Since I was a child I have admired God’s creation. But it was only after I trusted Christ as my Savior that I attributed it to His mighty power and great wisdom. Now I can’t look at nature without thinking about the greatness of God. I feel as Elizabeth Charles did when she wrote the following:   What inexpressible joy for me, to look up through the apple-blossoms and the fluttering leaves, and to see God’s love there; to listen to the thrush that has built his nest among them, and to feel God’s love, who cares for the birds, in every note that swells his little throat; to look beyond to the bright blue depths of the sky, and feel they are a canopy of blessing,–the roof of the house of my Father; that if clouds pass over it, it is the unchangeable light they veil; that, even when the day itself passes, I shall see that the night itself only unveils new worlds of light; and to know that if I could unwrap fold after fold of God’s universe, I should only unfold more and more blessing, and see deeper and deeper into the love which is at the heart of all. We would all do well to spend more time enjoying the simple things of life. No entertainment ever devise by man can compare to what God has created, and it is all free! Just open your eyes and take in the wonders of God’s mighty power. As you do so keep in mind that He is your Father and has promised to take care of you. Now, you have a good day!

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.–James 3:16   Everyone has heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” As healthful as that advice may be, a new apple on the market is adding a strange twist to that timely saying. A food company in New Zealand has brought a new hybrid apple to market they are calling “Envy.”

While jealousy is used mostly in its positive sense in Scripture, envy gets plenty of well-deserved warnings. Envy is listed along with murders, drunkenness, revelries, strife, reviling, malice, hatefulness, bitterness, confusion, and self-seeking–not a healthy crowd to run with. Self-seeking pretty much describes the heart of envy: I want what you have–your possessions, your popularity, your power, your personality–and I’ll do what it takes to get them. That’s how envy becomes divisive and destructive in relationships. Envy and the negative kind of jealousy focus on “me” instead of “thee.” It’s no wonder that Peter says to lay envy aside (1 Peter 2:1).

If you decide to make a habit out of envy, make sure it’s the new apple “Envy,” not the envy that’s the first-cousin of jealousy. The former will provide health for your body while the latter is spiritual poison for your soul. (From Turning Point)

Every time you turn green with envy you are ripe for trouble.
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My objective never has been to have a large church; it always has been to have a biblical church and a strong church. The growth is up to God.

Not every church is going to be a large church, but every church should be a growing church. On that final day, Jesus is not going to say, “Well done, good and successful servant. By the way, how many numbers were you running?” Rather, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I believe the church exists for three reasons: the exaltation of God, the edification of believers, and the evangelization of the world. Another way to think of it is upward, inward, and outward.

Upward. The church exists for the exaltation of God. This idea may come as a revelation to some people who think they exist to find personal happiness. The Bible says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Inward. The church exists for the edification of other believers. The apostle Paul said his goal was not merely to evangelize, but to warn believers, teach them the wisdom God had given him, and present them to God mature in their relationship with Christ (see Colossians 1:28).

Outward. The church is called to evangelize the world, which is the natural outgrowth of exalting God and edifying other believers. Healthy sheep will reproduce themselves.

The church is not to emphasize one of these at the expense of the other or take them out of order. You see, we are not to customize the church. We are to follow the original template Jesus gave us. (By Greg Laurie)

A shepherd once came to the city of Edinburgh from the country. He had his small obedient dog with him. While there, the man died and was buried. That little dog lay upon its master’s grave-not for a day, a week, or a month, but for 12 years. Every day at one o’clock a gun was fired in the castle of Edinburgh. When the gun was fired the dog would run to the local baker who gave it food and water. Then back to the grave it would go. This continued till the dog died 12 years later. That was faithfulness!

A man threw a goose, which had been run over and crushed by a car, into an oil drum. For seven years the gander, that goose’s mate, never went more than ten feet away from that oil drum. That was faithfulness!

George Mueller prayed for 52 years for a certain man to come to Christ. A pastor visited an elderly man 21 times before being admitted, but then he befriended the man and led him to Christ. That was faithfulness!

A Welsh postman had the British Empire Medal conferred upon him by Queen Elizabeth; he had not missed a day’s service in 43 years. Paul Dhrlick, the chemist, performed 605 unsuccessful experiments; the 606th was a success! Thomas Edison made 18,000 experiments before he perfected the arc light. After experiencing 50 failures on another project he said, “I have found 50 ways it cannot be done!” That was faithfulness!

During the Korean War a man buried himself in the muck and mud of a pig sty (except for his nose and mouth so he could breathe) for eight days and nights rather than betray his buddies and surrender to the enemy. That was faithfulness!

Are you not glad that Jesus was faithful in dying for us and that He now lives and is faithful to care for us? God grant us grace to be faithful!  –Copied

And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.–Zechariah 10:12   Spurgeon called this,”A solace for sick saints.” Indeed it is. This is a stirring promise of strength. It reminds us that God can remove the the dread and disability of a disease, as well as the illness itself. He can turn our weakness into strength. Notice, however, that this strength is found in the Lord, not in self. Apart from Him we would be as feeble and helpless as little children facing a dreadful beast.   But, also notice that this power enables them to “walk up and down in his name—“. God doesn’t empower us so we can pursue our own selfish desires. We are strengthened by Him that we might live for Him. This precious promise is for those whose purpose is proper and motives are pure. If God has been so gracious as to raise you from your sick bed do not forget that He intends that you “walk up and down in his name.” Live for Him and you will always have something worth living for! Make that your purpose and God will provide the power.–