Category Archives: GUEST AUTHOR

Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems, Prayer

LORD AT ALL TIMES Psalm 34

GUEST WRITER: PHOEBE CARTER

Lord, at all times –
May praise be on my lips.
I will boast in You:
May all hear and rejoice:
“Glorify the Lord and
Exalt His name”.

I sought the Lord, and
He took away my fears : ) .
“Look at Him and be radiant –
Never covered with shame!”
(The Lord heard the poor man
And took away his troubles).

“The Lord is good!
Come, taste, and see!
Take refuge in Him,
And blessed you’ll be!
Fear the Lord –
And lack nothing!

You, who seek Him,
Will lack no good thing –
And will be delivered!
Come! … Listen … Love life!
Do good … Seek peace …
And pursue it!”

HE SEES THE RIGHTEOUS,

AND LISTENS TO THEIR CRY.

HE’S CLOSE TO THE BROKEN HEARTED;

AND SAVES THE CRUSHED SPIRITS.

THE LORD REDEEMS THOSE –

WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM !

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I read this Psalm this morning, noted down the main lines (as I saw them). It has truth and advice, but most of all, it tells us that the Lord has a heart for us, cares for us, forgives us and makes many promises.

Take refuge in Him …….. TODAY !

Perhaps you can pray this prayer today:

Dear Lord
Thank You so much for loving me;
And letting me know that you can take away my fears,
And things from the past,
And I’ll never be covered with shame.
I give these to You, today.
Please forgive me.

Thank you that you will listen to my cry –
And lift me up;
Especially when I am hurting inside.

I pray that I will learn to trust in You,
More each day, and seek refuge in You.

I look forward to knowing and seeing
All Your promises and plans for me.

May I glorify You and boast in Your name;
And may praise be on my lips LORD, AT ALL TIMES.

I want to lack nothing,
Yet feel radiant and know Your joy.

I want to come to You and
Taste and see what is good.

I want to come to You and
Listen… and seek Your peace.

I pray that I will be righteous,
Do good things, and love my life.

I pray that I will always know Your peace
And feel You near me.

I give You my life in it’s entirety.

I glorify You Lord
And exalt Your name

Thank you for the gift of salvation –
Your gift to me, which I accept with love and thanks,
And the knowledge that I am saved from an eternal death,
And will spend the rest of my days with You.

Thank You Lord, so much.
I give You my hand;

AMEN
x

And when things have been tough,
I will look back and see …….
One set of footprints in the sand
where you have carried me.

N.B. If this is the first time you have said this kind of prayer, and you believe it in your heart to have meaning and truth, and you want to be forgiven for things in your past which you are probably not happy about or proud of, find someone to talk to, perhaps a Christian friend or go along to your local church. I pray that you will start a new life, believing in and knowing Jesus, trusting in Him to guide you for the rest of your days.

Perhaps you have said this kind of prayer once, or many times; it is good to affirm what you believe and have faith in.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU +

Phoebe Carter (5th September 2011)
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Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems

Pricks & Pride

GUEST WRITER: JEANNE E. WEBSTER

 

A thorn in the flesh is healthier

Than a clot of pride in the heart.

A thorn will prick your attention;

Pride vainly numbs your smarts.

~

A thorn seeks immediate care

To purge the prick of its pain.

Pride probes for its pacifier,

Suavely sucking its own gain.

~

How quickly we yank the thorn;

It is most troublesome at best.

We leave fleshly plump Pride

Feathering and fluffing its nest.

~

Thorns set off many red flags,

Panic buttons and alarms;

Pride smugly veils its soul

Concealing its ways of harm.

~

Give me a thorn any old day,

Within my flesh or without;

I’ll rid it of its harmful deed

And quickly give it a shout!

~

But Pride: O me, O my, I cry!

Is a need I must have for sure.

Please spare me just a little bit.

How else will I ever endure?
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Bible Studies, Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

Dear Nicodemus

GUEST WRITER: JEANNE WEBSTER

Dear Nicodemus
©2010 Jeanne E. Webster

Nicodemus, teacher
Order of the Pharisees
Sanhedrin member
Rabbi (master of Israel)

Dear Nicodemus:

This letter is sent to confirm our conversation last night regarding eternal life. You questioned my statement that a person cannot enter heaven without being born again. You wanted evidence that a person can be born again after he’s grown. As a Pharisee, a rabbi and teacher, you don’t comprehend this?

I explained to you that one must be born of the Spirit, not a rebirth from the womb. Being born of the flesh is a physical birth; being born of the Spirit is a spiritual birth. There is a touch from God framing the spiritual birth which is granted to anyone who believes in the Son of man. He descended from heaven and will return to heaven, evidence for the passage of regeneration for everyone who believes in Him.

You have heard me preach of earthly things yet you don’t believe them. How will you have faith in what I tell you of heavenly things? Moses lifted up the brass serpent that represented the sins of Israel; everyone who looked on it was healed. So will the Son of man be lifted up for everyone to see and believe in, and they shall have eternal life. God loved everyone so much that He put upon the Son of Man the sins of the world. He was lifted up on Calvary for all to see and believe. Those who have faith in Him will not perish but have everlasting life in heaven.

You see, Nicodemus, God didn’t send his Son into the world to condemn everyone but to save them. They condemn themselves if they do not believe in the name of the only Son of God. In all reality, this is the truth: light has come into the world to save the souls of everyone. But people love the darkness, as it covers the evil deeds they don’t want discovered. Those that live good lives are drawn to the light because their deeds will be shown to be of God.

The wind blows where it wishes, Nicodemus. Even though you can’t tell where the sound comes from, listen to it, as it is from the Spirit. Believe in it and be born again, this time of the Spirit, and you will have eternal life.

Love,
Jesus

(Paraphrased from John 3:1-21)

 

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Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems

Close To God

GUEST WRITER: VICTOR JASTI

As a Christian,

I understand that when God cleans my heart,

I get closer and closer to Him.

But when sins, selfish attitudes and worldly cares,

Keeps me from getting closer to the Lord,

I lay aside the World’s weight,

For when I lay them aside,

I experience the inspiring joy,

Of a Christian

Who is close to the Lord.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

Don’t Look Down

GUEST WRITER: EMILY SWANSON

Matthew 14: 24-30

When Jesus invited Peter to join Him on the water of the sea, Peter was hoping to meet the challenge. With great faith, Peter stepped out of the boat. He was full of confidence as he faced the Master. I think Peter’s feet were quite dry as long as his eyes were on Jesus.

I can almost hear Jesus calling out with urgency, “don’t look down, Peter. Don’t look down.”

The Big Fisherman made that very mistake. He looked down into the murky waters. His confidence in himself waned. His faith in Jesus wavered. After all, walking on water was impossible.

It is extremely easy to criticize Peter for his failure. Yet it is true of us all. The walk-of-faith is remarkable as long as one’s eyes are on the Master. When one’s gaze wanders into the world, we get swept up by waves of doubt.

Peter was not too proud to cry out, “Master, save me!”

Like Peter of old, we must “Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus”. “Look full in His wonderful face“. It becomes easy to sink into the swirling waters of discouragement. One’s attention can become fixed on the problem rather than the Problem Solver. Discouragement can pull us down into a never-ending whirlpool of despair.

I can almost hear Jesus calling out with urgency, “don’t look down. Don’t look down!”

We, too, must cry out, “Master, save me”.
 
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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Friends, GUEST AUTHOR, Marriage, Women

God Has A Secret

GUEST WRITER: EMILY SWANSON

Romans 5:10

It was said of Abraham that he was a friend of God. What a marvelous statement about any person Think about what all friendship involves.

My best friend is my husband of 55 years. He knows more about me than any other living soul. Yet he still loves me, warts and all. He knows where I keep the coffee cups and the spoons. He knows where to put the dirty laundry. He knows that I snore. That is because we abide together. He knows my joys and my sorrows. He knows simple things; like I like to eat sandwiches of anything. These are probably things about me that others do not know…or care. We can spend hours together never uttering a word and then suddenly both say the same thing simultaneously.

There are other friends in my life who know secrets from my heart. We have laughed and cried together over events for many years. They, too, know my joys and sorrows. I may call on them at anytime for a cup of coffee, a visit, a prayer. We have even prayed over the telephone together as I cry and they pray. There are those who have given me little gifts (for no reason other than love) at no eventful time. They leave a small package on the seat of my car, or on my doorknob at home. What a friend!

Beloved, we all have such a friend. (Not one with skin on as the little boy is noted for saying). But we have a friend who loves to abide with us. What a privilege to abide with the Living God! He would like to walk with us in our garden as He did with Adam. He would love to call us friend as He did Abraham. Perhaps He would like to know us as a “child after His Own Heart” as He did King David. He already knows your our intimate secrets; but He would like to reveal some of His secrets to us.

Our Father wants to hear from us about the secret things of our hearts…our joys, our sorrows, our desires. He wants to know the simple things like our concerns over our children’s grades in schools, what can I do to stretch my time as a wife and mother or grandmother? He listens to our frustrations and our victories (say, Father, did You know my husband got a raise today; my child made an A in math. WOW) He can know these things from us because we choose to abide with Him. Abiding indicates quality time spent together.

He already leaves little gifts for us all over the place. What was that special hug from my child or that smile from my baby if it wasn’t a Gift from God? Who do we think arranges for those A’s in life and those raises that come unexpectedly? What was that beautiful day of sunshine shedding its light over the ountryside? What was that refreshing rain cooling off the parched land? What is that “Peace that passes all understanding” in a time of trial? Where’d that come from anyway?

We can spend much time together…never saying a word, just listening; and all of a sudden the Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Universe, speaks to my heart revealing His Heart and His plans for me. He reassures me of His love. He gives me glimpses of His secrets.

Dear Heart, Friends love to be together and to share. The mark of a true friend is their availability to us when we need, and their undying friendship regardless of our faults. We have such a Friend…and What a Friend He is. Enjoy Him

“Dearest Father, What a Friend we have in You all ‘because of what Christ has done in dying for our sins…making us friends of God’. (Psalm 5:11 Living Bible) Help us to take every advantage of that friendship by abiding in You and Your Word. ‘I come to the Garden alone; while the dew is still on the roses.’ Amen”
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Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems

Your Words

GUEST WRITER: VICTOR JASTI

Your Words have upheld…Job 4:4

Encouraging words spoken firmly,

Motivates, strengthens the stumbling,

For it is in you to say, express loudly,

Words which make the weak, strong.

Say an encouraging word to your pastor,

For his sermons and for the prayers,

For being in the church, a pillar of strength,

For conducting weddings and baptisms ceaselessly.

To the postman and the corner policeman,

All around you, for these are those who matter,

Who serve; look after you, your well being and security,

For you to be in comfort, without worry and distress.

Speak those words, comforting and encouraging,

Which motivates them to do their outmost,

You don’t lose, but they gain satisfaction,

That they are appreciated and well thought off.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, GUEST AUTHOR

Psalm 32 Forgiveness

GUEST AUTHOR: JEANNE WEBSTER

 

Psalm 32 Forgiveness
© 2010 Jeanne E. Webster

Forgiveness for our sins brings us exuberant joy and overwhelming peace,
For God knows the spirit of an honest person and inters our sins forever.
When we keep sins hidden within us, they roar and groan to get out in the open.
The breath of God weighs mightily upon us and our spirits whither.
I confessed to Him my hidden sins and He forgave me.
Pray as quickly as possible after you have sinned, as the longer sin hides, the harder and more heinous it becomes.
You are my shelter and preservation from trouble. I hear your songs of sweet deliverance.
You will teach me how I should live and search the best path for my spirit.
Don’t be dumb as the horse and mule. They need to be led by bridle and bit to keep from stepping on you.
The wicked will reap sorrows but those who trust in the Lord shall be wrapped in His blanket of mercy.
Rejoice and be happy, you lover of God. Shout for joy all you who have an honorable heart.
 
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GUEST AUTHOR, Poems, Uncategorized

The Great Flood

GUEST WRITER: VICTOR JASTI  

 And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His Heart. Genesis 6:6

Noah talked and walked with God,

Day in and day out, through out the year.

He and his family, the only ones around,

Amongst so many sinners and idolaters.

Moral depravity and growing sin,

Made man, the most despicable animal,

That God repented, about His creation,

Sadly deciding, to destroy mankind totally.

But Noah and his family, the only ones around,

Who found grace with God the Almighty,

Was saved from the inevitable judgment,

Along with the birds, animals, in two’s and seven’s.

Build an Ark, commanded God,

Of gopher wood, four decks high, rooms aplenty,

Noah started immediately and obediently,

Without a thought, of where to sail.

Up went the Ark, divine plan in action,

Inspired by God, strengthened by faith,

Prayer and song, drowning the wicked laughter,

Ridiculing Noah, his Ark, and his God.

Noah did not worry about how to go about,

From foundation to finish, God enlightened him,

The wood, the plan, measurement to the purpose,

God planed the little details for the great task ahead.

Animals and birds, God collected to the last,

Leaving nothing for Noah to get worried about.

Filling four decks high with forty five thousand animals,

A great and an impossible task, a lone man cannot do.

Often we do just the opposite of Noah,

Worry in details over things which we have no control,

Neglecting specific areas, like responsibilities and relationships,

That is under over control and loosing sight of the goal.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR

Short People

GUEST AUTHOR: EMILY SWANSON

Are you one of those “short people” who is always straining to see over the heads of the crowd? Or reaching up into a cupboard that is at least 8 inches above your reach? I am such a person and I can relate to the little fellow of scripture, Zaccheus, so very well.

As I think about the encounter Zaccheus had with Jesus, my mind goes back to the Jericho of long ago. I try to visualize the crowds that day as they waited along the road to see the itinerant preacher they have heard so much about. The chief tax-collector, the hated Zaccheus, was there and he was being squeezed out by the people. Somehow this little fellow had grown up in a “tall world”, the object of stares and much ridicule. Perhaps he grew up as the “kid who got pushed around”. We’ve all witnessed what happens to those the world labels as “runts”. Perhaps in growing up his childhood was trodden underfoot and the tender part of Zaccheus died. Maybe this made him compensate for that abuse by becoming a man of power that people had to “look up to” whether they liked it or not. True, Zaccheus gained stature in power and wealth…but no friendship…he was hated.

But Zaccheus heard stories about this Jesus who was coming to Jericho that day. He heard that Jesus was a friend…even to tax-collectors. Zaccheus longed for a look at this Jesus. His curiosity drove him to climb the sycamore tree and go out on a limb to see for himself.

All of Jericho was out on the dusty road. The business men, the housewives, the transients, teachers, bakers, holy men, were all elbow to elbow…except the chief tax-collector. (Let me put a parenthesis here. Zaccheus could have stayed home that day and avoided the crowd of people who hated him and whom he also hated.) But where did Jesus stop? He stopped right at the bottom of the sycamore tree! Whispers rippled over the crowd as people watched the Master in disbelief. Was Jesus actually asking to go home with this sinner? And He wasn’t asking for an audit or even and accounting. He was asking for the pleasure of Zaccheus’ company; the company of the chief tax-collector.

Can we even imagine the flood of repentance gushing from Zacchaus as he encounters Jesus Christ that day? Scripture bears out that he repented and turned his life over to Jesus immediately. His faith was followed by his immediate actions and life adjustments…WOW.

I think about coming-up short today in my life. Not short of stature, but spiritually short because of bad attitudes, broken relationships, broken commitments, or a critical spirit. I have to strain to see Jesus over this crowd of attitudes that crush me. But He is always there. He is ready to stop and call me to come down and meet Him, to commune with Him. What a joy.

I ask God to forgive me for trying to compensate for my “stunted spiritual” growth. Perhaps I have expected my works to increase my stature. Help me Lord, to see that I can increase only if I am willing to decrease. It is in losing my life that I find it. It is by dying that I live. It is in giving that I receive. If I am not willing to give up everything, I cannot be His disciple.

“Father, I confess to you that I am short in spiritual stature. To even see You I need something to stand on…just like Zaccheus. But I want to see Jesus; not just through the eyes of a pastor or a teacher or an evangelist. I want to hear Him; not just hear about Him on tapes and radio or TV. I don’t want a second-hand experience. I want to feel Him with my own Heart. I want to have faith that I can stand and “Look Full in His Wonderful Face”.

Lord, if I have to climb a tree to see you, I will gladly do so. Please come near Lord Jesus. I will be the one out on a limb, waiting. And as you come, overwhelm me with the awesome wonder that it is not I who seek you nearly as much as it is you who seeks me. Give me courage that I do not let anything crowd me out and lose the privilege of experiencing communion with Jesus. Amen”

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