why do people commit things foolishly?...
does one sin means the end of the world...
why do we get affected by it so much even give ones own life...
do it solve something? being martyr I mean...
are you assured you're death has a meaning to meet its end?
foolish... just like Judas...
Just think even if you die...
life will still continue to its original destination...
days, months, and years will past you will be forgoten...
it still the same, wheter your in or out of it...
only God has the power to control your life...
don't waste it... even heroes got hurt but still stand...
life is just a passing way... heaven is our true home...
but still it depends on what you did on the way to it...
whether you use life wisely or waste it...
still there is Judgment in the end...
you can't escape it... even death will never save you...
think wisely and don't forget that God will give us wisdom...
just ask it from him...^^,< James 1:5 KJV 1611
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Last 5 Minutes... what will you do?
Someone just died! This is not to scare you because it may also happen to me now. This is to give you courage and hope beyond this life.
I want you for the next five minutes to live as if it were your last five minutes to live; as if it were your last five minutes alive. After all, someone in your city will die in the next five minutes. It could very well be you. Why not?
In five minutes, when you’re dead, someone will place a sheet or maybe a blanket over your head. An ambulance will come to take you to the hospital for an autopsy. The undertaker will be called, and arrangements will be made to place you in a grave. At the funeral home people will come and shed tears over your lifeless body. They will look at and touch your cold and blank face.
At the funeral, folks will weep and mourn, but you will be gone. They will drive slowly to a cemetery with your body in a casket inside a hearse. At the cemetery they will carry your body to a hole in the ground and lower it down. People will cry. The men will throw dirt over the casket, in which your body was placed, and then they will set a tombstone on top of that ground. Your name will be on the stone, the date of your birth will be below that, and today’s date will be under that. It will say, “DIED…”
The people will leave and soon recover and someday forget that your body is there.
Your five minutes is almost up, so I’d better get to the point. When this time is up and you have died, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? We already decided where your body is going, but what about you? Will you be in heaven or hell? Oh, yes, you’ll be at one place or the other, so in these remaining minutes I’ll tell you what to do to get to the place of your choice.
TO GO TO HELL
Do nothing! You’ve already done enough! “For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23a).
TO GET TO HEAVEN
- Believe you are a sinner. “ For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
- Believe you deserve to go to hell. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12).
- Believe Jesus died to pay for your sins. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
- Trust Jesus as your Savior. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
Time is almost gone so decide quickly.
If you want to go to heaven, I’ll tell you what you need to do in your last few seconds. Get on your knees! Hurry! Now confess to God that you are a sinner! Come on! Don’t waste time! Tell Him you know that you deserve to go to hell. Now tell Him that you know His Son died for you on the cross. You’d better hurry! Now tell Him you’re sorry for your sins, and ask Him to come into your heart and save you now! Did you trust Him? Did you receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior? If you did, you’re ready to go to heaven.
Monday, September 7, 2009
DOTA: "THe Truth Behind It"
Everyone, DOTA player or not, pls
do finish reading this one.. U can
share this very important TRUTH.. You
will if you really care coz the truth
is that there is a very big number of
youth addicted 2 DOTA..
Sad to say, even some, "Bible-Believing Baptists"..=(
The truth behind the game DOTA.
Many say: "i'm just playing to enjoy."
The truth behind the online
game DOTA(a SATANIC game)
ANCIENT %u2013 question: who is
ancient?
%u2013 answer: God but Satan disguises
himself and
deceives us, saying
that He is the Ancient one.
Why?
who would you think you will defend on
this game? whose defense is this? (with
those cheats and verbal
acknowledgements.. later to be
discussed)
*the obvious aims:
-to kill your enemy, to destroy the
tree of life for sentinel, to destroy
the frozen throne for
scorge, and TO BE BEYOND GODLIKE in
this game.
*the real aims:
- worshipping satan through consciously
enjoying the game.
Why?
- because this game is extremely a
deception from satan and you are
actually enjoying
it.
THE GAME
There are two bases or teams:
Sentinel vs.scorge
Good ones
monsters
Human
dark evil
Weak
strong
CHEATS:
WHO'S YOUR DADDY
- This is used to become stronger
- But actually this cheat pertains to
admittance that your father indeed is
satan.
GREED IS GOOD
- To have more money
- In Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "Those who
love money will never have enough,,
the more you have.. the more people
come to help you spend it."
- It feeds your mind that it's fine to
love money because you need it.
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
- This allows you to see the map
- The truth behind is that, spiritually
the players and those who are involved
are dead; they don't have real life
for they are being used by satan to
praise him through this game.
Dead people!
*Verbal acknowledgements:
- OMG (Oh my God) The Bible states, "do
not use the name of the Lord in vain!"
- BULLs**t and HOLYs**t need not to
explain
- Good job / Good work when you killed
somebody; you are being congratulated
with a good job or good work.
Note: Many of those who play it(DOTA) thinks that Satan is not playing, but actually he
is using DOTA to pollute the minds of
our youth.
Ephesians 4:27
Don't give d devil a chance! If you
ignore this, it's your own risk. This
is the TRUTH. Do not be blinded and do
not harden your heart.
it's in you if u will continue playing
dota. it just means that u'r
continuing to worship Satan. it's ur
own risk.
Thanks a lot 4 your time..
Pls. pass this.. May d HOLY SPIRIT still LEAD our
hearts & minds..
do finish reading this one.. U can
share this very important TRUTH.. You
will if you really care coz the truth
is that there is a very big number of
youth addicted 2 DOTA..
Sad to say, even some, "Bible-Believing Baptists"..=(
The truth behind the game DOTA.
Many say: "i'm just playing to enjoy."
The truth behind the online
game DOTA(a SATANIC game)
ANCIENT %u2013 question: who is
ancient?
%u2013 answer: God but Satan disguises
himself and
deceives us, saying
that He is the Ancient one.
Why?
who would you think you will defend on
this game? whose defense is this? (with
those cheats and verbal
acknowledgements.. later to be
discussed)
*the obvious aims:
-to kill your enemy, to destroy the
tree of life for sentinel, to destroy
the frozen throne for
scorge, and TO BE BEYOND GODLIKE in
this game.
*the real aims:
- worshipping satan through consciously
enjoying the game.
Why?
- because this game is extremely a
deception from satan and you are
actually enjoying
it.
THE GAME
There are two bases or teams:
Sentinel vs.scorge
Good ones
monsters
Human
dark evil
Weak
strong
CHEATS:
WHO'S YOUR DADDY
- This is used to become stronger
- But actually this cheat pertains to
admittance that your father indeed is
satan.
GREED IS GOOD
- To have more money
- In Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "Those who
love money will never have enough,,
the more you have.. the more people
come to help you spend it."
- It feeds your mind that it's fine to
love money because you need it.
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
- This allows you to see the map
- The truth behind is that, spiritually
the players and those who are involved
are dead; they don't have real life
for they are being used by satan to
praise him through this game.
Dead people!
*Verbal acknowledgements:
- OMG (Oh my God) The Bible states, "do
not use the name of the Lord in vain!"
- BULLs**t and HOLYs**t need not to
explain
- Good job / Good work when you killed
somebody; you are being congratulated
with a good job or good work.
Note: Many of those who play it(DOTA) thinks that Satan is not playing, but actually he
is using DOTA to pollute the minds of
our youth.
Ephesians 4:27
Don't give d devil a chance! If you
ignore this, it's your own risk. This
is the TRUTH. Do not be blinded and do
not harden your heart.
it's in you if u will continue playing
dota. it just means that u'r
continuing to worship Satan. it's ur
own risk.
Thanks a lot 4 your time..
Pls. pass this.. May d HOLY SPIRIT still LEAD our
hearts & minds..
Interesting Conversation....
An atheist professor of philosophy was speaking to his class on the problem science has with GOD. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand.
Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My brother died of Cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fellow. Is GOD good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From… GOD…
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And GOD did make everything? Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son… Have you ever seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater)
Student: What about darkness, professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light… But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never been seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and can not even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so? So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir… exactly! The link between man and GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My brother died of Cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fellow. Is GOD good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From… GOD…
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And GOD did make everything? Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son… Have you ever seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater)
Student: What about darkness, professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light… But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never been seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and can not even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so? So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir… exactly! The link between man and GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
In Times of Prayer ...
Life’s tempest and gale may beat and shake us often
But in us we have peace that passeth all understanding
When at our knees we cast to GOD all our cares
That’s how He comforts us, in times of prayer! Our Heavenly Father knows what we need
Before we ask Him of it and for it we plead
If he cares to sustain and nourish the fowls of the air
Much more to us if we go to Him, in times of prayer! Matt. 6:26
To us GOD promised our heart’s desire to provide
When we delight in Him and to Him we abide
His Word so sure and His answers so fair
That’s what He assures us, in times of prayer! Psalms 37:4
Winning the lost God’s word to them we share
How Christ died on the cross and heaven he prepared
Earnestly begging for His Spirit’s fire and power
That’s what He bestows us, in times of prayer! O Lord God of all, unto thee we are so grateful!
For saving us and answering our prayers, you are so faithful!
Thank you Lord for everything to us you confer!
That’s what to you we declare, in times of prayer!
The Proper Use of Cellphone!
Dialing Into Danger
By Tim Trieber
According to an estimate by the American Public Communications Council, the number of public payphones has dropped by half to approximately one million over the last nine years. One obvious reason for the drop is the integration of wireless connectivity in our lives, i.e., the escalating use of cellular phones and similar devices. Some of us can remember a day when a person would ask for change in quarters so that he could have them on hand for emergency calls. A teenager would check his pockets before leaving the house to make sure he had coins to call home. Times have certainly changed.
In 2000, just 5 percent of 13- to 17- year olds had cell phones. Today, 56 percent do, according to Linda Barrabee, wireless market analyst for The Yankee Group.
Teens aren’t just using their phones to talk. From rapid-fire “texting” to full-fledged Web browsing to videos and video games, cell phones have become portable computers. And that’s opened up a whole new set of concerns.
“Parents are totally clueless about what kids are doing on cell phones. They are taking pictures, surfing the Web, playing games and MP3s. They are harassing each other, cyberbullying,” says child safety advocate Parry Aftab.
Bob Sullivan, MSNBC Technology Correspondent
“Cell Phones and Kids:
Do They Mix?”
"a parent should consider the dangers before purchasing a cell phone for his teenager."
Because of the rapid development of technology and the general population’s increasing dependence on the “latest,” a good number of parents believe that their children should also be techno-savvy. And while there are real benefits to having a cell phone—emergency situations do arise—a parent should seriously consider the potential dangers before purchasing one for his teenager:
• UNMONITORED CALLS – How many groggy countenances at the breakfast table can be attributed to late-night conversations or text messages, all unbeknownst to the parent? A parent must understand that allowing a teenager to carry a cell phone gives that young person the opportunity to communicate at any time with whomever he wants.
• TEXT MESSAGES – A teenager is often more aggressive in his writing than in his speech. By this, I mean that he may “text” messages to others that he would otherwise deem inappropriate to say, much less think.
• MEDIA – Camera phones can take, send, and receive photographs, which can be posted online almost as quickly as the picture was taken.
• INTERNET – Last year, two billion dollars was spent on pornography by teenagers who downloaded it to their cell phones.
• RECORDS – Call logs and messages can be deleted. In just a few steps, anybody can alter his cell phone to show that he never received any calls or messages.
Now, before we blame the cell phone for every evil under the sun, remember that the danger is not in the invention but in how it is used. If a parent decides to allow his teenager to carry a cell phone, firm, specific guidelines—as well as definite consequences if guidelines are violated—should be in place for the young person. Here are a few practical ones that parents may find helpful:
1. Do not give your teenager a cell phone. I truly believe that a parent can keep his teenager from falling into some of the world’s traps by simply not giving him a cell phone.
2. Check records daily. A parent should frequently check the cell phone to see who has called or been called and who has been texted or sent texts to his child’s phone. Records of this information is available online.
3. Require your teenager to turn in the cell phone by a certain time each evening. I heard a report that one out of every three teens has either made a call or sent messages to somebody else between the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. I strongly doubt that the subject of conversation during any of those hours is anything decent or redeeming.
By Tim Trieber
According to an estimate by the American Public Communications Council, the number of public payphones has dropped by half to approximately one million over the last nine years. One obvious reason for the drop is the integration of wireless connectivity in our lives, i.e., the escalating use of cellular phones and similar devices. Some of us can remember a day when a person would ask for change in quarters so that he could have them on hand for emergency calls. A teenager would check his pockets before leaving the house to make sure he had coins to call home. Times have certainly changed.
In 2000, just 5 percent of 13- to 17- year olds had cell phones. Today, 56 percent do, according to Linda Barrabee, wireless market analyst for The Yankee Group.
Teens aren’t just using their phones to talk. From rapid-fire “texting” to full-fledged Web browsing to videos and video games, cell phones have become portable computers. And that’s opened up a whole new set of concerns.
“Parents are totally clueless about what kids are doing on cell phones. They are taking pictures, surfing the Web, playing games and MP3s. They are harassing each other, cyberbullying,” says child safety advocate Parry Aftab.
Bob Sullivan, MSNBC Technology Correspondent
“Cell Phones and Kids:
Do They Mix?”
"a parent should consider the dangers before purchasing a cell phone for his teenager."
Because of the rapid development of technology and the general population’s increasing dependence on the “latest,” a good number of parents believe that their children should also be techno-savvy. And while there are real benefits to having a cell phone—emergency situations do arise—a parent should seriously consider the potential dangers before purchasing one for his teenager:
• UNMONITORED CALLS – How many groggy countenances at the breakfast table can be attributed to late-night conversations or text messages, all unbeknownst to the parent? A parent must understand that allowing a teenager to carry a cell phone gives that young person the opportunity to communicate at any time with whomever he wants.
• TEXT MESSAGES – A teenager is often more aggressive in his writing than in his speech. By this, I mean that he may “text” messages to others that he would otherwise deem inappropriate to say, much less think.
• MEDIA – Camera phones can take, send, and receive photographs, which can be posted online almost as quickly as the picture was taken.
• INTERNET – Last year, two billion dollars was spent on pornography by teenagers who downloaded it to their cell phones.
• RECORDS – Call logs and messages can be deleted. In just a few steps, anybody can alter his cell phone to show that he never received any calls or messages.
Now, before we blame the cell phone for every evil under the sun, remember that the danger is not in the invention but in how it is used. If a parent decides to allow his teenager to carry a cell phone, firm, specific guidelines—as well as definite consequences if guidelines are violated—should be in place for the young person. Here are a few practical ones that parents may find helpful:
1. Do not give your teenager a cell phone. I truly believe that a parent can keep his teenager from falling into some of the world’s traps by simply not giving him a cell phone.
2. Check records daily. A parent should frequently check the cell phone to see who has called or been called and who has been texted or sent texts to his child’s phone. Records of this information is available online.
3. Require your teenager to turn in the cell phone by a certain time each evening. I heard a report that one out of every three teens has either made a call or sent messages to somebody else between the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. I strongly doubt that the subject of conversation during any of those hours is anything decent or redeeming.
Knowing God's Will!
A Multitude of Counselors
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 11:14; 15:22
The folly of human nature is that even though we know where the answers lie, we don't turn there for fear of what it will say.
A school teacher lost her life savings in a business scheme that had been elaborately explained by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and her dream was shattered, she went to the Better Business Bureau. “Why on earth didn't you come to us first?” the official asked. “Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?” “Oh, yes,” said the lady sadly. “I've always known about you. But I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to do it.”
The same thing could be said about us as Christians. Many times we know where the answer to our problems is (God’s Word) but we’re afraid it might contradict our plans.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission”? Many people fear not receiving permission for something, so they opt to blame ignorance and apologize later.
In our Christian lives, the answers to all our questions are found in Scriptures. Yet how often do we consult them? How many times do we seek counsel before making a major decision in our lives?
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” The Bible plainly gives us the formula for making wise decisions—openly seek godly counsel on the matter and apply it.
No matter what the situation or how difficult the problem, God’s Word says there is safety in counsel. Before making that decision, take time to pray and read God’s Word. Seek God with an open heart and let Him guide you. Also, seek counsel from a mature, godly friend or your pastor. Rather than seeking their approval, seek their honest thoughts on the matter. Trust that God is using them in your life to guide you in the matter.
Too many times we can have our mind so set on a decision that seeking counsel is pointless. We know what we are going to do and simply want someone else’s approval. But that’s not what God’s Word means! God wants us to openly come to Him, willing to make any changes He might suggest.
Do you have an important decision to make in your life? Have you sought counsel about it? God’s Word has the answer; don’t neglect to consult such a vital counselor. Also, seek counsel from godly Christians you trust. Open your heart to their words and be willing to accept their counsel, even if it contradicts your desires.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 11:14; 15:22
The folly of human nature is that even though we know where the answers lie, we don't turn there for fear of what it will say.
A school teacher lost her life savings in a business scheme that had been elaborately explained by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and her dream was shattered, she went to the Better Business Bureau. “Why on earth didn't you come to us first?” the official asked. “Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?” “Oh, yes,” said the lady sadly. “I've always known about you. But I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to do it.”
The same thing could be said about us as Christians. Many times we know where the answer to our problems is (God’s Word) but we’re afraid it might contradict our plans.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission”? Many people fear not receiving permission for something, so they opt to blame ignorance and apologize later.
In our Christian lives, the answers to all our questions are found in Scriptures. Yet how often do we consult them? How many times do we seek counsel before making a major decision in our lives?
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” The Bible plainly gives us the formula for making wise decisions—openly seek godly counsel on the matter and apply it.
No matter what the situation or how difficult the problem, God’s Word says there is safety in counsel. Before making that decision, take time to pray and read God’s Word. Seek God with an open heart and let Him guide you. Also, seek counsel from a mature, godly friend or your pastor. Rather than seeking their approval, seek their honest thoughts on the matter. Trust that God is using them in your life to guide you in the matter.
Too many times we can have our mind so set on a decision that seeking counsel is pointless. We know what we are going to do and simply want someone else’s approval. But that’s not what God’s Word means! God wants us to openly come to Him, willing to make any changes He might suggest.
Do you have an important decision to make in your life? Have you sought counsel about it? God’s Word has the answer; don’t neglect to consult such a vital counselor. Also, seek counsel from godly Christians you trust. Open your heart to their words and be willing to accept their counsel, even if it contradicts your desires.
Making a Difference...
Making a Difference Through Our Beliefs
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And of some have compassion, making a difference.”
Jude 22
The men and women who have moved the world have been the men and women the world could not move.
Many years ago a man was commissioned by the king of Denmark to lead a band of soldiers against pirates who were reeking havoc with shipping along a certain coastal area. The man set up his headquarters on a lonely, rocky, desolate island just off the coast, and after a few years he was able to clear the pirates out of the area.
Upon returning to the mainland, he reported to the king. The king was very pleased and offered him anything he wanted. All he wanted, he told the king, was a plot of land on the island where he had just lived and fought for so many months. They told him the island was barren. Why would he want to live there? "I want to plant trees," was his reply. "I want to make the island beautiful." The king's aides thought he was crazy. The island was constantly swept by storms and high winds. He would never be able to get a tree to grow there.
However, he insisted, and the king granted him his wish. He went to live on the island, built a home, and finally was able to bring his wife to it. For years, he and his wife worked industriously, persistently, planting trees, shrubs, and grass. Gradually, the vegetation took hold and the island began to flourish. One morning they arose to hear birds singing. There had never been any birds on the island before.
Eventually, the island became a showplace and now is visited by thousands of tourists each year. When he died, he requested that the following words be inscribed on his tombstone: "Make you the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been on it."
As Christians, God’s desire for us is that we would make a difference each day. But in order to make a difference, we must be different. In the beginning verses of Jude, we are instructed to build up our faith because there are others who are trying to tear it down. Although unpopular, it is vital that as Christians we stand firm on our faith. It has been said, “The men and women who have moved the world have been the men and women the world could not move.”
Our faith needs to be grounded in God’s Word because, as God says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). We are to be grounded in our faith so as to be ready to stand firm on what we believe if others question us.
Are you grounded in your faith? If someone asked you to explain what you believe and why you believe it, would you be confident in giving them an answer? God desires that we always be ready! To be grounded in your faith, spend daily time in God’s Word. Also, be faithful in attending a solid, Bible-believing and preaching church. The more you hear God’s Word, the more grounded you will be in what you believe. When you are grounded in your faith, you can confidently share your faith with others.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And of some have compassion, making a difference.”
Jude 22
The men and women who have moved the world have been the men and women the world could not move.
Many years ago a man was commissioned by the king of Denmark to lead a band of soldiers against pirates who were reeking havoc with shipping along a certain coastal area. The man set up his headquarters on a lonely, rocky, desolate island just off the coast, and after a few years he was able to clear the pirates out of the area.
Upon returning to the mainland, he reported to the king. The king was very pleased and offered him anything he wanted. All he wanted, he told the king, was a plot of land on the island where he had just lived and fought for so many months. They told him the island was barren. Why would he want to live there? "I want to plant trees," was his reply. "I want to make the island beautiful." The king's aides thought he was crazy. The island was constantly swept by storms and high winds. He would never be able to get a tree to grow there.
However, he insisted, and the king granted him his wish. He went to live on the island, built a home, and finally was able to bring his wife to it. For years, he and his wife worked industriously, persistently, planting trees, shrubs, and grass. Gradually, the vegetation took hold and the island began to flourish. One morning they arose to hear birds singing. There had never been any birds on the island before.
Eventually, the island became a showplace and now is visited by thousands of tourists each year. When he died, he requested that the following words be inscribed on his tombstone: "Make you the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been on it."
As Christians, God’s desire for us is that we would make a difference each day. But in order to make a difference, we must be different. In the beginning verses of Jude, we are instructed to build up our faith because there are others who are trying to tear it down. Although unpopular, it is vital that as Christians we stand firm on our faith. It has been said, “The men and women who have moved the world have been the men and women the world could not move.”
Our faith needs to be grounded in God’s Word because, as God says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). We are to be grounded in our faith so as to be ready to stand firm on what we believe if others question us.
Are you grounded in your faith? If someone asked you to explain what you believe and why you believe it, would you be confident in giving them an answer? God desires that we always be ready! To be grounded in your faith, spend daily time in God’s Word. Also, be faithful in attending a solid, Bible-believing and preaching church. The more you hear God’s Word, the more grounded you will be in what you believe. When you are grounded in your faith, you can confidently share your faith with others.
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