It Is He Who Has Promised

Are you passing through a testing?
Is your pillow wet with tears?
Do you wonder what the reason.
Why it seems God never hears?

Why it is you have no answer
To your oft-repeated plea.
Why the heaven still is leaden
As you wait on bended knee?

Do you wonder as you suffer.
Whether God does understand.
And if so, why He ignores you,
Fails to hold you in His hand?

Do black doubts creep in, assail you,
Fears without, and fears within,
Till your brave heart almost falters
And gives way to deadly sin?

All God’s testing have a purpose—
Some day you will see the light,
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight.

Do not fear when doubts beset you,
Just remember—He is near;
He will never, never leave you,
He will always, always hear.

Faithful is He who has promised,
He will never let you fall,
Daily will the strength be given
Strength for each and strength for all.

He will gladly share pain with you,
He will gladly give you peace,
Till your tired and weary body
Find its blessed, glad release.

When the darken veil is lifted,
Then dear heart, you’ll understand
Why it is you had to suffer,
Why you could not feel His hand.

Giving strength when it was needed,
Giving power and peace within,
Giving joy thru tears and trial,
Giving victory over sin.

So till then just keep on trusting,
Thru the sunshine and the rain,
Thru the tears and thru the heart-aches,
Thru the smiles and thru the pain.

Knowing that our Father watches,
Knowing daily strength He’ll give,
Victory for each passing hour,
This is life, so let us live!

-author unknown

Grieving And God

One of the hardest things to accept is that life as we know it does not go on.

Relationships are often difficult to establish and maintain. And on rare, wonderful occasions, some just fall into place so easily and run so smoothly from both ends.

Losing one we’re close to, feels unfair and so sad. Those we just fell in love with from the start, that were there for us whatever our circumstances, whatever our pain, no matter how we lost our humor, those we could wrap our arms around and receive comfort from, we find it impossible to release them to death.

Once we relax in knowing they are there, will never reject us, will always return our love and affection, how can we plan a future without them?

How can the memories be enough when our hearts seem to slow, yet pound so loudly in our throats, when our joy is crushed, when our eyes cloud and will never view things the same again?

How should we behave? Why should we just walk back into life as though nothing ever happened? How can we ever be expected to smile again? How can we let go?

Amazingly enough, long before we were conceived, long before we participated in life, God had a plan……..a perfect plan.

He foresaw the need for this life to have a beginning as well as an end. He created and thoroughly understood the complexities of relating to others. He gave us the ability to love and draw close. He knew the path our lives would take and how deeply we would feel pain. He left nothing out.

He built within us the abilities to grieve without dying, to let go without forgetting, to cope without quitting, to continue to love those who have gone on, yet grow to love others more strongly and even to add new love to our hearts.

He even gave us time……

time to grieve,

time to heal

and time to grow from our new understanding.
Beyond our awesome creation, He knows exactly when we suffer loss and how hard it is for us.

We are among those He just fell in love with from the start, He is there for us no matter what our circumstances, what our pain, no matter how we’ve lost our humor, He wants to wrap us in His arms and receive comfort from Him.

We can relax in knowing He has always been there, will never reject us, will always return our love and affection, and will help us plan our future.

He will rejoice with us in our memories and restore our joy and make our hearts pound loudly in our throats in anticipation of a glad future.

We should not walk the same roads over again. He devised that when our eyes have clouded with tears we should never view things the same way again. We could grow bitter from sadness, or we can grow and learn compassion. We should never behave as though nothing ever happened. We should fondly remember that knowing, then missing someone has changed us, that we were blessed with the company of angels while they were here.

This amazingly perfect plan that God has, of which He mapped out every possible outcome, leads us always back into His very capable, loving arms.

It’s not that He wants us to suffer, not that He wants us to cry, not that He wants us to lose those we love dearly. God just wants us to remember that while we were happily on our journey with our loved one, He was happy too.

He leads us to know that after losing our loved one, when we return to life more lonely, He steps up closer to us and not only understands our loneliness, but helps us hold our head up.
When emptiness invades your sleep, He offers what no other friend can….. serenity as deep as the emptiness and hope as promising as the sunrise.

He is the one friend that cannot and will not die, and will never leave our side.

He is the almighty creator who gave you forever your friend or relative.

by Carla J. Wilson

I HAVE A DREAM

 I HAVE A DREAM

The last few days I have been waking up thinking about Martin Luther King Jr. I kept hearing his "I Have a Dream" speech as I awoke each of the last few mornings. He is one of my heroes of the faith; a difference-maker, and a catalyst for good and for the generations. I asked the Lord if there was some further meaning to my thoughts about him. He said, "I gave him a dream, and I have given you a dream."

I decided to write out my dream in honor of one of my hero's dreams. Thank you, Lord, for Dr. King, who stood for You, stood for freedom and gave his life for the cause of that freedom. I write this in honor of him and the legacy he left for us all:

"I have a dream that one day the kingdom nation of God will rise up and live out the true meaning of Christ's all-consuming creed that fulfills all laws and prophecies with these words: 'The Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and also love your neighbor as yourself.

"I have a dream that one day the children of God will truly answer the Lord's prayer in becoming one as He and the Father are one; that they would move as one 'body of Christ' through the power of the love of God within them.

"I have a dream that one day the walls of culture and preference that have divided our communities will come crashing down so we may truly love and honor each other's uniqueness and our strength in diversity.

"I have a dream for freedom from the grip of false religion and anything that gets in the way of the agape love of God and His perfect will for humanity.

"I have a dream that our children will see an example of life that is not based on what one may have on the outside, including race or financial status, but on what matters most—the integrity and character of what is on the inside of a person.

"I have a dream today.

"I have a dream that one day the hierarchical deception and distortion of community through the systems of man will give way to authentic relationships and communities that are not based on performance or hidden agendas.

"I have a dream today.

"I have a dream that the systems of man that have controlled and manipulated the people of God will give way to the freedom and power of the kingdom of God. I have a dream that there is neither male nor female, Greek nor Jew, or any other caste system getting in the way of the freedom that can only be realized through Christ Jesus our Lord.

"I have a dream today.

"I have a dream of revolutionary authentic servant leaders all over the world who do not usurp their authority and mandates but lead through humility while coaching and assisting others toward the way, the truth and the life.

"I have a dream today.

"I have a dream that one day the last shall be first and the first shall be last, and for the day when the highest esteem is reserved for those who are humble, for those who are motivated by love and for those who desire to serve others in their journey.

"I have a dream today.

"I have a dream that the manifest sons and daughters of the living God will be realized on the earth, supernaturally presenting Christ as the only answer to the groaning within all of creation."

I can see it now, the glory of the Lord filling the earth like the waters cover the sea; all people united as one, every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. This will be the day that both the mystery and the majesty of the Most High God is fully known throughout the universe with the whole world singing, "For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours now and forever."

Robert Ricciardelli
About the Author: Robert Ricciardelli is a prophetic minister, an entrepreneur and the founder of Converging Zone Network, a social-networking site developed to spread the kingdom of God on a global level through the exchange of products, services, training and ideas.

Only One Life, It Will Soon Be Past, Only What's Done For Christ Will Last

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Poem by C. T, Studd,
Charles Studd is remembered both as a cricketer and missionary. As a cricketer he played for England in the 1882 match won by Australia which was the origins of Ashes. As a British Protestant Christian missionary to China he was part of the Cambridge Seven, and later was responsible for setting up the Heart of Africa Mission which became the Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (now WEC International).

How To Make More Friends In 20 Minutes Than You Can In 20 Weeks

A great stage director once said, "Acting is reacting. It's done with the ears, not the mouth." Contrary to popular belief, listening is not passive, it's active. How do you get someone's attention? It's not by talking or by making clever remarks or by trying to impress others with yourself. If you want to get people interested in you, talk about what's important to them. The biggest mistake most people make in communicating is talking about me, myself and I: "What I want to sell"... "These are my needs"... "I would like this to happen because I"....

Instead, turn your attention to the other person: "What are your needs?" "How can I help you?" Then listen. Always pivot the conversation around the other person. Talk about people, places and things that are important to him or her.

It's been said that by showing interest in people you can make more friends in twenty minutes than you can in twenty weeks. So be an active listener this week!

—Denis Waitley

Six Ways to Take Charge of 2012

New year, new outlook. Stephen Covey, one of the most prolific leadership authors of our time, says there are six things you can do right now to make 2012 your best year ever:

Be proactive.
It's more than just taking initiative. It means being responsible for your own life. Empower yourself to lead and spread your influence no matter what position you hold.

Sharpen the saw.
Decide what's truly important. Sharpen your saw early in the day by learning to say no to the unimportant and yes to the highly important

Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.
It's human nature to want to be understood, but when both parties are trying to be understood, neither party is listening. By making the investment to understand the other party, you can magically transform the course of your conversations.

Begin with the end in mind.
Start today with an image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is examined. With a clear idea of where you are going, examine everything in the context of what matters to you most.

Develop a vision mission statement.
Get a deep sense of your life's mission, purpose and value system, then establish your goals and a system of accountability that keeps you on track.

Think win-win.
There is enough success for everyone, so don't view another person's success as success achieved at your expense or exclusion.

New Year's Tips for Better Living

New Year's Tips for Better Living

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."1

Here are twenty tips for better living in the New Year:

1. Rise and pray every day: "Again today, dear God, I commit and trust my life and way to you. I'm available. Please use me to be 'as Jesus' to every life I touch."

2. Don't sweat the small stuff.

3. Remember these simple sentences: "I was wrong." "I am sorry." "Please forgive me." "Thank you." Say  them whenever needed and say "I love you" often—  whether needed or not.

4. Come apart and rest a while before you come apart—  stress is a killer.

5. Remember, "Nothing changes if nothing changes."

6. Don't nurse grudges: "Failing to forgive is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."

7. Carpe diem. Seize the day. "Opportunity comes to pass—not to pause."

8. Quit the blame-game—"choice, not chance, determines destiny."

9. Control your thinking or your thinking will control you. "What the mind dwells on the body acts on."

10. Invest your life in a worthwhile cause by having a  noble purpose for which to live—one that is bigger than yourself—one that will help make your world a better place in which to live.

11. Be a positive realist. You will always see what you are looking for: "Two men look out the same prison bars. One sees mud, the other stars."

12. The greatest abilities are availability, dependability,and responsibility."

13. "There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience."

14. "Smooth seas never make skillful sailors."

15. When God is silent. "I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when he is silent."

16. Cry when needed. "Every unshed tear is a prism through which all of life's hurts are distorted."

17. Laugh a lot. It's still the best medicine.

18. Remember, "The bumps are what we climb on."

19. Fear not. At least 95 percent of the things we fear never happen. Trust God for the other five percent.

20. Have faith and put God first with your time, talents, and tithe (money).

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 37:3-6 (NIV).

By Dick Innes

NOTE: "Tips for Better Living" is available on the ACTS online store beautifully presented at: http://tinyurl.com/tips4living.

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2012 And The Mayan Prophecy?

It's 2012 and I just cannot believe it! In my spirit, I am still hovering above the year 2000. During that time, I was residing in Pittsburgh, PA. The Y2K saga was raging and every news media in USA was blasting predictions upon predictions. Many interviews and reactions were on air and fear of a complete breakdown of the world's economy system was very real. Then the clock struck midnight and we crossed into 2000. 

Nothing bad happened. After a couple of weeks into the New Year, a pastor was giving all the food rations that he had stored in the basement of his church to the poor. Everybody climbed out of their private shelters of fear and began to air their frustrations at the media and those doomsday's advocates. 

Books on Y2K written my many so-called "Christian prophets" were at rock bottom prices. Before Y2K, these self-styled God's spokesmen had already made tons of money feeding the fear of believers. Then like a fog being hit by hot afternoon sun, they faded away with their cash safely stored in their bank accounts. The Christian community seemed to be so forgiving and some of these soothsayers came back into business almost before the year was over. If they were to live in Old Testament time, they would have been stoned to death for false prophecies.

This year, we are once again faced with an apparent crisis - the Mayan prophecy of the End of the World on 21 December 2012. Prophetic voices are already giving their opinions. The media is also broadcasting stories about this ancient prophecy and relevant books are marching in and out of bookstores all over the world. 

So, here we go again but I am unperturbed. Apart from still hovering over 2000, I have absolute faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as I had then. Like Paul the Apostle, I can say, "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:12).