Get into God's Word!

'...they...searched the Scriptures daily...' Acts 17:11

The Devil doesn't mind you paying lip-service to God's Word as long as you don't take the time to read and study it.

    How long have you been talking about reading your Bible?  When are you going to get around to doing it-and applying its principles in your everyday life?

Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: 'Anybody can come up with a grandiose scheme for change. One person says he wants to reach the world for Christ. Somebody else wants to study every book in the Bible over the next five years. Somebody else plans to memorize 100 verses. Somebody else is going to become a Christ-like spouse. Wonderful! When are you going to begin?

Until you answer that, all you have is good intentions. Those have about as much value as a worthless cheque.

ü  After all, what good does it do to dream of reaching the world with the Gospel if you can't share Christ with the person in the office next to you?

ü  How are you going to study the entire Bible when you don't even know what verse you're going to study tomorrow?

ü  How can you memorize 100 verses when you've never even tried to memorize one?

ü  Rather than fantasize about a Christ-like marriage, why not start with something simple such as doing the dishes if you're a husband, or encouraging your husband if you're a wife?

Too much "application" stays at the level of good intentions because we talk about the end of the journey without specifying when, where, and how we're going to take the first step.

As someone has well said, "We don't plan to fail, we fail to plan." '

 After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up,

walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening,
he briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening.

In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was
one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments
to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service..

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.'A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the pacific coast,' he began.
'When a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore.

The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not
keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.'
the old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were,
for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.

The aged minister continued with his story, 'grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line.He only had seconds to make the decision.

The father knew that his son was a believer and he, also, knew that his son's friend was not.
The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves..
As the father yelled out, 'I love you, Son!'
he threw out the life line to his son's friend.
By the time the father had pulled the friend back
to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath
the raging swells into the black of night.

His body was never recovered.
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next
words to come out of the old minister's mouth.

'The father,' he continued, 'knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not
bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus.. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. '

How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed his only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept his offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line he is throwing out to you in this service.'

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.
The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side.

'That was a nice story,' politely stated one of them, 'but i don't think it was very realistic for a
father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a believer.'

'Well, you've got a point there,' the old man replied, glancing down at his worn bible. 

A big smile broadened his narrow face.

 He once again looked up at the boys  and said, 'it sure isn't very realistic, is it? But,

I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives
me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God
to give up his son for me.


You see...
I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend.

Thanks & regards,

Samuel machado

The Messiah's Mission – Revisit

Back when Jesus lived on earth he healed the sick, the oppressed and the condemned; he knew that the people would believe who he was if they saw him do these signs. Jesus went around Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of illnesses people had.

People started telling others all over Syria: and they brought a lot of sick people to see Jesus, they had a lot of diseases and some were even possessed with demons, and Jesus healed them. The same Lord is alive today and doing the very miracles he did in those days.

The Lame walk, the deaf hear, the mute speak, the sick are healed. Do you need a touch of healing? It might be not even a sickness from which you need a deliverance… it can be a forgiveness which needs confession or a pain that needs relief…. The Lord is near to you.. to heal you. Amen

Jesus Christ Is The Same Yesterday, Today And Forever. Hebrew 13:8

Water turned to Wine (John 2:1-11)

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The Nobleman's Son healed (John 4:46-54)

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Christ healed the Impotent man by the pool (John 5:5-16)

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Christ Feeds 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-14)

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Christ Walks on the Water (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52,John 6:15-21)

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Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12 )

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Jesus Heals A Leper (Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-15)

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The Centurion's Servant Is Healed Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10

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Peter's Mother-in-law Is Healed (Matthew 8:14-15,Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39)

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People brought to him all that were diseased (Matthew 4:23-24,8:16-17, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40-41)

The Lord is merciful to those who show mercy….. He is beside you to listen to what you say….

Aim High...

Aim High!

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.. As he went further, he saw a large wild 'Tom' turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, 'Pray first, aim high and stay focused.'

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, 'I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused.'

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, 'the past.'

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can endure.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.....

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.

Don't worry about tomorrow, God is already there!

HAD AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR THIS MORNING.
  HE ARRIVED EARLY, SAT DOWN WITH ME AND

 CHATTED FOR A WHILE ABOUT HOW THINGS

 WERE CURRENTLY GOING FOR ME IN MY LIFE.

 AFTER VERY CAREFULLY AND COMPASSIONATELY

 LISTENING TO ALL THAT I HAD TO SAY, HE SAW THE SADNESS ON MY FACE AND THE TEARS IN MY EYES.

 HE STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO ME, LEANED OVER AND GENTLY HELD ME FOR AWHILE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A REALLY BAD MORNING.

 THEN, AFTER REASSURING ME NOT TO WORRY,

 THAT EVERYTHING WOULD WORK OUT FOR ME

 AND BE JUST FINE, HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW OF

 ANYONE ELSE THAT COULD USE A VISIT FROM HIM.

 I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF YOU MY FRIEND.

 I GAVE HIM YOUR NAME AND TOLD HIM WHERE

 YOU LIVED. HE GAVE ME ANOTHER REASSURING

 HUG, THANKED ME AND I WALKED WITH HIM TO

 MY FRONT DOOR. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO YOUR PLACE. 

 When He gets to your PC, escort Him to the next stop. Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC. The message He is carrying is very important and needs to go around.


 I asked him to bless you and yours with peace, happiness and abundance.

 Say a prayer and then pass Him on to bless others as I sent him on to bless you. Our assignment is to spread love, respect and kindness throughout the world.

 Have a blessed day and touch somebody's life today as hopefully I have touched your life.

 He's walking around the world via e-mail!!

 Please pass it on so He can get there.... 

Seven Sorrows Of Mother Mary

DEVOTION TO THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY

    

The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and dolors.  The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget.    The following are the seven sorrows of Mary with a suggested reading for each sorrow from the Bible and from the visions of Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich.   These readings are only suggested, a person may make up their own mental meditations of the seven sorrows as they pray the seven Hail Marys.

SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY:

1. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON. 
   (St. Luke II, 34, 35)
2. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
   (St. Matthew II, 13-14)
3. THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.
   (St. Luke II, 43-45)
4. THE MEETING OF JESUS AND MARY ON THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
5. THE CRUCIFIXION.
6. THE TAKING DOWN OF THE BODY OF JESUS FROM THE CROSS.
7. THE BURIAL OF JESUS.
   (John 19: 38-42)

THE SEVEN GRACES GIVEN TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MEDITATE ON THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY(As revealed to Saint Bridget by the Blessed Mother)

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be englightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
7. I have obtained(This Grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my   tears and dolors, will be taken directly from the earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

The text you see above is from:

http://www.jesus-passion.com/SEVEN_SORROWS_OF_MARY.htm

Also visit

http://www.angelfire.com/md3/fel/test.html

The Rosary of Our Lady of Tears

The text you see below is from http://weepingmadonna.org/ourladyoftears.htm

The Rosary transmitted to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God consists of forty-nine white beads, which are divided into seven parts by seven larger beads – similar to the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.  At the end an attached pendant has three more small beads and a medal of Our Lady of Tears.

Through these instructions we are obviously directed to honour Mary our Mother on account of her sorrows, for which she shed many tears.  The medal of Our Lady of Tears is an essential part of the rosary but it must be the way it was revealed to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God on April 30, 1930.  In Germany, this medal is made with the specified inscription in all European languages.

The inscription on one side of the medal shows Our Blessed Mother holding the rosary with the words, “Sorrowful Mother Your Tears Destroy the Dominions of Hell.”  On the side with the image of Jesus it says, “O Jesus in Chains, by Your Divine Meekness, Save the World from its Impending Doom.”

Pray on the medal of Jesus

O crucified Jesus we fall at Your feet and offer You the tears of the one who with deep compassionate love accompanied You on Your sorrowful way of the Cross.  O good Master grant that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of Your most Holy Mother teach us so that we may fulfil Your Holy Will on earth, that we may be worthy to praise and exalt You in heaven for all eternity.  Amen.

Pray on seven larger beads

(also on three pendant beads)

V.    O Jesus, look upon the tears of the one who Loved you most on earth.

R.    And who loves you most ardently in Heaven.

Pray on smaller beads

V.    O Jesus, listen to our prayers.

R.     For the sake of the tears of Your most holy Mother.

Pray on the Medal of Mary

O Mary, Mother of Love, Sorrow and Mercy, we beseech you to unite your prayers with ours so that Jesus, Your Divine Son, to whom we turn, may hear our petitions in the name of your maternal tears, and grant us, not only the favours we now seek, but the crown of ever lasting life.  Amen.

They tears, O sorrowful Mother, destroy the rule of Satan, through They divine tenderness.  O Jesus, bound and fettered, defend the world from the errors that threatens it.

Meditations for Our Lady of Tears

1.  The Prophecy of Simeon.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon.  Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of holy fear of God.

2.  The Flight into Egypt.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there.  Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity and the gift of piety.

3.  The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the anxieties, which tried your troubled heart, at the loss of your dear Jesus.  Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.

4.  Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross.  Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.

5.  The Crucifixion.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the martyrdom, which your generous heart endured in standing next to Jesus in His agony.  Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.

6.  Striking of Jesus with the lance.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck before His Body was removed from the Cross.  Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.

7.  The Body of Jesus is placed in the tomb.  I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus,  Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.