How BIG is your Faith?

Two men went fishing. One was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his= ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back.


The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.


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


Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throwback 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.

You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13.) Nothing is too big for God.


REMEMBER:

Stop telling God you've got big problems.Tell your problems you've got a BIG GOD!

A Letter from Jesus...

A Letter from Jesus:

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.
They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon.
I Love you!
Jesus ...

Share this message with your loved ones, before Christmas.

(Courtesy : John Chrysostem - an email forward)

Mary did you Know...

Mary Did you Know...

Merry Christmas

and

A Prosperous New Year - 2009 !...

The Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
I want you to have three pictures before your mental eyes.

First of all, here is a picture of David with sheep in the pasture. 
Secondly, imagine Jesus Christ standing beside you and leading you in your day to day life. 
Thirdly, imagine yourself rejoicing with the Glorious Shepherd who is sitting on the throne in the glorious Heavenly Kingdom. 

Normally, the shepherds were treated contemptuously by the Egyptians, and even today, men consider the job of rearing the sheep as a humble job. But when David called our Lord as 'Shepherd', the Lord never considered it below His dignity to be called as a Shepherd. God, the King of glory, the Lord of all creations and the Lord of Hosts willingly accepted to be called a Shepherd.  

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, 
"I am the good Shepherd." St. Peter says that, He is "The Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). He is "The Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4).

Let us have Jesus as our Shepherd. 
Let us be the blessed sheep of His pasture. 
A shepherd is needed to overseer our thoughts as well. 
The thoughts of some wander like a wild donkey and the lustful thoughts and passions of pleasure enter into their mind and spoil their spirit. 
Therefore, with oneness of mind, let us discipline our thoughts and intentions and commit ourselves unto our Lord and our Shepherd Jesus Christ. 
Let Jesus be the Shepherd for our children as well.
Have Him as your Shepherd from generation to generation.
Blessed are the people who make the Lord their trust.

There are three Psalms in the Bible which are inspiring.

They are inspiring because they tell of the blessings, protection and goodness that follow you when you follow Him. 
Psalm 23 tells of the blessings we receive when we have our Lord Jesus as our Shepherd. 
Secondly, Psalm 91 is the psalm of protection, which makes explicit the protection that our Lord gives us when we take refuge in Him. 
Thirdly, Psalm 121 is the psalm which gives us the assurance of the goodness that follows us when we lift our eyes unto the Hill from whence comes our help.
 

Let our Lord be our Shepherd. Let Him be the overseer of our souls, that we may lead a blessed, joyful and fruitful life. 

Remember: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!" (Psalms 80:1)

 ~Author Unknown~

Just watch the picture change.....

Have a wonderful day in the Lord's grace.