After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak,
"A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean." The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life .... to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not.
The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, ‘I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth.
"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us."
With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."
"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You See- I was that friend -
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
BP Oil Spill Prayer
By Jim Croft
Father God we humbly come before you asking for mercy. Your gracious intervention is the only solution for the sea life, inland wildlife estuaries and our citizens residing in the Gulf regions of the USA and beyond. As we do so, we want to remind you of your nature and ways. Lord you are the Greatest of Environmentalists. You make note of the deaths of seemingly insignificant sparrows. (Matt 10:29) It was you, Oh God, who wanted to withhold judgment against wicked Nineveh in the Prophet Jonah’s Day. You expressed concern for its livestock as well as its 120,000 inhabitants. (Jonah 4:11) Lord it was you who commanded ancient Israel to leave the edges of their fields uncultivated in order to provide safe cover and forage for birds and animals. Similarly, you commanded Israel not to make second gleanings of their crops so that food might be available for the poor. (Ex 23:11, Lev 19:9, 23, Deut 22:6) Lord, you have said of yourself that you do not change. We beseech you to now demonstrate your unchangeable character. Oh God, have mercy and intervene. Exhibit your love for the creatures and plant life of the sea by stopping the leak. Please protect our shores and inland marshes from further damage. Lord, have mercy on the masses of our citizens that are dependant on the waters and shores of the Gulf for their livelihoods from coming into the grip of poverty. Lord God, please prevent the oil spillage from making its way south on the Gulf Stream around Florida and then north to bring havoc to our Atlantic waters and shores.
Man has predicted terrible storms this season. Such storms could intensify the perils of the oil spill in the Gulf. Father God, you inspired your Son to still storms. You have not changed and Jesus is ever the same. Nullify the north bound flows of any storms originating south of the Gulf. We implore you to divert any East to West, America bound hurricanes to turn north in the Atlantic without making any landfalls in any inhabited locales.
Lord, you are the God of creativity and you inspire the same in man. Let your revelations about how to stop the leak; how to purify the waters; and how to cleanse the inland estuaries come to those whom you inspire. Oh God, you are the Loving God who miraculously purifies bitter and poisoned waters on behalf of mankind and animals. You did it for Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness at Marah. (Ex 15:23-26) You did it for Elisha and the Jews of Jericho. (2 Kgs 2:19-22) Moses cast in a piece of tree wood to heal the waters and Elisha threw in salt. Those instances were under the Old Covenant and we have a better Covenant, established on better promises. (Heb 8:6) Through the atoning death of Jesus on a wooden cross you brought us into your Covenant of Grace. Our responses to others are to be seasoned with the salt of graciousness. (Col 4:6) Let it be so with your response to our intercessions.
Lord, nothing is too difficult for you. Changing water into blood and back again into water was one of your first signs to the Egyptians that you are the God of All. Jesus transformed water into wine to satisfy the needs of a family wedding. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families and the lives of innumerable millions of water creatures and plants are at stake. Oh God, we beseech you to intervene with your mercy. Transform the waters of the Gulf into a purified state for the glory of your name. Do it by giving nautical engineers and scientists clever insights. Do it through a miraculous intervention that all will know came from you. But, please do it. Lord, we will give you honor and praise for doing so. In Jesus’ name, Amen
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Father God we humbly come before you asking for mercy. Your gracious intervention is the only solution for the sea life, inland wildlife estuaries and our citizens residing in the Gulf regions of the USA and beyond. As we do so, we want to remind you of your nature and ways. Lord you are the Greatest of Environmentalists. You make note of the deaths of seemingly insignificant sparrows. (Matt 10:29) It was you, Oh God, who wanted to withhold judgment against wicked Nineveh in the Prophet Jonah’s Day. You expressed concern for its livestock as well as its 120,000 inhabitants. (Jonah 4:11) Lord it was you who commanded ancient Israel to leave the edges of their fields uncultivated in order to provide safe cover and forage for birds and animals. Similarly, you commanded Israel not to make second gleanings of their crops so that food might be available for the poor. (Ex 23:11, Lev 19:9, 23, Deut 22:6) Lord, you have said of yourself that you do not change. We beseech you to now demonstrate your unchangeable character. Oh God, have mercy and intervene. Exhibit your love for the creatures and plant life of the sea by stopping the leak. Please protect our shores and inland marshes from further damage. Lord, have mercy on the masses of our citizens that are dependant on the waters and shores of the Gulf for their livelihoods from coming into the grip of poverty. Lord God, please prevent the oil spillage from making its way south on the Gulf Stream around Florida and then north to bring havoc to our Atlantic waters and shores.
Man has predicted terrible storms this season. Such storms could intensify the perils of the oil spill in the Gulf. Father God, you inspired your Son to still storms. You have not changed and Jesus is ever the same. Nullify the north bound flows of any storms originating south of the Gulf. We implore you to divert any East to West, America bound hurricanes to turn north in the Atlantic without making any landfalls in any inhabited locales.
Lord, you are the God of creativity and you inspire the same in man. Let your revelations about how to stop the leak; how to purify the waters; and how to cleanse the inland estuaries come to those whom you inspire. Oh God, you are the Loving God who miraculously purifies bitter and poisoned waters on behalf of mankind and animals. You did it for Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness at Marah. (Ex 15:23-26) You did it for Elisha and the Jews of Jericho. (2 Kgs 2:19-22) Moses cast in a piece of tree wood to heal the waters and Elisha threw in salt. Those instances were under the Old Covenant and we have a better Covenant, established on better promises. (Heb 8:6) Through the atoning death of Jesus on a wooden cross you brought us into your Covenant of Grace. Our responses to others are to be seasoned with the salt of graciousness. (Col 4:6) Let it be so with your response to our intercessions.
Lord, nothing is too difficult for you. Changing water into blood and back again into water was one of your first signs to the Egyptians that you are the God of All. Jesus transformed water into wine to satisfy the needs of a family wedding. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families and the lives of innumerable millions of water creatures and plants are at stake. Oh God, we beseech you to intervene with your mercy. Transform the waters of the Gulf into a purified state for the glory of your name. Do it by giving nautical engineers and scientists clever insights. Do it through a miraculous intervention that all will know came from you. But, please do it. Lord, we will give you honor and praise for doing so. In Jesus’ name, Amen
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
BP Oil Spill Prayer
By Jim Croft
Father God we humbly come before you asking for mercy. Your gracious intervention is the only solution for the sea life, inland wildlife estuaries and our citizens residing in the Gulf regions of the USA and beyond. As we do so, we want to remind you of your nature and ways. Lord you are the Greatest of Environmentalists. You make note of the deaths of seemingly insignificant sparrows. (Matt 10:29) It was you, Oh God, who wanted to withhold judgment against wicked Nineveh in the Prophet Jonah’s Day. You expressed concern for its livestock as well as its 120,000 inhabitants. (Jonah 4:11) Lord it was you who commanded ancient Israel to leave the edges of their fields uncultivated in order to provide safe cover and forage for birds and animals. Similarly, you commanded Israel not to make second gleanings of their crops so that food might be available for the poor. (Ex 23:11, Lev 19:9, 23, Deut 22:6) Lord, you have said of yourself that you do not change. We beseech you to now demonstrate your unchangeable character. Oh God, have mercy and intervene. Exhibit your love for the creatures and plant life of the sea by stopping the leak. Please protect our shores and inland marshes from further damage. Lord, have mercy on the masses of our citizens that are dependant on the waters and shores of the Gulf for their livelihoods from coming into the grip of poverty. Lord God, please prevent the oil spillage from making its way south on the Gulf Stream around Florida and then north to bring havoc to our Atlantic waters and shores.
Man has predicted terrible storms this season. Such storms could intensify the perils of the oil spill in the Gulf. Father God, you inspired your Son to still storms. You have not changed and Jesus is ever the same. Nullify the north bound flows of any storms originating south of the Gulf. We implore you to divert any East to West, America bound hurricanes to turn north in the Atlantic without making any landfalls in any inhabited locales.
Lord, you are the God of creativity and you inspire the same in man. Let your revelations about how to stop the leak; how to purify the waters; and how to cleanse the inland estuaries come to those whom you inspire. Oh God, you are the Loving God who miraculously purifies bitter and poisoned waters on behalf of mankind and animals. You did it for Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness at Marah. (Ex 15:23-26) You did it for Elisha and the Jews of Jericho. (2 Kgs 2:19-22) Moses cast in a piece of tree wood to heal the waters and Elisha threw in salt. Those instances were under the Old Covenant and we have a better Covenant, established on better promises. (Heb 8:6) Through the atoning death of Jesus on a wooden cross you brought us into your Covenant of Grace. Our responses to others are to be seasoned with the salt of graciousness. (Col 4:6) Let it be so with your response to our intercessions.
Lord, nothing is too difficult for you. Changing water into blood and back again into water was one of your first signs to the Egyptians that you are the God of All. Jesus transformed water into wine to satisfy the needs of a family wedding. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families and the lives of innumerable millions of water creatures and plants are at stake. Oh God, we beseech you to intervene with your mercy. Transform the waters of the Gulf into a purified state for the glory of your name. Do it by giving nautical engineers and scientists clever insights. Do it through a miraculous intervention that all will know came from you. But, please do it. Lord, we will give you honor and praise for doing so. In Jesus’ name, Amen
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Father God we humbly come before you asking for mercy. Your gracious intervention is the only solution for the sea life, inland wildlife estuaries and our citizens residing in the Gulf regions of the USA and beyond. As we do so, we want to remind you of your nature and ways. Lord you are the Greatest of Environmentalists. You make note of the deaths of seemingly insignificant sparrows. (Matt 10:29) It was you, Oh God, who wanted to withhold judgment against wicked Nineveh in the Prophet Jonah’s Day. You expressed concern for its livestock as well as its 120,000 inhabitants. (Jonah 4:11) Lord it was you who commanded ancient Israel to leave the edges of their fields uncultivated in order to provide safe cover and forage for birds and animals. Similarly, you commanded Israel not to make second gleanings of their crops so that food might be available for the poor. (Ex 23:11, Lev 19:9, 23, Deut 22:6) Lord, you have said of yourself that you do not change. We beseech you to now demonstrate your unchangeable character. Oh God, have mercy and intervene. Exhibit your love for the creatures and plant life of the sea by stopping the leak. Please protect our shores and inland marshes from further damage. Lord, have mercy on the masses of our citizens that are dependant on the waters and shores of the Gulf for their livelihoods from coming into the grip of poverty. Lord God, please prevent the oil spillage from making its way south on the Gulf Stream around Florida and then north to bring havoc to our Atlantic waters and shores.
Man has predicted terrible storms this season. Such storms could intensify the perils of the oil spill in the Gulf. Father God, you inspired your Son to still storms. You have not changed and Jesus is ever the same. Nullify the north bound flows of any storms originating south of the Gulf. We implore you to divert any East to West, America bound hurricanes to turn north in the Atlantic without making any landfalls in any inhabited locales.
Lord, you are the God of creativity and you inspire the same in man. Let your revelations about how to stop the leak; how to purify the waters; and how to cleanse the inland estuaries come to those whom you inspire. Oh God, you are the Loving God who miraculously purifies bitter and poisoned waters on behalf of mankind and animals. You did it for Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness at Marah. (Ex 15:23-26) You did it for Elisha and the Jews of Jericho. (2 Kgs 2:19-22) Moses cast in a piece of tree wood to heal the waters and Elisha threw in salt. Those instances were under the Old Covenant and we have a better Covenant, established on better promises. (Heb 8:6) Through the atoning death of Jesus on a wooden cross you brought us into your Covenant of Grace. Our responses to others are to be seasoned with the salt of graciousness. (Col 4:6) Let it be so with your response to our intercessions.
Lord, nothing is too difficult for you. Changing water into blood and back again into water was one of your first signs to the Egyptians that you are the God of All. Jesus transformed water into wine to satisfy the needs of a family wedding. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families and the lives of innumerable millions of water creatures and plants are at stake. Oh God, we beseech you to intervene with your mercy. Transform the waters of the Gulf into a purified state for the glory of your name. Do it by giving nautical engineers and scientists clever insights. Do it through a miraculous intervention that all will know came from you. But, please do it. Lord, we will give you honor and praise for doing so. In Jesus’ name, Amen
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Cross Room
The young man was at the end of his rope.
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can't bear it's weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then open another door and pick any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief.
"Thank you, Lord,"
he sighed, and did as he was told.
As he looked around the room he saw many different crosses;
some so large the tops were not visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord,"
he whispered. And the Lord replied,
"My son, that's the cross you brought in."
-Unknown
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can't bear it's weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then open another door and pick any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief.
"Thank you, Lord,"
he sighed, and did as he was told.
As he looked around the room he saw many different crosses;
some so large the tops were not visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord,"
he whispered. And the Lord replied,
"My son, that's the cross you brought in."
-Unknown
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Monday, July 5, 2010
Open Those Eggs
Imagine that I dump 10,000 plastic eggs in your back yard. I assure you that inside one of those hollow eggs is a check for $1 Million dollars with your name on it. Would you get discouraged if you opened the first 100 eggs without finding the check? How about the first 1000 eggs? Of course not ! You'd just keep opening those eggs, just waiting for the moment when you'd find the check. St. Paul knew the meaning of the word "suffering." He had been beaten, stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked, starved, and rejected. And yet Paul said that his sufferings were nothing compared to the glory that would come. In other words, Paul had opened a lot of empty eggs, but he never gave up or got discouraged. He believed that something great was in his future - God's glory revealed in him. Perhaps it feels to you as if your life has been nothing but empty eggs. You've already opened 99000 of them and you're not sure you've got the will to go on. Let me encourage you today. Don't give up. I don't want to trivialize the challenges you are facing, but I do want to help you put them into perspective. They are only temporary, and God has something much greater in store for you. Compared to the glory that will be revealed in us one day, our suffering doesn't merit discouragement. Hang on. Don't give up. Keep going. One day God will replace your discouragement with incomparable glory!
Friday, July 2, 2010
No Do Overs
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!
When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.
When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.
You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, and the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.
The measure of love is when you love without measure. In life there are very rare chances that you'll meet the person you love and loves you in return. So once you have it don't ever let go, the chance might never come your way again.
It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.
We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.
When you truly care for someone, you don't look for faults, you don't look for answers, and you don't look for mistakes. Instead, you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults, and you overlook the excuses.
Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.
Pass it on to your dear friends....
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!
When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.
When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.
You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, and the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.
The measure of love is when you love without measure. In life there are very rare chances that you'll meet the person you love and loves you in return. So once you have it don't ever let go, the chance might never come your way again.
It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.
We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.
When you truly care for someone, you don't look for faults, you don't look for answers, and you don't look for mistakes. Instead, you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults, and you overlook the excuses.
Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.
Pass it on to your dear friends....
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Thursday, July 1, 2010
God Is So Great
I was standing at the seat of judgment, waiting for my turn
Thinking of the houses and the treasures I would earn
Thinking of how I'd lived my life just as a Christian should
Thinking of how I'd always done what was right and what was good
I knew that when my turn would come with the Father and the Son
They would look at me and my life and say to me "Well Done"
I knew that I was sinless, and my life beyond reproach
I got more excited as my time began to approach
But just then I looked around and who should I see,
But the lady that I worked with, just down the hall from me
We always passed each other with a wave and a smile
And when the time would allow we would chat for a little while
We would talk about our jobs, our kids, and various little things
Our conversations always pleasant and laughter it would bring
Just then she looked up, and her teary eyes locked with mine
And my smile faded when I realized she was in the other line
She began to speak the words that broke my heart in two
It pains me now to remember as I share these words with you
She said "Why didn't you tell me about the God that you do know,
You went to church each week but never invited me to go?
You never told me of his saving mercy, that he died on the cross
And now it is to late for me and my soul's eternally lost
I see you saved yourself and that you are among the chosen few,
But tell me, couldn't you have made an effort, to try and save me too?"
Just then I sat straight up in bed, my heart pounding in my chest
Thank God it was just a dream, but my spirit still couldn't rest
I realized that I couldn't keep my God a secret among friends
But that I must learn to always share the hope that the gospel lends
So I encourage you not to wait until it is too late
Go and tell everyone you meet that your God is so, so great
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
Thinking of the houses and the treasures I would earn
Thinking of how I'd lived my life just as a Christian should
Thinking of how I'd always done what was right and what was good
I knew that when my turn would come with the Father and the Son
They would look at me and my life and say to me "Well Done"
I knew that I was sinless, and my life beyond reproach
I got more excited as my time began to approach
But just then I looked around and who should I see,
But the lady that I worked with, just down the hall from me
We always passed each other with a wave and a smile
And when the time would allow we would chat for a little while
We would talk about our jobs, our kids, and various little things
Our conversations always pleasant and laughter it would bring
Just then she looked up, and her teary eyes locked with mine
And my smile faded when I realized she was in the other line
She began to speak the words that broke my heart in two
It pains me now to remember as I share these words with you
She said "Why didn't you tell me about the God that you do know,
You went to church each week but never invited me to go?
You never told me of his saving mercy, that he died on the cross
And now it is to late for me and my soul's eternally lost
I see you saved yourself and that you are among the chosen few,
But tell me, couldn't you have made an effort, to try and save me too?"
Just then I sat straight up in bed, my heart pounding in my chest
Thank God it was just a dream, but my spirit still couldn't rest
I realized that I couldn't keep my God a secret among friends
But that I must learn to always share the hope that the gospel lends
So I encourage you not to wait until it is too late
Go and tell everyone you meet that your God is so, so great
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com
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