YES WE CAN!!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13, NLT)

A teacher in Georgia, USA taught her fourth-grade students an invaluable lesson by conducting a funeral. She enthused her class because the funeral was to be conducted for an enemy—the "I can't" enemy.

"Each child was encouraged to list their 'I Can'ts': 'I can't do math.' 'I can't make any friends.' 'I can't hit a home run in softball.' 'I can't give a book report in front of the class,'" and so on.

When the teacher collected all the "I can't" lists, she put them in a box and took them with the class outside where they took turns in digging a grave. In her eulogy she said, "We have provided 'I Can't' with a final resting place and a headstone that contains his epitaph. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, 'I Can,' 'I Will,' and 'I'm Going to Right Away.'

From Daylighters by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

A Walking Sermon

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6, NLT)

In 1953 reporters gathered at a Chicago railway station waiting to meet the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Reporters were excited to see him. Cameras were flashing, compliments were being expressed when, looking beyond the adulation, the visitor saw an elderly black woman struggling to carry her two large suitcases.

"Excuse me," he said as he went to the aid of this woman. Picking up her cases, he escorted her to a bus and then apologized to the reporters for keeping them waiting.

The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary-doctor who had invested his life helping poor and sick people in Africa.

A member of the reception committee remarked to one of the reporters, "That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking." The measure of any man or woman is not their name, not their fame, not what they say, but what they do.

"Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words." - Saint Francis of Assisi

The Poor rich man

So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:21 NKJV).

It is no sin to be wealthy. The Bible says it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. This is not a tirade against riches as such, but against the desire for their acquisition to dominate life and destroy all thought and desire for God. The great sin of the rich fool was that he failed to be rich towards God.

He actually was a poor rich man. He was rich and had all that he needed. Yet he was poor and miserable. As his riches increased he set his heart upon them rather than upon the one who gave him the ability to accumulate wealth

He claimed that it was his fruit, his goods, his barns, his soul. But God said, “Tonight it is all going to be taken away.

Thought: He who has nothing but money is poor indeed.

Sinkhole of Temptation

Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, NKJV)

In December 1985 an enormous sinkhole swallowed a house and carport and forced the evacuation of four homes in a retirement community in Florida. The hole was about the size of a pickup truck when it was discovered. Within three hours it had grown to 30 by 40 feet and had swallowed half of a small house. Two hours later it had expanded to more than 70 feet, and the house with its carport was gone. Authorities were grateful that it finally stopped growing without doing even more damage.

Sin is like an ever-expanding sinkhole. It begins in a small way it grows into a deed. At this point the sinkhole is small but expanding. Then it grows larger. And finally you get swallowed up. What starts out as a look or a thought ends in a tragedy for all involved.

From Day Lighters by Nico Bougas available from amazon.com

Beware of Terrorist Groups in Church

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.

They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

However, there have been reports of a sixth group.

A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.

We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

No church is exempt! You can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.

-- Author Unknown

Missing Out

But he was angry and would not go in (Luke 15:28, NKJV)

There are many people like the elder brother, they see the lights of home, they hear the sound of music and laughter. They know they would be welcomed and yet they stand outside in the cold night.

This man arrived home from a day’s work in the fields. He was tired and hungry and it was getting dark. But he would not go in. He preferred to stay outside in the dark than enter the light. He preferred to go hungry than enjoy the feast. He preferred to sulk rather than celebrate.

How sad that he was missing out what he needed most because he refused to go in. All that he needed was in the father’s house but he remained weary, hungry and alone.

Jesus is calling all such people home. Come and enjoy the fun, the feast, and the fellowship. Why stand outside in the dark, cold and tired and hungry?

" I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10, NKJV)

From Day Lighters by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com