He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and  my
fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the
fowler, and from the noise-some pestilence.

4.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his
wings shall thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and
buckler.

5.  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night: nor the
arrow that flieth by day;

6.  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for
the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7.  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy
right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8.  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward
of the wicked.

9.  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge,
even the most High, thy habitation;

10. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come
nigh thy dwelling.

11. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways.

12. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone.

13. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and
the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver
him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him
in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
Take thou nor usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.   Leviticus 25:35-36

Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and thy needy, in thy land.  Deuteronomy 15:10-11

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.  If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isaiah 58:6-11

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.  Proverbs 14:31

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends to far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. Proverbs 19:7

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
And went to him, and bound him up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him. Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves.
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise. Luke 10:20-37

It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer, I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds, and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them. His toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped, but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later, church began. We all waited for the preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit. He took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher. . .he was the “homeless man.” No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand. “Folks, I don’t think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today.”

Author Unknown

The huge crowd hushed as he stepped up to speak, “We can’t keep the Christians from going to church.  We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles & knowing the truth.  We can’t even keep them from conservative values.  But we can do something else.  He paused, Everyone listened,  We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding experience in Christ.  If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.  So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can’t gain that experience in Jesus Christ.  This is what I want you to do.  Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining a vital connection through their day!’

“How shall we do this?”, shouted his angels. “Simply, keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent un-numbered schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

“Tempt them to spend and spend, then, borrow and borrow.  Convince the wives to go to work and the husbands to work 6 or 7 days a week, 10-12 hrs. a day, so they can afford their lifestyles.  Keep them from spending time with their children.  Tell them they are doing it  FOR their children, Hah, that one works well.  As their family fragments, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work.”

“Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear THE still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive, to keep the TV, the VCR, and their CD’s going constantly in their homes.  And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays music constantly .  This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.” “Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.  Pound their minds with the news 24 hrs. a day.  Invade their driving moments with billboards.  Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogues, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering, free products, services, and false hopes.”

“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.  Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week.  Don’t let them go out in nature.  Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead.

And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion.  Don’t let them encourage or uplift each other, keep those who are gifted encouragers, especially busy and worn out.  And above all when they get together keep them from PRAYING for one another.”

“Let them be involved in soul-winning.  But crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ.  Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family unity for the good of the cause.” It was quite a convention in the end.  And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments trying to cause Christians everywhere to get  busy, busy, busy & rush here & there.

If we are too busy for  God, then we are too busy.

Author Unknown

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,  and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Psalm 51

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou has broken may rejoice.

9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: they shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Prayer is the answer to every problem in life.

It puts us in tune with divine wisdom which

knows how to adjust everything perfectly.

So often we do not pray in certain situations

because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless.

But, nothing is impossible with God.

Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied,

no human relationship is too strained for God to

bring about reconciliation and understanding;

no habit so deep-rooted that it cannot be overcome,

no one is so weak that he cannot be strong;

no one is so weak that he cannot be healed,

no mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant

Whatever we need, if we trust God, He will supply it.

If anything is causing worry or anxiety.

Let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God

for healing, love and power.

Author Unknown

We can’t foresee the turning of the tide
When problems beset us and tears are cried.
Sometimes life deals from the bottom of the deck
Filling us with worry and leaving us a wreck.

The enemy seeks to devour and destroy,
Using deceptions to eliminate our joy.
While walking through the valley, our heads hung low,
The mountain top seems so high, our footsteps slow.

How many times have we traveled this road
To battle the frustrations of troubles bestowed?
Yet when we come to our darkest hour
God demonstrates His infinite power.

It doesn’t matter how bad things might seem,
He always comes through, our faith to redeem.
God will not fail us in our times of pain.
He’ll never forsake us, by our side He’ll remain.

So when we find ourselves at a total loss
Or when the valley seems too wide to cross,
Just remember you’re in His love and care,
Look over your shoulder, He’s always there!

Author Unknown

I thought of you so much today
I went to God in prayer.
To ask Him to watch over you
and show you that I care.

My prayer for you was not for rewards
ones that you can touch or feel.
But true rewards for happiness
that are so very real.

Like love and understanding
in all the things you do.
For guidance when you need it most
to see your troubles through.

I asked Him for good health for you
so your future could be bright.
And faith to accept life’s challenges
with courage to do what’s right.

I gave thanks to Him for granting my prayer
to bring you peace and love.
May you feel the warmth in your life
with Gods blessings from above

Unknown Author

There are treasures in life, but owners are few
Of money and power to buy things brand new
Yet you can be wealthy and feel regal too,
If you will just look for the treasures in you.

These treasures in life are not hard to find
When you look in your heart, your soul, and your mind.
For when you are willing to share what’s within,
Your fervent search for riches will end.

The joy and the laughter, the smile that you bring;
The heart unafraid to love and to sing;
The hand always willing to help those in need;
Ones quick to reach out, to labor and feed.

So thank you for sharing these great gifts inside;
The caring, the cheering, the hug when one cried.
Thanks for the energy, encouragement too,
And thank you for sharing the treasures in you.

Author Unknown