An Infidels Testimony

An infidel once made the following testimony:

"Did I firmly believe as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another,
religion would be to me everything! I would cast aside earthly
enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion should be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness.

I should labor in its cause alone. I would take no thought for
the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained
for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequence
should never stay my hand nor seal my lips. Earth, it's joys
and its grief's, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would
strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls
around me, soon to be everlastingly miserable or everlastingly happy.

I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out
of season and my test would be, "What shall it profit a man
if he shall gain the whole world, and yet lose his own soul?"

When C. T. Studd, the great Cambridge cricketer of England, read
these words, they made such a tremendous impression upon him
that he gave up a legal career to go to the dark places of
the earth as a missionary. He says: " They decided me at once
to love only and utterly for Christ."

While reading his Bible one day Mr. Studd apparently applied
the story of the rich young ruler to himself and gave away his
entire fortune. At that time it was a half million dollars, and he
followed Christ in voluntary poverty. His last term of service
was in the hart of Africa for nearly thirty years without a furlough!

Listen to what Mr. Studd on Whosoever of you cannot renounce
all he has, he cannot be my disciple.

Don't seek a long life -- Christ had a short one.

Don't live in luxury, Christ lived and died poor.

Don't live in pleasure, Christ pleased not himself.

Don't live in fame, Christ made himself of no reputation.

Don't live at ease, Christ suffered for YOU the shame and
scourge of the cross.

Every saved person knows the truthfulness of the infidel's
comment. We know that there is heaven, and that there is a hell,
because the inspired Word of God tells us so. We know that
all of mankind is destined to spend eternity in one of two
places; those who accept Christ are saved, and those who
reject Him are lost. Therefore it is the supreme duty of
every born again believer is to work for God, and be a sermon
so as to "by all means some may be saved."

The Trouble Tree

Dear Friends,

Into each life some rain must fall. But we would never
appreciate the sunshine as much if we didn't have rain.
Rain refreshes and cleanses. So in the hard times of your life,
remember that you have a anchor for your soul Jesus Christ,
who loved you and gave himself for you. If you are a child
of God because you received the salvation of Jesus Christ and
have repented of your sins you have God's presence in your life
24/7. He wants you to call on him.. tell him your burdens and
leave them at His feet. He wants to guide you into all truth,
and show you the way to overcome and have victory in your life.
The only way you can find this is through spending time with him
in prayer and talking to him. Then read his word so it makes
clear in your mind who God is and what he wants us to do. These
are vital things to your growth as a christian.

Never let your troubles control your mind. All of us have
circumstances and trials. All of us have burdens, we, at one
time or another will have illness and eventually death. But
while we are here.. we can make a difference. We can learn
to be strong, and overcoming and conquer our fears and
our internal pain, by giving it to God and moving on. Never
again tied to the past. It is something we must do daily, and
surrender to Him. Each morning tell him "God, I need your help,
please take these troubles out of my mind. I am going to go forth
into this day, and take the day off from my troubles knowing
you are with me and will work it out. I will do my best to overcome,
and what I cannot do, I trust in you to guide me or provide. Thank
you for loving me and giving your son for me. Teach me your ways,
that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
may please you in all ways. Amen".

**************************************************


THE TROUBLE TREE

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse, and he had just
finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour
of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused
to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. Upon arriving, he invited
me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused
briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned
face was wreathed in smiles as he hugged his two small children and gave
his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got
the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. OH,
that's my trouble tree? he replied. I know I can't help having troubles
on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house
with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every
night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny
thing , he smiled, when I come out in the morning to pick'em up, there
aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up.

List Keeping

Good Morning Dear Friends,

How many of you are list keepers? For instance,
do you wake up with a list of things you need to accomplish that
day? I found a long time ago that keeping lists or putting
things down on paper helps me organize my thinking and
accomplish more goals I have.

I am wondering if there are lists you keep that are
not healthy for you emotionally or spiritually? How
many of you keep lists of past grudges or hurts that someone
has done to you? Are any of you still blaming your parents
for things? How much emotional baggage are you carrying
around and how much is it weighing your spirit down?

My daughter and I were talking this week, about how
wounded people go out in the world carrying their hurts
in every action and every deed, and bumping into other
people who are hurt who are carrying it around.
So basically we are rubbing each
other the wrong way with our hurts, instead of positive,
spiritual, healed input.

Do you consider yourself healed inside? Have you been
able to let go of the past? You will never live fully in
the present as long as the past controls you. You will never
heal from anger and hurt as long as it controls you.
Until you let go, you cannot be free. And you are the only
one who can let go. No one else can do this for you.
It is a mental choice we make. We go to God and say,
I have this person I am having a hard time forgiving, or
this hurt that is so deep inside I don't know how to recover.
Or we tell him of things that have happened, and we ask
him to heal us and show us how to help ourselves. Then
we leave these things at his feet. Not to pick them up again
and rehash them, but to find a new life, free of the baggage
that weighs us down.

I recommend getting books that help you overcome whatever
your problem is.. but only Christian books. You don't want
books that don't put Christ first. This is very important.
But your first sources have to be the word of God DAILY,
and time alone with God. Pouring our your heart and receiving
his leading into how to change your heart and life.

The price of freedom? Letting go, and receiving healing.
Be strengthened today... and go forth in Jesus name
and make a difference in this world. You cannot do that
if the past hampers and holds you back. People need you
my friend, and you need to go out into the world without
carrying your wounds and pain as a banner, and move on
with your life. It is time now my friend. It is time.

love always
millie

Philippians 3:13, 14 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.



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A LIST TO KEEP
The list we should all carry around
The most destructive habit..............................Worry
The greatest Joy.............................................Giving
The greatest loss......................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work....................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait....................Selfishness
The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource....................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"...........Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome......................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.........Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease................Excuses
The most powerful force in life..........................Love
The most dangerous pariah......................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer.......The brain
The worst thing to be without......................... Hope
The deadliest weapon.............................The tongue
The two most power-filled words................."I Can"
The greatest asset.........................................Faith
The most worthless emotion......................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire................................SMILE!
The most prized possession....................... Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication.......Prayer
The most contagious spirit....................Enthusiasm

To the WORLD, YOU may be ONE person; but to ONE person, YOU may be the WORLD!