Changing Our Focus

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Nothing can touch a believer's life unless it comes through the permissive will of God. That means He has complete control, even when it feels like Satan is running rampant through our personal lives. Trapped in Roman confinement, Paul knew that God could rescue him; after all, He had removed Peter's chains. (Acts 12:7) But Paul was not simply waiting around for liberation. Even in his chains, he earnestly continued with his kingdom work because he believed God did everything for a reason.

It is true that the Lord has a purpose for whatever He brings into a person's life. Though we may desperately wish for different circumstances, God allows us to go through a given situation when it will ultimately bring about the most favorable result. If we allow Him to finish the work instead of trying to extricate ourselves, we'll see a positive outcome.

Paul's time in prison proved a benefit for the Gospel, though logically, the spread of the Word should have been severely hindered by the confinement of such a great preacher. In two years, he had been guarded by many of the elite praetorians (Philippians 1:13), and we know what Paul talked to them about Christ during their shifts.

There isn't a single verse in the Bible that says believers are promised an easy life. In fact, the Word warns that the opposite is true (John 16:33). But we, like Paul, can choose to live above our circumstances by realizing that God has a plan to use our experiences for our good and the benefit others.

IN TOUCH MINISTRY by Dr. Charles Stanley © 2001-2006. All rights reserved. (Please include this line to forward).

Where Is My Help?

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah" (Psalm 46:1-3)

Sometimes, as I am driving past a serious automobile collision I try to imagine what it would be like for those people. One minute they are traveling toward their destination, minds set on what is going to be happening that day, and the next they are on their way to the hospital and perhaps months or years of therapy, pain, or heartache.

Over and over I have planned out my day and have something unexpected happen. Sometimes it is a small thing like the notification I mentioned saying someone installed a phone somewhere and the bills were going to come to us. Sometimes it is a large thing.... sickness, death, or disaster of some kind.

I often feel like one of those spiders that walks on the surface of the water. When the water is smooth I have no problem walking on the surface. However, the water often gets rough. Sometimes it turns into a hurricane situation where the waves are 50 feet high. What can I do?

There is only one thing to do. I must turn to God. I don't have to look for Him or wait for Him. He is right by my side all the time. He has what I need. He can change the situation or He can carry me through it. With His help I will be able to survive.

I won't just survive, either. I will be able to experience joy where there is no joy. I will be able to have peace where there is no peace. Notice the scripture doesn't just say God is a help in trouble, He is a VERY PRESENT help! So often, as we thrash about trying to survive, we forget that He is standing next to us with His hand out saying, "Take My hand. I will help you. Lean on Me."

It has taken me many years to be able to see Him in the midst of trouble. It is my own fault. When times were good I wasn't communing with Him every day. I wasn't searching the scriptures to find out more about Him and His Kingdom. Once I developed a friendship with Him where He is in my mind all the time then I found that He was my first thought when things happened. I moved Him up in the priority list of my mind to the top place. He became my best Friend. He became my daily Companion. It was only me that was hindering that relationship, not Him.

Can you handle ANYTHING that happens today? I guarantee you that, with God's help, you will be able to handle whatever comes along

Written by : Kay Meyeret at clarion-call.org

(Note : Please include the author to forward this message)

Let My Joy and Peace Be Yours

It's a hectic world ...

we live in faster is what everyone wants.
The results of this can be very handy.
But... speed is not always needed.
Often we need to rest more.

Be still...

let God’s peace be in our hearts.
That is more powerful

than any computer speed we can achieve.

Therefore Jesus daily invites us to come to Him.
To be still and listen to His voice.
He wants to blow the wind of refreshment in our lives.
Every day. Because we need it.

Let’s take time to be with Him.
No matter how much stress, despair or pain there may be.

Jesus is the sun of love, joy and peace.
He wants to shine His light on you and bring refreshment.

His peace is a place
where He can give new strength, new life, new hope.

CHRISTIAN ART for you © 2004 Inspirational christian art posters copyright David and Renate Sorensen. No unauthorized usage of any of these images allowed. (Please include this line to forward).

Fw: A merry heart does good like a medicine

 "A merry heart does good, like a medicine!" (Proverbs 17:22)

 

The human body, which GOD designed, can produce it's own disease fighting chemicals. GOD has created us "fearfully and wonderfully." These bodies that we walk around in are truly amazing! Evolution is just NOT smart enough to equip us with the mind-boggling intelligence that our bodies contain!

 

For example........when you are joyful, your body secretes two types of chemicals that fight cancer and other diseases. When you experience that exhilarating feeling of being truly joyful.......it does GOOD......"like a medicine."

 

One type of chemical released in your body when you are joyful is called "Neuropeptides." These "Neuropeptides" are the same kind of chemical that cancer patients are injected with at the cost of up to $40,000.00 per shot! And GOD created our bodies to produce them NATURALLY ......by having a joyful heart!

 

Another chemical which is secreted into the bloodstream, by having a joyful heart, is known as "Opioids". (You can see the root word for "Opium"....which can be a dangerous drug but produces a calming effect.) Opioids are secreted into the bloodstream and enhance the immune system to help fight the common cold. So, is there a cure for the common cold? YES! A merry heart doeth good....like a medicine!

 

You see, our minds, bodies and spirits are all connected. We are a walking network of amazing super-intelligence! We are NOT "gods"......we are created "in the image of GOD." Let's not forget that there's only ONE true GOD.

 

But... GOD has created us so unique! And when we are joyful, .our minds, bodies and spirits are effected by it! Your mind can sense true joy coming from your spirit, and when your mind "picks-up" joy on the radar screen, it sends out "Opioids" into the bloodstream which connect with "monocytes." The "monocytes" receive messages from the "opioids" which trigger a "Pac- Man" like response and they begin to EAT bacteria and viruses that tear down your immune system.

 

If you are plagued by fear, worry, stress and anger, you are opening the door to sickness. Your body is not secreting what it needs to keep you vibrant. Is it any wonder Jesus tells us to stop worrying? (Matthew 6). Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul tells us to stop worrying? ( Phil. 4). Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and all of your needs will be given unto you. (Matt. 6:33)

Take care of your mind, body and spirit. Have a joyful heart. Stop killing yourself. Allow that wise body God gave you to release those wonderful chemicals in order that you may experience optimum health and performance for His glory!

Phobias by Donna L. Watkins, Taken from the free online ezine, "A Healing Moment"

Permission is granted for use of any articles written by Donna L. Watkins if credit includes the author's name and an active link to this website.

Seize the joy!

"I have come that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, until it overflows." (John 10:10)

Imagine what you would do if someone told you that there was a special gift waiting for you at the top of the stairs and all you had to do is walk up a few steps and you could have it. It would not take you very long to get up those steps, would it?

At the top of those stairs are all of God's promises and plans for your life. All you have to do is walk up the stairs and you can possess all that He has in store for you. But you have to do your part. You have to take the steps necessary in order to take hold of the promises that are waiting for you. God wants us to slow down, be ourselves, lighten up and laugh more, stay positive (no matter what happens), refuse to worry and live to give. As you step out in faith, God will move on your behalf and you will begin to experience that abundant overflowing joy!

Prayer,
God, Today I step toward the joy you offer me. I will live a life that glorifies You and begin to see myself as You see me full of potential with a divine destiny! In Jesus' Name Amen.

Taken from : Today's Word from Joel and Victoria