God Knows Your Name

Did you know that God knows your name?
Every hair of your head is numbered.
He knows your thoughts and the intents of your heart.
There is nothing on earth, that is hidden or unknown
to God.

So you say, what is the big deal, so God knows my name.
Well.. let's analyze this. Out of the billions of people
on earth, how many know your name? How well known
are you? Is your name blazing out on lights on a
billboard in Beverly Hills so the world knows your name?
Will your name outlive a thousand generations?

It will to God. God cares enough about you
personally that He knows your name. This thought
if captured by our imagination, should light a fire
of rejoicing within our spirit.

Out of the billions of people that have lived on earth
since it's creation, God knows me! I am special,
I am truly loved. He is a personal God, He knows my name!

My friend, we have so much to be thankful for.
When no one else wants to know your name,
or cares about you, God cares, and loves you,
and speaks your name.. come to me my child,
rest in my arms, and tell me of your troubles, and I,
will give you rest.

Love
millie

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One,
will save. He will rejoice OVER YOU with gladness,
He will quiet you with His Love, He will rejoice
over you with singing
Zephaniah 3:17

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He Knows Your Name"

When you are having problems
And feel there's no help around.
First take one step forward,
To get to higher ground.

If you think that God doesn't hear you
Then that, is really a shame
Not only does He hear every prayer you say;
But He knows you, by your name.

It does not matter just where you are
When you call upon the Lord.
He will be listening with a well-tuned ear
And will understand every word.

Be ready to listen to what He says,
As He tells you what to do.
For that will be your instructions
Because the rest will be up to you.

You should thank Him for His kindness,
Because He was standing by.
And not as you thought; He had turned away
And would never, hear your cry.

Even though you have made so many mistakes.
He will not hold you to blame.
For now, you are fully forgiven.
And remember, He knows your name.
-

Holier Than Thou?

Copyright Millie Plastaras 7/28/2008

I recently had a young man online get really upset with me.. and say I was
acting holier than thou. He spent the next few days laughing at me and
commenting about this to a young lady online who is married.
I had expressed the thought that married people should
not be flirting with unmarried people online or talk about sex with them,
especially ones who say they love God and want to please him.

I often hear people use this phrase.. Oh you are just holier
than thou.. you think you are so much better.

Actually, no I do not. I know my flaws and failures, don't you?
No one I know is perfect. Only God was Holy and His Son.

When I was growing up, we were taught moral absolutes. And we
were taught a very clear path of right and wrong. There
were emotional and spiritual boundaries. People set limits
on what was right and wrong to do. It was a good thing
for a spiritual person to learn to practice self discipline and
to daily turn their life over to God and surrender.

People took God's word seriously, and did not try to deny
parts of it, or leave the parts out of it that convicted them.
They sought to live by it... not discount it!

Any child of God knows we are merely sinners saved by grace,
servants of the most high God. We are NOT better, we are just
forgiven. This is a very important concept.

Should Christians be acting differently? What does the Bible say about it.

BE YE (this is you) NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS: FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HATH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH DARKNESS?…WHAT PART HATH HE THAT BELIEVETH WITH AN INFIDEL? WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE (that is you) SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD.

2 Corinthians 6:14, 15, 17

So what do we do with these verses? Recognize we are no longer our own,
we are bought with a price, the precious, atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."—1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

We should have a new life in Him. One that seeks to leave the old life behind,
and seeks to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God.
This should be a driving force in the life of anyone who REALLY has
sought out God and repented of their sins, and seeks to be new in Him.

God said we are either for Him or against Him. THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND.

How do we change? One step at a time. We recognize things
that might not please God, by reading his word, by getting in a good
Bible teaching church and by prayer. Asking God, please show
me what I need to change, and give me the strength to do so.

1. Recognize we are all sinners, and need to repent.

2. Recognize that it is by the MERCIES and GRACE of God we
are saved.

3. Recognize Jesus accepts us as is, once we repent of our sins, and
ask Him to be our Savior, and promises to change us.

4. Recognize we all fail from time to time. Do NOT let this be
the end of the story... do not go down in defeat and give up and say
I can never be good enough. Confess your sin, and your failure to
God, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

5. Recognize everyone you know is in a state of growth. NO one
knows everything. NO one has totally arrived spiritually and
conquered every thing in their lives. We are ALL still under
construction.


Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

So if we are forgiven and no longer condemned, why are
we condemning ourselves?

Just as God gives us grace, let us extend that to ourselves. Be persistent
in doing good, and be persistent in forgiving ourselves and staying the course.
Seeking above all, to be Godly in all things and dedicating our lives to Him.
It is a solitary, but rewarding walk. Few are able to dedicate themselves.
The pleasures of this life, the cares of this life, the lusts of this life draw
people away, and they forget their first love, Jesus Christ, and go astray.
Seeking to please themselves rather than God.

Romans 12:1-2 says it the best
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We are no longer living according to the pattern of this world
but transforming our minds and hearts daily in the presence of God.

You can do it. You have this one life. If Jesus could give His for you,
with his precious shed blood, how can we do less than live our lives for Him?

If our gospel is hid, it is hid to those who are lost. If we do not live it,
others watching us will see the inconsistency and be led astray and
disappointed by our own failure to stay the course and to seek to please God.

We are in the world, we are to love others, and be kind and thoughtful
and prayerful. BUT WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD ANY LONGER.
We are bought with a price.

Live like this means something to you.

Be A LIGHT!

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Dwelling In Hope

Good Morning Everyone,

In this present world we live in hope seems to be a
difficult feeling to hold on to. The media is telling us
all the things we do not want to hear, hour after hour,
that the economy is failing, that wars are possible,
that gas is going to rise higher, groceries, and people
are losing their homes and there is not enough
money to go around. It is a picture that is gloomy,
and people who are polled say they feel helpless about
the whole situation, that they are very concerned.

It is interesting to note that in Matthew 24 Jesus predicted
such things, and knew they would come, and told us
to keep our focus on Him, and not our circumstances.

I have found in my own circumstances great challenges.
We are on a fixed income and everything goes up but
our income. We have health problems that really make
life difficult. My sleep is very compromised now by my asthma,
and when I should be able to go to bed and be refreshed, I often
find myself fighting for breath, rather than resting.
I suppose we could wake up each morning
and just feel resolved to it, or depressed by it, and life
would seem so dreary. But we have this one life,
and we have to find joy in it, no matter what our
circumstances are.

I have learned each day to find happy things to do.
I always go out and look at our garden first thing. Right
now we have a English Rose bush just full of bright
many leafed English Roses in a pale pink. Behind
that is a backdrop of vivid purple morning glories
with a magenta center. The colors are striking
and always cheer me up.

I listen to the laughter of my grandchildren
and savor the bright happy smiles they bring
to my life, and listen to the refreshing banter
when they say unexpected and funny things.
Their perspective on life is so refreshing and untouched
by the cares of this world.

I have learned to count my blessings, and find
useful things to do, and rather than focus on what
I do not have or what is happening to me, I learn
to look for the good in each day. Deliberately
focusing on it, rather than my circumstances.

What a sad way to live.. dwelling in the depths of despair
and not seeking any other way of thinking. Yet many
do this everyday.. they let their circumstances, or people
around them drain them, and they do not have a cure
for their thinking or problems. I have learned to fight
negative thinking and depression. It isn't that it
doesn't hit me sometimes, but it is that I fight it,
and seek with all my heart to overcome it and
enjoy my day NO MATTER WHAT.
I know God is with me. I know I can talk to him
all I want, anytime of the day or night, that He listens
and cares, and will guide me through these times
and provide for my needs, even when I cannot see how.
He never fails!

Paul gave some very sage advice in Philippians 4:8.
Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report,
if there be any virtue and if
there be any praise, think on these things.

So focus on the good, your blessings, look for it, enjoy it.
Don't wake up in the morning and first thing focus
on your problems and feed those thoughts all day.
That produces depression and every hopeless feeling.

Make a decision to look for useful things to do,
to be happy with what you have, take time to love those around you
and to spend time in God's word to uplift and encourage
your heart, and to plant verses in your heart
that God can bring to your memory at your time of
greatest need.

Don't give up.

Don't let anyone or any circumstances rob you of your joy
and hope. You have this one life, make a conscious choice
to be happy and content in your circumstances and work
to improve them in any practical way you can. And for
what you cannot change, talk to your heavenly Father
about it and face it with courage and a spirit of joy. This
comes from Him. Seek it.

Love
millie

Staying The Course

I am sure in your lifetime each of you has had at least
one trip. One vacation, or time to visit someone else.
You had to stay the course to get from point A to point
B so your trip could be a success. This called
for perseverance and dedication to get from
where you were, to where you wanted to go.

This would stand true for any goals we have
that are worthy. If we want to change ourselves,
and grow and prosper as a person it takes
commitment, dedication and the ability
to stay the course until we reach our goal,
and stick with it. Many people seem to have
a problem with commitment, they get tired,
weary, and often give up. They say oh well,
and then go on and find something else to do.

I have often thought about my husband who has
had such severe damage to his heart, and been
through so many procedures. He had 3 cardiac
arrests in a hour. 95 percent of the people who
have the first one die. Yet God spared him.
What did my husband do? He changed everything.
He quit smoking, he worked out everyday (still does)
and he fought whatever internal battles that came
about when the fear might rage within him. He changed
his diet, and stayed with it. He fought
and won. Even though he has had several serious
cardiac events since then, and many procedures,
I have yet to see him waver in his determination
to beat the odds, and live well while he has time.
He has perseverance and commitment to live and thrive.

Almost all of his friends who had the same thing have
passed away. They would not change, they kept smoking
they would not walk, and they ate whatever they wanted.

This says a lot about the power to overcome if we keep
our eyes on the goal, and do not lose hope.

What about Olympic competitors? They spend hours
and years working on their skills, never losing sight
of the goal. Putting all else aside to achieve these
things that their heart desires, and longs to win.
They do not give up, but stay the course.

What about a soldier in the middle of war? Do they
allow the onslaught of the enemy to deter them from
their course? Do they allow fear to rule their spirit?
Their discipline and training and commitment carry
them through each thing they must face, and they
face it with courage and hope. A great example for all
of us.

What do you have within your life today that you need to change?
Have you put it on the back burner? Have you given up?
Do you feel despair, fear, lack of courage, or hopelessness?

What will you do about it?

To stay the course means we do not give up no matter
what the odds are. We face it with courage and strength,
and fight the good fight of faith. Although I do not have
the huge battles my husband has with his heart, I do
have very difficult health problems that are wearing, constant,
and really challenging daily. But I have learned that each
day is a gift. There is something good, and wise and hopeful
I can accomplish each day. And I don't want to waste them.
They are my gift.

God wants you to stay the course, and find strength in
him every morning. He wants to hear your voice, to
hear your problems, he wants to guide you and lead you.
He can do this through his word which speaks to your spirit,
or that still small voice that speaks to your heart, or sometimes
through a dear friend who will encourage you in the Lord.

Are you open? Are you listening? Isn't life about making
it the best you can? You only have one life.

Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen
thy heart, wait I say on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for He is faithful that promised) Hebrews 10:23

Faith clings to God in expectation, not wavering, but knowing
God's abilities are unlimited.

Fear robs us of faith, and brings us defeat, and every dark
thing.

Seek that which is good and rebuke evil.
Stay the course. Find comfort in God first thing each day
and through out the day. And plant His word in your heart
so that as troubles rise, the word of God will rise your spirit
and comfort and strengthen you. God will use the verses
you plant in your heart to encourage you and bring you hope.
A needful thing for sure.

love always
millie

Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

A New Life

copyright Millie Plastaras 7/1/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

What happens to a person once they become a Christian
by accepting the atonement of Jesus Christ? By repenting
of their sins and receiving him as their Savior?

Should we see a difference?
Should we be thinking differently?
Should we act differently?
What kinds of friends should we choose?

Paul wrote this in Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view
of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication
of your bodies -- presenting all your members and faculties -- as a
living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing
to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent)
service and spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world -- this age, fashioned after
and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be
transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind -- by
its new ideals and new attitude -- so that you may prove
(for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect
will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable
and perfect in his sight for you.

We have a new life in Christ!

So we are to be transformed. New thinking, new people,
new focus, new goals. We are no longer our own,
we are bought with a price, the blood of the risen Lamb,
shed for you and me that we might have salvation
and eternal life. This great sacrifice deserves nothing
but our greatest attention and highest goals. We are to
be Christlike, in all we say and do.

1 Peter 2:11-12 shows us one of the vital reasons
we must persist in our new life in Christ.

Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in
this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies
want to do that fight against your soul. People who
do not believe are living all around you and might say that you
are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see
good things you do and will give glory to God on the
day when Christ comes again.

Is your life a testimony to the transforming power of Christ?
If you are falling short, if you have not surrendered parts of
yourself, then today is a new day. Get on your knees and
ask God to forgive you and help you be a light to the world,
transforming, strong in His Word and His power, and a joy
to those who meet you. We have work to do, we cannot
be self focused, selfish, or carnal (worldly minded) in our
thinking. We are God's children now. Seek that which
is good and rebuke that which is evil.

Dear God,
I ask you today to help us be honest about our shortcomings.
Help us to see what we need to change and to do it, to have
a desire to please you and be Godly in our lives. We only
have this one life, let us make it count for you, and for all the
souls that are lost and need you. That we may be a light shining
with your glory, and full of your word that we may tell everyone
the good news of Jesus Christ. That you loved us so much
you sent your son to die for our sins.

How we praise you and give you glory. Help us to be all
you would have us to be. Help us to change one step at a time,
one day at a time. To lay aside our selfish desires, and seek
your desire in all we say and do.

In Jesus precious name,
amen

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride
be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor
to others than yourselves. Do not be interested only in
your own life, but also be interested in the lives of others.
In your lives you must think and act like Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:3-5

Remember others are watching you, and their soul
may depend on the example you set.

Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.

love
millie

Just Be A Tree

Good Morning Everyone,

I guess most of us feel like complaining about our
problems from time to time. We tell anyone who will
listen, and then we expect sympathy.

Something I have noticed in the last few years, is
such a dramatic change in the way people react
to each other's problems. To be honest, most
people have their plate so full, and feel so overwhelmed,
they have little sympathy left for others, that last more
than the few minutes to say "oh I am sorry to hear that".

They might give a polite response, oh I will be praying
for you.. and then walk away and say whew.. glad
that is over.. and then go back into their own
mentality of how in the world am I going to deal
with my own situation.

It is important to remember, we are a body of
Christ, we are to strengthen one another, pray for
one another. And if we are "really" lifting our
needs to God in prayer, and "really" trusting him
our minds and hearts should be burden free, as
we leave it in our hands and go about our business,
being a witness and testimony for Him.

How do I know? I had to learn to do this.. I still
do daily. Just Let Go, and trust God. You are either
taking Him at his word.. or you are allowing doubt
and fear to rule your spirit!

Wow... novel thinking huh?

Why have churches and people changed so very much?
Because they are weary, divided, lonely, overwhelmed
and too busy.

The strongest people I know are ones who not only
have gone through some terrible times, they have
learned from them, become wiser, more prayerful,
more resiliant, stronger~ Those are people we should
be around, so we learn from them.. so we may
be stronger people.

Problems shouldn't defeat us.. they should make us
stronger.

Let us see what the Psalms say about it.

Instructions for the day:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel
of the ungodly ( don't take advice from ungodly advisors)
Nor stands in the path of sinners
(corrupt company corrupts)
But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his
Law (word) he meditates day and night
(the word imparts strength, hope and wisdom to our spirit)
He shall be like a tree (strong, resiliant)
planted by the rivers of water
(soaking up the healthy living water)
that brings forth its fruit in season
(wisdom and strength from the trials of life
which produce in us fruits of the spirit, love,
kindness, compassion)
Whose leaf shall not wither
(he shall not become weak and weary)
And whatever He does will prosper
(because his heart is turned toward God
and God's strength, releasing burdens to Him)

Psalm 1:1-3

My friends, this is the meat.. the things we must
know. Stay in the word, meditate upon it.. let its
strength infuse your spirit. For the word of God is alive,
powerful, it goes down to the bones and marrow
(the deepest part of our spirit) strengthening boldly
that which is tired and drained. God is on the throne,
he is not weak, his gifts not ceased, his power not
drained, his hope and mercies new each morning.

If you are not dwelling in His provision, changes
are ... you have become weak and weary.

God says, come home my child.. I have all
you need. I am the great I Am. I Am all you will ever
need if you "truly" rely on me, "truly" trust in Me,
"truly" cling to Me. Believe me, and don't let go of it.
I am God, and no man can come against me. I shall
prevail, my word shall not come back void, it shall
go forth and accomplish my will and nothing or no man
can stop it.

Hallelujah.. receive that.

Not only can you release those burdens, and be free,
you can find joy in sorrow, strength in pain,
and wisdom in trials. It is called growing in Christ
and in the wisdom of life. It should be making you stronger
my friends. Strong like a pine tree in a storm.

love
millie

My son in law Emmett has a mom who is in a wheel
chair from Polio. She is a very strong, wise woman
who has courage for the life she has had to face.
Even at 75 she is still working, and strong in her spirit,
even though her body is getting weaker. A testimony
to the resilience of the human spirit of someone
who does not give up, but faces life with courage.

When Emmett was smaller and she needed help
getting out of her chair.. she would have him stand
by the chair, and hold his arm out so she could lean
on it.. and she would say Emmett, be a tree.

I never forgot that.. and as life goes on.. now I see
even more clearly.. why we should be strong.. every
minute, in the power of God's might. Rely on Him utterly.

Just be a Tree


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"The Pine"

The pine is nearly always placed in disordered and desolate places and it brings all possible elements of order and precision. Lowland trees may lean to this side and that with only a meadow breeze to bend them or a bank of cowslips to make their trunks lean sideways. But let storm and avalanche do their worst, and let the pine find only a ledge of vertical precipice to cling to, the tree will nevertheless grow straight. Thrust a rod from its last shoot down the stem, it shall point to the center of the earth as long as the tree lives.

The most upright Christians are usually reared amid the sternest trials. The divine life within them so triumphs over every difficulty as to render the men, above all others, true and exact. What a noble spectacle is a man whom nothing can warp, a firm decided servant of God, defying hurricanes of temptation!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


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Is There Really A Right And A Wrong?

copyright Millie Plastaras 8/21/2003

Is there a Right and wrong?

There is a way that seems right unto a man,
But the end, thereof, is death.
Proverbs 14:12
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad
is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who
go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Everyone likes to make plans. We plan goals, we plan
meals, we plan for families, we plan for a job, we plan
on tomorrow. We all want security. We all want our life
to be successful and happy.

Yet the very thing that brings security, most people walk
away from, and cannot seem to clearly find their way back.
Everyone justifies themselves in their own eyes, but God
sees the heart. (For the Lord does not see as a man sees,
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b)

People like to justify their sin by blaming someone else,
it is always someone who hurt us in the past, or someone
who is hurting us now. It is my life, I can do what I want.

There are a million excuses. But God is the final judge of that.
Yet, broad is the way to destruction, and easy it is to follow.
Yet narrow is the path to Gods heart, and difficult, and few
there are that follow it. People do not cause us to sin,
we make that choice, all by ourselves.

People also try to change God's word so their sin will not be
revealed. They want to deny the writings of Paul, who taught
about personal righteousness before God and our accountability.
They love their sin more than they seek to love God, and want
to continue in that sin no matter what the eternal consequences are.

There is a law higher than the law of this land or any other, it is
the Law of God, there is no escaping the final judgment, unless
you have made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, and taken it
seriously. Non Christians will be judged because they rejected
God and continued in their sin, and Christians will be
judged according to their works, and rewarded or lose rewards for
what they have done for Christ.

There is a right and wrong. There is a black and white.
It doesn't matter what our opinions are, it matters what
God requires. Because someday, when we walk before
His throne, and account for every word, and every deed,
all the whitewashed lies, and all the flimsy excuses will
lose their grip on us, and the truth will be so crystal clear.
We were disobedient.

The world would deceive us, and have us believe anything
is OK, if we want to do it ... it is our "right".

As we become caught up in the cares of this life, the sins
of the flesh, the lust of the eye, we find our conscience
becoming seared. We no longer has a clear picture of right
and wrong. But the Word of God says .. we must be born
again. This means.. That when we accept Jesus as our
Savior, and ask forgiveness for our sins, that we walk away
from those sins.. we become new in Christ.
(If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The
old things have gone; everything is made new.
2 Corinthians 5:17)

All of the events in our lives, all of the people in our lives,
all of our relationships, all of our jobs, all of our possessions
will pass away. They will be as the chaff of the wheat,
blown away in the wind. The seasons of life pass,
and when all the chaff is cleared away, one things remains
true.

Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, For Christ will last.

The wicked should stop doing wrong, and they should stop
their evil thoughts. They should return to the Lord so He may
have mercy upon them. They should come to our God,
because He will freely forgive them.
Isaiah 35:7

Am I then wicked? Search your heart, for the Bible tells
us that there is none righteous.. we all have sinned and
fall short of the Glory of God. We all have wicked thoughts,
and we all sin.. and we all must come to repentance.
(Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked, who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind, even to give every man according to His ways.
According to the fruit of His doings.
Jeremiah 17:9-10

We have to seek Him, we have to obey Him, we have to leave
our sins behind, confess the new ones we do. And we
have to PURSUE righteousness. No compromise.

Good works without faith is dead. So is faith without good works.
WE must have both. Together they compose the symphony
of our Christian walk. WE have faith in Christ, and because
of our love for Him, and our desire to please Him,
we produce good works. It is not just enough to give up
a couple of areas of our lives, we must give Him our ALL.

What pleases the Lord more, burnt offerings and sacrifices
or obedience to His voice?
It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God
than to offer the fat of sheep.
Disobedience is as bad as the sin of witchcraft!!!
Pride is as bad as the sin of worshipping idols!!
You have rejected the Lord's commands, and now
He rejects you as king.
1 Samuel 15:22-23

There is one truth above all.
NO one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man.
Matthew 6:24

Who is your master today? Are you really sold out to God,
or are you walking a wide berth around the narrow path
of righteousness?

Is God... really your God?

If He isn't ... guess who is!

This is the most important question you will ever ask yourself.
And it is life... or death.

remember
Only one life,
will soon be past
Only what is done, For Christ will last

The Seeds We Plant

Good Morning Everyone,

Life is what is happening around us while we are making plans for it.

While we are busy thinking, and worrying and feeling sorry,
or stuck in a rut, life keeps moving on. Precious moments passing,
forever gone, and irretrievable.

Often I think we need a reality check that reminds us we should
be living life rather than letting it pass us by. We will not come
this way again.

Our daily life is a investment. Make each day count for something.
Plant seeds of love, kindness, hope, and forgiveness. They will
take root in the lives of those around you and be a blessing and
a Godly example.

What do you want to be remembered for? Are you making it happen?
What goals have you set to make it happen? Are you frittering your
time away on things that do not profit, but leave you depressed and
feeling hopeless?
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, close in with God, leave your
burdens at his feet, they will be taken care of. Go out and live life
and be successful, be happy and make a difference. You will not
pass this way again. No worry, no problem should be capable of
robbing you of years of your life, and memories you could be
building with others, and investments you could be making in the
lives of others or to improve yourself, physically, spiritually, and
mentally.

God bless you my friends.. this is a new day, seize it,
be filled with thanks for the precious gift of a new day.
Make it shine with hope and strength and forgiveness.
Go out and smell the roses, savor your relationships,
and give yourself a day off from your trials and troubles.

love always
millie


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Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think (dwell, on receive, and find strength and joy in) these things.
Philippians 4:6-8


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THE ACORN PLANTER

In the 1930s, a young traveler was exploring the French Alps. He came upon
a vast stretch of barren land. It was desolate. It was forbidding. It was
ugly. It was the kind of place you hurry away from.

Then, suddenly, the young traveler stopped dead in his tracks. In the
middle of this vast wasteland was a bent-over old man. On his back was a
sack of acorns. In his hand was a four-foot length of iron pipe.

The man was using the iron pipe to punch holes in the ground. Then from the
sack he was carrying, he would grab an acorn and put it in the hole. Later
the old man talked with the traveler and told him, I've planted over
100,000 acorns. Perhaps only a tenth of them will grow. The old man's wife
and son had died, and this was how he chose to spend his final years. I
want to do something useful, he said.

Twenty-five years later the now-not-as-young traveler returned to the same
desolate area. What he saw amazed him. He could not believe his own eyes.
The land was covered with a beautiful forest two miles wide and five miles
long. Birds were singing, animals were playing, and wild flowers perfumed
the air.

The traveler stood there recalling the desolation that once was; a
beautiful oak forest stood there now - all because someone cared.

By Brian Cavanaugh

In Search Of Happiness

copyright Millie Plastaras 6/6/2008

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your
concern for me. Indeed you have been concerned but you
had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because
I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever
my circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and
every situation.
Philippians 4:11-12

If we really search our hearts today, most of us can say
to a good measure we are not very happy. We can
present an outward appearance of it. We can pretend
to all of our Christian friends. But when we are alone in
our quiet times, the secret pain and hurts and longings
in our heart come out, and we recognize and acknowledge it.
It is there, and it hurts! We are lonely, and bruised.

I think we could learn some lessons from Paul about this.
Paul wrote this letter from prison. (the book of Philippians)
Certainly a challenging place to keep your spirits up. Yet this letter was full
of the words joy and rejoice. Paul discovered a secret.
Happiness does not come from our circumstances
or from other people. Happiness comes from
allowing God's peace to fill us regardless of our circumstances.

I also think we need to do some mental homework.
Because of the media blitz of all the things that
are supposed to make us happy:
possessions, money, power, a great body, sex,
fun vacations, perfect health. That can be
depressing for people that have none of the above.
And most people don't have most of the above.
The point is.. we are trying to live up to the world's
expectations of what should make us happy. And we
look at all that, and say, well I don't have that, and
so I cannot be happy.

Yet, I have read book after book about people in
unbelievably sad circumstances finding total peace
within themselves. Because they learned to surrender
every bit of the worry to God. They did not allow
their circumstances to drag them down, they mentally
and spiritually rose above their circumstances.

I remember so many books By Corrie Ten Boom, whom I
personally admire greatly. She survived a death camp
in Germany where she had been interred from helping
Jews escape to freedom. She lost her father and sister there,
and went through terrible, ungodly hardships. Yet
she unwaveringly had a good attitude, and talked
about God and witnessed. I recount one story of
years after she got out of the camp, she was going
around the world telling her story, and telling
of the grace of God. And as she entered a church
a man came up to shake hands with her, and
she recognized him as one of the guards from the Nazi
death camp. And I am sure her heart stopped within her,
and She wanted to be so angry at him, and God told
her she must forgive Him. And it was so hard
for her to reach out and take his hand. But the moment
she did, she forgave him, and felt such a release within
her heart. God had done a miracle for Her and this
man that so many years ago had tortured people, and
now was humbled and had found the Lord as his savior.
Corrie often said, there is no pit so deep that God's love
is not deeper still.

My friends, if you on a daily basis are expecting others
to rescue you or fix things for you or make you happy,
you will never be happy.

If you are expecting money, power, physical things
or the things of this world to bring you happiness
you will be disappointed. They are worthless in
the long scheme of things. They do not bring inner
satisfaction. Their pleasure is brief.

If you think there is one perfect love in this world
who will make everything OK, you will be sad.
For each person, although a gift to us, and each
person brings some special joy to our lives, cannot
fill all of our needs. So each person we enjoy,
and savor what we do receive from them, and we
find peace in that. Don't have unreasonable
expectations. Just love them. And let them
love you. And if at times they cannot be what you
need, just remember all the times that they were
there for you.

Instead of spending your days, remembering
all you have lost, focusing on your pain and hurt,
and thinking sad things.

Why not take a fresh look around you,
and appreciate what you do have!

Because if you do not, life is going to pass you by,
and you are not going to be happy one day of that life.

Because all you spent your time on was your sadness.

Life is not just about being happy,
it is about learning to be content with what we
have, learning to minister to others, and learning
to make peace with whatever circumstances we find ourselves
in. If Paul can be persecuted and in prison, and find
something to be joyful about. Why can you and I not
find something to be joyful about each day?

Recognize that happiness does not depend on
your circumstances, it depends on your focus.
If you continually feast on sad thoughts,
your dinner will be sad thoughts.
If you fill your life, with being thankful for
what you do have, and loving people,
your dinner will be peace.

It is simply that easy. It is a mental choice.
You are given that fresh choice each morning,
to savor the day, or to fill it with sadness.
Choose to rise above your circumstances
and find happiness in the gift of a new day
and the blessings that you DO have.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.

An Absence of Darkness

Good Morning Everyone

Have you ever had the electrical power go out
in your area? It is not only inconvenient, it can
cause some serious issues. Such as heating, or
cooling in adverse weather. But the light, that
is what we miss the most. When darkness starts
to come, that light is something we really want
in our home and around it.

Have you used a flashlight on such occasions?
You see how it spreads light out before you to a
certain distance so you can see to walk where you
are going?

This is what God's word does for us. It brings light
into our situation. It lights the path, and makes our
way clearer to go. What a gift!

A Christian should be drawn towards light everyday.
We shouldn't want to walk in the despair of night,
or the darkness of the soul. WE should be drawn
to the light so we have peace. So we find our way.
So we can be a light to others.

What if no one was a light in this world? What if
Christians were suddenly taken out? What kind of
light would be left?

So while you are here on this earth, fill yourself with
the light of Christ, and let it shine upon all men so they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is
in heaven.

The word of God says we are called from
darkness into light.

Think about this... you can not be in both.
When you are in the light.. there is no darkness
and when you are in the darkness there is no light.

We either walk with God and let his light shine through us.
Or we trudge along without him, with no light, and seemingly
no hope.

We really do make a choice everyday whether to walk
in His light (word, prayer, strength, hope) or to reject it
and try to make it on our own.

We go about our duties, our habits, with our friends, and
falter along the way, blindly because we cannot see two
minutes ahead, much less a day or two. But God can.

He has the light.

Do you?


love
millie

For you were once in darkness, but now you are the
light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8

And this is the condemnation that the light has come into
the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practising evil hates the light and does not
come into the light lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does the TRUTH comes into the light that his
deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
John 3:19-21

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed which you do well to heed as a
LIGHT that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning
star rises in your heart.
2 Peter 1:19

Father God, make me a light to those that come around me.
Help me to change my mindset from my self, to my duty to
others and the kingdom of God. Help me to stop worrying
and start living. Help me to be kind to those in need, rather
than avoid them. Help me to be constantly in prayer,
focused on your word, so that I might not sin against you.
And give me joy, that my Christianity will not be a burden
to others, but a light. Help me not to nag or pressure,
but teach the word in love to those around me that
they will be drawn to your light, through me.

In Jesus precious name,
amen

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In the Alps in Switzerland nestles an obscure village, with a
castle and a church of rough, hewn stone, reached by worn
steps up the mountainside. The peculiar thing about this
church is that it has no lighting system nor has ever had one.

A traveler there heard a church bell ringing and saw folks
coming out of the narrow streets, each bearing a quaint little
bronze lamp filled with oil and having a wick. She approached
a worshiper and said, "Please, I am a stranger here, will you tell
me why you carry a lamp to church?"

The woman replied, "Why, yes, I would be happy to. Years
ago a duke lived in that castle. He built the church, endowed it
and asked that each worshiper bring his own lamp." The
traveler replied, " I should think that would keep folks from
attending the evening services."

"Oh, no, it works just the other way. It is called the Church of
Lighted Lamps. Everybody that goes makes it a little brighter
and when anybody is tempted to stay at home or go
somewhere else, he just remembers the dear old church needs
every body's lamp, and if your lamp isn't there, there is so much
less light."

Being Real So We Can Change This World

Good Morning Everyone,

I am struck by the fact that sometimes it takes a tragedy
or a really difficult time in our life for God to get our
attention. We use God for emergencies only.
He doesn't seem to be important enough for us
to have a ongoing daily relationship with unless
we have a crisis.

Yet above and beyond our need, what about the
needs of others? What if you are the only Bible someone reads?
What if you are the only example that someone has of a Christian?
What do they see in you? What if they are desperate for someone
to pray or care, do you have time?

I find increasingly that people base their need to pray for you
on how kind you have been to them. Or how they are feeling that day.
Or if they take time for you. It seems to be based on their schedule
rather than God's will for us daily.

Is prayer a option or a duty? Should we only pray for those we like?
Or only pray when it is convenient? Is it all about us?

I think it is vital. I know many suffering today, they need your prayers,
they need your compassion, they need you to step out of the box
of your own needs and look at the needs of others.

How can we do this? By leaving our troubles in Jesus hands and
going out and facing the day with courage. It isn't easy, but if we
know God is in control, has heard our prayers, then our faith is resting
in His abilities not ours. That frees us up to go out and minister to others.

Isn't that a great part of Christianity? The sense of community?

Oh my friends, I plead with you to assess your own spiritual life.
Ask God to show you where you are lacking. Recognize all around
you people are dying spiritually, and need someone who walks
the walk and talks the talk. We don't need religious people who
go to church and pretend to know God. We don't need people who
only love their friends, and only pray for their friends, we need people
who recognize we are part of this world and must minister and be a light.

If our gospel is hid.. it is hid to those who are lost.
Are we then responsible for those we neglect?

My heart is burdened for a lack of prayer and compassion in this world.
What have we come to that we cannot feel the pain of someone else
and lift them to Christ. I am concerned as hard times and
tragedies and earthquakes and disasters hit this world, the community
of Christ has forgotten how to work together.

I send this to you, as I speak it to myself.

God make me aware
of the needs of others. Help me to step outside my own pain
and suffering and reach out to those around me. Help me
see what they need through your eyes, so that they may
find you as their Savior, and find peace and comfort and guidance
from you in this life.

In Jesus name,
Amen

love always
millie

ps. My grandson has to have a stent put in to his kidney today
extending to his bladder. His kidney is not emptying out at all.
The good news is there is no kidney damage, and no tumors.
He will have the major reconstructive surgery in July. Thanks
to all of you who took time to write me and to pray.


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YOUR LIFE IS JESUS TO SOMEONE

YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
though tattered and torn it may be.
Though often times weak and unstable,
you're all of God someone will see.

YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word
reflects to at least one searching heart
an idle, insensitive Lord.

YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS... that's Jesus to someone.
Their judgment of how God is true,
rests unquestionably in the faithfulness
they see day by day in you.

YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone--
that someone who is seeking to know
that Jesus will follow and guide and
befriend wherever in life they might go.

SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme
God by what you say or do,
for the only Jesus that someone knows
is the Jesus they see in you.

Author Unknown

Troubled On Every Side

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/10/2003

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are
perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not
forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sorrows and troubles are part of this life, sometimes
coming in waves that threaten to overwhelm us.

They alter our life and our thinking, and we find them
flowing in the quietness of tears. Alone with our
grief, and pain, we find it darkening our days and hearts.

Grief and pain can come from many areas other than death.
The losses, the grief, the sorrow mount up and become
heavy upon our spirit. Friends come and go,
and it changes our feeling of security in this world.

Our heart cries out within us: Oh God, Help Me
quickly.. I am at the end of my rope.

And He says, my child.. at the end of your rope is
where I want you. For in those days, you turn to me,
and you find that I am your strength, and your hope.
You find that I bring you joy, and that I have answers
to all your needs. For it is when you are weak my
Child, that I can be strong within you.

As we gaze out the window.. we suddenly see
the flowers blooming in the neighbors garden.
Their faces are lifted to the sun. Soaking up
the sunlight, and the nourishment it brings to their
leaves. Our perspective is broadened beyond
our internal pain.

It reminds me I am to turn my eyes unto the hills.
To look above. Not at the things of earth.
Not to let my spirit get entangled with the cares of this
life, but entangled with the word of God, till it seeps
in my spirit and casts away all shadows, all tears,
and restores my strength.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes
my help; My help comes from the Lord which made
heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

If He made these hills, and even man cannot make
mountains grow, why then is my heart trusting in men?
Men come and come, they hurt us, and we hurt them,
but the presence of God is an anchor to our souls.
We find rest for our spirit.

Why is it Lord I need to be reminded of this so often?
Why do I get my eyes off you, and onto my problems?
Each time it brings the same despair, the same depression,
and my life is caught up in a whirlwind of self involved,
pity, loneliness and heaviness.

I know where to go. Thank you Lord for reminding me.
I have been looking the wrong direction again.
Forgive me Lord. And lift me to Holy Ground.
Fill me with your spirit, and make me fit for your work.
Lift the spirit of despair, depression, and rebuke the
darkness from me. I will look into your face until
the world fades out. And when I leave this room,
I will be full of your anointing, prepared for whatever
is ahead.

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting
joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness
and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

Cling to that rope my friends.. God is holding on to you.
Look to His face. He loves you. Very much.
He never leaves nor forsakes. And He ... will
bring you into Holy Ground. Full of righteousness
and Hope.

Come out singing.. He is Lord!

Hallelujah!

remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

Three Little Words

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/1/2002



A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair,
but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased.
If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason
to praise you for being patient in your punishment.
But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient,
then God is pleased. This is what you were called to
do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you
an example to follow. So you should do as he did.
1 Peter 2:19-21

There are some very important concepts we do not
hear spoken of very much anymore. I wonder why
we ever stopped? Could it be the media, the movies,
the magazines, the powers that be, have been
reprogramming our thinking little by little?

Could it be we have gotten away from some very
important ideas about life choices? Could it be
that our thinking is not based on thoughts of love
for others, but merely on our own mindset and desires?

I do believe things have changed,because everyplace I look today,
I see unresolved anger, unforgiveness, and cold hearts.
People have closed themselves off because of past
pain, and this has ruled their lives in far more ways
than they can imagine. People are ruled by emotions,
battered by depression, longing for satisfying relationships,
yet feeling unfulfilled and lonely.

Shame
People have lost their conscience. A sense of shame
that comes when they know they have done something
wrong. They justify it in every conceivable way.
It is my right to feel this way, it is someone else's fault,
it is OK if I do what I want to do, it is my life.
People base their decisions on selfish motives,
without consider the eternal consequences,
or even present consequences.

Whatever we do in this life returns to us.
Whatever we sow in the lives of others is what we get back.

If we sow strife, that is what we will get back.

If we sow kindness we will get kindness back.

If we sow anger we will get that back.

What you sow... you reap.

Be kind to people even when you don't think they
deserve it. Kindness is from the heart of God,
how can we do less than our best?

What if that dear person you love, but are fighting
with was gone tomorrow? How would you feel about
how you have talked to them? Would you change
anything? Are you allowing that still small voice
to speak to you. Or are you reacting to what people
say with a defensive posture that says my feelings
come first. Does this reflect Jesus?

Compassion
Compassion is to feel sympathy,
or empathy for what someone else is going through.
To the point, we wish to help in any way we can,
whether through prayer or some other means of
support. This is so important. Sometimes we get
so caught up in our own woes, troubles, sorrows,
that we don't have any resources left to help anyone
else. This is directly in controversy to the Bible,
who tells us we are not only to cast our burdens on him,
but to go out and minister to others. It is no witness
at all to be defeated all the time, it is no different from
someone in the world. We have to follow the concepts
that Jesus taught to be overcomers, and not carry
these burdens, nor the past with us.

Care about what others are going through.
We were put on this earth, not as an island,
but a community, reach out and love each other
while there is time.

Forgiveness
This is a rarity anymore. Seems like
if you do something wrong once, then people write you off
as if you didn't exist. Perhaps because of their own
past hurts, it makes them more defensive. But this
is one of the most powerful tools satan has because
it divides Christians, and families, and friends.
Keeps us from fellow shipping, encouraging each other.
It is a tool to wedge apart people so they cannot agree
in prayer, or join together to minister to a larger degree.

Forgive people even if they don't ask, even if they do
not deserve it. Because Jesus forgives us. How can
we do less? Are we better than God?

This wrong thinking has to stop. Because all of these things are totally
changing the churches in this country, and definitely
the families. Everyone is so disconnected and selfish.
Everyone has a history they carry around with them
like a prize. They treat it as if carrying past issues
around were a vital function. It is not. Jesus said
the past was the past. That we shouldn't worry
about tomorrow. Sufficient unto today are the problems
thereof.

Three little words, shame, compassion, forgiveness.
Why don't we hear these anymore?
They are vital to the survival of human relationships.

Search your heart, and see what changes you
need to make, and ask the Lord Jesus to help you make them.
If you want to succeed in life, have a victorious mind,
and enjoy your life, you must allow these traits to be
part of you.

You must surrender selfish motives, and seek
the high road, through Jesus Christ.

Not my will, but thine be done, should be the cry of our heart.

Jesus, how precious the name.
He gave His life for you and me.
How can we give less, than all of ourselves.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father whom
is in heaven.

Do they see light in you?

Let your life be a reflection of Jesus in You,
working in you, transforming you, making you
a new life, with new thinking and a new heart
because of your surrender and focus on Jesus Christ.

remember

Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

Really Praying?

Good Morning Everyone,

Has anyone asked you to pray for them lately?
As a Christian, this should be happening to us often.
Yet as I was thinking about this last night, a scenario
played itself out in my thoughts, and I just had to share it
with you.

Sharon was so distraught, it seemed everything was
falling apart in her life. Her father had just passed away
a month ago, and her heart was still heavily grieving over
her loss. Now her husband was becoming increasingly
distant, and very angry. He was home less and less.
Life had changed in texture, it seemed more lonely
and like a different world altogether. Then this week
she had gotten news back from her physician which
was so unexpected. She had cancer. Sharon's heart cried out
" God, please tell me why all this is happening."

Sharon got on the phone and called her long time friend
Nancy. When Nancy answered Sharon was so relieved
to hear her voice. It had been weeks since they had
seen each other. She started crying, and poured her
heart out to Nancy. On the other end of the phone,
Nancy was very concerned, she did love Sharon,
but she had a appointment and needed to leave quickly.
How could she gracefully get off the phone?
Sharon pleaded with Nancy to pray for her, and Nancy
promised she would, and said a few words of comfort
to her friend. Then she headed out the door to her
morning hair appointment.

That afternoon Nancy took a leisurely walk at
the downtown mall, and did a little shopping.
Then she came home and prepared dinner.
After that her favorite tv show was on, one
she just couldn't miss.

Then bedtime came, and she wondered where the
day had gone. Suddenly she remembered Sharon,
and realized she forgot to pray for her. She said
a quick prayer and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Sharon was at home in her bed
crying her heart out, trying to piece her life together
and find comfort. She needed the intercession of
true friends, who could bombard heaven with prayers
for her circumstances. She didn't need someone
who was too busy to care.

I ask you, if someone has asked you for prayer
lately, have you spent more than 2 minutes praying for them?
Whatever happened to people who were passionate about
praying for the needs of others? Why do we say a token
"I will pray for you" and then not do it? Are we taking
our spiritual life serious? Are we allowing too many things
to make us busy till we neglect the most important things of all?

If we do not pray for the lost who will?
If we do not pray for those grieving or hurting, or lonely,
or ill, who will? What is our job as a Christian? Are we
to only be ministering to ourselves, our own life, looking
out for our own needs? No... as mature Christians
our job is to minister to the needs of others also. We
are to be fervent in prayer, passionate about our relationship
for Christ, and passionate about helping others.

My friends, I believe we ought to be on our knees praying
for others until we feel peace about their situation. Not
giving up until we feel a release. This is the old fashion
type of praying I grew up watching, and I see it rarely anymore.
I can count on one hand people I can truly trust to pray when I ask.

What about you? Can you be trusted to pray?
Are you taking your spiritual life seriously? Talk to the Lord
about it this morning. This is very important. This is the
substance of a Christian character.. it is a sign of the fruits
of the spirit, of growth in Christ, and it is a necessity to those
in crisis, to know they have a community of believers to count on.

Please don't just go off and forget this devotion. Do something
about it. Please, for the sake of those in need. I get prayer
requests all the time that are so sad, and people are going through
so much, I cannot imagine how they are coping with it.

Be a warrior for Christ.

We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our
harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up.
When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should
do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in
the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10

love always
millie

Just Begin!

Good Morning Dear Friends,

Have you ever had obstacles to overcome in life
that seemed impossible? Did you ever face a task
or a hard time in your life, and you just didn't know how
you would do it? You felt overwhelmed?

Do you have habits you want to change?
Do you have relationships you want to heal?
Do you have someone to forgive and you don't know how?

It all starts with a desire to make a change, to heal,
to forgive, and then one step at a time we work
on these goals. Never losing sight of the importance
of making this life count.

A time tested plan that works for change and revolution
in our daily habits and life... starts with just beginning.

It starts with the knowledge you have to do something.
It must be done, it must be faced, no more putting things off.
Then one step at a time, one day at a time, we face it,
we work through it, we change and learn to overcome.

The great secret for Christians, is we never do it alone.
Jesus is our anchor. He is our hope. He is our guide.
He will lead us, stay with us, hold our hand, listen
to the cries of our heart, and encourage us to step out,
and step up to the plate, and face life with courage,
resiliance and strength. A stubborn courage,
that will not give up in the time of trial or crisis.
A courage that helps us recognize our own flawed nature,
and desire to make it better. Our life is such a precious
gift.

We should never be weak, for when we are weakest,
he is strongest in us. You can take that to the bank
of heaven, and cash it in. You will never ever be alone
to face life without the guidance and hope of God,
you can tap into 24/7.

Just begin. You have to start someplace.

Stand up, and just do it.

One step at a time.
One day at a time.

Love Always
millie

Never give up!

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me,
I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him
Who infuses inner strength into me (that is, I am self-sufficient
in Christ's sufficiency). Philippians 4:13






Begin. Just Begin!
by Max Lucado

What difference will my work make?

God’s answer: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10).

Begin. Just Begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane.


On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which exploded.

Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated, the note read: “This is all we can do for you now.”

A courageous assembly-line worker was disarming bombs and scribbled the note. He couldn’t end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn’t do everything, but he could do something. So he did it.

God does big things with small deeds.


From Cure for the Common Life
Copyright 2005, Max Lucado

Mistakes

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/8/08

Paul was a very driven man. He had passion for
what he believed in, before he met Christ he had a passion
for eliminating Christians, after he met Christ he had
a passion for souls. From reading Paul's works in
the Bible we could see his struggles to bring himself
into submission to Christ. To be self disciplined.
Paul struggled just like you and me. Read what
he said one time after he knew he had failed.

O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am!
Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles)
of this body of death?
O thank God! -- He will!through Jesus Christ, the Anointed One,
our Lord! So then indeed I of myself with the mind and heart
serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

(Romans 7:24, 25)

I found a interesting quote about this:
First, these words are the language of a regenerate man; second, of an impotent man; third, of a wretched man; and fourth, of a man on the borders of complete liberty.

Paul found liberty in repentance to God.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I am reminded that when we fail it is not a occasion
to beat our chest and hate ourselves, it is a occasion
to grow in Christ, and recommit ourselves to Him.
It is a chance to find liberty from sin through Christ.

This should be reassuring to each of us, that no matter
what we do wrong, we can run to Christ, and find grace,
mercy and forgiveness at his feet, and seek to learn
from our mistakes and mature in Christ.

He has not punished us as our sins should be punished;
he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. He has
taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:10,12

I will forgive them for the wicked things they did,
and I will not remember their sins anymore.
Hebrews 8:12

If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

If you fall, stay there for a minute on your knees,
confess your sins, ask God to guide you into a better
walk with him and to strengthen you in His might.
Humble yourself, admit your mistakes, learn from
them, and forgive yourself. This then is the maturing
process of every Christian.

Love
millie

Facing Life and Making it Successful

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/6/08

Good Morning Dear Friends,

This morning I was thinking about how you hear such
catch phrases as "finding your center". Many teach
a philosophy that tells us we are masters of our
own universe. That we are like little gods managing
our own lives by choice.

Anyone that has lived any length of time knows
that many things are not in our control. We cannot
control the weather, we cannot control other people,
or even how they view us, we cannot make people love us,
we cannot control our health in many areas, aging
happens to all of us. We cannot control world turmoil,
that the media makes us so aware of everyday.

What we can have control over is the way we view
life, the way we view ourselves, and the way we view others.
We also have control over our spiritual life. Whether it is
stale, and broken or whether it is passionate and turned towards
God. Life is full of opportunities that many people miss because
they are focused on wrong things most of their lives.

Should Christians be realistic about their lives? Absolutely.
We should want to face our own flaws and shortcomings
and overcome them, one at a time.

We should love ourselves, our life is a gift from God.
Does anyone out there honestly think that God
would want any of us to dislike and discount the precious
life he has given us? We should do all we can to better
ourselves, emotionally, health wise and spiritually.

Christians should also be very wise with their finances.
Everything in our lives should be disciplined, because
we make mental choices to do so.This directly reflects
on our spiritual maturity.

This takes time.. and it takes one step at a time. We are
not overnight successes, but people who work towards
goals once at a time with the thought that we can do
all things through Christ who strengthens us.

This is done by daily taking our burdens to Christ and telling
him what we are facing, and what we need. Sometimes
we have no control, and cannot change things. We must
leave these things in God's hands and God promises
to provide our needs and also to lead us into what
we should do.

Sometimes we must face what we have done, or need
to do, and address what we can do to make it better. Whether
it is our emotions that need to be disciplined and brought
into subjection. Or if it is our finances that we have let
get out of control by emotional and unwise spending.
One step at a time we can change these things! But
we have to start someplace. We cannot just continually
ignore things that must be done.

How sad would it be to get to the end of your life
and realize how many things you should have done and
you were too lazy or too caught up in worry or non productive
activities to make your life count?

Our center is Jesus Christ. But Jesus wants us to take
control of our days in the way we think. We cannot be
worriers. We have to have faith that even when we cannot
see the answers, God is in control. We also need to recognize
the gift of life each morning and find hope and joy in each day.
Not worry about what people are thinking about us, or what
we did wrong, or receive all these negative things that pull us down.

Find the beauty in each day, make goals for each day, even
if only small ones, and spend time in the garden of prayer
with God daily. These things are needful. We need time
to meditate, refresh ourselves, reflect on things we must
change, or do, and take time to better ourselves. Nurture
your body, your mind, and your spirit. Fill it with the word
of God to encourage your heart, fill you with wisdom, strength
and hope.

This kind of centering is what prospers a Christian. Focus
on bettering your spirit with Him. Focus on loving yourself
and others. And focus on what you can do to make your life
count. What worthwhile things these are.

Invest your life wisely dear friends, you only come this
way once. Make it a beautiful journey, even if troubles come
we can make a way through them and come out wiser and stronger on
the other side of them. Jesus is with us through this whole
process, we never face it alone, and we have the greatest
guide and constant source of strength that the world has
ever known. Make your life a example of a child of God
full of light, and constantly growing in grace and wisdom
and knowledge.

Love always
millie

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you
have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me,
put it into practise. And the God of peace SHALL be
with you.
Philippians 4:4-9

Trusting In The Great I Am

Good Morning Everyone,

When we are at the end of our rope
God is waiting there,
He has been holding us all along.

When all seems lost
God knows we are found,
He is the great Shepherd who leaves
the 99 sheep for the one Lost Sheep.

When all resources seem at an end
God owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
He is not limited by our thinking,
but able to do exceedingly abundantly
above that which we ask or think.

When trials and troubles come relentlessly
God's mercy abounds even more,
He says my grace and strength are sufficient
for thee, trust in Me. I am the Great I Am,
I Am all you need.

Lessons learned in the time of crisis
the time of loss
the time of waiting
teach us to stretch
grow
rely on
cling to
and trust implicitly in God.

Not in men
not in our power
not in our strength.
But in God.

He gives power to the faint and weary,
and to him who has no might He increases strength --
causing it to multiply and making it abound.

But those who wait upon the Lord -- who expect,
look for, and hope in Him -- shall change and renew their
strength and power; they shall lift their wings
and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to
the sun) they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint or become weary.
Isaiah 40:29,31

God help me to remember today
to walk in your strength
not my own,
to trust in your power and abilities
to watch over me, solve my problems,
provide my needs. Help me to cling to,
rely on, trust in and find hope in you each day.
You are my source, and I praise you oh God
your mercies, grace and provision are new each day.

Amen.

All He is, is all you will Ever need.

love
millie

ps. Don't be one of those people who say you
trust God and then live in fear and despair all your
life. Be one of those people who mean what you say
and say what you mean, and actually read your Bible,
pray, fellowship with God's people and not only walk in
His light but be a light for all around you. This takes
daily surrender and a heart turned towards God, trusting
in Him and walking with Him, and seeking His will above all.


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"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." -Psalm 34:4


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He Giveth More


He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials, He multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving has only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Copyright Annie Johnson Flint


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I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees,
teach us while we are down there to learn to pray.


These possibilities are open to everyone.
Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks.
Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you.
Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first.
Don't neglect the things of God. He said we are to
pick up His cross daily and follow Him.
Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability.
God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need.

There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.

Not my will but thine oh Lord.

New Day, New Thoughts, New Goals

We have around us so many people whose lives tell us
what faith means. So let us run this race that is before us
and never give up! We should remove from our lives anything
that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds
us back.
Hebrews 12:1

Have any of you ever felt like you were at a standstill?
In a rut? You were spinning your wheels, but not going
anywhere? I am sure this is a common thing, and
many people go through it. But when we get to a
point in our lives where we lose our fresh perspective
and get stuck in the same place, and get filled
with discouragement or give up, or accept this, I
want to tell you that we need a time of renewal,
refreshing, and new thinking.

This is why we should be around people of faith. We
should choose role models of people who have great
faith and honestly show progress in their spiritual lives.
And we should be that kind of role model for people around us.
It is not easy in these times of trouble, and uncertainty.
But do you not recognize that times of trouble and uncertainty
have been throughout history and yet there are many who
led valiant, faithful lives for God. There are many who
through the most troubling of times set goals and worked
towards them.

My dear friends, if we are at a standstill, that is not the
end of the story. If hard times hit does not mean they
take up residence. If we lose people or they walk away
or we get hurt, that does not mean that we have to
become depressed, or bitter, or angry. It means we
have to take stock of our situation, our mind set and
set goals to come out of it.

So if today we find that we are doing the same
routine, thinking the same old way, and finding ourselves
discouraged. We need to step out of our box of comfort
and seek to overcome whatever we are facing the best
we can and leave the rest in God's hands.

We only have
this one life, we need to do the best we can with
the circumstances we have. Face the road of life with
bravery, resolve, and determination do make it the
best life you can.

If your life in Christ is not about overcoming, healing,
strengthening and wisdom in Christ, you have missed
the "growth in Christ" memo. You have forgotten
this is our first love, and with Him, nothing is impossible.

Dear God,
We come to you today asking you to help
us take stock of our lives, and our issues and our internal
pain and help us to face it and make progress in our life.
Father God, no matter what our circumstances today,
make us a instrument of peace. Help us to find strength
in you first thing each morning, by planting the word of God
in our hearts. That Word that is alive and powerful
and sharper than any two edged sword, and goes forth
and accomplishes your goal in the spiritual realm and
physical realm and nothing can stop it. You are God.

Help us not to get the mind set this is the way it is, these
things always happen to me, I cannot ever seem to get a break.
Help us to step out of our comfort zone and do something new.
To seek new goals. To seek internal healing. To find joy
in helping others and to forget about dwelling on our own
trials and troubles by touching the lives of others in the
midst of their needs.

Help us to rise to the occasion and be over comers in
the Name of Jesus Christ. For His glory and honor
and our benefit, now and eternally. We seek your will
O God, and we seek renewal and refreshing in you.
Show us the way to go Dear Father and we will walk it,
in faith, hope, and fervent passion to please you and
to savor each moment of this precious gift of life we
have been given.

Forgive our sins, and heal us and make us pleasing to you
in all we do and say.

In Jesus precious name,
Amen

love always
millie

Abraham's Faith - Tenacity In Action

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2006

Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did
not become weak. He never doubted that God would
keep his promise, and he never stopped believing.
He grew stronger in his faith and gave his praise to God.
Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what He promised.
Romans 4:20-22

Abraham certainly had many challenges to his faith.
Challenges that would break the back of most that believe,
and yet ... don't see the answer coming. Abraham wanted
a child very much, and persisted in prayer about it. God
had told him that Abraham's descendants would be too
many to count. And yet, here was Abraham, 100 years
old and no children. And Sarah his wife was 90 years old!
What had happened to the children God had promised
him?

The secret to Abraham's life, was listening. He persisted
in prayer, and God spoke to Abraham, because his heart
was turned the right way. He focused on God's ability,
and believed what God promised he would perform!

Oh, how his faith was tried. At a hundred years of age,
finally he had that son he so desperately had prayed for.
What a marvelous cause for great rejoicing. And then after
falling in love with this son, and spending hours with him,
talking, and bonding, and spending countless hours
together, and learning to love him more each day, God
requested something from Abraham, he had never imagined.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice this son.
What a challenge to his spiritual life!

Put yourself in this place. All your life you waited for a child,
a promise, you had heard right from God. And then
you finally have that beloved child and you are asked
to kill him for God? How would you reply?

Most of us, in our rebellion, and fleshly approach to our
spiritual life would be very angry with God. And probably
refuse to do such a thing. Yet Abraham, believed God
had a purpose and plan, and that he must follow God's
will and live righteously before God. Obedient, even
unto death. Abraham didn't scream, cry or complain,
he trusted. He took his son on a very sad journey to
a mountain to sacrifice him. What did they say to each other?
How did they cope with what they knew was ahead?

Yet, when the final moment came, God replaced
the need for sacrificing the son by providing a ram instead
to become the blood sacrifice. What relief this must have
bought to his heart. And what joy to His spirit. What
satisfaction, knowing He had been obedient. What cause
for rejoicing, I have been obedient, and you have rewarded
me with great mercy and kindness, I am yours O God.

This then, is trust. Real trust. No wavering, no vacillating,
no double thoughts, just trust. Relying on, clinging to,
believing in, trusting in, absolute, unshakable faith in
God and His ability to fulfill whatever He says he will do.

Abraham, was stubborn and persistent in his faith.
He just kept his eyes on God. What God said to do,
he did. It wasn't whining, why me God? It was "yes"
to God. It was I am your servant Oh Lord, what do you
want from me. And God blessed Abraham with
descendants that are too many to be counted.
And Abraham, to this day, is remembered for his
righteousness. Because He had unshakable faith.

Oh that we might just trust God. And stop worrying,
and stop being depressed, and stop wasting our time
wondering what is going to happen next. And just get into
the Bible, read it, live it, breathe it, receive it, cling to it,
speak it, walk it, talk it, live in it, and find peace, and
absolute reassurance in it. Just trust. Unwavering.
Strong, persistent, reliant, absolute faith. No matter
what.

It reminds me of a bulldog that gets a bone.
Once his jaws lock onto that bone, nothing is going to open
up his mouth. Those strong jaws lock tight and he is going
to hang on to that bone with bulldog tenacity. No matter
what circumstances come around that dog, or who
yells at him, or who pulls on him.. he is not going to let go.
He knows how to be persistent for something he wants.

And so should we. But in the spiritual realm.
Unwavering, perfectly trusting faith.
Don't let go, don't give up, don't look back,
Look at God, He is sufficient, and all powerful.

So should we lock onto the word of God, and persistently
trust. And when satan comes knocking at the door,
we speak the word of God unto him and say greater
is he who is in me than he who is in the world.
With God...all things are possible. God is still on the
throne my friends.

Let Him be God, and fulfill all He has for you.
And you just be the servant.
What He promises, He is more than able to fulfill, and will!!

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last