Not Free!

Material wise, look at this world, and think how much has been and still being paid for freedom, how much lives were shed and how big the burden is on all economies. Freedom and peace were not and will never be for free, so do not take it for granted.
Spiritual wise, freedom from the sin and salvation was not for free. Jesus had to give his life, for all of us. Are you ready to pay?! Are you ready to put Christ above all else?

One way

When we were children, we used to go with my cousins to that maze, with high walls. We used to run and never know where we are heading. We could only recognize the middle area, as it was the highest, and we used to climb it to see where everyone is, and to find our way out.
With God, things are simple. No mazes... no need to turn around in circles... no need for satan and his dirty tricks... he will keep you running behind something meaningless that will kill your soul...
With God, everything is clear. He sent his only son to lead your way... your only way...

Let's shine

I was sitting in a cafe in the city when I heard a cathedral's bells, signaling the 12:00. The sound was beautiful to the degree that I climbed the cathedral stairs, and listen closely to that majestic music. The closer I was getting, the louder was the noise, and I could hear nothing of what I was expecting, I even had to cover my ears.
An idea came to my mind, and I believe it is right. When we, believers are in the middle of chaos, noise and bad times, and if we hold on to our faith, everyone around us will hear, see or feel something beautiful...

Your decision!

Who is more powerful?! God or Satan?!

It is a very deep and complicated issue, that the pastor in this video made simple. Satan is not equal in anyway to God. Satan is the "king" of the materialistic world, and if you go back to the bible, when he took Jesus after the 40 days of fasting, he said I will give all the kingdom of earth if you bow in front of me, and obviously Jesus did not. 

Satan cannot overcome the order of God, if you revise the book of Job in the old testament (Job 1:12), God said to Satan: “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” 

Jesus destroyed Satan and his plans by His death and resurrection. Since then and as Jesus said to his disciples (Matthew 28:18): “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Amen

Why me?

How many times do you ask yourself or God: why me?
There is no doubt that life can be or get tough, and things will not work out as you might have expected. You might lose someone you love, or lose something. Unfortunately, this will happen everyday to you, as well as everyone else!
But again: why me?!
I believe in God, and I thought God will do something for me! Right?!
Remember: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' John 15:20
God might not protect us from the bad times or the stormy events, but He will use it to strengthen our faith in him.
When your soul is in the darkness, and your heart is haunted in the scariest night,
Wait patiently for the morning while smiling, for there it will come glorious on the cross...

Depressed?!

"I feel hopeless... I am a failure... I cannot keep going anymore... It is not going to work..."
Felt and said by me or you, do not worry, it happened to the best of prophets, to people who actually met God himself.
The bible tells us about Elijah, when he felt worthless and felt that he is losing the battle against the priestess of Baal. Then God, Who was always with him, even in the dark times, made him win, over his enemies, and over his fear and sadness.
Always remember, God will be with you, even when you don't need Him.
God will give warmth, peace and power... just believe...

The Power Of Love

"If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also." Luke 6:29

I believe angry people and haters are weak. Whatever their action or reaction towards you is, it is only an expression of their fear. It is a primitive behavior. Protecting themselves or a provision of protecting themselves is the ignition for such acts. 

Jesus did not mean physical assaults only. What he taught us also covers anything that can hurt (mentally, economically, materially).

Now imagine you are the one who is "hit". I know it is not that hard as it might happen to you hundred times or more a day. 

Imagine and think how you are going to react! 

Two options are here. Or you "hit" back, either you turn the other also!

If you "hit" back, that will be it. You ignite an endless war with endless losses, as you just showed the other your fear and weakness.

If you turn the other, he (she) will have to think whether you are "dumb" or a lot more stronger than him (her). But whatever he (she) thinks or does, you are the one who will win. How??!!

- If the assault stops because you are "dumb" or strong, you will just stop the war, and win with Jesus.

- If the assault goes on, you will win yourself in Jesus even if you lost your own life. 

It sounds crazy, but do we own anything? 

I know what I am saying here is the complete opposite of all the rules of the world. 

It makes me think how far are we from Jesus?! How far are we from dropping everything and follow him?! How far are we from accepting God's will and forgive our enemies?!

God forgive us and have mercy on us.

Signs

People break down into two groups when they experience something lucky. 
Group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. 
Group number two sees it as just pure luck. A happy turn of chance.
I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at what is happening in a very suspicious way. For them, this situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that... fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. 
But there's a whole lot of people in the group number one. When they see what is happening, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that, whatever's going to happen, there'll be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. 
See, what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way. Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
From the Movie "Signs" for Mel Gibson

I believe...

This afternoon, I was taking my son to his class; it was a traffic peak hour and we were a bit tight with time.

He said: dad, didn't you say this way you are going in is longer? Why did you come this way? We are going to be late!

I said: I know it is the longest way, but I believe we will get there on time!

He said: but dad, how? This way is longer!!

I said: don't you trust me?

He said: I do dad! But please turn around and go the other way! Please.

I said: I believe, and I know when I believe God will do it for me!

He said: How can you be sure?!

I said: because I'm God's favorite...

His eyes shined, and came forward from his seat saying: for real???!!

I said: everyone who love from the bottom of their heart, are God's favorites!

He said: am I his favorite too?

I said: all kids are his favorite, because they do not know how to lie...

My son had a short peaceful nap, and we got there on time...

Do not expect...

A monk joined a monastery, and he wanted to know the most important Christian wisdom; so he asked the monk in charge.

The monk in charge ordered him to go to the cemetery, and say every bad word about the dead people. He did and came back. The monk in charge said: did anyone answer you back? And he replied: no one said a word. The monk in charge asked him to go again, and say very good things about the dead people. He did so, and came back. The monk in charge said: did anyone answer you back? The surprised monk said no!!!

The monk in charge said: in Christianity, be like the "dead", whatever you do, do not expect what people will say about you, it might be good today, might be bad tomorrow, people cannot judge, but will be judged but the only mighty God. And He is the one who is going to judge your work at the end of days... 

Never

God never ran out of choices and never will... he can do anything and everything at any time. You want to know how strong and limitless He is, do some research about the structure of the simplest protein in your body, and believe... or simply say: Glory to God in the highest

Beautiful Story

This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning.

So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness.

The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors.

The counselor then said to the rich lady "I'm going to ask Mary here to tell u how she found happiness. All I want u to do is listen to her."

So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story:

"Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothing left. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life. Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and, for the first time in months, I smiled.

Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, may be doing something for people could make me happy.

So, the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbor who was sick in bed.

Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy.

Today, I don't know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do.
I've found happiness, by giving it to others."

When she heard this, the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money cannot buy.

"The Beauty of Life Does Not Depend On How HAPPY You Are; But on How Happy Others Can Be Because Of YOU..."

Happiness is NOT A Destination, it's a Journey.

Happiness is NOT Tomorrow, it is NOW.

Happiness is not Dependency, it is a Decision.
Happiness is What You Are, Not What You Have..

God's Rosebud!

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day.
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.
The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and
told him to open it without tearing off any petals.
The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.
But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose,
while keeping every petal intact.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.
Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...

"It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But, I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine."
"The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But, in my hands they die."
"If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then, how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?"
"So, I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step along the way."
"The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord and Savior knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose."