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“When I look into the future, it’s so
bright it burns my eyes.”
Submitted by, Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
(From: How to be an UP person in a DOWN world).
When Abraham Lincoln was a boy he husked corn for three days to earn enough money to pay for a second-hand copy of the book,
“The life of Washington.” After he had read the book he announced,
“I don’t always intend to delve, grub, shuck corn, split rails, and the like.”
“What do you want to be now?” asked Mrs. Crawford.
Lincoln confidently replied, “ I’ll be President.”
Mrs. Crawford replied, “ You’d make a (purty) president with all your tricks and jokes, now, wouldn’t you?”
Abe responded with a confidence, “I’ll study and get ready, and my chance will come.” And so it came to pass.
So many people are acclaimed as “overnight success,” when in fact, they have studied and prepared, honed their talents and skills, and gained valuable experience and wisdom—until their “chance” came.
No time spent in rehearsal or practice is ever wasted in God’s economy. Everything we do is woven into His tapestry for our lives. Determine to spend a little time every day to develop your talents and learn new skills. Then when your chance comes, [YOU’LL BE READY].
“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God:
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it:
And I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”
Psalm 52:8-9
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“It’s better to keep one’s mouth shut and be thought
a fool, than to open it and resolve all doubt.”
(Many opinions are best left unvoiced).
Submitted by: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D
(From: How to be an UP person in a DOWN world).
In 1872, George Westinghouse, inventor and manufacturer [Washing machine], and many other inventions, applied for his first patent. It was for an automatic air brake that would function far more quickly and safely than the clumsy hand brakes in use at that time. The railroad companies were deeply suspicious of the invention, however!
One of the skeptics was Cornelius Vanderbilt, president of the New York Central Railroad. When Westinghouse wrote to him pointing out the advantages of the air brake, Vanderbilt returned the letter with this message scrawled at the bottom: “I have no time to waste on fools.”
Westinghouse next approached Alexander J. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who saw possibilities in the new brake and gave Westinghouse money to continue developing his invention. Tests on the brake were successful and word began to circulate among the railway industry that the invention would be available soon.
When the news reached Vanderbilt, he wrote Westinghouse, inviting him to come and see him. Back came the letter, with a message from the inventor scrawled on the bottom, “ I have no time to waste on fools.”
George Westinghouse.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21
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“Learning to Govern; By Learning to Obey!”
Matthew 25:23
“For all your days prepare, and meet them ever alike:
When you are the anvil, [BEAR]—When you are the
The hammer, [STRIKE].
Submitted by, Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
(From: How to BE an UP Person in a DOWN World).
The story is told of King Henry of Bavaria that at one point in his reign as king, he became very weary of court life and decided that he wanted to enter a monastery.
When King Henry presented himself to Prior Richard, the faithful Prior carefully explained to him the strict rules of the monastery.
The king listened intently and then expressed great pleasure at the prospect of such complete consecration to God.
The prior insisted that obedience to God and therefore, to him as God’s representative—obedience that was implicit as well as outwardly expressed—was the first requisite if Henry was to be a monk under his authority. King Henry vowed to follow his directions completely.
Prior Richard then said, “Go back to your throne and do your duty in the station God assigned you.”
The King took up his scepter, and from that day until the day he died, his people said of him, “King Henry has learned to govern by learning to obey.”
Each of us is under the authority of someone, and ultimately, we are under the authority of God. We each were created for a specific purpose in His plan. When we choose to obey God and fulfill His reason for our creation, we cannot help but succeed.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 25:23
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“Give Others a Piece of Your Heart,
Not a Piece of Your Mind!”
Submitted By, Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
(From: How to BE an UP Person in a DOWN World).
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32
During the first days of his presidency, while he and his family were still in their suite at the Willard Hotel in Washington, President Calvin Coolidge awoke early one morning to see a cat-burglar going through his clothes! He watched him removed his wallet and a watch chain, at which point he said, “ I wish you wouldn’t take that…I don’t mean the watch and chain, only the charm, Read what is engraved on the back of it.”
The burglar read, “Presented to Calvin Coolidge, Speaker of the House, by the Massachusetts General court.” Coolidge then identified himself as the newly elected president, persuaded the burglar to relinquish the watch charm, and then led him into a quiet conversation.
He learned that the young man and his college roommate were unable to pay their hotel bill and buy train tickets back to their campus. Coolidge counted out $ 32 from his wallet to the dazed young man, declared it to be a loan, and advised the student to leave as unconventionally as he had entered to avoid the Secret Service.
Coolidge told only two friends about the incident, one of them Frank MacCarthy, who wrote about it fifteen years after Coolidge’s death. According to MacCarthy, Coolidge said the young man repaid the loan in full.”
MERCY IS SOMETIMES MORE EFFECTIVE
THAN JUSTICE!
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“BE FERVENT IN SPIRIT, NEVER LACKING ZEAL.”
It Has Been Said:
“Every tomorrow has two handles. You can take hold of
the handle of anxiety or the handle of enthusiasm.
Upon your choice so will be the day!”
Submitted by, Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
(From: How to Be an UP person in a DOWN World).
Every person has been gifted by God in some way. Furthermore, he has a destined time, place and means of employing that gift so that it is effective for God’s eternal purpose. Nobody else can fulfill another person’s destiny—each person must fulfill his own. A gardener, who loves to garden can make plants thrive when no one else can. A dog trainer, who has a gift with animals, can make even the most stubborn pooch behave. A short-order cook can juggle six meals at once when most cooks can barely prepare one!
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”
Your gifts may be evident to others, or perhaps known only to you. Either way, never discount your gifts or think they are of little benefit to the world.
When you count your blessings, remember the unique gifts and talents God has given you. You have been “gifted” by the Supreme Gift Giver!
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
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“Step by Step”
A Poem by Barbara C. Ryberg
Submitted by: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph.D.
As we embark upon the New Year--the year 2012, God has given us. This poem, by Barbara C. Ryberg, reminds us, although our lives may appear to be a long chain of destiny (events), we need to take our lives one link at a time. This is to say, if we believe that our lives are in God’s hands, then we must believe that this includes every moment of our lives:
HE DOES NOT LEAD ME YEAR BY YEAR
NOR EVEN DAY BY DAY,
BUT STEP BY STEP MY PATH UNFOLD;
MY LORD DIRECTS MY WAY.
TOMORROW’S PLANS I DO NOT KNOW,
I ONLY KNOW THIS MINUTE;
BUT HE WIL SAY, “THIS IS THE WAY,
BY FAITH NOW WALK IN IT.”
AND I AM GLAD THAT IT IS SO,
TODAY’S ENOUGH TO BEAR;
AND WHEN TOMORROW COMES, HIS GRACE
SHALL FAR EXCEED ITS CARE.
WHAT NEED TO WORRY THEN, OR FRET?
THE GOD WHO GAVE HIS SON
HOLDS ALL MY MOMENTS IN HIS HAND
AND GIVES THEM, ONE BY ONE.
BE CONFIDENT THAT GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE!
“Take therefore no thought for the tomorrow:
for the tomorrow shall take thought for the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:34
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“Our Dignity Is Not What We Do
But In Who We Are!”
Job 7:17-18
“ What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou
shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit
him every morning, and try him every moment?”
As believer, we need to remember, it is not so much what we do, but who we are in Christ!
Read an interesting story just recently. For several years, a group of one dozen black men and one dozen white men met once a month to discuss a question that arose from racial disturbance in their city:
“who are these people, and how can we know them?”
One day a black pastor made a comment to two white men about remaining patient (not giving up). The statement seemed out of character to the men, who saw him as a make-it happen kind of leader. He explained, “When I arrived at my first church, weeds had taken the place over, the building was in shambles. Five pastors had come and gone in three years.
No one in the community had any confidence that I would be any different, so no one came to worship.
“My wife and I patched and painted and replaced the broken windows…I decided to prepare and preach my sermons as if the place were full. Finally, after [THREE STRAINED YEARS], God gave us one family. Slowly, over the next few months …God began to bless.”
Success had not produced this man’s character, radiance, or leadership, as his friends had thought. His inner character and the decision to act like a leader had been what led him to struggle and endure until he was successful. [Something to think about, if you are serving the Lord].
“A BEARING OF DIGNITY ALWAYS FLOWS
FROM INSIDE OUT.”
PSALM 8:4-5
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Christ Would Have Died For Just One--
Just As, He Did For Many!
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
and the forward mouth, do I hate.”
By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
I Read recently, about a man who was involved in the campus ministry to the students at a university. He invited a prominent, well-known Christian speaker to exhort the students on his campus. When the speaker showed up--there was only one student present. He refused to speak because he thought he was too “big” to speak only to one student!
Although the disheartened campus minister was so disappointed--later he was refreshed by reading the story of Edward Payson, a godly preacher of the time past.
One stormy Sunday, Edward Payson had only one person in his congregation. Payson preached his sermon as diligently and earnestly as if the Church had been filled with many eager listeners.
Some months later, his only listener went to see him. “ I was led to the Lord Jesus; the Savior in that service, in that day, (giving the date).”
For whenever you talked about sin, repentance, and salvation, I glanced around to see to whom you referred, but since there was no one there but me, I had no doubt that God is speaking to me!
Just think, what if Pastor Payson decided not to preach that day, because there was only one person in his congregation?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think;…”
ROMANS 12:3
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The "Noble" Peace Prize
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Romans 5:1
By Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted by Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in recognition of "his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China."1 Though still incarcerated by his government, Xiaobo advocates peaceful political change as he opposes the ruling Chinese Communist Party's monopoly on power. Peace. It's a universal quality man longs for, yet eludes many.
The apostle Paul could be a Nobel Peace Prize winner in the New Testament. Fighting against legalists who sought to imprison new believers with useless laws and regulations, Paul forcefully expounded his noble Christian-rights mission of peace and mercy.
As you seek peace, get rid of the external trappings in your life and ask the simple question: Is Christ in me? Putting your faith in Christ releases you from rules and rituals and allows you to walk in the freedom and newness that He gives. Believers are empowered by the Author of peace to be ambassadors of peace. Is there someone you know who is longing for peace?
God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C. S. Lewis
ADDED!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
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Surprising Conversions
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
Acts 9:5
By Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted By Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
As a mighty awakening rolled across New England in 1737, Rev. Jonathan Edwards compiled a pamphlet of revival stories. He titled it, A Narrative of Surprising Conversions. Over a hundred years later, William C. Conant wrote an updated version designed to include stories from the revivals of the 1800s. He used a similar title: Narratives of Surprising Conversions.
In a sense, every conversion is surprising. That God would reach down in infinite mercy and save any of us is a story of amazing grace. But the conversions of some souls are particularly surprising. No one expected Christianity's greatest enemy, Saul of Tarsus, to turn to Christ and become a great missionary. Paul later called himself the chief of sinners... "that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe" (1 Timothy 1:16).
Perhaps God will reach down and convert some strident anti-Christian voice today. Those who are the loudest may be the ones most secretly longing to believe. Let's pray for some more "surprising conversions."
It is wonderful that persons should be so suddenly and yet so greatly changed.
Jonathan Edwards in A Narrative of Surprising Conversions
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No God, or Know God
The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God."...
Psalm 14:1
By Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted By Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
Atheist Richard Dawkins recently told a newspaper that the Irish Constitution should be changed to remove all influence of the church. He referred to the church as an "evil" institution, and he expressed joy that secularism is growing in Ireland. How foolish! To be an atheist, one presupposes total knowledge. How arrogant to claim to have disproven the existence of God.
It's encouraging to know that despite the bluster of the atheists, Christianity is growing by leaps and bounds. In 1979, missiologist Patrick Johnstone was asked the most difficult places on earth for a Gospel breakthrough. He said Mongolia and Albania. Today there are at least 40,000 Mongolian believers, and Albania now has religious freedom and a thriving church. There are even reports that the church within Iran is growing at a remarkable pace; and according to the most recent edition of Operation World: "There are now Christians living and fellowshipping in every country on earth."
Don't be discouraged. There is a God and He is not silent.
Christianity is the greatest intellectual system the mind of man has ever touched.
Francis Schaeffer
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In His Time
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Psalm 37:7
By: Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted by: Dr. Salahshurian, Ph. D
We've often heard that it is wise to live within our means. But today financial advisors everywhere are saying this is no longer good enough--we need to live below our means. According to a recent study on the phrase, "Good things come to those who wait," people are making great strides. They are willing to pass up the immediate, smaller reward to wait for the bigger, more satisfying one.
As Christians, many of us are willing to pass on the immediate "thank you" for our service if we could just see people's lives changed as they come to know Christ. So the days, months, and even years pass without seeing any fruit from our efforts. And the truth is, as discouraged as we may become, we have to remember that God times the harvest, and we will reap in due season if we do not lose heart. And what, at times, seems futile here on earth is used by our Father. He sees our acts of service, He knows the intentions of our heart, and He will reap the harvest...in His perfect time.
God aims to exalt Himself by working for those who wait for Him.
John Piper
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BELIEVERS’ DAILY NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENTS:
“MAP,” “COMPASS,” & the “OLD PATHS.”
By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
11.07.11 P.M. Daily Devotion:
For the believer to navigate in this fallen world--he/she needs a map and a compass! Our map is the Bible and our compass is the Holy Spirit!
Two references in the Bible: Proverbs 16:25 and Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We are instructed to read the Word of God, the Bible daily, and listen for the voice of the Spirit!
Isaiah 30:21,”And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
11.08.11 A.M. Daily Devotion:
In light of the earlier devotion, ( 11.07.11 P.M.), when in this fallen-world, we make the Bible; God’s Word our road-map, and His Holy Spirit our compass, God will never let us down! He has given the following promises, to those who are: Meek, Keep His covenant & His Testimonies, and those who fear Him!
Psalm 25:9, “The [MEEK] will [He] guide in judgment: and the [MEEK] will [He] teach His way.
Psalm 25:10, “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his [COVENANT] and [His] [TESTIMONIES].
Psalm 25:12, “What man is he that [FEARETH] the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way that he shall choose.” See: V-14. Also!
11.08.11 P.M. Daily Devotion:
God has given us an added assurance; another “instrument,” how to navigate through the “woods/the jungle;” this fallen-world--run by the god of this world; the Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). And, that’s the “old paths,” the “good way,” where our forefathers walked therein! But how sad, many refused to walk therein! We Possess: Map, Compass, & “Old Paths
Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, [WE WILL NOT] walk therein.” At the end of the book of Jeremiah, we will find the price they paid for not walking therein! More under “Tracts & Pamphlets” www.theswordandshield.com
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"For my strength is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
By: C.H. Spurgeon
Submitted by: M.H. Salahshurian
A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and fordoing God's work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When God's warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts, "I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory," defeat is not far distant. God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength. He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for "it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace. Those who serve God must serve Him in His own way, and in His strength, or He will never accept their service. That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own. The mere fruits of the earth He casteth away; He will only reap that corn, the seed of which was sown from heaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun of divine love. God will empty out all that thou hast before He will put His own into thee; He will first clean out thy granaries before He will fill them with the finest of the wheat. The river of God is full of water; but not one drop of it flows from earthly springs. God will have no strength used in His battles but the strength which He Himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.
"When I am weak then am I strong,
Grace is my shield and Christ my song."
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A Tract
Unveiling the Pagan Customs of Halloween
“TRICK” or “TRUTH”
By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian Ph. D.
Looking into the history of Halloween, we find it to be filled with pagan customs—masquerading as Christian traditions. Christianity and true Christians do not endorse or embrace this pagan holiday. It started with the ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, in what is now known as Ireland, Great Britain and Northern France. The Celts were pagan nature worshippers who had many gods, including the sun. These Celts believed that the sun and many gods governed and controlled their work, prosperity and rest time. They believed the sun controlled the earth and kept it beautiful, and caused their crops to grow. The Celts observed the New Year on November 1, which marked the end of summer, the season of sun and harvest, followed by dark winter, the beginning of the season of cold and darkness.
From October 31 to November 2, the Celts celebrated a 48 hour ritual, the Vigil of Samhain –being pronounced “sow-in.” The Celts believed that Samhain, “the pagan lord of the dead,” assembled the souls of those who had died during the previous year, and were now deciding in what form they wanted to be for the next year.
They also believed, these souls would either pass on to human bodies or would live within the animals; being the most evil souls or spirits. The most evil of the bad souls, would take the form of cats, [black cats being on top of the list].
So, for the sake of their safety and their well-being, they put outside of their homes sweets, meat, vegetables, eggs, even honey and wine, so the evil spirits would consume them on their way back to the netherworld. [ the world of the dead; the underworld].
They thought failing to “treat “ these evil spirits might result in a curse to be put on the home or an individual. They literally believed that. So they thought, when these evil spirits came to your door, unless you “treated” them, they would “trick “ you!
This is the true origin of “Trick-or-Treat.” Do you still want to take your kids “Trick-or-Treating?”
How sad, Americans spend $ 2.5 Billion on Halloween each year. Halloween, is the second largest holiday in the United States, after Christmas, and it is catching up so fast…soon to become number one! Now that you know the true origin of Halloween, do you still think it is harmless fun? You might ask, why is it drawing so much attention then? THREE REASONS:
1- FOOD & FUN: Hearing, “ Trick or Treat,” from children, the three words bring back the childhood memories to most adults and they just cannot resist. Add to the sweets, the memories of masquerading as monsters, ghosts, witches, and fairies many adults give-in. The memories of going door-to-door , yelling “Trick-or-Treat,” watching their bags fill up with all sorts of fruits and nuts, candies and other goodies, obviously brings back child-like memories to anybody’s mind. What about those spooky costumes, tricks and colorful parades? It all looks like clean and innocent fun.
2- MONEY & MOTIVE: It is not by accident that some stores start displaying Halloween costumes around the later part of August. The motive obviously is, to build up excitement and anticipation, and in turn building up their bank accounts. It is obvious that those daily casual costumes, before October 30th will return and contribute $ 2.5 Billion to such a Satanic cause.
3- SATAN & SAMHAIN ( lord of the Dead). What about the so-called, Samhain, the lord of the Dead? The Bible reveals to us who he is. In Hebrews 2:14, we find that he is a defeated foe, and the Lord Jesus had destroyed him. “ …that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Those who celebrate Halloween, thinking they are serving God, are deceived into worshipping the god of this world, Satan, who is the father of lies and religious deception. See also: Galatians 4:8; Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; and John 8:44. Satan may have had power over death at one time, but he has no power any longer, for we read in 1 Corinthians 15:55 the Apostle Paul states that, “ O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?”
WHY SOME BELIEVERS ARE GETTING MIXED UP WITH THIS?
The fact is that, a long time ago, the believers decided to celebrate what was known as “All Saints Day,” on November 1st of every year. It was a special day to commemorate those saints of God who gave their lives to help others. In turn these believers wanted to reach out and help the other believers in dire need—in the name of those saints who had given their lives serving the Lord. The evening before this very important day of November 1st, was called a hallowed or holy evening-somewhat, a little like Christmas eve. During this, hallowed holy evening (Hallowe’en), the poor could go to the homes of those well to do, and who loved Jesus to ask for food.
Now you see how closely Satan has duplicated, just the day before, on October 31 Satan has come with his own plan to promote his wicked work.
NO TRICKS,…NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH:
When you come to Church tonight for our Fall Festival, you will get candy also.
But remember, candy doesn’t last very long. We also put in your bag a little leaflet and other godly tracts to tell you about someone who could give you the things that will last forever; THE ETERNAL LIFE. Now, this is no Trick, this is a real treat with honest TRUTH!
LET’S COMPARE:
1- Now, the Trick or Treat that the world offers you tells you, the devil tells you it is no fun, because you have no weird costumes on. The devil also tells you, you just are too young to follow Jesus now, you need to have fun. Jesus Himself knew about Satan’s Tricks. In John 10:10 He said this, “ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I Am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
2- The devil says, you need to make up your own mind, and need to be an adult before you receive Christ. The Bible says Jesus loved children and He wanted them to come to Him. said in Luke 18:16 “…Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” See also: Matthew 18:2-3; 2 Corinthians 6:2 .
3- The devil says, it is a free country, you need to live the way you want to live. The Bible says the way you live, not only effects you, it also effects people around you, especially your parents. The Bible says, you need to live in order to please God ( Galatians 6:7, 8 ).
4- The devil says, there is only one life, so get all you can before you die. The Bible says there is a life eternal, and this eternal life is received through the Lord Jesus (Romans 6:23; John 3:16-17).
5- Now, DO YOU STILL WANT TO TRUST WHAT A PUMPKINHEAD COULD OFFER YOU, OR DO YOU WANT TO TRUST IN JESUS AND THE TRUTH HE IS OFFERING YOU?
6- Now here is how you could pray to receive Jesus Christ.
a) Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner. b) I know that no man could pay for my sins, for all men born of Adam are sinful (Roms 5:12). C) I know you came and died on the Cross for me to pay for my sins. So I put my trust in you to forgive my sins and to receive eternal life. Amen!
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Walking by Faith
“And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (KJV).
Romans 4:21
By: Dr David Jeremiah
Submitted by: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D
Faith is keeping our spirits up when circumstances are down. It's basing our attitudes on what is promised in God's Word, not on what is unfolding in our world. Faith is being fully persuaded God has the power to do what He has said.
Once when Jesus was visiting Cana in Galilee, an official came from Capernaum with an urgent request. The man's son was dying, and the man begged Jesus to come heal him. Instead Jesus told the man to return home, for his son would recover. John 4:50-51 (KJV) "...Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.”
This man had literally turned and walked away by faith, and Jesus was as good as His word.
Are you anxious today?
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised. " (Hebrews 10:23, KJV).
Faith does not wait to understand. We have His word, and if it were not so, He would have told us.
Vance Havner
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Revive Us Again: The Revival of 1906
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
By: Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D
About a hundred years ago, a college student in Wales named Evan Roberts felt a passion for revival. Returning to his village of Loughor, he preached to seventeen people, and his sermon had four points: (1) Confess any known sin to God and put away any wrong done to others; (2) put away any doubtful habit; (3) obey the Holy Spirit promptly; and (4) confess faith in Christ openly.
By week's end, sixty people had been converted. Within three months 100,000 converts were added to the churches in Wales. The revival spread around the globe, and the years between 1904 and 1911 are remembered as the last years in which our world has experienced a truly global revival. A perusal of almost any ministerial or missionary biography during this era will document some level of revival in diverse parts of the earth.
Our globe needs another hundred-year revival! Let's follow the counsel of 2 Chronicles 7:14, praying that God will send a revival to heal our land.
The spiritual disciplines of 2 Chronicles 7:14 are not just conditions for true revival; they are the revival itself!
Lewis Drummond
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The Nourished Soul
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
1 Timothy 4:6
By Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted By Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph.D
In his 1729 Christian classic, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, William Law gave us the secret to a spiritual and productive life. "Nourish (your soul) with good works," he wrote, "make it wise with reading, enlighten it by meditation, make it tender with love, sweeten it with humility, humble it with penance, enliven it with Psalms and Hymns, and comfort it with frequent reflections on future glory."1
The normal Christian life is one of constant and continual revival. While longing for a global revival to sweep the earth or a local revival to touch our church, we can personally nourish our soul every day. We can grow wise by the reading of God's Word, become enlightened by meditating on memorized Scripture, learn to treat others with the tenderness of agape love, and display the sweet traits of humility and confession. We can bolster our spirits with hymns and songs, and we can comfort and strengthen our hearts by reflecting on heaven and on things above.
For renewal to take place, we have only to study God's blessed Word and let it do its work in our lives.
Regularity of devotion, this holiness of common life... is a devotion that is the duty of all orders of Christian people.
William Law
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The Rescuing Prince
Whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14:23
By: Dr. David Jeremiah
Submitted By: Dr. M.H. Salahshurian, Ph. D.
Nick Barnett, 70, was hiking in the beautiful Snowdonia Mountains of northern Wales when he collapsed with chest pains. His companions called for help on a cell phone, and presently a helicopter appeared in the sky. It was a British Sea King Chopper, and it whisked the hiker to a nearby hospital where he was treated. What made headlines was who was at the controls. Prince William was on duty that day in the RAF as a search-and-rescue pilot, and he's the one who rescued the hiker.
Sin is spiritual heart blockage. It's moral plaque that cuts off the flow of the Spirit to our hearts. It leads to a diseased life and to ultimate death. No earthly prince can help us, for sin is an inherited and terminal disease. But we have a rescuing Savior--the Prince of Peace--who forgives our sins, restores our wellbeing, and gives us life both abundant and eternal.
Is there any buildup of spiritual plaque in your heart? Whatever is not of faith is sin, and only by earnestly confessing it can the Holy Spirit revamp the affected area of your life.
When we honestly confess our sins, He forgives us, cleans us up, and even gives us grace to walk in obedience.
Woodrow Kroll
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