SPEEDING TICKET

I'm driving along and was in grossed in a sermon I was listening to; and I was not paying attention to my speed. I got pulled over by a police officer. I was under liberty when I was not speeding, but now that I was speeding I was under the law. If that officer was to show me mercy, which he did not, and let me go I would now not be under law but under grace. So now that I am under grace I rev my engine and I peel out and start speeding again. No, I would I turn my signal on to merge and ease off slowly because I would not want to insult his mercy.

MOWING THE LAWN

Dad tells his son to go mow the lawn. The child takes the mower, doesn't' check the oil, and mows the grass leaving ribbons of lawn un-mowed. Later he takes the care out without permission and get's into an accident killing someone. He doesn't have a drivers license so he's arrested. Mom and dad put up the mortgage on the home to pay bail for the boy. Several days later dad asks his son to mow the lawn and the boy checks the oil then gives the lawn a fine manicure. He now understands and appreciates all his parents have done and wants to do as would please them.

OUT OF LOVE

A young girl was dating a soldier, she just loved men in uniform. The problem is she was looking at the uniform and not what was inside. After they married she found out he was very strict. Each morning she had a list of chores she had to accomplish through the day. Her husband ended up dying in war and a while later she found another man. This time she looked at what was on the inside and this man was kind and caring. Several years later she was cleaning out the attic and out of a book fell one of those old list's from her first husband. When she saw it, the hair started to stand up on the back of her neck and she thought, "What audacity he had to give me a list of things each day". As she started to read over the list she realized that she was doing all the same things as she did before; but she was doing it because she loved him.

Some people look at God as a tyrant who is giving them a list. Once one falls in love with Him it becomes a pleasure to do the things that please Him.

CHAMELEON

Chameleon lizards are primarily known for their ability to blend in with their environment. Unlike what cartoons depict, they never can look exactly like their environment, but they blend in quite well. Chameleons also have an ability to operate their eyes independently. They can have one eye focused on one thing while moving the other around. They can move both around focusing each on different object; making themselves look quite goofy.

There are many “christian” chameleons to which look like the church when they are at church, and look like the world when they are not at church. They never do quite fit in with either side, they get close, but the just kinda blend having one eye on the things of God and another eye on the things of the world; and they look goofy, to both sides actually.

James 4:4 (KJV) 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

GIVE HIS BOOK BACK

One day a little girl was helping mom clean the house and she was dusting the family Bible that sat on the table. She asked her mom, "Mom, who's book is this?". Mom replied, "it's God's book". The little girl said, "Why don't we give it back to Him, we don't use it"

HYPERTHERMIA

When in freezing conditions the body will get colder and colder. Just before the point of freezing to death, the person gets very sleepy and a warm sensation. A church which is freezing will be sleeping and will have a warm sensation as if they are ok.

STANDING STRONG - True Story

In 1980 a young man from Rwanda was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the following commitment which was found in his room:

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made- I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving & dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.”

FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND

A police officer one Sunday morning was staked out in a driveway, when he saw a large dog trot up to his car. The dog stopped and sat just out of arms reach. No matter how much the officer tried to coax him to come for a pat on the head, he refused to budge. After a few minutes, the officer decided to move to a another location. As soon as he pulled out of the driveway, the officer looked back and learn the reason for the dogs behavior. As soon as the car moved, the dog quickly picked up the newspaper the car had been parked on and faithfully ran back to his master. That's funny, but it also says to me that if a dog could be that focused and that committed to his assigned task, then shouldn't we also? To the dog, the task look impossible: the paper was under the car and he couldn't get to it. But he didn't do what we so often do: when we are faced with"Impossible" challenges many times we just turn and walk away, saying"oh well, maybe we weren't meant to do that". Perhaps today we could learn something from that dog.(1) he was faithful to do what his master expected of him;(2) he was focused on the assignment and let nothing, not even a pat on the head, distract him; and(3) he knew instinctively that the car didn't belong there, and would eventually move, so he patiently waited until that happened. Here are the lessons for us today.(1) Our Master expects us to be His Body, fulfilling His Commands and Sharing His Gospel;(2) we should be focused on our assignment and not be distracted by other things that come along, however good they maybe; and(3) we should know instinctively that this world is not our home, and be patient as we wait for that Great Day When Yeshua Will return. When Yeshua Said," if anyone loves me, he will obey My Teaching." That's about as clear as it could be said. No wiggle room. No reading between the lines. No loopholes. So, Is there a car parked on your newspaper?
- Local "The GoodNews Weekly (Year 9 Week 21)

BUYING JUNK - True story

While John Wesley was in Oxford, "He had just finished paying for some pictures for his room when one of the chambermaids came to his door. It was a cold winter day, and he noticed that she had nothing to protect her except a thin linen gown. He reached into his pocket to give her some money to buy a coat but found he had too little left. Immediately, the thought struck him that the Lord was not pleased with the way he had spent his money. He asked himself, Will thy Master say, “Well done, good and faithful steward?” Thou hast adorned thy walls with the money which might have screened this poor creature from the cold! O justice! O mercy! Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid?"
- Charles Edward White

REVIVAL - True Story

I once knew a couple who were slowly fading apart. They loved each other at one time, got married, and started a life. The man, though, had his love fade into another; a race car. Every bit of time and money went into that car, while his wife sat on the sidelines. She once asked him, "If you had an extra couple hundred dollars, would you buy something I wanted or something for the car?". He replied, "For the car"

Unless there were some changes, that couple is probably separated today. There was only one thing that could have fixed it.

In the church, many are looking for revival. They are trying to play the right music, have the right sermons, and trying to have the most powerful prayer. They are trying to uplift the people, get a movement going. Like this marriage, there's only one thing that can be done. We are spending more time in the things of this world then we are spending with Christ, and our relationship is fading. The proof can be found in the apostate manner of the church today.

That man, in the story, needed to put aside his car and spend some time and money with his wife. He could have told her over and over he loved her. He could have taken a couple hours a week and played some romantic music for her. Yet, none of this would have helped. She wanted something more, his devotion by a show of his time and his money.

SUB-AIR PLANE

A 757 was flying from New York to England; packed out with passengers. Suddenly, the pilot comes over the PA system saying:

“The co-pilot and I have been speaking. He believes this plane will also double as a submarine. I wasn’t too sure but he is very sincere in his belief that it can be done. So, we would like to give it a try”

Does the sincerity of a person mean they are right? Does it mean it’s ok to do a thing, just because we are sincere? Saul of Tarsus was very sincere in his service of the God of Abraham; yet he ended up being against Him.

The only way we know we are right is by a study of God’s Word, doing what He says in it, and gathering into the kingdom.
Luke 11:23 (KJV) 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

INDECISION

Police say that a big portion of accidents are caused by indecision. People will be coming to a ramp on the highway and they can’t make a decision, or they realize too late, that they need to take that other road. What ends up happening is they have an accident.

On the road of life, we need to be sure to follow the Spirit of God. We need to avoid living our lives in an indecisive state, trying to follow the world and the things of God at the same time.

CHAMELEON

Chameleon lizards are primarily known for their ability to blend in with their environment. Unlike what cartoons depict, they never can look exactly like their environment, but they blend in quite well. Chameleons also have an ability to operate their eyes independently. They can have one eye focused on one thing while moving the other around. They can move both around focusing each on different object; making themselves look quite goofy.

There are many “christian” chameleons to which look like the church when they are at church, and look like the world when they are not at church. They never do quite fit in with either side, they get close, but the just kinda blend having one eye on the things of God and another eye on the things of the world; and they look goofy, to both sides actually.

James 4:4 (KJV) 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

SENDING MATERIAL

A wealthy christian woman had a chauffeur and one day she asked him, "As well as I pay you, why don't you buy better clothes and a better car?" He told her that he gave his money to missions and other works to help other people. She told him he needed to start taking care of himself.

They both died and an angel took her to her mansion. It was very nice, much nicer than on earth but she looked up on a hill an there was this huge mansion beyond imagination. She said, "wow, who lives in that mansion; one of the patriarch's?" The angel said, "no, your butler lives there". She said, "How did that work out?". The angel said, "He sent more material ahead than you."

HIS HEARTBEAT

I read a true story in the newspaper about an elderly couple who was in a car accident and taken to intensive care. The couple had been together since a very young age and the hospital staff knew better than to separate them. Side by side in separate beds, they were both hooked up to machines and holding each others hand. A few hours later the husband died.

The family was thrown off though, the heart monitor of the husband was still beating; showing a heartbeat. The nurse explained that the monitor was picking up the heartbeat of the wife. Her heart beat was traveling through him by the connection made in the holding of their hands.

We, being dead with sin, need to allow ourselves to be placed in the hand of Christ and allow His heart to register through us.

DIVERSIONARY TACTICS

Pick pockets often work in teams, as so do professional shoplifters. The diversion gets everyone looking at the diversion while the other preforms the actual task. Satan is a professional at creating diversions for the church to look at, while He sneaks up behind to steal your most prized possession… eternity.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Planes are watched by air traffic control as they move from one region to another. Pilots often can’t see the dangers and are happy that someone cares and is watching out for them. Often, christians get offended when a brother or sister is watching and concerned of their approaching danger. Many times they say, “do not judge” or “it’s between me and the Lord”. We should be happy that the family is watching and warning; and heed to such warnings.

NOT HIS PERMANENT HOME

A man was on a ship which sank. He was alone on a dingy and drifted to a small island. Shortly after landing, he heard rustling in the forest and out came a large group of natives. They snatched him up and took him back to camp. All the way, he thought we was going to be dinner. As time passed they gave him all the best clothing and the best foods. They treated him like royalty.

After a short time, he had picked up on enough of their language to be able to communicate a little. He asked his “servant” who they though he was.

The servant said, “you are our king.”

The man asked, “what happened to your last king?”.

The servant replied, “every three years we get a new king, and the old king goes to that island over there”, as he pointed to a small deserted island.

The man asked, “What happens when they go over there?”

The servant replied, “They die within a few months because there is no food, shelter, or water on that island.”
For the next several years the man started going over to that deserted island. He was taking supplies and building a home, digging a well, stocking seeds and grains, and planting fruit trees. He spent his entire time as king, working as a servant. Because he knew the place he was at was not his permanent home.

Many times we get engrossed with the pleasures of this world. We forget that we are here only a short time, this is not our permanent home. We need not to care for the pleasures here but be servants to the most High King; preparing for our place of permanent stay.

SHARK INFESTED WATERS

A father was taking his two son's on a boat ride through the Caribbean. They get to a location where there use to be a chicken slaughter house on one of the islands and they would dump the chicken waste into the water, so the waters were infested with sharks. He told his son's, what ever you do, don't go swimming here.

The boys were playing around and one shoved the other who went overboard while grabbing hold of his brother and sending him overboard with him. The father heard the splash and went running to the back of the boat. He told his boys to calmly swim out of the water. The boys continued to horse around in the water and the dad started to see shadows appear, circling the boys. He told them sharks are in the water; but because they did not see the dorsal fins, they did not believe him.

The father knew it would not be long and knowing how sharks operate, he cut his wrist and jumped into the water on the other side of the boat, swimming in the opposite direction of the boys.

The boys saw the water churn where their father was, and blood flow up.

How would the father feel if the boys stayed in the water? How much more can that father do, if they decide to stay in the water?

Salvation is our decision based on whether or not we stay in the water.

MILKING THE COW

A farmer had a neighbor that moved next door from the city. After becoming friends, one day the city guy told the farmer, "I would love to have a cow that I could get fresh milk from". So, the farmer sold his neighbor a cow. A short time later the city guy said to the farmer, "There's something wrong with the cow because it's not producing milk".

The farmer asked, "Are you milking her?"

The city man said, "Yes, when ever I need some. If we need milk for our breakfast I get a little bit from her, and if my wife needs some for baking, I get a little more. If I need some for coffee, I get some more."

The farmer replied, "That's the problem. When you milk a cow, you got to get all you can each time"
Many people treat Christ like this cow. If we want the fullness of the Spirit, we need to reach higher and get all we can.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

A brother and sister came down with a deadly sickness. The boy, who was about 6 years old, was able to fight it off and got healthy again; but his sister could not fight it. The doctors knew that the only chance was to do a blood transfusion from the boy to the girl. The doctor sat down with the little 6 year old boy and ask if he would be willing to give some of his blood to his sister. The boy's lip quivered a little and he said yes.

They immediately took the little boy into the operating room and his sister was already there and prepped. They hooked up the IV's and the boy watched as the blood started to flow from his arm to his sisters; and he gave her a smile. He then turned to the doctor and asked, "How long before I die". The doctor knew immediately what the little quivering lip was from, yet the boy was willing to lay down his life for his sister.

TAKING THE PLACE

Two brothers told a minister that years prior the one brother was drinking and hit a family while driving. He was sentenced to several years in prison. The other brother knew that his brother's family needed him and he had no family so he devised a way to swap places with his brother; and he served the time for him.

THE ADOPTED CHILD

Two brothers were checking into class of their new school and the teacher asked for their birthdays. When they told her their birthdays she realized they were only a few weeks apart and she asked how that happened. They said, one of us are adopted. She asked, “Which one” and they replied, “We don’t know”

I LOVED YOU SO

John 3:16 says that “God SO loved the world”. That little word is so often unlooked. On morning, a pastor was reading the paper and started to weep. His wife asked what was wrong so he told her about the article of a little boy who received a wagon for his birthday. He was riding it down the driveway and missed the turn causing him to get killed by a vehicle. As he finished the story, the phone rang and the parents to the child were on the other line; asking the pastor to preform the funeral. At the funeral, the parents came by the casket and the mother clung to it and cried, “I loved you so, I loved you so”. God loves us SO.

CHRIST’S GRIP

A boy in Florida ran out to the canal behind their home, as the mother watched. He jumped in to go swimming when his mother saw an alligator move into the water. She yelled for her son to get out of the water but just before he was able to get out the alligator grabbed his leg and started to pull him back out. The mother screened and grabbed her boys arms and started a tug of war with the alligator. A neighbor heard the screen and cam running with his gun and shot the alligator.

A little while after the boy had healed, the local news station was doing a story on the boy and he showed them his scars on his legs where more than 100 stitches were used to patch him up. But it was the scars on his arms that the boy seemed to be especially proud of; the cars made from a mother who refused to let go.
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