"Christian Voices"

Now read by over 11,000 subscribers around the world

www.christianvoicesworldwide.net

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

January 31, 2011

HUMOR

A friend of mine bought a new car that sported an on-board computer. One Sunday morning when he got into the car to drive to church, the digital display lit up.

Glancing at the readout, he chuckled at the announcement: "Time for service."

.....ChapnotesMail@aol.com (ChapnotesMail@aol.com) by way "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

THOUGHT PROVOKING – INSPIRATIONAL

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Cindy, one of our members and the grandmother of 5 year old Analys shared the following incident with me.

It seems that Grandma Cindy and Analys were doing some shopping in a local Walmart store. Analys loves to sing and her favorite song is Victory in Jesus. While in the store she began to sing the song loudly, Cindy said you could hear her quite plainly.

As she sang her favorite song, Cindy said that older ladies began moving through the store to where they were shopping to see who was singing this hymn (in a strong voice). The reactions were mixed I understand. One of the ladies even joined in singing with her while someone else asked, "Are you going to let here continue to sing that church song?" I loved Cindy's response, "Why should I stop her, if she were singing a children's song no one would think anything about it." I think the whole situation was a Victory FOR Jesus!

How are you letting your voice be heard? We are given many opportunities in our world and community to use gift or talent whatever it may be, however sometimes we hold back from doing good or singing out for Jesus. Many are more apt to be involved with good works through their local congregation and that is a great thing! However, sometimes - Many times we can do good, (let our light shine and let our voice be heard) through the community activities which go on around us. There are opportunities such as the annual "Walk for Life;" "Aid for West Ranch fire victims;" "Feed the hungry soup kitchen;" "Tehachapi Relay for Life;" "Family life pregnancy center;" "Tehachapi Senior Center;" "The Hospital Guild;" "Meals on Wheels;" etc.

Paul urges the Christians in Galatia: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10, NIV).

I do think we need to be careful about the message we send to others through the charitable works we indorse or with which we choose to become involved. Some groups do not operate with Christian principles, while others may be sponsored by community churches. There are some good works that we as a church might endorse or be involved with, while others, because of their religious or social stances we cannot. There are some good works which the church (as a group entity) cannot support, but which you as an individual may. You will need to make up your own mind about what those things may be.

Having said that, notice that James writes these words, (which some people find troubling) in James 4:17: "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." (NLT) Again, each of us has gifts, talents and opportunities. If we don't do what we can, then quite possibly it is sin. One of my favorite passages is Matthew 5:16 which says: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.(KJV)

How brightly are you shining? . Can your voice be heard! Is your life a Victory for Jesus?

.....Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart by way of CUP O'CHEER (cheer316@sc.rr.com) and "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

ARE YOU RUNNING OUT OF THINGS?

When I was a child we had a neighbor who lived right next door to us. I don’t recall times being very poor, but Mrs. Jones was always running out of things. I can recall that often she sent one or the other of her children up to our house to borrow a cup of sugar or a cup of flour or something else. My mother was always very generous and gave her what she needed. Poor Mrs. Jones she was always running out of something.

In keeping with that I thought of the times that we actually run out of something important in life. We are in short supply. We need something and don’t have it. It is difficult to proceed with our life without it.

Have you ever run out of money?

Have you ever run out of a job?

Have you ever run out of food?

Have you ever run out of gasoline?

Have you ever run out of health?

Have you ever run out of energy?

Have you ever run out of time?

I am sure that you must have run out of some of these things once or twice in this life. I sure don’t like running out of gasoline and often remind my grandchildren how important it is to keep gas in the tank. Years ago a young woman ran out of gas on the freeway here in our city. Someone no doubt picked her up pretending to help her. It ended as a very sad story all because she ran out of gasoline.

However there is something that is not limited or in short supply. That is the mercy and faithfulness of the Lord. This scripture below is one of my favorites. It reminds me that while earthly things sometimes run out He never does.

Lamentations 3:2223 – “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning great is thy faithfulness.”

Do we ever stop and thank God for His faithfulness? His mercies are with us when we drive about town. His faithfulness has met our needs and especially our spiritual needs. We never have to run out of His goodness it is always there. He is good even when haven’t been. He is faithful even when we have failed. He is merciful even when we don’t deserve mercy. That is how great His love is toward us.

Maybe you are thinking just now that you don’t deserve His love since you have failed in your walk with the Lord. Banish that from your mind. He loves you in spite of how you have lived. He has never given up loving you. If you don’t know Him personally why not open up your heart and invite Him to come in and dwell with you? Now is the accepted time to receive His salvation.

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Cards, notes and contributions are always welcome! Our address is: “Christian Voices”, P.O. Box, 1002, La Vergne, TN 37086. We would truly enjoy hearing from you from all over the world.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

"Our NEW address"

To ensure you don't miss any issues of "Christian Voices", please include our email address (ChristianVoices@att.net) in your email address book. Also, be sure to notify us if you change your email address so that we may keep "Christian Voices" coming your way.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

The official web site for "Christian Voices" is

www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net

Don't be confused by others who have web sites of similar names.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Editor Note: Was this message "forwarded" to you by a friend?
You can receive these messages "direct" - - - "free," no product
advertisement, no personal information required, and your email
address is protected. It's "totally free" and you may unsubscribe at any time -
no questions asked!

TO SUBSCRIBE - click here or type this address in your web brower
http://christianvoicesworldwide.net/subscribe.html

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - click here or type this address in your web browser
http://christianvoicesworldwide.net/unsub.html

TO VISIT THE "CHRISTIAN VOICES" WEB SITE - click here or type this
address in your web browser http://www.christianvoicesworldwide.net

Do you know of any family, church family, friends, coworkers, or others who would enjoy receiving these messages?

Please encourage everyone to subscribe! Please pass the word!

Thanks and enjoy!
Bob

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><