Be Glad

Be glad that your life has been full and complete,
Be glad that you've tasted the bitter and sweet,
Be glad that you've walked in sunshine and rain,
Be glad that you've felt both pleasure and pain,
Be glad that you've had such a full, happy life,
Be glad for your joy as well as your strife,
Be glad that you've walked with courage each day,
Be glad you've had a strength for each step of the way,
Be glad for the comfort that you've found inprayer,
Be glad for God's blessings, his love, and His care.

A Gift For God

If you paus eto think,

You'll have cause to thank.

Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments Presidnet Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she entered Lincoln's office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to a sk a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, "You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you form the bottom of my heart."

When coming into God's presence, once in a while let's refrain form giving Him a list of requests. Instead, let's simply bring Him the gift of our gratitude and love. We may be sure that nothing pleases our Father more than our sincere thanksgiving.

Why not spend time offering up the sacrifice of praise, meditating on the Lord's mercies, recalling the riches of His grace, and blessing His holy name? Today, give that gift to the Giver of all good gifts. -VCG

Take Time

Take time to think -

It is the source of power.

Take time to read -

It is the foundation

of wisdom.

Take time to play -

It is the secret

of staying young.

Take time to be quiet -

It is the opportunity

to help others.

Take time to love

and be loved -

It is God's greatest gift.

Take time to laugh -

It is the music of the soul.

Take time to be friendly -

It is the road

to happiness.

Take time to dream -

It is what the future

is made of.

Take time to pray -

It is the greatest power

on earth.

There is time

for everything......

Ecclesiastes 3:1

What Time Is It?

Counting time is not as important

as making time count.

There are many ways of keeping time. Let's look at three of them. The first is called "world time." For many years this was how the world set its clock. world time was determined by the relationship of the earth to the sun, and it enabled man to measure time by the movements of the heavens.

A second way of keeping time was adopted in 1972 when the switch was made to "atomic time". this method mesures hours, minutes, and seconds not merely by the big picture of the heavens but by the highly accurate vibrations of the atom.

Then there's a third method. It's based on our relationship to God, and His timekeeping is perfect. Let me explain. When we recognize our accountability to God, we see that now is the time to surround ourselves with the values, thoughts, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus Christ. We become aware that our eternal rescue is closer than ever before. Because of our relationship to the Lord, we should heed the warning that time is running out for this world. If we are going to live by honestly and lovingly, we must do so now!

As you look at the clock today, remember that you should also figure time by your relationship to the Lord. -MRD II

What More Can You Ask

God's love endures forever--

what a wonderful thing to know

When the tides of life run against you

and your spirit is downcast and low.

God's kindness is ever around you,

always ready to freely impart

Strength to your faltering spirit,

cheer to your lonely heart.

God's presence is ever beside you,

as near as the reach of your hand.

You have but tp tell Him your troubles --

there is nothing He won't understand.....

And knowing God's love is unfailing,

and His mercy unending and great,

You have but to trust in His promise --

God comes not too soon or too late.....

So wait with a heart that is patient

for the goodness of God to prevail,

For never do prayers go unanswered,

and His mercy and love never fail.

Marking Down

Mark it down, things do not "just happen."

 Ours is not a random, whistle-in-the-dar

universe. There is a God-arranged plan for this world of

ours, which includes a specific plan for you. And

through every ordinary day and every ordinary day

and every extraordinary

moment, there is a God who constantly seeks you.

The God who loves us and redeemed us..... is there,

and He is not silent.

Oh the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

Romans 11:33

The Old Tractor

God specializes in restoration.

My friend Gary restores tractors. He told me about an old John Deere that had been sitting in a farmer's firld for year's. It had served its owner faithfully for decades.

When Gary was finally able to start the tractor, the engine was in such bad shape that it couldn't have pulled a child's wagon, much less a plow. The belts were cracked, the wires were split, the plugs were rusted, and the carburetor was a way out of adjustments.

With loving hands, Gary went to work. He replaced the plugs and points and adjusted the carburetor. When he put it all back together and fired it up, its engine purred like a kitten. It can now pull a plow as strongly as it ever did. Under Gary's restorative skills, it will do it all it was designed to do.

In Psalm 51, David repented of his sin with Bathsheba and asked God to restore him to the place of fellowship he once enjoyed. He prayed; "Create in me a clean heart, O God.... Restore to me the joy of Your salvation."

Through neglect or sin, have you ended up by the wayside spiritually? Turn right now to the Lord. Place yourself in His tender hands. Confess your sin, repent, and ask His forgivenesss. He is waiting to restore you to Himself and make you a productive Christian again. -DCE