Salvation

How to cross the Jordan River in your life

The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan (il...

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Every one of us, at some point or another, goes through difficult times in our life. It’s like you have come to the Jordan River but cannot cross, because the river has overflows its banks. And all you can do is gaze yonder and imagine what life is like on the other side.

From your vantage point, you can see the lush green grass and the blooming flowers, fruits hanging from trees, cattle grazing, and men working, and women and children playing. Life is good on the other side, you thought to yourself. If only I could get yonder, my life would be better.

But did you ever stop and think that your stumbling block could have been a test from God? Sometimes it is not meant for you to overcome the adversary, until you are fully ready for the challenges ahead. You may have too many baggage that is weighting you down, or you may not be ready, physically, spiritually and mentally for the rough journey through the thorns and thistles. For “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

Still, you crossing the Jordan may not be in God’s plan. Moses did not cross. God gave him a glimpse of the promised land but that was it.  God told Moses to: “Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see” (Deuteronomy 3:27-28)

Whatever your situation, whether a den of hungry lions or a fiery furnace; or a swelling Jordan, God can deliver you. He is always there with an outstretched hand courting and begging you to cast your cares upon Him. He says in His words: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6)

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What are you thankful for?

United States of America

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Lord, I am thankful for today. I thank you for your Son Jesus, who gave His life that I can live. You said in your Words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Lord, I believe in Him, and I have committed myself to serve Him. The songwriter said:

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.”

Lord, I thank thee for the United States of America, and all its people. We are an exceptional nation of many different backgrounds, culture and ethnicity, political and religious persuasions. And even though our people have various religious, political and social views–we are still the greatest nation on earth. We never fail to lend a helping hand to anyone who will accept it. Many people around the world look to this great nation for help and inspiration.

Lord I thank you for our leaders, past and present. I thank you for our president and his cabinet and the different agencies of government. I thank you for the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive branch. Grant our leaders wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Prevent them from leaning on their own understanding. Remind them dear God, of your words in Proverbs 3:5-6: ” Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight. Guide their hands O God, and let them exercise wisdom in their judgement–just like Solomon did to settle the dispute between two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28).

Lord, I commit this great nation into your care. I pray that you will speak to the hearts of our leaders and all people. Remind us one and all, what made this country great in the first place. History has shown that it was not the effort of any one ethnic group or political party, but it was a joint effort of all people. Remind us heavenly father that irrespective of our color class or creed, we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… Thank you Lord.

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Happy Thanksgiving America

The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon G...

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Giving Thanks

by Author Unknown

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman’s hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the “Land of the Free” –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

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Religion: I Thank Thee O God

“I Thank Thee” is a beautiful Thanksgiving prayer. This Christian poem was originally written by Jane Crewdson (1860) as a prayer of thankfulness to God for all things in life, both the good and the bad, the bitter and the sweet.

I Thank Thee

O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop—
The bitter and the sweet.

I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.

I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.

–Jane Crewdson (1860)

Psalm 95:1-6

1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

3For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

5The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalm 100

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

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Greater love hath no man than the love of Jesus,

Jesus Christ Crucifix

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There is no greater demonstration of devotion, no greater sacrifice of love, than to lay down your life for another. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no one than this, that a man Jesus) lay down his life for his friends.” (KJV) The Christian faith is built upon this kind of love. Jesus gave his life for us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

God gave man eternal life but our fore-parents forfeited their responsibilities. Their punishment, separation from God and eternal damnation. We inherited death and  destruction even before we were born, but God, through His loving kindness and His tender mercies gave us another chance, and pulled us back from the brink. John 3:16 says, “For Go so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

The death of Jesus Christ on Calvary‘s has bridge the gap between us and God. Since there is no more gap between us and God, we have the privilege to renew our relationship with Him, so that we can experience lasting joy and peace. 1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (NIV)

When we experience God’s love and forgiveness, Christ becomes the center of our joy. It doesn’t seem possible, but even in the midst of great trials, the joy of the Lord bubbles deep within us and his peace settles over us: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)

But none of this would have been possible if were not for God’s unfailing love. He sent His only Son to take my place on Calvary. I am fully aware that: “It should have been me who was crucified, It should have been me who bled and died but Jesus took all for me and you.

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