There was…honey…And he took thereof.’ Judges 14:8-9

Look for the honey! In their book, The Laws of Lifetime Growth, authors Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura explain, ‘Continual learning is essential for lifetime growth. You can have a great deal of experience and be no smarter for all the things you’ve done, seen, and heard. Experience alone is no guarantee of lifetime growth. But if you regularly transform your experiences into new lessons, you’ll make each day of your life a source of growth. The smartest people are those who can transform even the smallest events or situations into breakthroughs in thinking and action. Look at all of life as a school and every experience as a lesson, and your learning will always be greater than your experience.’ In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charles Schulz shows Charlie Brown at the beach building a magnificent sandcastle. It’s a work of art. As he stands back to admire it, it is suddenly destroyed by a big wave. In the last frame he says, ‘There must be a lesson here, but for the life of me I don’t know what it is.’ That’s how many of us feel after a potentially valuable experience. We go through it but don’t grow. We attend meetings designed to help us learn, then do nothing with what we’ve heard after closing our notebooks. Don’t get excited about a learning event, get excited about learning! And you haven’t really learned it until you’ve applied it. A few days after slaying a lion, Samson returned to the scene of victory and discovered two things in the carcass: a) bees, that sting and b) honey that tastes sweet. ‘And he took thereof.’ In life, move beyond the pain and look for the hone

Be willing to start small...'FOR WHO HATH DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?...'ZECHARIAH 4:10KJV

DL Moody became a spokesman for God and a changer of nations. But if you'd met him early in life you wouldn't have thought it was possible. Although he was raised in church, he was spiritually ignorant. When he moved to Boston he began attending a Bible-preaching church. In April of 1855, a Sunday school teacher came to the shoe shop where he worked and led him to Christ. A month later, when he applied to become a member of that church, it was clear that he knew nothing about the Bible. One of his Sunday school teacher later wrote, 'I've never met anyone who seemed less likely to become a Christian of clear and decided views, much less fill any place of public usefulness,' So they asked him to take a year of Bible study. During his interview with the membership committee a year later, his answers were only slightly improved. He was barely literate and used atrocious grammer. Nobody on that church committee thought God would ever use him. But they were wrong. And the people who say you will never amount to anything for God,are wrong too! Every oak tree starts as an acorn. Jesus began in a stable but He didn't stay there. David was a speherd boy with a slingshot but he became Israel's greatest king. Joseph was a prisoner but he became prime minister. Understand this: you are a seed capable of producing a harvest for God. So take all that you have and all that you are,place it into God's hands and be willing to start small.

How to handle temptation...'...SUBMIT TO GO. RESIST THE DEVIL...'JAMES 4:7 NKJV

When it comes to emptation, remember these seven things: 1) Never say 'never.' You never become so spiritual that you're immune. 'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be abble to bear it' ( 1 corinthians 10:13 NKJV). 2) Realise you can stumble on the last lap. Because you haven't blown it yet, doesn't mean you can't. satan is a master of timing, and he's in no particular hurry. 3) Acknowledge your basic drives. St Augustine said, 'There is nothing more powerful in bringing down the spirit of a man the caresses of a woman. ' Your flesh is powerful; once indulged it will always want more. 4) Understand that you are responsible. Sin is a choice. When you chose to abuse God's grace you pay the price, either now or later. 'Do not be deceived...whatever a man sows,that he will also reap' (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). 5) You're not a helpless pawn. You may not be to change what happened yesterday, but your choice,
How to Handle Temptation 6 Audio Tapes (How to Handle Temptation)

‘Don’t get worked up.’ Matthew 6:34 TM

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet’s overflowing, and the car’s leaking fluid. No wonder you’re stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God’s still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God’s bigger than your problem: ‘Don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.’ (2) Don’t think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it’s a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, ‘I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful’ (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn’t have your name on it, don’t pick it up! Stress comes from micro-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren’t yours. Establish healthy boundaries. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, ask God to show you how much to get involved in the lives of friends and family. (4) Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough. Ever heard the expression ‘hitting the wall’? Runners use it when they’re exhausted and feel like giving up. But seasoned athletes know if they push through the pain they’ll get their second wind and experience a ‘runner’s high’ that’ll carry them over the finish line. So keep going; by God’s grace you’ll make it!

Cultivate a thankful heart!‘I will bless the Lord at all times.’ Psalm 34:1

David said, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ A thankful heart should be a way of life for us. But did you know that it can save your life? When Jonah disobeyed God and ended up inside the whale, he told the Lord, ‘I will sacrifice to You with…thanksgiving’ (Jonah 2:9 NKJV). When he did, God made the fish spit him up on dry land. When you’re in the pits and all hell is breaking loose around you, that’s when you need to raise your voice in praise. Nothing demonstrates trust, like thanking God when you’re in the throes of crisis. A thankful heart does two things: 1) It builds your faith. The reason ‘we [can] walk by faith [and] not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 NAS), is because we know that regardless of the circumstances, God’s working on our behalf (Romans 8:28). David said, ‘Magnify the Lord with me’(Psalms 34:3). To magnify something is to enlarge it. When you focus on God instead of the problem, God becomes bigger and the problem becomes smaller. Plus, ‘Faith cometh by hearing…the word of God’ (Romans 10:17). Hearing God’s promises coming from your own lips, causes faith to rise in your heart. So start talking! 2) It restores life. Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father…thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me’ (John 11:41-42 NKJV). Something wonderful happens when you start thanking God for saving, protecting and providing for you. Your faith soars. You gain the confidence to command those things in your life that you thought were dead, to live again. So, cultivate a thankful heart!

Forgiveness ( 3 )...‘…could never have made it apart from…mercy.’ 1 Timothy 1:15-17 TM

If you’re finding it hard to forgive yourself for something you’ve done in the past, it may be that you’re reaping what you have sown. And it’s particularly hard (but not impossible) to keep from feeling bad when you’ve condemned somebody else for doing the same thing. Here’s a scriptural truth you need to understand, accept and live by: as long as you’re alive you will have to keep forgiving yourself and others! When guilt and condemnation tell you your sins are too big for God’s forgiveness, remember what Paul said: ‘Jesus…came…to save sinners. I’m proof – Public Sinner Number One …someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy…evidence of his endless patience.’ Before his conversion Paul persecuted the church, killing and torturing believers. It’s how he made his living! And if he could learn to forgive himself, you can too! In fact, when you don’t you’re implying that your transgressions are beyond the scope of God’s grace to forgive and Jesus’ blood to cleanse. And that’s a bigger sin – pride! Plus, when somebody always has ‘issues’ with other people, they may be looking for somebody to offend them; that way they can point out how bad the other person is and feel better about themselves. Pride and a judgmental attitude feed off each other the way humility feeds off forgiveness. God said, ‘I am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake. And I will not remember your sins’ (Isaiah 43:25 NASB). When you adopt a humble attitude and work on forgiving yourself the way God has, it’s a lot easier to overlook other people’s mistakes. Give it a try; you’ll be amazed!

Forgiveness ( 2 )...‘People insulted Christ, but…He let God…take care of him.’ 1 Peter 2:23 NCV

A little boy who'd been rude to his Mum started sneaking off upstairs. 'Where you going, young man?' she asked. 'To my room to talk to God,' he replied. 'Isn't there something you want to tell me first?' she said. 'Nope,' he said, 'You'll just get mad. God will forgive me and forget about it.' Long after you think you've forgiven somebody you can still be harbouring hard feelings. Here are some clues that you've still got work to do: you get angry thinking about what happened; you give the offender the cold shoulder; you rehearse the incident mentally and in conversation; you seize every opportunity to remind the offender of what they did. Refusing to forgive and forget is just another way of justifying an unforgiving attitude. The Bible says there are two things God won't share: (1) His glory (See Isaiah 42:8); (2) His right to settle old scores. He said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay' (Romans 12:19). Don't usurp His authority by trying to get even; take your hands off the situation and let Him work it out. When 'People insulted Christ…he did not insult them in return…He let God…who judges rightly, take care of him.' A grudge shackles you to the offender and you become the hostage! Dwelling on something your parents did, or on how an associate took credit for your work, or on what someone said about you, makes you, not them, miserable. You walk around in turmoil and they don't even know you're upset! Why give somebody that kind of control over your life? What's important is what happens in you, not to you. So forgive, forget, and move on!

Forgiveness ( 1 )..‘Forgive –only then ll ur heavenly Father wipe ur slate clean.’Mark 11:25 TM

How heavy is a glass of water? That depends on how long you have to carry it. A minute is no problem and after an hour your arm might ache. But after 24 hours you'll probably be in bad shape! In each instance the glass weighs exactly the same, but the longer you carry it the heavier it feels. And it's the same with a grudge; it can get so heavy it stops you from living. People will hurt you; that's the reality of sharing this planet with others. Sometimes it's intentional, other times they've no idea they upset you, far less broken your heart. Does that mean you should go around pretending nothing's wrong? No, the first step is to confront your feelings. And when the hurt is deep, it's even harder to forgive. That's when you need to pray, 'Lord, change my heart and heal me.' Jesus said, 'Pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV). When you do that something unexpected happens; your heart softens and you start seeing them through God's eyes instead of your raw emotions. Jesus said, 'If you have anything against someone, forgive – only then will your heavenly Father…wipe your slate clean.' When you sow unforgiveness you reap unforgiveness, even from God! Isaac is a prime example of practicing forgiveness. During a drought he dug wells that his enemies moved in and claimed. But instead of retaliating, he moved on and dug new ones. As a result God filled Isaac's empty wells and promised to bless him and his children too! (See Genesis 26:22-23). And He will fill the emptiness in your life, when you forgive those who have hurt you.

Stay Focused ( 4 )...‘Forgetting the past.’ Philippians 3:13 NLT 'Forgetting the past.' Philippians 3:13 NLT

Notice: (1) Focused people don't live in the past. Too many of us yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Instead we should learn from the past and let go of it. Elbert Hubbard wrote, 'A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is a token of greatness. Successful people forget. They're running a race. They can't afford to look behind. Their eye is on the finish line. They're too big to let little things disturb them. If anyone does them wrong, they consider the source and keep cool. It's only the small people who cherish revenge. Be a good forgetter… success demands it.' (2) Focused people don't think about the difficulties, but the rewards. If you dwell on the difficulties too long you'll start to develop self-pity instead of self-discipline. As a result you'll accomplish less and less. By focusing on results you'll stay encouraged. Make Christ your example. 'He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards' (Hebrews 12:2 TLB). (3) Focused people choose their friends carefully. Here are five types of people you'll encounter: (a) Refreshers; who strengthen your faith and energise you. (b) Refiners; who sharpen you and clarify your vision. (c) Reflectors; who mirror your energy, neither adding to nor subtracting from it. (d) Reducers; who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level. (e) Rejecters; who don't understand you or what God's called you to do. So, remain focused and you'll stay grounded; the praise of others is less likely to go to your head, and the negative impact of your critics will be minimised.

Stay Focused ( 2 )...Proverbs 4:27 NIV 'Do not swerve to the right or the left.' Proverbs 4:27 NIV

Focus does three things for you: (1) It keeps you on target. We find ourselves pulled in a dozen different directions, spending much of our time and energy on things we don't really care about. Author Don Marquis put it this way: 'Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, and are willing to go through hell to get it.' The Bible says: 'Let your eyes look straight ahead…Do not swerve to the right or the left' (Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV). (2) It increases your energy. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. Focus gives you energy. Admiral Richard Byrd, the Polar explorer, said, 'Few men come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.' One of the reasons those wells go untapped is lack of focus. The mind doesn't reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives. (3) It lifts you. It's been said that 'the world stands aside to let anyone pass, who knows where he or she is going.' In a sea of mediocrity, just knowing what you want to do and making an effort to pursue it, distinguishes you from almost everybody else. Henry David Thoreau asked, 'Do you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated?' Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated even if you don't accomplish what you desire, and even if others don't step aside for you. By trusting God and aiming higher, you move to a higher level.

Stay Focused ( 3 )...Proverbs 3:6 'Acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' Proverbs 3:6

When it comes to staying focused, keep in mind: (1) Focused people always look for a better way. What got you where you are won't necessarily get you where you need to be. A family who moved into a new neighbourhood got a late start one morning. As a result their six year old missed her school bus. Though it would make him late for work her father agreed to take her to school if she gave him directions. After 20 minutes of going in circles they finally arrived at the school, which turned out to be only a few blocks away from where they lived. Steaming, her dad asked why she drove him all over the place when the school was so close to home. 'We went the way the school bus does,' she said. 'That's the only way I know.' (2) Focused people concentrate a little harder and a little longer. Hall of Fame baseball player Hank Aaron says, 'What separates a superstar from the average ballplayer is that he concentrates just a little bit longer.' Focused thinking is the ability to remove distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate with clarity. (3) Focused people make commitments, not excuses. A sign on the desk of an officer at the Pentagon read: 'The secrecy of my job does not permit me to know what I'm doing.' It's a cute joke, but not so cute when it's true. When you don't know what you're doing, you become frustrated and end up failing. That's why praying and getting direction from God is critical for your life. 'In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.'

Stay Focused ( 1 )...Philippians 3:15 TM 'Let's keep focused…those of us who want everything God has for us.' Philippians 3:15 TM

You become effective by being selective. It's human nature to get distracted. We're like gyroscopes, spinning around at a frantic pace but not getting anywhere. Without a clear purpose you keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, etc., hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think, 'This time it will be different,' but it doesn't solve your real problem; lack of focus. The power of focusing can be seen in light. With a magnifying glass the rays of the sun can set paper on fire. But when light is focused even more as a laser beam, it can cut through steel. Nothing is as potent as a focused life. The men and women who make the greatest difference in life are the most focused. For instance, the Apostle Paul said, 'I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing' (Philippians 3:13 TLB). Paul's obsession was to make Christ known. So if you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Turn away from even good activities and do only that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity. Poet William Matthews wrote, 'One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth a hundred shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day when so many things are clamouring for attention is concentration – to bend our energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left.' Does focus come easily or naturally? No, it's a discipline that must be practiced every day

WORK HARD SO YOU CAN…RECEIVE HIS APPROVAL.’ 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NLT

Moses spent 80 years preparing for a job that would last 40. That’s a two-to-one ratio of preparation to execution. The greater the goal, the greater the preparation! Much of your life can be spent getting ready for what seems like a brief season and assignment. But to be able to say at the end, ‘I have finished my course’ is to have lived successfully, and that’s the same whether you are called to run a marathon or a 100-yard sprint. Before passing the torch to Timothy, Paul says, ‘Work hard so you can…receive his approval.’ Who does God use? People who prepare well. Whether you’re called to business, education, politics, art, medicine or ministry, this principle remains; God uses prepared people. The price tag required for long-term success cannot be lowered. We all want what successful people have; we’re just not all willing to pay the price they paid to achieve it. You must be prepared when your opportunities come. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘I will prepare and some day my chance will come.’ Benjamin Disraeli said, ‘The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.’ When the fate of the Jews hung in the balance, Mordecai told Esther that her experience in the king’s palace had prepared her, ‘For such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14). She responded and the Jews were saved. All these people had talent, prepared themselves and made the most of their opportunities when they arose. So your greatest challenge is not lack of opportunity, but being ready when it comes.

‘IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.’ PROVERBS 3:6

One of the most important questions you must ask yourself is, ‘What am I supposed to prepare for?’ You don’t want to be like the Miss America contestant who recently told a late-night TV talk show host, ‘My goal is to bring world peace – and get my own apartment.’ Ask God what you’re supposed to do and keep asking until you get clear instructions as to your next step (or for that matter, your first step!). There are timeless principles in the Bible that work, whether you’re walking with God or going your own way. So be careful that you are not using God, rather than allowing God to use you. ‘In all thy ways acknowledge [consult, listen and submit to] him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. The humbling truth is, all achievements will eventually be surpassed, records will be broken, reputations will fade and tributes will be forgotten. In college Dr James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s tennis champion. He felt very proud when his trophy was prominently placed in a display cabinet. Years later someone mailed him that trophy; they had found it in a trash can when the school was remodelled. Dobson says, ‘Given enough time, all your trophies will be trashed by someone else.’ Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. You weren’t put here to be remembered, you were put here to do God’s will and to prepare for eternity. If you’re wise you’ll keep that in mind!

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV
It's not enough to get prepared, you must stay prepared. We're being told that knowledge is doubling every five years. So if you don't keep growing, you'll end up with coping skills that no longer match the challenge you face in the world you live in. It's estimated that many doctors are so busy taking care of patients, they are years behind the latest developments in their field. If you or a loved one gets ill, that could become a real concern for you. Preparation doesn't begin with what you do; it begins with what you believe. If you believe that success tomorrow depends on what you do today, you'll treat today differently. A wise sailor studies the weather before he goes to sea because he knows that avoiding a storm is easier than getting out of one. Howard Coonley of the American National Standards Institute stated, 'The leader of the future will be rated by his ability to anticipate problems, rather than to meet them as they come.' Preparation is not merely an event, it's a perspective. Abraham Lincoln said, 'If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe.' As a young man Lincoln had split rails with an axe, so he knew the value of staying sharp. Wisdom always prompted him to prepare; whether he was getting ready to cut wood, study law on his own to pass the bar or lead the nation. This is why your Bible says, 'Hold on to instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well, for it is your life.'

The way up when life get you down...( 2 )..JAMES 5:17 NIV

'ELIJAH WAS…JUST LIKE US.' JAMES 5:17 NIV
What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognises our limitations, even when we don't. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out' (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude. God understands that being down is a 'perspective' problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: 1) He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. 'Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you' (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spend time with Him; otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! 2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, 'God's covenant is broken, His altar destroyed, His prophets murdered, and I'm the only one left' (v14). But God showed Elijah that He still had the necessary resources and strategies to accomplish His purposes, even in a hostile environment 3) He adjusted Elijah's self-perspective. The prophet saw himself as helpless and inadequate: 'Lord, let me die, for I am no better than those who preceded me' (v4). But God showed him there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and that Elijah had an important role to play (v16). 4) He provided a helper. He sent Elisha to minister to him (v21). You're not supposed to carry it all alone! Allow yourself to need help, and watch whom God puts in your life to support you.

The way up when life get you down...( 1 )..JAMES 5:17 NIV

There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's Word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who 'was just like us.' How come he got so far down? 1) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (1 Kings 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defences down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. 2) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one woman, Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Fear made him forget God's power; it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. 3) He became isolated. Elijah left his servant at Beersheba and journeyed into the wilderness alone (1 Kings 19:3-4). When you most need support, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy and fear of failure, will push you into isolation. At that point you're in the worst possible company; your own. Elijah thought, 'I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me' (vs10, 14 NIV). Translated: 'It's bad and I can't see it getting better!' When you're down, it isn't the time to isolate. That's when you need to reach for God and the people who love you, who can help you back up.

When you are on Overload...( 3 )...‘Don’t get worked up.’ Matthew 6:34 TM

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet's overflowing, and the car's leaking fluid. No wonder you're stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem: 'Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' (2) Don't think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, 'I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful' (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn't have your name on it, don't pick it up! Stress comes from micro-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren't yours. Establish healthy boundaries. If you're not sure what's appropriate, ask God to show you how much to get involved in the lives of friends and family. (4) Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough. Ever heard the expression 'hitting the wall'? Runners use it when they're exhausted and feel like giving up. But seasoned athletes know if they push through the pain they'll get their second wind and experience a 'runner's high' that'll carry them over the finish line. So keep going; by God's grace you'll make it!

When you are on Overload...( 2 )..‘‘I’m awake all night.’ Psalm 77:4 TM

You can't escape stress, but you can learn to cope with it by taking control of your life in small but important ways. Here are two: (1) Think about someone other than yourself. David was so frazzled that he was awake all night. Ever been there? That's when you need to 'Let…praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down' (Philippians 4:6 TM). Elijah was depressed and suicidal when God showed him how to help himself. How? By leaving the cave he was hiding in, and going out and ministering to others. Focusing on something other than yourself gives you perspective. Paul says, the 'God of all healing counsel…comes alongside…when we go through hard times…and…brings us alongside someone else…going through hard times so…we can be there for that person…as God was there for us' (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TM). Do you need help? Reach out to others. It's in 'connecting' that we are made whole! (2) Don't get bitter. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, 'Nothing creates more deep-seated anxiety, than the false assumption that life should be free from anxieties.' When somebody you trust betrays or disappoints you or you're struggling financially after tithing faithfully for years, it's easy to feel hard-done-by. But 'Don't…become bitter' (Hebrews 12:15 CEV); it destroys relationships and cuts you off from God's presence. The answer is learning to 'thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you…to live' (1 Thessalonians 5:18 TM).

Learn to walk away! ’MARK 6:31 NIV... 'GET SOME REST.'MARK 6:31 NIV

One of the hardest things to do is 'take a break'without feeling guilty and selfish;or worse,feeling like a failure because everything on your 'to do'list didn't get done. Here's a news flash;there will always be more to do!One of your biggest challenges will be learning the difference between setting high standards for yourself and setting unrealistic,impossible onces.
We claw our way to success then discover we don't like the presures that go with it.So what should we do? Learn to walk away!Jesus did.'The Jesus did. 'The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done...Then,becuase so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,he said to them,'come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'So thgey went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place'(Mark 6:30-32 NIV). Jesus understand that if you don't take a break,you'll break! So: (a) make a lisst of the things that only you can do,then delegate the rest or let them go;(b)learn to take small steps and celebrate small accomplishments for that's what life is made of;(c)don't allow the stuff that's undone,to undo you.(d) strive for balance;don't become addicted to what you enjoy;(e)don't allow overachievers to put you into overdrive.You're in for the long haul.You win when you pace yourself;(f)take time for the people who matter,otherwise you'll lose them.Busyness is a destroyer of relationships.All the sucess in the world won't compensate for the joy and treasure of your family and your loved ones!

When you are on Overload...( 1 )...‘When I was…beside myself, you calmed me down.’ Psalm 94:19 'When I was…beside myself, you calmed me down.' Psalm 94:19 TM

Before a violin can produce music, stress must be put on the strings. But pull them too tightly and they'll snap. The same is true of you. Enough stress gets the juices flowing and helps you do what needs to be done, but beyond that you snap. Someone quipped, 'You know you're on overload when you've no time to cook a TV dinner, the cat's on tranquilisers, and family reunions have to be mediated by law enforcement!' Seriously, before it gets to that point, do two things: (1) Ask for help: During Hurricane Katrina eight dolphins were swept out of their aquarium into the sea, but because they stuck together they were rescued. If one had tried to go it alone he'd have perished. When you're alone too much you lose perspective. If the enemy can isolate you, he can influence you. God designed His family to stay connected. Or as Paul says, 'So that all the members care for each other' (1 Corinthians 12:25 NLT). (2) Get real with God: Under stress the surge of negative emotions can be overwhelming, and unless you unburden your soul before God you'll explode at the wrong people. The Psalmist addresses this: 'Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you' (Psalm 55:22 NIV). 'Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us' (Psalm 62:8 NKJV). It's no mere coincidence that many of the Psalms start out with the Psalmist crying out to God for help, and end up with him rejoicing because he vented his pent-up frustrations.

Making a lasting different...'I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.' 2 Peter 1:15 NIV

Some of us think we deserve respect simply because of our position. No, respect must be earned; daily. General J. Lawton Collins asserted, 'No matter how brilliant a man may be he will never engender confidence in his subordinates and associates if he lacks honesty and moral courage.' Ultimately, all the skills in the world won't save you if your character is flawed. Author Stephen Covey writes, 'If I try to use human influence strategies and tactics to get other people to do what I want…and my character is fundamentally flawed…in the long run I cannot be successful. My duplicity will breed distrust, and everything I do will be perceived as manipulative.' It makes no difference how good the rhetoric is or even how good the intentions are; if there is little or no trust, there is no foundation for permanent success. Character can be built, but only slowly. If you want to know how long it will take you to get to the top, consult a calendar. If you want to know how long it will take you to fall to the bottom, try a stopwatch. Dreams become shattered, possibilities are lost, organisations crumble and people are hurt when a person doesn't have character protecting his talent. Character provides the opportunity for longevity in any career, any relationship, and any worthwhile goal. Author and Pastor J.R. Miller wrote, 'The only thing that walks back from the grave with the mourners and refuses to be buried, is the character of a man.' What a man is, survives him, and that makes a lasting difference!

Are you a workaholic?...PROVERBS 3:6 TLB..‘PUT GOD FIRST, AND HE WILL…CROWN YOUR EFFORTS ...

'DON'T GET WORKED UP ABOUT…TOMORROW.' MATTHEW 6:34 TM
Max Lucado says, 'Worry is to joy, what a vacuum cleaner is to dirt; you
might as well attach your heart to a happiness-sucker and flip the switch.'
Jesus said, 'Don't get worked up about…tomorrow. God will help you deal
with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' When it looks like
things are falling apart, Paul reminds us, 'Every detail in our lives… is
worked into something good' (Romans 8:28 TM). When it seems like the world'gone mad, don't forget God 'existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together' (Colossians 1:17 NLT). When worry whispers, 'God doesn't know what you need,' remember God promised to 'take care of everything you need' (Philippians 4:19 TM). Jesus taught us to pray, 'Give us this day our daily bread.' You won't get the wisdom or resources to handle tomorrow's problems until you need them. When we 'go confidently to the throne…[we'll] find kindness, which will help us at the right time' (Hebrews 4:16 GWT). Over a century ago Charles Spurgeon said: 'Enough for today is all we can enjoy. We cannot eat, drink, or wear more than today's supply of food and clothing. The surplus gives us the care of storing it and the anxiety that someone might steal it. One staff aids a traveller; a bunch of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is as good as a feast, and more than gluttony can enjoy. Enough is all we should expect; a craving for more is ungratefulness. When our Father doesn't give you more, be content with your daily allowance.'

Get more sleep...‘He gives His beloved sleep.’ Psalm 127:2 NKJV

Illness, stress, family problems, job demands, etc., rob us of sleep. And when we constantly run on low battery power it shows up in our attitudes, our relationships and our performance. The Bible says: 1) ‘It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.’ 2) ‘I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8 NKJV). 3) ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet’ (Proverbs 3:24 NKJV). Sleep is an act of trust: when you go to sleep the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. When you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will give you the grace needed. Jeremiah said, ‘After this I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me’ (Jeremiah 31:26 NKJV). Ever tried to pray when you were suffering from sleep deficit? It’s hard to do. Before Elijah was able to spend prolonged time in prayer the angel of the Lord made him take not one, but two long naps. Contrast that with the disciples in Gethsemane who couldn’t pray because they kept falling asleep. Know what? It’s hard to think, feel and act like Jesus when you lack sleep. That’s why ‘He gives His beloved sleep.’ Maybe the most spiritual thing you could do is get to bed earlier and wake up refreshed so you’re ready to fulfil God’s purposes for your day.

In the Intensive Care waiting room...1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV

‘If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.’ 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV

We keep saying that relationships are more important to us than anything else, but our actions don’t show it. We constantly short-change our friends and loved ones for the sake of money, or ‘getting ahead.’ Relationships are like flowers; if you don’t nurture and protect them, they die. That’s why Paul writes: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Sometimes it takes heartache and crisis to remind us how irreplaceable the people in our lives are. One author writes: ‘I have spent long hours in the Intensive Care waiting room watching anguished people, listening to urgent questions: “Will my husband make it?” “Will my child walk again?” “How do you live without your companion of 30 years?” The Intensive Care waiting room is different from any other place in the world. And the people who wait are different. They can’t do enough for each other. No one is rude. The distinctions of race and class melt away. The garbage man loves his wife as much as the university professor loves his, and everyone understands this. Each person pulls for everyone else. In the Intensive Care waiting room the world changes. Vanity and pretence vanish. The universe is focused on the doctor’s next report. If only it will show improvement. Everyone knows that loving someone else is what life is all about. Could we learn to love like that, if we realised that every day of life, is like a day in the Intensive Care waiting room?’

Accepting yourself..‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 CEV

‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 CEV

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Only by loving yourself in a healthy way, can you love others the way God intended. When you don’t love yourself you live with insecurity, and you keep looking to others for approval. When you don’t get it, your self-worth shrivels.
Click Here!As a result, you live far beneath your potential. You are the only person you can’t get away from, so unless you learn to accept yourself, you’ll be miserable. Stop and think about the last time you were around somebody you didn’t enjoy being with; how did it feel? Whether good or bad, you project onto others the thoughts and feelings you have about yourself. So if you want people to think well of you, have a good opinion of yourself; one that’s based on God’s Word and nurtured by the right relationships. No question, the Bible cautions us about having an over inflated opinion of ourselves. But don’t go to the other extreme! Living with continual self-rejection is an open invitation to Satan, who is always ‘sneaking around to find someone to attack’ (1 Peter 5:8 CEV).
Click Here! Don’t play into his hands! Paul writes: ‘Nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature’ (Romans 7:18 NIV). That means the good qualities you do possess, are evidence that God is at work in your life. So be sure to acknowledge them. The Bible says, ‘We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us’ (2 Corinthians 4:7). Instead of focusing on your flaws and feeling bad about yourself, recognise the ‘treasure’ of God’s presence, power, and potential that lives within you, and build on it.

A famous singer..‘ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP.’ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 NIV

‘ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP.’ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 NIV

A famous singer was to perform at the Grand Opera House. The concert hall was packed. Suddenly the house manager announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen I regret that due to illness our special guest will be unable to perform this evening. But we’ve found another singer, an equally great talent, so would you please give her a warm welcome.’ The crowd groaned so loudly that nobody even heard the singer’s name. You could feel the disappointment everywhere. The stand-in singer gave it everything she had but when it was over all she got was brief scattered applause followed by uncomfortable silence. Suddenly in the balcony a child stood up and shouted, ‘Mommy, I think you’re wonderful!’ Realising what had happened, the crowd jumped to their feet and gave her a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes. There are people in your life today who are bleeding emotionally, crumbling under the load they silently carry, who never hear the words, ‘I think you’re wonderful.’ Why? (a) Because we never learned how to say them. But we can learn; it’s not too late! (b) We don’t think they need to hear them because they seem so strong. Paul writes, ‘There was no rest for us…Battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy…so was the news he brought’ (See 2 Corinthians 7:5-8 NLT). Even the Apostle Paul needed encouragement! So God sends in Titus. ‘His presence was a joy…so was the news he brought.’ God needs more encouragers like Titus. Today you can be one of them!

How long will this attack last?.’ Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

‘Having done all…stand.’ Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

How long will this attack last? The size of the prize determines the severity of the fight. The enemy knows your vulnerabilities and he’ll push you to your limits. When he does, remember: ‘Blessed is the man who endures…when he has been approved, he will receive the crown’ (James 1:12 NKJV). ‘Approved’ means victory qualifies you for greater things. ‘Endures’ means your staying power is being tested. So, ‘having done all…stand.’ You say, ‘How long will this attack last?’ The prince of darkness hindered Daniel’s prayers for twenty-one days (Daniel 10:13). Goliath defied the armies of Israel forty days and nights (1 Samuel 17). Your enemy is relentless; you must be, too. When it comes to prayer, your persistence overcomes his resistance. ‘You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise’ (Hebrews 10:36 NKJV). David didn’t get into trouble with Bathsheba until he left the battlefield. It’s the safest place to be. So stay there, keep fighting and God will come to your aid. When Joshua needed extra time to defeat his enemies, the sun stood still. God was saying, ‘As long as the sun doesn’t go down you won’t go down either, for the same power that’s holding it up is holding you up.’ Isn’t that great? Jesus healed people in different ways. Some He spoke to, others He touched. One day He told ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priest. And the Bible says: ‘As they went, they were cleansed’ (Luke 17:14). They were probably wondering, ‘When will it happen? How will it happen?’ Faith doesn’t demand details, it just keeps moving obediently forward, believing God for the right result!

A lot of us grew up believing there’s a Mr. Right...

‘LET HIM HAVE ALL YOUR WORRIES AND CARES.’ 1 PETER 5:7 TLB
A lot of us grew up believing there’s a Mr. Right out there who can ride in on a white horse with no troubles of his own and make everything wonderful for us. The truth is Mr. Right is probably looking for somebody to answer his own ‘help wanted’ ad. Do you really think someone is going to come looking for the kind of weight your problems would lay on them? Even if they are willing (and most are not), are they able? Men are not God. Only the Lord can restore what you’ve lost and make your life what it ought to be. So start talking to the right person – God! Things will begin to improve when you stop looking for Mr. Right to be the antibiotic to all of life’s infections and the answer to all of life’s questions. Only God can heal what you’ve been trying to cure, or demand emotionally from others. He alone can ride into your situation on the wings of hope and put things together. One touch of His hand can bring you peace, even in the midst of the most tragic events that seem meaningless. Yes, He’s the One who can relieve your pain and bring order to your chaotic world. The question is, will you let Him? We become so self-reliant that we’re no longer God-reliant; we don’t seek God so we end up ‘playing God.’ Don’t do that any more! Reach for Him today and let Him help you: ‘Let [God] have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.’

Don't discard your tomorrows!... 'TOMORROW THE LORD WILL DO WONDERS AMONG YOU.'JOSHUA 3:5 NAS

Your Future Starts Today Don't Give Up
Your yesterdays have made you what you're today,but your tomorrows can make you what God always intended you to become.Joshua was talking to a nation whose yesterdays were a long list of repeated failures and rebellion against God.They had been convicted,judged, punished and reinstated frequently by the God they do flagrantly sinned against. Surely, they ought to have been cut off from Him, stripped of any future blessing. But 'Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you .'Consecrate yourself, relign yourself with God's plans and watch Him begin to work in your life. Just when the enemy has you convinced that with your past God couldn't possibly have a future for you,He calls you to prepare yourself so He can bless you. God is fully aware of your yesterday, but He's much more focused on your tomorrows. Why do we discard our tomorrows when we so desperatly need them? When Jesus cried, 'It is finished!' (John 19:30), His disciples misundersood and concluded it was all over. So they slipped away to contemplate the tomorrow they thought would never be. But with God, every ending is a new beginning, and three mornings later the angel announced the resurrection and the new tomorrow that would guarantee the future for all believers.'It (your yesterday) is finished! Don't give up tommorrows by building monuments to your past failures. Acknowledge, confess and release your yesterdays to the crucified Christ. 'Consecrate younrselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'

Christian Books For You

Be careful what you commit to! …WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?...MATHEW 22:36 NIV

When Jesus was asked, ‘Which is the commandment?’ He answered’…”Love the Lord…and …Love your neigbour as yourself 2’ (Mathew 22:37-39 NIV). So our greatest with things that keeps us from doing this. The Bible says: No one serving as soldiers gets involved in civilian affairs; he wants to please his commanding officer’ (2 Timothy 2:4 NIV). In other words careful what commit to. There are three types of commitment: 1) Dramatic commitments. Like getting married or buying a home. Unfortunately, we don’t consider the hidden costs. When we buy a house we think only of the additional square footage, not the extra hour each day commuting to work or the time taken away from our family 2) Routine commitments. These may look mundane, but don’t underestimate their power. Any parent who’s signed up their child for a sports team knows the time-consuming potential of the routine commitments. 3) Unspoken commitments these are commitment we make to ourselves, but often fail to keep. In life, the dramatic commitments receive most of our attention, but the routine ones end up controlling us. Because there are so many of them and because they come on a daily basis and individually look so small, we don’t sense the gap growing between what we say matters most to us and what we’re actually doing with our lives. So Jesus simplified it.’ “Lord…and…Love your neighbour….(Mathew 22:37-39 NIV). When you measure your life by that yardstick, you’ve a better chance of living by the right commitments.

Forgive them, and let it go…FORGIVE WHATEVER GRIEVANCE YOU MAY HAVE…COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV

…FORGIVE WHATEVER GRIEVANCE YOU MAY HAVE…COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV
We talk about grudges the way we talk about babies. You can hold a grudge, carry a grudge bear a grudge, or nurse a grudge. The trouble is, when you nurse something you feed it, make it grow and pretty soon it’s full grown. Are you carrying a grudge? Why? It doesn’t make sense. Why would you pick up something each day that weight you down and carry it around with you? But they hurt m.’ Yes, but by carrying a grudge you enable them to keep hurting you. Don’t do that do that to yourself! We know we’re supposed to forgive other people, but sometimes forgiving feels like we are giving up something. One of Lincoln’s stories we about a man on his sickbed who had been told by the doctor that he didn’t have much time to live. He summoned an old friend named Brown with whom he’d quarreled bitterly. They didn’t spoken for years. The man talked of how he was going to die soon of how their petty differences looked in the face of death, and asked if they might be reconciled. The scene moved everyone in the room to tear. Brown clasped the dying man’s hands, embraced him, and turned to walk out of room, a shattered man. Suddenly the man. Suddenly the man on the sickbed, having one final thought, raised himself up on one elbow and spoke for the last time: ‘But see here, Brown; If I recover, the old grudge still stands. ’This story make us smile and think, ‘How foolish! But if you are carrying grudge, are you any different.

Loving people...LOVE ONE ANOTHER…’JOHN 15:12 NKJV

Love One Another: Becoming the Church Jesus Longs for
Loving people is only a vague concept, unless we do these five things: 1) People are insecure; give them confidence. Beneath their façade lie memories of a painful past and anxiety over what’s coming their way next. Tell them God says,’… I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrew 13:5 NKJV). When nothing else works, God’s Word does. 2) People you need to feel special compliant them. Do it when they least expect it, and it’s clear you seek nothing in return. Mary Kay Ash, founder of a major cosmetics company in the USA, said everyone has an invisible sign hanging around their neck saying, “Make me feel important!” ‘Notice how often God’s Words tells us how much He love us, how special we are, and His plans for us 3) People are looking for a better tomorrow: give them hope. Let them know that when you put God in the center of your life, your future can be better than your past. ‘… as long as he sought the Lord, God mad him prosper’ (2 Chronicles 26:5NKJV). 4) People need to be understood; listen to them. The trouble is this takes more time than we’re willing to give. We’re in too much of a hurry to hand out hand out advice and move on, and doesn’t work. Before people can be fixed,’ they must feel understood. 5) People need role (Corinthian 11:1 NIV). Too often we’re unaware of the example, as I and the impression we’re making. Like it or not, what you do and don’t do, influences others. When you leave this world, what you leave behind is your influence.

Recovering from loss...POUR OUT HEART BEFORE HIM… PSALM 62:8 NKJV

Recovering from Losses in Life
Here are five keys to recovering from loss: 1) Process your grief. Emotions like fear, anger, worry depression, resentment, helplessness and grief are normal. It’s no good to suppress them or deny they exist. God created us to feel; He doesn’t expect us to act happy when we’re grieving. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mathew 5:4NIV). Be honest with God. ‘Pour out your heart before Him. (Psalm 62:8 NIV) and He will comfort you. 2) Accept help. It’s a mistake to isolate yourself in the aftermath of a tragedy. We all need the encouragement and support of others. We’re called to carry one another’s burdens’ and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2NKJV). 3) Choose the right response. When you choose bitterness, you hurt yourselves and shut the door on happiness because you can’t be happy and bitter at the same time. During some recent California welfares there were victims who said, ‘We’ve lost everything and we’re sad, but we’ll work together as a family and rebuild. ‘Others said, ‘My life’s over! I can’t go on…I‘ll never recover.’ You can choose to believe you’re on your own, or that God’s with you and bounce back. 4) Know your joy comes from God. There’s no correlation between your circumstances and your joy. Joy comes from within; it’s based on whom you trust not what you see and feel. 5) Concentrate on what you have left, not on what you have lost. Make a list of the good things in your life, and thank God for what you still have. It’s impossible to be grateful and hopeless at the same time.

Rhapsody of Realities - July 2010

Making the tough calls...THE LORD IS ON MY SIDE; I WILL NOT FEAR…PSALM 118:6 NKJV

All the heroes of the Bible were flawed. And personally wise they were as different as chalk and cheese. But they’d one thing in common: they were willing to make the tough calls. Observe: 1) Tough calls demand risk. When the Soviet Union overran and annexed Latvia in 1940, the US Vice consul in Riga was concerned that the American Red Cross supplies in that city would be looted. To guard against it he requested permission from the state Department in Washington, DC to place an American flag above the Red Cross to deter anyone from talking the supplies. ‘No precedent exists for such action, the Secretary of State’s Office cabled back. When the Vice Consul receive message he climbed up and personally nailed the American flag to pole, then he cabled the State Department: ‘As of this date, I have established Precedent.’2) Tough calls require character. Chuck SwindollJesus: The Greatest Life of All (Great Lives Series) writes: ‘Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody’s looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty. Like standing alone when you’re misunderstood. ‘Whether you lead a family, a business or a church, the temptation to complain comes easy. Thank God for the tough times they’re the reason you’re there – to be the leader. If everything was going well you wouldn’t be needed when the tough calls must be made, your confidence can be found in these words: the Lord is on my side; I will not fear….’ (Psalm 118:6NKJV)

Thinking of quitting? Don’t BE STEADFAST…1 CORTHIANS 15:58 NKJV

George Frederic Handel was a musical prodigy. At twenty one he was keyboard virtuoso. When he turned to composing he gained immediate fame and soon was appointed Kapellmeister to the Elector of Hanover (later King George 1 of England). When Handel moved to England his renown grew. By the time he was forty he was world famous. But despite his talent and fame he faces considerable adversity. Rivalry with England composer was fierce. Audiences were fickle; sometimes they didn’t turn out for his performances. He was the victim of the changing political winds. Several times he found himself on the verge of bankruptcy. His problems were compounded by failing health. He suffered as stroke which left the right arm limp and damaged the use of four fingers in his right hand. Although he recovered, it left him battling depression. Finally, at fifty – six, Handel decided it was time to retire. Discouraged, miserable and consumed with debt, he felt certain he’d and in a debtor’s prison. So on April 18, 1741, he gave what the considered his farewell concert. Disappointed and filled with self pity, he gave up. But that year something incredible happened. Wealthy friends named Charles Jennings encourage Handel by visiting him and giving him a libretto based on the life of Christ. The work intrigued Handel, so he began writing. Immediately the floodgates of inspiration opened. For three weeks he wrote almost nonstop. Then he spent another two days creating the orchestrations. In twenty-four days he had completed the 260-page manuscript of the messiah. Thinking of quitting? Don’t! Be steadfast.’

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Time – make the most of it! PSALM 90:12 NKJV

‘…TEACH US TO NUMBER DAYS…’PSALM 90:12 NKJV
"Under the blue canopy of Heaven": An open air workers' handbook
Our days are like identical suitcases, but some people pack more into them than others That’s because they know what to pack. Everybody gets twenty-four hours, but not everybody gets the same return on them. The truth is, you don’t manage your time, you manage your life. Time cannot be controlled; it marches on no matter what you do. Nobody, no matter how shrewd, can save minutes from one day to spend in another. No scientist is capable of creating new minutes. With all his wealth Warren Buffet can’t buy additional hours for his day. People talk about trying to ‘find time,’ but they need to quit looking: there isn’t any extra lying around. Twenty-four hours is the best any of us is going to get. Wise people understand that time is their most precious commodity. As a result, they know where their time goes. They continually analyse how they are using their time and ask themselves, ‘Am I getting the best use out of my time?’ In his book What To Do Between Birth and Death: The Art of Growing up, Charles Spezzano writes: ‘You don’t really pay for things with money; you pay for them with time. We say, “In five years, I’ll have enough money put away for that vocation house we want. Then I’ll slow down. “That means the house will cost you five years; one-twelfth of your adult life Translate the pound value of the house, car or anything else into time, and then see if it’s still worth it.Buy Your Daily Devotional Rhapsody of Realities ’Rhapsody of Realities July Edition

Comfort in troubled times. PSALM 46:5 NIV

Rhapsody of Realities - July 2010

‘…GOD WILL HELP HER AT BREAK OF DAY. PSALM 46:5 NIV
When your world is suddenly turned upside down, remember, God’s plans for your life haven’t been cancelled! When you feel trapped with no way out, here are some things to remember: (1) Look for the river. ‘There is a river whose streams make glad…. (Psalm 46:4 NIV). In Old Testament symbolism, rivers represent God’s supply for your every need. When every human source of supply seems to have dried up, don’t fear look for the river. (2) Look for the city. God has planted His’….city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells (Psalm 46:4 NIV), right in the middle of your circumstances. God’s city, the symbol of His presence and power, guarantees He’s still in control and that He will restore peace and order to your troubled world. (3) Look for the signs of God’s presence. ‘God will help [you] at break of day’ (Psalm 46:5 NIV), Daybreak, a symbol of new beginnings, gives you confidence that beyond this time of trouble and testing, a new day is at hand. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23 NLT). (4) Come...see the works of the Lord…‘ (Psalm 46:8 NIV). Reviewing the record of His mighty acts builds your faith and reminds you that He is the‘…same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). If He took care of you then, He will take care of you now. (5) Look to God and be at peace. Based on the tested and proven foundation of His power and faithfulness you can live by Scripture, ‘Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10NIV).

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