Inspirational

Read Today's Devotion

THIS WEEK'S THOUGHT

Move Closer

Not long ago I heard a story

about a young man and an old teacher.

The young man had lost his job and

didn't know which way to turn.

So he went to see the old teacher.

Pacing about the teacher's study,

the young man ranted about his problem.
Finally he clenched his fist and shouted,

"I've begged God to say something
to help me, teacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old teacher, who sat across the room,

spoke something in reply,
something so hushed it was indistinguishable.

The young man stepped across the room.

"What did you say?" he asked.

The teacher repeated himself,

but again in a tone as soft as a whisper.

So the young man moved closer until he
was leaning on the teacher's chair.

"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together,
the old teacher spoke once more.

"God sometimes whispers," he said,

"So we will move closer to hear him."

This time the young man heard and he understood.

We all want God's voice to thunder through the air

with the answer to our problem.

But God's is the still, small voice... the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there's a reason.

Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper.

God's whisper means I must stop my ranting

and move close to Him,

until my head is bent together with His.

And then, as I listen, I will find my answer.

Better still, I find myself closer to God.

Author Unknown

LAST WEEK'S THOUGHT

If God Brings You to It

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Author Unknown

THIS WEEK'S POEM

The Lord's Test

I woke up this morning and knew that today,
The sun would not be shining and the clouds would be grey.
As I stepped outside, rain fell upon my head.
My car wouldn't start so I walked to school instead.
I forgot all of my assignments
I failed all of my tests.
I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request.
"Lord, why is it that things won't go my way?"
He gently replied, "Dear child it is because you didn't thank me yesterday.
I woke you up and enabled you to see the sun again.
I gave you shelter, protected your family,

and even let you make a new friend.
I blessed you far greater than I ever had before.
But you were too busy to thank me once more.
You didn't feel sick because I maintained your health.
You had money in your pocket because I maintained your wealth.
You had shoes on you feet and clothes to wear, too.
You had plenty of food to eat and what did you do?
You ignored me and went about your tasks.
But when you wanted something you never hesitated to ask.
I was there when you needed me and that wasn't too long ago.
But when things started going your way, it was me you did not know.
As if that weren't enough, I provided your favourite luxuries.
This was something I didn't have to do-they weren't even necessities.
And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude,
You decided that after such a fulfilling day, you weren't in the mood.
So I decided to give you just a little test.
To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed."
I began to realize what the Lord was saying..
He said, "My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive.
But remember to remember this day as long as you shall live.
I love filling your life with joy, and your pain I'll alleviate it.
But just a simple thank you would show how much you appreciate it."

Author Unknown

LAST WEEK'S POEM

God is Always Near

One thing can always cheer me
When I'm feeling sad and low
When I tired of daily trials
That I have to undergo,
When those who should
Seem closest, seem like
People I don't know,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is near me.

One thing can always cheer me
When I do not understand
How pain and sadness
In our lives
Can get so out of hand,
When the best of human efforts
Doesn't meet the days demands,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is always near me.

One thing can always cheer me
More than anything I've known
And show me I will never
Have to struggle on my own
For no matter what might happen
I will never be alone
The thing that will always cheer me
Is just knowing God is near me.

Our lives are in God's loving
Hands, in everything we do
He is with us constantly,
He always sees us through.
And even when our faith is weak
We'll never walk alone,
For with His great and perfect love
He takes care of His own.

Author Unknown

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