Testimony from Rene Almanda

Hello,
My name is Rene Almada. I just want to share a little about my testimony so you can learn more about me.

I was born in Southern California and was raised in an alcoholic home. Shortly after my mom and dad divorced, my aunt and uncle moved in and they were the heavy drinkers in our home. My mom worked nights and my aunt and uncle took care of us usually drinking and fighting. I never felt loved or cared for but mostly lost and confused. I grew up angry with the things that happened in my life; the physical and sexual abuse were to much for me to bear so I fell into a world of drugs and alcohol from the age of 13 to 30 to relieve my pain.

I was addicted to every kind of drug you can think of but the hardest one to kick was heroin. I loved what it did to me. I was in complete oblivion and liked it that way. I didn’t have to feel and I did everything imaginable to get my next fix. I ended up in prison, mental institutions and treatment centers countless times and it was by the grace of God that I am not in prison for the rest of my life.

Through these years, I felt God’s presence. I did believe on Him as a little girl and talked with Him often. But as time went on and the hurts in life grew constant, I walked away from Him bitter and dissatisfied. But through it all, God saved me from countless ode’s, rape, and attempts on my life.

When I was in prison one night in my cell as I was looking at a picture of my family, I felt an awesome presense fill my cell. I felt that presense lay down beside me on my bunk and all of a sudden like a slide show I saw all my misdeads and shortcomings. I started to cry and the presense lying beside me started to cry too. I felt Him wrap His arms around me and felt a love so overwhelming that in my shame I wanted to crawl under my bunk and hide from this loving presence but He kept His arms aroung me and wouldn’t let go. My cell was lit up with a light so brilliant I had to cover my eyes. I knew what this presense was. It was God, the God of my childhood reaching out to me and drawing me near. After this experience I got up and went into the commen area and thought about it for a while. But in prison, there is no room for remorse, sadness, or weakness of any kind so I shook it off as nothing ever happened and soon forgot about the experience.

After I was released from prison, I went back to my old ways and didn’t come back to the Lord until ten years later while living in California with my family. One day in Church as I was skeptical, I wondered why all these people were so happy. I couldn’t understand the bible and the words that said that a new born baby was born in sin. I put the bible down and went a long my way until one day after a series of tragic events, a light turned on in my head. I picked up the bible and started in Genesis and read the whole bible in six months. God was working on my heart while I was reading and suddenly the things that alluded me made sense. I had good teachers a long the way when I would get stuck on a passage and from there on I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I asked Him to forgive my sins and cleanse my soul through His blood. Ever since then I’ve been passionate for the Lord and my studies from Him and others.  I can truly say that my life experiences have been rough. They still are rough at times but I was a tough cookie to crack and the Lord had much work to do with me. He still does.

For the non-believer I can only ask that you read my testimony and consider your life and the emptiness one feels without a savior. It took me a long time to come around and I waisted a lot of time and energy on the wrong things. But now I consider myself confident to enter in the Lord’s presence and claim Him as my good friend and counselor. He is the most loving, kind, and caring savior I have ever witnessed. He showed me that in prison. Even in my disobedience, He loved me.

Thank you for reading my testimony and if I help just one person, I will be honored and grateful because of God’s grace to me, I can pass it on to others who are experiencing life’s turmoils. Thanks and God Bless…

by Rene Almanda-http://www.truelifelivingbooks.com/

Clerk Foils Robbery by Witnessing Jesus to Would-Be Robber

It is one thing to say you have faith in God, but to publically call on that faith in the middle of a robbery, well… that’s another story. That is exactly what Pompano Beach store clerk Navara Goncalves did when she became the target of a robbery.

On Friday, July 30, 2010, while working alone in a South Florida Metro PCS store in the 1500 block of S. Cypress Creek Road, 20-year-old Navara Goncalves turned the tables on a would-be robber with nothing but her faith in Jesus.

The unidentified robber, wearing a rain coat and cap walked into the Metro PCS store around 10 a.m. and told the clerk he needed to look at a new phone because of the storms from tropical storm Bonnie that was sweeping inland.

Surveillance video from the store’s camera shows that when Goncalves walked over to the display case to show the man a phone, he said, “I really hate to do this,” and then he pulled a gun and demanded money from the cash register.

In a surprising and fearless display of faith Navara Goncalves told the man that she was a Christian and she immediately began witnessing Jesus to the robber. Remaining remarkably calm throughout the entire ordeal she told the robber that she was not judging him, but she felt the need to tell him that Jesus had something better for him.

Calmly she said, “I would like to talk to you about the Jesus I’ve got before you leave.” A surprised gun-wielding robber asked, “The what?” The young woman kept her cool and softly answered, “The Jesus I’ve got.”

What began as a robbery attempt had now turned into an open-ended conversation about Jesus. Astonishingly the would-be robber says to the clerk, “God bless you for that.”

In a true display of Christian-like character, Goncalves continued to witness Jesus to the man when he admitted that he was also a Christian, and that he really didn’t want to rob her but he was desperate because he was going through hard times. The man also apologized to Goncalves and said this was the first time he had done anything like this.

In the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 11 of the Bible faith is defined as, “…the evidence of things not seen.” Without a doubt Navara Goncalves exhibited perfect faith in God as she fearlessly witnessed to the would-be robber. Most Christians would call the young woman a faith hero because of the way she responded to what could have turned out to be a life threatening situation.

People often expect Christians to be perfect, but the average Christian would tell you that they are not perfect. Christianity teaches that no one is perfect but God, and that God forgives sin or imperfection when one repents, that is, to completely turn away from the sin that was committed.

If the would-be robber was in fact a Christian, then it should be a subtle reminder that Christians, like non Christians can have weak moments causing them to momentarily lose sight of their faith due to the circumstances of life, but in the end, faith will win.
by: Eric Dunbar -http://www.ericdunbar.com/

How Bible Prayer Will Get Results Each Time

How Bible Prayer Will Get Results Each Time

You'll find your prayers are answered each and every time if you know how to pray according to the Bible. Look at this article and find out information on how you will get results each time by praying Bible prayers.

Isaiah 55:11 so shall my Word be that goes forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and shall prosper in the thing that I sent it to accomplish.

Within this verse God is telling us that his Word will certainly accomplish what He sent it out to complete when it comes back to him.

Here is a great big secret. God intends for the Word that He spoke concerning us to come back to Him and when it does He will perform it because it cannot return to him without accomplishing what He send it to do.

Whenever you confess God’s Word and pray God’s Word you are actually returning God’s Word to him.

The Angel told Cornelius in Acts 10:4 that his prayers had come up to God as a memorial. Whenever you pray God’s Word you are actually sending it back up to Him.

Are you following me up to now? There is a revelation in this article that will change your life if you can get a hold of this secret. I call is a secret because not many people understand this.

If you don’t believe me just do this and find out what the results are. You will be very pleasantly surprised.

If you need healing pray 1 Peter 2:24 Say, Lord, your Word says that by the stripes of Jesus I was healed. Now heal me and I thank you for that in Jesus name.

I did this myself recently and God healed me of a very painful kidney stone and I've not had one since.

The entire day I kept saying Lord your Word says that by the stripes of Jesus I was healed. Now you heal me. At two in the afternoon God spoke to me inside my spirit and said I am going to heal you and He did.

God likes to hear you pray His Word back to Him.

Finances work exactly the same way.

If you need money to pay your bills you can say, Lord, your Word says in 2 Corinthians 8:9 that by the poverty of Jesus I can be rich. Now make me rich. Keep praying that until your finances increase and you will end up amazed because it will not take long.

Keep in mind however that the word rich does not mean millions of dollars. The definition of rich is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that you will have all sufficiency in all things and enough left over to provide for every good work.

That means enough money to meet your needs and money left over to help other people. That is what God means when He uses the word rich in the Bible.

Can you pray bible prayer? If you can, you are certain to get results each time because God’s Word cannot come back to Him without accomplishing that which He sent it to complete.
by: Jim Kibler -http://www.increasenow.com/

A Prayerful Spirit and The 21st Century Family

Many people and faiths utilize prayer. The concept is as old as faith in God itself. If we are going to pray to God it would behoove us to start with a prayerful spirit. A prayerful spirit may be defined as ‘being quiet,

in a receptive frame of mind, meditative’ as it were. An attitude towards God of our being teachable so that our spirit may receive from His Spirit whatever “lesson” we may need to learn. This is not easy to do for the 21st century family. What with cell phones, the internet, television, radio, video games and seemingly everything under the sun competing for a persons’ attention; it can be hard to find a quiet and peaceful environment conducive to prayer and meditation.

Speaking from a Christian point of view, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who also gives us various

gifts. His gifts are things like faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, speaking and interpreting of tongues, discerning of spirits, among others (see 1st Corinthians 12). These help immensely

in the face of adversity. That’s not to say Christians don’t get angry or have problems that severely try our faith, just that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth will be there to go with us through these trials and tribulations!

To commune with God in prayer should be meaningful to us and much more than just ‘saying words’.

Our ‘conversation’ should be heartfelt and current with what’s really on ones’ mind. God already knows what our concerns are, but He wants us to fellowship and talk to Him in our spirit as well as our minds.

Communing in the Spirit, praying, thinking, meditating on His Word, the Bible, yields answers to our problems for sure! Sometimes the answer is ‘no’ or ‘wait a very long time’, something most people just don’t want to hear. Modern day society is so ‘eaten up’ with ’having it your way’, ‘having it now’,

that the idea of waiting is almost foreign to some, not to mention just entirely being told ‘no’. Our

‘rush around’ lifestyle as a society is actually considered sinful by the Lord. “ Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.” Proverbs 19:2.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22.

Why do most people seem to resort to serious prayer when all other means have been exhausted first?

The Lord would have us praying first, last and in between. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing diligently in prayer.” Romans 12:12. “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17. We should be acknowledging God throughout our day, asking for His help in things small and large, just let Him in!

It doesn’t have to be out loud, or a big display. A quick prayer at work before a project starts, or knowing a

friend, neighbor, or co-worker who has a need and praying with them spontaneously, encouraging and being sincere. If we use our Christian gifts wisely we can change our world one prayer at a time. Just do it!
 by: Gene Hollowell -http://prayerfulspirit.com/

Challenged to Serve

God uses each and every Christian in His work. Many times before we respond to God’s calling to join Him in His work we must be challenged. In Romans 15:1-13 the apostle Paul challenges believers to serve each other and to work together in unity. We are to set aside willfulness and self-pleasing actions for the sake of building others up for good.

A person that serves is described as:

1. A person that is devoted to helping those who are weaker.

Romans 15:1, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. This is a large challenge. Paul addresses this challenge to “us”, who he considers strong. He is addressing those who have a solid grounding in the Scriptures; those who have emerged victorious from crises in their own lives because of their strong faith; and those who are strong because of their maturity in Christian living.

Paul says it is our duty to help those who are weak. The strong “ought” to bear the infirmities of the weak. It is the duty of the stronger Christian to consider and lower themselves to the weakest. We must consider them by realizing they are weaker and not trample over them. We must encourage them by bearing their infirmities. Those strong in the faith should bear the doubts of the weak, because a weaker Christian in the faith will decrease his faith with each doubt he has. When the weaker brother can be shown his doubts are invalid, his faith is restored.

Paul also says those stronger in the faith ought to “bear” the infirmities of the weak. To bear means “to carry”; not just put up with or tolerate. We cannot begin to “bear” someone’s burdens until we have sympathy for them and are concerned. Strong Christians have a duty to bear the burdens of the weak, and the weak Christians should be able to expect help from stronger Christians when they have doubts and experience failures. Weaker Christians should not try to bear their own infirmities if they feel their infirmities are pushing them down and destroying their faith. They should ask for help from someone stronger and expect them to provide the needed help.

2. A person that must not please themselves.

Romans 15:1, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves”. As a servant it is not our business to gratify all the little appetites and desires of our own heart. This is the key – A Christian servant should not be self-centered, but should be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. The first lesson we must learn to be a servant of Christ is to deny ourselves. Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

3. A person that pleases his neighbor for his own good.

Romans 15:2, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Pleasing our neighbor is not just an end in itself, (not just that they will be happy), but for his edification. When a servant pleases his neighbor in this way it builds them up in Christian graces. We are not to please our neighbor in everything, but for his good; especially the good of his soul. This is the example Jesus Christ left for us. Even He did not please Himself, but “He came to do the will of the Father that sent Him.” Jesus had no place to lay His head. He lived upon alms. He would not be made a king. He washed His disciples feet. He emptied Himself and made no reputation for Himself. All Christ die was for out sake, for our good, to bring righteousness for us and to set an example. Christ was our perfect example of One challenged to serve others.

How do we learn to be one that serves?

1. Through the example of Christ.

We must bear the infirmities of the weak, for Christ bore the reproaches of those that reproached God. He bore the guilt of sin and the curse for it. We are only called to bear a little of the trouble of sin. He bore the sins of the world. We are only called to bear the infirmities of the weak.

2. Through the Scriptures.

Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The Scriptures are left for a standing rule to us. They are written that they might remain for our use and benefit; for our learning. There are many things to be learned in the Scriptures, but to learn how to be a servant is one of the most important. The example of Christ, in what He said and did, is recorded for our emulation.

3. Through the example of others.

As we have stronger Christians minister to us in our need, and help us to bear our infirmities, we can learn from their example how to minister to others who are weaker.

What are the results of being a servant to others?

1. Romans 15:4, “That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope“.

The result of being a servant is that we achieve endurance through patience and develop the ability to remain steadfast in the face of adversities. Patience works experience and experience works hope. The more patience we exercise under troubles, the more hopeful we may look through our troubles.

As we study the Scriptures for the examples given to us, they serve to give us encouragement that we might have hope. As Christians learn from the past they are motivated to endure and be comforted in the present, looking ahead in hope to the future. The steadfast endurance and encouragement a Christian receives from the Scriptures come ultimately from God, the author of the Scriptures. The study of Scripture gives patience under human persecution and Satan’s opposition. The study of Scripture also gives patience as we bear one another’s burdens, and in waiting for divine promises to be fulfilled.

The study of Scripture gives us comfort. It is the comfort that springs from the Word of God and bids us to rise above our fears. It is the comfort that urges us to dwell little on fleeting things and commands us to find our joy in God.

2. That we have a Spirit of Unity.

Romans 15:5,6, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This Spirit of Unity includes being of one-mind; to be able to think the same, and one heart; to be able to love the same, and one mouth; to be able to speak the same. The foundation of Christian love and peace is laid in like-mindedness. This like-mindedness must be according to the pattern and example of Jesus Christ. Like-mindedness that is patterned after Jesus Christ means we will have a right mind, a sound mind, a pure mind, a spiritual mind, and a renewed mind. The mind controls our conversation with God; the mouth controls our conversation with others. A spirit of unity is an essential element in a relationship of service.

It is desirable that Christians should agree in everything that they might glorify God. One mouth in confessing the truths of God. One mouth in praising the name of God. One mouth in common conversation, not jarring, biting, or devouring one another.

3. That we might receive one another.

Romans 15:7, “that we might receive one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God”. Paul had encouraged the strong to receive the weak because sometimes the prejudices of the weak Christian make him shy away from the strong, as much as the pride of the strong Christian makes him shay away from the weak. Neither should be. There should be mutual embracing among Christians. Those that have received Christ by faith must receive all Christians by brotherly love.

Jesus Christ has received us into the nearest and dearest relations to Himself. He has received us into His fold, into His family, into the adoption of sons, into a marriage-covenant with Him. The end of our reception by Christ is that we might glorify God in this world, and will be glorified with Him in that to come.

by: Stephen Stillman -http://www.amazingchristianproducts.com/

Don't Lose Hope

There are people who have nothing to look forward to. Without hope, without expectations, without something to look forward to beyond today, you will just give up. Yes, the Return of Christ is the greatest hope there is, but if you have no hope for this life, then you will give up and settle.

Having hope in God is expecting God's goodness and care when you don't know specifically what to believe God for at the present moment. Have you ever been there before? We all have, many times.

When we don't know what to believe God for specifically, and don't understand what's going on, or can't just figure it out, we can choose to have hope in our God to bring us a solution. We can ask God for help to bring us something specific to believe. I think it's really simple.

When we believe God, we are believing a specific promise for a specific situation. That promise from God can either be written, spoken or revealed to us. We can then choose to accept it as true, believe it, and it will come to pass.

Having hope in God is when we do not know specifically what to believe. We don't understand what's going on. We just can't figure it out. But, we can choose to have hope in our God to bring us a solution; to bring us to a point where we do have something specific to believe. You can put your hope in God that He will bring a solution to you. If you are believing God, then you have something specific from Him to believe. On the other hand, having hope in God is much broader; it is open to endless possibilities. Some may call it, "trust." It is expecting and anticipating that God with all His love, goodness and care, will bring to you what you need.

Having hope is not wishing. Someone can say, "I wish I had a thousand dollars." But a wish is attached to nothing but the wish. Having hope in our God means we are connecting or relating our hope to our God, Who is unlimited in His love and resources.

When you genuinely have hope in God, you are enthused about living this life. Why? Because you have genuine expectations that God is working in your life. You know that with His unlimited resources there are many, many possibilities of Him bringing you a solution.

But keep in mind that this does not happen automatically, just because you are a Christian. Choosing to put your hope in God is a choice, day by day. Then, you allow Him to be involved in your life. And He is very willing to help us regardless of the situations we are faced with.

Free will to choose is one of the greatest things God has given to everyone. God takes it very seriously. He will not overstep your free will. He may try to warn you, but He will never violate your free will to choose.

In the Bible, when the angel first talked to Gideon, he had no hope. He was like many people today who have lost hope; they have no expectations and thus they really don't exercise their free will to move forward. They feel stuck where they are and they just can't seem to move forward.

People who have lost hope, just like Gideon, often wonder, "Well, where is God? Where are all His miracles? Where is His help?" That's exactly the mindset Gideon had at first; he had lost hope.

If we lose hope, then we will slowly give up our free will to move forward. But God gave us all free will so that we could move forward, living our lives, enjoying our lives, making choices and decisions the best that we can, and then looking to Him, with expectations and hope of greater days ahead. Now that is living life!

There are those who may say to others going through difficult situations, "Just believe God." Well that may sound nice, but what specifically are we supposed to believe when we just don't know what to do? When someone has lost hope, they need to have hope rekindled first before they can choose to believe God.

We need to do whatever it takes to keep our hope in God alive and to have great expectations for our God. We ought to remind ourselves every single day of who God is, what He has done in the past, and, what He can still do today and tomorrow.

Have hope in our God that He will bring a solution to you, that he will reveal something specific that you can in turn believe, so that you can receive His help and deliverance

by: Michael A. Verdicchio -http://www.confidenceandjoy.com/

Jesus: The True Example to Man

You might have seen the Old Spice commercials that tell consumers to "Be a Man". They're truly a work of genius due to the way they poke fun at today's men in a playful and non-humiliating way. A typical message of these funny and enjoyable commercials is encouraging men to man up. The commercial focus is often a man riding his horse backwards or some other comical scenario. However, being a man is much more than what is conveyed by these commercials. Christian men experience a deeper knowledge of the true meaning of "being a man" and also the need for their role both in families and the surrounding community. The ability to understand this concept and its importance may be the one concept that transforms the world.

Christ and also the Church would be the models for comprehending the role of a man in their home, work, and church life. The scripture defines the Church as Christ's bride. Men are meant to love their wives as Christ loves his bride, the Church. Our Savior gave himself intent on saving all of God's children. This noble act was done for the Church and all of Jesus' followers. So now with this new enlightenment, I pose a question to not just Christians but all husbands out there. Would you give this ultimate sacrifice for your wife? Allow me to give you another thing to ponder. Will you make your spouse feel exalted as God, our Father, did for Jesus? If a man has indeed manned up, she will be reassured that necessary means will be taken to protect her and the children.

There isn't any right or wrong answer here. The point here is how the above commercials, while humorous, do not define what a man should be. Males are typically expected to be strong and confident. To understand your path to legitimate manhood, men need to use our Savior as a role model. His strength and dedication to both Church and the followers shows the characteristics every man should possess. You may be a powerful man, but do you make use of strength to look after your wife and family the way they ought to be? Assess the current priority degree of your loved ones and then turn to Christ as a role model for improvement.

Males are often identified by the money they earn, their possessions, and their visual appeal. These things are a distraction from more important characteristics such as character, loyalty, and responsibility. If a man is never home and puts his desires before his family, is he really a man? A true man puts his responsibilities first and keeps the needs of those closest to him as a top priority. They do not run away when times are rough or make excuses but rather handle their issues and supply for their families. God prefers that all men be considered a solid, dependable figure for their families. Trust in God's word for the best path and the strength you need. These commercials recognize the importance of the role of a man, but only the Lord can give you the essence of a REAL man.

Our Savior's strength and dependability should be included by every man through their everyday life choices. Leo Wells discusses this along with other inspiring ideas at Leo-wells-on-worship.com.

 by: George Mitchell Sr. -http://www.leo-wells-on-worship.com/

Do Not Be Afraid, Christian - A Story Giving Perspective

Are you a Christian who struggles with anxiety and fear? Here's a story that gives a perspective that apparently God thought we needed to hear.

Imagine yourself in these people's position! King Saul was with an army of two thousand foot soldiers, and his son Jonathan commanded an army of a thousand. Trouble was brewing, so Saul summoned more men from all Israel. Then a Philistine army of six thousand charioteers (two per chariot) and foot soldiers "as numerous as the sand on the seashore" marched forth and camped not far from Saul and Jonathan. Saul and the Philistines were enemies. A battle was inevitable.

How would you feel with those odds? The Israelite soldiers in Saul's army hid, escaped, and deserted until about six hundred were left. But it got worse. The Philistines had previously exercised ancient "weapons control" on the Israelites, so at that point, not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had "a sword or spear" (1 Samuel 13:22)--only Saul and Jonathan had swords. Even if there were only six thousand Philistine foot soldiers, there would have been twenty armed Philistines for every unarmed Israelite soldier. No wonder "all the [remaining] troops were quaking with fear" (1 Samuel 13:7).

Now comes the interesting part. Jonathan knew "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6), so after receiving the Lord's guidance, he and his armor bearer--that's two people with one sword--attacked a small Philistine outpost... and they killed twenty of the enemy (v. 14).

Jonathan was not afraid because he knew God could deliver and he acted under the belief that God would deliver, at least in regards to the Philistine outpost.

The odd thing is what happened next. The Philistine army panicked, partly because the earth shook at that point (v. 15)--God's doing. And the panic led to Israel's deliverance that day from the oppression of the Philistines. The Philistines fled because of their fear while the once-fearful Israelite army returned from hiding to engage their enemies. Philistines even fought each other in the confusion (v. 20).

In other words, the story as it is related implies that the Lord saved "by few," namely by the instigation of Jonathan and his armor bearer. The Philistine threat was a test of faith. In that circumstance, would we be afraid or would we believe and act?

Of course, had Jonathan gone ahead with his skirmish at the Philistine outpost without and contrary to the Lord's authority, it would not have been an act of faith, but of foolishness. In that case it would have been an act of vigilantism. King Saul's response had been to offer sacrifice, but in a way contrary to what the Lord had said (1 Samuel 13:7-14). If we exercise our religion contrary to what the Lord says, it does not please God, and God will not bless.

Fear can make us do foolish things. We may not face life-threatening tests of faith like Saul and Jonathan, but in principle, when a Christian is afraid, the solution is to believe and act upon what God says despite the army of problems we may see around us. And if we can trust God with our very lives, we can also trust God to care and provide for us when financial worries, job problems, health challenges, trials and difficulties march against us. God can deliver by many or by few, and when He delivers a Christian, that Christian has trusted and obeyed God.

Next, if you are a Christian struggling with anxiety, more information and help is available from the Linden Method for Anxiety --and be sure to sign up for the free email mini-course. By David J. Phelps Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_J._Phelps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4160910

Is Suffering Inevitable?

you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 3:17, NAS

Suffering. It's not standard daily devotional fare, because let's face it, usually we want to begin or end our day being uplifted, or even better, lifting up God, rather than focusing on our pains and problems.

But there's the rub... we all have pains and problems. Christian and non-Christian. Lifelong disciple and baby believer. Red and yellow, black and white. Everyone, from the moment he or she was born, has struggled, tried, failed, hurt, sinned, misunderstood, and reacted. Humanity shares a true brotherhood over suffering, one that we might understand a lot better if suffering weren't also so relative. By which I mean, one person's issues may sound simple, easy-to-solve, even petty to another. "That's nothing compared to what I've had to endure!"

But the fact is, your sorrows and difficulties are real to you. It's one reason why I'm no fan of when people say a certain place or time in their lives isn't "the real world," as if the spot they are currently tucked away at is immune from any degree of difficulty.

Suffering is very real, and there's certainly no reason any Christian would expect life to be otherwise. We purport to follow a "Suffering Savior." His stripes have healed us, and wow do we seem to feel them sometimes, which is as it should be, as we deserved them instead of Him. If we agree that no person but one - no matter where they lived or how easy or hard they had it - has escaped sin's corruption, then how much more must we agree that truly NO person has escaped suffering?

Look at what Peter suggests in today's verse: you can suffer for doing good, or you can suffer for doing bad. By extension, some of the problems in your life may be a result of your own rebellion, while other hurts may naturally result from walking so closely with Christ that you ache at the injustice and hardship around you, with the world despising and persecuting you.

In the classic allegory Hinds' Feet on High Places, Much-Afraid journeys with companions named Sorrow and Suffering, and these two assist her in her climb up the Injury Precipice, which is a part of her transformation into "Grace and Glory."

The same is true for you. Your sufferings have informed you, educated you, helped you along in your journey. You may despise them, but they are yours. And they will be with you whether you are doing right, or not. Of course, the nature of them will be quite different.

There may be one way, though, to avoid suffering. There's a third option, left out here by Peter, but not left out by John in the Revelation. It's the lukewarm response to life, the do-nothing approach. This is the approach that cocoons itself off from life and all of its pain. And make no mistake, "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something," says that famous theologian the Man in Black in The Princess Bride.

You may not feel anything from inside a cocoon; in fact, it may be an abundance of pain and suffering that forced you in there. But remember, no creature that cocoons itself is intended to stay locked up forever. The point is to be rested, healed, matured, transformed. To become more beautiful, useful. Even the emerging process itself carries a degree of struggle, but one that, if the insect did not go through itself, would leave it too weak to fly.

So be lifted up in your suffering today.

It is a companion.

It is designed to transform you.

It gives you a share in the inheritance of Christ and the brotherhood of humanity.

And it gives you empathy, which gives you every excuse for ministry.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Make it your goal to partake, as much as possible, only of the brand of suffering that comes from doing what is right according to God's Word.

by: Shawn McEvoy -http://www.crosswalk.com/

Challenges Facing Young Christians

Congratulations on your decision to adopt the Christian lifestyle. You are blessed to have taken the step to follow Christ early in your life.

As a young person in Christ you are likely to have many questions for which you need answers. You have a vision of a bright future but there are some dark clouds in the back of your mind that keep coming into the picture.

Here are five questions that every young Christian must think about and helpful advice about how to deal with them.

1. Will I remain faithful?

Making the decision to become a Christian is the single most important decision that you will make in your life. If you have ever made a large purchase you may have noticed that you had serious doubts about the wisdom of the purchase after you made the decision. This is what marketers recognize as "buyer's remorse" and is linked to dissonance theory.

The joy and the excitement of having taken the bold step to become a Christian are accompanied by nagging thoughts about whether you made the right decision. You may recall your "For eternity" response to the question as to how long you will remain faithful. Yet, the glee with which your answer was received suggests that another response is possible. Your faithfulness till death is not guaranteed.

I want to share with you some proven strategies for helping you in living faithfully as a Christian:

Accept the fact that your doubts and fears are not surprising and is a regular occurrence. You are not alone in this and many have overcome those negative thoughts.

Your concerns are genuine and should be heeded. They are there to protect you from overconfidence and complacency.

Win the battle against the negative forces by seeking security in the constant contact with well grounded, mature Christians.

Knowledge drives out fear. Be a faithful student of the Bible and watch your confidence grow.

2. What about my friends and colleagues?

One issue that is sure to bother you is how to deal with your non-Christian friends and colleagues. The degree of difficulty that friends and colleagues present to your Christian walk is dependent on the relationships you had before you became a Christian.

Be assured about one thing. No matter what reactions you get on the surface, all right thinking individuals respect your decision to accept Jesus as Lord of your life. They may not have the courage to follow your example and peer pressure might cause them to jeer and tease. However, deep inside they appreciate your commitment and hold you in high esteem.

They key now is to ensure that they see the difference in how you lead your life. Be a witness to them by living in keeping with Christian principles.

3. Can I still have fun?

Don't be surprised if you feel that a decision to become a Christian is a choice to give up fun. Many have the image of a Christian as a very serious-minded individual who has decided to give up happiness.

Be assured that one fruit of the Spirit is JOY. Happy moments and the pleasures of the world are fleeting. Joy is enduring.

Here is some further advice :
3.1 Reflect on your own interests and hobbies. Things that you enjoy doing.

3.2 Seek out Christians that share those interests and work out how you will enjoy wholesome fun together.

3.3 Share with your Christian brethren the fun that can be had in pursuing your interests.

3.4 Open your mind to new opportunities for enjoyment and satisfaction.

4. What if I mess up?

As a Christian you are concerned about your salvation. You are also fully conscious that you are not perfect and that you are not free from sin.

You might even be scared stiff by this quotation from 1 John 3: The fact that we sin from time to time is worrisome and frustrating. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

God abhors sin and Christians are required to avoid wilful sinning. With that at the forefront of your mind you can take comfort in this quote from 1 John 1: sentence 5 9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
It is your attitude to sin that really matters in your Christian journey. True repentance is the answer for those times when you occasionally slip. If you genuinely regret the trespass and commit to doing your best to avoid the error in the future you will be on good grounds.

Study of God's word and fellowship with supportive Christians are great strategies for remaining faithful in your Christian walk and moving on to claiming Eternal Life.

5. How can I really know what God wants me to do?

Christians of all ages have to grapple with the question of God's Will for their lives on an ongoing basis. You will also be seeking clarity as what is your life's purpose and what role you are expected to play in God's service.

Today, God speaks to us through His word - the Bible. The surest way to feel comfortable about the choices you make is by diligent study of the Scriptures.

You can also benefit from the advice of wise and spiritually mature Christians.

Take comfort in the fact that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Finally, accept the encouragement of Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

by: TrevorES Smith -http://trevoressmith.com/

What It Means To Have a Friend in Jesus

Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you know what it means to have a friend in Jesus? Being without friends is lonely and frustrating but it is even worse when Jesus is not one’s friend. Jesus wants to be friends to all but only those who accept Him get to have Jesus as a friend.

Jesus is that friend you need at all times, in times of joy and peace or in times of sorrow and disappointments, etc. He is always there for His friends. You don’t need to go far to reach Him neither do you need to spend money calling Him. He is there with you even now.

Having a friend in Jesus is to have peace of mind in times of trouble. He comforts us and leads us in the path of peace and joy, Psalm 23:2. Have you ever needed a shoulder to cry on? Jesus as a friend forever provides His shoulder for us to cry on. Yes, you can go to Him and pour out your heart to Him. He truly understands and cares about us and all that concerns us.

“For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weakness and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we, yet without sinning.” (Hebrews 4:15, AMP)

A good friend can tell you what is the matter with you in a minute. He may not seem such a good friend after telling - Arthur Brisbane. Jesus is a friend indeed! He tells you when you are wrong. In fact, He rebukes and chastens; all because He loves us and does not want us to go down the road of destruction, Hebrews 12:6.

Jesus as a friend is so humorous! O yes! He can amuse or make you laugh. Even in between tears, Jesus can make you smile. What love! Having a friend in Jesus is to be excited all the time. There is always a reason to be happy as a friend of Jesus. Everybody may desert you but with Jesus as your friend you won’t be lonely.

O how I love Jesus and desire to know Him more and more, to know and enjoy the wisdom of His friendship. A friendship I will give anything for and never trade for any other thing. It is so sweet to walk with Jesus and behold the beauty of His loveliness and holiness, to follow His directions and experience no failure.

Jesus is a friend of those who do whatsoever He commands. He calls them friends and not servants, John 15:15. Obedience to God’s words qualifies you as a friend of Jesus. This is a relationship you will never regret. It is a friendship full of blessings, peace and joy. Make Jesus your friend today and enjoy all it means to have a friend in Jesus

What else does it mean to have Jesus as a friend?
 by: Ngozi Nwoke -http://www.stepswithgod.com/