4ever

1 Timothy 4:6 You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and 4ever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

Dear Friends:
Did you ever sit and write your name plus a friend and a heart around that and say bf 4ever? Or maybe it wasn’t a friend it was a potential boyfriend or girlfriend you were wishing you would be 4ever with.
I remember those cute hearts all over my folders and notebooks.

When Jesus was on earth he was teaching each day about the “4ever”, meaning eternity. Constantly He kept mentioning the eternity and being with His Father. How He was going to be with the Father and He would make a place for the believers there with Him.

I have been seeing people get so caught up in the now that they don’t base their decisions on the 4ever.
What you do each and every day affects the 4ever. Think about your struggles of today and put them in the hands of God for the 4ever.

I want to make you fit for both today and 4ever. –God-

Let’s pray: I am banking on you the living God, Savior of all men and women, to help me to see things today for the 4ever. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

(Your name) + Jesus= 4ever

Elaine + Jesus= 4ever

Oscar the Bird

Out at sea

He appeared

Flying out

Flying in

Flying up

Flying down

Seems to be

Stuck!

Free Will?

Or

Instinct to stay close?

Just as we know

We should

Stay Close

It is safer

When we obey.

Each day

We listen,

We learn.

Then will come a time

We understand!

We won't seem stuck!

We are free!

Free to fly!

Out,

In,

Up,

Down.

Wisdom!

Oscar appeared on our cruise this past summer, we were far out a sea.  He visited us daily.  I wondered is he stuck or not.  We got to an island after frequent visits from Oscar (our name we gave him) and we never saw him again.  I believe Oscar was wise.  He knew what he could and could not do, when he was free from possibly an air currant keeping him close to the ship, he took off. 

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Let's pray:  Lord help me to cooperate with your plan and with all of your guidance and wisdom.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Flying FREE,

Elaine

Book Review - Crazy Love

Dear Friend:

There is a book out that I want to recommend. It is called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. Here is a question from chapter 4 that I thought would prompt you to go and get this book.
Are you satisfied being “godly enough” to get yourself to heaven, or to look good in comparison to others?
Paul says “he wants to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” (Phil. 3:10).
Paul’s statement is his commitment and desire to being more than “godly enough.”

The book will help you to find passion for Christ and to understand His infinite love for you.

His love is crazy,
Elaine

Panic Button

Dear Friend:

In the midst of his crisis, Daniel reminded himself of who God is. Instead of panicking, he handled it with supernatural peace. Whenever bad news comes, the temptation is to panic. But there is another way to respond. In the second chapter of Daniel there is a fascinating example of this.
Daniel answered and said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the seasons, He removes kings and raises up kings, He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

Daniel was a prophet, and the King in charge of him was angry because he had a dream and none of his astrologers/wise men could interpret it for him, so the king ordered that they should all be executed. What does Daniel do? First let me say, he does not PANIC! He runs to his friends who understand who God is and they pray. That night Daniel has a dream and gets the interpretation of the king’s dream. He gets up the next day and what does he do first? He praises God!
Let’s see. On one side we can panic or freak-out in our crisis or we can “go to the one who has the whole world in His hands.” What do you do daily?
Daniel:
1. Hears the news of the execution.
2. Goes to his Godly friends for prayer.
3. He sleeps on it!
4. God answers the prayer.
5. He praises God.
6. Then he goes to tell the king the dream.
What is your order? Panic, emotionalism, crying, and then you make plans to get out of the country?
Let’s pray: Father in heaven forgive me for no always coming to you first. Give me more spiritual perspective in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Here is the final word on this message:
Things that go on in our lives can give God the opportunity to “Shine.” Maybe the perspective we need is our crisis would become an opportunity rather than a drudgery.

Peace,
Elaine