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People who stop helping others and doing their Christian duty have little for which to pray. When they do not work for the Master, who worked for them, they have nothing to pray about. Their prayers are only for themselves. They do not pray for other people or for strength to do God's work.

I found this sentence very interesting -- "A person who does nothing but pray will soon stop praying, or His prayers will become only a habit." How true! What do we have to pray for if we are not also working for God? Everyone can find SOMETHING to do for God! God is very generous with all of His blessings -- which include working for Him. If we are not working for the Lord, very soon our prayers will have a monotonous sound -- "me, me, me, ---" and will probably be low on the heavenly priority listings.

Beryl

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We lose blessings when we do not meet together to give strength and courage to each other. We begin to forget the truths of God's Word, and they become less important in our minds. Our minds are not touched by the spirit of God, and we become less spiritual. We lose sympathy for one another when we shut ourselves away from others. We are not then doing what God planned we should do. Being friendly brings us into sympathy with others. It makes us grow and become stronger in the service of God.

It is an old story, and you can possibly tell it to me better than I can tell it to you -- but, just as a reminder --

The pastor called in to see this old man, sitting by his fire in his log cabin one cold day. He told the gentleman that he had been missed at church. Well, the old gentleman had lots of excuses, including the fact that he was able to read his Bible and pray at home just as well as in church.

Without saying a word the pastor leaned forward, took the fire tongs, picked up a hot, glowing lump of coal, and placed it by itself on the hearth. They both sat there silently as the glow of the coal became dimmer and dimmer, and finally went out.

The silence continued for a little while, when suddenly the gentleman arose, looked at the pastor and just said, "I'll be back! See you at church."

You see, we need each other to keep us warm spiritually. As we mingle with others we gain glimpses of God working in other people's lives. We see them struggling with weaknesses, and it encourages us to keep struggling with our own. We hear stories of victories, and we know that we will have victory at last.

Yes, we need that warmth of fellowship!

God bless,

Beryl

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We should speak to each other of the love of God and of the plan of salvation. This would bring new life to our hearts and to one another. We would daily learn more about our heavenly Father and receive more of His grace. We would desire to speak of His love, and our own hearts would be warmed and encouraged. We will have more of Christ's presence when we think and talk about Him and not so much about ourselves.

To be able to talk with someone about the love of God not only ministers to the other person, but ministers to our own souls. As we share with someone the blessings that God has given to us, we are reminded of the many times God has surprised us with His gifts.

Just today I received a lovely surprise. I needed to pay the registration fees on my car. When they were due last time, someone else had surprised me by paying them for me, but had not asked for the pensioner discount to which I am entitled. So, this time I decided to do the registration in person and not over the internet (which is easier). When at last it came to be my turn to go to the counter I produced my pension card and just mentioned that someone else had done it for me last year, so that was why they didn't have the details -- the girl checked on the computer, confirmed that I had been given no discount -- and immediately back-dated the discount to include what I should have had 12 months ago! I walked out of there with $50 more in my purse than I thought I would have! A blessing from God? Yes, a time to say, "Thank You!"

How many times have you needed to say "Thank You" to God lately?

You didn't forget to do so, did you?

God bless,

Beryl

That is awesome Beryl!

Yes, Taylor, we really do have an awesome God! And we take Him so much for granted!

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We should delight to talk of God and praise Him. If we would think of Him as often as we are blessed, He would ever be in our thoughts. We talk of our friends because we love them. They are part of our joys and our sorrows. Yet we have a much greater reason to love God than to love our earthly friends. If we make Him first in our thoughts, it will be easy for us to talk of His goodness and tell of His power.

Isn't that so true? We talk so easily of those things that are on our minds. We comment on the weather -- be it good or bad -- to strangers. We talk to our friends about the things we have in common. We talk with our very close friends about matters that we would not discuss with our "ordinary" friends. So, what category does your God come in? stranger, friend, or that extra-ordinary, very close Friend? Do you feel comfortable chatting with Him as you go about your everyday work? Or is He the Stranger who you talk to because its the proper thing to do?

Why not make Him so much part of your life that you feel comfortable chatting with Him at any time, any place, whether in words, song, or just silent prayer? He will be there for you.

God bless,

Beryl

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The rich gifts God gives us are not supposed to fill our thoughts until we have no time for Him. They are to keep reminding us of Him and helping us love Him more. Let us look to heaven, where the glory of God shines from the face of Christ. "He is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through Him." (Hebrews 7:25.

We need to praise God more "for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:8, KJV). Our prayers should not be just asking and getting what we asked for. We are not to think always of our wants and never of our blessings. We do not give thanks enough. We are always receiving God's blessings, and yet how little we give thanks! How little we praise Him for what He has done for us!

Have you ever handed to a child something which they wanted, and at the same time said "Thank you" -- not that you were thanking the child, but that you were reminding the child to say "Thank you"?

Just wonder -- does our Heavenly Father do that to us? And then, does He does He sigh and say, perhaps next time I will need to delay answering the prayer until they are really ready to say "Thank You". I wonder!

God bless,

Beryl

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Our God is a kind, merciful Father. Working for Him should be a happy experience. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and to take part in His work. God has given us salvation, and He does not want us to think of Him as a hard master. He is our best Friend. And when we worship Him, He expects to be with us and bless us. He wants to fill our hearts with joy and love.

Yes, working for Him IS a happy experience!! Oh, yes, after a full day of talking with the people who come through our program the voice-box is a bit worn, the brain looks for a rest, and it is good to be able to stretch and relax -- but there is a joy and satisfaction of having been used by the Master to bring His message of health to people who really need it.

Ask Him what He would like you to do for Him today! He may stretch your mind to the limit, but He will also give to you a satisfaction that nothing can surpass!

God bless,

Beryl

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The Lord desires us to take comfort in His work. He wants us to find more pleasure than hardwhip in serving Him. He wants us to carry away happy thoughts of His love and care when we worship Him. These thoughts should bring cheer to our daily work and give us grace to be honest and faithful.

Now, there is a "boss" you would love to work for! One Who wants you to find both comfort and pleasure in your work. A "boss" who wants your work to lead to happy, cheerful thoughts! This is no taskmaster demanding his "pound of flesh". This is a loving God Who wants your work for Him to bring you pleasure, happiness, comfort, cheer!

And does it? Well, in my experience, Yes! Just listen in for a moment as the team, while packing up at the end of the day just can't help swapping stories of the special experiences they have had during the day. Working for God is a pleasure! And it brings lasting happiness. He is the best "boss" in the world!

Beryl

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We must make the cross the Christ the centre of our lives. We should think and talk about what He did for us. These thoughts should fill us with joy. We should keep in mind the blessings and love we receive from God. We should be willing to trust Jesus with everything, for His hands were nailed to the cross for us.

Is it hard to trust Jesus at times? When things are all going right, it is easy. But what about the times when everything seems to go wrong? What about the times when our most longed for wishes do not come true, despite our prayers? Can we still sing, "I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee"?

Let us keep trusting Him, through the good times and the bad. Soon those bad times will all be over, and we will be at the beginning of our eternal existence. What joy there will be!! See you there!

God bless,

Beryl

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Praise lifts the heart nearer to heaven. God is worshiped with song and music in heaven, and when we praise God, we worship Him as do the holy angels. He says, "Giving thanks is the sacrifice that honours Me." (Psalm 50:23). Let us come before our Creator with holy joy. Let us worship Him with "thanksgiving, and the voice of melody" (Isaiah 51:3, KJV).

Ever feel that everything has gone wrong that can go wrong? that it is been a really bad day? that you just can't see why God would allow something like this to happen? -- or any other "dismal" thoughts?

Here is the answer -- even if you don't feel like doing so -- begin to praise God. Even on the darkest day there is something for which you can praise God.

When you begin to praise God, whether in thought, words or song -- it is going to lift your spirit, and make you feel great

Just try it, and see! "Taste and see that the Lord is good..."

God bless,

Beryl