It's Only Money

It's Only Money 31 Oct 2010 'Keep your [life] free from the love of money...' Hebrews 13:5 A lot of us think that the goal of work is to accumulate enough money so that we can quit working. No, if your work is not fulfilling, eventually you'll resent it. That's so, whether you make much or little. Money alone is not worth giving your life to. John Ortberg writes, 'I have a friend. He's a businessman. He is in his seventies now. Years ago I attended his church when he gave a terrific message. We talked afterwards and he said to me, "You know, when I was a young man I always felt that I ought to go into pastoral ministry."I asked him, "Why didn't you?"Well, when it came right down to it, it was just money. He was doing well in the business world so he didn't follow what he sensed was God's calling on his life. Now he was financially secure - but he was running out of time. It's only money! We get all twisted up in knots over it, stay awake at night thinking about it, stew, get anxious, scheme, trade away our integrity to get a little more of it... and we worry that somebody else might get hold of it. It's only money! It's never a reason not to follow Christ. It's never a reason not to do the thing that He has called you to do.' Billy Graham hit the bull's-eye when he said, 'If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.' It's okay to make money, and enjoy money, but 'Keep your [life] free from the love of money'.

He Laughs in the Heavens

“He Who sits in the heavens laughs...”
(Psalm 2:4, AMP)

Have you ever imagined God laughing in the heavens? Think about it for a moment. Right now, God is on the throne. He’s not mad. He’s not worried about the economy. He’s not upset with you and me. God is full of joy and laughing on the throne. It goes on to tell us in Psalm 37 that He’s laughing because “He can see the destruction of the enemy coming.” In other words, the reason God laughs is because He knows the end of the story. He knows the final outcome. The good news is that you and I win. God always causes us to triumph!

Imagine watching the World cup !!! when you already know the outcome. You already know who is going to win. No matter how far behind the winning team falls, no matter how bad it looks for them, you wouldn’t get upset. You wouldn’t be worried. Why? You’ve got inside information. You know the final outcome. That’s what God is saying to us today. When it gets tough and things don’t look like they’re going to work out, we know that with God we are on the winning team! Today, you can laugh with Him knowing that He has favor, strength and victory in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to rest and trust in You. Thank You for bringing victory in every area of my life. Give me opportunities today to share Your joy and love with the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

'Get Up and Go Again'

'Get Up and Go Again' 29 Oct 2010 '...Seven times he said, "Go again".' 1 Kings 18:43 'Elijah the prophet told King Ahab that the drought in the land was over and the rains were coming. Then Elijah told his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." Then it came to pass the seventh time, he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you'"... in the meantime... the sky became black... and there was a heavy rain...' (vv. 43-45). Notice, seven times Elijah said, 'Get up and go again.' You must persist! If you don't, you'll miss what God wants you to have. Furthermore, if you don't recognise and celebrate small miracles 'the size of a man's hand', you'll miss the bigger ones so essential to your future. Beth Anne DeCiantis had to complete a 26-mile marathon in less than two hours and 45 minutes to qualify for the Olympics. She reached the final straight in 2hours43, with just two minutes left. Two hundred yards from the finish she stumbled and fell. Dazed, she stayed down for 20 seconds. The crowd yelled, 'Get up!' The clock was ticking - less than a minute to go. Beth Anne staggered to her feet and began walking. Five yards short of the finish, with ten seconds to go, she fell again. As the crowd cheered her on, she crossed the finish line on her hands and knees. Her time? Two hours, 44 minutes, 57 seconds. So the word for you today is 'Get up and go again'.

THE ETERNAL CHRIST

THE ETERNAL CHRIST                                  Friday - October 29, 2010

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

In April 2008, in the Swedish mountains, scientists have found a cluster of around 20 spruce trees that are approximately 8,000 years old. This would make them among the oldest living things ever discovered. 
The Norway Spruce trees were growing at an altitude of 950 meters above sea level. They were only 6.5 feet tall and about 8 inches in width. Norway Spruce trees are commonly used as Christmas Trees. 
Shortly after the discovery, scientists sent samples from the tree to a laboratory in Miami, Florida and the laboratory confirmed the tree was 7,800 years old.
Although summers have been colder over the past 10,000 years, these trees have survived harsh weather conditions due to their ability to push out another trunk as the other one died. "The average increase in temperature during the summers over the past hundred years has risen one degree in the mountain areas," explains Leif Kullman, Professor of Physical Geography at Umeå University.
Though the seeds of the trees were not originally from the area, Dr. Kullman stated: "In some way they have also successfully found their way to the Swedish mountains."

Though these trees are remarkably old, they are not eternal. Jesus Christ lives before, during and well after these old trees. Today in prayer, praise Christ Lord that He is our eternal Lord!

“The Savior is the Fountain of Life; the Gospel is a Message of Life; the Volume that John saw opened in heaven was the Book of Life. There is infinite comfort in that.” - Arthur Penrhyn Stanley

God’s Word: “You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” – Hebrews 1:12

Sudden Breakthroughs “...the Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters...” (2 Samuel 5:20, AMP) God wants to give you a breakthrough — a sudden burst of His favor; an explosion of His goodness. He wants to release His power in such a way that it overwhelms you and drives out your enemies! Maybe you’ve been praying about a relationship for years; and suddenly, things get into place. That’s a breakthrough. Or, you were trying to get a certain job. They said there were no openings; but suddenly, they call you back and you get the job. That’s another breakthrough. Perhaps you’ve struggled with an addiction for a long time; but then something happens, and it’s not a struggle anymore. Those are all breakthroughs. No matter what you’ve been facing, no matter how impossible things look, know this: the God of the breakthrough wants to visit your house. Get ready! Look for His favor and goodness. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting, keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, today I am expecting Your goodness. I am looking for Your favor. I’m trusting that You, the God of the breakthrough, are working mightily on my behalf. Help me to live a life pleasing to You as I wait for Your hand to move mightily in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Heaven - Your Home

Heaven - Your Home 28 Oct 2010 '...I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.' Psalm 23:6 When we're young, heaven has limited appeal. We've too many dreams such as love, marriage, children, career, and so on. Ageing is God's way of keeping us headed homeward. And what about death? Christians don't get buried, they get planted. Paul writes, '...The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable... it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power' (1 Corinthians 15:42-43 NIV). Calvin Miller writes, 'The world is poor because her treasure is buried in the sky and all her treasure maps are of the earth.' Have you heard the story of the bird named Putsy? When nobody claimed her, the Humane Society gave her to Sue. They became fast friends. One day the little bird did something incredible; it perched on her shoulder and whispered, 'Fifteen hundred South Oneida Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin.' Sue was dumbfounded. She discovered that the address actually existed, went there and found a man named John Stoobants. 'Do you have a parakeet?' she asked. 'I used to. I miss her terribly,' he replied. When he saw Putsy he was thrilled. 'You know,' he said, 'she even knows her phone number.' This story isn't as crazy as you might think. You see, we all have an eternal address within us. God has '...set eternity in the hearts of men...' (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). Deep down, we know we're not home yet, so we must be careful not to live like we are. Would you set up house in a hotel? The greatest calamity is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you're not. And we're not home yet, because 'our homeland is in heaven' (Philippians 3:20 TLB).

PERSEVERE!

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PERSEVERE!                                                Thursday - October 28, 2010

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

In 1508, Michelangelo began his crowning work of painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
The consummate perfectionist, Michelangelo soon fell behind schedule. The Vatican commissioned him to complete it in four years, but soon the artist fell behind schedule.
To make matters worse, three years into the project, Michelangelo fell from a scaffold onto cross members below. The fall crippled him, and he had to be carried to bed with broken ribs, serious lacerations and bruises.
The College of Cardinals met over the situation. The Cardinals were under pressure from many directions. Some were confused and felt weary of the whole project. There were many negative reports referring to unorthodox and inappropriate sections of the painting.
Additional financing also had been required on numerous occasions.
The 36-year old Michelangelo was weak. The heat at the top of the dome was oppressive.
But on hearing what the Cardinals were discussing, the artist rose from his bed, asked his aides to configure a canvas sling, had himself hoisted up to the top scaffold, and resumed the work, recuperating while he finished the work on time.

The Lord has called us to follow Him. Persevere in your calling. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His perseverance to the Cross and pray for His strength to continue following Him through all difficulties.

“Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.” – William Wilberforce

God’s Word: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36

He Wants Us to Thrive

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”
(3 John 1:2, NKJV)

Many people today are living in “survival mode.” If they can just make it through the day, they’ve accomplished their goal. And, there are times when circumstances can seem overwhelming. There are seasons that are more difficult than others. But God doesn’t want us to just survive, He wants us to thrive. He wants us to prosper in all things.

One definition of the word “thrive” means “to realize a goal despite circumstances.” That means you can prosper in all things no matter what is going on around you. You don’t have to settle for an average year; you can have an extraordinary year. You may be planning on just getting by, but God is planning on abundance. He’s planning on overflow. It’s time to get into agreement with God. It’s time to walk in His ways. It’s time see your dreams come to pass. It’s time to thrive because God has a plan for you to prosper in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to cast my cares on You knowing that because You care about me, You care for me. Help me to see the good plan You have for me so that I can thrive the way You intended. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Good morning Jesus

It's a Sure Thing

It's a Sure Thing 27 Oct 2010 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...' Psalm 23:6 Let's break this Scripture down: 'Surely goodness and mercy.' People may disappoint you, but God's goodness and mercy are sure things! 'With [God] there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency' (James 1:17 PHPS). Our devotion to God may falter, but His devotion to us never does: 'If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful...' (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). David didn't say, 'maybe, possibly, I hope so, I've a hunch'. No, he said, 'Surely' and that's a promise you can stand on. 'Shall follow me.' That sounds like another promise God made to His people: 'all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee...' (Deuteronomy 28:2). Note the words: 'follow... come on... overtake'. You can't get away from them! God's goodness and mercy followed Jonah to the bottom of the sea, Daniel into the lions' den, and John into exile, opening heaven to him. Stop and look back. Think of the scrapes God's brought you through, the messes He's helped clean up, the doors He's opened, and what do you see? Blessings you don't deserve, can't escape, and are new every morning. With God, it's a sure thing! 'All the days of my life.' Think of the days ahead and what do you see? Days at home raising a family? Days in a dead-end job, struggling to get ahead? Days of loneliness and poor health? Days of caring for a sick loved one? Days of battling disappointment and depression? 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.' Goodness to provide, and mercy to pardon; you'll never have a day without them!

FAITH IS SEEING THE UNSEEN

FAITH IS SEEING THE UNSEEN                                  Wednesday - October 27, 2010

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” – Hebrews 11:13

In 2005, Scott Smiley was on his last deployment in Iraq, when a suicide bomber attacked. Scott lost his vision and was permanently blinded.
"It was my wife (Tiffany), my family and friends who were in my hospital room singing songs and reading the Bible that gave me the strength during my recovery," Scott said. "It was all of this which allowed me to put one foot in front of the other and has allowed me to accomplish everything that I have done to get to where I am today."
In 2007, Scott was named the Army's Soldier of the Year. In 2009, he started teaching leadership at West Point. Then on February 1, 2010, Captain Smiley accepted command of the U. S. Army Warrior Transition Unit at West Point, New York. He was only the second wounded warrior and the first blind man to assume command of a military unit.
Scott has written a book entitled "Hope Unseen" which recounts his difficult journey of extraordinary testing.
"He may not have the eyes to see, but he sees more things than most leaders could ever see," Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "His ability to translate that to his unit and the people he has (under his command), he will have the ability to touch many and they will be impacted tremendously."

Don’t let your eyes get in the way of your faith. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His faithfulness and place your faith in Christ. 

“Faith is nothing but believing what God promises or says.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” – Hebrews 11:39

He is a God of Abundance

He is a God of Abundance 26 Oct 2010 '...My cup runs over.' Psalm 23:5 Paul writes, 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). Our God is a God of abundance! In Scripture, the overflowing cup is a powerful symbol. As long as your cup was kept full you were welcome. But if it sat empty, the host was hinting that it was time to go. If he really enjoyed your company he kept filling it until it ran over the edge and down onto the table. Is your cup overflowing today? That means you're welcome at God's table, your seat is guaranteed, nobody can take your place, and your needs will be abundantly supplied. F B Meyer wrote, 'Whatever the blessing in your cup, it's sure to run over. With God the calf is always the fatted calf, the robe is always the best robe, the joy is unspeakable, the peace passeth understanding. God's way is always characterized by overflowing bounty.' So the last thing on earth we need to worry about is 'making ends meet'. Our cup overflows. Take grace, for example: 'The more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God's abounding grace forgiving us' (Romans 5:20 TLB). To abound is to have a surplus! The cup God gives overflows with mercy. Are you afraid it will run dry? That your warranty will expire? That your mistakes are too great? No way! Before Paul became a Christian he went around persecuting, imprisoning and killing Christians. Yet he wrote, '...grace... was poured out on me abundantly...' (1 Timothy 1:14 NIV). Whatever you need today, God has - in abundance. So ask, and believe Him for it!

CONTINUE TO MEET AND ENCOURAGE

CONTINUE TO MEET AND ENCOURAGE        Tuesday - October 26, 2010

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

In October 2010, Pastor Imad Dabour of Lebanon addressed delegates at the third Lausanne Congress of World Evangelization in Cape Town South Africa. He said that for tens of thousands of Christians in North Africa persecution is part of their everyday life.
"There are two things about Christianity that we teach people. That it gives you salvation and a lot of joy with it - and persecution. Persecution is a basic teaching in our church," he said.
In such a hostile environment, growing in their new identity as a Christian is not easy and many new converts face losing their friends and family, Dabour explained. With persecution occurring daily across the region, becoming a Christian is a "serious decision".
Despite the difficulties, the church continues to teach converts the truth that Jesus is the only way.
"It is a hostile environment [and] a daily challenge for Christians with a new identity from a Muslim background," Pastor Imad noted.

Do not let anything separate you from the love of Christ. Today in prayer, pray for persecuted Christians that they may be encouraged in Christ.

“When the world asks, ‘What is God like?’ we should be able to say, ‘Look at the church.’ As the body of Christ, we are to be like Jesus so that we too reveal God to the world.” – William R.L. Haley

God’s Word: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42

Choose Joy

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it”
(Psalm 118:24, NLT)

Happiness isn’t just a random feeling; happiness is a choice. It’s a decision that we have to make by an act of our will. All throughout life, you’re going to have plenty of opportunities to lose your joy. We all go through disappointments. We all have times when things don’t go our way. It’s very easy to let the circumstances of life make us sour and dejected until we just go through the motions of day-to-day living. But if you’re going to live in victory, if you’re going to thrive the way God intends, you’ve got to make the decision that you’re going to enjoy your life. You’ve got to choose to be happy in spite of your circumstances, every single day.

Today, remember, this is the day that the Lord has made! Choose to rejoice and be glad in it! As you choose joy, you are tapping into His strength which will carry you through to victory all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to bless and serve You. I choose to rejoice today no matter what comes my way. Thank You for Your peace and strength to overcome in every area of my life! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Fresh Oil

Fresh Oil 25 Oct 2010 '...You anoint my head with oil...' Psalm 23:5 The shepherd anoints his sheep with oil for two purposes. First, to repel insects. If allowed to deposit their eggs into the soft membrane of a sheep's nose they can drive the sheep insane; the ewes stop giving milk and the lambs stop growing. So the shepherd anoints his sheep with an oil-like repellent that keeps the enemy at bay and the flock at peace. Second, to heal wounds. Most wounds result from living with the flock. So the shepherd regularly inspects his sheep because he doesn't want today's wound to become tomorrow's infection. Whether circumstances are driving you crazy, or you've just been wounded as a result of living with the flock, always go to the Shepherd. Before you go to anybody else, go to God because 'He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds' (Psalm 147:3 NIV). Then, bow before Him. In order to be anointed the sheep must lower their heads and let the shepherd apply the oil. Humble yourself, call on the Lord. 'God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him... he will not be slow to answer them' (Luke 18:7 NCV). David writes, '...I shall be anointed with fresh oil' (Psalm 92:10). Yesterday's oil is quickly contaminated by the dirt and grime of the journey, so you must go to God daily and ask Him to empower you with His Spirit. A sheep doesn't understand how the oil works, but it doesn't have to. It's enough to know that something happens in the presence of its shepherd that happens nowhere else.

UNSWERVING HOPE

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UNSWERVING HOPE                                  Monday - October 25, 2010

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

On August 5, 2010, the San Jose Copper and Gold Mine collapsed. Trapped below were 33 miners. For the first seventeen days, the men lived in darkness. No contact with the outside world.
Immediately after the accident, word reached the miners’ families and they traveled to the Chilean desert. Along with rescuers, a tent city sprung up. It was dubbed “Camp Hope.”
Around the clock prayer began.
Then on August 22, rescuers were able to dig a borehole 2,257 feet underground to an emergency shelter room where the 33 miners had taken refuge. Through a television camera, they could tell all were alive and healthy. Camp Hope became the spotlight of the world as rescuers began for rescue operations.
But it wasn’t until October 13, after being trapped for 69 days, that all 33 miners were rescued. The twenty-seventh miner to be rescued was Franklin Lobos. His daughter asked how it felt to have her father back. She replied: “It is quite simple, today my father has been born again.”

No matter what trial we find ourselves, our Hope lies above in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He is our Rescuer and our Hope. 

“One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear. For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.” – Bodie Thoene

God’s Word: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” – Colossians 1:22-23

Facing Death with Confidence

Facing Death with Confidence 23 Oct 2010 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me...' Psalm 23:4 One day Jesus will come and take each of us to His house. 'How do we get there?' you ask. 'Through the valley of the shadow of death.' This verse is quoted at the graves of paupers and carved on the headstones of presidents for a couple of reasons. First because we must all face death. Some senior citizens were lounging on the patio of their retirement community. One looked up as a large flock of birds flew overhead. He nudged his buddy who'd dozed off, 'Frank, you'd better move around a little, those vultures look like they're closing in on us.' The Bible says, '...it is appointed unto men once to die...' (Hebrews 9:27). Sooner or later the buzzards will move in; will you be ready? It's also quoted to remind us that we don't have to face it alone. Donna Spratt writes, 'To begin a discussion on values, our youth pastor asked the teens this question: "What would you do if your doctor told you that you had only 24 hours to live?" The teens' responses were typically, "Be with friends and family." But the discussion came undone when Jason, our 13-year-old, said, "I'd get a second opinion."' When it comes to opinions about death, only one counts: 'Jesus said... "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"' (John 11:25-26 NIV). Rejoice, you won't have to make the journey alone. Furthermore, whatever you give up for Christ in this life will be nothing to what you inherit in the next.

He Gives Good Gifts “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father...” (James 1:17, NKJV) God has so many good and perfect gifts in store for you. Not only does He offer eternal life through His Son, Jesus, but the Bible is filled with His generous and abundant promises in this life. He wants to bless you with provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He wants to pour out His abundant favor on you and cause everything you touch to prosper. He wants to bless you with spiritual gifts and make you strong in your inner man. He wants you to enjoy your job and be proud of your work each day. These are all gifts from God. Every good gift from God is meant to draw us closer to Him. Often times, people have an idea about God based on past experiences. But today, I encourage you to let go of old mindsets and see God according to His Word. He is good and faithful, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! Seek Him today and experience the life of blessing He has in store for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for Your good and perfect gifts. I open my heart to You today and ask that You help me see Your goodness so that I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace and joy as I follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He Gives Good Gifts “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father...” (James 1:17, NKJV) God has so many good and perfect gifts in store for you. Not only does He offer eternal life through His Son, Jesus, but the Bible is filled with His generous and abundant promises in this life. He wants to bless you with provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He wants to pour out His abundant favor on you and cause everything you touch to prosper. He wants to bless you with spiritual gifts and make you strong in your inner man. He wants you to enjoy your job and be proud of your work each day. These are all gifts from God. Every good gift from God is meant to draw us closer to Him. Often times, people have an idea about God based on past experiences. But today, I encourage you to let go of old mindsets and see God according to His Word. He is good and faithful, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! Seek Him today and experience the life of blessing He has in store for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for Your good and perfect gifts. I open my heart to You today and ask that You help me see Your goodness so that I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace and joy as I follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

IN THE END, WE DIE

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IN THE END, WE DIE                                  Friday - October 22, 2010

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:27

In December 2004, Cambridge geneticist Aubrey de Grey wrote: "The first person to live to 1,000 might be 60 already." Dr. de Grey believes it will soon extend dramatically to 1,000. He explains why: “Ageing is a physical phenomenon happening to our bodies, so at some point in the future, as medicine becomes more and more powerful, we will inevitably be able to address ageing just as effectively as we address many diseases today.
I claim that we are close to that point because of the SENS (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence) project to prevent and cure ageing.
It is not just an idea: it's a very detailed plan to repair all the types of molecular and cellular damage that happen to us over time.
Dr. de Grey admitted man will not live forever: “We will still die, of course - from crossing the road carelessly, being bitten by snakes, catching a new flu variant etcetera - but not in the drawn-out way in which most of us die at present.”

No matter how man tries to extend our lives, we will eventually die and appear before Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that after death we will see our Savior’s face and live with Him forever.

“He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his foot in the grave.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22

It's All About Him!

It's All About Him! 22 Oct 2010 '...for his name's sake.' Psalm 23:3 Have you ever asked, 'How could God use someone like me?' The Psalmist answers, 'For his name's sake'! Only one name counts - and it's not yours! With the same intensity that God hates pride, He loves humility. His Word says, '...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' (James 4:6 NIV). So here are a few tips on staying humble. First, evaluate yourself honestly. Don't be like the beaver who told the rabbit as they stared up at the immense wall of Hoover Dam, 'No, I didn't actually build it myself. But it was based on an idea of mine.' The Bible says, 'Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself... but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities' (Romans 12:3-4 PHPS). Second, learn to celebrate others. Paul writes, '...don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves' (Philippians 2:3 NLT). Every goal scored in life is usually a team effort. Be like the little boy who came home from the auditions for the school play and announced, 'Mummy, I got the part. I've been chosen to sit in the audience and cheer.' When you can do that, your head finally fits your hat size. Finally, don't announce your success before it occurs. '...One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off' (1 Kings 20:11 NIV). When one of Charles Spurgeon's students proudly stepped up to preach, but came back down having failed miserably, Spurgeon supposedly said something like, 'If you'd gone up the way you came down, you'd have come down the way you went up.' God blesses our efforts only when they're done 'for his name's sake'.

Made Righteous Through Christ

Made Righteous Through Christ 21 Oct 2010 '...He leads me in the paths of righteousness...' Psalm 23:3 How could a God who is perfect live side by side in heaven with people like us who aren't? That's like asking if Oxford or Cambridge University could admit someone with no GCSEs. . Then what are we to do? Find a worthy substitute, or be lost for ever! That's where Jesus comes in; He's the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. It's the great transfer! At the cross God placed all our sins on Christ, and at the point of believing faith He places all Christ's righteousness on us. Awesome! Actor Kevin Bacon recalls when his six-year-old son saw the movie Footloose for the first time: ' "Hey, Dad, you know that part in the movie where you swing from the rafters? That's really cool, how did you do that?" I said, "Well, I didn't do that part... it was a stuntman." "What's a stuntman?" he asked. "That's someone who dresses like me and does things I can't do." "Oh," he replied, and walked out of the room looking a little confused. Later, he said, "Hey, Dad, you know that part in the movie where you spin around on that gym bar and land on your feet? How did you do that?" I said, "Well, I didn't do that either. That was a gymnastics double." "What's a gymnastics double?" he asked. "That's a guy who dresses in my clothes and does things I can't do." Then my son asked, "Dad, what did you do?" "I got all the glory," I sheepishly replied.' The songwriter put it this way: 'Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before Thy throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.'

THE NEW COVENANT

THE NEW COVENANT                                  Thursday - October 21, 2010

“By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” – Hebrews 8:13

Soon after the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776, it took a lot of abuse. It was rolled and unrolled countless times. It was tossed in a trunk or stuffed in a linen bag and whisked away every time the British Army got too near. And for 35 years, beginning in 1841, it was hung on a wall in the Patent Office in Washington, D.C., across from a sunny window.
The document was so badly faded that in a quote from the Public Ledger in 1876, when the Declaration was taken off that wall and transported to Philadelphia for the centennial. "Its aspect is ... faded and time-worn," the Ledger noted on May 8 of that year. "The text is fully legible, but the major part of the signatures are so pale as to be only dimly discernible in the strongest light ... and some are wholly invisible, the spaces which contained them presenting only a blank."
Because light damages the ink, in 1987 the National Archives and Records Administration placed the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in a special argon gas chamber and had a $3 million camera and computerized system installed to monitor the condition of the documents. 
The Librarian of Congress, Archibald MacLeish, described the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "these fragile objects which bear so great a weight of meaning to our people."

Old, fragile covenants have disappeared and are replaced by the “new” living and eternal covenant we have in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that the old covenant has faded and we have a vibrant new life found in Jesus.

“It is a new heart-righteousness which the prophets foresaw as one of the blessings of the Messianic age. ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts.’ God promised to Jeremiah. How would he do it? He told Ezekiel ‘I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes.’” – John Stott 

God’s Word: “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” – 1 Corinthians 11:25

Have You Lost Your Peace of Mind?

Have You Lost Your Peace of Mind? 20 Oct 2010 'He restoreth my soul [peace of mind]...' Psalm 23:3 When life overwhelms us we usually look for one of two things. We may look for somebody with all the answers. The trouble is, when you look to someone for that which only God can provide, you set that person up to fail and yourself up to be disappointed. Alternatively, we may look for somewhere with fewer problems. Paul Harvey wrote, 'After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, Patricia Christy vowed she was going to leave on the first plane. She was determined to get as far away from the horror of hurricane damage as she possibly could and have a restful vacation.' Harvey said, 'I just heard from Patricia Christy. She was standing in line for fresh water on the Hawaiian Island Kauai, having just gone through Hurricane Iniki!' Sheep get anxious when storms come, predators roar, or they're forced to move to unfamiliar territory. How do they handle such times? By moving closer to the shepherd! Have you lost your peace of mind today? Read the following Scriptures; they'll help you move closer to your Shepherd: 'But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them...' (Psalm 5:11 NKJV). 'The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...' (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV). 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You' (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV). 'The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him' (Nahum 1:7 NKJV). For 'The Lord remembers us and will bless us...' (Psalm 115:12 NIV).

THE SUPERIOR MEDIATOR

THE SUPERIOR MEDIATOR                                  Wednesday - October 20, 2010

“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.” – Hebrews 8:6

In 2002, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work “to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” 
It was Carter who in 1978 brokered the Camp David Accords that were signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. It was a peace that has lasted now for 32 years.
Jimmy Carter’s latest success came in June 2008. The U.S.-based Carter Center reported that Colombia and Ecuador have agreed to restore some diplomatic ties following mediation efforts by former the U.S. President. Lacking any official authority, the Carter Center has become a trusted broker for peace, serving as a channel for dialogue and negotiation.

Jesus Christ is the superior mediator of all time. He was able to successfully mediate the difference between sinful man and Holy God by giving His life as a Holy Sacrifice. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is our trusted mediator. 

“Christ’s work as Mediator is unique; it was to restore us to divine favor and to make us sons of God” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” – 1 Timothy 2:5

As Your Soul Prospers “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2, KJV) In the New Testament, John prayed that we would prosper and be in health “as our souls prosper.” One translation says “as you are strong in spirit.” God wants your inner man to be strong and healthy because your internal condition affects your external condition. If you are healthy in your soul, you will be healthy in your relationships, finances and every area. On the other hand, if your internal condition is negative, sour and defeated, then your life will reflect the same thing. How do you become strong and healthy in your soul? First of all, by making Jesus your Lord and Savior and dedicating every area of your life to Him. Then, as you meditate on and follow His Word, you are giving strength to your inner man. You are programming your mind and heart in the right direction. You are setting yourself up to prosper and be in health in every area of your life! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for choosing me and setting me up to prosper in this life. Today, I dedicate every area of my heart and mind to You. Strengthen my inner man by Your Spirit today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Observe to Do “Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7, NKJV) The Bible has a lot to say about prosperity. Prosperity simply means thriving, vibrant and alive. It’s a picture of vitality. When you are prosperous, you have more than enough to give to others. That means more peace, more grace, more hope, more love. The key to receiving all these spiritual blessings is found in today’s verse. When we are careful to “observe to do” what God has commanded, we are setting ourselves up for success. We are engaging in His system of doing things; and when we do things God’s way, we get God’s results! Today, choose to “observe to do” what God has commanded. Invite Him to search your heart and mind and remove anything that is displeasing to Him. Put Him first because when you make Him your number one priority, you are setting yourself up to prosper wherever you go. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I choose to put You first place in every area of my life. I submit myself to Your Word that I may follow You and be blessed in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Will 'Be There' for You

God Will 'Be There' for You 19 Oct 2010 '...he leadeth me beside the still waters.' Psalm 23:2 Philip Yancey says, 'Faith means trusting in advance, what will only make sense in reverse.' If you fear the future, look back and see how God took care of you in the past. 'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness... The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him' (Lamentations 3:21-25 NIV). You say, 'I don't know what I'll do if my loved one dies.' You will - when the time comes. You say, 'I don't know how I'll pay these bills.' Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, will be there - when the time comes. You say, 'I'm not qualified to handle this, there's too much I don't know.' Maybe you want to know everything too soon. God will give you wisdom - when the time comes. The key is to meet today's problems with today's strength, and leave tomorrow in God's hands. During World War II, Arthur Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, found it hard to sleep or rid his mind of fear until he adopted these words from the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light': 'I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.' And God isn't going to let you see the distant scene either. No, He promises a lamp for your feet, not a crystal ball for your future. 'He leadeth me' and that's enough for today. And tomorrow? '...we will find grace to help us when we need it...' (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).

OUR PERMANENT PASTOR

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OUR PERMANENT PASTOR                                  Tuesday - October 19, 2010

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” – Hebrews 7:23-24

On Christmas 2007, Heliodore Mejak, age 98, died in Kansas City. He held the longest tenure of a Roman Catholic priest in the U.S.
“To be that old and to continue to function and to care for the community, that certainly shows his dedication and his love for his people,” said Thomas Tank, vicar general of the archdiocese. Mejak became a priest in 1935 and he served 72 years under seven popes.
On August 1, 1944, Mejak said his first Mass at Holy Family Church in Kansas City, Kansas. And for the next sixty-three years he served that church.
“He was a stellar priest,” said Mary Ann Grelinger, a former parishioner. “He said Mass every day. He never took a day off or a vacation.”
“He was very humble, very loyal and a gentle man,” said 77 year old Father Charles Andalikiewicz, who was a boy in Mejak’s parish and is now a fellow priest. 

We have a permanent Priest, Pastor and Friend in Jesus Christ. His ministry is eternal. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has a permanent priesthood.

“There can be no vacancy in this (Christ’s) priesthood, no hour nor moment in which the people are without a priest to negotiate their spiritual concerns in heaven. Such a vacancy might be very dangerous and prejudicial to them; but this is their safety and happiness, that this ever-living high priest is able to save to the utmost—in all times, in all cases, in every juncture—all who come to God by him” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

You'll Accomplish More by Learning to Do Less

You'll Accomplish More by Learning to Do Less 18 Oct 2010 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...' Psalm 23:2 Are you like the man who said, 'The devil never takes a vacation, so why should I?' Since when did the devil become your role model? The words 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures' teach us that only the shepherd can choose the path, prepare the pasture, and protect us. Our role is simply to follow, feed and fellowship with Him. Getting the idea? Of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses, which one do you think required the most words? Adultery? No, that only took five words. Murder? No, that only took four words. The longest of the Ten Commandments is about taking a day off: 96 words! (Exodus 20:8-11). God knows us so well: He knew the store owner would say, 'Somebody's got to work that day; if I can't my son will.' So God says, 'Nor thy son.' 'Then my daughter will.' 'Nor thy daughter.' 'Then an employee.' 'Nor thy manservant.' God says, 'One day a week you'll say no to work and yes to worship. You'll slow down, sit down, lie down and rest. After all, I rested on the seventh day and the world didn't crash. So repeat after me, "It's not my job to run the world."' Charles Spurgeon said, 'Even the sea pauses at ebb and flood; earth keeps the Sabbath of the wintery months, and man must rest or faint, trim his lamp or let it burn low. In the long term we shall do more, by sometimes doing less.' The bottom line is that if you honour God's principles you will find rest for your body, mind and emotions.

	Abundant Life Today “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV) Are you living the abundant life Jesus came to give? I’m not talking about living in the fanciest house or driving the newest car. No, His promise of abundant life goes way beyond material things that this world offers. Abundant life means “life to the full.” That means no matter what is going on around you, you can partake of the full blessings of God. You can have peace in the midst of a storm. You can have joy when things are uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem hopeless. A lot of times it’s easy, as believers, to look at that verse and think, “God is going to give me abundant life someday.” But the truth is that God wants you to have abundant life TODAY! Don’t waste another second living in mediocrity or settling for less than God’s best. Receive His blessings by faith today. Receive His hope, joy, strength and favor. Declare that you are living the abundant life today and every day! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus so that I can have eternal life. I know that You want the best for me. Help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You so that I can walk in Your ways all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.