We are made by God for God. Until we understand this our lives do not make sense. It is in Christ that we discover our purpose ,our significance and our destiny. Eph 1:11-12 You are destined to be awesome just trust Jesus to reveal His plan for your life.
1. Eagles fly alone at high altitude and not with sparrows or with other small birds. No other bird can go to the height of the eagle.
When Moses went to commune with God on the mountain, he left the crowd at the foothills. Stay away from sparrows and ravens. Eagles fly with eagles. 2. Eagles have strong vision. They have the ability to focus on something up to five kilometers away. When an eagle sites his prey, he narrows his focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed. 3. Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals, but eagles will not. Be careful with what you feed your eyes and ears with, especially in movies and on TV. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Always do your research well. 4. Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm's winds to lift it higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably. 5. The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her. Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it falls to the ground. He then brings it back to the female eagle. The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her. Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership. 6. When ready to lay eggs, the female and male eagle identify a place very high on a cliff where no predators can reach. The male flies to earth and picks thorns and lays them on the crevice of the cliff, then flies to earth again to collect twigs which he lays in the intended nest. He flies back to earth and picks thorns laying them on top of the twigs. He flies back to earth and picks soft grass to cover the thorns. When this first layering is complete the male eagle runs back to earth and picks more thorns, lays them on the nest; runs back to get grass it on top of the thorns, then plucks his feathers to complete the nest. The thorns on the outside of the nest protect it from possible intruders. Both male and female eagles participate in raising the eagle family. She lays the eggs and protects them; he builds the nest and hunts. During the time of training the young ones to fly, the mother eagle throws the eaglets out of the nest. Because they are scared, they jump into the nest again. Next, she throws them out and then takes off the soft layers of the nest, leaving the thorns bare. When the scared eaglets again jump into the nest, they are pricked by thorns. Shrieking and bleeding they jump out again this time wondering why the mother and father who love them so much are torturing them. Next, mother eagle pushes them off the cliff into the air. As they shriek in fear, father eagle flies out and catches them up on his back before they fall and brings them back to the cliff. This goes on for some time until they start flapping their wings. They get excited at this newfound knowledge that they can fly. The preparation of the nest teaches us to prepare for changes; The preparation for the family teaches us that active participation of both partners leads to success; The being pricked by the thorns tells us that sometimes being too comfortable where we are may result into our not experiencing life, not progressing and not learning at all. The thorns of life come to teach us that we need to grow, get out of the nest and live on. We may not know it but the seemingly comfortable and safe haven may have thorns. The people who love us do not let us languish in sloth but push us hard to grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us. 7. When an Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as he should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, then he can come out. We occasionally need to shed off old habits & items that burden us without adding to our lives. Author You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful, and angry.
(you let the devil leave his bags) You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things. (you let the devil leave his bags) You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time. (you let the devil leave his bags) You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person. (you let the devil leave his bags) You told your mate that it was over, but you still continue to call. (you let the devil leave his bags) You stop smoking because your body is a Temple of God, but you still have a craving for smoking. (you let the devil leave his bags) You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you're still trying to sabotage the company after you've left. (you let the devil leave his bags) You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her. (you let the devil leave his bags) You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet.(you let the devil leave his bags) You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable family environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others and you refuse to get attached to anyone. (you let the devil leave his bags) WHEN YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT; MAKE SURE HE TAKES HIS BAGS!!! Are you really, really confident that you are God’s beloved child ? ..
When you are filled with the confidence that you are God’s beloved, not only will you be empowered to overcome the devils temptations, you will be bold enough to ask God to bless you even in the little things. God does hear and answer the prayers of His beloved .. and nothing is too big or too small for your Father .. if it matters to you, then it matters to God. Know that you are God’s beloved and walk in constant expectation of His unmerited favor in every situation. ITALIAN PASTA DIET -- IT REALLY WORKS !!
1.. You walk pasta da bakery. 2... You walka pasta da candy store. 3.. You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop. 4.. You walka pasta da table and fridge. You will lose weight! AND.... For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. 1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the English. 2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the English. 3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the English. 4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the English. 5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the English. CONCLUSION Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. Sometimes God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes He allows heart break to make us whole. Sometimes God allows pain so we can be stronger. Sometimes God sends us failure so we can be HUMBLE. Sometimes God allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves. Sometimes God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us. Twee donkies wei in die veld naby Jerusalem. Eerste donkie:" Ek kan dit nie verstaan nie , eergister het almal my toegejuig en hul klere en palmtakke op die pad gegooi sodat ek met Jesus op my rug daar oor kon loop. Maar van gister af is ek weer net mooi niks . Niemand sien my meer raak nie." Tweede donkie:" Ja dit werk maar so, sonder Jesus is jy niks in die lewe nie." Dis onmoontlik om net na iemand te kyk en te sien hoeveel geloof hulle het. Jy kan jou geloof met 'n emmer water vergelyk; jy kom net agter hoeveel daar in is as iemand daaraan stamp. As die lewe aan jou stamp, mors jy dit waarvan jy vol is. Dalk het 'n finansiële stamp in die afgelope paar jaar gekry. Wat het uitgemors: vrees of geloof? Miskien het jy of 'n geliefde slegte nuus van die dokter ontvang en julle moet vir toetse gaan. Verwag julle die ergste of vertrou julle God vir die beste uitkoms? Mense kan nie na jou kyk en sien hoeveel geloof jy het nie, maar hulle kan dit hoor deur na jou te luister. Daar gaan stampe en stote in die lewe wees. Jy sal getoets word. Die doel van die toets is nie net om jou geloof te openbaar nie, maar om dit te verfyn. God toets nie jou geloof om te sien hoeveel jy het nie; Hy weet dit mos. Nee, Hy toets jou geloof sodat jy kan weet - en kan begin om dit te versterk. Dink na oor die moeilikste kwessie in jou lewe op die oomblik en vra jouself af: "Laat hierdie situasie my geloof groei of krimp?" Die Bybel sê: "Die doel met die beproewings is om die egtheid van julle geloof duidelik te laat word... Julle geloof is vir God baie kosbaarder as goud wat vergaan. As die toetse die egtheid van julle geloof uitwys, loop dit uit op lof en heerlikheid en eer op die dag wanneer Jesus Christus aan die wêreld geopenbaar word." (1 Petrus 1:7 NLV).
Sielskos: Hos 11-14; Matt 26:57-75; Ps 13; Spr. 8:14-16 INTRODUCTION
• The story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel remains one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible. • How a barren woman could call on God and in the process one of the greatest characters in the Old Testament is born. • Samuel grew up to become the last of Israel’s judges, he became Israel first prophet, and he became the advisor to the first two kings, Saul and David. • Samuel was a man who had favour with God and with men. • He was considered a hero of the faith and his name is recorded in Hebrews 11:32 in the ‘Faith Hall Of Fame’. • It was said of Samuel as he grew up, that the LORD was with him and didn't let any of his words go unfulfilled. (1 Samuel 3:19). • The story was recorded well over 3000 years ago, but its lessons still hold true today. SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 1:1 to 1 Samuel 2:11 1. DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES • Hannah was a married woman who had no children and was unable to have children. • She was married to a man by the name of Elkanah and she was one of two wives. • The other wife seemed to be very fruitful and had several children. • Hannah had none. • In that time a large family was seen as a sign of a blessing and the lack thereof was seen as a curse. • Hannah had to endure ongoing humiliation and shame. • To make matters worse, the other wife constantly harassed and taunted her. • She had desperate circumstances and there appeared to be no hope and no end in sight. • She really had a raw deal. • Her name, Hannah, meant ‘woman of grace’ or ‘gracious woman’. • But it must have been very difficult to be what her name meant when she was surrounded by such desperate, on-going circumstances and issues. • We know that she often cried and wept and that she would not eat because of all that was going on. • Many people find themselves in similar situations today. • They are surrounded by difficult circumstances, often they are issues that are beyond their control. • Perhaps you are in such a situation today? 2. DESPERATE PEOPLE • But then something seems to change. • It seemed like Elkanah and his family made regular trips to the temple. • But on this particular trip, Hannah reaches a level where she becomes desperate. • No longer does she care who sees her or what she looks like. • Her desperate circumstances move her to a place of desperation. • In her desperation she cries out to God. • It was such a dramatic change that even the priest thought she was drunk. • Her desperation was visible. • Hannah was praying so intently that her lips moved silently with the words she spoke to God in her heart. Eli the priest saw her and accused her of being drunk. • She answered that she was praying, pouring out her soul to the Lord. • She told Eli that she was deeply distressed and was praying to the Lord. • Many people find themselves in this this kind of situation today. • They are desperate within themselves. • Often their desperation is written all over their faces, it has become visible. • Perhaps you are in such a situation today? 3. DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES AND DESPERATE PEOPLE • When desperate circumstances and desperate people come into alignment, something happens. • We can have desperate circumstances and not be desperate ourselves, and things don’t seem to change. • We can be desperate but our circumstances are not desperate, and things don’t seem to change. • But when we have desperate circumstances and corresponding desperate people, things change. • I knew a man who was a farmer close to the area where we lived. He was a very effective farmer and his land and produce was of the highest standard. He worked very hard for many hours a day and was considered successful. One day he developed a pain in his groin. But he was too busy to have it attended to. The pain grew worse and worse and eventually he began to limp severely to be able to walk. Still he did not attend to his health. His family pleaded with him to have it attended to. His clients implored him to go and see the Doctor. His friends tried to put pressure on him, but he would have none of it. Eventually he become too sick to work and died shortly thereafter. You see, his circumstances were desperate, but he himself was not and it eventually cost him his life. • On the other hand, I remember, some years ago becoming desperate myself. I married later in life and wanted to start a family. After nine months my wife was still not pregnant. We decided to go and see the Doctor. I remember saying to the Doctor: ‘There must be something wrong – my wife is not pregnant’. The Doctor asked me how long had we been battling to conceive? I replied that it was nine months. I could see the shock on our Doctor’s face. She responded and said to me that some people wait 9 years and that 9 months was not time when it comes to these matters. She brought me back to earth with a bump. You see, I was desperate, but my circumstances were not. Just over a year later our daughter was born. There was no need for me to have allowed myself to have become so desperate. • But when these two dimensions come together things can begin to happen. 4. ATTITUDE CHANGE COMES BEFORE A CHANGE IN POSITION • This is not such an easy point. Let’s look at what happened to Hannah. • 1 Samuel 1:17 – 18 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. • Nothing had changed except that which she had control over – her attitude! • When you have control over nothing, you still have control over your attitude. • Often it is our attitude that stands in the way of breakthrough. • We need to do what we can in the area we have control over and then believe God to do His part. • After Hannah's encounter with God her attitude changed before her condition did. • She started to live a normal life again prior to having the answer she longed for. • Contentment comes with believing God and finding rest in Him. • Contentment starts in the heart not with possessions. • Is there perhaps an attitude that you need to change in your life? 5. THE LORD WILL REMEMBER YOU • Just as the Lord remembered Hannah, He will remember you in your situation. • Scripture says, "...and the Lord remembered her." (1 Samuel 1:19) • This is one of the most comforting phrases. • It tells us something about God’s character. • Not long after this Hannah became pregnant and she had a son and called him Samuel which means ‘God hears!’ or ‘asked of God!’ • But Hannah had made a promise to God. • The promise was that she would give this child back to God. • She made good on her promise and did as she had undertaken to do. • 1 Samuel 1:28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. • Ultimately what God gives us still belongs to Him. • Also remember there is the aspect of God’s timing! • 1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." • Remember to do what you have undertaken to do. • The Lord will remember you! 6. DON'T FORGET TO BE THANKFUL • After giving her precious son over to God, she starts rejoicing. • 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed: ‘My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.’ • It is so important to remember to be thankful and to live a life of praise. • It is part of having that different attitude. • Let praise and thankfulness dominate your heart and mind. • It is an indication of our dependence on God. • Don’t let negativity overwhelm you, but remember to praise God in your situation. • Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. • It is interesting to note that God had stopped her from having children. • 1 Samuel 1:6 ‘the LORD had closed her womb!’ • One may ask why He did this? I certainly would! • Perhaps He knew that she had it in her to be the example we all need! 7. GOD WILL DO MORE THAN YOU ASK OR THINK • God did not just leave it there. • God honored Hannah for honoring her pledge to Him. • He blessed her with 3 more sons and 2 more daughters. • From nothing to six children. • That is more than she could have asked or imagined. • What is more, because of Hannah and what she did, her name goes down in history as one of the remarkable women of faith. • And still today many parents give the name Hannah to their children. • Hannah is the 25th most popular name out of the top 100 names for girls. • The other wife, who seemed to have it all, is not remembered at all. • So be like Hannah and continue to believe God for what seems to be impossible! By: Andrew W Roebert These notes may be shared with others A great hymn, written in 1933 by Alfred H. Ackley (verse 1 and chorus)
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today, I know that He is living, whatever men may say, I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He's always near, He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me and talks with me along the narrow way, He lives, He lives, salvation to impart, You ask me how I know He lives, HE LIVES, WITHIN MY HEART!!!!! |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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