Today Reminder - 14 August 2012 (Time)

My prayer for you for today is that your time will be God’s time and that you will honour Him with all your time, in Jesus name.

Psalm 89:47

Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!

Time

Time begins and time ends, time goes by and time never stands, time is short and time can be long, time reveals and time can hide, time can slow down and time can speed up, time is wisdom and time is knowledge, time cannot be sold nor can time be bought, time understands and time forgives, time is valuable and time can be wasted, time is moments and time is history, time goes forward but never backwards, time can seek and time can find, time is mine and time can be yours, time can be lost and not found again, time is limited and time is unlimited, time can be seen but not touched, time affects each one but each one cannot affect time, my time is the same as your time or my time is different than your time, you can rush time but you cannot return time, time is for the living and can be enough or time can be too short but ultimately time is precious so don’t waste it…

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs

Have an awesome tick tock day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 13 August 2012 (Know)

My prayer for you for today is that you will live knowing that in you lives the Spirit of God and that you will honour Him by following His commandments, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:23-24

And this is His commandment: We must believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. And we know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us.

Know - We must believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.  Returning from a lovely holiday spend in the beautiful and ever impressive Kruger National Park here in South Africa, one can’t help to think how truly blessed we are. Seeing the animals living in their natural habitat living under God’s care brought back an old verse:

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 26)

My dear friend, how precious is life? Life is but a moment in the vast eternity that we will spend with our Lord. Live today and love one another for tomorrow might be too late. Why do we worry when God loves us so much? Placing our trust in Him should free you from worries and bring you closer to Him so that you can live in fellowship with God. Why do we have so little faith in thinking that we will be able to solve our problems by worrying about them? Let the Holy Spirit that dwells in you guide you to a worry free fellowship with God. Let Him show you how to place your burden on Jesus so that He will defeat the enemy in your life just as He did on the cross. Believe in Him for He believes in you…

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 10 August 2012 (The story of a fish part 5)

My prayer for you for today is that you will have compassion and live for other, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:16-17

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person?

The story of a fish (Part 5)

It was a beautiful day is Fishville, the sun’s rays burst through the water as if it was in desperate need to reach the ocean bottom. The air was clear and there was a crisp warm feeling in the ocean currents. The little fish was whistling on his way to school with no worries at all. He would swim and dance and swim and dive and swim and dance and the joy in his little fish heart was impossible to hold in, because this joy was the joy only Jesus Christ can bring.

School was even better. Every problem the little fish had seemed so small knowing that God was in control of all of them. His unlimited supply of joy just did not seem to run out. Finally it was break and they all went out to play. The little fish’s mom packed him a nice lunch and he could not wait to dig into those yummy sandwiches. As he was unpacking his lunch he could not help notice a classmate sitting not far from him also taking out his lunch, but his lunch was just one tiny little biscuit that could barely feed this young fish. The little fish felt an unbelievable urge to ask this fish if he wanted some of his lunch. As he swam over he couldn’t help to notice how thin this fish was. The little fish offered the other fish his food and as they ate together he learned that this little fish’s family were struggling and they could barely collect food.

The little fish took it upon himself to help this family. He went to his dad, who in turn went to the pastor fish, who in turn visited the family and brought in help. The little fish felt good that he could help this family, but soon realised that the need was much greater than just one family. There were many such fish families that were struggling and it seemed impossible for him to help them all. 

The little fish became really sad. His dad saw his sorrow and asked him about it. The little fish wanted to know how they can help if the need is so much.

The little fish’s father said: “My son, the need is great but it is impossible to change the world in one day and even more impossible if you try and do it on your own. Change is only possible wen it is allowed to start happening. And change only has a chance if it starts in each of our hearts. Let us pray about it and see if God will give us an answer.”

God surely answered the little fish’s prayers and soon they were collecting old clothes and blankets and food from their community and gave these to the needy families. Soon the little fish’s outreach became known in all the fish towns and from all over fish families were sending supplies to help the fish families in need.

My dear friend, change can only happen if you allow it to happen from inside yourself. Stand up and open your eyes and ears so that you can see and hear what God wants you to see and hear. Even by giving a little of yourself you can change cities in the end.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 09 August 2012 (The story of a fish part 4)

My prayer for you for today is that you will be able to come to God with bold confidence, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:21-22

Dear friends, if we don't feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please HHHim.

The story of a fish (Part 4)

Soon things were back to normal again and all was almost forgotten, except for the little fish. He struggled with his heart and the heavy burden of guilt weighed heavy on his conscience. Every day he prayed and pleaded God for forgiveness but deep inside himself he did not forgive his own wrongs. 

Slowly these old guilt feelings began to have an effect on the little fish and caused unwanted and unexpected negative thoughts and actions. The little fish felt unworthy and every day it felt as if the whole world was judging him on everything he did. It made him impatient and irritated with everything and everyone.

He would rather be alone than be with an old friend, because he could not stop with these negative thoughts and feelings. 

One morning as they were having breakfast the little fish sat and played around with his food not eating properly. As they got up the little fish’s dad took him by the shoulder and swam with him for a little while. They both were quiet as they slipped through the ocean waves swimming along the reef all the way to its end. As they stood there looking out into the ocean the little fish’s dad spoke: “My son, how can you still not forgive yourself when God has forgiven you many times already. Why can you not leave the past alone so that you can find peace?”

The little fish was quiet for a moment, because he did not think his father would know. He started to talk and then shared all his worries and troubles with his father. Finally they prayed together and the little fish gave his worries to the Lord and now he could come to God with bold confidence and he could take on life with even bolder confidence because we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please HHHim.

Live bold my dear friend in Jesus, and live with confidence, because your strength comes from an unlimited source.

Have an awesome day

Cheers

Today Reminder - 08 August 2012 (The story of a fish part 3)

My prayer for you for today is that you will encounter God’s life in you, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:9

Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

The story of a fish (Part 3)

Frightened and shivering the little fish stood in the living room of their little fish house listening to his father explaining the principles of the Bible. He knew now that the way he had acted was foolish and stupid and he felt sorry for how easily he had been misled by selfishness. 

The dawns early light broke through the waves and casted long creepy shadows over his wall. The little fish did not want to get out of bed, he did not want to face the day ahead.

The swim to fish school was a long swim but felt uncomfortably short this day. As he arrived at school he ducked away trying to escape the in-crowd. He took one friend at a time and asked for forgiveness and explained the errors of his ways. When trying to explain this to the in-crowd he was laughed at and mocked. 

Facing his friends and asking for forgiveness was tough and not an easy task but being forgiven takes away such a heavy burden of guilt and self-pity.

Although the little fish regained his old friends, he was sad. He was sad, because not all understood and not all of his friends were willing to forgive. This made the little fish sad and very unhappy, because some will see and understand with the life of a God in then and some will be blind to it.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers                                                                       

Today Reminder - 07 August 2012 (The story of a fish part 2)

My prayer for you for today is that you will break the hold of sin and live pure, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:4

Everyone who sins is breaking God's law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.

The story of a fish (Part 2)

With new found celebrity status the little fish was as popular as fish and chips. Everywhere he went everyone wanted to talk to him and hear his remarkable story once more. It wasn’t long before the little fish started to think that all this popularity must surely mean that he is the one who defeated the shark and that he is truly an awesome fish, in fact he makes fish look good. 

He started to choose who he wanted to hang out with and his new self-centred personality was just perfect for the in-crowd, but it left a bad taste with those who used to be his friends. Suddenly the little fish was doing things that he would have never done before. He became a rebel, fighting with everyone and always doing only what he wanted. It wasn’t long before he had forgotten how God saved him from the jaws of a hungry shark.

It was in one of his rebelling bad moods that he argued with his father and slammed the door as he swam out towards the deep ocean. In his angered state he didn’t realise that he had left the safety of the reef and was swimming into the deep dark ocean. He suddenly stopped as he realised he had gone too far. He started to swim back slowly, suddenly he saw a dark shadow slowly moving towards him. Fear numbed him and he felt nauseous as he watched the shadow getting closer. He closed his little fish eyes and started to pray asking God for forgiveness and desperately seeking help. 

Suddenly something grabbed him and pulled him down towards the bottom. He tried to shake himself free still shaking with fear as an old familiar voice told him to be quiet. It was his dad who found him and was now pulling him down and away from danger…

How quickly do we forget God when things are fine and how quickly do we remember Him when trouble arrives. Don’t be a hard times Christian and a good times sinner. God does not like a mild Christian, in fact God despises a mild believer. God needs passion and confidence combined with commitment and determination. 

Live a life away from sin and not a life filled with sin.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 06 August 2012 (The story of a fish

My prayer for you for today is that you will do what is right, in Jesus name.

1 John 2:29

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God's children.

The story of a fish (Part 1)

Once upon a time long, long ago when fish was not so tasty and yes they could talk, there lived a little fish with his mom and his dad. This little fish was just an ordinary little fish. He couldn’t swim very fast nor was he big and strong, in fact he was quite a tiny little fish and was often made fun of. Yet he was not troubled by it, because he knew a fish is only as strong as what is inside him. 

One day on his way to school he came across two little yellow fish hiding behind a rock. “What is wrong?” the little fish asked. Frightened the two little yellow fish jumped as he spoke behind them. He could almost taste the fear in their little fish hearts as they shivered when they uttered the word “Shark” 

Suddenly a dark shadow moved over them and the little fish knew that this is the shark, a very dangerous and nasty one. He knew he could easily slip away and go home, but this meant leaving those two frightened little yellow fish all by themselves. He also knew that alone he stood a chance but the three of them would be a much easier target. The little fish remembered his father’s words: “If Jesus is with you my son, you can do anything“. The little fish told the two yellow fish how to get to his home and then he swam out into open water where the shark could easily see him. He shivered as the cold ocean water started to creep up into his warm little fish body. For a moment he thought he saw a shadow, but is must’ve been the waves. It seemed as if time stood still for that brief moment as he saw the shark coming out of nowhere, rushing to catch him. His little heart pounded in his chest as the seconds went by almost too slow to count. The little fish suddenly dived straight down as the shark did not waste a second to follow him and they rushed through the cold water deeper into the dark ocean.

Suddenly he was alone. The ocean gently flowing as if nothing happened and slowly letting the sun’s rays break through the darkness to reveal a shark stuck in a cave. The little fish grew up in these waters and knew the shark would follow him disregarding the environment and focussing on catching him only. In his haste he would not notice the narrowing ocean walls as they dived deep into an ocean cave. 

He knew he would be safe if he listened to his heart and did what is right.

What will your choice be today?

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 03 Augustus 2012 (Hate)

My prayer for you for today is that you will never hate but instead defeat hate with love, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:14-15

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them.

Hate - Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. I believe that this is one the most important Bible truths that is exploited by the world we live in. Hate is a word that we so freely use following a society that generalised the meaning and made it a commonly used word. It is so easy to say that you hate something to express your utter disgust with it, but hate is a very powerful emotion and hate replaces love with anger and sin and eventually leads to more hatred. 

John writes about life and death in this chapter but life as we will have it when the Lord returns. He says that if you love (and not hate) you have passed from death to life. Life in this sentence refers to life eternally with God. I believe that we can only truly live when we have accepted Jesus completely into our hearts and replaced all the worldliness in us with Godliness. When we passed from death to life we reflect this life through our lives and the way we live, the way we overcome all our obstacles.

My dear friend it is so important that we replace all hate with love. Hate will destroy you and ultimately lead you away from God. Our struggle here in this world is to be with God and to glorify Him. Don’t let something so ridiculous as hate bring you down and pull you away from God instead fight all hatred with love and in the end we will all live better lives.

Love overcomes all obstacles and love has no limits, because love is God and God is love.

Have an awesome loving, hugging, caring and smiling day

Cheers

Today Reminder - 02 August 2012 (Bridges)

My prayer for you for today is that you will love with a free heart and live with passion, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:11-13

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

Bridges - So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. How are you today? Are you troubled, are you alone, are you facing difficult situations or are there difficult decisions you have to make? What is it that keeps awake or keeps you from happiness? Each day each one of us goes through a number of moments and in each moment we either have joy or we are frustrated or irritated or angry or sad. With every situation our patience is tested and we are pushed to our limits until we reach our breaking point. Where are you right now?

My dear friend in Jesus Christ, don’t be surprised if this world hates you. Some days these are the words I have in my head when I am just overwhelmed by the struggles that we have to face in this world, and believe me it feels as if it is just us when we are caught up in these issues.  It sometimes feels as if the world keeps on turning but where I am standing at that moment time slowed down. My dear friend, it is in these moments we feel the most alone that God is the most present. It is in these moments that we should humbly fall on our knees and once more declare our dependence on God. It is in these moments that we are defined and where our reflection must be His reflection.

I do not know where you are right now, but what I do know is where God is. He is right there waiting for you to call out to Him and to place your worries in His hands. We are all destined for a life free from this world but to get there we must cross many bridges and each bridge are different to the one before, but on each bridge God can be your railing  that keeps you from falling off and keeps you heading towards solid ground. 

So put on your walking shoes of faith and take your walking stick of the Word of God and put on your walking clothes of His great love and take a hat of determination, because we have some bridges to cross today.

Have an awesome day crossing bridges, dear friend of Jesus

Cheers

Today Reminder - 01 August 2012 (Destroy)

My prayer for you for today is that you will be righteous, in Jesus name.

1 John 3:7-8

Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

Destroy - But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. The works of the devil is destroyed! Wow, I just love this statement John makes here in John chapter 3. John has been talking about sin and how we must stop sinning, because in Jesus we are righteous and sin free. Sin should have no hold on us as we live each day with the comfort of the cross of Jesus. Yet sin still happens to have a grip on us, we seem to slip so easily into the pit and before we know it we are heading in the wrong direction. Our worldly self takes control and we allow sin to enter into our lives once more.

My dear friend, John is bold when he says: “When people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil.” This is so important for us to know and understand, when you do what is right you become righteous and knowing what to do means that you are listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in turn knowing what is right and doing what is right ultimately brings us closer to the heart of God. Striving to do His will and determined to do what is right should be our first and foremost goal. 

Living a healthy and balanced live striving to do what is right will make you a force to be reckoned with. And finally a healthy body and a healthy mind will have a healthy Spirit, and a healthy Spirit means that the worldly self will be lost to a heavenly Spirit.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus as we continue to live, love and laugh

Cheers