Don't Wait for Tomorrow

How often are we presented with opportunities to help others, but let them slip by?  Do we hesitate because we're unsure if we have free time or spare money enough to give?  Do we withhold the help because we decide that the beneficiary doesn't really deserve it, won't appreciate it, or will squander it?  Perhaps we feel like his or her problems are none of our business, or that we just don't want to "get involved."

These are natural and commonplace feelings, but as believers in Christ we need to remember the terrible price that He paid to save us for eternity, while we were yet sinners and hardly deserving of such a sacrifice (Romans 5:8), and return some measure of that same love to those around us (". . . love one another; as I have loved you . . ."  John 13:34). As was so perfectly expressed in Proverbs:

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Thus, we're not to be hesitant, stingy, or judgmental in helping others, but should do so readily and freely. The phrase "them to whom it is due" is not meant to limit our help to those to whom we're otherwise obligated, or to those who somehow "deserve" or who have "earned" our help:

This requires us . . . 5.  To be ready to all acts of friendship and humanity, and in every thing to be neighbourly; for these are things that are due by the law of doing as we would be done by. 6. To be charitable to the poor and necessitous. If others want the necessary supports of life, and we have wherewithal to supply them, we must look upon it as due to them and not withhold it. Alms are called righteousness because they are a debt to the poor, and a debt which we must not defer to pay.  (Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary)

In this my great example is my dear wife--the countless hours and untold labor she has spent preparing and delivering meals to families in need, in buying or sewing clothes for the poor, in caring for the elderly or sick, or looking after others' children!  She often doesn't wait to be asked, but sees opportunities to help and dives right in. This is how to be proactive in giving!

Remember that those who give without reservation shall "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . .":

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)

So, if you want to live as our Savior would have you live, and share eternal life with Him:  Help early and often!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Look Up

I still experience those moments when I reflect first about one thing and then another and suddenly realize that there is a very profound connection between the two.

I recently had one of those moments involving two different passages of scripture.

Right now, I have a great many things in my life that I have to deal with.

Suffice it to say, whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed by life, there is one passage of scripture I always turn to and lean on.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the One who strengthens me.

The One, of course, is Christ.

I cannot begin to count the number of times as an adult that I have leaned on that one verse.

Regardless of the circumstances that seem to want to overwhelm me, just reflecting on that verse both renews and encourages me.

I was thinking about this verse the other day and its importance to me.

I then thought of my mother and the scripture I heard her recite more than any other.

This scripture was one she turned to and leaned on.

It was such an important part of her life, I asked my pastor to incorporate it into her funeral service.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NET) - I look up towards the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth!

I then made the connection that had for so long eluded me.

The reason that Philippians 4:13 is such a big part of my spiritual life is due to the teaching my mother gave me by example throughout the time that we had together.

Even though her "go to" passage is from the Old Testament and mine is from the New Testament, there is a connection.

The Book of John provides a bridge for the two.

John 1:1-3 (NET) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.

Sometimes, life can seem overwhelming.

We cannot handle all circumstances alone.

The great news, is we do not have to.

Who better to turn to than the One who created all things.

The One who did so by simply speaking them into existence.

The One who looked at everything He created and declared each good.

The One through whom we can do all things.

Just lift up your eyes to Him.

When life tries to get you down... just look up!


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

- GENERATIONS -

Isaiah 41.1

"Who did and ran it all? He who from the beginning has called generations to existence, I, the Lord, the first, and with the latter myself. "


     How many struggles and dilemmas we found in our generations. Each generation faces its challenges, each, elders, adults, youth and children, have nowadays to face their own problems often alone and isolated. God looks for all generations and says: "at that time, saith the Lord, I will be the God of all the generations of Israel, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31.1). God is the Lord of all generations and families. Each generation in particular this under the watchful eye of our God. In A. T, in General, the time from one generation to the other was approximately 40 years old, but today this time shortened to about 25 to 30 years or even less. Regardless of your or my generation, God sees no better or worse, God sees different generations and people who need to connect at this time so troubled.

             The generation of children - this is the generation of hope. A fragile generation and often neglected in the Church. Jesus always valued children: "so that they become humble like this boy, this is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18.4). There is a fierce battle for this generation. The devil invests heavily to boot this generation of the Church and prevent the outside between. We are all responsible for this generation. The generation of children belongs to all of us and we were commissioned to take responsibility for them, with or without biological children. We must save this generation, love them, invest in your good spiritual and physical growth.


              The generation of young people - this is the generation of discovery. A time of great crisis and dilemmas. While kids prepare young people want to act. It is a time of experimentation. For many young people is not worth what is written, is what has been proven. The experience of others is not much for a young man. This is a critical moment in the life of the human being. This generation needs to be monitored closely, encouraged, loved, respected, natural and spiritual parents should "wager", believe in his youth, exalt its qualities. It is not easy to be a believer in youth, by this the apostle John wrote: "I wrote, young people, because you are strong, and the word of God is in you, and already you have overcome the evil one." (I John b 2.14). Being a young Christian is to be a winner.


            The generation of adults - this is the generation of warriors. Much of the leadership of the Church is in your hands. This generation believes in the power of God, invests in spiritual growth, supporting missionary work. The adults are always ready for the battles, do not fear adversity, because I went through something similar in the past. This is a mature and respected by younger people. Many are tempted to walk alone, but experience tells you that this would not be good or useful.

          

            The adult generation, by proximity, meant more to young generation, becoming a great support in the development of their skills. The maturity of this generation is seen when she does not get involved in minor issues in the UK, things that don't build anything. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a boy, ran as a boy, but as soon as I came to be a man, I put away childish things." (I Corinthians 13.11). It is unacceptable for meninices in the adult stage of the Christian faith. "Brothers, do not be boys in the judgment; in malice, Yes, registered children; as to the judgment, mature men headquarters. " (I Corinthians 14:20)


             The generation of elders - this is the generation of true champions. The elders can tell the stories of fightings overdue. They have learned to fight the good fight. They have learned to keep fighting and not to be disheartened with war injuries. Many feel that they are weakening, but what really matters is what is still ahead. This generation must be the most respected and honored, because we are the fruit of their prayers. The Apostle Paul instructs the young Timothy to respect the elder: "no repreendas roughly the elders, but admonishes them as parents;" (I Timothy 5.1). All elder should and can feel the spiritual father of the new Christians, ensuring the proper development of their faith.

             It is not too late to join the generations, elders, adults, young people and children are waiting for a hug and a word that you indicate how to follow together. Only hearts humble as a child connect with other generations. There is no greater virtue in Christian life that humility. "Similarly, you, young, seat subject to elders; and all subject to each other and put on humility, for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. " (I Peter 5.5)




Blessings,

MaryGondin,

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Cheer Up!

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50)

Lately I've been rethinking my long-time penchant for following current events. News sources are overflowing with stories about the most unspeakable depravities, corruption, wars and crises, natural disasters, poverty, rampant disease, and so on. This is even reputed to be the year (supposedly according to ancient Mayans) that the world comes to an end. Even here in America we're confronted with widespread unemployment, political strife, social unrest, crime, and declining health.  How could anyone smile or be hopeful in the midst of all this?

Since my youth I've had a pessimistic streak, and long indulged the idea that if I always expected the worst, at least I would rarely be disappointed. Only in recent years, as the Lord has helped me mend certain of my ways and dispelled much of the darkness obscuring my vision, has this started to change.  Then I heard a talk in church last week that summed up what's been emerging in my mind. The theme: it's impossible (or should be) for a Christian to be a pessimist!

Being caught (for the time being) in this mortal world and its darkness, we tend to worry and fear the worst. That's as Satan wants it, for people who are fearful naturally put self above others and even above God. The only weapons we have to fight back with are a steady faith and constant prayer, which will ever remind us that God's perfect love "casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).  That love works through us toward others, and dissolves the walls that fear erects between us. Thus, "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6)

The word "gospel" means "good news," and Scripture is replete with messages of hope and assurance--especially that Christ died to save us from our sins, that He lives now and forever, and that if we believe on Him we will be saved in the end, for all eternity, with Him in a Heaven infinitely removed from the troubles of this world. "These things I have spoken unto you," says the Lord, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  His will is that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)

Saint Josemaría Escrivá wrote:

Christian optimism is not a sugary optimism; nor is it a mere human confidence that everything will turn out all right. It is an optimism that sinks its roots in an awareness of our freedom, and in the sure knowledge of the power of grace. It is an optimism which leads us to make demands on ourselves, to struggle to respond at every moment to God's calls.

As has often been observed, the Christian life is not a pleasure cruise--challenges and struggles still abound, including those within ourselves. However, we can and should be optimistic because our faith and God's grace give us the power to confront and overcome any challenge we may encounter. From time to time God may give us more than we think we can handle, but never more than we can deal with relying on His help. "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

So, as the Bible says, "Be of good cheer!"  Holding fast to the Lord's hand we have and will overcome the world, and have nothing to fear.

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

21ST CENTURY CITY OF REFUGE

In the book of Joshua 20:1-9, the scripture tells us of the implementation of a special provision made by God through Moses for the Israelites. The Provision is the assignment of some cities as a places of Refuge.

Refuge for individuals who accidentally kill another and are fleeing from the "Avenger" of blood (someone who set out to take revenge for the death for his/her relation/friend etc). The city of refuge is the place of respite for the one who accidentally kill another so that he/she will have a chance to have a shot at justice and not killed in vengeance.

An important point to note is that though God frown at the taking of life of one by another, He recognize that there are times when we have little or no control over the outcome of our actions, and such actions can lead to the death of another party, hence, He makes a way of escape whenever such occurrence arises. 

But where are the cities of Refuge in the 21st century? Do we have a place of respite for people "who have little or no control over their actions and the resulting outcomes which include death and hell"?

I know God cares for us as much as He cares for the Israelites in the passage above, so He must have set certain places as cities of Refuge. The question then is where are they? Firstly, we have to know that the cities of Refuge chosen by the Israelites came because they "diligently hearken to the word of God and they carefully obeyed everything Moses wrote". Could it be that in the different countries of the world, we did not obey the words of God to the extent of assigning our own cities of refuge?

To attempt some answers, I will say that as God made provision then, He made provision for us now but in a somewhat different manner. I can authoritatively say that the cities of Refuge in the 21st century is not a geographical location, rather, God as set you and I that He saved to be the "CITIES OF REFUGE" of our world today.

As noted in Joshua 20:5, the avenger of blood can enter the city of refuge to take vengeance but "THE PEOPLE THERE WILL NOT HANDOVER THE ONE WHO KILLS ACCIDENTALLY". Thus, I can say that the people who stand between the avenger and his target represents the cities of Refuge, and they were the image of who we are today.

Brethren, while Christ was on the cross He made a statement that " father forgive them for they know not what they do" and Stephen said the same. Meaning that every sinner (that got Him nailed on the cross) are like the one who killed accidentally, and for as many of us who have been saved (His royal priesthood, His holy nation… 2Peter 2:9) are to stand so that the one who is set to kill (and destroy) will not have access to the boy or girl, man or woman, who go about in sin… and seeks refuge. No wonder the cities of Refuge are among the inheritance of the Levites (those set apart for God. Joshua 21:1-41).

This lead to a very pertinent issue, when the one who accidentally kills is seeking refuge, will they find us A REFUGE? If our neighbors, siblings, colleagues, clients, customers etc do not see us as cities of Refuge, maybe we have not obeyed Him yet, thus, we should go like the Israelites and assign our lives (in totality) as cities of Refuge. 

Let us never forget that WE ARE THE 21ST CENTURY CITIES OF REFUGE. If we forget and are careless, many innocent will die without a chance. 

PEACE.

No one ever taught me how to love

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” -James 2:8  

 “No one ever taught me how to love.”
Oftentimes we move through life, toiling and striving, meeting goals and achieving dreams, without ever really learning how to truly love those around us.
Some of us, due to past experiences, have been crippled in the area of our emotions, and as a result find the concept of loving anyone outside of our immediate family an unattainable feat. Admittedly, it’s easier to say that we ‘love’ everyone, than it is to actually ‘love’ everyone; especially when we are unsure of what it means to express that love.
The story of the four men who carried their crippled friend on a bed to be healed by Jesus, speaks volumes on what it means to love another. The event is recounted briefly in the Gospel according to Mark and we are told that “While [Jesus] was preaching God’s word to [the multitude], four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus” (Mark 2:2b-4). Because this entire event is covered in the short space of three verses, we can almost miss its significance as we hurry through the rest of the chapter.
But should we pause and reflect, we would see four men who, understanding that their friend was paralyzed and unable to make his own way to Jesus, decided among themselves that they would carry him. They accepted the responsibility of ensuring that he received his healing, and persisted until his need was met.
You see, when the Bible declares that we should love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), it is referring to the kind of love that identifies with the woes and misfortunes of another and is willing to cover, carry, or cradle that one based on the need of the season. The question is: will you carry your brother when he falls or becomes crippled by life’s harsh circumstances? Will you carry that sister who’s too broken to make her own way to the God of healing and deliverance? Are you willing to carry that relative, that friend, that co-worker who is in desperate need of a helping hand?
Today, let us translate the love we have for God into a tangible demonstration of love towards His people. Let our love be expressed not just in the best of times, but also in the worst of times.

Heavenly Father Knows Best

Fathers have been on my mind a great deal lately.

In my country, June is when Father’s Day is celebrated.

In July, Independence Day is celebrated and we remember our Founding Fathers.

Just prior to Independence Day a well respected actor passed away who played one of the most iconic father figures in the history of television.

I have no doubt that the actor who portrayed this father was a fine man, but there is a difference between television and real life.

In real life, family crises are never resolved in half an hour with everyone smiling and laughing until the next episode.

Moreover, the problems that real fathers face today are often far more complicated than those faced in the 1950’s and 1960’s by their television counterparts.

Whenever I think of the children whose fathers  I count among my Christian friends, I thank God for blessing them with such fathers.

While no earthly father is perfect, the best earthly fathers are the ones that recognize this and also acknowledge their reliance on God.

It is evident in the way they conduct themselves.

It is also evident in the way they raise their children.

It is a responsibility that these men take very seriously.

While no one has a perfect earthly father, we all have a Heavenly Father who is perfect.

Galatians 4:6-7 (NET) -And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, who calls, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God."

I find that especially comforting.

Even though I am a long way from being a child...

Even though my earthly father passed away decades ago...

I still have my Heavenly Father.

My Heavenly Father loves me.

John 3:16 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

My Heavenly Father never gives up on me.

Psalm 36:5 (NET) - O LORD, Your loyal love reaches to the sky, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Even though I may disappoint Him from time to time, my Heavenly Father forgives me when I sincerely ask him for forgiveness.

Psalm 103:12 (NET) - As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.

My Heavenly Father gave me the best gift any father could ever give.

Romans 6:23 (NET) - For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My Christian friends that are fathers, despite their imperfections, teach these truths to their children.

They, in turn, will teach them to their children.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/

- Vision -

               A few days ago I heard a pastor to count in your message an illustration: caught a squirrel and left within a bowl with water. To survive, the animal struggled for three minutes and died. The same experiment was done with another squirrel, but now a lamp was placed on the basin. This time, in order to survive, the squirrel fought for three days. Know why this second took longer to die? Because there was a light.

              We need to fight for our dreams and, in this struggle, we need to have a vision, a direction, a light. Then I remembered the message that I heard my pastor. He talked about Joshua. The one who replaced Moses and he heard God say, "... struggles and has good cheer". Joshua took the fight of Moses with the people to get to the promised land. He feared, but God said: "I will be with you wherever floors".


             More to realize my dreams means to accomplish what God puts in front of me to achieve. The fight can be large and in the world we will have afflictions, but Jesus won the world.

             God wants us to be obedient. If answer to his voice, He empowers us and not abandons us.
If we are in a battle for "survival" or to follow towards what the Lord put before us, look to the top and see the light that is upon us. Jesus is the light and he is our target.


             He same feeling unable to Joshua accepted the challenge to lead the people. What God has given you specific mission? How have you taken it? The vision of where you have to go is clear? What has been your challenge? It is time to serve and obey the Lord with integrity and fidelity. It is time we follow firm and confident, because the Lord, our God, who battle for us.



Blessings,

MaryGondim

www.verdadecongelada.blogspot.com

Job 27 - Identity

Job 27.. And Job continued his discourse: 
2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, 
    the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, 
3 as long as I have life within me,
    the breath of God in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not say anything wicked,
    and my tongue will not utter lies. 
5 I will never admit you are in the right;
    till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

 God is good. how many time people say thing to us making us give up of our dreams and plans in the Lord. sometimes circumstances guide us afar from our desires that God gave us. Here Job is facing poverty, disease , lost family, friends and all that he had BUT, even when his friends accused him of sin and had tried to show him that bad things just happen with bad people and God never would allow fair people face bad times, Job said...I WILL NEVER AGREE WITH YOU GUYS. I will never accept things about me that I am not. Many times we accept and become bad things that people said we were even we know or knew we weren't. follow your dreams and do not give up your plans, even if people around you says it is crazy, even if circumstances get hard... just do not allow NOTHING alter who you are . You are blessed and strong in Jesus. Hard time not always means sin... it can be God's way to transform us in His image. All that happen to us is to good, we belong to GOD.
Do not give up
Do not accept what people say about you when you are not what they say
hard time happen with everybody, stay in the Gods' presence because if He did the wound, He will heal it.
You are blessed - stay like that! ;-)
Blessings
Pati Nanni