What brought about your current circumstances? Have you ever really thought hard about it?

Consider your job, your finances, your health, your relationships. Do you ever wonder what brought about the conditions of each area? How much of it was God? How much of it was you, or someone you know?

“Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” If God orders our steps, then we can be certain that He has our best interest at heart. Some areas where He leads us may not always be pleasant, but it’s all good, and will have a good ending.

Now, notice Psalm 37:23 says, “Our steps are ordered.” Even though He orders our steps, are we following through? Many times we really have to listen for God’s voice. He rarely screams at us. He usually speaks in a still small voice that we can easily overlook. He also can say something through another person. It those instances, when we hear what’s being spoken, we know it’s God because it catches us off guard and hits us like a ton of bricks!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to man, but it’s end is the way of death.” This is the voice of the flesh, and it always screams at us, begging us to give it what it wants. It’s completely selfish and usually does no one else any good at all unless it can get something out of it too.

Jesus said, “Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them” (Mark 11:24). This is the law of attraction. Whether you are following through with what God has ordered, or whether you are obeying the voice of the flesh, you will attract certain circumstances that may be either good or bad for your life.

The conditions you are currently in are not by accident. Probably just like you, I have had some real tough times in my past and made excuses and cast blame on God and other people. I always played the role of the victim and rendered myself completely helpless in many situations.

One day it hit me when my pastor said something in a sermon. It caused me to finally admit to myself that I had made some bad decisions by obeying the voice of the flesh instead of listening to what God what saying. I don’t even remember what my pastor said, but I know God used him to speak to me that day.

It was only until I took full responsibility for my circumstances, is when positive change came about. I then became empowered and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Yes, I definitely made some bad decisions, but was eventually able to get things straightened out. It is a fact that good judgment comes from wisdom, and wisdom comes from having poor judgment.

I challenge you to take an inventory of your life and look for those times when you may have obeyed your flesh rather than God. Let down your pride and ask yourself, “How much of that is my own fault?” You might be surprised and discover new strength and power.

Written by: Daniel N. Brown

Daniel N. Brown is the author of “5 Biblical Keys to Changing Your Life” found at http://5biblicalkeys.com

Music: ‘Solitude’ © Margi Harrell

When everything seems to go wrong, just push when the job gets you down,
just push when people don’t react the way you think they should,
just push
when your money looks funny and the bills are due,
just push
when you want to tell them off for whatever the reason,
just push
when you ask the question, when is my ship coming in? (as I often do),
just push
when people just don’t understand you –
just push
not to continue on with when, when, when, etc.
let me tell you what it stands for.

—
—
—
—
—
— P-ray
— U-ntil
— S-omething
— H-appens
—
—
— If your life is going just well and you have nothing going wrong, just
— remember you are truly BLESSED and you too should continue to PUSH
— for even better blessings.

Submitted by: Josh

Music: ‘Path beet’ © Margi Harrell

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me.. He asked me, “Do you love me?” I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!” Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”

I was perplexed. I look down upon my arm, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do, the things that I took for granted.

And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my creation?” How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”

The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?” How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.

I answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word.”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?” How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like.

And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.

So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?”
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly. “Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!”

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?”

I answered, “Because I am only human. I am not perfect.” “THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?”

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued: “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?”

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

“Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?”

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.

I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all.”

“DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?”

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this?

When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed. I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”

The Lord answered, “That is My Grace, My child.” I asked, “Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?”

The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are My child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever.”

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, “How much do You love me?”

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

Submitted by: Evita


Music: ‘Dreams’ © Margi Harrell

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Written by: Unknown Confederate Soldier, aka The Creed for the Disabled

Desiderata Max Ehrmann Poem Motivational – Photography Poster – 16 x 20

Music: ‘A Love Song’ © Yuko Ohigashi

2 Corinthians 9:15 – “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

1 Thessalonians 3:9 – “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 – “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:7 – “Rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Deuteronomy 8:10 – “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Philippians 1:3-4 – “I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”

Psalm 18:49 – “Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name.”

Psalm 30:12 – “That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.”

Psalm 75:1 – “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.”

Psalm 100:4-5 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 105:1-2 – “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”

Psalm 106:1; 107:1 – “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever.”

Psalm 107:8 – “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”

Psalm 147:7-9 – “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.”

Revelation 11:17 – “We give thanks to you, Lord God almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.”

Submitted by: Evita


Music: ‘Dreams’ © Margi Harrell

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“Ask and it will be
given to you;
seek and you
will find;
knock and it
will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

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“And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:32

Sometimes, God doesn’t give us the things we want
because He knows the things we truly desire,
desires that we may not even be aware of
because we do not truly know ourselves.

We cannot truly know ourselves unless we really choose to,
and we cannot discover our true desires
unless we let go of the things we think we want,
things borned not out of love,
but out of fear, anger or other things
other than what our inner heart is yearning for.

Had God immediately given us our requests,
our joy wouldn’t have had a chance to be complete
because we would have settled for the “Second best”.

But God allows us instead these momentary frustrations
so that we can discover little by little what it is we truly desire.

Submitted by: Calvin

Music: ‘If Only I Could’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting” – Elizabeth Bibesco

I had a dream that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ‘This is the Receiving Section.
Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.’

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section…

The angel then said to me, ‘This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.. ‘I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. ‘This is the Acknowledgment Section,’ my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed ‘How is it that there is no work going on here?’ I asked.

‘So sad,’ the angel sighed. ‘After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments .’

‘How does one acknowledge God’s blessings?’ I asked.

‘Simple,’ the angel answered. Just say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’

‘What blessings should they acknowledge?’ I asked.

‘If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy .’

‘And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.’

‘If you woke up this morning with more health than illness… You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .’

‘If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation … You are ahead of 700 million people in the world.’

‘If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world. ‘

‘If your parents are still alive and still married… you are very rare .’

‘If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you’re unique to all those in doubt and despair.’

Ok, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

ATTN:
Acknowledge Dept.:

‘Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with.’

If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on????

I thank God especially for all my family and friends!!

Submitted by: Evita


Music: ‘Dreams’ © Margi Harrell