CHRISTIAN BEST ONE LINERS - 13

To give up is different than letting go.

To live by God's Word is not legalism, it is 'love' of life and truth.

Jesus paid our debt that we couldn't pay, but it was a debt that He didn't owe.

When going about your daily business be willing to be interrupted by a ministry opportunity.

Through faith in Christ, we receive God's pardon and escape sin's penalty.

A dead end is valuable if God teaches you a lesson while there.

Jesus never said that following him would be easy, but he did say it would be worth it!

What God reveals he wants to heal!

The greater the vindication of your call in Christ, the greater will be your struggle in fulfilling that call!

Christ sends us out to bring others in.

Be as patient with others as God has been with you.

We reap what we sow and according to how much we sow.

If you know God's will don't put it off, because today will become yesterday tomorrow.

RELATION AND RELATIONSHIPS - 3 (LOOK OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS)

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4

As our days are moving so fast we tend to be more selfish than ever before. Most of us we feel that we have no time to talk to anyone. We wake up, go to our workplace or schools and then we return back home, do some works and then we go to sleep. Only Sunday we get some time and that mostly we spend in rest. Most of our lives were like this. We have no other choice but to run fast in this competitive world. As we are running fast, we forget our relationship with God; we forget our relationship with our loved ones and others.

At some moments I used to think where I am going and what I am doing. But I could not find an answer for my questions. There were some people whom I know they never bothered about their own loved ones.

They do several things to make their career successful but in the mean time they never give any importance to the interest of their family members.

Bible tells us that we have to look out for the interests of others also. If you are looking to have a better relationship with your loved ones, you have to look into the interests of them.

One of my favourite relationships that I have seen in Bible is the friendship of Jonathan and David. Saul was the first king of Israel and Jonathan was his son. According to worldly principles the son of king will be next king. But Saul did things that were not pleasing in the sight of the Lord and so God had chosen David as the next king.

Even though Jonathan knew that he would not be the next king, he looked into the interest of David and stood with him. Saul was so clear in his mind to kill David but it was Jonathan who risked his life to protect David.

If Jonathan had put his own interest ahead of David’s he should have killed David but yet he had put David’s interest ahead of him and helped him.

That is one of the reasons that their relationship grew stronger. Bible says in 1 Samuel 18:1, “…Jonathan loved him (David) as his own soul.”

Jonathan loved David and so he put his interest ahead of him. They were not together for a longer period but yet the love that they carried in their hearts was so greater. That is the reason why David was so distressed when he heard about the death of Jonathan. He said that the love of Jonathan was wonderful surpassing the love of women.

When I was studying in Diploma God gave me a friend who was so caring and loving. Due to some reasons he could not join engineering degree along with me but after one year he joined the college where I was studying. Once I failed in a paper continuously for two times and so it happened that I have to write that paper again along with my friend. For him it was a current paper and for me it was an arrears paper.

He knows the struggle that I went through in that one year to clear that paper. So he supported me a lot and finally when the results came I got pass but he got failed. Though he failed in that paper he was filled with so much of joy because I got pass in that paper. He always encouraged me to get placement in a company while studying in the college but God’s will for my life is that I have to do PG course.

So I failed in all of the interviews but there was one interview in which only few of my classmates had participated. So my friend thought that surely I will get placed in that company. The results came out at night and I went to his hostel to tell him the result. He heard my voice and came running with so much of joy thinking that I got placed but actually I didn't get job in that company. He felt so bad about it and went quietly. I never cried much for failing in the placement interviews but he cried so much when I failed. That was his love upon me.

Even today he feels happy whenever I get a blessing and never he had any jealous upon me. Our relationship was filled with love and happiness because he had put so much of interest in my happiness, and blessings than his own happiness.

My dear young friends, if you wish to have a peaceful relationship with your near and dear ones look out not only for your interest but also their interest. If you are married find out the interest of your partner and encourage and support them. Do not be selfish minded in everything. Always make your dear ones happy by doing what they needed. They need you so much and so be with them at all times and support them. God bless you.

LYRICS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART - 9 (I WILL TRUST WHEN I CANNOT SEE)

JOHN W. PETERSON 

1921-2006

I Will Trust When I Cannot See

When I cannot understand God's leading,
When I do not know the reason why
He should choose the path that lies before me,
Still to Him in faith I can reply:

Chorus
I will trust when I cannot see,
When I'm faced with adversity,
And believe Your will is always best for me
I will trust when I cannot see.

When I feel the sting of disappointment
And my dreams lie crumbled in the dust
When my best adds up to loss and failure
And the things that happen seem unjust:

Chorus
I will trust when I cannot see,
When I'm faced with adversity,
And believe Your will is always best for me
I will trust when I cannot see.

When I face the furnace of affliction
And the pain seems more than I can bear,
When I think it strange this fiery trial
Still I'll tell my blessed Lord in prayer.

Chorus
I will trust when I cannot see,
When I'm faced with adversity,
And believe Your will is always best for me
I will trust when I cannot see. 

MEDITATE GOD'S WORD DAILY - A DEVOTIONAL BY BRO. STANLEY

Reading: Matthew 8:5-13

"God said, Let there be light; and there was light" (Gen 1:3)

The entire universe was created by the spoken Word of God (Heb 11:3). When God said, "Let there be light," there was light. When God said, "Let there be trees," so it was. God's Word is still the same. Its power has not changed. "The Word of the Lord endures forever" even if all creation vanishes away (1 Peter 1:24,25).

The power of God's Word is illustrated in various ways in the Scriptures. God Himself challenges His people, "Is not My Word like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29). Prophet Jeremiah testified, "His Word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9). The fire of God's Word burns up the rubbish in our life and refines us as pure gold. What the best of human argument cannot do, the Word of God can accomplish in us if only we would allow it to work freely in us.

The stunted growth of many a Christian is primarily due to insufficient intake of the Word of God. Just like babies we are to be craving for the milk of God's Word. Growth is not possible otherwise (1 Pet 2:2). If we thus meditate the Bible with hunger and thirst, its God-intended purpose shall be fully accomplished in us. God says, "My Word shall not return to Me without fruit" (Isaiah 55:10,11).

In this age of hectic activity, whether spiritual or secular, we must guard ourselves of the danger of becoming too busy to spend unhurried time in Bible meditation. We may build massive structures or launch mammoth projects. They will impress God the least. But He is attracted towards the one who "trembles at His Word" (Isaiah 66:1,2) which means, God honors those who honor His Word. He prospers the work of their hands (Psalms 1:2,3). Our mental strength and physical stamina cannot sustain us too long without the spiritual power that comes from God's Word. That is why David prayed frequently, "Strengthen me according to Your Word" (Psalms 119:28).

Bodily sickness is common to all. Praise God for all the medical help available today, but we are well aware of its limitations. The miracle healing power of God can be experienced by those who believe it. With reference to the wilderness journey of the Israelites we read, "God sent His Word and healed them" (Psalms 107:20). "Jesus cast out the demons with a Word, and healed all who were sick" (Mt 8:16). Those who are regular in Bible meditation will experience both spiritual and physical health (Proverbs 4:20-22). Bless God for the Bible!

YOU WILL LIVE AND YOU WILL HAVE A BLESSED LIFE

“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore." - Psalms 121:7,8

Few weeks ago I went out for shopping with my wife and we returned back at night to home. At that time I found out that there was no water on the tank and so I went to switch on the motor. When I switched on the motor it was not getting on at all. So I thought of pressing a reset switch on the motor switch board. That switch was not at all pressed for the past one and half year. And a warning was given below that switch that it should not be pressed for more than 5 seconds. I thought to give a try on that and so I pressed it.

As soon as I pressed it motor got on and the water begun to flow but unfortunately I got an electric shock in my left hand.  I never expected that at all. I just made an attempt and I got a struck. I felt as if the shock went from my finger to the shoulder joint and stopped. I could not sense any feel on my hand as the blood flow stopped. It was paining badly and I felt like crying aloud. But I was alone with my wife and I know she won’t bear that at all.

As I started massaging my hand several thoughts ran into my mind. What would have happen to me if that shock had affected my heart directly? What would happen if that shock paralyzed my whole left hand? Where would have I gone if I died at that moment itself?

As I sat on the sofa and thought about it, my heart began to fill with so much of gratefulness for God’s protection on that day. If I would have thrown and lied unconscious my wife might have also faint because she never knows how to react on that stress filled situation. Nothing serious happened on that night because God protected me.

The blood flow was normal only after two days but the pain remained for a week. Even today I feel some pain on my left shoulder joint if I lift any weight. But I was alive today only because of the grace of Jesus Christ.

His golden hands of grace protected me and saved me on that night. I thank God for what He did to me especially on that day.

My dear young friends, today you might be feeling insecure in your life. You might a fear that you will lose your job or any other blessing that you have in your life now. You might have a problem in your family life and so you might be thinking that your family life will come to an end soon. Do not worry. Do not get discouraged.

Jesus Christ is looking into your life. His gracious hands will protect your job, family life and all other blessings that He had given you. You are under the protection of God’s blood and wings. So do not worry about anything. You will not die because of the disease that you have now. Your loved ones will not die if you pray for them and ask Jesus Christ to protect them. He is your Father and He will be always with you to protect you and lead you. You will live and you will have a peaceful blessed life. God bless you

PAID IN FULL - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

After living a "decent" life my time on earth came to an end.  The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor," he was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me, he definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed very familiar to me.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench he said "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell."  He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life -- couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done?

Satan finished with a fury and said "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.  Justice will finally be served this day."

When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned him to come forward.

As he got up and started walking I was able to see him now in his full splendor and majesty.  Now I realized why he seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge "Hi Dad" and then he turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sin is death and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with stretched arms and proclaimed "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine."

My Lord continued with "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from me.  Satan still does not understand yet, this man is not to be given justice but rather mercy."  As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at his Father and replied "There is nothing else that needs to be done, I've done it all."

The Judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the following words bellowed from his lips -- "This man is free -- the penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."

As my Lord lead me away I could hear Satan ranting and raving "I won't give up, I'll win the next one."

I asked Jesus as he gave me my instructions where to go next.  "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said  "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you...PAID IN FULL."

Your day in court will come one day, so make sure that you have good representation. 

GHG - 15 (DO NOT DISOBEY GOD'S VOICE AT ANY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE)

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us..." - Titus 3:3-5

There is a prayer centre near to my work place and many people visit there for prayers and healing. I preach once or twice in a month in that prayer centre. Mostly I preach in the evening prayer. There was a young musician who works in the prayer centre and he will be the one who play keyboard in all the services.

He used to speak so nice to us and so within few months we were very close to each other. At that time he was married and had a girl baby. I was not a great preacher but at times God speaks through me to others when I pray. Regularly some people will come to me for prayer but this musician will never come to me like that.

Rarely did he ask me to pray for him and even those times he never tells me what to pray for. Mostly when he needs to know God’s assurance in certain things he comes to me for prayer.

I always hesitate to pray for the people whom I know very closely. Because I afraid that instead of speaking God’s word as prophecy I should not speak my own word since I know about the problems of their life. As I told you earlier I am not a great preacher or a prophet. God uses me through His grace alone.

One day evening this musician came to me for prayer. I was so surprised and was hesitating at first but later I felt that he was in a great need to know God’s word. So I prayed for him. As I started praying for him, God spoke to me and asked me to tell him that he will get a second child soon and since that child was given to him by God everything related to that child will be taken care by God. Also God asked me tell him not to worry about anything regarding that child.

I could not believe that at all because I know his family. He and his wife were earning small amount of money and so I know that raising a second child will be hard for them. I was praying and I was thinking all this at the same time. Suddenly I thought that what if they did family planning operation. As doubt overpowered my thought I disobeyed God and I finished praying without telling God’s word to him.

After prayer he took me alone and told me that his wife was pregnant and it was confirmed on that day. Also he told me that he is telling this news first to me and no one else knows. I understood that he came to me for prayer to know God’s word regarding that child. When I heard what he said I felt so bad about myself. If only I obeyed God and told what He asked me to tell to his son, he would have got so much joy and peace in his heart.

I know the way they longed for God’s word for the next few months regarding that child. Whenever I saw them with a sad face I felt so guilty about my disobedience. God gave them a girl child again and then they resigned their job and went to their native place.

I asked God to forgive me and got peace in my heart but even today when I think about that incident I feel so sad.

My dear young friends, whenever God says to you something regarding your studies, job, relations or ministry obey His word immediately. Do not use your human mind to understand His word. Whatever Jesus Christ tells you regarding your life will come to pass in your life and whatever He tells you regarding other people life for good will certainly come to pass in their life. Our God is a faithful God and so do not disobey His voice.

There were certain times I obeyed His counsel and got immensely blessed. Once I felt certain people laid a trap in front of me and I looked to God for His counsel. He provided me His counsel and I got escaped. What was that all about?

                                                                                                 ... to be continued in GHG 16

LEAVE SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN OF YOUR LIFE

 And he (Jonah) said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. - Jonah 1:12-15 

Many of you might know about this incident. Jonah was a great prophet of God. One day God asked him to go to the city of Nineveh and to proclaim a warning against the city. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah found a ship going to Tarshish and boarded into it.

No one in the ship knows about that. But as they were on their journey, Lord sent out a great wind and the ship was about to broke. So the captain and others cast a lot to find the man who was reason for the trouble. The lot fell on Jonah’s name. And so they asked him what should be done to him and Jonah told them to throw him into the sea.

Those people who are in the ship never done anything against God at that moment but yet they faced a great trouble. Why they faced it for no reason? They faced God’s wrath because they had someone in their ship against God’s will. The particular man they had was not there according to God’s will and so the entire crew of the ship faced a great trouble which threatened their life.

Now God’s word came through Jonah and he told them to throw him out of the sea. But yet those were in the ship were so reluctant to throw him out and they rowed hard to return to the land. Their attempt was not so successful for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. And so finally they decided to throw him out. Once they had threw him into the sea Bible says that the sea ceased from its raging.

There might be someone or something in your life which was not according to God’s will or God’s plan. Today Jesus Christ wants you to throw that particular person out or that particular thing out of your life. Then there will be a greatest peace in your life.

I know a young girl who loved a boy so much. They loved each other a lot. In the mean time they forgot the God’s calling upon their life. God has a separate plan for their lives but because of their own desire and expectations they got into a relationship. Soon the girl understood that she was doing things against God’s will but yet she could not leave him for she loved him a lot. She thought that if she leaves him he will not survive or something might happen against him. And also she thought that if she leaves him and something happens to him the charge of his blood will be upon her.

They faced trouble in their lives and but yet they fought against God. But one day the girl firmly decided to leave that guy and she left him. It was a painful moment for both of them but yet as she decided according to God’s will, God protected both of them. Soon they forgot the pain because God’s peace flowed into their life. Now they are living in faraway places having their own priority and have no contact. God’s peace was residing upon their lives now and they are living with God’s joy and happiness. Also God could fulfil His promises in their lives as they dedicated their life to do His will.

My dear young friends, you might love someone so much today and you might have lost peace in your heart. Today God speaks to you and asks you to leave that particular person so that both of your lives will be blessed. You might think that something will happen to any one of you. Bible tells that Lord has prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and at the same time those who were in the crew also went safe.  As they did things according to God’s will all were safe.

Even today as you leave the person who was not according to God’s will, you both will have a peaceful and joyous future. No harm will happen to you both. You might be doing something against God’s will and because of that you have lost blessing in your life. Leave that thing and run to God. Jesus Christ will give you the blessings that you had lost in your life and He will raise you.

Do things according to God’s will for you are called for His glory. You will live a blessed life. God bless you.