ONE WRONG DECISION

JENNY

Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life it was on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with
such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she'd have friends over soon. There'd be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy It's just the way she wanted her life to be.

On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, "I want to be popular and I'm going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!" To be known in this school you had to have clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. "Well I just won't tell them the entire truth. They won't know the difference; what's there to lose?" Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night.

Her parents frowned but said, "All right." Excited, she got ready for the big event But as she rushed around like she had no sense, She began to feel guilty about all the lies, but what's a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, but the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Dan was half drunk by this time. But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoked and Dan took a puff. Jenny couldn't believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Dan was ready to ride to the point but only after he'd smoked another joint.

They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, Not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point at last, And Dan started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all (and by a pass, I don't mean playing football.) "Perhaps my parents were right....maybe I am too young. Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb." With all of her might, she pushed Dan away: "Please take me home, I don't want to stay."

Dan cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds they were going too fast. As Dan drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town. "Just let me get home! I'll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride." Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. "Oh God, Please help us! We're going to crash!" She doesn't remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, And heard, "call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble! Voices she heard...a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Dan was all right, and if the people in the other car was alive.

She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. "You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad." These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that Dan was dead. They said "Jenny, we've done all we can do. But it looks as if we'll lose you too." "But the people in the other car!?" Jenny cried. "We're sorry, Jenny, they also died." Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done I only wanted to have just one night of fun." "Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim, and wish I could return their families to them."

"Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied, And that it's my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?" The nurse just stood there-she never agreed. But took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later Jenny died. A man asked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best to bid that girl her one last request?" She looked at the man with eyes so sad. "Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad." This story is sad and unpleasant but true, so young people take heed, it could have been you.
author unknown


Have many times do you young people act before thinking. You think this one time want matter. I will take my chances, I am young. I have a long life before me.

We all think that there are those who die but that's not me. You say you don't think this way and yet, do we really believe that we are going to die tomorrow, next week, next month. Why, maybe even today. We all live like we are going to live forever. It is especially hard for young people to realize that they may not live to be old.So they take chances and do things that they would not if they did the right, that they know to do.

I found this little story and thought of all the young people that I know and it made me sad to think that just one wrong decision could put them into a situation such as this. It can happen to you!!! connie

DROWNING MEN

Men are drowning all around us in their sin. They don't even realize what is happening to them.




Christian, they are reaching out for our help. Are we the one trying to help them to be saved or are we one of the ones who are pushing them in? It is a question that each of us must answer. Are we taking a rest, enjoying our own liberties, resting in the fact that we know that we have been saved? They are drowning all around us. Do you not care? Let us be one of the ones who hold out a hand to bring them to the safety of Jesus Christ.





Walking through the forest, a seasoned hiker came upon a broad, slowly moving river. He stopped to gaze over the waters, appreciating the beauty, when suddenly he heard a faint cry coming from upstream. Looking in the direction of the noise, he saw an obviously drowning man floundering in the river and drifting slowly toward him.

The hiker was stunned momentarily, but he sprang into action when he saw the man disappear beneath the waters. Throwing off all of his cumbersome gear, he dove into the river and swam like a madman toward the spot where the man went under.

Upon reaching the spot he plunged below the surface and frantically
hauled up the helpless man. He then laboriously towed the victim to shore.
Heaving the lifeless body up on the riverbank, the hiker attempted to revive
the man, who eventually spit up water and began to breathe.

Relieved, the hiker paused to catch his breath. But no sooner had he done so than he heard another voice out on the water. Another drowning person!

Once again he swam out and pulled the person to shore, a little more slowly this time. As the hiker-turned lifeguard revived the second victim, he heard yet another cry for help.

All day long the hiker worked, rescuing one person after another as they came drifting down the river. There seemed to be no end of drowning victims, and the hiker didn't think he could keep it up.
Just when he was about to collapse from exhaustion, he spotted another man walking rapidly beside the river, headed upstream. "Hey mister!" he cried out. "Please help me! These poor people are drowning!" Amazingly, the man kept walking upstream. The astonished hiker called out again. Without even acknowledging the cry, the man kept going. Indignant and angry, the hiker leaped to his feet, ran toward the seemingly uncompassionate man, stood directly in his path, and in a loud voice demanded, "Sir! How can you possibly walk past all these drowning people? Have you no conscience? Must I force you to help me save these people?"

The stranger stopped, looked at him for the first time and said with a calm,
focused voice, "Sir, please get out of my way. I am headed upstream to stop the guy who is pushing all these people in."

Each of us has a role to play in rescuing those who are drowning in sin.
author unknown to me.

ROMANS 14:11-13

FOR IT IS WRITTEN, AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.

SO THEN EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD.

LET US NOT THEREFORE JUDGE ONE ANOTHER ANY MORE: BUT JUDGE THIS RATHER, THAT NO MAN PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK OR AN OCCASION TO FALL IN HIS BROTHER'S WAY.

Taken from the KJV 1611 Bible.

Go back in your memory to that time and that place that God saved you. Oh, what joy filled our soul. Burdens were lifted! lives where made whole! We had a new life!! I remember I wanted to tell everybody. I went to school the next day and told everyone in my class at school. My two dearest friends got saved and the joy began all over again! Next to my own salvation there is no greater joy than to see someone else receive Christ as their own personal Saviour. connie

NO JACKET REQUIRED

EPHESIANS 2:8-9

FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.





WITHOUT CHRIST, I AM ONLY A POOR LOST SINNER. I HAVE NO HOPE IN MYSELF. IT TOOK THE FREE GIFT OF GOD'S SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST SHEDDING HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY FOR ME TO BE TRANSFORMED, Though, I may still sin at times, and fail the Lord, I have been bought with the price of Christ's own precious blood. I am saved now and forever more. I must always remember no matter what trial comes into my life, "GOD IS GOOD AND GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT." I WILL TRUST HIM, WHATEVER THE COST!!






I AM JUST A SINNER SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE MADE WHOLE BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB OF GOD.HIS BLOOD WAS SHED FOR ME AND YOU ON CALVARY. THIS IS GOD'S GRACE. IT NOT ONLY SAVED ME, BUT IT KEEPS ME! IF YOU HAVE NOT ACCEPTED HIS FREE GIFT OF SALVATION, YOU CAN. HE IS OFFERING IT TO YOU, EVEN TODAY!


NO JACKET REQUIRED

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and found the location.

Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.

A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."

I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Daniel F. Renken," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?" I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course! "He led me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.

As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was. "God's Grace," was the name of this place!

The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day'." With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day,' I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I Just can't afford it."

Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this." He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."

Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.

"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.

As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, Do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables, but the individuals whose names are on each placards have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations. "Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave. I walked into God’s Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man . . . robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go.

I'll spread the Word.

I'll share the Gospel . . .

I'll hand out the invitations.

And I’ll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your invitation . . . "Come as you are. No jacket required."
author unknown


THANK YOU LORD FOR SAVING ME AND GIVING ME LIFE ETERNAL. connie

WHO DO WE REFLECT TO OTHERS?

A BIG GOD

This is a story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned
to her mother and said, "Mommy, the Preacher's sermon this morning confused
me."

The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?

The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that
true?"

"Yes, that's true," the mother replied.

"He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?"

Again the mother replied, "Yes."

"Well," said the girl. "If God is bigger than us and He lives in us,
wouldn't He show through?"

Read this again....... ..Think.. ...

-- Author Unknown


When people look at me, I pray that they see Christ in me first of all and only. I pray that my mind seeks to speak His mind, That my heart shows His love, I pray that the Lord is so big in me that He just shines forth! I pray that my life will be a gospel even when I am not speaking. That my eyes will see the sin of this world and compassion will move me toward being a witness of the grace that I have received for free from the Saviour.

How many times, when people look at me do they see Connie and not the Lord? How many times is my mind filled with the cares of this world and not on the things of the Lord? How many times do I allow my heart to grow cold and uncaring? How many times am I blind and can not see the needs of the lost round about me? How many times do I hold for myself the grace so freely given to me and not share it with others?

These are questions that I must ask often. I want all of me to be filled with YOU, Lord. I would love to be dead to myself and let Christ always lived through me. For the times that I fail oh, dear Lord, please forgive!! Lord help me to live for you in such a way, that others may be drawn to you. connie

A HOT WATER BOTTLE AND A BABY DOLL

A LITTLE GIRLS PRAYER

Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor from England to Zaire Africa, told this
as it happened to her in Africa.

"One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in
spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and
a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby
alive, as we had no incubator. (We had no electricity to run an incubator.)
We also had no special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous
drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the
cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire
and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me
that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical
climates. "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.

As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa
it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not
grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and
sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. "Your job
is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of
the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters
various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny
baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning
the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also
told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.
During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual
blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send
us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead,
so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a
corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for
the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly
say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know
that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't
there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by
sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four
years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home.
Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle?
I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training
school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the
time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a
large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not
open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we
pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper,
taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or
forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I
lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them
out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and
the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and
sultanas--that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I
put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and
pulled it out--yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle!

I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He
could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward,
crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small,
beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up
at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to
that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my
former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's
prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the
girls had put in a dolly for an African child--five months before--in answer
to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer!" Isa 65:24

-- Author Unknown

ACTS 12:1-17

I really like this story. We find that Herod the King had killed James the brother of John with the sword. So because the Jews liked this, he proceeded to also take Peter and put him into prison.

We are told in verse 5 that "Peter therefore was kept in prison:BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM."

We find Peter sleeping between two soldiers and bound with two chains and there was a man also before the door to make sure that Peter did not escape. Guess who showed up? An angel who was sent by the Lord and told Peter to get ready and put on his sandals and the chains fell off his hands.Then the angel told Peter to follow him. Peter was so surprise at what was happening, he thought he was dreaming. They go past the first and second ward and came unto the iron gate that led into the city. Guess what, the gate opened for them of its own accord. So they went out of the prison and passed through one street and the angel left him.

Peter finally realized that what was happening was not a dream but it was really happening. He realized that the Lord had sent His angel to deliver him out of the hands of Herod and from all that the Jews was expecting to happen to him.

Now we leave this scene and we go to the house where the church had been praying for Peter to be delivered from Herod's hands. Peter walks up to the door of the gate and knocks. A young girl named Rhoda came to the door to see who was knocking. Imagine her surprise, when she opened the door and THERE STOOD PETER, THE VERY ONE FOR WHOM THEY HAD BEEN PRAYING FOR Him to be DELIVERED. She was so happy that she left Peter standing there and ran inside to tell all those praying that Peter was at the door!!!

They told her she was mad. Now mind you, this was the very thing that they had been praying for.She kept on telling them that "yes, indeed, it was Peter." They told her,"No!, it is his angel."

But Peter kept on knocking and knocking!So they finally went to the door to see for sure who was there. When they saw him, the Bible says they were astonished. Now, why were they surprised? Isn't this what they had been praying for. How many times are we surprised when God answers our prayers? More times than not, I think.

He told the people to be quiet and how the Lord had brought him out of the prison and from the hand of Herod and the Jews. He told them that God had told him to go and tell James and the brethren of the church WHAT HE HAD DONE IN DELIVERING PETER FROM HEROD .

I told this story in my words but it is a story that convicts my heart each time that I read it from the Holy Bible. Prayer is such a privilege and yes even a duty. Why do we take this great and powerful blessing so lightly and with such little faith. "Nothing is impossible for God!"

I love reading about the answered prayers in the Bible. As we pray and bring our petitions to the Lord, this week, let us pray believing and see what great things God can do! If we pray in His will then we can be assured that He will answer our prayers.

We have a Revival at our church this week. I am praying that God will give all of us, just what we need. When we pray. let us consider WHO IT IS that we are praying to. The maker of us all and all creation. He has all power! So let us pray but pray believing and be surprised only if our prayer is not answered. connie

THE HORRIBLE EAST WIND-----BY SPURGEON

I felt impressed, I believe by God to reprint this post. It maybe for me or it maybe for another, whatever the reason, I have done as I felt led by the Lord.connie





I was reading this sermon by Charles Spurgeon recently and it was such a blessing to me that I wish to share it with you. It may be long to many but to me, It wasn't long enough. Such words of wisdom. I hope you like it as much as I did. So get a cup of coffee or tea and plan to be blessed and maybe even changed a little. love you, connie


The Horrible East Wind
From a sermon preached at the Thursday Evening Lecture 1882, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Colossians iii:15

A Charles Spurgeon's sermon



Be so at peace with God that you feel perfectly at peace with your fellow-men. Whenever I have suffered a grievous wrong, it has been a satisfaction to me to feel that, if my Lord Jesus Christ made atonement for my offences and my wrongs, I can look at his atonement as an atonement for the wrong done to me as well as to God, for he satisfied all parties in that quarrel. Gladly do I say, “Surely, this poor soul may well be forgiven by me, for thou hast died as the sinners' Substitute." In comparison with my own offences against God I may well look upon this man's offence as less than nothing. What if men should do the worst they can do to us? What is it? What if they slay us? It is but a small loss to a Christian to die. Therefore let us harbour no malice, but feel, “No; we have entered into the truce of God, and we are the friends of every man that breathes." For my own part, I have a crusade against the devil and all evil; but the truce of God is upon me with regard to all my fellow-men, and henceforth that peace which was proclaimed at Bethlehem by the angels shall stand for me—" Peace on earth : good will toward men." This is a sweet part of the peace of God; cultivate it carefully.

But this peace is called the peace of God because it is peace which God works in the soul. I think I hear you exclaim, "To have such a peace as that—a perfect consciousness of full forgiveness, complete acquiescence in the will of God, perfect forgiveness towards all mankind, and an intense desire to live in perfect peace with all, both saints and sinners—how can I get such a peace within me ?" Ah, indeed, how can you? It is impossible to unrenewed human nature. Man by nature is worse than any one wild beast, for he is a menagerie. There is lion in him, and there is serpent in him; there is tiger in him, and there is wolf in him; there is dog in him, and there is devil in him. He is half beast and half devil through the fall. I do not caricature him; his body allies him to the beast, and sin makes him a child of Satan. Mr. Whitefield used so to describe fallen nature, and he was pretty near the mark. How shall this wild beast be taught to love? Shall the lion eat straw like an ox? It never will till it leaves off being a lion. It cannot do so ; it has not fit teeth for eating straw, nor a fit stomach for digesting grass. It cannot live on straw, like an ox, till God changes it, and gives it an ox-like nature. So it is with us: we need a new nature before we can possess this peace with God. But how is that to be done? Shall the Ethiopian change his skin? No; he cannot

do that; and if he could, it would not equal the miracle which we require. Our default is not skin deep only, it is much more than that. Changing skins is difficult, but changing hearts is impossible except to God. Shall the leopard get rid of his spots? Well, that is difficult; but still the task of taking spots out of leopards would be small compared with the miracle of taking evil out of the very core of our wild-beast-like heart, and putting into it the peace of God that makes us love. God only can do it. God's own mighty Spirit must put forth that same energy with which he will raise the dead out of their graves at the resurrection; for nothing short of creation and resurrection power is able to transmute this beastly, devilish heart of ours into a heart in which the peace of God shall reign supreme. Well is it called the peace of God.

My dear hearer, do you know this peace? If so, you will understand that, because of its excellence, it is called the peace of God. It is a Hebraism: for among the Hebrews they called certain mountains limb were higher than others the hills of God; and certain gigantic trees, such as the cedars of Lebanon, were the trees of God that were full of sap. So the peace that is greater than every other peace is called the peace of God—it means the holiest, deepest peace. It is " perfect peace"—peace that nothing disturbs: deep peace—"the peace of God, which passeth all understanding": solemn peace at which you almost stand in awe—a hush within the soul in which there is heard nothing of discord or of fear, but a stillness reigns like that which was maintained in the Holy of Holies, within the veil, where seraphim were silent above the mercy-seat. "The peace of God" signifies the peace that never ends, everlasting peace; the peace that will live with lift throughout the whole of our mortal sojourn till we come into the land of the immortal.

"There shall I bathe my weary soul

In seas of heavenly rest,

And not a wave of trouble roll

Across my peaceful breast."

"The peace of God." Oh, I have known it! You, too, my brethren, muss have known it when the Lord himself has dwelt within your hearts, and kept all adversaries far away. You have then known days of heaven upon the earth. It has left nothing to wish for except the perpetuation of itself, for you have been satisfied with favour and full of the goodness of the Lord, filled with all the fulness of God, anchored fast, settled, grounded, established.

“My heart is resting, O my God!

I will give thanks and sing.

My heart is at the secret source

Of every precious thing."

That is the peace of God.

Win it, dear friends, and wear it. By God's good Spirit enter into this serene haven. Best in the Lord, and be happy in him, for he is our peace! When the Lord and Giver of peace once comes to tarry in your heart let him rest there; and charge all about you, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that they stir not up nor awake your love until he please.

II. But now the second piece of advice that grows out of the text let us consider. If you possess this peace of God, let it occupy the throne:

LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS.

In order to there being any peace in the heart, or anywhere else, thorn must be a ruler. Those people who are for putting down all kings and principalities and powers may bid farewell to peace. Anybody who is inclined to anarchy should read Carlyle's "French Revolution" through with care, and ask himself whether the worst king is not, after all, a deal better than the despotism of the mob, the carnival of misrule, wherein every man doth that which is right in his own eyes, and all eyes love darkness rather than light. Let loose the reins of government, let everybody be equal to everybody else, and a little bigger than everybody else as well, and you will soon see what confusion ensues. See how it is in a house! I hear that there was great deliberation over those census-papers in many families to know who was the head of the household; but I am quite clear that it was not a happy household where that question took long to answer; for the husband is the head of the wife, and where he is not so, everything is out of order, monstrous, outrageous. Where the head is not the head, the hand is not the hand, the eye is not the eye, the heart is not the heart; and nothing is itself at all. All is what it should not be, and all is misery. You must have a governing faculty somewhere; and, within your own soul, if nothing governs, I tell you boldly the devil governs. That man who does not control himself is controlled by the devil, for he must have a master somewhere. We cannot have two masters, but it is quite as certain that we must have one. One power or another will master you. Shall it be your Creator, or his enemy? your Saviour, or your destroyer?

It is a blessed gift of grace if a man is enabled by the Holy Spirit to say,—"The peace of God shall rule in my heart." Paul advised this: “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts": if it is in your hearts at all, it must rule, for it has power to put down all rebellion. You know, when we have a government and a magistracy with power at their back, if a riot arises, we appeal to the lawful power to come and protect us, and put down the uproar. So in our hearts, if we have a master principle, and that master principle is the peace of God, we may warrantably pray, “O Lord, put down this riot. I am tossed to and fro in my heart about my circumstances: I do not like them, and I quarrel with God about them. Come, peace of God; come, and put down my murmuring. Come and calm my wicked, discontented spirit." Or do I feel some discord in my spirit towards one whom I ought to love? I must cry, “Come, peace of God. Come, and arrest this bad temper of mine. Handcuff it. Take it off to prison. Give it hard labour and short commons; bring it down till it is no longer able to rebel as it does. Come, peace of God, and help me in the struggles of my daily life, that I may not break out into anger, and wrath, and malice, and all un-charitableness. Come, peace of God, put forth thy mighty power over my soul." This is the great remedy for the discord within and the discords without: the grand cure for all distempers of the east wind, and all besides.

Yield yourself to the umpireship of the blessed peace of God, for I find that the Greek word has that force,—"'Let the peace of God umpire in your hearts." You know the umpire in the Greek games decided how the runners should run, how the wrestlers should wrestle, and he ruled a contest to be, or not to be, according to the law of the festival. He said, perhaps, that such and such a blow in the fight was a foul blow, and if he said so, there was no questioning him: it was decided. He stood at the winning-point when the runners came in, and he declared a certain swift-footed racer to be the winner. No man ever questioned the dictate of the umpire. His voice ended all debate. He was the man who decided in the games, and whose verdict was never to be disputed. Now, the peace of God is to do the same in our hearts. We ought to be resolved to judge all things by the peace of God. "What ought I to do in this case? Must I humble myself? I do not like it, but how ought I to act? Shall I yield?" Pride says, "Never! No, no. Play the man. Never give in." But what does the peace of God say? It says, "Yield: submit." Christ says, "I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also." Christ decides that it will be good to be a sufferer rather than a revenger. We ought to have the peace of God ruling in our hearts so as to let it decide our course, and lead us to do that which is consistent with our own peace with God. I do not know how you find it, but I know that I cannot afford to be angry. It takes so much that is valuable out of me. I am sure it does. It does a man an immense mischief physically; to some men it is a dangerous thing to get excited, it even endangers their lives. But, spiritually, I believe that to get into a state of enmity towards anybody is one of the most grievous diseases which can befall a Christian. In such a case you cannot pray as you did; you cannot read some passages of Scripture as you did; you cannot look the Well-beloved in the face, and say, "I am acting in a way that pleases thee." It is, therefore, a very serious thing for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to break his own peace—serious to himself as well as to those that are round about him. I pray you, therefore, dear friends, let the peace of God decide for you in all trials of temper, and endurings of wrong, and questions which lead to debate and separation. Set peace in the chariot, and let it hold the reins; for anger will, like Phaeton of old, set the world on fire. Oh, Peace of God, rule thou me!

Pray God that the power of this peace may be constantly upon you. If you lose your peace with God you lose your power to judge
Copied exactly as written.

It is my prayer that I do not lose my power to judge in the God given way. connie

"BUT YOU'RE NOT HOME YET!"

NOT HOME YET

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and was
returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was
broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they
were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning
from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied
the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the
great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to
his wife, "Something is wrong.

Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all
these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes
back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives
two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said. "I can't help it; it
doesn't seem right." When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to
greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers
were full of the President's arrival.

No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a
cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do
to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this;
God is not treating us fairly." His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the
bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was
completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"

"The Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told him how bitter I was that
the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us
as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put
his hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!"

-- Author Unknown



I have been thinking lately about Pastor's and faithful church people, who gives their lives in God's ministry. How they do this or that and the other to do the part that God has given for them to do while they are in this world, to further the gospel of Christ. They give time and great efforts in imparting their lives into others to be saved and help them to grow. To grow into mature Christians. So they can do the same for someone else.

In the Lord's service, it is not an easy job but there are rewards beyond measure. Just knowing that you are in God's will, pleasing Him, doing what He wants you to do. It is worth it all! For every pain or heartache, He gives us so much! Things that this world could not afford. Things that this world doesn't even have or know about.

There are those in God's service that do not have this world's treasures or goods. But God gives them all that they need and even some of their wants and desires. They have more peace, more joy, more grace, more contentment, more happiness in all areas of their lives. Their cups are running over.

Oh, this is not to say, that the hard things do not come into their lives as well, sometimes more often and more abundant, When the trial is finished then they will have grown the more stronger, more faithful, more trusting. God gives them all that which they need to overcome the greatest of hurts, the strongest of storms, the deepest of waters. He is there and going before them in each trial.And if necessary, He picks them up and carries them for a time. They just keep their eyes on Him and keep on, keeping on.

Then when we get "HOME", we all will know that we were right to keeping on trusting, keep on going forward and never looking backward. Yes, we may makes mistakes along the way, some may not even like us, but God is the ONE, we aim to please. He knows each of our hearts, or reason why. He will judge not only our words, but the intents behind our words. He will judge us for the love that we have showed to our lost world and especially our Brethren in Christ. He will judge if we have forgiven those who have wronged us as we want Christ to forgive us for our wrongs. Oh, how beautiful heaven will be, when our love and thoughts can always be totally on the Lord and all that He did when He died for us on Calvary." What a day that will be, when my Jesus, I shall see." No! there is no retirement for the child of God until we get home.

May this be an encouragement to each of us and we go about our daily lives living for the Lord waiting until our "retirement day!" connie

WHO PACKED YOUR PARACHUTE???

Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, you're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!" "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man.

Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: A white hat, a bib in the back, and bell bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory-he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

His experience reminds us all to prepare ourselves to weather whatever storms lie ahead. As you go through this week, this month, this year...recognize people who pack your parachute!


You know I have been thinking a lot lately about all those who helped me to grow Spiritually in my life. There have been so many in these last sixty-six years. I am so grateful to each one. God sent people into my life that added a little or a lot here and there and it has helped make me all that I am.What ever that is.

I pray that I always remember the time and effort others have put into my life. I hope that I have used the knowledge that they instilled in me, in wise ways and to the very best of my ability. I pray that I never think that I know what I know because of "ME," because I know that it is not true. I pray that I have passed on that knowledge to others as we are commanded to do and that it has been a good part of their Spiritual building blocks.

Some people have have taken precious time out of their lives to teach me, to guide me in the right ways. To learn Bible scriptures, that I have hidden in my heart and have been able to bring up in remembrance, in all occasions to be a help in times of witnessing, in giving words of comfort, encouragement, etc.

It is to all those people that I dedicate this blog today. I am remembering and am very thankful to God for allowing you touch my life and helping me to grow . There have been my Mother, Grandmothers, Pastors then and now, Godly teachers then and now, Christian friends, oh, so many, I owe so much. Lord, please help me to always remember. I am especially thankful for the Holy Spirit who guides and directs me in all my ways. (Let me say in all the ways that are and have been good and pleasing to you), If I have acted in an unpleasing way and said words that brought hurt and harm, in the years of my life, it was and has been totally me allowing the devil to control me. I pray and hope that those times have been few. Thank you Lord for loving me. I owe you everything. connie