The secret closet!

Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).

In the past I’ve taught that because of the demands of making a living, we may have a “secret closet of prayer” anywhere: in the car, on the bus, during a break at work.

In measure, this is true. But there is more to it.

The Greek word for “closet” in this verse means “a private room, a secret place.”

This was clear to Jesus’ listeners, because the homes in their culture had an inner room that served as a sort of storage closet.

Jesus’ command was to go into that secret closet as an individual and shut the door behind you. There you will enter into the kind of prayer that cannot happen in church or with a prayer partner.

Jesus set the example for this, as he went to private places to pray. Over and over Scripture tell us that he “went aside” to spend time in prayer.

No one had a busier life, as he was constantly pressed by the needs of those around him, with so little time to himself. Yet, we are told, “In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35).

“When he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23).

We all have excuses for why we don’t pray in secret, in a special place alone.

We say we have no such private place, or no time to do it.

Thomas Manton, a godly Puritan writer, says this: “We say we have no time to pray secretly. We yet have time for all else: time to eat, to drink, for children, yet not time for what sustains all else.

We say we have no private place, but Jesus found a mountain, Peter a rooftop, the prophets a wilderness. If you love someone, you will find a place to be alone.”

Do you see the importance of setting your heart to pray in a secret place?

It is not about legalism or bondage, but about love.

It is about God’s goodness toward us.

He sees what’s ahead and knows we need tremendous resources, daily replenishing.

All of that is found in the secret place with him.

By: David Wilkerson


Bless you...

Yaddy

Sally's story!

Sally relates a story she experienced in a class, given by her teacher, Dr Smith.

She says, "Dr Smith was well known for his elaborate object lessons."

One particular day, she arrived at the school and knew they would be in for a "fun" day. On the wall was a big target, and on a nearby table were lots of darts.

Dr Smith then told them to draw a picture of some one they disliked, or someone who had made them very angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the picture.

Sally girlfriend drew a picture of a friend who had stolen her boy friend. Another one drew a picture of a little brother.....Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing....even putting dimples on her face.

She was very pleased with the likeness.

The class then lined up, and began throwing darts at the pictures with much hilarity and laughter. Some of the students were throwing the darts with such force it ripped the picture to shreds.
Sally looked forward to her turn, but before she could have a go, Dr Smith, because of the time limit, asked the students to go back to their seats.
Sally was very disappointed, and, as she sat thinking about how angry she was because she did not get her turn, at throwing the darts, Dr Smith began removing the targets from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus!

The room fell silent...as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus!
Holes and jagged marks covered his face and his eyes were pierced.

Dr Smith said only these words....

"For as much as you did it to one of these....you did it unto me!" Mathew 25 v 40

No other words were necessary!
Tears welled up in the eyes of each student, focused only on the picture of Christ!

YES.....I do love God....
without Him I am nothing

He is my source of existence.... my Saviour....


He keeps me functioning each and every day....without him I am nothing...
Bless you all, as we enter a whole new Year with Christ our Saviour...

Yaddy

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President/Prime minister complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU, JESUS

blessings...

Yaddy

A FEW YEARS AGO......

About 30 or so years ago, I lived in the country,in a small town and we were holding a revival meeting...
In this small town lived an old farmer, who was known to be almost the richest farmer of this little town....way in the Australian bush somewhere.

And....he was dying!
He was also a wicked man....us kids used to sneak past his house just so we maybe steal a glimpse of all the " you beaut stuff" he had.
He spent the biggest part of his life hoarding stuff...anything he could get his hands on....
At the time a visiting pastor and a few others called on him, he was maybe in his 50's... (very old by our standard)
His local pastor had not been to see him yet, mainly because he knew how ungodly the fellow really was, (and lets face it, sending a visiting pastor who did not know anything about him, at that time, 3o or so years ago, was easier.)
Although the pastor did say.."I hope Mr Brown will let this pastor see him and give him a chance to tell him "where" he is going, when he dies, seeing he is so sick, if he does not change his ways."
Several days before the old farmer's death, though, he did let the visiting pastor see him, and he had the chance to talk to him about a lot of things including where did the man think he would be going after his death? "What was waiting for him?"

The old farmer's mind was dark....and full of unbelief. They talked earnestly with him
about the saving of his soul...but they had to leave him without getting anywhere much.

A day or so later the pastor and a friend called on the old man again, and he seemed a lot more willing to talk. Good sign!

But....he still seemed very far away from the Lord.
They pleaded with him to pray....talk to the Lord....and for God to have mercy on him For Jesus' name sake...

But....the old farmer replied...."Don't you see....I can't....the only time I used the name of Jesus was when I used it in a profane way... I blasphemed all the time....and I have used it that way all these years....why should he now listen to me....how does He know I am not using it profanely again? I have treated Jesus worse than a dog....why should He listen to me now?" And he sobbed and sobbed....
"I would give all I am worth....to feel....if I could feel the way you say you feel...!"
he was then told...."God is no respecter of person, He never turned anyone away who is sincere and comes to Him for forgiveness and pardon..."

He cried out....."I can not get any feeling.....my heart is so hard......what can I do...?"

Their hearts ached for him.....He was afraid to die without faith in Jesus, yet....he
seemed unable to repent....if only they could show or demonstrate to him that it was not hard...it was simple....just accept it.....and Jesus would do the rest....why was it so hard for him?

Before the visiting pastor left that little town, the old farmer went to meet his maker....

He had his "treasures" here on earth, but.......

where had he gone?

What did all those treasure do for him now?

But.....did you catch the cry of that man???

"I cannot get the feeling....!

and.....My heart is so hard....!"

Now that I am all grown up and well past the age of that old farmer....it stays with me what he said....and what Jesus said.....
"No one is able to come to me unless the Father who sent me....draws him....and gives him the desire to come to me!" John 6;v 44

We cannot come to Jesus when WE are ready....when it suits US!

There will come a time....when the time has come and gone and it is too late and "We cannot get that feeling" and "Our heart has grown too hard"

People fool themselves if they think they can resist the pull of the Holy Spirit all the way to their death bed and then decide "Well I will accept Jesus now...seeing I am dying..."
The Holy Spirit can and does leave a person to never try and convict them of their sin anymore!

The Bible says'''NOW is the time.....to wait for a "Better time" is folly, for our better time ....could be too late....

Bless you....

Yaddy

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE!....

I learned from Noah's ark.....

1) Don't miss the boat......

2) Remember...we are all in the "same boat"......

3) Plan ahead....it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.....

4) Stay fit.......when you're 600 years old.....someone might ask you to do something really big!....

5) Don't listen to critics.....just get on with the job that needs to be done!

6) Build your future on high ground!

7) For safety's sake....travel in pairs!

8) Speed isn't always an advantage.....the snails were on board with the cheetah's.

9) When you're stressed....float a while....

10) Remember, no matter the storm.....when you are with God...there's always a rainbow waiting!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Bless you....

Yaddy.

THE GREAT HOMECOMING CELEBRATION!

The greatest picture of a star-studded celebration ever recorded is in the fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation. Nothing in the Holy Scripture or secular history can even claim second place. The entire host of Heaven that the Psalmist David described on the Northern Scopes of the eternal land will be the welcoming company. The saints from all past human history will be the honored guests. The location is so grand that only one apostle’s eyes have seen its indescribable beauty. This is the Homecoming celebration of God’s human family. Sin thrust the prodigal clan out of God’s immediate presence long ago, but it’s time to go home.

John beheld this drama when he was called by the Lord Jesus to “Come up hither.” Entering into the Celestial City, his eyes fastened on the throne of our Heavenly Father. The Father was so brilliant in glory that John never described the throne. Using the most eloquent words he knew, he spoke of God, “And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:3b). These incredible colors and shapes speak of a majestic being, clothed in eternity and manifested in a divine purity. John was overshadowed and fully covered with the Spirit or he would not have lived through this drama played out before Him.

The location of this celebration is Heavenly Jerusalem. Somewhere in the Northern greatness of this universe this eternal home exists in perfect light. The great palaces are created with ivory. Even the garments worn in this city are woven in perfumed excellence. The Psalmist said, “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad” (Psalm 45:8). To even approach this city will be an experience of resplendent glory. The soul of every glorified saint will be so flooded with life and rejoicing that every memory of sadness will flee.

Our welcoming Host will include every inhabitant of that eternal city. The Father will be the Grand Marshall. The Son of God will speak the welcoming words even as He did when He called John to view this future event. The Holy Spirit will spread His beautiful graces across the entire expanse. Living creatures will raise their voices in the most melodious sound of joy and gladness. The great host of the angels will reveal to us the joy of how they have worshiped for ages.

God’s great saints, who have worshiped, trusted, and served their Father, while depending wholly on His sacrifice of sacred blood, will be the honored guests. The new house of redeemed flesh will be our wedding garments. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life” (II Corinthians 5:1-4).

We will be the center of this grand celebration. Redeemed saints that have forsaken this world to follow their God and His Christ have longed and yearned for their deliverance. Apostle Paul described the longing of those in whom Christ is Lord of all, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:22-23). This body of flesh will soon be a distant memory and our dwelling will be in the company of the divine and angelic.

This occasion is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the celebration that follows before the redeeming of our earthly home begins. This great company of millions of saints will arrive in this Heavenly city to share the business of cleansing the created world. The throne that these saints, now called Elders, will occupy shows clearly our part in guiding the redeeming affairs of our Lord. He will reign for seven years as the “Lamb Slain,” fully capable of casting out all offence from our future home of perfect peace. The book He receives from the Father is the full judicial terms of the “Great Tribulation.” It’s time to make God’s created world a garden of paradise for eternity.

Before the process of redeeming this universe, the saints have time to say what their hearts have experienced from the moment of their redemption. This scene will be one of the grandest moments in our Father’s eternal existence. The saints, acting in unison as a grand multitude, will cause all Heaven to be silent. Viewing this Heavenly Host, they will see Abraham and Sarah, King David, Rahab, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and, by all means, John the Beloved together with all the saints. The Word says it best of all, “. . . I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10-11).

It will be spectacular to be a part of millions of redeemed saints celebrating by casting their crowns at the feet of our Creator and our Saviour. Once our heads are bare of all the glory given to us and we have deposited that glory at His feet, we will sing our first song of the glorified saints. Being home again with the heavenly multitude of angels and our great God, Who made us in His image, will be grand as the saints prepare to share the eternal events to follow.

Joseph R. Chambers, DD, DSL
jrc@pawcreek.org

Bless you....

Yaddy

HOW TO STAY YOUNG!

Throw out non-essential numbers....this includes, age....weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them.....he gets paid for it!

Keep only cheerful friends...the others pull you down.

Keep learning....learn about....computers.....craft....knitting....sewing....whatever....
"An idle mind is the devil's playground" and the devil's name is Alzheimer!

Enjoy the simple things....

Laugh often....long and loud....laugh until you gasp for breath!

The tears happen....endure.....grieve.....and move on! Be alive, while you are alive!

Surround yourself with what you love, be that family.....pets.....music.....plants, hobbies....whatever......Your home is your refuge!

Don't take guilt trips....take a trip to the Mall...the next town....the next city....the next country....but NOT where guilt is....and remember....life is measured by the moments that take our breath away!

LIVE YOUR LIFE SO......

That the fear of death can never enter into your heart!
Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours!

Love your life.....perfect your life.....beautify all things in your life...
seek to make your life long and of service to others.

Always give a friendly greeting when meeting a friend or even a stranger, if in a lonely place, show respect to all people, but grovel to no one!

When you rise in the morning, give thanks to God for your new day, your strength for the joy of living, and for your food.... for....if you see no reason for thanks, the fault lies with you!

Abuse no one....for abuse turns the wise one to fools, and robs the spirit of vision.

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that, when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time.

Sing your death song and die like a hero.....you're going home to be with your Saviour!

Bless you...
Yaddy