abOut me…aBouT uS!

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.

Bible text: We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV).

During his two years in the army, David Brenner made the most of his posting to Europe by travelling at every opportunity. To heighten his sense of excitement, he often showed up at a train station and bought a ticket to wherever the next train was going.

One day he bought a ticket for Rome and since the train was scheduled to leave immediately, he raced across the station, but still arrived at the track just as the train was pulling away. He chased after it as fast as he could run! Standing on the platform of the last car was a well dressed man who motioned for him to hand him his bags. He quickly tossed him his smaller bag and then his larger suitcase. By this time, he was growing weary from running, but then he looked into the man’s face! The smirk he saw quickly told him that the man had offered his help not altruistically, but criminally. If Brenner didn’t make it on board, this man had brand new clothes and gear!

Brenner kicked up his heels and running as never before, he managed to grab the railing by the entrance to the last car. With all the strength he could muster, he swung himself aboard.

Adversity sometimes comes to rob you. Instead, let it motivate your faith to be even more daring!

by:south pacific SDA daily devotional

1 CORINTHIANS 14:18 NIV
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Speaking in tongues is speaking in a language you have never
learned. It is a supernatural act possible only by the help of
the indwelling Holy Spirit.

MARK 16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name
they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

It is estimated that today over 500 million Christians, in
every country on earth, do speak in tongues. It started on the
day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:4.

ACTS 2:4 NKJ
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Every believer can speak in tongues, if they desire. It is a
free gift available to all believers.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:5 NKJ
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues . . . .

I think this doctrine has been so controversial because the
devil is against it, knowing how helpful it is to believers.

I have no desire to argue with anyone. I do desire to see
everyone enjoy all the benefits God has freely provided for us.

I speak in tongues because:

* It allows me to communicate with God better. There are things
my mind just cannot put into words which I can express through
the spirit by praying in tongues.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:2 NKJ
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to
God . . . .

* It builds me up spiritually and refreshes me.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:4 NKJ
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself . . . .

There are other benefits. I hope you are enjoying them, too.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord that I can speak in tongues.

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Walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. Prov. 2:20 

     There are modes of recreation which are highly beneficial to both mind and body. An enlightened, discriminating mind will find abundant means for entertainment and diversion, from sources not only innocent, but instructive. Recreation in the open air, the contemplation of the works of God in nature, will be of the highest benefit. 

     While we are seeking to refresh our spirits and invigorate our bodies, we are required of God to use all our powers at all times to the best purpose. We may associate together as we do here today, [FROM AN ADDRESS GIVEN AT AN OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL GATHERING AT GOGUAC LAKE, MICHIGAN.] and do all to the glory of God. We can and should conduct our recreations in such a manner that we shall be fitted for the more successful discharge of the duties devolving upon us, and that our influence shall be more beneficial upon those with whom we associate. Especially should it be the case upon an occasion like this, which should be of good cheer to us all. We can return to our homes improved in mind and refreshed in body, and prepared to engage in the work anew, with better hope and better courage. 

     We believe that it is our privilege every day of our lives to glorify God upon the earth; that we are not to live in this world merely for our own amusement, merely to please ourselves. We are here to benefit humanity, to be a blessing to society…. 

     We here behold the beauties of nature…. As we behold these works of nature we should let the mind be carried up higher, to nature’s God; let it be elevated to the Creator of the universe, and then adore the Creator who has made all these beautiful things for our benefit and happiness. 

     We must take periods of rest, periods of recreation, periods for contemplation.

From My Life Today - Page 214

If a care is too small to be turned into a prayer, it is too small to be made into a burden.

Biblical text: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

Shortly after Mary Manachi’s second child, Marylou, was born, she was diagnosed with Cooley’s anemia, which requires a blood transfusion every two weeks and is usually fatal before the age of twenty. Assured by physicians that the genetic disorder was very rare, Mary and her husband had another baby. At six months, Rosemarie was also diagnosed with the disorder, and later, her son, George, was also born with Cooley’s. Sadness gripped Mary and her husband.

One day, Mary walked into Rosemarie’s room and found her making a beautiful pin to sell at a craft show. "I’m going to earn all I can toward college," she said. Then a teacher phoned to report what Rosemarie had written as the thing she was most thankful for: "good health!" Mary took another look at her children and found them all embracing life. George was talking about becoming a geologist. Marylou was earning a place on the honour roll and practicing her piano diligently. Mary finally concluded, "If they love life so much… am I to love life less?"

Sometimes our burdens seem great. It helps at those times to remember those with great burdens who carry them as "being too small" even to become worries.

By: SDA South Pacific Daily Devotional

JAMES 1:2-4 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything.

Why are prayers not all answered instantly? Why don’t we always
experience the blessings promised in the Bible immediately?

If all results were instant, we could never walk in faith.
Without faith, we could never please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

If you always reaped the harvest of your deeds immediately, the
incentive to do right and refrain from wrongdoing would only be
selfish. No faith, or love for God, would be required.

During delays we have opportunity to demonstrate whether we
really love God, and trust Him, or not.

A delay is a test. Without testing, there could be no reward.
God does not test us so that we can fail, but so that we can
overcome. He believes we will make it with His help.

We desire an instant manifestation of victory. What God
desires is for us to press into Him and His Word and walk in
faith until we see victory.

To overcome there must be opposition and struggle. God cannot
always shield us from problems without taking away from us the
privilege of overcoming.

Victory is sweet. What makes it sweet is that it is not easy.

If we really trust God, time is not a problem. Leave that with
God. His timing is perfect and He is dependable! We know He
promised, and can never fail — and that is enough.

SAY THIS: I will persevere in faith, and the Bible says I will
end up not lacking anything.

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Ignorance is always swift to speak.

Biblical text: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19 NIV).

One of the favourite stories of Arturo Toscanini, the great symphony conductor, was this:

An orchestra was playing Beethoven’s Leonore overture, which has two great musical climaxes. Each of these musical high points is followed by a trumpet passage, which the composer intended to be played offstage.

The first climax arrived, but no sound came from a trumpet offstage. The conductor, annoyed, went on to the second musical high point. But again - no trumpet could be heard.

This time, the conductor rushed into the wings, fuming and with every intent of demanding a full explanation. There he found the trumpet player struggling with the house security man who was insisting as he held for dear life onto the man’s trumpet, "I tell you, you can’t play that trumpet back here! You’ll disturb the rehearsal!"

Until you know why someone is acting the way they do, it’s better not to criticise him. Until you know who has told him to act, it’s better not to attempt to stop him!

   JAMES 1:19 NIV
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

How many times have you said something and later regretted it?

Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.

What would happen if you silently consulted with God before
speaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything
you said — before you said it — your life would be different.

1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,
and guard your lips from telling lies.

Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose.
Don’t just talk for no reason.

PROVERBS 17:28 NIV
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and
discerning if he holds his tongue.

Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can
by talking.

Be slow to speak!

SAY THIS: God, please help me to control my tongue.

( from http://aDevotion.org/tell)

"Hardships are one way of proving one’s strength.  So, if ur problem is extra big, be extra flattered because that’s how much the Lord believes in you."

i like this quote very much, it helps me to be strong indeed. sometimes, when i feel a lot of pressure is coming, i wish i had the strength to carry it but i found myself much deeper in the pit of darkness. This message was sent to me by my friend recently and it gives me hope… and lightens my day… i thank God for friends…they are angels from heaven:)

today, me and my mahal had a list of things to do and we accomplished everything we want to do today. we feel so happy doing things together, hope that this happiness won’t last… we need to pray always so we as a couple will be strengthened… i had a free facial spa from body shop  today…that adds to my happiness. i feel so refreshed!

God bless us all!!! Thank God for this beautiful day… be happy and grateful to God for the lives we live until this moment!

its a free day for us here in bangkok… no classes, no work… wow! a two day holiday which i always look forward so we cud have time for pleasure naman… we came home late from practice  past 11pm… i took a warm shower and headed to check my emails before going to sleep. I happen to see this passage from my friend, charmz marie and i’d like to write it here as well to remind me that God cares and that i am not alone… We are not alone this is very nice! i hope u’ll be blessed too just by reading this.

God Can 

When you feel down, unworthy & unclean,
When you think that no one can heal you,
Remember, my friend, God can.

When you think no one can forgive you for your
guilt & your shame,
Remember, my friend, God can.

When you think that all is hidden & no one
can see within,
Remember, my friend, God can.

And when you have reached the bottom
and you think that no one can hear you,
Remember my dear friend, God can.

And when you think that no one can love the
real person deep inside,
Remember my dear friend, God can.

GOD LOVES YOU!

stayed home today. mostly, sleeping and lying couch potato, its nice to have a quiet time once in a while. emailed some friends… freeing myself from worries of life

oh, i did talk to one of my closest friends for almost a couple of hours, nice feeling to listen to a friend talking about matters of love.

well, sometimes i think its just easy to say but really hard to do but after this remarkable love story ive heard, i realized that a man and a woman can be friends after ending a somewhat  deeper relationship if there is even one who can be strong and straightforward enough to say what one really feels… eventually things will be easier to say and u will realized that both parties are talking, letting go of the load that one carries inside.

it applies to life, being brave enough to say something that is somewhat personal if it is really necessary makes us breathe more better and face difficult situations more strongly.

its a lesson to deal with in our daily life.

well, i have some good news today and some not so good but whatever, i thank God for this beautiful day that i can ponder about myself and relinquish things i dont have control of.

its a nice feeling to check out on my friends too… i feel better tho i dont have to know whatever is troubling them… at least a thought that somebody cares is enough as well.

ok, i will leave with a nice thought today… we can consider things happening in life whether it be good or bad an extremely luck chance happening or a fate as a consequence of our doings… but whatever is it… sometimes the combination of our life’s event was far too complex for it to be merely coincidence or pure luck.

sometimes, if one link in the fragile chain of events in our life had been broken, we may not know our real self or we could not have gotten the job we want or the guy next door that we used to wait just to take a good look every morning for a jiffy… or we may not become more aware of ourselves or we may not be as good as we are today…  we may not be as happy as we are today or we may have never learned the values of life we had to learn.

I am reminded that things happen… simply because it’s the will of God. And, as it has been said many times, God works in mysterious ways.