everlasting. But Refreshing in a due season will create a lifetime of remembrance, faithfulness, and power. Drinking water when there is no thirst merely tastes good. But water that is received when the power of thirst has set in, will give you the power to get up and run again.

In your waiting, God is creating a Refreshing just for you. This Refreshment will give you the power to run again, jump again, and overcome again. It will create in you the Power to Reproduce. It will renew your strength. It will renew your mind. It will take away the fear you have received because of choices in the past.

They that wait on the Lord...
And they that wait 'with the Lord...' ! (smile)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom sent this to me this morning and I just now read it. . .YEA LAWD!! I needed this. I really did.

[CrimsonTide4]

[Honeykiss1974]

CT4, those last two post were right on time!

Thank you!

[lostnfound117]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4

Thank you so much for this!!! I really needed it!

[CrimsonTide4]

By the time the Lord made woman, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and she will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days"

The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."

And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.


They go without so their family can have.


They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.


They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.


Their hearts break when a friend dies.


They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.


They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.


Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love.They have compassion and ideals.They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

[Honeykiss1974]

Depends on whose hands its in

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark Mcguire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God's hands because -- It depends whose hands it's in.

[Honeykiss1974]

-Three Bullets

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had
an old shotgun and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out
and kill something for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit and he shot at the rabbit
and missed it.

Then he saw squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.

As he went further, he saw a wild turkey in the tree and he had only
one bullet, but a voice came to him and said "pray first, aim high and
stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill.

He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a
rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the
gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'pray', aim high and stay
focused." So, the man decided to listen to the voice. He prayed, then
aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell
off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when
the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood to
look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to
eat.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot
high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Pass this on in order that
someone else might be blessed. Never let others discourage us
concerning our past. The past is exactly that "the past."

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our
future and that he will not put us through any more than we can bear.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will
follow.

FROM ONE FRIEND TO ANOTHER...

[Honeykiss1974]

Undeserved Blessings
Read: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Tennis superstar Arthur Ashe died of AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion during heart surgery. More than a great athlete, Ashe was a gentleman who inspired and encouraged many with his exemplary behavior on and off the court.

Ashe could have become embittered and self-pitying in the face of his disease, but he maintained a grateful attitude. He explained, "If I asked, 'Why me?' about my troubles, I would have to ask, 'Why me?' about my blessings. Why my winning Wimbledon? Why my marrying a beautiful, gifted woman and having a wonderful child?"

Ashe's attitude rebukes those of us who often grumble, "Why me? Why is God allowing this to happen?" Even if we're suffering acutely, we must not forget the mercies God pours into our lives—such things as food, shelter, and friends—blessings that many are deprived of.

And what about spiritual blessings? We can hold the very Word of God in our hands and read it. We have the knowledge of His saving grace, the comfort of His Spirit, and the joyful assurance of life everlasting with Jesus.

Think about God's blessings and ask, "Why me?" Then your grumbling will give way to praise. —Vernon Grounds

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. —Oatman

With unwanted burdens come undeserved blessings.