The things that touch my heart; a collection of thing that were shared with me

Comment

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 14, 2008 at 11:09am

Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.




The kitty would not come down.




The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.




That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car.



He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke.




The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.




The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.





So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business.





A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food.




This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?' She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing.




Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.


'

Lesson learned: Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor. Block messages from this person

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 13, 2008 at 5:45am

Pastor Fred Mwanje has sent you a message on AllAboutGOD.Net.

Ward of encouragement to you ,

Scripture References:
Exodus 34:6; Luke 23:34; John 3:36; 14:15; Romans 5:9; 8:1;
Hebrews 12:11; 1 John 4:7-18, 2 Peter 3:9;

Children, when I speak a word of correction, I do not scold. Often My words are read and the reader hears anger and sees finger-pointing. This is not My voice nor My stance. I Am slow to anger, slow to wrath, quick to show mercy and long in suffering. My perfect love for you overrides and swallows up wrath.
The cross of My Son has swallowed up wrath for those who abide in Him. Do you live under My canopy of love, yet you hear My voice as vengeful and harsh? Do not any longer allow the enemy to cloud your mind or twist My words and their meaning to you!

Come. Come into My presence and let Me hold you in My arms of love. Let Me transform your heart so that when you read My Word you can rightly discern the tone of My voice. I do not share the voice of an impatient, pushy or vengeful man. I Am fully confident in Who I Am, so I have no need to push My will on you or make you do things My way - against your will. My most precious gift to you is your freewill and I will never override it. I love you and I demonstrate that love by allowing you to choose or reject Me. Many are called but few are chosen. It is you who decides whether you are chosen or not.

I have given you the choice. In Christ Jesus' death all wrath was appeased and in His resurrection you have been raised to life in and with Him.

If you hear My voice carrying the unrighteous anger of man, then you are not hearing Me as I Am. I Am love.

I speak in love. I correct in love. I discipline those I love, but I do not scold as scolding brings shame. I will never put you to shame. I remove the shame and reproach, I do not add to it. I disciple you and though it is difficult for a season, it will always yield delicious fruit of righteousness. Keep yourself from being offended by My correction and allow Me to train and instruct you.

My discipline, which an arm of My love for you, will always lead you deeper into My purpose and destiny for your life. It is in the proper discernment of My voice that will bring you into deeper truth and revelation of who I Am and who you are.

Know that everything I do is motivated by My love for you. It's My love, it's My love, it's My love. Everything I do is out of My love for you. I do not speak as a man speaks or with the motivations of a man, so train yourself to hear My voice as loving. You will be able to do this by reading the Gospels of My Son and hear everything He said from a heart of deep and abiding love for you. He demonstrated His pure love at Calvary. Do not ever doubt His love for you. Jesus had a choice and He chose My will to redeem you. Read His words in the loving tone that He spoke them. Even when speaking to the Pharisees He used great restraint and care in how His voice reflected My heart.

I desire that none perish.
So beloved, allow Me to love you. Hear My intense love for you. Hear Me by My Holy Spirit. If man claims to teach My ways but speaks in anger, wrath, torment, or in a judgmental tone of voice, then that man or woman is not sent by Me.
Remember the words from My prophet and friend, John:

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but perfect [complete and full grown] love casts out fear [terror]. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 1 John 4:18
Be perfected in My love and hear My voice as it is. There is no condemnation in Christ and you are in Christ if you obey Me. Hidden within every command I give there is a hidden treasure of blessing for you. I will always lead you into righteousness and life eternal. Obedience is easier when you know I love you. So Know I LOVE YOU, Dear One, I love you!
God bless you and I wish you the best day,
Yours in Christ
Pastor Fred.

Comment by Godislove on May 9, 2008 at 7:44am

----NAILS IN THE FENCE
yes, i love this story, when i will lost my temper, i will told myself, don't angry, i can't put a nail into people's heart. now i will ask God help me for control my temper.
the first time i read this story was many years ago, at that time, i just think i will let my friends far from me, but now, i think not only for this reason, but also we hurt them.

i had tried my best to describe my ideas in English, hehehehe:-)

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 8, 2008 at 4:22am

Keep the fork
Body: There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.



"Wait, there's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?", the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.



The woman explained.

"In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main courses were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,

"Keep your fork".



It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.

Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them:

"Keep your fork.


The best is yet to come.

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 7, 2008 at 10:08am

God’s Purpose In Suffering
by Rick Warren




For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son …. Romans 8:29 (NIV)


*** *** *** ***


Did Jesus suffer? Was Jesus sometimes lonely? Was he tempted to be discouraged? Was he misunderstood, maligned, and criticized unjustly?


As you read through the Gospels, you’ll quickly see that the answer to all these questions is: YES. So, what makes any of us think we’ll be exempted from suffering or loneliness or discouragement or unjust criticism?


The truth is, God is developing within you the character of Christ, and in order to do this, he must take you through all of the circumstances in life that he took Christ through. This means God is more interested in your character than your comfort, and he’s more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. So, the question is not if you’ll go through dark times in life, rather it’s when you’ll go through them.


Does God cause these tragedies? No. God is good, and he cannot cause evil, nor do evil. But God can use these dark and stressful times for good; he’ll use them to build a Christlike character within us.


So, what should you do when you go through difficult times?


Refuse to be discouraged – David said, “I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4 NIV). This implies a choice, an act of decision. As Jesus faced the cross, he made a choice to follow God’s will; he made a choice to face down fear; he made a choice to ignore despair.


Remember God is with you – David said, “For you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV). God not only promises his power, he promises his presence. We will never go through a dark day alone. Jesus knew he wasn’t alone as he walked out his passion.


Rely on God’s protection and guidance – David said in Psalm 23:4 that God’s rod and staff comforted him. The rod and staff were basic tools a shepherd used to protect and guide the sheep. God will be with you, and he’ll protect and guide you. Jesus could have called down 10,000 angels; he could have called his disciples to arms; instead he relied on God to protect and guide him.

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 7, 2008 at 9:40am

Subject:The Land will Be Changed..
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,



Jer 33:2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;


Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.


Jer 33:4 ¶ For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;


Jer 33:5 They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but [it is] to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.


Jer 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.


Jer 33:7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.


Jer 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.


Jer 33:9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.


Jer 33:10 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast, [even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,


Jer 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.


Jer 33:12 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing [their] flocks to lie down.


Jer 33:13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth [them], saith the LORD.


Jer 33:14 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.


Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.


Jer 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this [is the name] wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.


Jer 33:17 For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;


Jer 33:18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.


Jer 33:19 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,


Jer 33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;


Jer 33:21 [Then] may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.


Jer 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.


Jer 33:23 ¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,


Jer 33:24 Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.


Jer 33:25 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant [be] not with day and night, [and if] I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;


Jer 33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, [so] that I will not take [

Comment by Pastor Bob B on May 7, 2008 at 7:24am

OLD JOE
Contributed by Melanie Schurr



Old Joe was the local derelict.

No one really knew the cause of what
sent him
to the streets It was rumored he only had an elementary education.

His
disheveled and dirty appearance made him seem older than his 30 years.


When he would walk by, people would whisper behind his back saying,
"Poor old
Joe.

Will nothing good come of him?"

Old Joe spent his days searching in garbage cans for redeemable bottles
and
his nights sleeping in an alley.

One day, Joe seemed to disappear
without a
trace.

Some thought he hopped a train to the south, but no one knew for
sure.



Ten years later, a new preacher came to town; he had a quiet and relaxed
way about him as he stood on the corner handing leaflets out.

On
occasion,
he could also be seen treating a homeless person to lunch as they sat
and
talked and he was also a favorite guest speaker at the local church.



After one sermon, a group of elderly ladies gathered together,
commenting
on how wise the preacher was.

"Obviously, he came from a very good
college," remarked one lady.

"Yes, it is rumored he came from a very
well to
do family," said another.



The following Sunday, the preacher began to speak, "Ten years ago I felt
I
was a nobody.

I had no real family, a limited education, and couldn't
get a
job.



No one seemed to care, so I, too, began to not care about my self.

A
woman
reached out to me one day, told me about someone who DID care, God.

She
told me that God does not look at the outer appearance, but at one's
heart.


She told me that He loved me so much He sent His Son to die on the cross
for my sins and that, through Him, I could have salvation.

" The preacher
continued, "On that day, my life changed dramatically because for once I
had
a sense of hope.

I may not have had an earthly family, but I had a whole
slew
of 'brother's and sister's' in the family of Christ! No longer did I
have
to be 'poor old Joe,' because in the Bible, it told me I was now a child
of God!

("How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called
children of God!" I John 3:1)"

The whole congregation sat and stared in awe, now knowing the
distinguished
man before them was 'ole Joe.

That day, the sharing of his story of
faith,
hope, and love changed many lives.



Through the example of Old Joe, we can know ALL things are not only
possible
through Christ who strengthens us, but, through Him, former things are
passed away and the new is now upon us! If ole Joe can do it, so can
you! Call
on your heavenly Father today

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