The Prayer of Jabez....

The Prayer of Jabez

 

 

The prayer of Jabez is found in a historical note within a genealogy:

 

 "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying,  'I gave birth to him in pain.'

 

 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel,

 

 

 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request" (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

 

Little is known of Jabez, other than he was a descendant of Judah, he was an honorable man, and his mother named him "Jabez" (meaning "sorrowful" or "sorrow-maker") because his had been a painful birth.

 

 In his prayer, Jabez cries out to God for protection and blessing.

 

Using a play on words, Jabez, the "man of sorrow," asks God to keep him from that sorrow which his name both recalled and foreboded.

 

The prayer of Jabez contains an urgent request for four things:

 

 1) God's blessing. Jabez acknowledges that the God of Israel is the source of all blessing, and he asks God for His grace. No doubt, this request was based, at least in part, on God's promise of blessing to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 22:17).

 

2) An expansion of territory. Jabez prays for victory and prosperity in all his endeavors and that his life would be marked by increase.

 

3) The presence of God's hand. In other words, Jabez asks for the guidance of God and His strength to be evident in his daily existence.

 

4) Protection from harm. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this way: "Father in heaven . . . deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:9, 13). Jabez looks to God in confidence as his defender.

 

Jabez 's goal in his prayer was to live free from sorrow, and the last thing we read about him is that God heard and answered his prayer.

 

 Like Solomon's humble prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14), Jabez 's devout prayer for blessing was answered. The success Jabez enjoyed outweighed the sorrow of his beginning.

 

The prayer of Jabez overcame the name of Jabez.

Perfection - A Perfect True Story

Perfection….

 

Brooklyn, New York:

Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be mainstreamed into conventional schools.

At a Chush fundraising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.

After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out,

 "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya?

Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do.

Where is God's perfection?"

The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that He seeks is in the way people react to this child."

He then told the following story about his son Shaya:

One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball.

Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?"

Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.

Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play.

 The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said,

"We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."

Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat.

 Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it.

However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact.

The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya.

 

As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.

Everyone started yelling,

"Shaya, run to first. Run to first!"

Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running.

But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.

 

Everyone yelled,

 "Run to second, run to second." Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.

As Shaya reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third."

As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming,

 

 "Shaya run home!" Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

 

Go Back and Make It Right..

Go Back and Make It Right ..

 '...if you are displeased, I will go back.' Numbers 22:34 NIV

A lace-maker was working on a very intricate design when she noticed a mistake at the beginning of her work.

 

 To the untrained eye it was inconspicuous and she could easily have camouflaged it, but moments like that separate the professional from the 'dabbler'.

 

 She worked all night, painstakingly unravelled her work till she reached the flaw, fixed it and started over again.

 

When the angel blocked Balaam on the road, Balaam said,

 

 'I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me...if you are displeased, I will go back.'

 

There are times when you need to go back and make things right.

 

 Now, God doesn't usually send angels to tell us we're off-course; He speaks through His Word, through a trusted friend, or through our conscience.

 

 

Joni Eareckson Tada says,

 

 'If the Holy Spirit reveals we've made an error, it's pointless to go on unless we go back... Sometimes you get so far in life and realize...the threads just aren't coming together; you've made a mistake somewhere along the line.

 

 Your sins have come home to roost.

 

We do ourselves a disservice when we merely make a quick mid-course correction.

 

 If you want the ends to come together, then ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you "dropped the stitch".'

 

'We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.'

 

If the Holy Spirit is dealing with you right now about some unfinished business in your life, stop, go back and make it right.

 

 It's not easy, but God will honor your humility and obedience.

 

Human Cloning - A Believer's View

What is the Christian view of Human Cloning?

 

 

 

While the Bible does not specifically deal with the subject of human cloning, there are principles in Scripture which may shed more light on the concept.

 

 Cloning requires both DNA  and embryo cells.

 

 

First, DNA is removed from the nucleus of a creature's cell.

 

 The material, bearing coded genetic information, is then placed in the nucleus of an embryonic cell.

 

The cell receiving the new genetic information would have had its own DNA removed in order to accept the new DNA. If the cell accepts the new DNA, a duplicate embryo is formed.

 

However, the embryo cell may reject the new DNA and die.

 

 Also, it is very possible that the embryo may not survive having the original genetic material removed from its nucleus.

 

 In many cases, when cloning is attempted, several embryos are used in order to increase the odds of a successful implantation of new genetic material. While it is possible for a duplicate creature to be created in this manner (for example, Dolly the sheep), the chances of successfully duplicating a creature without variations, and without complication, are extremely slim.

 

 

 

The Christian view of the process of human cloning can be stated in light of several scriptural principles.

 

 First, human beings are created in the image of God and, therefore, are unique. Genesis 1:26-27 asserts that man is created in God's image and likeness and is unique among all creations.

 

 Clearly, human life is something to be valued and not treated like a commodity to be bought and sold.

 

 Some people have promoted human cloning for the purpose of creating replacement organs for people in need of transplants who cannot find a suitable donor. The thinking is that to take one's own DNA and create a duplicate organ composed of that DNA would greatly reduce the chances of organ rejection.

 

While this may be true, the problem is that doing so cheapens human life.

 

 The process of cloning requires human embryos to be used. While cells can be generated to make new organs, it is necessary to kill several embryos to obtain the required DNA. In essence the cloning would "throw away" many human embryos as "waste material," eliminating the chance for those embryos to grow into full maturity.

 

 

Many people believe that life does not begin at conception with the formation of the embryo, and therefore embryos are not really human beings.

 

 The Bible teaches differently.

 

 Psalm 139:13-16 says,

 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

 

 The writer, David, declares that he was known personally by God before he was born, meaning that at his conception he was a human being with a God-ordained future.

 

Further, Isaiah 49:1-5 speaks of God calling Isaiah to his ministry as a prophet while he was still in his mother's womb.

 

Also, John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while he was still in the womb (Luke 1:15). All of this points to the Bible's stand on life beginning at conception. In light of this, human cloning, with its destruction of human embryos, would not be consistent with the Bible's view of human life.

 

 

In addition, if humanity was created, then there must be a Creator, and humanity is therefore subject and accountable to that Creator.

 

 Although popular thinking-secular psychology and humanistic thought-would have one believe that man is accountable to no one but himself and that man is the ultimate authority, the Bible teaches differently.

 

God created man and gave him responsibility over the earth (Genesis 1:28-29, 9:1-2). With this responsibility comes accountability to God.

 

Man is not the ultimate authority over himself, and he is therefore not in a position to make decisions about the value of human life. Neither, then, is science the authority by which the ethics of human cloning, abortion, or euthanasia are decided.

 

According to the Bible, God is the only one who rightfully exercises sovereign control over human life. To attempt to control such things is to place oneself in God's position. Clearly, man is not to do this.

 

If we view man as simply another creature and not as the unique creation he is, it is not difficult to see human beings as mere mechanisms needing maintenance and repair.

 

 But we are not just a collection of molecules and chemicals.

 

 The Bible teaches that God created each of us and has a specific plan for each of us.

 

 Further, He seeks a personal relationship with each of us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

 While there are aspects of human cloning which may seem beneficial, mankind has no control over where cloning technology may go.

 

 It is foolish to assume that only good intentions will direct the utilization of cloning. Man is not in a position to exercise the responsibility or judgment that would be required to govern the cloning of human beings.

 

 

A frequent question is whether a cloned human being, assuming that human cloning is one day successful, would have a soul.

 

 Genesis 2:7 says,

 

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

 

Here is the description of God creating a living, human soul.

 

Souls are what we are, not what we have (1 Corinthians 15:45).

 

The question is what kind of living soul would be created by human cloning?

 

That is not a question that can be conclusively answered.

 

It seems, though, that if a human being were successfully cloned, the clone would be just as much of a human being, including having an eternal soul, as any other human being.

 

 

---

All of Me - 9 Yr Old..

All of Me – 9 Yr Old...

Here is a story, reported to be true, about a nine-year-old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee.
His house was in a poor area of the community. A church there had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon.

 The child came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor.
 The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother.
The bus pastor couldn't believe what the child said and asked him to repeat it.
 The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him.
 They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the child,
"Where do you go to church?"
The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I've never been to church in my whole life."
 The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child's house.
 "Are you sure you have never been to church?" he asked again.
"I'm sure I haven't," came his answer.
Then the bus pastor said,
"Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy.
The young lad's heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor's story, the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God.
 The youngster exclaimed, "OF COURSE!"

The child and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They  both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the child up for church the next morning.
  "Sure," the nine year old replied.
The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off.
 He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed.
 They got on the bus and ate a doughnut for breakfast on their way to church.
Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little child just sat there, clueless of what was going on.

 A few minutes into the service, these tall guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates.
One of the men prayed and the child, with utter fascination, watched them walk up and down the aisles.
 He still didn't know what was going on.
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it hit the child what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus.
 He then reflected on the free gift of life he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn't find a thing to give Jesus.
By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and, with a broken heart, he just grabbed the plate and held on to it.
He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle.
 He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him.
 And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea.

This little nine year old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat.
 He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time.
Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the centre of it.
 As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said,
"Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!"

---

Do we need to confess our sins to those we have sinned against?

"Do we need to confess our sins to those we have sinned against?"

 

 

 

We know we are to confess our sins to God, but many Christians wonder whether we need to confess to those we have sinned against.

 

 Do we need to tell the person we've sinned against that we're sorry?

 

 "Walking in the light" (1 John 1:7) means that we are living in obedience to God's commandments. In the same verse we have references to forgiveness through Christ and "fellowship one with another."

 

So, there is a connection between having a "clean slate" and our relationship with other people.

 

 

 

Every sin is ultimately committed against God (Psalm 51:4).

 

The Bible consistently emphasizes our need to confess our sins to Him (Psalm 41:4; 130:4; Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).

 

 As for the confession of our sins to people, the Bible gives no blanket command.

 

We are told many times to confess our sins to the Lord, but the only direct command to confess to someone else is in the context of church elders praying on behalf of the sick (James 5:16).

 

This does not mean that we are never to seek another person's forgiveness.

 

 The Bible gives examples of confession to other people.

 

 One is Joseph's brothers asking for his forgiveness in Genesis 50:17-18. And person-to-person confession is implied in such passages as Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13.

 

 

The principles here seem to be

 

 1) We should seek forgiveness from the Lord for every sin. He desires "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6).

 

2) If our relationship with the Lord is right, our relationships with other people will fall in line. We will treat others graciously, with justice and honesty (Psalm 15). To sin against someone and not attempt to make it right would be unthinkable.

 

 3) The extent of the apology for a sin should match the extent of the impact of the sin. Or we should seek forgiveness from whoever was directly involved in order to ensure healing.

 

For example,

if a man looks with lust at a woman, he should immediately confess the sin to the Lord. It would not be needed or appropriate to confess that sin to the woman. That sin is between the man and the Lord.

 

 

 However, if a man breaks a promise, or does something that directly impacts the woman, he must confess to her and seek her forgiveness. If a sin involves a large number of people, such as a church, a man or woman must then extend the confession to the members of the church.

 

So the confession and apology should match the impact. Those impacted by the sin should hear the confession.

 

While our forgiveness with God is not dependent on our confessing our sins to others and/or their forgiving us, God does call us to be honest and forthcoming with others regarding our failings, especially when it involves them.

 

 When we have offended, hurt, or sinned against others, we should seek to offer a sincere apology and confession and ask for forgiveness. Whether the forgiveness is granted is up to those who were confessed to.

 

Our responsibility is to genuinely repent, confess the sin, and ask for forgiveness.

 

 

Recommended Resource: The Gift of Forgiveness by Charles Stanley.

God, how grateful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Who do men say that I am? Luke 9:18

Who do men say that I am? Luke 9:18

Jesus Is Neither…

Ancient, modern, or post-modern—He is Eternal.

Liberal, conservative, or orthodox—He is the Truth.

Conventional, legalistic, or traditional—He is Holy.

Denominational, non-denominational, or inter-denominational—He is the Head of the Church.

Entertaining, amusing, or diverting—He is Fullness of Joy.

Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian—He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

One of many ways to God, the best way to God, or the Western way to God—He is the only Way to God, no one comes to the Father except through Him

Roy Lessin

God, how grateful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Turning back, Holding on, Loving Jesus...

You can turn back to God, because He has not turned His back on you.

You can hold on to God, because He has not released His hold on you.

You can love God again, because He has never stopped loving you.

I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:21-22

God, how grateful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Flow back PROFITS in time

"Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you" Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT.

God's system works on the principle of sowing and reaping.

What you pour out will come back to you in increased measure.

When you give generously, a generous harvest will return to you.

When you help others succeed, you will find abundant success on your path, too.

What are you investing in the lives of the people around you? Are you helping others get ahead?

There are people in your life who hold the keys for you to reach your full potential. These are people that God has placed in your life for you to help along. The higher they rise up, the higher you will rise up. When you give generously of your time, talent, and resources, you are setting yourself up for greater success. People will come across your path that will help you grow and reach your full potential. But you have to do your part to step out and sow the seed. Be on the lookout for ways you can help others. As you give of yourself to help others grow, you'll rise higher and live the abundant life He has in store for you.

^{www.philadelphiaChurch.in}

God, how grateful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Where Would We Be Without Jesus?

Where Would We Be Without Jesus

Without Jesus' words we would be witnesses with nothing to say;

Without Jesus' authority we would be ambassadors with nothing to do;

Without Jesus' love we would be servants with nothing to give.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT

Roy Lessin

 

 

Thought For The day

" Being with GOD in a prison like Joseph is far more better than being away from GOD in a sophisticated cruise like Jonah"

----------------------------

God, how grateful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Know What to Carry

Roy Lessin

Know What to Carry

Never put down trust, because that is something God wants you to carry;

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward."  Hebrews 10:35

Never pick up cares, because that is something God wants you to cast away.

"Cast all your care upon Him because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7

Ask Me - Psalm 2:8

Ask Me

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (Psalm 2:8, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD
Did you know it pleases God when we pray bold prayers and ask Him for big things? The God we serve doesn't want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of His blessing. He wants us to not only have our needs met, but be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others, too!

When we ask God for something, a supernatural door is opened. We are showing our faith in Him, and faith gives God something to work with. In fact, scripture says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants us to come to Him and know His goodness. He wants us to believe that He is good and that He has good things in store for us.

Today, I encourage you to get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put
your faith to work because God is faithful. He has big things in store for you and promises to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ever imagine!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I come to You with an attitude of faith and expectancy. You said that if I ask anything according to Your will, it will be done. So I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life knowing that You are doing a good work in me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Standing Firm in Your Faith

Standing Firm in Your Faith

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind"  (James 1:6, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD
Are you believing that God will do something specific in your life today? Oftentimes, when we are standing in faith, the storms of life will blow. Things will come against us that try to knock our faith down. But, I to encourage you to stand strong in your faith and in your thinking so that you can be effective and see your dreams and desires come to pass.

Scripture tells us that if we go back and forth on what we believe, we are unstable and ineffective. Instead, we have to be fully persuaded that the Word of God is true no matter what we see. The way you stand firm in your faith is by staying focused on God instead of your circumstances. Sing praises to Him throughout the day and guard the words that come out of your mouth. When you stand firm in your faith, you have peace. You have a supernatural rest because you know God is in complete control. You trust
Him completely. Today, stand firm in your faith, watch your words, and know that He is leading you into victory in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I praise You and honor You because You are God. I put my faith and trust in You knowing that You are working behind the scenes in my life. Thank You for making a way when there seems to be no way and opening doors of victory in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

God, how greatful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Receiving the Overflow

Receiving the Overflow

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"...we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance"
(Psalm 66:12, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD
Friend, no matter what your circumstances may look like today, God's plan is to bring you through to a place of abundance. He wants you to have an abundance of peace, an abundance of joy, an abundance of resources — He wants you to overflow with His blessings so that you can be a blessing to the people around you.

One thing I've learned is that if you want to live in the overflow of God's blessings, you have to have an attitude to receive the overflow. Remember, as a believer in Jesus, you are a child of the Most High God. Royal blood is flowing through your veins. You were not created to be average. You were not created to barely get by and drag through life. You have seeds of greatness on the inside. You are well able to do whatever God has called
you to do!

Today, I encourage you to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high and start thinking like a victor. And when you're a victor, you know that any adversity in your life is not permanent, it's temporary. Have the attitude to receive the overflow of God's abundance. Keep believing and keep expecting because it's just a matter of time until He turns things around in your favor!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I open my mind and heart to You. I choose to believe that You have a good plan for me. By faith today, I receive the blessings You have for me so that I can be a blessing to others. In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

God, how greatful your greatness and majesty! | Manage your work, life...

Something interesting - Techies | Just relax yourselves!

Seeing the Big Picture...

Seeing the Big Picture
'He performs what is appointed for me...' Job 23:14 NKJV


Sometimes God permits things, other times He actually plans them.
Either way, He's got a definite plan in mind.
 In the midst of unspeakable heartache, Job said, 'He performs what is appointed for me.'
When you realise that God has 'appointed' something for you, it changes how you see it.
 It's like flying. On the ground your view is limited, but 3000 metres up everything looks different.
 Now you're seeing what God sees: ‘The big picture'!
The Bible says that after Job came through his trials he was blessed with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
 Does that mean if you lose a $50 000-a-year job you'll get back a $100 000-a-year one? Or that your chequebook will always balance, or your car never break down, or your health never fail?


 No, sometimes God rewards our faith with things we can't measure in monetary value-such as relationships, joy, character, peace you didn't have before, a fresh sense of purpose, protection from danger, favour with others, a clearer understanding, more compassion, and intimacy with Him.


What value would you place on those?
Here are three things you need to keep in mind at all times.
First, God wants you to trust Him in whatever you're going through (Psalm 138:8). Secondly, when it's your responsibility, God expects you to fulfil it (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Thirdly, in order to bless you, He will sometimes move in ways that are hard to understand or explain (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
Why?

God's Deep Secrets

God’s Deep Secrets

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.' But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit.
For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets" (1 Corinthians 2:9–10, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD
Who in your life do you share your deepest secrets with? Most people only share their inner thoughts with those who are closest to them; people they trust or people they've gone through experiences with. Do you know who God shares His secrets with? The people who are closest to Him.

God wants to share His deepest secrets with you.  He wants you to know what He thinks about you. He wants you to know about the plans He has for you.  He wants to show you things you've never seen, heard about or even imagined. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not only are you His child, but you are also His friend. You are His closest companion. He wants to walk with you, talk with you and share with you.

This passage goes on to say, "Who can know a man's thoughts except his own spirit?" As believers, God's Spirit lives inside of us, revealing to us His very own heart. What a wonderful, amazing thought — we can know God's
thoughts because we are one with Him. Open your heart and allow Him to share His deep secrets with you today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I am so humbled that You call me friend. I am honored to be connected with You and invite You to share Your heart with me. I surrender all that I am to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.