GOD IS BIGGER By Marion Smith

Proverbs 22:6 -Train a child in the way he should go.

When our 2nd grandson was 4, he attended a Christian pre-school. It was exciting for us to watch him grow in the Lord, learn songs about Jesus, and relate Bible stories to us. He went through quite a stage where his reply to everything was…well, whatever…but I know “God is bigger.” If we were talking about the amount we had spent at the grocery store, the size of a magnificent oak tree, the problems we faced, the joy we felt…whatever..! his input was-“God is bigger!”

You know..from the mouth of babes. How BIG is our God? How big is your God? Is He bigger than the problems you face, discouraging times you experience, and trials that come your way? Is He bigger than the joy you feel from a fleeting worldly experience, a hearty meal, a touch of a loved one? HE IS!! HE IS! YES!! God is bigger than anything we can experience on this earth. He is totally beyond our compression with His mighty creation, His omnipotence, omnipresence, and His unfailing love for us.

Let’s just take a minute right now to stand in His Presence, soaking up the fact that GOD is BIGGER….bigger and better than anything in this world. Amen? Amen!

THICKER THAN WATER By Sally I. Kennedy

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Hebrews 2:11

"Blood is thicker than water". That's an _expression I've heard all my life. "When the chips are down, you can count on your family."

My parents taught us that our family may not like or approve of what we do, but they don't throw in the towel, walk away, and disown us. When the chips are down, even if friends desert you, family will stand by you. Others can help, but family, relatives, kinfolk ...it's best to turn to them if at all possible.

It is very cool that Jesus is twice a blood relative. First, we're both children of Abraham. Second, He sacrificed his life and shed his blood on Calvary, making it possible for us to be reconciled to our Father God. In fact God adopted us, making us brothers and sisters with Jesus. Family.

The church universal, the body of Christ, is our family, too! There's an old Gaither song that goes something like, "....I've been washed in His goodness, washed in his blood; joint heirs with Jesus as we travel along, we're part of the family, the family of God."

Last summer I received this email from a friend in Michigan: "The family reunion is well under way this whole week. All 30 of us park on our dock and eat from our kitchen. While it has been nice I am ready to say so-long. Our golf cart was driven into a creek by a nephew ( that was on my side), one of my nieces broke the boat key in half ( my husband's side). Two nephews collided in jet skies and damaged one completely.. ..thank God not themselves too badly. Oh family life!"

Regardless, family is beautiful. The Bible encourages, in chapter 6 of the book of Galatians... ...as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Blood brothers and sisters in the Lord. Thank God, blood IS thicker than water, and exceedingly priceless.

OLD JOE By Melanie Schurr

Old Joe was the local derelict. No one really knew the cause of what sent him to the streets It was rumored he only had an elementary education. His disheveled and dirty appearance made him seem older than his 30 years. When he would walk by, people would whisper behind his back saying, "Poor old Joe. Will nothing good come of him?"

Old Joe spent his days searching in garbage cans for redeemable bottles and his nights sleeping in an alley. One day, Joe seemed to disappear without a trace. Some thought he hopped a train to the south, but no one knew for sure.

Ten years later, a new preacher came to town; he had a quiet and relaxed way about him as he stood on the corner handing leaflets out. On occasion, he could also be seen treating a homeless person to lunch as they sat and talked and he was also a favorite guest speaker at the local church.

After one sermon, a group of elderly ladies gathered together, commenting on how wise the preacher was. "Obviously, he came from a very good college," remarked one lady. "Yes, it is rumored he came from a very well to do family," said another.

The following Sunday, the preacher began to speak, "Ten years ago I felt I was a nobody. I had no real family, a limited education, and couldn't get a job. No one seemed to care, so I, too, began to not care about my self. A woman reached out to me one day, told me about someone who DID care, God. She told me that God does not look at the outer appearance, but at one's heart.

She told me that He loved me so much He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins and that, through Him, I could have salvation." The preacher continued, "On that day, my life changed dramatically because for once I had a sense of hope. I may not have had an earthly family, but I had a whole slew of 'brother's and sister's' in the family of Christ! No longer did I have to be 'poor old Joe,' because in the
Bible, it told me I was now a child of God! ("How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" I John 3:1)"

The whole congregation sat and stared in awe, now knowing the distinguished man before them was 'ole Joe. That day, the sharing of his story of faith, hope, and love changed many lives.

Through the example of Old Joe, we can know ALL things are not only possible through Christ who strengthens us, but, through Him, former things are passed away and the new is now upon us! If ole Joe can do it, so can you! Call on your heavenly Father today.

THE POWER OF THREE LITTLE WORDS Author Unknown

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

The following three word phrases can enrich every relationship:

I'LL BE THERE - Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there' is at the very, very core of civility.

I MISS YOU - Perhaps more marriages could be salvaged and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other, "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm the importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong."

PLEASE FORGIVE ME - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should
never be ashamed to own up to he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

COUNT ON ME - "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out." "Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there, indicating "you can count on me."

LET ME HELP - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT - Some of your friends may be non-conformists, have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness - everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be reserved for those who are special; that is I LOVE YOU.

PARA KAY LORD forwarded by Papaleng

Sa isang kapanahunan, humarap si Satanas kay Hesus doon sa Harden ng Eden , at masayang nagyayabang. (Luke 4: 1-12; Job 1: 6-12)

' Opo, Panginoon, sa ngayon, silang lahat ay sakop ko na, ( halos lahat sila doon sa ibaba). Naglagay ako ng mga patibong, gamit ko rin ang pa-in ng tukso, Alam ko lahat ang mga bagay ng kanilang kahinaan. Halos nabitag ko silang lahat !' (1 Ped 5: 8-9; Efe 6: 10-17)

'Ano ang gagawin mo sa kanila?' tanong ni Hesus. at Siya ay nanalangin sa Dios Ama.

Sumagot si Satanas 'Oh, gagawa ako ng katuwaan sa kanila !'

Pagdidiborsyohin ko sila pagkatapos nilang magpakasal upang ang pondasyon ng sangkatauhan ay hindi maging matatag ' ang pamilya' (Mat 19: 4-6; Mal ak 2: 16)

Pag-aawayin ko sila sa isat-isa at mag-aabusuhan silang lahat , malulong sila sa alak at droga ng walang pakundangan. (Rom 13: 12-14)

Tuturuan ko silang gumawa ng mga armas at pampasabog , upang magpatayan silang lahat

'Talagang mag e-enjoy ako ng husto!'

'At kung magsawa ka na sa katuwaan sa kanila, anong gagwing mo?' tanong ni Hesus, habang patuloy na nananalangin.

' Eh di 'patayin ko silang lahat at ang kanilang kaluluwa'y magiging akin magpakailanman'

'Panginoon sa lahat ng aspeto , desisyon nila 'yan ' (1John 3: 8-10)

' Magkano lahat ang gusto mo para sa kanila?' tanong ni Hesus.

' Uhmn, hindi mo sila kailangan. Wala silang maidudulot na mabuti para sa 'Yo. Bakit mo pa sila kailangan kung ayaw nilang sumunod ni magmahal sa Iyo? Galit sila sa Iyo! Nakita ko na maraming dumudura sa 'yo , isinumpa Ka a t hindi kinikilala.'

' Dagdag pa, mahal na mahal nila ako ' (Mat 24: 10-13)

' Hindi mo kailangan ang mga taong ito!!'

' Magkano?' tanong ulit ni Hesus

Tumingin si Satanas sa Kanya ng may pangungutya..

' Lahat ng iyong luha at dugo, lahat ng kapighatian sa sanlibutan , lahat-lahat' (Isaiah 53: 4-10; I Ped 2: 24)

sumagot si Hesus ...' Gawin ko'

'at binayaran Niya lahat ng katumbas ' (II Cor 5: 21)

Napakasaklap isipin na hindi ninanais ng tao na hanapin ang Dios , ngunit nagtatanong sa sarili kung bakit ang mundo'y pabagsak sa impyerno !

Mas nabigyang pansin pa ang balitang pang araw-araw hinggil sa trahedya sa ating kapaligiran ngunit hindi natin hinahanap ang Biblia

Halos lahat ay walang katuturang nagnanais na mapunta sa kalangitan , at naniniwalang makarating sila roon kahit walang pananalig, kahit hindi umibig sa Dios higit pa sa lahat ng bagay, ni sumunod sa sinabi ng Biblia ..., ang kautusan ng Dios.

Napakasaklap na may nga taong nagsasabi 'Sumasampalataya ako sa Dios' subalit kay Satanas pa rin sumusunod (at sa totoo lang, ni hindi natatakot sa Dios ) (2 Tim 4: 3-4; II J uan 1: 7-11)

Sa palagay nyo'y hindi isang kahinaan ang magpadala ng libo-libong 'biro o katuwaan' sa email, upang ito'y kumalat ng parang 'salot' .

Ngunit pag itoy mensahe na mula sa Panginoon, nagda-dalawang isip pa tayo bago natin ito maibahagi sa iba; at kinalimutan na lang natin ang mailboxes ng ating mga kaibigan na hindi nakabasa nito

Sa pakiwari nyo, hindi nakakagimbal na ang mga malalaswa, makamundo at kawalanghiyaan ay kusang umiiral sa Internet, na marami ang halos gusto nang ipasak ang sarili sa 'screen'.

Pero ipinagbabawal sa publiko ang magbahagi tungkol kay Hesus sa mga eskwelahan, lugar ng pinagtrabahu-an, pang kasarinlang lupon, atbp... ( Gawa 4: 19-20)

Kahit ngayong malaman ang ginawa Niya para sa atin. dahil hindi siya pinatay ng mga Romano. Kungdi ng ating mga kasalanan. upang lahat tayo'y mapatawad, at makilala Siya sa kanyang kaluwalhatian kasama ng Ama.

Parang hindi kapanipaniwala kung paanong ang iba ay nagiging ilaw sa panahon ng 'Simba' pag pumasok sa Bahay-panambahan, sumasamba at nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon dahil sa kanyang 'habag', sa isang pa muling araw na naragdagan ang buhay.

Subalit sa ibang mga araw ng Linggo sya ay nagiging invisible na Kristyano! (2 Tim 3: 1-5; Rom 10: 9-13)

Ano kaya, makatarungan ba ito?

Hwag hayaang itigil ni Satanas ang magbahagi ng e-mail na ito para sa kakilala natin sa Web, Hayaan na lang kahit kahit sabihin nilang 'ayaw nilang maniwala nito' Hwag hayaang umayong sa kanyang mga balak !

Hwag mabagabag tungkol sa sasabihin ng iba para sa iyo. Panahon na upang mabahala tayo sa 'kung ano ang iniisip ng Dios para sa atin '

Pakiusap lang mga kapatid , ibahagi mo rin ito! 'Ako, nagawa ko na, Salamat'

Pagpapalain ka nawa ng Dios ( 2 Cor 13: 13)