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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Hangin' tough.. |
I was reading through my old blog this morning in my multiply page (which I copy-pasted below) and I was reminded of God's faithfulness thru this verse..
"The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving" (Ps.28.7.NLT)
It's always a blessing reading through God's word... truly, it's a good source of encouragement :)
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Tough times don't last, but tough people do!"
What a pretty strong and motivating words from an optimist. I found this line in one of the books I’m reading currently. This phrase allow us to move forward and give us the courage to overcome any obstacles.
I remember when the Apostle John wrote about what Jesus have said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus is an overcomer! He is indeed “tough” for He overcome the world! Imagine the rejections, the persecutions, the bruises and all the pains He experienced (which He didn’t deserved but He endured anyway because of His love for us), He surpassed all of them! Some skeptics might argue, “of course he can engage himself into that because he is God or at least he claims to be God.”
Well yes, God’s power alone is incomprehensible (Please read through Psalm 145:3/Isaiah 55:8-9). What’s striking about what Jesus had stated is that He conquered the hardest phase in His life without any Godly powers. He lived like one of us (remember Jesus was the Word and the Word become flesh). Knowing that He went through so much torture during His last days here on earth, the kind of torture that neither of us would be willing to undergo nor we’d be able to withstand, He alone have triumphed over these whole ordeal! You can almost hear the pain, we as humans are likely to feel if we’re on the same situation, when he cried out “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Yes tough times don’t last and they are part of this world we're living in. But tough people do! If you watch Fear Factor, Amazing Race, and even the funny “I survived the Japanese Game Show,” their common challenge is.. "will you be tough enough to survive?"
Can we imitate Jesus in trying times? That if we pray to take the cup of difficulties away from us, are we able to pray as well that if it’s God’s will then let His will be done?
Dear Father, we know that tribulations are bound to happen, but we also believe that they are just temporary. Allow us to see these challenges as opportunities. The opportunity to become a strong-willed individual, and the opportunity to draw us closer to you, knowing that you are the source of our strength and in you comes perfect peace. For your power is made perfect when we are weak.
God bless y'all! c",)
