-  Finding a Local Church  - Ephesians 4:11-16
In some cities, there are churches on practically every corner. It would seem easy, then, to find a place where Christians can worship, encourage other believers, and reach out to those who don't know Jesus.
But unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Some churches preach doctrine that doesn't align with Scripture. Others are distracted by programs or campaigns. They've forgotten their real purpose.
Therefore it's critical that believers ask the right questions before joining a fellowship. Namely, learn whether the church teaches these six truths. First, the Bible is infallible divine revelation given to mankind. The bible is provided so we can have a personal relationship with God.
Second, check to see if the church teaches that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Next, the church should also believe our Savior was fully human and fully God. Fourth, a church should know this truth that after Jesus' crucifixion and burial, He was bodily resurrected.
Find out if the church knows the truth that Heaven and hell exist. And finally, check to see if the church believes salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.
In addition, a fellowship's message should center on redemption. This means specifically teaching that man is sinful and separated from God. Since we all come short of His glory, our penalty is death. Yet, the Father redeemed us through His Son's shed blood, saving all who receive Jesus as Savior.
What we're taught will become our belief system and "filter" for all information and opinions set forth by the world. It's vital to find a church that holds to God's Word as the final authority. Reject any teaching that contradicts Scripture.

 A God of Love - Ephesians 3:17-19
The Lord doesn't base His love for us on our character or achievements. We know this because of God's promise in John 3:16 and His action in sending Jesus to die in our place.
The Savior's dealings with people show us the depth of God's love. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, ministered closely with the Lord for three years. In the end, Judas chose to betray Jesus. Even though Jesus knew what Judas would do, He never rejected him.
In another example of God's love, a woman was about to be stoned for committing adultery. She was condemned by the religious leaders. Jesus stepped in to protect her. Then, in love, He commanded her to sin no more.
And consider Peter. He loved Jesus and desired to follow Him always. In a moment of weakness however, Peter denied even knowing Christ. Jesus knew in advance the disciple would do this. But Jesus' love for the man didn't waver. In fact Jesus proved his love by appearing to Peter after the resurrection. Jesus gave Peter a prominent place in developing the church.
Two final examples of God's love include Zacchaeus, the greedy tax collector. He took advantage of his fellow citizens. And the Samaritan woman involved with a string of broken relationships and an immoral lifestyle. These facts didn't stop Jesus from approaching each of them and offering His forgiving love.
No one is beyond the reach of God's love. Through faith in Him, everyone, even the worst of sinners, can experience love's richness as His children.

BILLY GRAHAMS SUIT

Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson's disease.

In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their
favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.

Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with
Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, 'We don't expect a
major address. Just come and let us honor you.' So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the
rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, 'I'm reminded today of Albert
Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time
magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from
Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the
tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in
his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser
pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find
it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.

The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you
are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle
punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around
and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his
seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein. Dr. Einstein, don't
worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure
you bought one.'

Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I
don't know is where I'm going.''

Having said that Billy Graham continued, 'See the suit I'm wearing? It's a
brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me
I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more
fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one
more occasion.

You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried.
But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the
suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this:

I not only know who I am. I also know where I'm going.'

ATTITUDE

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and
noticed she had only three strands of hair on her head.

Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today?' So she did and she had
a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two
strands of hair on her head.

'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?' So
she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only
one strand of hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.' So she
did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't
a single strand of hair on her head.

'YEAH!' she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of
battle.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to
dance in the rain!!!!!

-- Author Unknown

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer
things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like that she had never missed
a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many
others had done before.

'Leave me alone,' he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling --her even
white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. 'Are you hungry?' she asked. 'No,'
he answered sarcastically. 'I've just come from dining with the President.
Now go away.' The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt
a gentle hand under his arm.

'What are you doing, lady?' the man asked angrily. 'I said to leave me
alone.

Just then a policeman came up. 'Is there any problem, ma'am?' he asked.

'No problem here, officer,' the woman answered. 'I'm just trying to get this
man to his feet. Will you help me?'

The officer scratched his head. 'That's old Jack. He's been a fixture
around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?'

'See that cafeteria over there?' she asked. 'I'm going to get him something
to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile.'

'Are you crazy, lady?' the homeless man resisted. 'I don't want to go in
there!' Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

'Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.'

'This is a good deal for you, Jack,' the officer answered. 'Don't blow it.'

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack
into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the
middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and
the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the
cafeteria and stood by his table.

'What's going on here, officer?' he asked. 'What is all this. Is this man
in trouble?'

'This lady brought this man in here to be fed,' the policeman answered.

'Not in here!' the manager replied angrily. 'Having a person like that here
is bad for business.'

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. 'See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll
let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place.'

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. 'Sir, are you familiar
with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?'

'Of course I am,' the manager answered impatiently. 'They hold their weekly
meetings in one of my banquet rooms.'

'And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly
meetings?'

'What business is that of yours?'

'I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company.'

'Oh'

The woman smiled again. 'I thought that might make a difference' She
glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. 'Would you like to join
us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?'

'No thanks, ma'am,' the officer replied. 'I'm on duty.'

'Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?'

'Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice.'

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel . 'I'll get your coffee for you
right away, officer.'

The officer watched him walk away. 'You certainly put him in his place,' he
said.

'That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.'

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared
at him intently. 'Jack, do you remember me?'

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes 'I think so - I mean
you do look familiar.'

'I'm a little older perhaps,' she said. 'Maybe I've even filled out more
than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very
door, cold and hungry.'

'Ma'am?' the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a
magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

'I was just out of college,' the woman began. 'I had come to the city
looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my
last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets
for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this
place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to
eat.'

Jack lit up with a smile. 'Now I remember,' he said. 'I was behind the
serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to
eat. I said that it was against company policy.'

'I know,' the woman continued. 'Then you made me the biggest roast beef
sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go
over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into
trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in
the cash register. I knew then that everything would be all right.'

'So you started your own business?' Old Jack said.

'I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started
my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.' She opened her
purse and pulled out a business card. 'When you are finished here, I want
you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my
company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for
you to do around the office.' She smiled. 'I think he might even find the
funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and
get a place to live until you get on your feet.

'If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you.'

There were tears in the old man's eyes. 'How can I ever thank you?' he
said.

'Don't thank me,' the woman answered. 'To God goes the glory. Thank
Jesus... He led me to you.'

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance
before going their separate ways. 'Thank you for all your help, officer,'
she said.

'On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,' he answered.

'Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget.
And... And thank you for the coffee.'

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing. If you have missed
some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.

But, if you have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, you have
missed everything in the world .

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always. And don't forget that when
you 'cast your bread upon the waters,' you never know how it will be
returned to you.

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

-- Author Unknown

FIT ME IN SOMEWHERE

Fit me in somewhere

in this giant jigsaw, God,

somewhere in this work of art

you're working,

select a space my shape can fill

and with a puzzle maker's skill

let my contours find their fit without contortion.

Teach me which patch I am, God,

in the cosmic quilt you're quilting.

Show me where my square of selfhood is of use.

Let the colourful complexities

of the pattern that is me

find their purpose in the placement that you choose.

Show me my position, God,

in this group photograph.

Stand me where you want me to stand.

Put me next to whom you will.

Make me stand, for good or ill,

precisely in the place your plan demands.

Tell me what I am, God,

in this body you are building:

a tongue to taste,

a nerve to serve,

an ear to hear.

Give me grace

to not be, gracefully,

the parts I am not called to be

and to play with elegance

the roles I'm given.

Fit me in somewhere

in this giant jigsaw, God,

somewhere in this work of art you're working.

Weave your wondrous tapestry

until the twisted, tangled threads of me,

surrendered to your artistry,

form an image that is beautiful to see.

-- Author Unknown

AN ANGEL WROTE:

Many people will walk in and out or your life,
but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head,
To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it's his fault.
If he betrays you twice, it's your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.

God gives every bird its food,
but He does not throw it into its nest.

He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature,
but beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

The tongue weighs practically nothing,
but so few people can hold it.

Friends, you and me ... you brought another friend...and then there were
3 ... we started our group...
Our circle of friends ... and like the circle ... there's no beginning

... there is no end.

-- Author Unknown

AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD

Come in," God said to me, "So, you would like to interview Me?"

"If you have the time," I said.

He smiled through His beard and said: "My time is called Eternity and is
enough to do everything. What questions do you have in mind to ask me?"

"None that are new to you. What's the one thing that surprises you most
about mankind?"

He answered: "That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow
up, and then long to be children again.

That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to
restore their health.

That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such
that they live neither for the present nor the future.

That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never
lived..."

His hands took mine and we were silent. After a long period, I said, "May I
ask you another question?"

He replied with a smile.

"As a Father, what would you ask your children to do for the new year?"

"To learn they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let
themselves be loved.

To learn that it takes years to build trust, and a few seconds to destroy
it.

To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives,
but who they have in their lives.

To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. There will be
others better or worse than they are.

To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who
needs the least.

To learn that they should control their attitudes, otherwise their attitudes
will control them. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open
profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal
them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.

To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not
know how to show their feelings.

To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.

To learn that while at times they may be entitled to be upset, that does not
give them the right to upset those around them.

To learn that great dreams do not require great wings, but a landing gear to
achieve.

To learn that true friends are scarce, he/she who has found one has found a
true treasure.

To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but
that they forgive themselves.

To learn that they are masters of what they keep to themselves and slaves of
what they say.

To learn that they shall reap what they plant; if they plant gossip they
will harvest intrigues, if they plant love they will harvest happiness.

To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals but to learn to
be satisfied with what they already achieved. To learn that happiness is a
decision. They decide to be happy with what they are and have, or die from
envy and jealousy of what they lack.

To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see something
totally different.

To learn that those who are honest with themselves without considering the
consequences go far in life.

To learn that even though they may think they have nothing to give, when a
friend cries with them, they find the strength to appease the pain.

To learn that by trying to hold on to love ones, they very quickly push them
away; and by letting go of those they love, they will be side by side
forever.

To learn that even though the word "love" has many different meanings, it
loses value when it is overstated.

To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for Me to love them;
I simply do.

To learn that the shortest distance they could be from Me is the distance of
a prayer."

God bless.
AMEN

-- Author Unknown

B-I-B-L-E

A father was approached by his small son, who told him proudly, "I know what
the Bible means!"

His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you ‘know' the Bible?"

The son replied, "I do know!"

"Okay," said his father. "So, Son, what does the Bible mean?"

"That's easy, Daddy. It stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving
Earth.'"

-- Author Unknown

Power to Overcome Anything Life Hands You

By Robert A. Schuller

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth." – Exodus 9:16

-  God's Perfect Love -  1 John 4:7-9
We were created to be members of God's family and recipients of His perfect love. Through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, He demonstrated just how much He loves us.
When we receive Christ as our Savior, we become His children. We experience His unconditional love. Divine affection for us doesn't vary in quality or quantity. It'll never end or even diminish. No circumstance can cause the Lord to stop loving us.
We see these truths lived out in the lives of three people in the New Testament.
First, consider the Roman soldier who asked Jesus to heal his servant. The soldier's request wasn't ignored because he wasn't one of the Jews, which were God's chosen people. Seeing the man's genuine faith, the Lord granted his request out of love for him.
Jesus also extended His forgiving love to the crucified thief who confessed his guilt and expressed faith in Christ.
And lastly, before his conversion, the apostle Paul was convinced Jesus wasn't the promised Messiah. Paul believed His followers must be stopped. To that end, Paul persecuted the Christian Jews and uttered murderous threats against the church. God's love didn't even skip over one so violently opposed to His children. On the road to Damascus, the Lord appeared to Paul with an offer of salvation and gave him a great work to do. He asked Paul to spread His word to the Gentile world.
The human mind can't fully comprehend divine love. In Christ, thieves, persecutors, and those who may look like outsiders are all equally loved.