True Life Family Ministries- Word for Today

The Prophet Joel predicted an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all mankind during the last days. I believe those whom He has called to teach His Word, both men and women, are a result of that prophecy being fulfilled.

The Bible tells us that God equips those whom He calls. I believe it is for this reason that He has given each person certain gifts and abilities that are unique to the area of ministry to which He has called him or her. Sometimes the Lord places us within difficult circumstances in which He can mold us and help us to grow in love and grace. This is so He may better use us in another setting, later on down the road. There are many who have experienced trials and adversity in following their calling. But through trials and adversity, the Lord enables us to see just how much He has blessed us and how important is the calling which He has given us. One thing I find helpful is to focus on those to whom He has called me to minister, rather than on those who criticize, pass judgment and misunderstand my calling. God has taught me that, if I remain focused upon Him, humbling myself before Him and before others, He will lift me up, strengthen and sustain me.

One lesson I personally had to learn the hard way was to trust in Him and not in my own understanding of what things may appear to be. I used to think I understood what Prov. 3:5,6 is saying. But, through adversity and by His grace, the Lord helped me to see its meaning with new eyes. I used to try to make things happen according to my own concept of time because I strongly believed in them and felt they were God's will. But He has taught me what it means to wait on Him. We must remember that we are on His timetable and not our own. He is faithful to His promises and will bless our efforts in due season. If we submit ourselves and follow the instructions in His Word, accepting our calling and following it with commitment, servitude, an attitude of humility and love toward others, then He will bless us in the ministry to which He has called us, in His time.

We must remember that the Holy Spirit is our greatest guide. It has taken me nearly thirty-eight years to begin to learn this lesson. If we truly seek the Lord's face when we pray He will reveal Himself to us. One thing that holds us back, many times, is a bitter heart, due to past hurts. Rejection leaves such painful scars, especially upon the heart of a young Christian. Many can relate to having been brushed aside, misunderstood, rejected or not taken seriously by someone in their lives- many times that someone has been a member of the church. If our spirit has been wounded, perhaps by events from the past, then we must ask the Lord to examine our heart and search it's deepest parts, revealing to us any malice or hard feelings we may harbor. Then we must ask forgiveness for such feelings and seek His wisdom, strength and renewing touch.

The following seven principles, which I believe were instilled in my heart by influence of the Holy Spirit, were originally written for women in ministry. Yet, I humbly offer them here for all whom God has called to carry out whatever ministry He has placed within their hearts. Eph. 3:7 "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."

1. Be Genuine- don't be afraid to be yourself (that is, who God created you to be), no matter what the opposition! Remember, God has called you to minister to others who are in need of the very things He has equipped you to do.

2. Be Sure- stand firm upon the authority that Christ has given you! Be sure of your calling and do not waiver. Know that you are special to Him and to the ministry to which He has called you. He has created you and equipped you with certain gifts and abilities that are uniquely your own. Be proud of who you are in HIM, for it is upon His authority that you stand!

3. Be Humble- remember that Christ was rejected by the mainstream religious leaders of His day, as were His apostles. Follow His example of humble servitude, yet with the assurance that your calling is true and secure, in Christ Jesus.

4. Be Forgiving- this is so important because the Lord cannot bless us or our ministry when we harbor ill feelings in our hearts toward others, even those who have perhaps been unsupportive, judgmental or unkind. We must pray and seek His forgiveness for such feelings and release them, seeking the renewal of our minds that only He can give.

5. Be Merciful- show mercy unto others who do not understand or who reject your message or efforts. We must be merciful to one another, in brotherly love, following our Lord's example. We must show mercy toward those to whom we seek to minister, as well; remembering the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone".

6. Be Persistent- don't ever give up! The Word of God tells us that we will experience trials and tribulation for the cause of Christ, but that we are to be of good courage, for He has overcome the world. We must persevere, as Paul the apostle did and as our precious Lord and Savior persevered unto the end of his ministry. We must fight a good fight and never lose hope, focusing upon our LORD every step of the way!

7. Be Patient- remember that our ways are not God's ways and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We must trust in Him and realize that, no matter what, He is in control! We are operating on His timetable. If we remain focused upon Him, never losing sight of what He has called us to do, namely love one another and spread the light of His love throughout a hurting world, then He will bless our efforts in due season. We must not faint, but rather wait upon God, with patience in our hearts and minds, and He will renew our strength!

Phil. 2:1-11 "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Galations 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galations 6:22,23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Romans 8: 35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What glorious and wonderful promises and powerful truths are offered in His Word. We must, above all, hide God's Word in our hearts, that the Holy Spirit may use it and quicken it within us, directing us and uplifting us all the days of our lives.

Be Blessed and continue in His service boldly, for you are worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus! Don't Ever Doubt It!

Love in Christ,

Sister Angela Dobbins

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Soar Like Eagles

Author Unknown

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When
the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift
it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it
higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them -
we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The
storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy,
failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we
handle them.

The Bible says, "...Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;" Isaiah 40:31

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Jesus Said, "I am the WAY"

by Angela Dobbins

Printable Pamphlet (.pdf)- Side 1 Side2

Are you lost, friend? Looking for direction in life? There is an answer and a WAY that you can have the kind of inner peace, joy, and fulfillment you've been searching for. There is a PLACE where you can find rest for your journey, refreshment for your weary mind and spirit, healing for your tired body, and strength to carry on. You can have the kind of peace and assurance in your life that...there are simply no words to describe it! And the road map to finding this PLACE...? It is in the Bible, God's message to mankind.

Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." This we read in the book of John, chapter 10, verse 10. Jesus is speaking about US. His will for us is that we have a happy, abundant life, filled with God's best blessings! So many times, though, we do not understand how to accept them. Many do not know who Jesus is. He is the Son of the One True and Living God and, by His life's example, He wants to lead YOU into a life of joy and abundance!

You see, each of us is a special creation, the evidence of a Great and Mighty God, who lives and reigns far above this world and beyond the edge of our universe. He is the Creator of all life and of the universe itself. He is an AWESOME GOD! Within each of us He has placed qualities of Himself. This we know because the Bible tells us that we are created in His image. Genesis chapter 1, verse 27 tells us, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." His desire is not only to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us while we are living here upon this earth, but to have us live and reign with Him in heaven forever! Now wouldn't that be WONDERFUL!

BUT.....there is something which SEPARATES us from God....something which, no matter how hard we try to live a good life, to be a good person.....we just cannot find that peace and fulfillment we are looking for......that relationship with our Creator is missing! There is one reason for this and only one...our SIN separates us from His love and fellowship.

You see, God is Holy...this means He is perfect. Because of this He cannot tolerate sin. SIN, for some who may be wondering, is doing wrong. In other words.....when we do things to hurt one another or hurt God.....when we lie, steal, cheat, commit sexual wrong-doing, have selfish motives, exhibit hate through our words and actions, curse God......all these things are SIN. And God cannot tolerate sin. He hates it. It makes Him very sorrowful. It breaks His heart to know that His children......those whom He created in His image to have fellowship with......those whom He loves so dearly and wishes that they love Him in return.....would act in such terrible ways toward one another and toward Him. Because of sin, we are separated from that wonderful peace and fulfillment which He so longs to give us.

But there is GOOD NEWS! God made a WAY for us to have that special relationship which He longs for us to share, and which we, too, inwardly long for. Yes, that�s right! We long for to have a relationship with the ONE who created us. Walk into any bookstore in America today and you will find hundreds of books on spirituality, spiritual awareness, science of the mind and so on. Turn on the television and you will see countless commercials for spiritual clairvoyants, tarot readers, and those who claim to be in contact with the spirit world. We as human beings search out these things because we are created, not only with a mind and a body, but with a spirit. We have a spiritual side of us that longs for things which are spiritual. When our fleshly body dies, it is our spirit which will live on for eternity. No, this life is not the END.

Because we are created in the image of God, and because we are not only made of flesh, but also have the capacity to be guided spiritually, each of us possess a special place within that only God's Spirit can fill. There are no clairvoyants or tarot readers, no spiritual awareness or "power of the mind" books which can give us what we long for to fill this empty place inside. Without God, our Creator, and His Spirit living in us, we are incomplete. Our guidance system is missing......we are LOST....like weary travelers on the highway of life...driving hopelessly without a MAP.

So what is the GOOD NEWS? What is the WAY which God has provided for us to have direction in our lives....the WAY to peace and fulfillment....the WAY to find meaning in our tedious lives? Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; No man comes to the Father, except through me." JESUS CHRIST is the WAY! THERE IS NO OTHER. Through knowing Him we can find a place where there is peace, comfort, tranquility, fulfillment, understanding and freedom from fear. We can find our way to a place where we can truly LIVE.! But we must first be willing to BELIEVE in Him and to accept His FREE gift of a NEW LIFE.

Sounds too simple, doesn't it? That is what many people think. But the truth is, it is SIMPLE. You see, God knew that we could never be good enough to enter into His presence and have a loving, meaningful relationship with Him. He knew that, no matter how hard we tried to do right, we could never quite hit the mark. Romans 3, verse 23 reads, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." He realized how hard the people whom He had created were struggling and how difficult it seemed for us just to get through an average day sometimes. He understood our plight. And, out of His deep love for us and longing to have us near Him, He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. JESUS became a WAY for us to have that relationship with GOD. HE became the WAY to that PLACE of Abundant Life!

You see, Jesus walked this earth, just as we do. He was born of a virgin woman. Yet, the Bible tells us that He was part of God, himself, God's Only Son. He grew up like we do, felt the pressures of childhood like we do, knew the difficulties of those teenage years like we do, experienced the frustrations of adulthood like we do, was tried and tested like we are....yet, He NEVER SINNED. He was perfect because He was God in the flesh. Hebrews 4, verse 15 reads, �For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.� Only His life and the shedding of His innocent blood would be able to cover the sins of the world and set men free...free from their sin and free to spend an eternity with Him in heaven. John 3:16 reads, �For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.� Christ was rejected of men.....persecuted, belittled, mocked and denied. The Bible tells us that He was beaten and bruised beyond recognition. He was rejected for doing nothing but GOOD. Yet, it was all part of God's plan for US. He loved us that much!

Jesus gave up His life, hanging on a cruel cross....His hands and feet were nailed....a crown of piercing thorns was placed upon His head. He was a HOLY living sacrifice for us, so that we might have a WAY to gain fellowship with God. By accepting Who He was and is, and through knowing Him by the life He lived, we can have all these things which we have been speaking about....peace, joy, fulfillment, freedom, understanding, a sense of purpose and meaning, and much more! We can have real DIRECTION for our lives today. We need only call upon God, believing in His Son, confessing our faults and our need for His guidance in our lives, and ask Him for HIS DIRECTIONS. He will be faithful to answer and to bring new meaning and fulfillment to our lives. He will give us His peace- a peace which passes all understanding, the Bible says. Just ask GOD for directions in Your life today, and you will NEVER be the same!

Romans 10:13 �For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.�

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

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GOD'S LOVE LETTER

YOU MAY NOT KNOW ME, BUT I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU . . .
(Psalms 139:1 NKJV) "O LORD, You have searched me and known me."

I KNOW WHEN YOU SIT DOWN AND WHEN YOU RISE UP . . .
(Psalms 139:2 NKJV) "You know my sitting down and my rising up; You
understand my thought afar off."

I AM FAMILIAR WITH ALL YOUR WAYS . . .
(Psalms 139:3 NKJV) "You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways."

EVEN THE VERY HAIRS ON YOUR HEAD ARE NUMBERED . . .
(Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV) "'Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of
more value than many sparrows.'"

FOR YOU WERE MADE IN MY IMAGE . . .
(Genesis 1:27 NKJV) "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

IN ME YOU LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE YOUR BEING . . .
(Acts 17:2a8 NKJV) "'for in Him we live and move and have our being . . .'"

FOR YOU ARE MY OFFSPRING . . . .
(Acts 17:2b8 NKJV) "'. . . as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'"

I KNEW YOU EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE CONCEIVED . . .
(Jeremiah 1:4-5 NKJV) "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.'"

I CHOSE YOU WHEN I PLANNED CREATION . . .
(Ephesians 1:11-12 NKJV) "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."

YOU WERE NOT A MISTAKE, FOR ALL YOUR DAYS ARE WRITTEN IN MY BOOK . . .
(Psalms 139:15-16 NKJV) "My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

I DETERMINED THE EXACT TIME OF YOUR BIRTH AND WHERE YOU WOULD LIVE . . .
(Acts 17:26 NIV) "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."

YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE . . .
(Psalms 139:14 NKJV) "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

I KNIT YOU TOGETHER IN YOUR MOTHER'S WOMB . . .
(Psalms 139:13 NKJV) "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb."

AND BROUGHT YOU FORTH ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN . . .
(Psalms 71:6 NIV) "From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth
from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you."

I HAVE BEEN MISREPRESENTED BY THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME . . .
(John 8:41-44 NIV) "You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God
himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native
language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

I AM NOT DISTANT AND ANGRY, BUT AM THE COMPLETE EXPRESSION OF LOVE . . .
(1 John 4:16 NASB) "And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

AND IT IS MY DESIRE TO LAVISH MY LOVE ON YOU SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE MY CHILD
AND I AM YOUR FATHER . . .
(1 John 3:1 NKJV) "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."

I OFFER YOU MORE THAN YOUR EARTHLY FATHER EVER COULD . . .
(Matthew 7:11 NIV) "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!'"

FOR I AM THE PERFECT FATHER . . .
(Matthew 5:48 NKJV) "'Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect.'"

EVERY GOOD GIFT THAT YOU RECEIVE COMES FROM MY HAND . . .
(James 1:17 NIV) "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down
from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting
shadows."

FOR I AM YOUR PROVIDER AND I MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS . . .
(Matthew 6:31-33 NIV) "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or
'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all
these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given
to you as well."

MY PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FILLED WITH HOPE . . .
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) "'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.'"

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE . . .
(Jeremiah 31:3 NIV) "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have
loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'"

MY THOUGHTS TOWARDS YOU ARE COUNTLESS AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE . . .
(Psalms 139:17-18 NIV) "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."

AND I REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING . . .
(Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV) "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.""

I WILL NEVER STOP DOING GOOD TO YOU . . .
(Jeremiah 32:40 NKJV) "'And I will make an everlasting covenant with them,
that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in
their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.'"

FOR YOU ARE MY TREASURED POSSESSION . . .
(Exodus 19:5 NKJV) "'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and
keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all
people; for all the earth is Mine."

I DESIRE TO ESTABLISH YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND ALL MY SOUL . . . (Jeremiah 32:41 NKJV) "'Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My
soul.'"

AND I WANT TO SHOW YOU GREAT AND MARVELOUS THINGS . . .
(Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV) "'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'"

IF YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, YOU WILL FIND ME . . .
(Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV) "'But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.'"

DELIGHT IN ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART . . .
(Psalms 37:4 NKJV) "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

FOR IT IS I WHO GAVE YOU THOSE DESIRES . . .
(Philippians 2:13 NASB) "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will
and to work for His good pleasure."

I AM ABLE TO DO MORE FOR YOU THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE . . .
(Ephesians 3:20 NIV) "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

FOR I AM YOUR GREATEST ENCOURAGER . . .
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NASB) "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word."

I AM ALSO THE FATHER WHO COMFORTS YOU IN ALL YOUR TROUBLES . . . (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

WHEN YOU ARE BROKENHEARTED, I AM CLOSE TO YOU . . .
(Psalms 34:18 NASB) "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

AS A SHEPHERD CARRIES A LAMB, I HAVE CARRIED YOU CLOSE YOU MY HEART . . .
(Isaiah 40:11 NIV) "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs
in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that
have young."

ONE DAY I WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM YOUR EYES AND WILL TAKE AWAY ALL THE PAIN YOU HAVE SUFFERED ON THIS EARTH . . . .
(Revelation 21:3-4 NIV) "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will
be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will
wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.""

I AM YOUR FATHER, AND I LOVE YOU EVEN AS I LOVE MY SON, JESUS . . (John 17:23 NKJV) "'I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.'"

FOR IN JESUS, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS REVEALED . . .
(John 17:26 NKJV) "'And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.'"

HE IS THE EXACT REPRESENTATION OF MY BEING . . .
(Hebrews 1:3 NIV) "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand
of the Majesty in heaven."

HE CAME TO DEMONSTRATE THAT I AM FOR YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU . . (Romans 8:31 NKJV) "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for
us, who can be against us?"

AND TO TELL YOU THAT I AM NOT COUNTING YOUR SINS . . .
(2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV) 'that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the
message of reconciliation."

JESUS DIED SO THAT I COULD BE RECONCILED . . .
(2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV) "All this is from God, who reconciled us to
himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation"

HIS DEATH WAS THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF MY LOVE FOR YOU . . .
(1 John 4:10 NIV) "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

I GAVE UP EVERYTHING I LOVED THAT I MIGHT GAIN YOUR LOVE . . .
(Romans 8:38-39 NIV) "For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

COME HOME AND I'LL THROW THE BIGGEST PARTY HEAVEN HAS EVER SEEN . . .
(Luke 15:7 NASB) "'I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy
in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who need no repentance.'"

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FATHER, AND WILL ALWAYS BE FATHER . . .
(Ephesians 3:14 NKJV) "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ,"

MY QUESTION IS . . . WILL YOU BE MY CHILD?
(John 1:12 NASB) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"

I AM WAITING FOR YOU . . .
(Luke 15:11-32 NIV) "Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw
him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his
arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and
put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the
fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of
mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began
to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near
the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and
asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your
father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out
and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years
I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never
gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when
this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes
home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, 'you
are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate
and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found.'"

I LOVE YOU,

GOD

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The Principle of Character

by Angela Dobbins

"Character cannot be developed in peace and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision be cleared, ambition insured and success achieved."
Helen Keller

There is something of great truth in this quote by Helen Keller. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with her story and of the near impossible circumstances she faced as a child who learned to "become", with the help of one dedicated teacher who refused to give up on her. This principle is one which young Miss Keller learned first hand, as a child who was trapped in a world of unimaginable isolation and suffering- being blind, deaf and dumb. By overcoming great odds in learning to emerge from the darkness and to become who God had intended her to be, she made a difference in this world by bringing a portion of hope and inspiration to others through her life's testimony.

This was a principle the early apostles also knew well. I often think how John must have felt while in exile on the Isle of Patmos. How many times he must have looked back over his life and ministry for the cause of His Lord and Savior. How he must have reflected upon the martyrdom of his comrades who gave their lives for what they truly believed in- God's love sent down to mankind through His only Son, Jesus Christ. This was a message they must have preached thousands of times and penned for countless hours, like the Apostle Paul as he wrote to the churches he so tenderly and passionately supported with his fervent prayers, his own blood, sweat and tears.

Over the past five years, the Lord has taught me a little something about suffering. But how my own experience pales in comparison to what these early evangelists and ministers of our Lord must have experienced. And, in even greater contrast, all their suffering combined, as well as the sufferings of all the saints throughout the ages could never compare to what He bore for us. An abundant life He truly came to offer us, in and through HIM. But first, we must be molded and shaped, tempered in the fires of adversity.

I find so much encouragement in the New Testament, both in the words of our Lord as He instructs us directly and in those of His servants, like the Apostle Paul.

Romans 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Paul understood so well what his suffering would achieve and that it was only temporal. Led by the Holy Spirit, he wrote words of encouragement so passionately to the church at Corinth. In the midst of what must have seemed to most like insurmountable odds, as he and his fellow bearers of the Gospel were persecuted and imprisoned for what they believed, Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 4:6-18, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

This is such a moving passage from God's Word. So many times throughout my own life, I have found that the Lord has used a verse or passage in His Word to encourage, instruct and uplift me. And many times, it has been there that I have found the strength to carry on in the midst of my own affliction. My friend, remember today, as you may experience suffering in this world, perhaps due to the judgment and persecution of others, or to illness, or tragic loss- remember the words of a true servant of Christ and God's words of comfort to you and me:

Romans 5:2-5 "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." NIV

May the Lord comfort you and uplift you. Stand true to what you have believed and be assured that your labor is not in vain. Cling to the promises in His Holy Word and never give up on the dream that is in your heart! May God bless you today and guide you in becoming all He created you to be!

Love in Christ,

Sister Angela Dobbins

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Chain of Love story by Zig Zigler, adapted by Angela Dobbins

For quite some time now, I've been doing an extensive amount of research on the topic of "love". And, more specifically, God's love. My quest has taken me to places I would never have dared to venture before. And, I must say, my heart and my life have been touched in ways I can not even begin to describe. Recently, one of the messages you received made reference to the life of Helen Keller and included a quotation in which she summed up her understanding of the word "character". While I have been moved and enlightened by her remarkable courage and determination and by the character and devotion of her teacher, Ann Sullivan, there is an earlier chapter to this moving story. The following message conveys so much. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did.

    "How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?" Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. "How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?"

    Ms. Keller's answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown."

    According to speaker Zig Ziglar, "Little Annie" Sullivan, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself (due to a childhood fever) and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly "insane" by her by caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On occasion, Little Annie would violently attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she generally ignored everyone in her presence.

    An elderly nurse believed there was hope, however, and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Every day she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurse's presence, but she still continued to visit. The kindly woman left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed Little Annie could recover, if only she were shown love.

    Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted an emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly "hopeless" child was released.

    Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the kindly nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her, pushed her and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world. Anne Sullivan worked wonders in Helen's life; but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher.

    "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown." But if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. Just how far back does the chain of redemption extend? And how for forward will it lead?

    Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come.

    You can never overestimate the power of your love. It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever.

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Perseverance

by Angela Dobbins

"It's the action, not the fruit of the action,
that's important. You have to do the right thing.
It may not be in your power, may not be in your time,
that there'll be any fruit.
But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing.
You may never know what results come from you action.
But if you do nothing, there will be no result."

Gandhi

How long do we pray for someone before we simply grow too weary to utter another prayer? How long do we plead for another's salvation or petition our Heavenly Father to open the heart, to heal, or to touch the life of a dear brother or sister? How long do we offer unconditional love to one who is suffering or in bondage? I have asked myself these questions and searched for the answer in God's Word...

For many months now I and others have been praying for a friend who does not know Christ, that she will be delivered from a life of bondage and loneliness and that she will come to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. I have been praying and believing the Lord for a breakthrough in her life. She suffers from mental illness and post traumatic stress disorder, after 911. I have no doubt that God can heal her, however, she must make a choice to accept Him. Sadly, to date, she has been unable to do so. Though I have felt His presence drawing her on several occasions.

How long do we pray for someone before we give up? How long before we abandon the fight for their salvation, or before we lose hope? Are we simply to tell ourselves that we have done our deed, we have planted the seed, and then choose to move on? Or are we to continue to pray, continue to reach out, continue to cry out to the Lord on behalf of such a person?

And what about another brother or sister in the Lord with whom we have had a misunderstanding, or one who has perhaps been overtaken in a fault? How long are we to offer love and understanding? How long are we to continue to try to make amends and bind up the wounds so that unity may be restored? The Bible tells us to forgive indefinitely and to offer Godly counsel out of a heart of love. But what do we do if the other person has been wounded in spirit and has allowed the enemy to plant a seed of distrust and bitterness in their soul? How long do we intercede for this dear brother or sister? Wherein lies our answer? Many people today are suffering from wounded spirits.....they have been hurt by so called "religious" groups which claim to know God's love, but do not bear the fruit of the spirit. Many others are seeking fulfillment in things like drugs, alcohol, pornography, illicit sex, violence, gangs, tarot readers, and the like. They are seeking to fill a deep void within their souls, which only God can fill. And many do not even have a clue, because we as Christians have failed to follow Christ's example of how to reach out to these individuals in love and filled with His Spirit, just as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman at the well. For many, it takes much fasting and prayer, and it takes real commitment.

I know a woman who prayed fervently and tearfully for her son, who was addicted to drugs, for three years before he was delivered and came to know the Lord. And I know another woman who led a Bible study in her drug impoverished home town for over 2 1/2 years, every week faithfully, without a single soul coming to know Christ. Was she crazy? Should she have given up and focused her efforts upon another more worthy cause? Many other well meaning Christian friends and colleagues urged her to do just that. But, I dare say that, if she had done so, many dear souls would not have come to know the Lord today. For, after 2 1/2 years, when she was at the verge of giving up, because she continued to persevere, one dear woman accepted Christ as her Savior. Soon others followed. And now the Bible Study has turned into a fellowship and a thriving outreach to the little community. She didn't give up. Why? Was it because of the unconditional love which was within her heart because she is born again and has Christ's Spirit dwelling within her? Was it just her own emotions and love for the town in which she grew up and had fond memories as a child? What was it that drove her, compelled her, drew her to those people? I can tell you that when she started, there were several who accompanied her to the Bible Study each week. Yet, by the time she was nearly ready to give up, only one dear friend accompanied her on her 1 1/2 hour commute to and from the little town each week.

I believe that sometimes God places a desire within us, a passion, which cannot be explained by mere human reasoning. The Apostle Paul had such a passion, our Lord had such a passion, the first Disciples had such a passion. Mary of Bethany had such a passion. Where has our passion gone? Have we become so self-absorbed, so overly concerned with the futile details of our day-to-day lives, so wrapped up in our own emotions, needs and circumstances that we have forgotten how to "feel" for others around us.....those outside our own immediate families. Or is it something we never learned to do in the first place?

Since first beginning to write this reflection, I have grown to better know the woman I spoke of who does not know Christ. How much more my heart aches for her. How I long for her to know the inexpressible love of my Savior and to feel His peace...to feel His arms around her, to feel the loneliness fade away. I know that only He can take away the hurt and bring new life to her, calm her fears and ease the pain. I feel so helpless as I struggle to allow His light to shine through me, hoping she might see Him, hoping she might feel His love somehow. The terrible loneliness and dejection is crippling her...she feels so alone. And there are so many others...just like her...in the world. They are souls whom most of the world has forgotten. Hurting and in bondage, they struggle to be set free...searching for something which will ease their pain and offer them new hope. God has given me a glimpse of their pain. How much more our Savior knows and understands so well their pain and how He longs to comfort them. We are the only Bible many of these dear souls will ever read.....the only glimpse of His love they will ever see. But, in and of ourselves, we cannot MAKE them see nor can we make them accept the love God has to offer them through His Son, Jesus Christ. But there is one thing we can do.......we can reach out and attempt to be a friend to these children whom God loves, just as much as He loves you and me. We can shine His light and lead the way to a better life, a more abundant life through Christ. We can offer a helping hand, a word of encouragement, and a heart of love. Who knows how far His supernatural touch will carry such small acts of kindness? And who knows what the harvest may bring or when it will come?

If there is anything I've learned over the past eleven or twelve months, it is that God's love is infinite and unconditional, and that He is yearning to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. He loves us that much.

Perseverance...what is it? To the best my human mind can comprehend, it is never giving up on what God has placed in our hearts.......never giving up on His love, or upon those He came to save. And that includes each and every one of us.

God Bless You,

Sister Angela

Scripture References:

Galatians 6:7-9, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:1-2, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:14-28, "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

Matthew 17:17-21, "Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

1 Corinthians 3:5-10, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

Romans 5:3-6, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

Ecclesiastes 11:1, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

1 Cor 13:4-13, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
NIV

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Strength for Today

by Angela Dobbins

"Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over gain, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose - not the one you began with perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember."

~Anne Sullivan

If some of you are like me, you may have been struggling lately to remain firmly rooted in your faith and not be blown away by the storms of life, and all the frustration and confusion that comes as their result. Jesus promised us an abundant life in and through Him, and I believe we can have that abundant life...right here and now.....right where we live and in our immediate circumstances. We only have to remain focused on the LORD!

Now, I know that's easier said than done. Most of us find that there are times when we eagerly begin the day, ready with Christian vigilance and a positive attitude, to conquer whatever life throws our way. But, somehow, about half way through the day, we begin to get a little weary. Those storms of life begin to beat down upon us and the winds begin to blow, until we find ourselves worn and tattered......at times barely able to make it through the remainder of the day. We despondently discover that we have little patience and joy left for our families and loved ones, or perhaps for others. And we feel we have even less for ourselves. We end up feeling weak, discouraged, and as though we've failed in our Christian walk.

I know you've had days like that. Haven't you? I surely have. But, in looking back, most of the times when I ended up feeling like such a failure, I realized that, somehow during my day, I had stopped focusing upon the Lord and was no longer standing on His promises. Instead, I was ashamed to find that, in most cases, I had lost sight of the Lord and had turned most of my focus toward the trials, circumstances, and pressures of life which hurled around me. I became like the Apostle Peter, who immediately started to sink, when he took his eyes off Jesus.

And yet, amazingly, every time I find myself wavering and stumbling, the Lord has always been right there to lift me up again and set my feet back on solid ground. Isn't He faithful and Wonderful!

Do you feel discouraged today? Are you tired and weary from worry and stress? Do you feel the desire for a closer walk with the Lord in your life, but you just can't seem to attain it? Jesus promised us an abundant life, if we would only seek Him and keep our focus and trust upon Him. Whatever your circumstances, He understands and He cares. Start each day reading God's Word. This will give you strength for the day's journey. Talk to the Lord throughout the day, asking for His continued strength and guidance.......not just when you feel weak. Thank Him for His presence in all things and for every little blessing. And ask Him to keep your feet from stumbling. He's right there beside you every step of the way, even when you forget to seek Him. He is not only our LORD, but He is our Friend. And His desire is to give us a life filled with joy, peace and victory!

Remember, if you do stumble........and all of us do.........don't stay beaten down and discouraged, considering yourself a failure. Take the Lord's hand and let Him pull you right back up. No matter how many times it takes, you will eventually gain the victory over whatever trial you are facing at the time. Believe it! His Word says it and it's TRUE!

May God bless you abundantly!

Love in Chirst,

Sister Angela Dobbins

Scripture References:

Lamentations 3:22-25, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."

Romans 5:1-5, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

1 Corinthians 15:57-58, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

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You're Gifted for Something

by Steve Goodier

"What lies behind us and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

I heard of a woman who operated a daycare for children from her
home. As she transported children in her car one day, a fire
truck zoomed by. The kids were thrilled to see a Dalmatian on the
front seat.

They began a conversation about the duties of the "fire dog." One
child suggested that they use the dog to keep the crowds back.
Another said the Dalmatian is just for good luck. But young Jamie
brought the argument to an end when he said, "They use the dog to
find the hydrant!"

He reminds us that we all have useful abilities. Some of our
skills are apparent. Some are hidden. Some can be improved with
work. Some have yet to be developed. But all of us can
contribute, and usually in more ways than we realize.

Football's William Floyd injured his knee halfway through his
1995 season with the San Francisco Forty-Niners. The gifted
athlete could no longer do the one thing he believed he did best
until his knee recovered. But he chose not to stay home. Nor did
he lament his loss and allow negative feelings about his
worthlessness to the team dominate his thinking. Instead, he
stood on the sidelines at every workout so that he could inspire
his teammates with enthusiasm and optimism. He still wanted to
contribute -- if not on the field, then off of it.

For the remainder of the season he encouraged his team, both at
practices and during every game. At the end of the year, his
teammates voted him the player "who best exemplifies
inspirational and courageous play."

William Floyd more fully developed one of his greatest gifts --
an ability to encourage others. Ironically, this life-skill may
yet prove to be more useful than even his athletic ability.

Madame Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (she won
two), said this about giftedness: "Life is not easy for any of
us, but what of that? We must have perseverance and above all
confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for
something and that this thing must be attained."

You, too, are gifted for something. Discover it...develop it...do
something beautiful with it. And you'll find your greatest
happiness.

� 2001 Steve Goodier

I would add to this that I believe every person is endowed with certain God-given gifts and abilities. We only become all God intended us to be when we ask Him to help us discover those gifts. Then we must give Him our all, as He develops those gifts to be used for His glory. I pray that each one of you will continue to grow in the love and grace which is ours through Christ Jesus, and that God will lead you in becoming all HE created you to be!

May you walk in peace &, by your life, demonstrate mercy.

Love in Christ,

Sister Angela Dobbins

Scripture Reference:

2 Timothy 1:6-7, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Harold Whitman

Living a Life with Purpose

by Angela Dobbins

Printable Pamphlet (.pdf)- Side 1 Side2

What does it take for each of us to live a life with purpose? I think, first, it takes asking ourselves what makes us come alive. Harold Whitman wrote, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." In order to live an abundant, purposeful life, I believe we all need something to believe in, something which motivates us beyond a mere existence- a dream.

If you need a dream, ask yourself and keep asking, "Given my upbringing and circumstances, what good am I especially qualified to do? What makes me come alive?" Then make it your purpose in life to go and do it!

Living an abundant life, a life with purpose, is something which we all can achieve. Jesus came to offer us abundant life 1, but we must first be willing to believe that we can have it. Do you believe? Or are you held back by old misconceptions, false teachings, low self-esteem, or negative thinking? As children of God, each and every one of us has an inheritance. 2 Not only do we have a heavenly inheritance, but an earthly one, too! The Bible promises us that, through Christ, we can do ALL things! 3 That applies to our lives today- right here and now!

Because of our inheritance, we have the power to overcome our limitations. Yet, too many people, Christians included, suffer from a poor self-image. We were created in the image of God. Yet, many times, we lack the motivation to live a life with purpose because we haven't learned to see ourselves as God sees us. We have failed to tap into His abundant resources, which are powerful enough to help us overcome any obstacles which might stand between ourselves and success. I believe the most common reason for this is that we have never learned to grasp the most fundamental of God's principles- the principle of LOVE. 4

Jesus Christ, Himself, described it best- not only in His words, but by His life. Matthew 22:37-40 " Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." When we truly seek to know and love God, we learn to love ourselves and others according to the way God loves us. As our view of self and others is brought into proper perspective, our focus changes, and we begin to discover with greater depth our own unique purpose. The pathway toward becoming the person God created us to be begins to unfold, and His super-natural blessings begin to flow into our lives! 5

So, ask God to give you a dream today. Seek to know and love Him like never before. Ask Him to help you love yourself and others, according to His love. And then answer this question, "Given my upbringing and circumstances, what good am I especially qualified to do?" When you have the answer, pray for God's continued help and guidance. Then reach for the sky! 6

God's blessings to you,

Sister Angela Dobbins

Scripture References:

1. John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

2. Romans 8:15,16 " For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

3. Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

4. 1 John 4:12-16 "...If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

Ephesians 4:15,16 " But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

5. John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Ephesians 3:17-21 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

1 Corinthians 12:4-31

6. Psalm 139:13,14 "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

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