I Press Toward the Mark

Philippians 3:14
Paul said in KJV: “I press toward the mark for the prize of high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Other translation: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” NCV: “I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.”

Paul said, “I press.” The word, ‘press’ interests me to look up the dictionary and surprised that it means: use the force or weight steadily against; push with steady force; keep pushing; force into service, usually naval or military; seize use or capture.

We are in the battlefield against the powers of the world’s darkness, and against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why we need to put on God’s full armor to be able to stand strong. Paul press on toward the goal of God’s calling in his life and he stays on that goal until he went home to be with Jesus. As for us while we are here on this earth, always pray for all God’s people so we can all press toward the goal of God’s calling us in Christ Jesus. God promised a crown of life to those who love Jesus Christ [James 1:12] and to those who have stood the test so let us sing,
“We Shall Wear A Crown.”

When the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown,
We shall wear a crown, we shall wear a crown,
And when the battle’s over we shall wear a crown
in the New Jerusalem.
Wear a crown… wear a crown…
Wear a bright and shining crown...
And when the battle’s over we shall wear a crown
in the New Jerusalem…

The Life was the Light of Men

John 1:4, 5a, 9a, 12.
“In Him was Life; and the Life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness… That was the true Light, which lighteth every man… As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

The light of Christ shines in an evil and sinful world, controlled by Satan. The Light exposed the work of Satan who has blinded their eyes to the truth and the glory of the gospel that they might be saved. It is through intercession that bind the hands of Satan who has blinded the minds of them who do not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. It is Christ who lighten every person when they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His glorious truth opened the eyes of the blind. It is through the intercession of His people that bind Satan’s activity and be able to preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit so that the people may hear, understand and choose to believe and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. [Reference: 2Cor. 4:4]

Prayer:
“In the Name of Jesus Christ, I break the power of the devil over my __________ (name of person)’s life, and I claim his/her deliverance. I claimed his/her deliverance from that blindness, that bondage of Satan. And I claim his/her full salvation in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Pray this prayer daily until you see your friends, your family, or anyone you know needs their eyes to be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Song Collection: Christ For Me
Christ for me, yes, it’s Christ for me;
He’s my Savior, my Lord and King:
I’m so happy I shout and sing.
Christ for me, yes, it’s Christ for me;
Every day as I go my way it is Christ – for – me.

God's Mercy are New

Psalms 89:24
God said: "...My faithfulness and My mercy shall
be with him..."

His mercy are brand new every morning. We are
covered by the blood of the Lamb. We are clothed
with Christ's Robe of Righteousness. God sees our
justification, our right standing with God just
as if we had never sinned before. "The just, the
Christian shall live by faith."

Song: God's Mercy are New
Birdies on the treetop sang their song.
Angels sang their chorus all day long.
And every day God's mercy are brand new.
So why not you, why not I praise Him, too?

Reach Out and Touch the Lord

Psalm 6:9
KJV: The Lord hath heard my supplication,
the Lord will receive my prayer.
QVLAB: The Lord has heard my pleas,
the Lord will receive my prayer.
NCV: The Lord has heard my cry for help;
the Lord will answer my prayer.

Song: Reach Out and Touch the Lord
Reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.
You’ll find He’s not too busy to hear your heart’s cry.
He’s passing by this moment your need to supply.
Reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for others who
are going through a rough time and give them strength
to endure through the darkest night. I ask You to lift
their loads and give them relief that You are at work
in their lives. We are reaching out to You to touch the
lives of our friends in the name of Jesus, Amen!

Draw Me Nearer

Psalm 40:1-3
NCV: I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and
heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,
out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my
feet steady. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of
praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship
Him. Then they will trust the Lord.

Let’s worship our Lord a new song unto Him. I sing
‘draw me nearer’ to Jesus so I could feel His presence.
‘Draw me nearer’ to Jesus so I could feel His love.
Like David said in Psalm: ‘Heal me O Lord and I shall
be healed.’ Amen!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray in the name of
Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit be upon my
friends to be able to sing a song praises unto the Lord
and sense Your love in their hearts and received healing
through Your name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. The wonderful
name of Jesus that draw us nearer to You. Amen.

Draw Me Nearer
I am thine, oh, Lord I have heard thy voice,
And it told of Thy love to me;
But I long (want) to rise in the arm of faith
And be closer draw to Thee.
Chorus:
Draw me near-er, nearer, blessed Lord
to the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me near-er, near-er, nearer blessed Lord..
To Thy precious bleeding side.
[Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby; Music: William H. Doane]

You Must Hold On

Good morning! Do you ever wake up and say, “I don’t feel important?” I have so what do I do when I don’t feel important?
This is a battlefield to where Satan is throwing all kinds of ‘tools’
and accusing us continually before God [Rev. 12:10]. God has
answers to our feeling “not important.”

Philippians 1:6
NCV: “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.”
Hebrews 10:35-36
“So do not lose courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. YOU MUST HOLD ON, so you can do what God wants and receive what He has promised.”

Remember you are important to God. Jesus died and rose again just to do this for you. You are important to God. So don’t lose courage. Your trusting in God will bring great reward. God is working inside of you and God will finish it when Christ comes.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that “they overcame him, (Satan, the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony…” This is our weapons: the blood of the Lamb and the word of God. Plead the blood of Jesus over our thoughts, feelings and boundaries and trust in God that we have the peace knowing that God is working inside of us through the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Let us sing the song of victory, “Great and Mighty is the Lord our God.”

Great and Mighty is the Lord our God
Great and mighty is He…
Great and mighty is the Lord our God.
Great and might is He…
Lift up our banners,
let the Christians sing,
Praises to our king.
Great and mighty is the Lord our God,
Great and mighty is He....

I am the Rose of Sharon

Song of Solomon 2:1
“I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the valleys.”

Rose of Sharon is the coastal plain south of Mount Carmel. Christ is compared as Rose of Sharon. Christ has the beauty all around Him. When we smell the rose like a sweet perfume, it relax our bodies and our spirits. So is having a sweet fellowship with Christ relax us.

The lily flowers are special and small, hidden in the shadows of the valley. When we walk through the shadow of the valley, we seek for hidden lilies; they are the sweetest smell and beautiful flowers to look at. The Lord is compare to the Lily and is hidden in the shadow of the valley. We look for Him and behold He reveals Himself as we walk through the deep valley. Only in those deeper shadows can we know His complete loveliness. Let us behold Him then, and “fear no evil.”

Song: Sweet Jesus
Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, What a wonder You are,
You’re brighter than the morning star;
You’re fairer, much fairer,
Than the lily that grows by the way-side,
Precious, more precious than gold…

You’re like the Rose of Sharon,
You’re the fairest of the fair;
You are all my heart could ever desire;
Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, What a wonder You are,
You’re precious, more precious than gold….
[Melody Choruses from Gospel Publishing House]

Prayer: I thank You Heavenly Father that we find Jesus through our dark valleys. Sweet Jesus, we adore you, we worship you, we love You and hug You. I pray that You will be real to us people who are Deaf and we will come to know more about You as our personal Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thank You, Father for the strength to continue to love You and Your Son and the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Was Not Our Hearts Warm?

Luke 24:32
KJV: And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? NCV: They said to each other, "It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us." AMP: And they said to one another, Was not our heart greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road [and] as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures?

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
The song, "Let's talked about Jesus," reminds me of the story of two followers who were on the way to a town called, Emmaus. They were talking about Jesus because they didn't know that Jesus had arose. When Jesus joined and walked with them to Emmaus, they were discussing the Scriptures. Later when their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He vanished. They realized that when Jesus talked about the Scriptures, their heart were inspired.
What does this means to me? It made me realized that reading the Scriptures will inspired me, touched me, healed me, blessed me, lifted me, changed my life and get to know Jesus more and more. The scriptures were all about Jesus. The whole Bible is an inspiration from God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to realize You have revealed to us through Your Word, the Bible. Open our eyes to see You, the same way You have opened two followers' eyes to recognize You and Your Word. Help us to find someone to talk about You and let our hearts burn within us. In Jesus' name. Amen! God bless you!

Song: Let's Talk About Jesus
Let's talk about Jesus! The King of kings is He.
The Lord of lords supreme! Throughout eternity.
The great I am the Way, the truth, the Life, the door.
Let's talk about Jesus more and more.

Too Many To Count

Genesis 15:5 NCV
Then God led Abram outside and said, “Look at the sky. There are so many stars you cannot count them. Your descendants also will be too many to count.” Abram believed the Lord. And the Lord accepted Abram’s faith, and that faith made him right with God.
Genesis 22:17 “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. They will be as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore… Through your descendants all the nations on the earth will be blessed, because you obeyed me.”

Revelation 7:9 NCV: John wrote: After the vision of these things I looked, and there was a great number of people, so many that no one could count them. They were from every nation, tribe, people and language of the earth. They were all standing before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

One day in heaven God met Abraham. “Look,” God said, “Look at all the people here worshipping Me. Can you count how many they are?” Abraham looked at the people from different directions all around him. Abraham looked around, “Was he awe?” God said, “Abraham, can you count them?” Abraham was stunned. God said, “Do you remember what I told you about 5,000 years ago when I asked you to count how many stars in the sky? Do you remember that time? Were you able to count the stars: I promised you, you would have that many people in the future. Look, how many people can you count now?”

Abraham’s simple faith in God’s promise has still influence people to believe in God. Do you realize you are one of the many who put your faith in God? Do you realize that God kept His promise to Abraham about 5,000 years ago? Doesn’t this really encourage you to keep on believing?

One of Song Collection: KEEP ON BELIEVING
Keep on believing, God will answer prayer;
Keep on believing, never despair;
Tho’ you be heavy laden and burdened down with care,
Remember God still loves you and He answers prayer.

I Love You Truly

I love you truly ‘cause you are Mine.
I love you truly; you’re My sunshine.

I love you truly though when things goes wrong.
I love you truly for I am very strong.

I love you truly; I am on your side.
I love you truly; there’s nothing to hide.

I love you truly, day after day.
I love you truly in every way.

I love you truly, very truly, dear.
I love you truly and I am very near.

I love you truly because I really do.
Won’t you love Me as much as I love you?

Jesus

Secretary for Jesus,
Dorothy Callies
April 1982

Now I Am Strong

Thomas Hudson
England, 1558

The crowd looked on, curious about what the martyr would do next. Thomas Hudson had come this far without denying his faith. The bishop had questioned him again and again, he'd not weakened in prison, and now he was walking to the place of execution. At the last minute, would he recant (deny his faith in Jesus)?

Just before the chain around him was made fast, Hudson stooped, slipped out from under the chain, and stood a little to one side. A hush came over the crowd--everyone wondered why he hesitated. The Christians prayed.

Only Hudson knew the real reason he had stepped down. At the last minute he had suddenly been attacked with doubts and felt his faith growing weak. Not willing to die while feeling this way, he fell upon his knees and prayed to God, who sent him comfort.

Then he rose with great joy, as a reborn man, and cried, "Now, thank God, I am strong. I don't care what man can do to me!" Going to the stake again, he put the chain around himself. The fire was lit.

Stories from the Book: Jesus Freaks From the Voice of Martyrs.

Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV:"Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm."

Paul the Apostle
Martyred in Rome, 65 AD

The Lord Uphold All That Fall

Psalm 145:14
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

The QuickVerse Life Amplification quotes, “The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.” Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on. David stands at this bleak intersection of life’s road and David meditates on the Lord, the great burden bearer. A bleak intersection is like a dark time when a person stands at the cross roads and he doesn’t know what to do. Through Psalm 145, David remembers that God is our great burden bearer and how God is able to lift us up.

Psalm 145:19b “He hears our cries and rescues us.”
If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden.

Song: My Burdens Rolled Away
1. I remember when my burdens rolled away;
I had carried them for years, night and day;
When I sought the blessed Lord,
And I took Him at His Word,
Then at once all my burdens rolled away.
Chorus:
Rolled away..., rolled away...,
I am happy since my burdens rolled away...;
Rolled away..., rolled away...,
I am happy since... my burdens.. rolled away.
[Minnie A. Steele]

He’s Everything to Me

Revelation 22:13 NCV: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [Note: Alpha and the Omega The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This means “the beginning and the end.”]

Dorothy: In our English we say, ‘A to Z’ so Jesus would say in our English Language: “I am the A and the Z, the First and the Last, Beginning and the End. I am Everything.” This song touched my heart to keep singing from the hymn book. May the Lord touch your heart in Jesus’ name, amen!

Song: He’s Everything to Me
1. In sin I once had wandered all weary, sad, and lone,
Till Jesus thro’ His mercy adopted me His own;
E’er since I learned to trust Him, His grace doth make me free;
And now I feel His pardon; He’s every-thing to me.
Chorus:
He’s everything to me; From sin He sets me free;
His peace and love my portion thro’ all eternity!
He’s everything to me, More than my dreams could be;
O praise His name forever; He’s every-thing to me.

2. In sin no more I’ll wander; He’s Pilot, Friend and Guide;
He brings me joy and singing; His Spirit doth abide;
A blessed, loving Savior, the Lamb of Calvary;
He purchased my redemption; He’s every-thing to me.

3. No longer will I stray from His tender, loving care,
Like Him to be my purpose, my aim, my constant prayer;
And when He bids me welcome thro’ – out eternity,
I’ll praise His name forever; He’s every-thing to me.
[Lyrics and Music: Hampton H. Swell]

He Keeps Me Singing

Jesus, Jesus, Je..sus, Sweetest name I know.
Fill my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.

1. There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.
Jesus, Jesus, Je..sus, Sweetest name I know.
Fill my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.

2. Soon He’s coming back to welcome me
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.
Jesus, Jesus, Je..sus, Sweetest name I know.
Fill my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.
[Luther Burgess Bridgers]

Ephesians 5:18a,19,20 “…be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 3:16-18 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

The last two weeks, I heard from TV and several Deaf who talked about predicting “the trouble times” that is going to happen in the future and they became concern how we need to be prepared before Christ’s coming to take us home. Then yesterday inside my spirit, I seem to sense a strange “anxiety” and I wasn’t sure what to do. This went on until this early morning, blessed Holy Spirit, He sang to me this chorus: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know. Fill my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.” I found the song and words to sing. And also God’s Word of encouragement to speak ourselves in psalms and hymns that gives us peace in time of trouble. Holy Spirit encourages us: “Let us not be anxious, but be filled with the Spirit. Be filled with God’s grace and sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving. Be filled with God’s peace.” Thank you Lord for setting my spirit free from “anxiety” and help us to be at peace and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us during the trouble times in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Psalm 46:1-2a
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2. Therefore we will not fear…

The reason I remember this song when I read a story of Martin Luther from the comic book. When he started the Lutheran Church, he noticed the people in their daily lives seem to lack something so he developed a song “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The children and the people’s lives were changed into the spirits of trusting God through singing. The words may be difficult to grasp so what this means is that God is our protector and a bulwark, a protection from God will never fail. God is in the middle of the flood. He is there when there is trouble time. Mortal is people and when ills or trouble time comes seems prevailing (overcoming us). Ancient foe is Satan and Martin Luther has faced prison time. Although Satan seeks to make us despondent and work us woe… giving us trouble times, Satan’s craft are clever and Satan’s power seems great and often Satan is armed with cruel hate, yet on earth is not his equal. Although Satan seems to have power over many people but still heaven and earth belongs to God and God through His Son, in God’s time will finally defeat Satan. The rest of the words of Martin Luther’s song were about Christ Jesus and He will win the battle against Satan. So God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Stand strong in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Song: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doeth seek to work us woe—
His (Satan’s) craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
[Lyrics: Martin Luther, Frederick H. Hedge;
Music: Martin Luther]

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

Psalms 27:5 NIV: For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalms 31:20 NCV: You protect them by your presence from what people plan against them. You shelter them from evil words.
Psalms 61:3 KJV: For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. Psalms 62:1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation.

This Psalm reminds us that God is our shelter in times of trouble, affliction, or opposition from enemies. Every believer who trusts in God will say: I will allow no trouble, crisis, or suffering to shake my confidence in God. I will say that God is my salvation and my strength. In times of anxiety or threat, I will commit myself to Him and by earnest prayer; I will tell Him all that is in my heart. I will wait upon the Lord to act and knowing He will respond in mercy and He will answer my prayers.

From the Bread Box, I picked the card of Psalm 61:3 and a song came to me this morning which I remember in a hearing church, and the people sang this song a lot. In the old days, many Christians came to church weary with problems. When they sang this song, they felt released and uplifted spirit and they felt God’s presence so real. Their spirits were refreshed and their souls and bodies were healed. It was an awesome experience to watch God at work among the weary people. After church, they went home with a new spirit in them, ready for the next day’s work.

Song: A Shelter in the Time of Storm
The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Chorus:
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
a weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Wernon J. charlesworth & Ira David Sankey]

Signs for secure: protection; ill for trouble;
betide for happen; weary for tired.