HE IS ABLE TO DO MORE THAN WE ASK OR THINK

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Most of us think and ask too small. We go to our Heavenly Father in prayer asking as if we believe He rations our blessings. When Jesus encountered a blind man and asked him what he really wanted the blind man answered that he wanted to see. Jesus gave him is sight.
I have often thought that today so many would have asked for so much less. They might have asked for a dog or a cane to help them get around. They might have asked for someone to help them to take care of themselves. It took a lot of boldness to ask for his sight but he learned a valuable lesson that we too should learn. He is able to do even more than we think or ask.
Are you a little shy about asking God for what you really need? Sometimes even when we pray for something specific that we really need we do not really expect God to grant it.
Believe that God wants to bless us. He is able to do more than we think or ask. Increase your faith by increasing your expectations.

MAKING A CHOICE

ByJeremy Burkes

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

When we see a brother or sister in Christ doing something wrong we have choices as to what to do. We can ignore it and do nothing. We can remember it and talk about it behind their backs, or even suggest to others that someone needs to help them, or we can talk to them and try to bring them back into fellowship ourselves.
So many times we would rather talk to others about what someone is doing wrong than to approach them ourselves in a loving way. More often than not we just say it is none of our business and we shy away from the situation all together.
There are many reasons we don't try to help someone who is overtaken by sin. They might try to throw our own sins and shortcomings back at us. We might feel inadequate to help them.
Jesus was always there to help those who sought it and those who needed it. We should make the choice to help those in need also. Especially when we see someone headed in a dangerous direction.

THE FIRST THING TO DO

Matthew 23:26 blind Pharisee, cleanse first that within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

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Many times we worry more about the outward appearance than we do about the inward condition of our lives. We worry more about embarrassing ourselves than offending God.
We would never dream of sending our children to school or church with dirty faces, hands, and shabby clothes and yet we have little concern with the things we allow them to put into their minds and hearts.
I once heard someone on TV say, "I may be a lowlife, but I look good." I'm afraid that there is a lot more of that going around than we want to think about. The only way we can really clean up the inside of our lives is by trusting Jesus and allowing Him to be our Lord and our Savior.
Many people try to live a good life but miss this important first step.

SURVIVING DISASTER 5

HAVE GOOD INSURANCE

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

It is sad to see disaster strike someone and then find out they had no insurance. The insurance industry thrives because most people know that some form of disaster will strike sooner or later. It is wonderful if you never have to use the insurance but it really gives you peace of mind to have it.
One thing is certain. Everyone is someday going to die and face judgement. The only insurance one has that He will have eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Are you prepared for eternity?
CONCLUSION:
The greatest disaster you could ever have is to go out into eternity lost. You need to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

SURVIVING DISASTER 4

HAVE A SOURCE OF LIGHT

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the [light] of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the [light] of life.

One of the things we are told to do to prepare for natural disasters is to have flashlights and plenty of batteries on hand. Everyone knows that it is much easier to deal with problems if you have a source of light. When the lights go out people seem to always run for the flashlights and candles so they can see more clearly.
The same is true for spiritual disasters. We need a source of light. Jesus is that light and He can truly shed light on any spiritual disaster we find ourselves faced with. Many times in my life when things have seemed the darkest and I didn't have any idea which way to turn my faith in Jesus has given me the light to see the solution. Knowing that there is nothing that God can't handle brings light to our spiritual life in times of disaster. I know it really brightens up my day.

Eight Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent

In the economy of the heart, these presents are priceless. This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships.
The Gift of ListeningBut you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't plan your response. Just listen.
The Gift of AffectionBe generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
The Gift of LaughterClip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
The Gift of SolitudeThere are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
The Gift of a FavourEveryday, go out of your way to do something kind.
The Gift of a Written NoteIt can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.
The Gift of a ComplimentA simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
The Gift of a Cheerful DispositionThe easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

THE NEW BIRTH

(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The new birth is really very exciting when we take a close look at it. We are passed from an old way of life to an entirely new way of life.
We have a new way of seeing. We have eyes that see by faith instead of normal sight. We have a new focus, Jesus instead of the world. There is a new light to show us the way. We have a new vision, the vision of God's glory.
We have a new way of thinking. The new mind is the mind of Christ. Our thoughts are celestial and not terrestrial. Our thoughts are eternal and not terminal. Our mind is focused instead of foggy.
We have a new strength that should keep us from growing weary:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
We can fly above the circumstances. We can run the race that is set before us. We can walk the straight and narrow path and keep our balance.
We have a new voice. A voice for praise and an attitude for service instead of being served. We will want to minister instead of being ministered too.
Most of all we have a new heart. A clean heart and a pure heart. We have a heart that won't stop beating through eternity because it comes with a new spirit that is eternal.
Isn't it wonderful to be Born Again?

Helpless But Not Hopeless

By Jeremy Burkes
1 Corinthians 10:12-13Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
When we are on our own we can do nothing. If we try to handle our own sins we fall flat on our face. We as Christians tend to turn the small stuff over to God and hang on to the big stuff ourselves. What we need to realize is there is no big stuff. Nothing is too big for God. It is all small stuff to Him.
We all want a mountain top experience but Satan is waiting halfway up the mountain. Satan knows our weaknesses and he uses them against us. When Satan attacks we need to know that God will give us victory.
We never go through our troubles alone. God is with us every step of the way. God is not along as our passenger but as our pilot. He is in charge and He can carry us through the troubles along the way. When you feel the presence of God in times of trouble and know He is with you it gives you strength.
He is with us during trials just as he was with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
On our own we are helpless but we are not Hopeless. We always have hope in God.