I see a lot of this on Facebook. And by just reading through them it gives us the lift we need for the day. Whether you're glad or unhappy, the words are just so comforting. Some people might ask, "what's with those words that upon reading or hearing them we experience joy and peace in our hearts?"
In the recent NY Times news article (you may check this link out), the honorable Mr.Lee (the first Prime Minister of Singapore) said in a statement that though he's not a believer, he finds the sounds soothing -- referring to the phrase from St. Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians that he uses to calm himself by reciting them in his meditation.
If our body needs be fed to keep us physically fit and help us get through the day, I believe same is true with our spirituality. When Jesus fasted for several days the tempter came to Him, when He was hungry the enemy asked Him to turn the stone into bread. What was His response? Well, He didn't give in to the enemy's lies, instead He simply replied...
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' (Matthew.4.4.NIV)
We see the need of everyone for a daily dose of encouragement. And I believe God's word is the best source that is readily available. It is living and active, online 24x7 as we term it in modern days. So why wait for the time that we're in dire need before we seek Him if we can talk to Him anytime and anywhere? God wants to talk to us. He's been longing for us. He's always there for us. He even knows our concerns. Conversing with God shouldn't be complicated. As Paul encourages us..
"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Phil.4:6-7.NLT)
Lord, thank you that you are our Wonderful Councelor, a Great Provider. Thank you that through your Word we see life, we get encouraged, we get reminded of Your faithfulness, and most importantly we get to hear You personally in our hearts. Teach us to become more sensitive in hearing You, O Lord, as you speak to us in various ways and thru Your written words. Help us to learn to acknowledge You in everything we do. And thank you for the assurance that you will never forsake nor leave us... that you long to prosper us. Thank you for your love and for teaching us to love other people. In your sweet name Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Thanks for reading. God bless y'all!
People Need The Lord
Artist: Steve Green / Gary Valenciano (revival)
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
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On this day, God wants you to know... |
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When nothing else matters.. |
"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Lk21.27.NLT
After coming home from a clinic visit, as my clogged nose kept me awake all night, I just grabbed a book, turned on my ipod and hit the bed hoping to wheedle myself into sleep. I heard this track once again from Max Lucado narrating about a scene, describing Jesus' second visit. To some it could be just the sign of the end of days, period. But to Christians it's the day when nothing else matters but the exhilaration in seeing God's glory.
I like how M.Lucado portrayed the scene, it brings such a wonderful feeling of assurance and expectancy. It's not as terrifying as what I've recently seen in the sci-fi disaster film 2012 (nice CGI & effects btw), but it's more of a sight where everyone are, yes still surprised yet excited because it is a day to be anticipated for it is also a day of His promise.
and the narrative goes...
You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds.
And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.
As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color - spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky. North. South. East. West. Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, "Holy, holy, holy."
The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship. Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: "Holy, holy, holy." Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must.
Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns - and there he is. Jesus. Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: "I am the Alpha and the Omega."
The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered, matters no more, for Christ has come...
Thanks for reading. God bless you.
c",)
