Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Faith Pages

              "SEEK GOD FIRST"
Bible verses:
” But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33.
            Once, three persons went to see the king. One person requested the king to give him some gold and silver, so that he could start some business. Another person requested the king to grant some land for his livelihood. The king granted their wishes and turned to the third man. He said that he needed nothing, but he requested the king to come and stay in his house for a day.
The king told him that he would definitely come to his house and he fixed a date. The ministers visited his house and had to modify and make many arrangements as that man lived in a hut in a slum area without even electric facility. His hut was changed into a big mansion with all facilities and the road was broadened.
The king came to his house and asked him why he requested him to stay in his house. He replied that as he invited him first, he could get all the blessings which he had never dreamt of in his life. Likewise, when we seek our Lord Jesus Christ first, giving Him the top-priority in our time, our love and our goals, He is all powerful to grant us goodness even without our asking for it. People, objects, goals and other desires compete for priority. Any of these, can quickly bump God out of first place, if we don’t actively choose to give Him the first place in every area of our life.
” Dear Lord, You are the ruler of all things and in your hands are strength and power. Let me be wise enough to give the top-priority in my everything and receive Your Blessings. In Jesus ‘Name I pray “.–Amen. 
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"FAITH IN GOD"
 
Bible Verses:
 “Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”  1 Peter 1:21
One Sunday morning during service, a 2,000-member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying sub-machine guns. One of the men proclaimed, "Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ remains where you are." Immediately, the choir fled, the deacons fled, and most of the congregation fled. Out of the 2,000 there only remained around 20.
               The man who had spoken took off his hood, looked at the preacher and said, “Okay Pastor, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may begin your service. Have a nice day Pastor!"
And the two men turned and walked out.!


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                             "SHADOW OF CROSS"
 
Bible Verses :
"Everything is possible for him who believes "– Mark 9:23
 
                A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
               One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall.
               The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.

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"REFINED AS SILVER" 

Bible Verses:
 Malachi 3:3
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

 A silversmith explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

Think about the times when you are in a hot spot in life. You wonder why God allows you to stay there?

The silversmith said that he had to sit and hold the silver in front of the fire all the time, and his eyes had to be on the silver all the time.

If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. But how does the silver smith know when the silver is fully refined?

The silversmith answered is this, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until “He sees His image in you”.


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