INSPIRATIONAL STORY (God's Grace)

 

 

 

 

God's Grace

 

 

     George Thomas was a pastor in a small New England town. One Sunday morning on his way to the church, he carried a rusty, bent old bird cage and set it by the pulpit. The congregation all looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Then the pastor began to speak....

 

 

     I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of this cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the boy and asked, "What do you have there, son?"

     "Just some old birds." the boy replied.

     "What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

     "Take them home and have fun with 'em." he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

     "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

     "Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

     The pastor was silent for a moment, "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

     "What? Why you don't want them birds, mister!" said the boy. "They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty."

     "How much?" the pastor asked again.

     The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "Twenty Dollars!"

     The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a twenty dollar bill. He placed it in the boys hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door and by softly tapping the bars, persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

     Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit and then the pastor began to tell this story....

 

 

     One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes sir. I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

 

     "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

 

     Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them to follow their lustful desires and commit all sorts of immoral sexual acts. I'm gonna teach them how to love money and material possessions so they will steal and harm each other to get it, how to cheat each other and how to be jealous of each other. I'm gonna teach them how to be greedy and selfish and not help each other.  I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns so they can kill each other and teach them how to build bombs so they can use in wars to destroy more than just their enemies. I'm really gonna have fun."

 

     "And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

 

     "Oh, I'll kill 'em." Satan answered proudly.

 

     "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

 

     "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!"

 

     "How much?" Jesus insisted.

 

     Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

 

    Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price on the Cross.

 

    The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.

 

 

 

I thank God everyday for my blessed life. I'm not rich, don't live in a mansion and don't have the nicest of material things. But I'm healthy, have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on the table, a family that loves me and lifelong friends who are always there for me when I need help or a shoulder to cry on. I'd have to say that I truly have so much to be thankful for. The list is never-ending and so the most I can do is just raise my arms high to the Heavens and thank God for it all.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU LORD!!!!

HUMOR FOR HAPPINESS (Thanksgiving Turkey Cartoons)

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Turkey Cartoons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAVE     A     VERY

 

BLESSED

 

THANKSGIVING!!!!



INSPIRATIONAL STORY --- FOR VETERAN'S DAY ( A Salute)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A SALUTE

 

 

     One day while at work, a woman came up to me in tears and I asked her what was the matter.

    

 

     She looked at me and said, "A little boy was humbled and I couldn't be happier."

 

     I looked at her strangely, but then she continued, "The little boy's dad was killed in fighting for our country and there was an assembly at the school for Veteran's Day. The principal wanted to honor this young boy's father by simply making a speech, but instead, he had the boy stand up in front of all his peers and had a line of US Military troops salute him and his mom for his father's service. Shortly after, the crowd started saluting the boy and his mother as well."

 

     This woman was telling me about how this boy had to be embarassed a little bit standing in front of his peers. But it was beautiful!

 

     The boy's father gave up so much so that, here in the United States of America, we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of religion and so many more freedoms. He even died so that way we could petition the government and the military if you choose to do so.

 

     Personally... those who petition the military at funerals are sick. But God loves them anyway. You see, Jesus tells us that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his own life for his friends. And that is what our troops are doing.

 

     This Veterans Day, please take time to love someone who is currently in the military, or someone who has served in the past.

 

 

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA,

 

OUR TROOPS,

 

OUR VETERANS,

 

AND THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND.

 

 

~ One Love ~

PRAYER (FOR OUR TROOPS)

 

 

Dear God,

 

 

today we ask that You send Your grace

 

in abundance to the men and women serving

 

in our armed forces ---

 

those deployed to fight wars

 

in foreign lands and those serving in posts

 

within our country. Through

 

Your grace, God, help them know

 

that they are appreciated and respected.

 

May they sense Your active presence

 

in their lives when they are put in harm's way,

 

and may the prayers of a grateful

 

nation fortify them.

 

By Your grace, Lord, keep them safe,

 

and teach them to serve with honor.

 

In Jesus' Name.

 

 

Amen

40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 40: Intercession)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 40: Intercession)

 

 

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet,  who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"   --- Esther 4:14

 

 

     The story of Esther becoming queen at a crucial time in the history of the Jewish people has inspired many through the years. The Jews faced annihilation at the hands of their enemies. Esther risked her life if she spoke out, but her cousin, Mordecai's words gave her the courage she needed. He appealed to the timing of her part in this drama, "for such a time as this." (Esth. 4:14)

     Like Esther, we live in perilous times in which our nation is under assault from foreign enemies and from those within who have failed to understand the critical role of the Christian faith to the greatness of America. It is a situation that cannot simply be fixed by a new leader, new plan or different strategy. We need the intervention of God!

     God steps in when his people passionately ask Him to. The most important thing Christians can do for America is to pray. In those days of distress, the Lord is raising up a people who will intercede with faith and fervency! You are answering the call.

 

 

• Pray for discernment of the days in which we live and to know how you should pray.
• Pray for a Spirit of Prayer to come over the church.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Father, thank You that You hear us when we call. Give us an understanding of the times in which we live and Your purposes for our nation. Align our prayers with Your desires. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

 

(reprinted from Charisma magazine)

40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 39: Humility)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 39: Humility)

 

"This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

--- Isaiah 66:2

 

     All too often Americans are seen as arrogant or prideful. Years ago, there was a book entitled The Ugly American that told of how Americans in the foreign service often perpetuated that view. It's time for a new reputation for Americans that is in line with what God desires. But before you nod in passive agreement and move on, consider where pride has seeped into your own life. It's a deep-rooted sin for us.

     A Spiritual revolution in America will take place when we walk in humility before God and each other. We will find ourselves in a place of receiving blessing from God when we have a contrite Spirit. And we can expect revival throughout the land when the church is filled with those who tremble at His Word!

 

• Humble yourself before the Lord in prayer this day, and recognize the great need you have to be one who trembles at the Word of God.
• Pray for another Great Awakening to sweep the nation as the Lord's people learn to humble themselves.

 

 

(reprinted from Charisma magazine)

40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 38: Health Care)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 38: Health Care)

 

    

      The Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, has stirred a divisive, heated debate that continues to be fought in the courtrooms of our nation. For Christians, the moral dilemma is huge, as we could be legally forced to partake in a system that finacially supports the killing of babies.

     With astronomical health care prices, it's obvious this is not an easy fix. We need government leaders who will implement a just health care plan rather than simply trying to please everyone. We must also pray that a solution will arise that does not force Christians to fund abortion.

• Pray for wisdom for lawmakers to create just legislation for the U.S. population.
• Pray for wisdom and discipline to care for the body God has given you.
• In Jesus' Name, renounce the spirit of abortion that is affecting the legislators as they reform our national health care system.

 

 

(reptinted from Charisma magazine)

40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 37: Leadership and Judgment)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 37: Leadership and Judgment)

 

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."  --- 2 Corinthians 5:10

 

     We don't like to think about judgment. But Scripture is explicit that every person on the planet will stand before Christ to be judged. Though our Salvation is dependent upon whether Christ is our Savior and Lord, our actions as individuals in life certainly factor into things eternally in a way that we don't fully comprehend.

     How does knowing this fact change the way you pray for governmental leaders and those in authority when you recognize that they, too, must stand before the judgment seat of Christ? We are not called to be accusers but intercessors. The picture of the judgment seat of Chrsit should drive us to our knees in passionate prayer for our nation's leaders.

 

• Thank the Lord for paying the price for your redemption.
• Pray for the Salvation of local and national governmental leaders.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Father, I know that You are the ultimate Judge over all mankind and that You have turned judgment over to Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Thank You, Lord, that I face judgment without fear because of Your love for me that brought me into Your family and forgave all of my sins. But, Lord, I fear for the many who do not know You and face a fearful judgment. Help me to pray for those who so desperately need You.

 

 

(reprinted from Charisma magazine)

 

 

 

 

 

POEM (The U in JesUs)

 

 

The U in JesUs

 

 

Before U were thought of

Or time had begun,

God stuck U

In the name of His Son.

 

And each time U pray

You'll see it's true,

You can't spell JesUs

And not include U.

 

You're a pretty big part

Of His Wonderful Name,

For U, He was born

That is why He came.

 

And His great love for U

Was the reason He died,

It even takes U

To spell crUcified.

 

Isn't it thrilling

And splendidly grand,

He rose from the dead

With U in His plan.

 

The stones split away

The golden trUmpet blew,

And this word resUrrection

Is also spelled with a U.

 

When JesUs left earth

At His upward ascension,

He felt there was one thing

That He just had to mention.

 

"Go into the world

And tell them it's true,

That I love them all...

Just like I love U."

 

So many great people

Are spelled with a U,

Don't they have a right

To know JesUs too?

 

It all depends now

On what u will do,

He would like them to know

But it all starts with U.

 

 





40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 36: Revival)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 36: Revival)

 

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."  --- Matthew 4:16

 

 

     America needs the Light of Christ once again. We need the fires of revival to burn brightly again. It's time to proclaim to those dwelling in darkness that the Light has come! To see true transformation in the nation will require massive church planting and church revitalization. Those dwelling (in America) in the land of the shadow of death, must hear the good news that a Light has dawned in our land once again.

 

• Pray that the churches in your community and area will preach the gospel of Christ powerfully
• Ask the Lord to bring revival to the church in America.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Father, our nation needs the Light of the Gospel once again. In so many places, a stagnant church has made the Good News seem like stale, old news. Forgive us for not handling correctly what has been entrusted to us. Bring new life and Light to Your church. In Jesus' Name. Amen

 

 

(reprinted from Charisma magazine)

POEM (T'was the Month Before Christmas)

 

 

 

T'was the Month Before Christmas

 

 

T'was the month before Christmas

When all through the land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

 

Why the PC police

Had taken away,

The reason for Christmas

No one could say.

 

The children were told

By their schools,  not to sing,

About shepherds and wise men

And angels and things.

 

It might hurt people's feelings

The teacher would say,

Because December 25th

Is just another "holiday".

 

Yet the shoppers were ready

With cash, check and credit,

Pushing folks down to the floor

"It's a big sale and I must get it!"

 

CD's from different artists

An Xbox and an Ipod,

Something was changing

Something quite odd.

 

Reatailers promoted anything nonreligious

As Target stores were hanging trees upside down,

At Lowe's the word Christmas

Was nowhere to be found.

 

At K-Mart and Staples

And JC Penney's and Sears,

You won't hear the word Christmas

It won't touch your ears.

 

Inclusive and sensitive

Di-ver-si-ty,

Are words that were used

To try and intimidate me.

 

Now Daschle, now Darden

Now Sharpton and Wolf Blitzen,

On Boxer, on Rather,

On Kerry and Clinton.

 

At the top of the Senate

There rose such a clatter,

To eliminate Jesus

In all public matter!

 

And we spoke not a word

As they took away our faith,

Forbidden to speak

Of  Salvation and Grace!

 

The true gift of Christmas

Was exchanged and discarded,

The reason for the season

Stopped before it started.

 

So as you celebrate "Winter Break"

Under your "Holiday Tree",

Sipping your Starbucks

Listen to me....

 

Choose your words carefully

Choose what you say,

Shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS"

And not just Happy Holiday!

 

PLEASE... ALL Christians and believers, join together and wish everyone you meet --- "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

 

For CHRIST is the reason, for the CHRIST -- mas season!

 

(e-mail submitted by Wendy Tafoya)

 

 

 

 



40 DAYS OF PRAYER TO CHANGE AMERICA (Day 35: Economy)

 

 

 

40 Days of Prayer to Change America

(Day 35: Economy)

 

     America's economy has declined at a rapid pace in recent years. The housing market has plummeted, stocks have spiraled, major industries have neared implosion and unemployment has soared. As believers, however, our trust is in God and not our current resources --- whether in a recession or a boom. We remember how Christ provided for the multitude using only two fish and five loaves of bread. We can't forget how God provided for the widow in 2 Kings 4. And we know God can change our economy in a blink of the eye --- all for His glory.

 

 

• Pray that our government and industry leaders will gain wisdom to create godly legislation to revitalize the economy.
• Pray that the church would trust in God's provision regardless of the economy.

 

 

Prayer

 

Lord, we pray that You would give our nation's government and industry leaders wisdom to cause our economy to prosper for Your purposes. We ask that You provide jobs and resources for Your people, so we may be testimonies of Your faithfulness to those who don't know You.

 

 

(Reprinted from Charisma magazine)