Welcome to Christ Journal

‘LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB  Chuck Swindoll writes, ‘The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.’ If you believe that you will take charge of your emotions, begin to focus on what’s good, and reject anything that makes you a petty, bitter person. And your face will say ‘Yes.’ One day President Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were travelling across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had overflowed its banks because of a recent downpour. The river had washed away the bridge so each rider was forced to cross it on horseback, fighting for his life against the currents. This caused a traveller who was not part of the group to step aside and watch. After several riders had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked if President Jefferson would carry him acr

‘LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB  Chuck Swindoll writes, ‘The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.’ If you believe that you will take charge of your emotions, begin to focus on what’s good, and reject anything that makes you a petty, bitter person. And your face will say ‘Yes.’ One day President Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were travelling across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had overflowed its banks because of a recent downpour. The river had washed away the bridge so each rider was forced to cross it on horseback, fighting for his life against the currents. This caused a traveller who was not part of the group to step aside and watch. After several riders had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked if President Jefferson would carry him acr

‘LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV When you meet someone who needs encouragement, give it to them! Why? Because more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. And that’s true whether they live in a mansion or a mud hut. The story is told of a little boy who wanted to play darts with his father. He said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s play darts. I’ll throw, and you shout “wonderful!’’ You may smile, but we tend to become what the most important people in our lives think of us. So think the best, believe the best, and express the best toward them – for your words are helping to shape their destiny. And remember, change happens by inches, not miles! You didn’t get there overnight and they won’t either. Even when change seems simple, it’s rarely ever easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones – and that takes time and practice – lots of it! You can’t tell people something just once and expect them to get it. No, they need to hear i

‘LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV When you meet someone who needs encouragement, give it to them! Why? Because more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. And that’s true whether they live in a mansion or a mud hut. The story is told of a little boy who wanted to play darts with his father. He said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s play darts. I’ll throw, and you shout “wonderful!’’ You may smile, but we tend to become what the most important people in our lives think of us. So think the best, believe the best, and express the best toward them – for your words are helping to shape their destiny. And remember, change happens by inches, not miles! You didn’t get there overnight and they won’t either. Even when change seems simple, it’s rarely ever easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones – and that takes time and practice – lots of it! You can’t tell people something just once and expect them to get it. No, they need to hear i

‘…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ  Nearing the end of his life, when he should have been preparing to bless his sons Simeon and Levi, Jacob told them: ‘ ”I…curse…you because of your…anger…“ ’ (Genesis 49:7 CEV). But their behaviour should have been no surprise; after all, the apple never falls far from the tree! The fact is, Jacob had already shaped them by his own example when he deceived his father (see Genesis 27) and his father-in-law (see Genesis 30), and his mother facilitated the deception. Behavioural patterns are passed from generation to generation, and ‘ “…a house divided against itself will fall” ’ (Luke 11:17 NIV). Mum, Dad, your actions and attitudes will either bless or blight your children. So ‘Teach [them]…the right path…’ (Proverbs 22:6 TLB). Otherwise they’ll inherit more than just your eye colour, they’ll end up with your emotional disposition and volatility! Don’t involve your children in your marital disputes. So

‘…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ  Nearing the end of his life, when he should have been preparing to bless his sons Simeon and Levi, Jacob told them: ‘ ”I…curse…you because of your…anger…“ ’ (Genesis 49:7 CEV). But their behaviour should have been no surprise; after all, the apple never falls far from the tree! The fact is, Jacob had already shaped them by his own example when he deceived his father (see Genesis 27) and his father-in-law (see Genesis 30), and his mother facilitated the deception. Behavioural patterns are passed from generation to generation, and ‘ “…a house divided against itself will fall” ’ (Luke 11:17 NIV). Mum, Dad, your actions and attitudes will either bless or blight your children. So ‘Teach [them]…the right path…’ (Proverbs 22:6 TLB). Otherwise they’ll inherit more than just your eye colour, they’ll end up with your emotional disposition and volatility! Don’t involve your children in your marital disputes. So

‘…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ When it’s easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something’s wrong. Your family should be a support system – a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to visualise ‘family’ as a hard-working dad, a stay-at-home mum, two children, a dog, and a house with a fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses. That’s why Paul writes: ‘…walk…with…longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJ). It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work! So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t always agree, but you must learn to respect each other. When God said, ‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6 NIV), He didn’t say

‘…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ When it’s easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something’s wrong. Your family should be a support system – a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to visualise ‘family’ as a hard-working dad, a stay-at-home mum, two children, a dog, and a house with a fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses. That’s why Paul writes: ‘…walk…with…longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJ). It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work! So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t always agree, but you must learn to respect each other. When God said, ‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6 NIV), He didn’t say

BASIC SCRIPTURES: JOHN 3:16;ISAIAH 19: 1-17  I t was Albert Camus who wrote: In the dept of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. And then, Oswald Avery penned: “Whenever you fall pick something up.”   That means that in any condition you find yourself in life, make the best of it instead of crying, whining, blaming others or yourself, pitying yourself, or indulging in thought of secret anger against God! Oh, Thank God For Last Wednesday’s Message’s Reminder That Imperfect You (And Not The Perfect Angels) Is The Battle-axe Of The Creator Of The Universe! Listen to this: God knows that a blunt battle – axe will be a disgrace to Him on the day of battle, so some battles that you are going through are from God, who is sharpening His Battle – axe (you)! WOB’T YOU ALLOW GOD TO SHARPEN HIS BATTLE AXE (YOU)? Did He not tell Isaiah that      he (Isaiah) was a polished shaft hidden in Jehovah’s quiver (a bag containing arrows)? – Isaiah 49:2. That means that

BASIC SCRIPTURES: JOHN 3:16;ISAIAH 19: 1-17  I t was Albert Camus who wrote: In the dept of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. And then, Oswald Avery penned: “Whenever you fall pick something up.”   That means that in any condition you find yourself in life, make the best of it instead of crying, whining, blaming others or yourself, pitying yourself, or indulging in thought of secret anger against God! Oh, Thank God For Last Wednesday’s Message’s Reminder That Imperfect You (And Not The Perfect Angels) Is The Battle-axe Of The Creator Of The Universe! Listen to this: God knows that a blunt battle – axe will be a disgrace to Him on the day of battle, so some battles that you are going through are from God, who is sharpening His Battle – axe (you)! WOB’T YOU ALLOW GOD TO SHARPEN HIS BATTLE AXE (YOU)? Did He not tell Isaiah that      he (Isaiah) was a polished shaft hidden in Jehovah’s quiver (a bag containing arrows)? – Isaiah 49:2. That means that

BASIC SCRIPTURES: PSALM 139:14;ISAIAH 49: 13-26        W elcome to another hour with Jehovah, the LOVER of your soul who has your picture graven (tattooed) IN HIS HANDS – (vs. 16 of today’s 2nd scripture). On your next birthday, buy yourself a card addressed: “FROM ME TO ME, ” treat yourself to a great dinner, go shopping and buy a good birthday gift for yourself, then sing a “happy birthday song” to yourself. The reason is simple. You Must Be Your Number One Fan In This Wicked World! Agape Love (Unconditional Love) Is Not For You To Love The World Alone! It Must Start With You Loving Yourself Just As You Are (without conditions)! Don’t Wait For Others To Take The Driver’s Seat Of Your Life And Don’t Let Your Joy Depend On Others! You Must Fall In Love With Yourself Again And Believe In Yourself Unconditionally No Matter What! Do you know that husbands and wives die? So, even this message is also for the happily married because one day if Jesus tarries, you will be a widow or widowe

BASIC SCRIPTURES: PSALM 139:14;ISAIAH 49: 13-26        W elcome to another hour with Jehovah, the LOVER of your soul who has your picture graven (tattooed) IN HIS HANDS – (vs. 16 of today’s 2nd scripture). On your next birthday, buy yourself a card addressed: “FROM ME TO ME, ” treat yourself to a great dinner, go shopping and buy a good birthday gift for yourself, then sing a “happy birthday song” to yourself. The reason is simple. You Must Be Your Number One Fan In This Wicked World! Agape Love (Unconditional Love) Is Not For You To Love The World Alone! It Must Start With You Loving Yourself Just As You Are (without conditions)! Don’t Wait For Others To Take The Driver’s Seat Of Your Life And Don’t Let Your Joy Depend On Others! You Must Fall In Love With Yourself Again And Believe In Yourself Unconditionally No Matter What! Do you know that husbands and wives die? So, even this message is also for the happily married because one day if Jesus tarries, you will be a widow or widowe

BASIC SCRIPTURES: JOHN 3:16,  JEREMIAH 51:17-23 Re – collect the devotional story of yesterday – Chen Ching, 45, the Taiwanese doctor who celebrated her own wedding without a husband. Yesterday’s devotional write-up ended thus: “ The devil wants you to hate yourself because he knows that you cannot express the love of the Father to the outside world if you have not received the love of the Father into your inside world (your heart and life) .” The Holy Ghost wants to use today’s devotional to reveal more of the operations of Satan against your devotional to reveal more of the operations of Satan against your decoration this year! Hear this: Satan wants you to hate yourself because He knows that you cannot preach the gospel of the love Christ if you do not know that love.He knows that his time is short and he will do all he can to stop this world from partaking of the sacrificial love of your father, God. He knows that God has no one to use but you (you are the temple of the Holy Ghost)

BASIC SCRIPTURES: JOHN 3:16,  JEREMIAH 51:17-23 Re – collect the devotional story of yesterday – Chen Ching, 45, the Taiwanese doctor who celebrated her own wedding without a husband. Yesterday’s devotional write-up ended thus: “ The devil wants you to hate yourself because he knows that you cannot express the love of the Father to the outside world if you have not received the love of the Father into your inside world (your heart and life) .” The Holy Ghost wants to use today’s devotional to reveal more of the operations of Satan against your devotional to reveal more of the operations of Satan against your decoration this year! Hear this: Satan wants you to hate yourself because He knows that you cannot preach the gospel of the love Christ if you do not know that love.He knows that his time is short and he will do all he can to stop this world from partaking of the sacrificial love of your father, God. He knows that God has no one to use but you (you are the temple of the Holy Ghost)

HEAR THE SONG BEFORE THE MUSIC ENDS!(1) Many times we go through life as if it was a race and do not take the time to enjoy today. Most people can play a good music without hearing the song! We should not waste the present by waiting for the future to come before we start enjoying and getting the best out of our life. I knew a man who was saving money for future pleasure and was treking instead of driving a car. It was after he died that his wealth was discovered! After his burial, the first thing his son bought was a car! The Bible says we should not think about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself, rather we should appreciate our time together. One day, I thought about all those women on the Titanic ship who refused some delicacies at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. Had they known they would die, probably, they might have enjoyed every bit of their money in that ship! From then on, I’ve tried to be a little more flexible. Life has a way of accelerati

HEAR THE SONG BEFORE THE MUSIC ENDS!(1) Many times we go through life as if it was a race and do not take the time to enjoy today. Most people can play a good music without hearing the song! We should not waste the present by waiting for the future to come before we start enjoying and getting the best out of our life. I knew a man who was saving money for future pleasure and was treking instead of driving a car. It was after he died that his wealth was discovered! After his burial, the first thing his son bought was a car! The Bible says we should not think about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself, rather we should appreciate our time together. One day, I thought about all those women on the Titanic ship who refused some delicacies at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. Had they known they would die, probably, they might have enjoyed every bit of their money in that ship! From then on, I’ve tried to be a little more flexible. Life has a way of accelerati

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