Create in me a clean heart O God

08/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/oXRZABDEYzYtJegm/?mibextid=xfxF2i

01/04/2024

16/09/2023

This is so true

22/08/2023

A new monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to help the other monks in copying the old texts by hand. He notices, however, that they are copying from copies, and not the original books.
So, the new monk goes to the head monk to ask him about this. He points out that if there was an error in the first copy, that error would be continued in all of the other copies. The head monk says, "We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son."

So, he goes down into the cellar with one of the copies to check it against the original. Hours later, nobody has seen him. So, one of the monks goes downstairs to look for him. He hears sobbing coming from the back of the cellar and finds the old monk leaning over one of the original books crying. He asks what's wrong.

"The word is celebrate!" says the old monk.

17/07/2023

Would everyone say a prayer for a friend of mine who will be having heart surgery tomorrow. He's not a believer but I pray that The Lord will be with him and he realizes just who Jesus really is.

19/04/2023

The Uninvited Guest

Several years back, I woke up to my eyes burning with tears, and it wasn't due to allergies, sadness, or regret. Nope. The cause of my discomfort was the stinky odor of a skunk, accompanied by a chemical that made my eyes water. Sadly, this wasn't the first time it had happened that week. The signs in the attic suggested that we had an "uninvited guest" who had made itself at home. Now, the question was how it had gotten in, and how we could get rid of it and keep it from coming back.

The Christian life is like this too. Often, we have an "uninvited guest" in our lives- sin. And, just like with the skunk, sin stinks, and its presence is evident in our lives through low self-esteem, guilt, and the sense of having let God down.

So, how did sin get into our lives, and how do we prevent its return? The answer is the same as with the skunk- we need to find the point of entry and take appropriate measures to keep it out. We do this by praying and asking God to reveal to us the source of our sin and to guide us in sealing off that entry point. We must also continue in prayer and study of God's word to keep sin from returning, and humbly ask for forgiveness and direction from the Holy Spirit.

Today, I pray that you are blessed and that you live in the grace and peace that come from having a forgiven soul.

Remember that Father loves you, and so do I.

28/03/2023

Sunday Is Coming!!! A Powerful Reminder, Please Read!!! 🙏🏼💕

“He received 39 stripes because 40 was known to kill a man. They wanted him alive. They held handfuls of his beard, and hair and pulled it out by the roots. They wanted him alive. They kicked, punched, and spit on him for hours. Until there wasn't a single spot on his body not covered in blood. They wanted him alive. They shoved a crown of thorns down on his head so harshly it stuck in his skin. They wanted him alive. After hours of being beaten, mocked, whipped, flogged, and tortured they made him walk with a cross. They made him carry it. A rough piece of wood with splinters digging into fresh wounds. They wanted him alive. They wanted him to feel every ounce of pain they could bring. He had to feel it in order to heal us. Crucifixion was historically one of the cruelest most tortured deaths a human could face. Hours upon hours of torture. Torture most of us can not mentally think of because the cruelty isn't normal. It isn't something our minds can comprehend. We celebrate Easter with pastel colors, happy children hunting eggs, and chocolate. Truth is there was absolutely nothing happy about the day Jesus died. It was cruel, bloody, and nasty. He could have stopped all of it. He could have called every angel in heaven to demolish every person standing and shouting "Crucify Him!" He didn't. He knew in order to have a Sunday you have to have a Friday. He knew in order to have joy you have to carry your cross. He felt everything that day. He felt how your heart broke wide open when you had to watch your baby die. He felt how heavy your life was when you were staring down the barrel of a gun wondering if the man you called husband was going to shoot you. He carried the weight of the burden you have felt since your spouse died and life just doesn't seem right since. On that cross he held the ra**st and murderers, the sinner and the saint. He leveled every playing field and said ALL of you are worth it. He knew he had to carry the cross. He never promised the cross you carry in this life would not be heavy. His wasn't. His promise is that Sunday is coming.
No matter how heavy Friday is. Financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Friday is heavy. That cross is weighing you down and you are about to crumble under its weight. His promise was simply this. He won't make you carry it alone. What kind of king would step down from his throne for this?
Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God did. For you.
He did every bit of it for you and me. Oh yes it is heavy. So heavy sometimes you do not think you can take one more step. But look up, because Sunday is coming.”

20/03/2023

“When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.”
― Maya Angelou

13/02/2023

Hehehehe

12/02/2023

https://www.facebook.com/reel/721158646295014?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

10/02/2023

I always sit in back, how about yall?

31/01/2023

5 “RIGHT” Techniques I Use To keep My Focus.

1. Right Rest

There’s a time for everything. But many refuse to take time to obtain the right rest for the right reasons.

Many believe that sleeping is automatically rest. But we all can attest that even after sleep, sometimes you don't feel rested. This can be due to your spirit being unable to rest. If your mind is all over the place then so will your rest be also.

I personally use the Sabbath (the 7th day) as my day of physical and spiritual rest from everything. Understanding this divine principle has allowed my mind, spirit and body to realign and regain the strength it needs for the next 6 days of work. In it, I’m able to recap my week and prepare for the next week. Steadily, my structure has become more fortified to personal responsibility, family engagement and planned social time.

Rest gives you time to sit still so the Most High can speak to you and to remind you of His Word.

Find your rest and abide in it. You can't past your test without the right amount of rest.

2. Right Relationships

Friendships are good to have it relationships are vital. Since 'healthy' relationships help keep you growing, you will always have less relationships than you have friendships. Every friend may not be in a closer relationship because of this truth.

The right relationships are designed to keep you on track through their progressive unique personalities and wisdom they share when you need it most.

Through relationships, the Most High allows the right fellowship and trust that is used to build the foundation of the union.

Having the right perception about your relationship is steered by not allowing deception to cloud it. Everybody that’s happy AROUND you, doesn’t mean they’re happy FOR you.

The toughest part for most people is confusing friendships with relationships, hence finding themselves making relationship choices from friendship advice.

What you give into a relationship will show its true power when it's time for the relationship to give back unto you.

3. Right Reminders

When you fail to plan, you plan to fail, has been a true quote in at entirety. However, WHAT you plan is more important than anything. One major problem with most adults is their indulgence in teenage behavior. They have this false hope of success to manifest even when their behavior is blatantly contrary.

When you're trying to grow, it must be in the things that will push you up and not pull you down. Teenage behavior is fun and glamorous, with fashion and fanfare for the acceptance of friends and the desire of that relationship because of how they look and not who they are.

So, their reminders are filled with partying, intoxication, spending, gossip and other frivolously time wasting activities. And when it's time to do what's needed, their calendars can't make room to prepare, so this causes anxiety, stress and uneducated decisions.

Reminders aren’t set to remind you to be righteous, but your righteous behavior allows you to set the right reminders.

What's important for your mind…..should be important enough to remind.

4. Right Repentance

Life is filled with mistakes and growing pains and in the midst of them both, you are responsible for evaluating your part in them. Saying ‘I’m sorry’, and/or ‘I apologize’, are words expressed outwardly, that only as powerful as the intent of the one saying them.

But repentance is a divine social behavior, expressed internally with oneself that then shows in outward behavior to an offense or to an offended person.

Going to church, reading the bible and even praying is not repentance. Repentance is connecting your wrong to His right and making His recommended adjustments.

The Most High’s desire is for you to live a life on track, by His Spirit and through His Son who led the way for you.

Without divine understanding of repentance, change will never take place. I take the time to evaluate myself the way The Most High has commanded of me and this allows me to work on my own personal issues that can affect me and/or the ones I love.

Repentance will always require growth and you will always see that those who refuse to repent, refuse to grow.

5. Right Reading
What you choose to read, enters into your conscious. Whether you believe it or not, it can spew into your life subconsciously. This is why social media, television and other forms of visual communication can cause someone to speak and act in a way that they weren’t physically taught to do. The things you allow into your eye-gate and cause you to behave in a way that will keep you from entering heaven’s gate.

Reading the word doesn’t mean you understand the Word. Invest your time in material that help you gain understanding, for wisdom is the principle thing.

Logic and intelligence are great to have, but divine revelation from His Spirit supersedes them all.

I choose to read the Word every free moment that I can. Therefore, what I put in me, becomes me. To be more like Him you must understand Him and not rely on what others may say. Be willing to know for yourself and sacrifice the time to do so.
SHARE AND TAG OTHERS IF THIS HAS HELPED YOU IN ANY WAY….SHALOM
Copied from a friend

23/01/2023

Deviled eggs

21/01/2023

A member of the church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few
weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the
reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the
flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a
brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there
was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time
to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much
for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the
best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

13/12/2022

This is how it happened...
I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven." He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise." He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness." Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection." He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. "Teach the children that I, St. Nick ( Santa Claus ) symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December." He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him." Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. "Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return." Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD......🙏🏼🎄🎁👼🏻🌟 Praise Jesus!!!

(Copied and pasted!... I just did.)

05/12/2022

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the place,
Not a creature was praying, not one on their face.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care,
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not one ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late,
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear,
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

30/11/2022

You may have been born in church, baptized in church, served in church, could have married in church, died in church and still end up in hell, because you were only in the church and not in Christ.
It is necessary to be born again, take up our cross and follow Jesus. Many have religion, but have no relation with the living God!

29/11/2022

Gracefully Broken!

I was in Dollar Tree last night, and there was a lady and two kids behind me in the LONG line. One was a big kid, and the other one was a toddler. The bigger one had a pack of glow sticks, and the toddler was screaming for them. The Mom opened the pack and gave him one which stopped his tears. He walked around with it smiling; but then the bigger boy took it, and the toddler started screaming again. Just as the Mom was about to fuss, the older child bent the glow stick and handed it back to the toddler. As we walked outside at the same time, the toddler noticed that the stick was now glowing; and his brother said, "I had to break it so that you could get the full effect from it."

I almost ran, because l could hear God saying to me, "I had to break you to show you why I created you. You had to go through it so you could fulfill your purpose."

That precious child was happy just swinging that "unbroken" glow stick around in the air, because he didn't understand what it was created to do - which was "glow".

There are some people who will be content just "being," but some of us that God has chosen... we have to be "broken."

We have to get sick.
We have to lose a job.
We go through a divorce.
We have to bury our spouse, parents, best friend, or our child...

In those moments of desperation, God is breaking us. But... when the breaking is done, then we will be able to see the reason for which we were created. So when you see us glowing, just know that we have been broken but healed by His Grace and Mercy!!! ❤💛💜

18/11/2022

THE TRAIN:
At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, strangers and even the love of your life. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. Others will step down over time and leave a permanent vacuum. Some, however, will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life. Reap success, give lots of love and be happy. More importantly, thank God for the journey!
Lastly, I want to thank you for being one of the passengers on my train! ❤️

01/08/2022

The Ticket

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.

The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Christian cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little anxious to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess."

Bob seemed uncertain. Good. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit-just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."

Ouch! This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door je**ed his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. . . Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob"

Jack...twisted around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle with care

Author Unknown