They Gave It All For the Love of Christ

Life was pretty rough for the early apostles. Trying to spread the Gospel was very dangerous and risky. Yet even though the threat of death hung over their heads at every turn, they perservered.

Most knew early on that their time in this world would be short, but they never wavered from their mission. They didn't let anyone or anything stop them! They were all driven by their love and devotion to Jesus Christ; and dedicated to share his message with all. As you can see, they paid dearly for their belief in Christ and what he preached.

• Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at a distant city of Ethiopia.


• Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.
  
• Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the classic land of Greece.


• John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was afterward banished to Patmos.
  
• Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward.


• James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem.


• James, the Less, was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller’s club.


• Bartholomew was flayed alive.


• Andrew was bound to a cross, whence he preached to his persecutors until he died.


• Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel in the East Indies.


• Jude was shot to death with arrows.
  
• Matthais was first stoned and then beheaded.


• Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica.


• Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was at length beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.
  

Oh sure, we might go to church (or not) ; read a few passages out of the Bible; and maybe even say a prayer or two for good measure. Some of us might have given up on religion altogether. But, I often wonder what the apostles would think if they were here with us today? Would they be satisfied with the present state of affairs in our world? Would they be apalled? How would they be received or perceived today?

As far as religion goes, there's always been a pretty fair amount of hatred, skepticism, controversy, fear, ignorance, etc., involved. Even so, one thing is certain; Christianity has taken a beating, but it's still alive and kicking!

Each apostle took a gamble going out and trying to share the Word with the world. As you know, not everyone was happy to hear about it. So what else is new? Go ahead and carry the gospel in your heart; and always try to demonstrate the message of Jesus in all that you say and do. I am telling you here and now that it won't be any easier today than it was back then. But then again, would it be worthwhile if it was easy? I wonder what any one of the apostles mentioned above would think about that?

Dear Lord, let us pray for those whom haven't accepted your powerful and loving message which we so desperately need in today's world, Let us pray for their HEARTS to be changed;
Let us pray for Receptive and Repentant Hearts (Luke 8:5-12);
Let us pray for their spiritual Eyes and Ears to be opened to the truth of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Matt. 13:15);
Let us pray for them to have God’s Attitude toward sin (John 16:8);
Let us pray for the person to be Released to believe (2 Cor. 10:3-4; 2 Tim 2:25-26);
Let us pray for a Transforming life (Rom. 12:1-2);
Let us pray for God to Send them into his harvest field (Matt 9:35-38). In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

Have a blessed day!

-Debi Lynn

Use Your Talent to Praise God!

Nicole C. Mullen is one of the most respected artists in contemporary Gospel and R&B; but the Dove and Grammy Award winner says she never ceases to forget her humble background, and that she is not the most qualified before God.

“I’m here not because I’m the greatest singer or the greatest writer, or because I’m the most qualified, I’m here because God decided saying, ‘I’m going to use that one to show my glory’ and that was His decision but it’s for us to be available and to open up our lives to Him and say ‘flow in me',” Mullen told The Christian Post.

Mullen said that her lifelong career only allowed her to see that “the Lord is able to take the little and make it much”. At a glance, her life while growing up was far from glamorous. She was very upfront and said, “I see the hand of the Lord who can take a little girl from Cincinnati, who stuttered badly, who sucked her thumb, who wet the bed, who was least among us.”

But despite her weaknesses, she was excited to say that through her, God was able to prove that He could do something with a “nobody” for His glory. As she smiled she said that everything she has been able to accomplish was purely for His glory. "That’s probably my greatest reflection," she said. If God can use the weaknesses of Nicole C. Mullen and bring forth praise to His name, He can do the same with each of us. - thanks to Christian Today

Did you wake up this morning thinking how you could use whatever talents you might have to praise the Lord today? I am one of those who truly believes that we all have God-given gifts and/or talents. That's right, we all do! Part of our lack of faith could be due to a couple of reasons.

First, maybe we are looking for something that's spectacularly obvious? You know, the big showy kind of talent that we all see on television, or in movies. Realistically, not of all of us will reach that level where our talents are on display for all the world to see, but don't let that discourage you. Talent comes in all shapes, sizes and measures! God portions it out according to how He sees fit, and His own purpose.

Secondly, perhaps you have been using your talent(s) in a non-productive way. In other words, instead of using them to share God's message to the world, you have been using them to further your own wordly needs. Remember, your gifts were given to you from God to bring forth praise to His name, not yours! (James 1:17)

We all bring our own, unique talents to God's table. No matter if you are on Broadway, or visiting a local nursing home, use them to praise Him and promote His message to others. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

"You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (Revelation 4:11).

Praise the Lord,

Yuan

God, Are You Still There?

Although trying to take a frog census might not sound too difficult, it can be harder counting frogs than people. Frogs are shy and nocturnal, with a preference for hiding in reeds or hovering under water. "A good frog census is important", says chief frog counter, Dr. Braswell. Sometimes frogs that are present may not get counted, because they're not in a vocal mood, or their calls are drowned out.

Dr. Braswell once stood knee-deep in a North Carolina pond, tallying frogs at midnight. He was hoping to hear gopher frogs, which he knew were native to the area, but the din from the spring peepers was too much. "Shut up!" he bellowed. The peepers shut up. But no gophers croaked. "It was disappointing," he says. The census is all about counting. How do you want to be counted?

As Moses led his nation through the desert the people soon began to turn away from God. They started moaning and groaning; complaining about this and that. They started doing things that offended God. So much so, that He came about this close to doing away with everyone. They had in effect tuned God out. It was a good thing that Moses stepped in because who knows what might have happened had he not. Psalm 106:27-29

Like the peeper frogs who croaked so loudly that the census taker couldn't hear through the din; is that how we are today? Are we all croaking so loud that we can't hear God speaking to us? Are we so wrapped up in our own world that we have rebelled, ignored; and even turned our backs to Him? The good news is that God is very patient and he will deliver us in spite of our forgetfulness and selfish rebellion. Trust me, better people than you or I have tested his patience and He still was there for them in the end; and He will be there for you, too.

Let's Pray:

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I realize that as a believer, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. My acknowledgment of His presence on a daily basis makes my faith in Him effectual. I believe that You, heavenly Father, are leading me and guiding me by the Holy Spirit through my spirit and illuminating my mind.

I meditate in the Word day and night, not letting it depart from my mouth. I test my inward witness with the Word, for the Spirit and the Word agree. I am quick to act on the Word, as well as the prompting of my spirit. I am not a hearer only, but a doer. Therefore, I am blessed in all my deeds.

Amen.

Love,

T.J.

Do You Have Heart?

Did you know...


• Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women.
• One in five women have some form of cardiovascular disease.
• In 1999, cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused the deaths of 512,904 females, 53.5% of all deaths from CVD.
• One out of three women compared with one out of four men will die within one year after having a heart attack.
• A woman's chances of developing heart disease soar after she goes through menopause.
• More women than men will suffer a second heart attack within six years after their first heart attack.
• African American women are 60 percent more likely to die of coronary heart disease than white women.
• Women with diabetes are 3 to 4 times more likely than men to develop heart disease.
• Fewer than one in ten women today think that heart disease is their greatest health threat.

Robert Longley reports in his article titled, Women's Heart Attacks Differ from Men's; research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that women often experience new or different physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks.

In a NIH press release, Jean McSweeney, PhD, RN, Principal Investigator of the study at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, said, "Symptoms such as indigestion, sleep disturbances, or weakness in the arms, which many of us experience on a daily basis, were recognized by many women in the study as warning signals for Acute Myocardial Infarcion (AMI).

Because there was considerable variability in the frequency and severity of symptoms," she added, "we need to know at what point these symptoms help us predict a cardiac event."
According to Patricia A.Grady, PhD, RN, Director of the NINR, "Increasingly, it is evident that women's symptoms are not as predictable as men's.

This study offers hope that both women and clinicians will realize the wide range of symptoms that can indicate heart attack. It is important not to miss the earliest possible opportunity to prevent or ease AMI, which is the number one cause of death in both women and men."

The NIH study, titled "Women's Early Warning Symptoms of AMI," is one of the first to investigate women's experience with heart attacks, and how this experience differs from men's. Recognition of symptoms that provide an early indication of heart attack, either imminently or in the near future, is critical to forestalling or preventing the disease.

The women's major symptoms prior to their heart attack included:

Unusual fatigue - 70%
Sleep disturbance - 48%
Shortness of breath - 42%
Indigestion - 39%
Anxiety - 35%

Major symptoms during the heart attack include:

Shortness of breath - 58%
Weakness - 55%
Unusual fatigue - 43%
Cold sweat - 39%
Dizziness - 39%

(a special thanks to About.com for this helpful information)

According to the Bible, the heart is the center not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. (Proverbs 4:23) God entrusted us with this magnificent creation we call the human body. It is not only beautiful and miraculous in itself, but its the only one we will ever have in this life. Protect it. Care for it. Love it.

Let us pray. Merciful Jesus, during Your life on earth You showed great concern for the sick and the infirm. Have compassion now on those who are suffering from heart disease. Grant them a healing of mind and body and restore their strength and spirit. Comfort them with the knowledge that we are praying for them, and give them peace with a sense of Your Presence. Amen.

With much love,
Holly

Can I Have Some Spiritual Nourishment, Please?

Ouch! I made a quick dash to the store yesterday and spent over $80.00 for what amounted to a few grocery items, mascara, and some other small, but necessary items. Needless to say (but I will) I left the store feeling as if I had been robbed. What happened?!!

Unless you haven’t eaten in recent months, or are wealthy enough that you just don’t care, food prices have been shooting off the charts, and apparently there's no end in sight! Here's another shot of good news. Its not just food, but fuel prices are rising at a pretty good clip, too. If you have a family, as I do, then you are probably no stranger to the pain of watching your family budget slowly crumble before your very eyes. Even if you are single with no dependents this has taken a step or two out of your stride, right?

I certainly could go on an on about the rising costs of living, but my goal here is not to depress you any more than I probably already have. Besides, there are a lot more authoritative economic resources online than I could ever be here on our ministry blog. Believe me!

Shortly after I stopped crying about my pretty small haul from the store (my kids were totally confused by my sobbing as I held on to the store receipt with a death grip.) Okay, it wasn't quite that dramatic, but I thought to myself, “What does God say about all of this?” So, I grabbed my bible and began looking for answers to my question.

Biblically speaking, there's quite a bit of information regarding food, money and finances. The bible talks a lot about food, finances and money. Why not? These items have always played a big part in our lives down through the ages. Agreed?
As an example (regarding money and finances), Luke 14:28 tells us that we shouldn’t just run out and do (or purchase) something without first checking to see if we can afford to do it. This line of thinking applies whether it has to do with buying groceries or our relationship with God. We need to make sure that we have enough to cover our cost. In other words, can we afford to finish what we start? I admit that I have been guilty of obtaining something first and worrying about it later. Sorry, but it is true!

A part that we sometimes tend to overlook is the fact that God offers us spiritual nourishment. We need spiritual nourishment as much, if not more, than any other type of nourishment in our lives. Yes, food is essential to our physical survival, but we can only receive spiritual nourishment from God. Micah 6:14 recounts the punishment that was handed out to Israel by God for its disobedience. I don’t think I'd want to push my luck like they (Israel) did!

In Isaiah 55: 2-3, God is speaking to a people that had been spinning further and further away from Him. The nation of Judah had been trying to do things their own way, and it wasn’t working very well for them at all. Hmmm...Turning our backs on God, trying to do things our way, not listening or talking to Him? Maybe this is sounding a little too familiar to you?

So, what is the point of all of this? It’s pretty simple, really. We need to take care of what God has given us. It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking about groceries, savings, or relationships with others. We shouldn’t take anything for granted, or foolishly think that we are running the show. Let’s appreciate what we have, and take care of it. It can all be taken away just like that (finger snapping!) Don’t squander what God has given you. Use it wisely. Help others who are in need. Allow God to guide you in everything you do. Trust me; He knows what he is doing. He's had a lot more practice at it than you or I!

Oh, yes. I almost forgot! I went online and found a few helpful websites that I would like to share with you. There are many, many online resources that cover these topics on all levels. But, I think you’ll find some pretty good information, advice, tips, etc., on the sites I have listed below. Have fun checking them out!

Prices and Coupons: http://pricesandcoupons.com/ (Prices and Coupons combines coupons and comparison shopping, automatically taking into account any applicable coupons and discount codes to give you the best possible deal every time.)

Money Saving Mom: http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/need-a-grocerybudget.html
(Helping You Be a Better Home Economist)

$5 Dollar Dinners: http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/05/grocery-budget-makeover.html
(Grocery Budget Makeover from Erin the $5 Dinner Mom)

Moolanomy: http://www.moolanomy.com/4273/how-to-shrink-your-grocery-budget-without-sacrificing-quality-kmulligan/
(Earn More. Spend Less. Live Smarter)

Budget Calculator: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/personalfinance/gradbudgetcalculator.htm
(household budget calculator)

Love to Know: http://save.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Prepare_a_Grocery_Shopping_Budget
(How to prepare a grocery shopping budget)

Deuteronomy 8:11

Love and peace always,

Maryann

If I Had My Life to Live Over

I was going through some of my notes and news clippings the other day, when I ran across this article. Maybe you've read or heard this story before, but I thought I'd share it with you because it has some great pointers on living.

The lesson here is that we all have a certain amount of time that is given to us. Some of us are blessed with a few more days than others, of course. But, the point is, how are we using our God-given days? (Psalm 102:11)

When the late Nadine Stair of Louisville, Kentucky, was 85 years old, she was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again.

"I'd make more mistakes next time," she said. "I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

"You see, I'm one of those people who lives sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, and a raincoat. If I had to do it over again, I would travel lighter than I have.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds and I would pick more daisies."

It's totally natural to go about our lives with our: work, spouses, families, friends, etc., and not give a second thought to the passage of time. Yes, I admit that I am guilty of this, too. Some days seem like a blur to me too, especially with young children! (James 4:14)

I guess the reason I like Nadine's story so much, is that she has the advantage of looking back over a long, blessed life. Her message is simple and clear: Enjoy life! Maybe what you enjoy is different than what I enjoy, but that's okay. As long as we understand that we were given this gift called "life." And, that's exactly what it is; it is a gift from God. So go ahead, enjoy your gift, but always remember where it came from. Let's give Him praise:

O God, I thank You for this day of life

for eyes to see the sky

for ears to hear the birds

for feet to walk amidst the trees

for hands to pick the flowers from the earth

for a sense of smell to breathe in the sweet perfumes of nature

for a mind to think about and appreciate the magic of everyday miracles

for a spirit to swell in joy at Your mighty presence everywhere.

(Prayer by Marian Wright Edelman)

~Eve

Friendship

The Gift Of Friendship

(Proverbs 27:17)

There is a gift of friendship

That God has given to me,

He put you there to help me

With the things I cannot see,

A friend is someone special

Who's always there for you,

In good times and in bad

A friend will see you through,

God's the one who gives us friends

This is his special gift,

Our friends are always there

When we need that extra lift,

There are certain things

That only friends can share,

And also when I need you

I know that you'll be there,

You know you have a friend

For you have a friend in me,

I'll always be there to help you

With the things you can not see.

-By Melinda Tanner

~Eve