FORGIVE OUR SINS

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;" (Romans 14:16, NKJV)

A man hastily wrote out a note and left it on his car window under the wiper, “Dear Officer, I have been circling this block for the past 30 minutes unable to find parking. I am late for an important interview. If I miss it I will lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses”.

He returned later to find a traffic citation and a note back to him, “Dear Sir, I too have been circling this block for the past 30 minutes. If I do not give you this citation I may lose my job, lead us not into temptation.”

Our actions have consequences. What we do affects not only our lives but the lives of others. Let be careful that our good actions don’t cause others to stumble.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

False Worshippers

Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too! (Matthew 2:8, NLT)

Herods by the score sit in the pews of many churches today. Outwardly, they appear devout and deeply religious, but inwardly they are living a lie. They don't know God. They don't have a relationship with Him. They may sing the songs and give to the offering. They may do all the right things, but it doesn't mean they are true worshipers, because God looks on the heart.

If your life is not right with God when you come to worship Him, not only does it fail to please God, but it is offensive to Him. What does God see in your heart? There are plenty of false worshipers today. Are you a true one?

What's the Point of Christmas?

I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. (Luke 2:10, NLT)

On a December day back in 1903 at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright, after numerous failures to fly a heavier-than-air machine, made amazing history. They achieved something that no man had ever done before. Ecstatic, they sent a telegram to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 852 feet. Will be home for Christmas."

Overjoyed, Katherine ran down to the local newspaper and pushed the telegram--the greatest news story of the new century--into the hand of the editor. After reading it, he smiled and said, "Well, well! How nice the boys will be home for Christmas."

How sad it is that so many miss the full meaning of Christmas in that they have never thanked Jesus for dying for their sins, nor accepted the most profound and precious Christmas gift ever given ... the gift of the Savior and his pardon for all their sins and his gift of eternal life.

From Day Lighters by Nico Bougas with thanks to Dick Innes for this story. Available from amazon.com

Persecution at Christmas

Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies." (Hebrews 13:3, NLT)

Christmas is a wonderful time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christian faith. But as we sing carols and go to church, we ought to spend time remembering and praying for Christians all over the world who can't even begin to enjoy the religious freedom we take for granted.

There are countries where it's completely illegal to be a Christian, where turning to Christ if you are born into another faith is an invitation to be murdered by your neighbours. From North Korea to Saudi Arabia, followers of Christ are in daily peril for death for their faith. In other countries, being a Christian is the surest way to get fired from your job or denied access to education.

Christians have faced persecution since the Book of Acts. But as we enjoy our own Christmas, it is a great reminder to remember those who live in fear, simply for practicing their faith.

Persistence Pays

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.(1 Corinthians 9:27, NLT)

John Maxwell in one of his books points out that persistent effort is one of the most important ingredients for personal success. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, studied the lives of more than 500 successful people in America and knew many of them personally. He discovered that the one indispensable ingredient common to all of them was persistence. These individuals kept trying even after repeated failures. It almost seems that great success is won only by people who overcome incredible obstacles and great discouragement. Out of Hill’s study comes this important truth: Success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying. – Persistence pays.

Have you been discouraged and tempted to quit? Keep going – victory is in sight. We are on the victory side.

The Name

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:10, NLT)

Despite questions about his motives and his ambitions there is no doubt that Napoleon was a great leader. He is reported to have said, “I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”

The name of Jesus is a powerful name that has motivated millions to worship, to serve and to pray. At His name demons flee and angels rejoice. Let us never be ashamed of it. Let us boldly proclaim it.

"God’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. " (Proverbs 18:10, The Message)

Your Judgement Day

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
(2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT)

The godly Presbyterian preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne, was passing out tracts one day and handed one to a well-dressed lady. She gave him a haughty look and said, “Sir, you must know who I am!”

In his kind way, McCheney replied, “Madam, there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will not make any difference who you are!”

When that day comes you will not have to answer for your friends, your family or your associates. Your race, culture or social standing will not be important – the question will simply be, “What have you done about Jesus?”

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”" (Acts 4:12, NLT)

Delay Not Denial

DELAY NOT DENIAL

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

The story is told about a lone shipwrecked survivor who landed on a lonely, uninhabited island. He managed to build a simple hut and stock it with items he was
able to save from his sinking ship.

He prayed that somehow God would send someone to save him. Day by day he anxiously watched the horizon to hail any passing ships.

He was devastated when his hut caught on fire and he lost all that he had. He felt utterly forsaken by God.

The very next day a ship arrived to rescue him. "We saw your smoke signal," said the captain.

God’s delays are not denials. He can turn tragedy into triumph.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

Wish You Were Here

I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties. (Nehemiah 13:11, NLT)

A Sunday School teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letter back the following Sunday.

One little boy wrote, "Dear God, We had a good time at church today. Wish you could have been there."

It isn’t really funny. In fact it is a sad fact that some churches operate in such a routine manner that there is no God and no Holy Spirit. There is no spiritual life and no sense of the presence and power of God at work. They have become simply social clubs where people can meet but there is no motivation to serve and worship God. The Almighty God is completely absent.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Boundaries

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (Psalm 139:7, NLT)

A little boy was riding his tricycle furiously around the block, over and over again. Finally a policeman stopped and asked him why he was going around and around. The boy said that he was running away from home. The policeman asked why he kept going around the block. The boy responded, "Because my mom said that I'm not allowed to cross the street."

Some people spend an awful amount of time and energy trying to get away from God and from their spiritual roots. But deep down they know they can never escape from God and in their more rational moments they never want to. They realize, as St Augustine said, “thou hast made us for thyself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

GRATEFUL FOR HER WHEELCHAIR

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

Dr. Hubert Davidson visited the noted poetess, Myra Brooks Welch, who perhaps is best known for her masterpiece, "The Touch of the Master's Hand." As he turned to leave her home, Myra patted the arm of her wheelchair and said, "And I thank God for this."

Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! But her talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose a better way, and a wonderful ministry opened new doors of blessings for her. Her poems have blessed people around the world.

Joni Eareckson said exactly the same thing when sharing her testimony at the Billy Graham Conference in Amsterdam. She said that many people had offered to pray for her during the conference and she appreciated it. “But,” she said, “this handicap has opened many doors of opportunity and drew me closer to the Lord than anything else.”

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas Available from amazon.com

Life out of Death

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (John 12:24, NKJV)

George Muller was a man greatly used of God. A man whose faith in God is legendary and forms one of the great chapters of Christian history. Asked about the secret of his life he said, "There was a day when I died. Died to the approval or disapproval of the world, died to the praise or condemnation of the world and that was the day I began to live."

Have you learned to die to public opinion and sensitivity to criticism ? Not completely of course in that we need to heed constructive criticism and we need to be encouraged by compliments. But they should not sway us from our course and focus.

Right Choices

Choose you this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24.15

"We're all self-made," said one self-made philosopher, "but only the rich will admit it."

The fact is life is a series of choices. I am where and who I am today and doing what I want to do because of choices I made many years ago. Furthermore, who I am and what I do tomorrow will be largely affected by choices I make today. To do nothing is also a choice even if it is made unconsciously.

As Brian Tracy puts it, "It's choice, not chance, that determines our destiny."

Make sure today you are walking in the light and making the right choices and doing God’s will. How do we find God’s will? By wanting to do His will no matter what it costs and no matter what the consequences.

‘The will of God – nothing more, nothing less, nothing else” Spencer Walton.

Building Trust

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. (Hosea 4:6, NLT)

Whom do Europeans trust the most? 95 percent put their trust in firefighters, 92 percent in airline pilots and 89 percent in pharmacists.

Clerics occupy tenth place among 20 different professions. 53 percent of all Europeans trust the spiritual professions, according to the survey Reader's Digest European Trusted Brands 2007.

25,000 persons in 15 European countries were interviewed. At the bottom of the scale come industrial union leaders (23 percent), car salespersons (17) and politicians (7). "

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

THE DECLINE AND FALL

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

According to Edward Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire said that there were five major attributes that marked the closing days of the great Roman Empire. 1. There was an increasing love of show and luxury; that is, affluence. 2. There was a widening gap between the very rich and the very poor. 3. There was an obsession with sex. 4. There was a freakishness in the arts masquerading as originality and creativity. 5. There was an increased desire to live off the state.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Is our civilization really improving? Are we contributing towards the betterment of society? Is the world a better place because of your presence.

"Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (Philippians 2:15, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com.

The Unique Jesus

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NLT)

What made Jesus different? As the famous apologist and writer C.S. Lewis said, "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He'd either be insane or else he'd be the devil of hell."

"You must make your choice," Lewis continues. "Either Jesus was and is the Son of God, or else He was insane or evil, but let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

What do you think about Jesus?

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”" (Acts 4:12, NLT)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

Best Qualifications

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2, NKJV)

The president of a major corporation, in reference to his company's hiring policies said: "If I could have only two qualifications on which to judge a person's promise, I would choose curiosity and determination. Only the curious will hear, and only the determined will overcome the obstacles to learning. Curiosity and determination are more important than a person's I.Q."

Are you satisfied with where you are or is there a determination to grow and increase in the knowledge of God.

"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:18, NLT)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

A Friend in Deed

If God be for us who can be against us.
Rom 8.31

A contemporary of Mozart and Haydn, he started losing his hearing at age 28, and eventually became totally deaf. Incredibly, though, he continued writing some of the most beautiful symphonies, concertos, sonatas, and quartets of all time. Today, he ranks as one of the greatest composers in history. His name was Ludwig van Beethoven. Born in December 17, 1770. Beethoven wrote: "No friend have I. I must live by myself alone; but I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him."

We all need friends but believers need never be alone for we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. We all need friends to encourage us and motivate us and to challenge us. But there is one friend who is always available and never too busy and too distracted. We are always a priority with Him.

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)

Peace, Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. (Psalm 46:10, NLT)

Many years ago a little boy was given a priceless possession: his deceased grandfather's gold pocket watch. How he treasured it. But one day, while playing
at his father's ice plant, he lost the watch amidst all the ice and sawdust.

He searched and scratched, becoming frantic, but no watch. Then he suddenly realized what to do. He stopped scurrying around and became very still. In the
silence he heard the watch ticking.

"Be still and know that I am God ...."

In the busyness of life we need to slow down, stop and hear the voice of God.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Second Opinion

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19, NKJV)

It was Mark Twain who said, “It’s not what I don’t understand in the Bible that bothers me, its what I do understand”.

We often find people hoping from one church to another until they find one that suits their particular interpretation of scripture. Rather like a patient who rejects a doctors bad news diagnosis and goes for a second, third, fourth, or fifth opinion until he gets the diagnosis he wants to hear.

God’s word is not a matter of personal bias or preference. His Word is sure.

"The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. " (Psalm 19:7, The Message)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

Peace With God

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, NLT)

Jim Elliot was a student at Wheaton College. In 1965 he and four other missionaries were killed in the jungles of Ecuador. Their deaths caused a tremendous reaction amongst the Christian community. Several books were published telling the dramatic story. Amongst his belongings was a diary with these words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to lose what he cannot gain.”

Are you ready? Is your life right with God? Do you have that deep down assurance that you are a child of God, that your sins are washed away? Do you know that you have a place reserved in Heaven for you? You can find forgiveness and salvation in Christ. You can know peace with God. God offers salvation as a gift.

You can make that commitment, right now. You can know your sins forgiven and peace with God.

" I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13, NLT)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Passing the Test

Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up (Daniel 3:18).

A young nurse was assisting a surgeon for the first time.

As he was completing the operation, she told him he had used 12 sponges, but she could account for only 11.The doctor curtly replied that he had removed them all from inside the patient. The nurse insisted that one was missing, but the doctor declared he would proceed with sewing up in the incision. The nurse, her eyes blazing, said, "You can't do that! Think of the patient!" The doctor smiled and, lifting his foot, showed the nurse the twelfth sponge, which he had deliberately dropped on the floor. "You'll do fine!" he said. He had been testing her.

You may be put to the test today. You may be pressured into going in a direction not compatible with your Christian walk. Will you pass the test today?

Most Generous

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35, NLT)

The story is told of Dr William Trumbull, who was traveling by train one day when a drunken man got into the same compartment. After a while, he drew a bottle of liquor from his pocket and offered Dr Trumbull a drink. Dr Trumbull replied, “No thank you”. After taking some himself the man settled back in his seat. Sometime later he took the bottle out again and again offered Dr Trumbull a drink. Dr Trumbull gave him the same reply. After the same thing happened a third time, his conscience must have bothered him because he turned to Dr Trumbull and said, “You must think I am a real beast.” On the contrary, replied Dr Trumbull, “I think you are most generous”.
We are not called to judge others. We are called to encourage and look for the positives in others. Get out there and be an encourager today. Get out there and build somebody up – there are enough people tearing them apart

“ but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25, NLT)

A Friend Indeed

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15, NKJV)

Out of Christendom's some 400,000 hymns, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus." is considered to be one of the top ten. This incredible popularity comes for a hymn that was never intended to be published. Joseph Scriven wrote the hymn in 1855 to send from his home in Ontario, Canada, to his mother in Ireland.

His goal was simply to comfort his mother during a difficult time in her life. It wasn't until 30 years later that the hymn was discovered by a friend who was caring for Scriven in his final illness. Once put in circulation the hymn quickly became a favorite.

Since then millions have sung its words in hundreds of languages and thousands have found comfort in the truth of a saviour who is a friend in every situation. He is a friend who never leaves nor forsakes us.

"There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24, NLT)

Welcome Home!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)

After serving for 40 years on the African mission field, Henry C. Morrison returned home by boat. On that same boat returning from one of his big game hunts in Africa was the American President, Theodore Roosevelt.

Upon docking in New York , President Roosevelt received a great fanfare. Bands were playing and crowds were excitedly trying to get a glimpse of the famous president and reporters were there to take down his every word.

However nobody was there to welcome Morrison and his wife. As he left the docks he felt somewhat dejected. After all, Morrison thought, surely I deserve some recognition after 40 years in the Lord’s service. It was then that his wife reminded him, “But Henry, you’re not home yet!”

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”" (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

The Two Wolves

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a debate that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed the most.”

In the computer world they talk about GIGO – garbage in and garbage out. The same is true of our minds. So make sure you are feeding on good things today.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

In the Arena

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
(2 Timothy 4:7, NLT)

Former US President, Theodore Roosevelt showed he understood truly leadership when he said, "It's not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of good deeds could have done better.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena: Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again...

"Who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause...

"Who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement...

"And who, at worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

DAYLIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

The Sunshine Shoeshine Boy

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV)

A downtown businessman encountered a young boy who shined his shoes every day. He did such a good job that one day the businessman asked him, "Son, how
come you are so conscientious about your work?" The young man felt complimented. He looked up to the man, and said, "Mister, I'm a Christian and I try to shine every pair of shoes as if Jesus Christ were wearing them."

The businessman saw something genuine in the shoeshine boy. Soon after that he began reading his Bible. When he decided to be a Christian himself, he credited his decision to the young man who shined every pair of shoes "as if Jesus Christ were wearing them."

Whatever the task you are tackling today – tackle it as though you are doing it for Jesus

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

The Power of Applause

Encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25, NLT)

A violin instructor explained how children as young as two, three and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn--even before they pick up the violin--is how to take a bow. "If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation," the instructor said. "But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we've found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well."

We all respond to applause and we all need encouragement.

“I have yet to find the man, however great or exalted his station, who did not work better and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than he would ever do under a spirit of criticism” Charles Schwab. Pres. Bethlehem Steel.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Thank You

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (Luke 17:17, NKJV)

Bishop Gerland Kennedy of California tells the true story of a shipwreck off the coast of Lake Michigan many years ago. The students of Northwestern University came to the rescue. One student, Edward Spenser, personally saved the lives of 17 persons that day. Years later a reporter was writing a follow-up story on the event, and went to interview the now elderly Spenser. When asked what was the one thing that stood out about the incident in his mind; Spenser replied: "I remember that of the seventeen people I saved that day, not one of them ever thanked me."

Giving thanks is not only a Christian duty but it is a Christian characteristic. We ought always to maintain an attitude of gratitude. In everything give thanks. In every circumstance—in joy and in sorrow; for everything—for prosperity and for adversity; in every place—in the house of God and on the bed of sickness;

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

The Case for Marriage

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
(Mark 10:7, NIV)

Many couples think that living together is a good way to find out if they're really compatible. But the truth is that living together is more likely to destroy a couple's chances of a good marriage. Almost half of all couples who cohabit break up before the wedding. And even if they do marry, couples who cohabit beforehand are fifty percent more likely to divorce.

They're also more likely to become victims of violence. An American study found that women are three times more likely to be assaulted by a live-in boyfriend than by a husband. And a child living with a mother and her boyfriend is thirty-three times more likely to be abused than the child of married parents.

The best way to become compatible is to make the commitment to your partner in marriage and then ensure that Jesus Christ is the head of your home.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Stress Management

"Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." (Psalm 55:22, NLT)

A lecturer who, when teaching on stress management, raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Numerous guesses were suggested.

"What it weighs doesn't matter," the lecturer replied. "What matters is how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's no problem. If I hold it for an hour, my arm will ache
terribly. And if I hold it for a day, I'll be in real trouble. The longer I hold it the 'heavier' it becomes."

That's true in life. If we keep working without a break, eventually we will break. And if we keep carrying a burden that is too heavy to bear without doing something
about it, sooner or later the burden will break us. Stress needs to be managed. And the best way to do it is to hand all your problems, all your challenges and all your despair over to God.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Outward Appearance

“Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”" (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT)

In his book, Modern Times, Paul Johnson notes that Stalin was short--just five feet, four inches tall. Furthermore, a childhood accident had left his left arm stiff and his hand slightly misshapen.

So when the dictator commissioned his portrait, he instructed the artist to paint him from his best angle--from below, a perspective that made Stalin seem to tower over the artist. To add to the image, Stalin folded his hands over his stomach, making them appear firm and powerful --more like the pseudonym he had chosen: Stalin, which means "man of steel."

It is natural to try to present ourselves in the best possible light. But God’s Word is a mirror that shows us our true light. We may be able to deceive others. But there is nothing hidden from God.

As Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas available from amazon.com

Slow Starters

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Did you have a bad start in life?

Winston Churchill seemed so dull as a youth that his father thought he might be incapable of earning a living in England.

G.K. Chesterson, the English writer, could not read until he was eight. One of his teachers told him, "If we could open your head we should not find any brain
but only a lump of white fat."

Thomas Edison's first teacher described him as "addled," and his father almost convinced him he was a "dunce."

Albert Einstein's parents feared their child was dull, and he performed so badly in all high school courses except mathematics that a teacher asked him to drop out."

Don’t despair. God still has great plans for you and your life.

Who Cares?

For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.(Psalm 142:4, NKJV)

In the book The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis, a devil briefs his demon nephew, Wormwood, in a series of letters, on the subtleties and techniques of tempting people. In his writings, the devil says that the objective is not to make people wicked but to make them indifferent. This higher devil cautions Wormwood that he must keep the patient comfortable at all costs. If he should start thinking about anything of importance, encourage him to think about his luncheon plans and not to worry so much because it could cause indigestion. And then the devil gives this instruction to his nephew: 'I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job, my dear Wormwood, is to provide me with people who do not care”

Every minute of the day, people are suffering, starving, and dying without Christ in their lives. Do you care?

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

WHERE IS THE PICCOLO?

Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.(1 Corinthians 12:20, NLT)

Sir Michael Costa, the celebrated conductor, was holding a rehearsal. As the mighty chorus rang out, accompanied by scores of instruments, the piccolo player--a little pint-sized flute--thinking perhaps that his contribution would not be missed amid so much music, stopped playing. Suddenly, the great leader stopped and cried out, "Where is the piccolo?"

The sound of that one small instrument was necessary to the harmony, and the conductor missed it when it dropped out. The point? To the conductor there are no insignificant instruments in an orchestra. Sometimes the smallest and seemingly least important one can make the greatest contribution and even if it doesn't seem to make that big a difference to the audience at large, the conductor knows it right away

You have a role to play. It may be small and insignificant. But when you stop your heavenly Father knows. So get out there and do your thing today and add to the music of the church and God’s orchestra.

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What is the Church?

Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. (2 Corinthians 3:2, NLT)

Richard Halverson, former chaplain of the United States Senate, said something about the church that is pertinent : "In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise."

Before you say a hearty “Amen!”. What is your church like? Is it all about ministry or is it about money and programmes? And what is your own Christian life like? Does it reflect the spirit of Jesus or of the world.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from Amazon.com

Love Opens Doors

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.(1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT)

According to an article in Today in the Word, soon after Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert, the couple had a quarrel, whereupon Prince Albert locked himself
in his private apartment. Queen Victoria knocked furiously on his door.

"Who's there?" asked Albert.

"The Queen of England, and she demands to be admitted."

There was no response and the door remained locked. The queen knocked furiously again.

"Who's there?" asked Albert again. The queen's response was the same . as was Albert's. After more furious knocking and no response came a quiet pause--and then a gentle tap.

"Who's there?" asked Albert once more.

"Your wife, Albert," the queen replied. Immediately the door was opened.

We are all equal before God. Let us shed our masks and lay ourselves open to God’s blessing.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

Grace and Forgiveness

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.(Matthew 7:12, NLT)

Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both had churches in London in the nineteenth century. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon's orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon however that Parker had criticized the orphanage itself. Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printed in the newspapers and became the talk of the town.

People flocked to Parker's church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal. "I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here instead." The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection plates three times.

Later that week there was a knock at Parker's study. It was Spurgeon. "You know Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me not what I deserved, you have given me what I needed."

Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then go ahead and do it for them.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

A man who has friends must himself be friendly. (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)

The story is told of a new family who moved into town and asked the postmaster what kind of people lived there.

He answered, "What kind of people do you think you'll find?"

They replied, "Well, we had problems with the people in the town we just left. I suppose they will be the same here."

The postmaster replied, "You're probably right."

Soon another family moved into the town and asked the postmaster the same question.

Again he responded, "What kind of people do you expect to find here?"

They answered, "The folks in the town we left were great. We hated to leave. We hope we'll find some more just like them here."

The postmaster responded, "I'm sure you will. You'll love it here."

In some ways you are a reflection of your community. The best way get friends is to be a friend. The best way to get people interested in you is to be interested in them.

Don't Give Up

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

During World War II when Great Britain's back was against the wall defending herself against seemingly overwhelming odds with the unrelenting onslaught of
Hitler's military might and the unyielding bombing by the German Luftwaffe.

Winston Churchill was asked to address the students at Harrow School, the school that Churchill himself had attended as a student. The following is the speech that
he gave that day:

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

The story that he then sat down without saying any more is probably apocryphal but the truth and impact of what he said still stands. Churchill and Britain never gave up and neither should you.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

The Poor and Needy

"But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God." (Psalm 40:17, NKJV)

Susanna Wesley, when asked which of her children she loved the most replied, "Whoever is sick or furtherest from home." God has a special place for those who are the ailing and weak and poor in society.

When you go to bed tonight remember that over half of the world's population is hungry, poor and wretched. Most of these are illiterate people who are unable to read or write. Most of them are using farming methods of a thousand years old. Many of them are little better than slaves to the big landlords who own the land. They need food, education, clothes, homes, medical care, and most of all love. We have a responsibility to these downtrodden people of the world.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

God is in the Little Things

Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:30, NIV)

Napoleon Bonaparte was the greatest general of his day and one of the greatest of all time. He was also an astute politician with an unconquerable will to win. His goal was to rule the world and he seemed well on his way to achieving that goal.

History records how he boasted, "Russia next, then Britain, and Napoleon shall rule the world."

When leading his army enroute to conquer Russia, one tiny snowflake fell on Napoleon, "Then another, and another, and another, and they kept on falling until
Napoleon's proud army was reeling back, broken and defeated" not by an enemy's army nor even a single shot, but by a mass of tiny snowflakes. Napoleon's response? " God almighty was too much for me."

God doesn’t need to work via earthquakes and pyrotechnics. Sometimes it is a still small voice. Sometimes it is just a snowflake.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Seeing is Believing

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.(1 Corinthians 2:14, NLT)

When explorers from England first went to Australia they discovered some strange and wonderful animals not seen anywhere else in the world--animals such as the kangaroo, the koala, and the ornithorhynchus--a mammal that laid eggs; spent some time in water and some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck (now known as the platypus).

When the explorers returned home, nobody would believe their story about the platypus. All felt it was a hoax. Even after they returned to Australia and brought back a pelt from this strange animal, people still felt it was a hoax and refused to believe it was real.



From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

Making a Difference

I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. (Isaiah 63:3, NIV)

Wilberforce was a member of the British House of Commons in 1785. After trusting Christ as his Saviour, he became concerned about how he should serve the Lord as a political leader. He became burdened about seeing slavery abolished in England.


Wilberforce began to campaign for legislation to restrict and then outlaw slavery. His speeches and motions in Parliament met with a great deal of opposition. For 20 years, the battle continued in Parliament. Wilberforce had to take his case to the public. He had to endure criticism and repeated attempts to blacken his reputation. He was mocked as the leader of a hopeless cause, but, after 20 years of campaigning, the English Parliament finally outlawed slavery, setting an entirely new public moral tone in England. In the United States 600,000 people had to die in a bloody Civil War to accomplish the same purpose.

From DAY LIGHTEERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Planet Shakers

These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. (Acts 17:6, NKJV)

The great English preacher John Wesley once said, "Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I do not care if they be clergymen or laymen. Such men alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.”

If there was ever a time in history when a world needed to be turned upside down or, should I say, right side up, the time is now. But if it is going to happen, then it will need to be through committed believers like the ones John Wesley was looking for: people who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God. No casual followers need apply. God is looking for disciples.

Let's commit ourselves to being true disciples of Jesus Christ. Not mere slapdash followers, but disciples.

Being Faithful

Whatever He says to you, do it. (John 2:5, NKJV)

When David was called by God to be king, he was out watching sheep, just being faithful. The time that David killed Goliath, he didn't wake up in the morning and hear God say, "David, today you are going to the valley of Elah. There will be a giant Philistine named Goliath, and you will kill him with a stone." No, David was taking food to his brothers, just being faithful on an errand for his dad. It was a little thing, but he was faithful.

He was faithfully doing what God had set before him. He was simply doing the little things.

Sometimes, we have great ideas of what God will do. But we have to wait on Him. Maybe you want to do something for God, but you think it will never happen. Maybe it will. Maybe it even will surpass your wildest dreams. Just be faithful to do what God has set before you right now.

Because God Says So

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13, NKJV).

We know that we have eternal life because God says so in His word. Many people make the mistake of basing the certainty of their relationship to God on their feelings. But feelings can be misleading, for there are times in our lives when we just don’t feel we are Christians. But our assurance is not to be based on our feelings because the Devil is constantly working on them.

We know that we have passed from death to life because God Himself has said so, and we simply need to take him at His word.

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24, NKJV).

Available from Amazon.com - DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas

True Prayer is Rewarded

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7, NLT)

The most important work that you can do as a Christian is to pray. Prayer is the instrument that God has chosen to move mountains, to restore nations, to renew churches and to save families and individuals. Moses prayed and the sea parted and the Israelites crossed on dry ground. Elijah prayed and God stopped the rain for three years. He prayed again and the heavens were opened. Daniel prayed and the lions mouths were shut. Joshua prayed and the sun stopped in its course. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16, NKJV).

Your prayers do make a difference. Your prayers can change lives and create history.

DAY LIGHTERS 365 Devotional thoughts to ignite your day. amazon.com

Don't Give Up

Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NLT)

Author John Toland received the Pulitzer Prize for his book, The Rising Sun. But before he tasted any success he had an impressive catalogue of failures as a writer.

From the time he started writing he wrote six novels and 25 plays--none of which were published!

This did not stop him. He kept diligently writing for 20-some years before he tasted success. He went on to write such best-sellers as Adolph Hitler, The Last 100 Days, Battle: The Story of the Bulge, and But Not in Shame.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us "if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." (Galatians 6:9, GNT)

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

Take Time to Listen

Be still and know that I am God Ps 46.10

Many years ago a little boy was given a priceless possession: his deceased grandfather's gold pocket watch. How he treasured it. But one day, while playing at his father's ice plant, he lost the watch amidst all the ice and sawdust.

He searched and scratched, becoming frantic, but no watch. Then he suddenly realized what to do. He stopped scurrying around and became very still. In the
silence he heard the watch ticking.

Our lives are so busy. We frantically rush from one event to the next, and tackle a myriad of new projects before we completed the last one. There is just no time to stop and listen to the voice of God.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Faith Like Mountains

Increase our faith! (Luke 17:5, NIV)

Two men went fishing. Every time the one fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the other fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back. The first fisherman finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.

The second fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small. We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.

From Daylighters by Nico Bougas available from Amazon.com at $3.99

Convictions

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12, NKJV)

There is a story told about the George Whitefield, the evangelist. He asked a man what he believed, and the man replied, “I believe what my church believes.”
“What does your church believe?” Whitefield asked. “My church believes what I believe,” was the answer. “Well, what do you both believe?” asked the evangelist. “We both believe the same thing!”

The man thought he had convictions but all he really had were secondhand opinions. Do you know what you believe and are your convinced that it is “the way, the truth and the life”?

The advice Joshua got when he took over the leadership of the Children of Israel was, "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com

Prayer Priority

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me
(Psalm 50:15, NKJV)

We often hear people say, “at least I can pray for you”. No! No! That is the most they can do for you.

Less than two months after Lincoln was inaugurated President, the Civil War began with Confederate troops in Charleston, South Carolina, firing upon Fort Sumter. The Confederate Army was unstoppable, twice winning battles at Bull Run, Virginia, just twenty miles from Washington, D.C., forcing the Union troops to retreat to the fortifications of the Capitol. It wasn't until the Battle of Gettysburg, over two years into the war, that the tide began to turn. President Lincoln confided: "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."

Don’t make prayer the last resort make it your priority. If you are looking for light at the end of the tunnel then turn to the light of the world.

An Inside Job

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27, NKJV)

Jesus declared that a religion which does not change a person on the inside is of little use. The heart of the natural man needs the cleansing that only Christ can give. Any religious profession which does not change our habits, our attitudes and our desires is false.

The Christian must live his life in the world. He must help win the world to Christ, but he does not participate in the evils of the world. A Christian must say “no” to certain things. Only the life of obedience to the Spirit of God, by a daily surrendering of oneself, by a full dedication to Christ and constant fellowship with Him, are we enabled to live a godly and an influential life in this world.

So draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. (James 4.8)

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A Heart for the Poor

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. (Proverbs 21:13, NLT)

There is no evidence that the farmer in the parable of the rich fool was any better than others. Having a lot of money does make a person worthy. Neither does being poor mean one is unworthy.

As he was saying to himself, “What shall I do for I have no place to put my crops?” perhaps a neighbour across this field was saying, “What can I do for I don’t even have bread for my children?” Perhaps some poor beggar was scratching in his garbage can trying to find enough food to eat to keep himself alive.

If he had only looked around him he could have found many a way of using the abundance that he had. But he forgot about others. He was blind to the needs of those around him.

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Enemy Tactics

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

It would be a very simple thing if the devil came to us honestly and said, “Good morning, I am Satan and I want you to get into something that is going to cause you a lot of misery and wretchedness and will dishonour your Saviour. If you will only listen to me and obey me I will be able to accomplish this.”

We would have no difficulty in saying, “Get behind me Satan!” But he does not come that way. He is transformed into an angel of Light and he seeks to deceive us. He is an old campaigner. He knows exactly how to approach every individual as he comes with his crafty methods. He may not appear as an evil villain so be alert and be aware of his tactics.

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REMORSE

And to this day, there’s not a trace of remorse, not a sign of reverence, nobody caring about living by what I tell them or following my instructions that I’ve set out so plainly before you and your parents! (Jeremiah 44:10, The Message)

Secret sin can take away your appetite for the righteousness of God.
That secret sin that you committed has cost a price. You always thought that you had got away with it, but the remorse of it still remains in your heart. Those veiled resentments you harbour against your neighbour! The failure to forgive those who have wronged you! When the heart is filled with wickedness, there is no room for God. The jealousies, the envies, the prejudices, and the malices will take away you appetite for the things of the Spirit.

When your heart is filled with the husks of prejudice and the chaff of resentment, you can have no thirst for righteousness. If you allow your heart to be filled with Satan's rations, you will have no desire for heaven's manna.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas available from Amazon.com

Evil is Doomed

Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.(Matthew 25:41, NLT)

Evil is finally going to be destroyed. Satan may seem powerful and irresistible. We may sense him going around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour but he is on the losing side. The Word of God tells us that he is going to be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

All that is negative, sinful, destructive and in rebellion against God will be destroyed. Our God is going to establish a new Heaven and a new earth that is filled with righteousness. The final outcome is sure, skip to the end of this book and you’ll see – our side wins. The good guys come out on top. We are going to reign with Him forever and ever. One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.

From: DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas available from Amazon.com

Kite Flying Exercise

A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation. (Isaiah 60:22, NKJV)

Bridge builder, Charles Eliet, had a contract to build a suspension bridge across the Niagara River. One of the first problems he faced was how to stretch his first cable across the wide expanse of raging waters. If a boat tried to cross the river it would be swept over the falls. Eliet thought of a simple idea. If a kite could be flown to the opposite bank using a light cord, a stronger cord could be attached and pulled across, then a stronger cord pulled across and so on until a cable could be attached and drawn across.

Eliet called for a kite flying contest and a young man named Homan Walsh succeeded on his second attempt. Charles Eliet's simple plan worked and the bridge was built.

In life every Christian has an important part to play. It all adds up in the numerous "little things" we are called to do every day.

Keeping the Commandments

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:6, NKJV)

A ruthless businessman once said to author Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud from the top."

"I have a better idea," Twain remarked, "You could stay home here and keep them."

Talk is cheap. It's what we do that counts--not what we say--and when our words don't match our actions, we are, as the Apostle Paul put it, only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

As St Francis of Assisi said, “Preach Jesus and, if necessary use words.” Later quoted and attributed to Mother Theresa.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Courage to Lead

THE COURAGE TO LEAD

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Leaders know that the best way to ensure success is to take chances. While the average man or woman fears stepping out into a new opportunity. Being overly cautious leads to failure because caution can lead to missed opportunities.

Tom Watson Sr, founder of IBM, understood this principle. A junior executive with the company once managed to lose over $10 million in a venture that was considered risky even by company insiders. When Watson found out about the disaster he called the young man into his office. Upon entering, the young man blurted out, “I guess you want my resignation?” Watson allegedly responded, “You can’t be serious. We’ve just spent $10 million educating you.”

You can’t lead without taking risk. You won’t take risk without courage. Courage is essential to leadership.

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas- thoughts to ignite your day. available from amazon.com

The Visible Church

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. (2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT)

The visible church embraces people of every kind. True believers and mere professors; spiritual Christians and dead formalists; the hypocrites, the deceiver of others and of himself, all may be found within the general body of those that call themselves Christians.

Even members of one congregation may sit side by side, they may unite in the same prayer, they may hear the same preaching. Yet God sees the heart of all and it is by the heart of man that He judges. Much that is respectable in the eyes of man is rejected by God.

Let no one be deceived. Let none stifle his conscience, let none decide that everything will simply work out okay in the end. The Word of God is clear -"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV)

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas - thoughts to ignite your day. Available from amazon.com

Heavenly Investment

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-20, NKJV).

A high society woman lived in a fine mansion and employed her own gardener who worked for her for many years. Eventually he died. The wealthy woman arranged a fine funeral for him. When she died she went to Heaven. She was shown to her quarters and then taken on a tour of the other accommodations. She was staggered to find her old gardener living in a huge mansion.

She immediately went to lodge an objection to the housing angel. “You have given me this small plain little cabin and you have given a mere gardener a huge mansion. There must be some mistake.”

“No madam,” he said, “there is no mistake, the cabin we made is all we could do with the materials you sent us.”

DAY LIGHTERS - 365 Thoughts to ignite your day. Amazon.com

Great than God

Who is so great a God as our God? Psalm 77.13

A riddle has been making the rounds. When asked this riddle, 80% of preschoolers got the answer, compared to 17% of university graduates. Here's the riddle:

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich want it, and if you eat it, you'll die?

What is it?

The answer is 'nothing'. Nothing is greater than God, nothing is more evil than the devil, the poor have nothing, the rich want nothing, and if you eat nothing you will die!

It seems so obvious. Maybe that's why younger children have an easier time answering it than educated adults. As we get more educated and more sophisticated, we look for deeper answers. But Jesus said that true, genuine faith is uncomplicated like that of a little child.

Greater than God

Who is so great a God as our God? Psalm 77.13

A riddle has been making the rounds. When asked this riddle, 80% of preschoolers got the answer, compared to 17% of university graduates. Here's the riddle:

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich want it, and if you eat it, you'll die?

What is it?

The answer is 'nothing'. Nothing is greater than God, nothing is more evil than the devil, the poor have nothing, the rich want nothing, and if you eat nothing you will die!

It seems so obvious. Maybe that's why younger children have an easier time answering it than educated adults. As we get more educated and more sophisticated, we look for deeper answers. But Jesus said that true, genuine faith is uncomplicated like that of a little child.

Day Lighters by Nico Bougas available from amazon.com