Thank God for "all-in-one" machines!

My new printer! Its a HP desk-jet 2050 J510 series! An "all in one" machine. I was so enthusiastic when I saw this machine advertised in the newspaper. It was the cheapest printer the company has, within my budget and I snapped it up quickly. So far, I don't have a problem with it. 

Why am I so thankful to my Heavenly Father about this small piece of business machinery? Here some reasons.

• I don't have to go to a copy center to make copies or scan anything
• I save money on printing, copy and scanning documents
• Less time wasted
• Convenience in having this machine at my business place (I work from home)
• I can make a little cash by copying and scanning documents for people
• However the thing that I'm most thankful for is the complete confidentiality and privacy that I have when I process my documents. This is something most important to me.

I had an aggravating experience a month ago. I went to a copy center to print two pages out of my business plan. The CSR, a woman, took my flash drive and pulled up the document. To my amazement the nosy woman  sat there and began to read my document right in front of me, and actually started to make changes in it. I had to shout at her harshly for her to finally print the two pages I wanted. I wondered if it was the fact that I w as visually and speech impaired that made her think that I was stupid or something. 

I didn't want to go back to the place, but I desperately needed to print and copy some documents . 

When I saw the marvelous piece of equipment, a printer/scanner/copier advertised for a reasonable sum of money, I was ecstatic! I went and bought it forthwith! Now I don't have to put up with nosy ladies who feel that they are entitled to read your stuff just because they are copying

Thanks, Heavenly Father, for providing the money to buy this precious machine, and thank you for my cousin, who took time off from his busy schedule to go with me and to set it up later. I praise your Name, Amen.

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 (KJV)  

God's Grace.

God's grace is so amazing. God's grace is free but not cheap. It came with a cost; that cost was the death of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I told you yesterday about the young man who seemed to think like me and had the same spiritual experience of "weeping in the Spirit." I have a friend who returned to the same church at the same time as I did, but because of quite different circumstances.  nd what is amazing is that God is using the same set messages and reassurances to get us to the places and purposes that He wants for us. God's grace and His love is around us.

God's grace is free. It isn't gotten through any good works  that we do. We receive it simply by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, and having faith to believe that His blood will cleanse us from our sins. And as we accept  His forgiveness, His salvation, His cleansing from sin, He also gives us a purpose for our lives that He has preplanned before we were born. He has "good works" that He has planned for us to do long before the world came into existence. 

Like my friend, and like the young man I spoke about yesterday, I'm looking forward to the good plans that God has in store for me. Why don't you try Jesus ' salvation and His plan for you today?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. " Ephesians2: 8 - 10. (KJV)

God gives us the ability to cry

Today I was reading one of the verse via email that I receive from Back to the Bible. In it a young man  spoke about his recent return to church. It's incredible how this man and I have the same thoughts and feelings, even though we have different experiences. He wrote today about his anger problem and how God helped him to overcome it by just asking - and receiving God's grace to overcome it. Actually, that is exactly what God's grace is, the God-given ability to do what is difficult, but necessary for us to do.

He came into the church, and while the other congregants prayed, he read the Bible. He saw the phrase "unending grace" in the Bible and knowing that this was a part of God's word and His desire to give him not just grace, but unending grace opened up the well of unshed tears inside of him. He cried and cried uncontrollably, even after the prayer service ended. 

This reminds me so much of a similar experience a month or two ago. After I had received prayer at a midday deliverance service, I went back to my seat. But the Holy Spirit just took over. Next thing I knew, I was shaking and crying uncontrollably. A friend of mine came and prayed for me and with me. I knew deep inside that the Lord was healing me emotionally and spiritually.  I also believed that that healing precipitated the healing of my liver.

To those who are hurting from rape, abuse of any kind, those who are ill, sad, suicidal, guilt-ridden and shame-filled, God is able to heal to restore health to you and to heal your wounds. One thing that I read in another email thought by another writer in BTTB is that we are Sought After by God. He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us. And what's even better, Jesus loved us so much that He willingly went to the cross for us, in our place. And guess what? When the Holy Spirit makes us cry, it is a healing weeping. Let God make you cry today!

"I will restore health unto you, and I will heal their wounds, said the Lord.." Jeremiah 30:17  (KJV)

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How to be safe

Yesterday's topic was about procrastination. I asked if there ever a time when procrastination was good. No one has answered that question as yet, but I am still hoping.that I will get a reply.
There is something else that is even more insidious than procrastination. It is called disobedience. Disobedience can come in all shapes and fashions. Mom tells little Sonnyboy not to touch the cooling cake on the table. As soon as her back is turned, he sneaks over to the table, stick his  finger in the cake and then licks the finger. Employees in a company surf the 'Net and send personal email on their company's time instead of doing their work. A dog jumps on its master even though the master forbids it to do so. It seems to be a pervasive element in this earth.
But I for one can tell you how dire the results that disobedience can bring. One decision that I made to disobey got when He told me not to go somewhere 18 years ago is still adversely affecting my life even now. And I am quite sure that people in Noah's time is still regretting their decision today.
What happened? Well, these people were so wicked and disobeyed God that He decided to destroy the earth with a flood. He told Noah to build a boat which dimensions would make it about the approximate size of an ocean liner today. When he was finished he was to put a male-female pair of every creature on land and in the air into the ark. After all that, he and his wife, his three sons and their wives were to go into the ark, because God would rain on the earth, and floods would destroy it. It took Noah 120 years to build, and he preached to the people about what God was going to do. The people mocked and laughed at him, and refused to accept God's offer of protection from the coming flood. When the floods came, it killed all the people, animals and birds that were outside the ark.
The apostle Peter mentions these disobedient folks in Noah's time when  he said that Jesus Christ suffer and died once on the cross to bring us to God. Peter said that Christ went down and preached to the souls in prison who perished in the flood. Jesus Christ still speaks through His word and His Church, calling us to reconciled sinners to God. We, as God's people, must not be disobedient to go  and preach the Gospel to every creature. But also, those who read or hear the world of life should not be disobedient like the people in Noah's day and refuse God's salvation. Like those people, they will be destroyed, but this time in Hell and ultimately, in a lake of fire. Unlike those people, the disobedient people of today will not get a second chance once they leave this world.
So folks, don't procrastinate, thinking you have all the time in the world. Don't be disobedient. But accept Jesus Christ as your Savior TODAY!!


"And God punished the world long ago  when he brought a flood to the world that was full of people who were against him. But God saved Noah, who preached about being right with God and seven other people with him. ..So the Lord knows how to save those who  serve him when troubles come. He will hold evil people and punish them while waiting for the Judgment Day. That punishment is especially for those who live by doing the evil things their sinful selves want and who hate authority." 2 Peter 2:5,9 - 10a. (New Century Version)

Answer this! Is there any time when procrastination is good?

Human beings love to procrastinate - to 'put things off.' I know of students putting of really studying for a test because they believe that they can do it over. Adult children put off going to see their parents thinking that they have all the time in the world to see them. Wives refuse to forgive their husbands at once, thinking to themselves. "I'll make him suffer for a while, then I'll forgive him." Or one day, you may get the feeling that you should go and see a very dear friend comes over you, but you pass it off with a 'maybe it was just a passing thought' or a 'maybe I'll do it later.'

Leaving for later things that needs to be done is not wise. One usually ends up regretting waiting too long to do that thing. Those students may take the exam, not do so good, then find out that they cannot do the test over. Those adult children and that friend may get the news that their love ones have passed away, and they will never get the chance to see them again. How very sorrowful we are when those happens!

I know of one time that I procrastinate, and that I always think of with regret and sadness. I was going somewhere a a mixi-taxi (a small bus with twelve seats) when I felt impressed to share the gospel with the lady seated next to me. But I was afraid to, and I came to my destination and got off, leaving her in the vehicle. I have forgotten how the lady looked because it was a few years ago, but I often wonder what happened to her. The questions that most crosses my mind is, "is she dead or alive? Does she know Jesus  as her Savior as yet>".

What about you? Is there any thing that you'd wish that you'd done and can't, or that you still keep putting off, saying to yourself that you have all the time in the world? Is it forgiving someone who hurt you, or saying  'forgive me' to someone you've hurt? Or is it calling a friend or visiting your parents? 

Most important, is it accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, or telling someone about Him?  Go quickly before its too late to do what you know is the right thing to do. If you put it off any longer, it may be too late to do so. 

Tell me, is there any time when procrastination is ever good? I would love to hear from your opinion on this. Or tell me about a time you procrastinated and what was the result.

:Teach us to number ourdays, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

 

Have The Faith Of A Little Child

I started volunteering at my church's Homework Academy last week Tuesday. The second day that I was there, I was put with three little girls all aged 7 years. I watched their bright-eyed candor and enthusiasm as they talked to each other while they looked at their picture books. I felt a sense of wonder and contentment by just being with these three youngsters.

I was reminded anew that Jesus said that we must become like little children if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. I understand now what He meant. Children are so open, especially the very little ones. They laugh uncontrollably at what they think is funny, even if it is someone they are laughing at. They know quickly if they can get around you or not. They listen and look with such amazement at the world around them. When they have faith in God or anyone else, they have complete faith, with no doubts!

I know that God wants me to be like these little children and have total faith in Him. To have faith to provide for my every need, for His help in standing in the midst of less than perfect circumstances. To have faith to be thankful for all the blessinsg that He has bestowed on me, like my family and friends, my computer and the chance to write a blog. I'm so thankful to be able to help with those beautiful children for two days a week. Most of all, J'm grateful for the fact that Jesus Christ died for me, and when I accepted the free gift of His atoning sacrifice for my sin on the cross at Calvary, I became His child. Lord, help me to have faith, just like little children.

At that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a little child to Him and stood the child before His followers. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18: 1 - 3 (New Century Version)

Should Bobbi Kristina Houston Be Alone Right Now?

Last night I saw Bobbi Kristina Houston on TV. She spoke about how she was coping since her mother's (the late singer/actress Whitney Houston) death the night before the Grammy Awards. It is reported that she has inherited all of the mother's estate. She now lives alone in her mother's house. Although she tried to appear bright and cheerful, as if she was managing her loss well, I still remembered that she had been almost overwhelmed in the days right after her mother's sudden demise.

I for one am very concerned that young Bobbi Kristina has been left alone in that big house. That house has been her home for a long while, and all the powerful memories in that house may cause her to spiral into depression rather than help in the healing proces if there is no one to help her in the grieving process. Should she be alone at this period, so soon after her mother's death? Especially as it is alleged that she also has problems with drugs?

Here are what I recommend:

1. Bobbi Kristina should have someone with her right now. She is too vulnerable emotionally, and may try to dull her pain with drugs, or alcohol. She needs someone to talk to. like a relative or very close friend with her mother that she can share her memories with. This is healthy.
2. Grief counselling is also advised at this time, to help her cope with her mother's death. I would recommend biblical counselling because she would realize that Jesus loves her and is with her, even in the midst of this sad, tough time of her life.
3. I would recommend that she be protected from too much pressure from the press until she is again able to cope with this. Even though she appears to be handling this okay at this point in time, it is only a few weeks since her mother died, and she needs the time to heal without being a source of perusal from the press and the fans.

I'm hoping her father, Mr. Bobby Brown, would keep to his word and take care of his daughter. She needs him at this time. Please, Mr. Brown, do as you has sworn and let her stay with you. PLEASE, do arrange for the counseling that she so badly needs.

"He healeth the broken in heart, binding up their wounds." PS. 147:3