Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

[WorshipRaiser]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Did this one is school - It's a Sonnet

MUSIC (Gospel Ofcourse)

Playing music so loud
And yet not by one's self, but together
In a band, better for them and us, sweeter
For the entire crowd
But why do they sing?
And why do they play?
I want them to say
And give me some explanation; something
They say they use a gift from God;
It's a language to express one's self
And send a message to the nations.
I know some find obsession odd
Emotions in a shell must never be
I am now a musician.

Kinda rough cause I couldn't find the finished product.

By the way - This is not the one I was talking about "u know urself" [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Excerpt from today's Early Lights Daily Devotional

...knowing God intimately is one of the keys to dealing with worry. Those who handle anxiety well, inwardly and outwardly, know God in a deeply personal way. They are the ones who calmly proceed while the rest of us are drowning in stress. When we ask them “how” they do it, we hear, “Read the Word. Pray. Trust God.” These simple statements point to a way of life rather than a method. That way of life is centered on Jesus and is spent learning to know Him in His fullness.

Man’s methods for handling anxiety serve only to distract or numb us from stress. God’s way is to reveal who He is through the Holy Spirit’s teaching and, in the process, replace our fretfulness with His peace.

[Vonnie]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

John 8:12

Jesus spoke again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

[Vonnie]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Remember there's no cloud too dark for God's light to penetrate, If we keep on believing and have faith enough to wait.

HSR

[DC]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

A few of Life's ObservationsH.Jackson Brown Jr.

·Don’t expect the best gifts to come wrapped in pretty paper.
·Never miss a chance to dance with your wife/husband
·Remember that just the moment you say, “I give up,” someone else seeing the same situation is saying, “My, What a great opportunity.!”
·Remember everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.
·Don’t judge people by their relatives
·Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it’s the only way to live life completely.
·In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
·Talk slow, but think quick
·Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship
·Marry a woman/man you love to talk to. As you get older, her/his conversational skills will be as important as any other.
·Don’t let weeds grow around your dreams
·Pray. There is immeasurable power in it.
·Never risk what you can’t afford to lose

[Dailybread]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Does Prayer Change Things?

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.


Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you ~ the problem isn't always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

~ Teressa Vowell ~

[Vonnie]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Thank you DB.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Truly best

The easiest thing to do when the alarm clock rings would be to roll over and go back to sleep. Yet if you made that choice every day you would never get anything accomplished.

The easiest thing to do when troubles come your way would be to look for someone else to blame. Yet even if you find who is to blame, that's not going to remedy the situation.

The easiest thing to do when faced with a challenge would be to run away and hide. Yet when you do that, the challenge becomes even more difficult the next time you encounter it, and eventually you'll be unable to avoid it.

Taking the easy way out is never really easy, not in the long run. Rather than seeking the easiest choice, seek the choice that will fill your life and your world with the most value.

Rather than avoiding effort, welcome that effort and the progress it will bring. Instead of being enticed by the empty promises of an easy answer, enjoy the rich rewards of holding out for the best answer.

When you have the choice, forget what is easiest and go with what is truly best.-- Ralph Marston

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Solving Problems Through Prayer...2 Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat had admonished Israel to return to the Lord, reminding a rebellious nation of the God who had freed it from bondage in Egypt and sustained it through much adversity. Then came the report that three tribes were mounting an attack on Israel.

Jehoshaphat’s response was a godly example not only for Israel but also for us today. The king’s first act was to immediately seek the Lord. By doing so, Jehoshaphat inherently demonstrated the knowledge that God is interested in all of man’s problems and that nothing is bigger than God.

Becoming a Christian does not give us a free ride from the problems of life. When we encounter trouble, our first response always should be to seek the Lord.

God will give us a solution to the problem–in His timing. We may have to wait for His answer. The wait may be long. He often uses such times to mold our character and to teach us principles He knows we lack. Sometimes, we’re not ready for His perfect answer, so He has to prepare us.

Finally, God’s answer to our Christ-centered (not problem-centered) prayers usually requires an act of faith on our part. Sometimes–as with having a choir lead an army into battle–His plans won’t immediately make sense. But they are perfect. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass" (1 Thessalonians 5:24)...Early Lights Daily Devotional

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

God’s Guide to a Fruitful Life
MATTHEW 28:16-20

As Christians, we long to live a fruitful life, pleasing to God. To live in this way, we need a guide who will help us.

Lord, won’t you be our guide?

Yes, I am willing. As we travel, I want you to remember that I know where I am going. Every stop along the way is designed to make you into the fruitful branch you long to be. Dear one, the way may be through snow-covered mountains, over rock-strewn paths, or down into green valleys that will tempt you to linger. Will you keep your eyes on Me and follow whether it’s easy or hard?

Yes, Lord.

Then let’s begin your first lesson. You need to step where I step.

But, Lord, your footprints are too far apart for me.

No, I will adjust them for you.

I know You’ll walk too fast.

I’ll never walk faster than I know you can travel.

I get tired easily.

I’ll lend you my arm when you need help.

What if I stumble?

I’ll pick you up and heal your hurts. The second lesson is this: You are to follow Me even though you cannot see Me.

Lord, how will I know where to walk?

Use your guide book, the Bible. Refer to it often for direction and for reassurance that I am with You and continue to guide you.

Lord, what if I become confused?

Remember my teachings. Remember who I am and trust Me. Call out to Me, and I will answer you.

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

"Call to Me, and I will answer you." Jeremiah 33:3

Almighty God, as I begin a new day filled with opportunities masquerading as complex problems, I claim your promise, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). I know that no matter how intense my problems, You are with me. The bigger the problem, the more all-encompassing Your abiding presence will be. And the more complex the problem, the greater will be the wisdom You offer. Equal to the strain of each problem will come the strength You give.

Thank you for this time of quiet with You in which I can receive the peace of knowing that I am loved and forgiven, the healing of the hurts of harbored memories, the answers to problems that often seem unsolvable and the vision for solutions that otherwise would be beyond my human understanding. I praise You that to know You is my greatest joy and to serve you is life's greatest delight. I pray this in the name of Him who came to give us abundant life.

---"Quiet Moments With God" - Lloyd John Ogilvie

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

HE’S THERE
BY JOE MEDREK

In the wilderness, and
in the desert,
In the valley, or
rough places…
He’s there.

So speak to the Lord
as you walk through
each place,
for it’s in each trial
that you experience
His embrace.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

In The Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

Living A Life of Praise

Your quality decision to begin living a life of praise opens the door for God to do the miraculous in your life. Psalm 68:1-4 says that when you praise God, that praise causes your enemies to be blown away like smoke and melt like a candle in front of a fire. Your enemies are unable to remain in an atmosphere of praise because God inhabits praise; He dwells and lives in it (Psalm 22:3). There's nothing that stirs up the anointing like praise.

When you find yourself in the midst of a trial, continue to look beyond your present circumstances. Give God praise for the victory even if you can't see it yet. I know that it's tough to praise when you would rather cry; I've been there! However, if all you can do is raise your hands and whisper "Hallelujah," do it! That one "Hallelujah" will turn into another, and then another. Before you know it, you will be taking a full-blown praise break! When that happens, rest assured that victory is about to manifest.

Keep in mind that the negative situations that come against you are designed to cause sorrow, which is an enemy of praise. It stems from a sense of hopelessness and can break a person's spirit. Don't let sorrow stop you from praising God! I love Ecclesiastes 9:4-5 (AMP) which states, "[There is no exemption] but he who is joined to all the living has hope—for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; and they have no more reward [here], for the memory of them is forgotten." No matter how bad the situation looks, rejoice because you are alive!

In addition, you can attack sorrow with these scriptures:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away" (Isaiah 51:11).

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it…" (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).

* * * * *

Praise is not a one-time deal, but a continuous act of the will. Remind yourself of the benefits available to you through your salvation (Psalm 103:1-5) and stir yourself up by remembering all that God has, is, and will do for you. By maintaining high levels of joy in your heart, you will be able to praise God no matter what the situation looks like. Look out Devil: Here comes another praiser!

---Author Unknown

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection III

God’s Guide to a Fruitful Life...JOHN 15:4-8...Early Lights Daily Devotional

Child, I have more lessons for you to learn on this journey of fruitfulness. Lesson Three: I’m bringing others along on this journey with you. Look out for them.

Lord, I have enough to do—taking care of my stuff, checking the guidebook, and overcoming obstacles.

Child, you need to let go of your preoccupation with yourself and help others make the journey.

I can’t do more. I’m too busy.

I’ll sort through your priorities.

I’m too weary.

I’ll give you rest. Lesson Four: You need to submit to My plan whether you like the plan or not.

Will you explain what You are doing?

Sometimes, though not always.

What if Your plan makes no sense to me?

Do not rely on your own understanding; just keep walking where I direct.

What if I don’t want to go that way? What if it makes me too uncomfortable?

Ah, now we are at the heart of the matter, Lesson Five: A fruitful life is found only in a life surrendered to Me. It is characterized by an increasing likeness to Jesus in His fullness. It is filled with the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) In this relationship, I, the Lord, am in charge. Your part is to cooperate and submit to My plan. Now that you know the instructions, do you still want to follow? Think carefully.

Yes, Lord. To whom would I go? I believe You and want You as my guide.