Approaching
Our first response in approaching
another people,
another culture,
another religion,
is to take off our shoes
for the place we are approaching is holy.
Else we may find ourselves treading on another's dream.
More serious still,
we may forget...
that God was here
before our arrival.
Taken from www.inspirationalarchive.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
Trust God one day at a time!
Just for today! I will begin the day by praying: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
Just for today! I will say, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Just for today! I will not worry about my needs, for "...my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Just for today! I will not fear, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity; but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." (II Timothy 1:7)
Just for today! I will not harbor doubt and lack faith, for "...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Just for today! I will not lack strength, for "...the Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1b)
Just for today! I will not admit defeat, for God "...always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, ..." (II Corinthians 2:14b)
Just for today! I will not lack wisdom, for, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask Cod, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
Just for today! I will not feel condemned, for "..., there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
Just for today! I will not be worried or frustrated: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)
Just for today! I will not be depressed, "...for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22b,23)
Just for today! I will not feel alone for Jesus said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b)
Just for today! I will not be discontented, "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:llb)
Just for today! I will not feel worthless, for "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Corinthians 5:21)
Just for today! I will not be confused, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…" (I Corinthians 14:33a KJV)
Just for today! I will not let the pressures of life bother me, when Christ said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)
Just for today! I will not feel like a failure, when "…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
Taken from www.christianstories.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.You Are Cordially Invited To A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
Date: Every day. Traditionally December 25, but He's always around, so the date is flexible..
Time: Whenever you're ready, please don't be too late though, or you'll miss out on all the fun...
Place: In your heart ... He'll meet you there (you'll hear Him knock)..
Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last..
Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone... (He says we would not have been able to afford it... it's cost Him everything He had!!)..
Refreshments: New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls "living water, followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!!
Gift Suggestions: Your heart. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though just wait until you see what He has for you)..
Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, and much more! (All rated "G" so bring your family and friends)..
R.SV.P.: Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, he's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. (He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life").
Party Being Given By His Kids (That's us) Hope To See You There!
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) ...
'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'
Revelation 19:7-9 NIV
Do you need me?
I am there.
You cannot see me, yet, I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet, I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet, I am the power at work through your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand my ways.
I am at work, though you do not recognize my works.
I am not strange visions.
I am no mystery.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am ~ then
but as a feeling and as a faith.
Yet, I am here.
Yet, I hear.
Yet, I answer.
When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind
are the myths of "yours" and "mine."
Yet only in your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears. When you get yourself out of the
way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And, I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, for I AM.
Only in Me does the world have meaning.
Only in Me does the world take form.
Only because of me does the world go forward.
I am the law in which the movement of the stars and the growth of living
cells are founded.
I am the Love that is fulfilling.
I am the assurance.
I am the peace.
I am the oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the Love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am the one with you.
I AM.
Though you fail Me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith is in Me is unsure, My faith never waivers, because I
know you, because I love you.
BELOVED, I am there.
Taken from www.christianstories.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
Dear Friends from Higher Ground,
Pastor Andy Yeoh & his gang from ACTS Church, Subang are making their way here tomorrow for The Higher Ground Sessions & Leaders Sessions. They are busy people yet they manage to squeeze Kuantan into their itinerary, so let us show them our support by getting all our funky friends (both believers & non-believers) to come. If we consistently sow enthusiasm by reaching out & bringing 'em friends into God's Kingdom, we'll be exploding with youths within the next few Higher Ground Sessions! Then we'll be able to get more speakers like Andy & the likes to come more often to Kuantan. Among guest speakers we have in our line-up for the coming months are youth speakers/pastors from Planetshakers, Youth Alive, StarMaker, AYA & many others. So get your spirits pumped & ready to rock 'N' rolla 4 Christ! XD
Godspeed,
Jonathan W.
Ex-HG Co-ordinator / HG United Blog Co-Editor
My children, I am the Creator of ALL, and ALL power originates with ME! There is no power in heaven or on earth that is able to thwart My purposes for your life as you yield to Me. NONE!
Have I not promised that as you seek Me, you will find Me, when you seek Me with all of your heart? Have I not said to ask, and you will receive? Ask then, and let your hearts run wild and your imagination run vagabond, for you cannot plumb the depths of My planning and provision for My own.
Does not My Word promise that if you seek My kingdom and My righteousness, all else that is needed will be supplied? There is no need that I cannot meet, so long as you look to Me to do so. There is no problem for which I cannot provide a solution. There is no wound so deep that I cannot heal; and no situation for which there is no remedy. I AM GOD, IS ANYTHING TOO DIFFICULT FOR ME?!
I ask of you your all, not some random portion of your affection. I seek to have precedence over every area of your life. I, and I alone am to reign supreme in your life. Yet I would remind you that I have offered to you My all. Yes, for I have made available to you ALL that is needed to walk in victory and to truly reign in this life. ALL power, ALL wisdom...all that is needed is readily available through My Holy Spirit.
Do you lack anything? Then come to Me, and I will fill you to overflowing; and in so doing, will satisfy the deepest longings of your soul. True fulfillment is found in Me alone.
Hold Me not at arms length, but rather come into My embrace, for I wait with arms open wide. I love you as none other could, and I long to lavish My love upon you.
Taken from www.christianstories.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
(click on poster to enlarge)
Alright dudes & dudettes. Details for June 2009 Higher Ground Session have now been confirmed! This time we're doing things a little differently as we have Pastor Andy Yeoh from ACTS Church to bless us with his special sharing concerning RECESS REVOLUTION! -A follow up programme to the REVOLUTION TOUR aimed at secondary school students. Come & hear Pastor Andy's exciting new plans for your life & your school! Remember, this Special Edition of Higher Ground Session starts at 7pm (sharp!). Don't be late yeah! XD
So the details are as the following:
Date: 27th June 09
Time: 7:00pm SHARP
Venue: Christian Praise Centre (CPC)
Emcee will be Pao Suen, ice-breaker Daniel Cheng, worship leader Joel Chew.
Guest speaker: Pastor Andy Yeoh
Be sure to come, people..! XD
FEATURING:
PAO SUEN (Emcee) > PASTOR ANDY (Guest Speaker) > JOEL CHEW (Worship Leader)
It all started so innocently. We met as strangers, thrown together by fate. Some of you grew up with me, others I have only known a short while. Some of you I have hugged constantly over the years, and others I met at a time when hugging was 'un-cool', and it has stayed that way, though the times have changed around us.
Some of you I have not yet met in person. Every one of you has enriched my life. You have helped to teach me, to guide me on this often turning and forking road of life. You have been with me through the good times and the bad. You have comforted me when I cried, held me when I was afraid, and laughed with me when I was happy.
And now we are in college. And though the distance between us is not great, it is great enough. I am no longer afraid to reach out and hug you, in fact I long to do it.
You had walked with me for so long that I was afraid to venture on alone. Yet even as I feared the dark of night, along came others to help me on my journey, in hopes that I would walk with them so they need not journey on alone. They picked up where you left off, and now they are no longer strangers.
Who are you? You might be my brother, my sister, my cousin, an old acquaintance or a new one. But first and foremost, I call you friend. And I miss you if you are away, and if you are here, then I thank you for standing by my side.
And so I send you this, so that you might know that someone, somewhere, is thinking of you, praying for you, and loving you. And that person is me. May God grant you peace and happiness in your times of trial, and watch over you, so that one day we will meet again.
One of the most under reported news stories in the world is the horrific persecution of Christians in many Islamic nations. For example, a 28-year-old Christian Pakistani man was just brutally tortured, raped and then murdered for refusing to convert to Islam, and there was virtually no mention of this in the world media.
By Marty Stokes from Hudson, Florida.
FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
When I was full of hot air,
My tongue never did rest;
Because an ignorant man
Can always argue the best.
I would continue to argue,
After everyone fell asleep;
I wasn't full of the Spirit,
What I was full of was me.
God showed me my heart,
And I saw a big hypocrite;
If I was full of something,
It was not the Holy Spirit.
So loaded with knowledge,
I was totally empty of God;
There are so many like that,
That you and I may applaud.
We may think we're a leader,
But with nobody following;
We're only taking a walk,
We're not open to learning.
If we're filled with the Spirit,
We'll be emptied of pride;
But if we're full of ourselves,
We haven't been crucified
Marty Stokes
Hudson, FL
Taken from www.hopecrc.ca. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
By Marty Stokes from Hudson, Florida.
WE'RE ALL FOSTER CHILDREN
There's a whole lot of children
but from what I can tell,
They're all "entrusted" to us
we need to "foster" them well;
We're not their "real" parents
God has "loaned" them to us
But we so easily forget
we think they "belong" to us.
When we take Junior home
we love to call him "our" son,
Don't you think it's amazing
we forget where he's from;
He's a "gift" sent from God
and I'm telling you the facts,
But we believe we "own" him
until God takes him back.
The Lord gives and He takes
but is that what WE believe,
Tell me why we complain
when God says he must leave;
I know my words are unusual
but they could be the truth,
It's very hard to accept
can this be God's point of view.
Everything that God gives
we shouldn't say that it's "mine,"
With "my" money I bought it
are we so ignorant and blind;
These things were "given" to us
we don't "own" anything,
It's not what we've "done"
we were "given" everything.
I hope you can hear me
do you hear me my "brother,"
You especially should know
because God is your Father;
Truth is stranger than fiction
but what I'm saying is truth,
We don't "own" anything
so there's nothing to lose.
There's one thing we do "own,"
or that's what we may THINK,
But when Jesus comes back
we might have to RE-think;
Let's be careful with words
about things that WE "own",
We might be very surprised
is what I say in this poem.
Marty Stokes
Hudson, FL
Taken from www.hopecrc.ca. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
THE WORLD IS MINE
Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair,
I envied her, she seemed so gay, and
wished I were as fair,
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw
her hobble down the aisle;
She had one leg, and wore a crutch; and
as she passed --- a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two legs. The world is mine.
And then I stopped to buy some sweets;
the lad who sold them had such charm,
I talked with him, he seemed so glad ---if
I were late 'twould do no harm,
And as I left he said to me: "I thank you.
You have been so kind,
It's nice to talk to folks like you. You see,
he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two eyes. The world is mine.
Later, walking down the street, I saw a
child with eyes of blue,
He stood and watched the others play; it
seemed he knew what to do,
I stopped a moment, then I said: "Why
don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, and then
I knew he could not hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears. The world is mine.
With legs to take me where I'd go,
With eyes to see the sunset's glow,
With ears to hear what I would know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I'm Blessed indeed. The world is mine.
~ Dot Aaron ~
THREE GATES
If I am tempted to reveal
A tale, someone to me has told
About another, let it pass,
Before I speak, three gates of gold.
Three narrow gates: First, is it true?
Then, is it needful? In my mind
Give truthful answer, and the next
Is last and narrowest, Is it kind?
And if, to reach my lips at last,
It passes through these gateways, three,
Then I may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be.
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
MY DAILY PRAYER
If I can do some good today,
If I can serve along life's way,
If I can something helpful say,
Lord, show me how.
If I can right a human wrong,
If I can help to make one strong,
If I can cheer with smile or song,
Lord, show me how.
If I can aid one in distress,
If I can make a burden less,
If I can spread more happiness,
Lord, show me how.
Grenville Kleiser
THE WONDER OF PRAYER!
Have you considered the wonder of prayer?
That we can pray anytime, anywhere?
That we can lift our hearts to God above?
To one who cares for us with his tender love?
Oh, how good to turn to him when in need!
To know he listens, that he pays heed!
To bring our burdens to him, and to bring our care!
To sense he's waiting just to meet us there!
God wants us to bring our needs to him,
whether they're big or small.
None are overlooked by him.
He's concerned about them all.
If you are God's child,
here's what you should do:
Pray to him daily.
He wants to hear from you.
Pray in the name of Jesus,
God's own beloved Son.
He honors the name of Jesus,
and remarkable things get done.
Give thanks for God's answers
given to your prayers.
They are his reminders
that he really, truly cares!
{ Bird Cage }
A man was on the side of the road with a large birdcage.
A boy noticed that the cage was full of birds of many kinds.
"Where did you get those birds?" he asked.
"Oh, all over the place," the man replied. "I lure them with crumbs and pretend I'm their friend. Then when they are close, I net them and shove them into my cage."
"And what are you going to do with them now?"
The man grinned, "I'm going to prod them with sticks, and get them really mad so they fight and kill each other. Those that survive, I will kill. None will escape."
The boy looked steadily at the man. What made him do such things? He looked into the cruel, hard eyes. Then he looked at the birds, defenseless, without hope.
"Can I buy those birds?" the boy asked. The man hid a smile, aware that he could be on to a good thing if he played his cards right.
"Well," he said hesitantly, "The cage is pretty expensive, and I spent a lot of time collecting these birds, I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll let you have the lot, birds, cage and all for ten pounds and that jacket you're wearing."
The boy paused, ten pounds was all he had, and the jacket was new and very special, in fact it was his prized possession. Slowly, he took out the ten pounds and handed it over, then even more slowly he took off his jacket, gave it one last look then handed that over too.
He received the cage from the man. And then (well, you might have guessed it) he opened the door and let the birds go free.
The Enemy of the world, Satan, was on the side of life's road with a verylarge cage.
The man coming towards him noticed that it was crammed full of people of every kind, young, old, from every race and nation.
"Where did you get these people?" the man asked.
"Oh, from all over the world," Satan replied. "I lure them with drink, drugs, lust, lies, anger, hate, love of money and all manner of things. I pretend I'm their friend, out to give them a good time, then when I've hooked them, into the cage they go."
"And what are you going to do with them now?" asked the man.
Satan grinned. "I'm going to prod them, provoke them, get them to hate and destroy each other; I'll stir up racial hatred, defiance of law and order; I'll make people bored, lonely, dissatisfied, confused and restless. It's easy. People will always listen to what I offer them and what's better, blame God for the outcome!"
"And then what?" the man asked.
"Those who do not destroy themselves, I will destroy. None will escape me."
The man stepped forward. "Can I buy these people from you?", he asked.
Satan snarled, "Yes, but it will cost you your life." So Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid for your release, your freedom from Satan's trap, with His own life, on the cross at Calvary. The door is open, and anyone, whom Satan has deceived and caged, can be set free.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Ruth
Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth,
I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner."
She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday.
Nonetheless, she felt as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm. "Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it." Ruth looked at them both.
They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."
"Yeah, well, OK lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."
The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.
"You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth,
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
Good Morning From God
I am the Lord your God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, DO NOT attempt to resolve it.
Kindly put it in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in MY time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or attempt to remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution.
Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.
Love Eternally,
The Lord your God
Dear Friend,
I just had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you.
Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you'd want Me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited; you never called. I just kept on loving you.
As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted so much to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn't even think of me; I wanted so much to comfort you.
The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into a glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work-you didn't even notice.
My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.
I love you! Oh, if you'd only listen. I really love you! I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of the flowers.
I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and composed love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature's sweet scent.
My love for you is deeper than the ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you'd only realize how I care. I died just for you. My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him. He cares, too. Fathers are just that way.
So please call Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait because I love you.The Hand of God
Below is a picture that someone took of a funnel cloud during the tornado warnings. What you are seeing is the funnel cloud and a tree that was blown down.
What you are about to see below the first picture is the same picture turned sideways.
What do you see now?
God is Lord Almighty, Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider, Protector, Paternal Leader, Ruling Lord and Reigning King of all the universe.
He is Father, Helper, Guardian and God. He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all He keeps. The Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, is, and will be: Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings Peace.
The world can't understand him, the armies can't defeat Him, the schools can't explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, the people couldn't hold Him! Nero couldn't crush Him. Hitler couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace Him and Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me! His is my redeemer, He is my saviour, He is my guide, He is my peace, He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord and He rules my life.
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was, is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, forsake me, mislead me, forget me, overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives me. When I am weak, He is strong. When I am lost, He is The Way. When I am afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I am hurt, He heals me. When I am broken, He mends me. When I am blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me. When I face trials, He is with me When I face persecution, He stills me. When I face problems, He comforts me. When I face loss, He provides for me. When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and in every way. He is God, He is faithful, I am His, and He is mine. My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world, and so, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this: He said it, and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
(click on poster to enlarge)
A NEW CYBER DAWN FOR HIGHER GROUND
We're glad to announce the arrival of Version 3.0 of our beloved blog! As you have been aware, Higher Ground managed to secure the www.highergroundunited.com domain lately. So, as a way to celebrate our progress in blogger-sphere, we decided to make some cosmetic changes to the blog.
We hope you like this dynamic feel we have incorporated into the blog's facade (-The 'ultra-coloured waves' seen across the header signifies God's undying love radiating within the hearts of the youths). May the contents within Version 3.0 continue to inspire you to reach out even more dynamically to our fellow Kuantan friends & beyond.
With the love of Christ in our hearts & the passion to carry out His call, let us advance His kingdom & pierce the darkness!
Godspeed,
Jonathan.
Ex-Higher Ground Co-ordinator.
P.S.: Let us thank Clement C., Jeremy Y. & Jasher C. for making this blog what it is today.
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"
After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God.. If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, to stop and buy a gallon of milk.
He shook his head and said "God, is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you. I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, turn down that street. "This is crazy", he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will." He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst of either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something. "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."
The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again he felt like he should go and give the milk.
Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here." He walked across the street and rang the bell, He could hear some noise inside.
A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt.
He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you."
The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.
The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?" The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put it in the man's hand.
He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
Dart Test
A young lady named Sally , relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr.
Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry , and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend . Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr Smith , because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words... " In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me ."
Matthew 25:40.
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
Taken from www.christianlifestories.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
A Red Marble
During the waning years of the Great Depression of the 1930's in a small southeastern Kansas community, I used to stop by Mr.Miller's roadside stand for farm fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.
One particular day, Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas...sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?"
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it."
"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"
"Not 'zackley .....but, almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."
"Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller."
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."
I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.
They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary, we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts - very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last when Jim could not change his mind about color or size - they came to pay their debt. "
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho." With loving gentleness, she lifted her husband's lifeless fingers. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined, red marbles!
Interview With God
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled
“My time is eternity”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?...”
God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood.
They rush to grow up and then
long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money
and then lose their money to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”
That they live as if they will never die,
and die as if they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for awhile
And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”
God replied with a smile
“To learn they cannot make anyone love them.
What they can do is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in persons we love,
and it takes many years to heal them.”
“To learn to forgive by
practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that there are persons who love them dearly,
but simply do not know how to express or show
their feelings.”
“To learn that two people
can look at the same thing
and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not always enough that they
be forgiven by others. But that they must
forgive themselves.”
“And to learn that I am here always.”
Taken from www.christianlifestories.com. Subject to copyright by author and owner.
compiled by Jeremy
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