On Wings Of Eagles

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Monday, February 28, 2011

What Are You Hanging on To?

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.



"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"


Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.


"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."


As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.


On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.


Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.


Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"


"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."


"Then give me your pearls."


"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."


"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.


About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"


"Daddy, you know I love you."


"Then give me your pearls."


"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."


"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.


A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.


"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"


Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."


With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.


He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.


What are you hanging on to?






"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."


- Matthew 13:44-46 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we will not hang on to the things of little value but that we will give them to you so that we may prosper. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I Wonder If I Should Have Listened?

Here is a good story about listening:
I’m standing here on this ridge watching the water rise. Old Noah said it was gonna happen. In all my 300 years I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m not sure what to think of it.
The whole thing started quite a while ago – has to be nearly 100 years now. The old man started building this big thing he called an ark. Everyone said he’d gone nuts.
He said God had talked to him. He said everyone had been so evil that God was going to destroy the whole world. He was going to make it rain and flood everything.
I got to hear it pretty regular. You see, I’m a blacksmith. Old Noah’s been buying nails from me pretty much since I took over the business after my father died. He’s been in the shop so regular that I’ve tried to take pretty decent care of him. I’ve got a couple light weights for my scales – a guy’s gotta make a profit, you know – but I didn’t use them very much with Noah. If he wanted five pounds of nails, I tried to give him five pounds. There was something about the guy that just made you want to do right. Most guys I don’t mind gouging a bit. I’m sure they’ll do it to me if I’m not careful.
So Noah would come into the shop for nails and tell me all about the project – when he got all the ribs on the keel, which deck he was building, how he was doing gathering supplies – and we’d stop and have tea sometimes. Then he’d start talking about God and God’s sadness about what everybody was doing. He said God didn’t like the way people were living. My first wife used to come into the shop and listen a lot. Sometimes she would go down to his place on Saturdays and listen to him preach. Then she’d come home and preach at me. I finally turned her out. I couldn’t take it anymore. Old Noah didn’t come around for almost a year after that. Finally he came back – said he liked my product – but he was never quite the same. He would still tell me about God and tell me I needed to repent and ask me to come with him on the ark. I’d usually find a job that was due soon and have to get back to it.
So old Noah and his boys kept building – they ran short on regular work, but Noah was near 500 years-old and he’d done well in his carpentry business when he was younger, so being semi-retired didn’t hurt him too much. It probably helped him get the crazy thing done.
There it sat. He’d built the biggest boat anyone had ever seen. Some guys on the lake up north have some pretty big boats, but Noah’s was outrageous. The crazy thing’s 150 yards long. I’ve never seen anything like it. The only water near here is the river out east of town. Noah’s boat would reach across it – if he had had any way to move it over there.
Then, about a month ago, things got really strange. Animals started showing up. Noah said he was going to put animals on the ark, but I don’t think even he was ready for what happened. Every sort of critter anyone had ever seen or heard of – and a lot we’d never seen before. A couple of each of them, at least, started showing up at his place. Every day there would be something new. Sometimes they’d wander through town, sometimes they’d just be there in the morning. Noah’d get them loaded on the boat and keep working.
He’d come to town in the evenings and tell people the “time is near.” I heard him a couple times. He seemed nuttier than ever.
Then one day Noah and his family loaded up on the boat. There was a huge door in the side of the boat. The door closed by itself. It was kind of spooky. Then it started to rain. There was water everywhere. The ground opened up and water flowed out. It was just insane. By then there was no way in to Noah’s boat. The crazy old man went inside and shut the windows; the hull was slick and though people tried, there was no way in.
When I got home, there was already four or five inches of water in the shop. I gathered some tools and other supplies and headed for this high ground. People still didn’t seem to be taking it seriously so we were able to secure one of the tallest hills around, not far from town. We had to defend it a couple times when the last of the houses finally went under but no one is coming by now.
For the first few days we saw a lot of boats. There were a lot of little ones and a couple big ones that looked like they might have sailed down from the lake. Then on the eighth day after the rain started there was huge storm. We haven’t seen a boat on the water since – Noah had sailed out of sight on day six. There’s a lot of debris and bodies and junk floating by, but there doesn’t seem to be anything left alive. We’ve seen smoke coming from the high ground east of here, but not much else.
It’s been 12 days since the rain started. So we’ve got a routine and a secure place here. I’ve been measuring the water every day. At the rate the water’s rising we’ve got enough high ground to go another 12 days, maybe 15. I figure we ought to be all right. After all, how long can a storm last? Still, sometimes I wonder if maybe I shouldn’t have listened to the old man.

"Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening.""
-1 Samuel 3:10 (New American Standard)

Dear Lord we pray that we would have our ears open and we would listen to what you have to say to us.  We thank you for the ways you talk to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Are You An Encourager?

Napoleon's genius had been attributed to many things, but, above all, he was a superb natural leader of men. Like any wise leader he was aware that his own success would have been nothing had his men not been willing, even eager, to follow him. Obviously he could not know and personally inspire every man in his vast army, therefore he devised a simple technique for circumventing this difficulty. Before visiting a regiment he would call the colonel aside and ask for the name of a soldier who had served well in previous campaigns, but who had not been given the credit he deserved. The colonel would indicate such a man. Napoleon would then learn everything about him, where he was born, the names of his family, his exploits in battle, etc. Later, upon passing this man while reviewing the troops, and at a signal from the colonel, Napoleon would stop, single out the man, greet him warmly, ask about his family, compliment him on his bravery and loyalty, reminisce about old campaigns, then pin a medal on the grateful soldier. The gesture worked. After the review, the other soldiers would remark, "You see, he knows us--he remembers. He knows our families. He knows we have served." 
What a great example of leadership. We need to take the time to know those around us in a way that makes them feel special.  In feeling special they will give their best.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray today that we would be the encouragement that somebody needs today. We pray that our eyes would be open so that we can be ready to share your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Friday, February 25, 2011

God Can Use Your Talent.

Bob Russell who preaches in Louisville was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and he tells the story of his first youth minister who was a city-boy. Now his youth group was made up mostly of kids from the farm so they didn’t think they would have much in common with this city slicker and so weren’t much ready to listen to him. The entire youth group was at Bob’s one Saturday and it came time to milk the cows. This youth minister said, "Can I go down to the barn with you and see what it’s all about?" Bob said, "Sure," and Harry Orn, the new minister, headed with the others to the barn. What the youth group didn’t know was that Harry had worked each summer on his grandfather’s dairy farm. Well, Harry watched the milking for a little bit and then sheepishly said, "Could I try that?" Bob said, they welcomed the idea because they knew that it would be good for a laugh. So he sat down tentatively on the stool and he grabbed the cow in the appropriate place and 2 or 3 of the boys leaned way over to get a good laugh when this city slicker couldn’t get any milk out of the cow. And Bob says, "He suddenly turned that cow’s spicket right up at us and squirted us right across the face." Everybody thought it was hilarious. And you know what? He was an instant hit. Well, Bob says, maybe not instant, it took a couple of minutes, but Harry Orn was able to fit right in with the kids and had a great ministry. Listen, God can use any talent that you have, even milking cows.



18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.


- Matthew 16:18-20 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we are thankful for the many lessons you bring us through each day. We thank you that we can use these experiences to become more like you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Do We Believe When we Pray?

A tale is told about a small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that "no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not."
When we pray so we believe that God will answer our prayers or are we just going through the motions?

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Matthew 17:20 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we thank You that we can come before you in prayer. We pray that as we pray we would completely trust in You  knowing that You will answer our prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Happiness is a Choice

There once was a woman who climbed on the bathroom scale after two weeks of butter less toast and chilly jogs around the park. The needle was still stuck on the number where she'd started. This struck her as typical of how things had been going lately. She was destined never to be happy.



As she dressed, scowling at her tight jeans, she found $20 in her pocket. Then her sister called with a funny story. When she hurried out to the car -- angry that she had to get gas -- she discovered her roommate had already filled the tank for her. And this was a woman who thought she'd never be happy.


Every day, it seems, we're flooded with pop-psych advice about happiness. The relentless message is that there's something we're supposed to do to be happy -- make the right choices, or have the right set of beliefs about ourselves. Our Founding Fathers even wrote the pursuit of happiness into the Declaration of Independence.


Coupled with this is the notion that happiness is a permanent condition. If we're not joyful all the time, we conclude there's a problem.


Yet what most people experience is not a permanent state of happiness. It is something more ordinary, a mixture of what essayist Hugh Prather once called "unsolved problems, ambiguous victories and vague defeats -- with few moments of clear peace."


Maybe you wouldn't say yesterday was a happy day, because you had a misunderstanding with your boss. But weren't there moments of happiness, moments of clear peace? Now that you think about it, wasn't there a letter from an old friend, or a stranger who asked where you got such a great haircut? You remember having a bad day, yet those good moments occurred.


While you're walking home with a head full of problems, try to notice the sun set the windows of the city on fire. Listen to the shouts of kids playing basketball in the fading light, and feel your spirits rise, just from having paid attention.


Happiness is an attitude, not a condition. It's cleaning the Venetian blinds while listening to an aria, or spending a pleasant hour organizing your closet. Happiness is your family assembled at dinner. It's in the present, not in the distant promise of a "someday when..." How much luckier we are -- and how much more happiness we experience -- if we can fall in love with the life we're living.


Happiness is a choice. Reach out for it at the moment it appears, like a balloon drifting seaward in a bright blue sky.






"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."


-Psalm 118:24 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would take the time look for the positive things rather than dwell on the negative things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Bible and the Cell Phone

I received this from a Pastor friend of mine, and decided to publish it in my blog (It helped make me think much differently about reading the word of God).
You ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

1 What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
2. What if we flipped  through it several time a day?
3. What if we turned  back to go get it if we forgot it?
4. What if we used it  to receive messages from the text?
5. What if we treated  it like we couldn't live without it?
6. What if we gave it  to Kids as gifts?
7. What if we used it  when we travel?
8. What if we used it  in case of emergency?
9. This is something  to make you go….hmm…where is my Bible?
10. Oh, and one more  thing.
11. Unlike our cell  phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected, because  Jesus already paid the  bill.
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And  no dropped calls!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-
John 1:1 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we would treat Your word like we treat other things in our life. We thank you for giving the Bible to us. We pray that we would read it so we can become more like the people you would have for us to be. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Lesson From A Million Frogs.

A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs.  The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, “There is a pond near my house  that is full of frogs—millions of them. They croak all during the night and are about to drive me crazy!” So the restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant five hundred at a time for the next several weeks. The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant looking rather sheepish, with two scrawny little frogs. The restaurant owner said, “Well... where are all the frogs?” The farmer said, “I was mistaken. There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!”
 Next time you hear somebody criticizing or making fun of you, remember it’s probably just  a couple of noisy frogs. Also—remember that problems always seem bigger in the dark. Have you ever lain in your bed at night worrying about things which seem almost overwhelming—like a   million frogs croaking? Chances are pretty good that when the morning comes, and you take a closer look, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
-Ephesians 4:29  (New International Version)

Dear Lord we thank you for the lesson we can learn from the frog.  We pray that we would not criticizes the things around us. Help us take a better look at the situations. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Top Ten Pick Up Lines Used By Adam




TOP TEN PICKUP LINES USED BY ADAM


10. "You know you're the only one for me!"






9. "Do you come here often?"






8. "Trust me, this was meant to be!"






7. "Look around, baby. All the other guys around here are animals!"






6. "I already feel like you're a part of me!"






5. "Honey, you were made for me!"






4. "Why don't you come over to my place and we can name some animals?"






3. "You're the girl of my dreams!" (Gen. 2:21)






2. "I like a girl who doesn't mind being ribbed!"






And the number one pick up line from Adam is:


1. "You're the apple of my eye!" *






* I know that the Bible says  Adam and Eve ate of the "fruit," not "apple," but, apple is funnier!






February is often called the “month of love” and that reminds us of God’s love. The only reason we have love to give each other is because of the love God has given us. What could be better than a whole month where we remember and think about the love of God? Let’s take the opportunity to show God’s love around us.


9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.


-1 John 4:9-12 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would take this month to share your love to those around us. We thank you for loving us and giving Your Son as an example. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Degarmo & Key & Jesse Dixon - Destined To Win

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Footsteps of Jesus

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints in the sand,

is when I carried you."










When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


- John 8:12 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for walking with us, for always being there. We pray that we would share that with those that need to here it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Lesson From a Tootsie Roll Pop.

Lets take a look at  a yummy Tootsie Roll Pop! Everyone loves Tootsie Roll Pops! There is delicious candy on the outside, and even more delicious chewy Tootsie Roll in the center. You know this candy reminds me about how a person can have a relationship with Jesus.

First, the center of this candy is soft, like a person’s heart. The Bible talks about having a hard heart. How does a heart become hard? Well, it is sin. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The hard candy reminds me of sin that covers the heart. Each time someone sins, another layer of hard stuff surrounds the heart. Then, to make it worse, people refuse to admit they are sinners. Instead, they cover their sin with pride, denial, even doing things that make them look good. That is like the wrapper covering this candy.

When a person removes the wrapper of denial and pride , the Holy Spirit can complete His work. He can lick past all the hard stuff covering your heart and give you the gift of life that comes from knowing Jesus as Savior. Your heart then belongs to Jesus, and that is a wonderful ending.



 Who can hide in secret places
   so that I cannot see them?”
            declares the LORD.
   “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
            declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 23:24 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we would take the wrapper off and let Your Holy Spirit do His work in us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Are You Using What God Has Given to You?

1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation. 

2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 

3. God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy. 

4. God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed. 

5. God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life. 

6. God won’t ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary. 

7. God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones. 

8. God won’t ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others. 

9. God won’t ask what your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. 

10. God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others. 

11. God won’t ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend. 

12. God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others. 

13. God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors. 

14. God won’t ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character. 

15. God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t. 
What a great challenge to use the things God has given to us to share His love with those around us.

33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
- Luke 6:33-35 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that our hearts will be open to those around us. Help us to use what You have given to us to share you love to those You bring into our life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Spare Wheel or Steering Wheel?

I found these on the internet and thought is was a good thing to remember and to share.  I pray that you as you read this you will find something that you can apply to your life that will bring you closer to God.

1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout life.
2] Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on. 
3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write. 
4] All things in life are temporary.  If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don’t worry, they can't last long either. 
5] Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold! 
6]  Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end! 
7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities. 
8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything  worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision." 
9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE.

 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you  when I was made in the secret place,  when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;  all the days ordained for me were written in your book   before one of them came to be.
- Psalm 139:13-16 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we would take the time to always look to you. We thank you for being in control. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Lessons From I Corinthians 13.

What better lesson for Valentine's Day then looking into I Corinthians 13.

1. God’s Love Is Incarnational - God entered into our world and demonstrated love in a way we could visualize - understand. We must go where young people are and where they live out their lives. This in itself will demonstrate to our young people our love for them.



2. God’s Love Is Patient - We must not make impatient demands but allow young people to grow at their own pace.


3. God’s Love Is Kind - We must be gentle and sensitive to the needs and hurts of young people. We must allow them to be teenagers and not demand that they be something else.


4. God’s Love Is Not Jealous - Our supreme concern must be for our young people’s growth and not that they just attend our youth program or our activities.


5. God’s Love Does Not Brag and Is Not Arrogant - We must not spend our energies building up ourselves, but remember that servanthood is making the other person successful.


6. God’s Love Does Not Act Unbecomingly - We are not to try to act like teenagers. Teens do not want leaders who act like them, but leaders who act like leaders.


7. God’s Love Does Not Seek Its Own - Our desire must be to put others first. If we cannot do this then we cannot expect our young people to do it either.


8. God’s Love Is Not Provoked - At times this becomes a great difficulty, but we must learn as the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 2. He stated that in every disappointment he learned to use that situation to reaffirm love for the person who disappoints him.


9. God’s Love Does Not Take Into Account a Wrong Suffered - Jesus suffered much wrong and rejection and we, too, must be willing to experience that same suffering.


10. God’s Love Rejoices With the Truth - Our young people will easily see our values by what we get most excited about.


11. God’s Love Bears and Believes All Things - We must expect the best and see people as God sees people - for the potential they can become with Christ’s help.


12. God’s Love Hopes All Things - We need to memorize Philippians 4:8 and recite it daily to ourselves.


13. God’s Love Endures All Things - Many heartaches will come our way, and the desire to give up and quit will often pass through our minds. But God’s love for us endures even our shortcomings. How can we do any less'






And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


-1 Corinthians 13:13 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for being the author of love. We pray that we would learn the lesson of love that you have shown and that we would be more like you because of it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day Trivia


About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.


February 14, 270 A.D.: Roman Emperor Claudius II, dubbed "Claudius the Cruel," beheaded a priest named Valentine for performing marriage ceremonies. Claudius II had outlawed marriages when Roman men began refusing to go to war in order to stay with their wives.


In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.


Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day; it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.


In the 17th century a hopeful maiden ate a hard-boiled egg and pinned five bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep on Valentine's eve. It was believed this would make her dream of her future husband.


The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day.


The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red stands for strong feelings which is why a red rose is a flower of love.


Wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart.










Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37–39 (NKJV)






Dear Lord we thank you that you are the author of love. We pray that we will share that love with those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Showing Love Makes a DIfference.

As told by D. L Moody:



In Chicago a few years ago there was a little boy who went to one of the mission Sunday-schools. His father moved to another part of the city about five miles away, and every Sunday that boy came past thirty or forty Sunday-schools to the one he attended.


And one Sunday a lady who was out collecting scholars for a Sunday-school met him and asked why he went so far, past so many schools. "There are plenty of others," said she, "just as good." He said, "They may be as good, but they are not so good for me." "Why not?" she asked.


"Because they love a fellow over there," he answered. Ah, love won him! "Because they love a fellow over there!" How easy it is to reach people through love! Sunday-school teachers should win the affections of their scholars if they wish to lead them to Christ.






If only we could make the world believe that we loved them there would be fewer empty churches, and a smaller proportion of our population who never darken a church door. Let love replace duty in our church relations, and the world will soon be evangelized.


7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.


-1 John 4:7-8 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would show Your love at our church so others would want to come worship You there with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.