Welcome to Christ Journal

It is the Father’s delight to answer your prayers; it’s His good pleasure to give you the wonderful treasures of His Kingdom (Luke 12:32). Therefore, never doubt His willingness to answer you speedily when you pray. The Bible lets us know that He has ordained you to receive answers to prayers (John 15:16). Jesus said, when you pray, believe that you receive, and you shall have! It’s that simple: Pray, believe and receive. The challenge some Christians have is that they don’t know how to receive. The word “receive” in Greek is “lambano” and it’s an active word. It means to take a hold of something; to seize it and make it yours! Thus when you pray with your spirit, take a hold of that which you’ve asked for! Seize it and make it yours! God wants your joy to be full. Therefore, go ahead and make your request known to Him, and then take possession of that which you have asked for. Jesus made it clear that it’s the Father’s desire for you to boldly and confidently talk directly to Him in p

It is the Father’s delight to answer your prayers; it’s His good pleasure to give you the wonderful treasures of His Kingdom (Luke 12:32). Therefore, never doubt His willingness to answer you speedily when you pray. The Bible lets us know that He has ordained you to receive answers to prayers (John 15:16). Jesus said, when you pray, believe that you receive, and you shall have! It’s that simple: Pray, believe and receive. The challenge some Christians have is that they don’t know how to receive. The word “receive” in Greek is “lambano” and it’s an active word. It means to take a hold of something; to seize it and make it yours! Thus when you pray with your spirit, take a hold of that which you’ve asked for! Seize it and make it yours! God wants your joy to be full. Therefore, go ahead and make your request known to Him, and then take possession of that which you have asked for. Jesus made it clear that it’s the Father’s desire for you to boldly and confidently talk directly to Him in p

Bloom where you are planted. If you are faithful in the little, you will be trusted with much. Don't despise the days of small beginnings. It is from there that as you take one step at a time, obedient to the Lord's guiding, you will walk securely in the center of the Lord's will for your life, coming into the fullness that He has for you. There is no better place than in the center of God's will. It is through the trials along the way that you learn the valuable lessons you will need for fulfilling God's call on your life. Remember Joseph and David both had leadership calls on their lives. But in order for for them to be ready to step into those positions, they had to endure may trials and much hard work. Life lessons were learned, trust was built in the Lord, and integrity was developed and maintained. I encourage you wherever you are in your walk with the Lord to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:16-18). F

Bloom where you are planted. If you are faithful in the little, you will be trusted with much. Don't despise the days of small beginnings. It is from there that as you take one step at a time, obedient to the Lord's guiding, you will walk securely in the center of the Lord's will for your life, coming into the fullness that He has for you. There is no better place than in the center of God's will. It is through the trials along the way that you learn the valuable lessons you will need for fulfilling God's call on your life. Remember Joseph and David both had leadership calls on their lives. But in order for for them to be ready to step into those positions, they had to endure may trials and much hard work. Life lessons were learned, trust was built in the Lord, and integrity was developed and maintained. I encourage you wherever you are in your walk with the Lord to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:16-18). F

Dan Clark recalls when he was a teenager, he and his father once stood in line to buy tickets for the circus. They noticed a poor family immediately in front of them. The parents were holding hands. They had eight children, all probably under the age of twelve. He could tell that the circus was going to be a new adventure for them. The attendant asked how many tickets they wanted. The man proudly responded, ‘Td like to buy eight children’s tickets and two adult tickets.’ When the attendant quoted the price, the man’s wife let go of his hand and her head drooped. The man leaned a little closer and asked, ‘How much did you say? The attendant quoted the price again. The man obviously didn’t have money. He looked crushed. Clark says his father watched all this, put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a twenty pound note and dropped it on the ground. His father then reached down, picked up the note, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, ‘Excuse me, I think this must be yours. ‘The man kne

Dan Clark recalls when he was a teenager, he and his father once stood in line to buy tickets for the circus. They noticed a poor family immediately in front of them. The parents were holding hands. They had eight children, all probably under the age of twelve. He could tell that the circus was going to be a new adventure for them. The attendant asked how many tickets they wanted. The man proudly responded, ‘Td like to buy eight children’s tickets and two adult tickets.’ When the attendant quoted the price, the man’s wife let go of his hand and her head drooped. The man leaned a little closer and asked, ‘How much did you say? The attendant quoted the price again. The man obviously didn’t have money. He looked crushed. Clark says his father watched all this, put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a twenty pound note and dropped it on the ground. His father then reached down, picked up the note, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, ‘Excuse me, I think this must be yours. ‘The man kne

> What a dependable little organ is the human heart! Everyday, including Sundays and holidays,this little engine keeps on pumping nonstop.And it continues even while we sleep. The heart never complains about the weather and never asks for a vacation.It works best when treated well,but continues to serve even when working conditions are stressful. How much we need the heart!If one eye is blind,we can still see with the other.If one ear is deaf, we can hear with the other. If we lose a leg,we can still walk with a crutch. But we only have one Heart. WHILE WE LIVE Our "pumping machine is about the size of one's fist and weighs just a little more than half a pound.It beats about 70 times a minute, 4200 times an hour, 100,800 times a day,and 32,792,000 times a year. The heart of a 70 year old person has beaten over 2.5 billion times. The heart generates enough energy in 50 years to lift a battleship out of the water. In the average lifetime,it pumps enough blood to fill 3.3 supe

> What a dependable little organ is the human heart! Everyday, including Sundays and holidays,this little engine keeps on pumping nonstop.And it continues even while we sleep. The heart never complains about the weather and never asks for a vacation.It works best when treated well,but continues to serve even when working conditions are stressful. How much we need the heart!If one eye is blind,we can still see with the other.If one ear is deaf, we can hear with the other. If we lose a leg,we can still walk with a crutch. But we only have one Heart. WHILE WE LIVE Our "pumping machine is about the size of one's fist and weighs just a little more than half a pound.It beats about 70 times a minute, 4200 times an hour, 100,800 times a day,and 32,792,000 times a year. The heart of a 70 year old person has beaten over 2.5 billion times. The heart generates enough energy in 50 years to lift a battleship out of the water. In the average lifetime,it pumps enough blood to fill 3.3 supe

Basic scriptures: Genesis 13:7-9; Mathew 4:12-17 Mathew 4:12 says; "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee." Jesus departed and until you depart sometimes, you cannot enter into your rest! Yes, there is no entry without an exit! Christ will not stay long where He is not welcomed. Remember also the particular city He chose for His residence was not Nazareth, where He had been raised - (Mt 4:13; Lu 4:29). Nazareth was the first place that refused Christ, and was therefore refused by Him. If Christ will not stay long where He is not welcomed, neither should you. Oh, unhappy Nazareth! If thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace, how well would it had been for thee! Likewise, shake off the dust of your feet like Jesus did to Nazareth and move out of environments where you are not valued! Abraham and Lot had to separate before Abraham could see his Isaac! Do you know that many people who do not know your valued

Basic scriptures: Genesis 13:7-9; Mathew 4:12-17 Mathew 4:12 says; "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee." Jesus departed and until you depart sometimes, you cannot enter into your rest! Yes, there is no entry without an exit! Christ will not stay long where He is not welcomed. Remember also the particular city He chose for His residence was not Nazareth, where He had been raised - (Mt 4:13; Lu 4:29). Nazareth was the first place that refused Christ, and was therefore refused by Him. If Christ will not stay long where He is not welcomed, neither should you. Oh, unhappy Nazareth! If thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace, how well would it had been for thee! Likewise, shake off the dust of your feet like Jesus did to Nazareth and move out of environments where you are not valued! Abraham and Lot had to separate before Abraham could see his Isaac! Do you know that many people who do not know your valued

…WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. ‘JOHN 15:5 NKJV You can change the course of a day satan has negative plans for, by spending time with the Lord, especially when you sense any attitude or behaviour in yourself that’s not Christ-like. Jesus said,’… without Me you can do nothing.’ (John 15:5 NKJV). On the other hand, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Negative feelings are like unwelcome house guests: the worst thing you can do is to invite them in. You may not be able to override them in your own strength, but if you seek God’s help He will enable you to walk according to His ways, not by your negative emotions and perspective.  ‘But what if someone offends me?’ The Bible says we’re not to be oversensitive or easily offended. Actually we are commanded to forgive those who hurt us, not letting things fester. Sometimes we want to forgive and do what’s right, but we find doing it difficult. More often than not, the right thing is the hard thin

…WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. ‘JOHN 15:5 NKJV You can change the course of a day satan has negative plans for, by spending time with the Lord, especially when you sense any attitude or behaviour in yourself that’s not Christ-like. Jesus said,’… without Me you can do nothing.’ (John 15:5 NKJV). On the other hand, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Negative feelings are like unwelcome house guests: the worst thing you can do is to invite them in. You may not be able to override them in your own strength, but if you seek God’s help He will enable you to walk according to His ways, not by your negative emotions and perspective.  ‘But what if someone offends me?’ The Bible says we’re not to be oversensitive or easily offended. Actually we are commanded to forgive those who hurt us, not letting things fester. Sometimes we want to forgive and do what’s right, but we find doing it difficult. More often than not, the right thing is the hard thin

Next time you’re walking in the woods, imagine what’s taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: ‘[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.’ Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like: (1) Mercy. ‘Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’ (Colossians 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to show mercy to others? God’s mercy to us. You’ll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you. (2) Understanding. ‘Be sympath

Next time you’re walking in the woods, imagine what’s taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: ‘[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.’ Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like: (1) Mercy. ‘Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others’ (Colossians 3:13 NLT). What motivates us to show mercy to others? God’s mercy to us. You’ll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you. (2) Understanding. ‘Be sympath

Build up your faith! A Roman soldier’s shield protected him from head to toe. It was made of iron, upholstered in thick layers of fabric, and saturated in water when going to battle. Consequently the flaming arrows of the enemy fizzled on contact. Getting the idea? Paul writes, ‘Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one’ (NIV). Satan can’t penetrate a heart that’s pure, saturated in Scripture and fortified by faith. That’s why Jesus told Peter, ‘I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’ (Luke 22:32 NKJV). It’s your faith that’s under attack; it’s your faith that needs to be fed and nurtured; it’s your faith that sustains you in life’s battles! Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God’ (Mark 11:22). Note, He didn’t just say, ‘Have faith in something bigger than yourself.’ No, He said, ‘Have faith in God.’ If you’re under attack today claim this promise: ‘He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases s

Build up your faith! A Roman soldier’s shield protected him from head to toe. It was made of iron, upholstered in thick layers of fabric, and saturated in water when going to battle. Consequently the flaming arrows of the enemy fizzled on contact. Getting the idea? Paul writes, ‘Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one’ (NIV). Satan can’t penetrate a heart that’s pure, saturated in Scripture and fortified by faith. That’s why Jesus told Peter, ‘I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’ (Luke 22:32 NKJV). It’s your faith that’s under attack; it’s your faith that needs to be fed and nurtured; it’s your faith that sustains you in life’s battles! Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God’ (Mark 11:22). Note, He didn’t just say, ‘Have faith in something bigger than yourself.’ No, He said, ‘Have faith in God.’ If you’re under attack today claim this promise: ‘He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases s

Everyone is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s just that some wounds are too private. When your husband is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your wife wounds you with acid words you’re crushed inside but you can’t show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today, struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realise that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they’ve been hurt before. Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman ‘caught in the act’ of adultery? (See John 8). Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her the strength to do better. You are called to do that too! So r

Everyone is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s just that some wounds are too private. When your husband is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your wife wounds you with acid words you’re crushed inside but you can’t show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today, struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realise that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they’ve been hurt before. Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman ‘caught in the act’ of adultery? (See John 8). Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her the strength to do better. You are called to do that too! So r

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV    In 1994 golfer Davis Love III called a one-stroke penalty on himself during the second round of the Western Open. He moved his marker to get it out of another player’s putting line and later he couldn’t remember if he’d moved his ball back to its original spot. Since he wasn’t certain he gave himself an extra stroke, and that one stroke caused him to miss the cut. He was eliminated from the tournament, (ironically, if he’d made the cut, even if he finished last he’d have earned $2,000 that week). At year’s end Love was $590 short in winnings to automatically qualify for the Masters and needed to win a tournament in order to get into one of golf’s most coveted events. Fortunately, the story ends well. The week before the big event he qualified by winning a tournament in New Orleans, and went on to earn $237,600 by finishing second in the 1995 Masters. Later when Love was asked how he’d have felt if he’d missed the Masters

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV    In 1994 golfer Davis Love III called a one-stroke penalty on himself during the second round of the Western Open. He moved his marker to get it out of another player’s putting line and later he couldn’t remember if he’d moved his ball back to its original spot. Since he wasn’t certain he gave himself an extra stroke, and that one stroke caused him to miss the cut. He was eliminated from the tournament, (ironically, if he’d made the cut, even if he finished last he’d have earned $2,000 that week). At year’s end Love was $590 short in winnings to automatically qualify for the Masters and needed to win a tournament in order to get into one of golf’s most coveted events. Fortunately, the story ends well. The week before the big event he qualified by winning a tournament in New Orleans, and went on to earn $237,600 by finishing second in the 1995 Masters. Later when Love was asked how he’d have felt if he’d missed the Masters

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Writer Kathryn Lay learned about honesty when she was on holiday in Texas. She and her husband were having lunch at a little restaurant when a lady walked in, handed her a dollar bill and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I short-changed you earlier.’ Recognising her as a sales assistant from a store she’d been in earlier Lay asked, ‘How’d you know I was here?’ Amazed, she learned that the woman had gone from store to store looking for her. Lay also tells about another man who returned a TV to the store and got his money back. Later, after realising the amount had also been credited to his Visa he did nothing. Lay writes: ‘Does God want us to be just a little honest…or only in certain situations…or only when someone’s looking? How much dishonesty is too much? Sometimes I’m the only person who knows whether I’m being honest or not. Do I keep the extra change, cheat on my expenses, ignore the double credit on my statement? Do I tell my da

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Writer Kathryn Lay learned about honesty when she was on holiday in Texas. She and her husband were having lunch at a little restaurant when a lady walked in, handed her a dollar bill and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I short-changed you earlier.’ Recognising her as a sales assistant from a store she’d been in earlier Lay asked, ‘How’d you know I was here?’ Amazed, she learned that the woman had gone from store to store looking for her. Lay also tells about another man who returned a TV to the store and got his money back. Later, after realising the amount had also been credited to his Visa he did nothing. Lay writes: ‘Does God want us to be just a little honest…or only in certain situations…or only when someone’s looking? How much dishonesty is too much? Sometimes I’m the only person who knows whether I’m being honest or not. Do I keep the extra change, cheat on my expenses, ignore the double credit on my statement? Do I tell my da

                     BE BORN AGAIN.’ JOHN 3:7 NIV The Bible says 130 years after Adam first sinned, he was still fathering children ‘in his own likeness’ (Genesis 5:3 NIV). And as Adam’s descendants we have all been born with the nature of fallen man. Sometimes people say, ‘He’s just like his old man.’ Or we say, ‘My dad was an angry man, now I’ve got his temper!’ ‘My dad couldn’t stay with my mom, now I’m going through a divorce.’ ‘My dad was an alcoholic, now look at my drinking and drugging!’ ‘My dad was a workaholic, now I put in14 hours a day.’ ‘My dad wasn’t affectionate with us, now I don’t know how to be loving toward my children.’ History repeats itself over and over through our fallen nature. Here’s a fascinating example: ‘Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her’ (Genesis 20:2 NIV). Abraham was willing to sacrifice Sarah to save his own neck. What would you have done? Before you answer, notice that Isaac wasn

                     BE BORN AGAIN.’ JOHN 3:7 NIV The Bible says 130 years after Adam first sinned, he was still fathering children ‘in his own likeness’ (Genesis 5:3 NIV). And as Adam’s descendants we have all been born with the nature of fallen man. Sometimes people say, ‘He’s just like his old man.’ Or we say, ‘My dad was an angry man, now I’ve got his temper!’ ‘My dad couldn’t stay with my mom, now I’m going through a divorce.’ ‘My dad was an alcoholic, now look at my drinking and drugging!’ ‘My dad was a workaholic, now I put in14 hours a day.’ ‘My dad wasn’t affectionate with us, now I don’t know how to be loving toward my children.’ History repeats itself over and over through our fallen nature. Here’s a fascinating example: ‘Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her’ (Genesis 20:2 NIV). Abraham was willing to sacrifice Sarah to save his own neck. What would you have done? Before you answer, notice that Isaac wasn

We learn from the spider that: a) your size doesn't determine your potential, your spirit does b) no matter where you start, you can end up in the king's palace. What's the message of the spider? As long as you live, keep producing! You might not produce as much as somebody else but you've got to keep producing. You might not be able to produce what you used to but keep producing. Jesus taught that some of us produce thirty fold, others sixty fold and some a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8). We don't all produce at the same level, but we must all produce at some level. Don't get intimidated because the other guy is producing a hundredfold and you're only producing sixty fold. You're only accountable for what God gives you! The Bible says, 'They shall bring forth fruit in old age' (Psalm 92:14). Look out; retirement can be dangerous to your health! Keep your mind alert, your dreams alive, and your body moving. You might be old and less agile but you hav