eSeeds For The Garden of Your Heart

"Why A Rope, Son?"

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

After saying his nightly prayer, little Johnny said to his Dad, “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” asked his Dad.

“To get a rope,” he quickly replied.

“Why a rope, Son?” he wondered.

“Well, Dad, you promised me that Jesus would answer my prayers. I asked him for a pony tonight and the rope’s to tie the pony to my bed when it comes.”

Now that’s faith. Asking God for a pony and then running to get a rope. But that is what happens when we take God at His Word. Jesus said, “You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.”

Contained in the word “anything” is the word “everything.” And when Jesus made that statement He would have us to understand that our prayers are to be motivated by asking for things that have God’s best interest at heart. Certainly when we pray we are to ask for the desires of our hearts, but we must always place His will above our wants, His good above our greed and ask for His wisdom so that we can recognize the needs of His Kingdom first and foremost.

Is it wrong to ask God for a pony? Of course not. He created the little ponies and He wants us to enjoy all of His creation. But if spending time enjoying the pony causes us to stop reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, serving and obeying Him, we have the wrong priorities.

Prayer: Give us the boldness, Father, to pray sincerely, confidently, expectantly and with determination for those things that will honor You and enrich our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 11:17-27 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Read more…)

What Is Christian Commitment?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:12:00 +0000

A young man stopped by my office to inform me that he had been called of God to become a minister of the Gospel. It thrilled me! After praying together he said, “I'm going to the Chapel and I'm going to pray all day - maybe through the night as well - and worship God.”

“Great,” I replied. “If you need help, come get me.”

“Oh no,” he replied, “I want to be alone with God and speak only with Him. You see, I have this tablet with me and I'm going to write down on every page the things I'm going to do for God. Then I'm going to sign it.”

“It would be better,” I said, “if you signed each page at the bottom and then asked God to fill in the pages with the things He wants you to do for Him.”

God has a perfect plan for each of us. It is a plan that He has designed and will be revealed to us plainly as we surrender our lives to Him. As we willingly become available to Him, He will transform us to become individuals with transformed minds - minds that are sensitive and open to the direction of His Spirit and lives that live to honor and obey Him.

God only wants what is best for us but we cannot know His best until we are willing to sacrifice ourselves to Him. We know that we are “willing sacrifices” when we sign the page and allow Him to fill in the details. Then we will know what “His good, pleasing and perfect will” is for us.

Prayer: Oh Lord, it is so difficult to realize how easy it is to do what we want to do and consider it as Your will for our lives. May we learn to give You “blank pages.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Higher! Faster!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:51:00 +0000

A drill sergeant, wanting to get his recruits in shape, was pushing them harder and harder. Yelling at them loudly he said, “Fall on your backs. Now get your legs in the air. Now, make them go in circles like you’re riding a bicycle. Higher! Faster!” he shouted. But one recruit was lying quietly with his legs in a “V” position.

Walking over to where he was lying, he glared at him and demanded, “What are you doing? You are supposed to be riding a bicycle!”

“I am, Sir,” said the recruit. “But right now I’m coasting downhill!”

Paul once said, “I am focusing my energies on one thing…and…I am straining to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” He was totally consumed with becoming who God wanted him to be so he could do what God called him to do. This took all of his energies. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training he set aside everything that would distract him or destroy him from being an effective witness for Christ. There was no place in his training program for “coasting downhill” even if the wind was at his back.

As “saints in training” we, like Paul, must stay focused, be diligent, work earnestly, live obediently and strive constantly to receive the “prize” God has for us.

Prayer: Father, we call upon You to make us alert and aware of temptations that would limit our effectiveness. May we live disciplined, determined lives always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Good For Something

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Pat Kelly was an infielder who played for several major league baseball teams in the 90s. Once, while having a conversation with his manager he said, “Aren't you glad that I walk with the Lord?”

“I certainly am,” came the reply. “But I'd much rather you walked with the bases loaded.”

Sometimes Christians think that the most important thing that they can do is to “be good.” But that is not enough. Christians must do good. It is not enough that we strive to be holy, we must also be helpful. More important than simply wanting to be grateful, we must also be generous.
We read in Acts that “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Jesus not only lived a perfect life but lived the life of a servant. His sermons were powerful and transformed the lives of individuals everywhere He went. But He also fed the hungry, comforted the grieving, consoled the brokenhearted, gave water to the thirsty and food to the hungry. He did simple things for simple people having simple needs. But He did not stop there.

When He saw a need He met the need. And after He met their physical needs He always reached out and met their spiritual needs. What a great example for us!

Prayer: Lord, trouble our hearts with the things that troubled Your heart. May we never be so comfortable with what we have that we fail to see the needs of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Not True!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

An upscale jewelry store in New York had an exhibit of crosses in their display window. They were anxious to attract shoppers to a sale that was going on. Prominently displayed in the middle of the crosses was a sign that read: “EASY TERMS!”

However, there are no easy terms associated with the cross of Christ. Certainly not for Him. And neither for us if we take our calling to be His disciples seriously.

Jesus said that “A student is not greater than the teacher...and a slave shares the master’s fate.”

Our commitment to Christ carries with it a cost. A sure sign of those who follow Him is the conflict and disagreement that surround them for doing His will and following His teachings. Christian commitment may even separate us from our family, friends and loved ones. How? As we take up our cross and follow Him our eternal values will certainly generate differences of opinions and lifestyles. Our goals will be different. Our vision of right and wrong will bring about separation of what to do with our time, treasures and talents. When we take up His cross and follow Him, He becomes our priority and passion and purpose for living.

Jesus does not call us to a life of peace, pleasure and prosperity. He calls us to live a life like He lived, doing as He did even though we may loose everything we have when we share in the reality of His cross.

Prayer: Give us courage, Lord, to take up our crosses each day knowing that it costs nothing to become a Christian but costs everything to be a Christian. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Mark 10:24-40 Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” (Read more...)

Knowing And Doing

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:09:00 +0000

When Albert Einstein was a child, he enjoyed playing with a compass. When the Wright Brothers were children, they spent hours with a toy rubber-band-driven helicopter trying to make it fly. Their curiosity in objects gave them a desire to learn that lasted a lifetime and benefitted the world.

Those who have studied the childhood of famous figures in history have come to an interesting conclusion: Many young children who become interested in some particular object make it a part of their life’s interest and accomplishments.

What is true about the development of children is also true about the growth of Christians. Said Paul to young Timothy, “You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

As parents we give our children many gifts. But rarely do we pause to think of the gift that these gifts will give them. God planted in all children the gift of curiosity. So when we give our children anything, we must always remember that gifts have consequences. They add “something” to a child’s life.

Paul commended the parents of Timothy for giving him the gift of God’s Word when he was a child. It made a difference in his life: “wisdom to receive salvation!”

Prayer: We pray, Heavenly Father, for insight to give our children those gifts that will lead them to Your grace, mercy and salvation that come from trusting You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Stopped From Growing

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Over four hundred years ago a Japanese gardener planted a small pine sapling in one inch of soil in a small bowl. As the tree aged, he would remove it from the soil, trim its roots and branches and then replant it.

When he died, his eldest son continued the work that he started and a tradition was born. This tradition has been continued through thirteen generations. That tree still stands in the original dish. After four hundred years, that tree is only twenty inches tall.

In Peter’s letter to the early church he provided some extremely important advice: “Grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Peter was well aware that his time on earth was ending. So in this letter he magnifies the message that God placed on his heart as he faced the end of his journey. Through the ages his words echo in our hearts: “His divine power gives us everything we need to live a godly life.”

That “divine power” leads to growth, that growth comes from knowledge and that knowledge comes from His Word that nourishes our faith and trust. If we want to become who God wants us to become and do what He would have us to do, we must allow the “roots” of our relationship with Christ to go deep in to His Word so that our “branches” will bear the fruits of the Spirit.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to recognize the importance of growing in our knowledge of You so that we will enjoy Your favor as we live for and serve You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

All I Want Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

The James family gathered together for a quiet time and discussion. Albert climbed into his father’s lap and hugged him with all his might. Teasingly, he asked, "Well, son, what do you want now?"

"Nothing," he answered. "All I want is you!"

How unfortunate for us that we rarely go to our Heavenly Father unless we want something. It seems that when we approach Him it is for something that contributes to our well being, our health, family problems, issues at work, our financial needs or a friend who has come to us for help. Too often we are more interested in the gifts that the Giver has to give us than the Giver. We ask rather than admire and we prey rather than praise and we want rather than worship.
It is true that our Lord has invited us to ask if we want to receive and to come to Him for anything and everything – no matter when or what. For most of us it is a long standing habit that might be hard to break.

Perhaps it would change the nature of our relationship with God if, on occasion, we simply said to Him in a prayer of gratitude, "All I want is You!"

Prayer: Lord, we truly love You! Forgive us for hearts and minds that only focus on our wants and needs. Help us to also express our love and praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:1-13 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Read more...)

Safe Keeping

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:50:00 +0000

A new mother was bathing her infant while a small child who lived next door carefully watched. In the arms of the child was a small, soiled, well-worn doll. A leg was missing, the face was badly scratched, the hair was rumpled and the dress was worn and torn.

"How long have you had your baby?" asked the young neighbor.

"Four months," came the proud reply.

"My," replied the child. "You've sure kept her nice!"

Parents have a godly responsibility to keep their children "nice." They are a gift from God and are to be raised in God-fearing, God-centered and God-honoring homes.

Christian parents, first and foremost are to live love – a love that reflects the sacrificial love of God that demonstrates at all times His care and compassion for children.

Christian parents must also be as available to their children as God is to His children. Even as we need God's companionship, our children need us to be as near as He is when we call on Him in prayer.

Prayer: We pray, Heavenly Father, for parents to honor You by honoring the children You give them by raising them with loving care and discipline. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Thank You For This Beautiful Day

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Just before leaving for school, little Noah was saying his morning prayers. “Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful day.”

“But,” interrupted his mother, “there is going to be a storm with rain, lightning and thunder. That’s not a beautiful day.”

“I know,” was the quick reply. “We just can’t judge a day by the weather.”

There are some days when the last possible thing we can do is to find something beautiful. We awaken to discover that a loved one is critically ill, we feel overwhelmed by the tough schedule we are facing, the children are out of control and the sink is overflowing because the plumbing is stopped-up. What next? Can anything else go wrong?

Perhaps it is time to listen to the Psalmist: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Throughout the Psalms we often read about the difficult, demanding and discouraging days they faced. What did they do?

They spoke to God honestly and took their problems to Him and plead for His help. And every time, at the end of the psalm, they were rejoicing!

Prayer: Father, we know that You are bigger than every problem we face and have solutions for each of them. May we see Your beauty in all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

"My Father Knows!"

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:46:00 +0000

A customer was watching young James help his father move boxes of shoes from one location to another. Seeing the pile grow higher and higher in the boy’s arms, he politely asked, “Son, I don’t see how you can carry any more. Isn’t that too much for you?”

Cheerfully he responded, “Sir, my father knows how much I can carry.”

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, wanted to give them a burst of encouragement as they faced the temptations in a sinful culture. So, he said, “God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.” In other words, “He knows how much you can carry.”

No one is immune from the temptations of life. Even if we feel that we are being singled out by God for a special examination, we must realize that others have faced similar temptations and have successfully resisted them. We have God’s Word that He will always give us the strength to face the temptations and avoid sinning.

The issue is not about being able to face and flee temptation; the issue is whether or not we want to.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to realize that Your Son faced every temptation that we will face, yet remained sinless. May we, as He did, call on You for help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Forever Going Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:39:00 +0000

Having been called to be a missionary, David Livingstone was required to appear before an organization for their endorsement and support. While being questioned about his call, he was asked, “Where are you willing to go?”

“Anywhere,” he answered, “as long as it’s forward!”

In concluding his second letter, Peter wrote, “But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” By his life and in his writings, Peter emphasized the importance of growth in the life and service of Christians. No matter how well we may believe we know God or how mature we may think that we are in our spiritual development, there is always space to “move forward.”

We live in a world that is hostile to the things of God. There is little doubt that many would be pleased if they could make God completely invisible. Because of the spirit of agnosticism, we must be aware of the battles that are going on around us and within us.

The world will always challenge our faith. The only way to make certain that we are moving forward is to spend time each day with God.

Prayer: May we realize, Lord, the importance of drawing closer to You each day so that we are always prepared to stand for truth and righteousness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

But He Forgives And Forgets!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Young Mark was preparing to say his prayers before going to bed. His mother had been in his room going over his homework with him. As he knelt to pray he said, "Go away, Mom. I want to talk to God."

"But can't I listen?" she asked.

"Well," he said, “I don't mind telling God about the wrong things I did today because I know He will forgive me and forget what I did. But you'll go on yelling at me forever."

How gracious is our God! His Word declares, "And I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins." One of the final characteristics of the New Covenant is that the blood of Jesus not only cleanses us completely but that He will remove them from His memory.

That's probably hard for many of us to accept. We often harbor in our hearts and minds the wrongs that people do against us. Often we seem to roll them around and seek opportunities to get revenge – or at least get even. Not our God.

We know that His grace is sufficient to save us. But believing that He will never allow our sins to enter His memory should bring us a permanent peace.

Prayer: Help us, our Father, to take You at Your Word, and know that as we confess our sins, You not only forgive them but forget them – forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Choosing Sides

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:21:00 +0000

A minister had been invited to have dinner with President Abraham Lincoln shortly after his inauguration. Shortly after they gave thanks for the food, the minister said, "I hope the Lord's on our side. We are facing some difficult times!"

"I don't agree with you," said the president.

“What?" gasped the minister. "You don't agree that we need the Lord on our side?"

"No," replied Lincoln. "It is my prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."

When we ask God to be on the side of the choices we make or the paths we choose to follow, they may or may not be those that would honor God. The assumption is that God will be with us and bless us no matter what.

But when we choose to be on God's side, everything is different. We look to Him for guidance and instruction and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Often individuals think that if we are a nation of slogans and signs that refer to God we will be honored and blessed by Him. Not so!

The Bible clearly and consistently reminds us that: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD!

Prayer: We acknowledge, Lord, that we cannot expect You to guide and guard us unless we willingly honor, worship and praise You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Exodus 32:26 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.

Sowing Seeds Of Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Captain James Cook was one of the most famous British navigators. He sailed around the world many times. On each of his journeys he would take seeds of flowers that came from lovely English gardens.

Whenever his ship reached a port, he would disembark with his crew. While the crew enjoyed the city, he would take some of the seeds he brought with him and plant them in a garden near the port. Everywhere he went, he left a reminder of his visit by planting seeds that brought beauty to the lives of the people who lived in that city.

There is nothing more important for Christians to do than to share God’s love and beauty. Wherever He leads us in our journey through life, He will give us many opportunities to “plant” seeds of His love, salvation and hope.

Paul reminds us that we Christians must be clothed in God’s love. His love adds His beauty to our actions and makes whatever we do attractive to others. No matter what other gifts God may give us, we can all share His love in every word and deed.

Prayer: Lord, help us to always be mindful of the great love You have for us and as we do, be willing to go to any extreme to give that Love to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (Read more…)

Judged For What?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:11:00 +0000

It was a difficult semester in school for little Tammy. Her grades were very low and her fear of being punished very high. Thinking about a way out of her dilemma she asked her Dad, "Can you write your name with your eyes closed?"

"Yes, I think so," he replied.

"Great!" So, she had him sit at the table, got a pen and said, "Sign here!" as she guided his hand.

When he opened his eyes, he realized that he had signed her report card. Needless to say, he was not pleased and made some appropriate adjustments.

Although we may think that we are hiding things from God, Solomon reminds us that "God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."

We are reminded by Solomon that we are to enjoy life and everything that God has given us. But this does not excuse us or exempt us from obeying God and what He has commanded us to do. We must train ourselves to recognize what is right or wrong according to God's Word and then live a life that is in agreement with His demands. He has the final say.

No excuses! No exemptions! No explanations!

Prayer: May we live our lives, Lord, with a clear understanding of the fact that one day we will stand before You in judgment for all we've done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Keys To Success

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach of the Green Bay Packers, knew what it took to be victorious. Once when asked the formulae he replied, "Dedication, hard work and sacrifice."

When his team met for practice, he would remind them that "You're here for to play football. And I'm here to see you play as well as your God-given talents and abilities will allow you to play. And that means total dedication!"

But dedication was not enough. Lombardi was known as a coach who was relentless in making his teams produce. He knew that dedication by itself would not be enough. It would take long hours of practice and preparation, perseverance and pain, suffering and sacrifice. It took every talent and every ability that every player possessed to become winners and champions.

Paul wrote, "Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life."
God gave us a new life to use for His glory. We must make every sacrifice to succeed for Him.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to commit our minds and hearts to You and then develop every skill and talent You have given us to work for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Who Wants You?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

It was the final game of the season. The team that won would receive the victor’s trophy for the season. But the star running back broke the team curfew and was benched – unable to play.

It was a difficult game and the team fell behind. However, the students began to rally support for the benched player and started to chant, "We want Roger! We want Roger!"

Looking at the benched player, the coach motioned to him. He jumped up and said, "I'm ready Coach, I'm ready!"

"Great," said the coach. "Go up into the stands. They want you more than I do."

Jesus said, "Those who come to me I will never reject." This verse should give us an assurance of how welcome we are to enter into the presence of God.

It does not matter where we have been or what we have done, none of our behaviors or beliefs will cause Him to reject us. His arms are open, His voice is calling and His invitation is to "whosoever will."

Our coming to Christ is never conditioned by who we are but who He is and what He has done.

Prayer: We thank You, Father, that Your grace, mercy and salvation are extended to those who hear Your voice and accept Your invitation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

It's Not How Long But How Well

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:17:00 +0000

The class had become boring. So the teacher decided to liven it up with a group discussion.

"If Shakespeare were alive today," he asked, "would he be considered remarkable?"

"Remarkable?" replied one student. "That's hardly the way to put it. He'd be considered ancient."

Living long does not mean that one has lived well or accomplished much. It simply means that one has lived. What we do with the time that God gives us is what really matters. We all must face one simple, significant, serious question: Who and what do we live for?

After his conversion Paul had one desire: To live and die for Christ. He wrote "that I will never do anything that causes me shame...that I will always be bold for Christ...that my life will always honor Christ...for me to live is Christ."

Paul's whole purpose in life was to become more like Christ and to speak boldly for Christ. It did not matter if he was among friends or in a prison, in front of a crowd or writing a letter. He was totally consumed with serving the Lord. Someone said that if we are not ready to die, we are not prepared to live.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we always put You first in all that we do and one day hear You say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

On Being Fear-Filled

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

A world famous surgeon was being interviewed by a television reporter for a series on the advances being made in the medical profession. Coming to the last question, the reporter asked,

"Tell me doctor, what is your greatest fear?"

After thinking for a moment, he replied, "That I may no longer feel the pains of my patients."
For him, feeling was essential if he was to help others. It moved him as he performed surgery on those in need of healing.

Sympathy is meant to stir us to service, to help us see the needs of others and to move us into action. Without sympathy we would do little to help the least, the last and the lost.

Paul said, "Share each others troubles and problems." Sympathy enables us to see the needs that others have and do something about them. It is the very foundation from which love and obedience to fulfill the commandments of Christ flows.

No Christian should ever feel that they are beyond the requirement of or excused from helping and praying for others. At all times and in all situations we are to be alert to the needs of others and respond as Jesus did.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we might see the things that You saw and be moved by the things that moved You and then do as You did in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

WHat's The Problem?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

A man who was greatly overweight made an appointment with a psychiatrist. He wanted to know why he could not control his eating.

"Why," he asked, "am I so fat?"

Pausing to think for a moment, the psychiatrist responded, "Because your life is focused on food. When you go to a baseball game, you indulge in hotdogs and beer. When you watch TV, it means snacks like candy, chips and other snacks. When..."

Before he gave another example the patient interrupted and said, "You're right. Now tell me, what type of food do you serve during your sessions?"

Whatever is uppermost in our minds is what we live for and eventually die for. Jesus, wanting us to be sure our priorities are the ones that lead us to living God-pleasing lives said, "Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness for they will be satisfied."

Whenever we surrender to anything in our life that is self-destructive or self-defeating, it is a sure sign that He does not have His proper place of honor in our lives. Peace and healing come only from Him.

Prayer: Lord, as we look at our lives, may we realize that if things are out of control, we need to search our hearts for Your solution. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Be Right To Do Right

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:21:00 +0000

One night a group of Delaware Indians gathered around a bright, warm fire talking with their Chief.

"I've been thinking," said one, "about the words of the missionary. He talked of a rule delivered by the Author of Christianity. It is known as the Golden Rule. Do you remember his words?"

"Tell me what it is," said the Chief.

"In everything," he said, "do to others what you would have them do to you."

"That's impossible," said the Chief, "unless the Great Spirit who made man would give man a new heart."

That is exactly what God promised to do for us and within us. He said, "I will give you a heart with new and right desires and I will put a new spirit within you."

God wants us to be filled with His grace and treat others as He treats us. However, we cannot be who He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do unless we have that "new spirit." No matter how we have lived or how badly we have treated others in the past, if we choose to accept Christ and do His work, He will put that new spirit within us to do as He would do.

Prayer: Lord, give us that new heart that we may live a new life that is God-honoring, Christ-exalting and Spirit-filled leading to acts of love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

What's Average Got To Do With It?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Someone said that the average man has sixty-nine pounds of muscle, forty-one pounds of bones but only three pounds of brain. (Now that may explain many things!)

Henry Spangler was not average. He was alert.

He worked as a janitor but had problems with dust. Whenever he swept the floor, the dust would rise, causing him to sneeze and cough. His eyes would run and it even caused him to have serious headaches. But he did not quit. He began to think about the dust – not himself. He began to search for ways to suck up dust rather than scattering it through the air. If only, he thought, there would be a way to capture the dust in a container. He asked God to help to solve his problem.

His search finally led him to the idea of a vacuum cleaner. After much thought, he shared his idea with an old friend and asked him to finance the idea and work with him. It resulted in the Hoover Vacuum Cleaner and his old friend was H. W. Hoover.

James wrote, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask…He’ll tell you.” God can solve any problem we have if we look to Him for His solution.

It’s never the size of our problem but our faith.

Prayer: Lord, help us to look beyond ourselves when we have a problem and know that You already have the solution if we simply ask for Your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (Read more…)

When Silence Is Golden

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:58:00 +0000

He was a new Christian. But it didn't matter: he wanted to be a witness for the Lord and let everyone know how grateful he was for his salvation.

On the final night of a revival meeting, he went to his pastor and asked if he could give his testimony. The pastor was pleased and said that he would call him to the platform when it was time for him to speak.

As the service progressed, George became rather nervous and fearful of standing before a group of people he did not know. But he smiled, asked God for strength and peace, and looked forward to the time to share his story.

Finally, his moment came. He walked boldly to the pulpit, placed his hands on each side as he had seen his pastor do on many occasions, and said, "Brethren."

And that was it. His fear overwhelmed him. Not able to remember what he was planning to say, the only thing he could utter was, "Will you please join me in three minutes of silence to honor our beloved Savior."

Our words of worship and witness need not be eloquent, only sincere. A genuine Christian is the best proof of genuine Christianity. Standing to honor our beloved Savior may, at times, be the best thing we can do.

Prayer: Father, there are times when our lives speak so loudly that words are not necessary. May we realize, however, that in word or deed, we witness for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 1:7-12 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, (Read more...)

"Let's Turn It On!"

noreply@blogger.com (Guido staff) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Thomas Edison worked many years to develop a light bulb. The day finally arrived when his first one was ready to be tested. He turned to his lab technician and said, "Take this downstairs and let's turn it on!"

The technician was filled with excitement as he left the laboratory. As he ran down the stairs, he slipped, fell and broke the bulb.

Discouraged but not defeated, Edison went on to make his second bulb. When it was finished, he turned to the same technician and said, "Take this downstairs and let's turn it on!" With the same amount of excitement, but more cautious, he carefully took the bulb downstairs and the experiment was completed successfully.

More often than not, it is easy to give up when things do not turn out as we expect them to. In a moment of despair we find it easier to turn our backs on projects that fail or goals that crumble. But even though we may make a mess of things, God has not nor ever will give up on us. The Lord, speaking through Joshua, said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go!"

What a gracious promise of His presence and power!

Prayer: Lord, may we always work with You to turn every tragedy into triumph and every disaster into a delight that honors You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:1-9 Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Read more...)