Thomas Hauker, a bright, well-favored, good-looking young gentleman, would not deny his personal relationship with Christ। For this he was sentenced to die at the stake.
Days before his execution, Thomas’s friends came to his English prison cell। One said, “I’ve heard that God gives a special grace to those who die in the fire that enables them to bear the flames. For your sake, that I might be able to bear this cruelty to you, can you give us some sign of it? Without knowing this, I don’t believe I can bear that day.” Thomas thought for a moment. “If the rage of pain can be tolerated, before I die I will lift up my hands to heaven as an indication.” On the day of execution, the crowd was abuzz with Thomas’s promise. As he was chained to the stake, he spoke quietly and with great grace to the men who laid the wood. Then he closed his eyes and the fire was kindled. Thomas continued to preach to those around him, but soon, for the roar of the flames, he could not. All were sure he had died. Suddenly, his hands rose above his head to his God and, with praise and thanksgiving, clapped together three times. A shout arose in the crowd, and Thomas sank into the fire and gave up his spirit.
How easily we get frustrated and give up in the mid-way…Surely the lives of such believer’s as Thomas Hauker ought to be a challenge to us.Oh, Lord...You know what a state I am in…I give up so easily and let the enemy take advantage and discourage me..
Help me never to try things in my own strength. I need you desperately Lord always..
I know You were still holding my hand even when I let go….Oh what a wonderful Savior You are!! Amen..
Yesterday our dear brother Joseph Abraham went to be with the Lord..Today was His funeral...
Separation is painful, the only comfort though is that it is only for a short time...What really has encouraged me from this dear uncle's life is that He was willing to sacrifice so much just to worship God together with His children even at such an old age of 78 despite many health problems... Even though He knew the Lord only for a short time... He lived what He believed... I see now there is no point living for long a mediocre-half hearted Christian life but giving your 100% is what's important.... It is better for the fire to burn brightly for a short time rather than for it to burn for a longer time wothout giving heat....uncle never preached his faith but lived it...
Despite all his suffering(both physical and emotional)he never complained... The most touching part I think is his attitude towards any problem he had especially physical suffering..He never thought it was important to give to much of importance to his physical problems for if the Lord wanted him to suffer he would be ready to do His will..This attitude which he maintained till his dying breath..Indeed uncle's life was only to live for Christ and his death was only gain...
Dear Lord, I am going to miss my dear uncle for a short time...help me to learn from his life to live the life you lived rather than just talking about it.O dear Jesus let my life speak more than my tongue....I thank you for the joy you have given me through the life of this dear uncle...I thank you for your great love for Him and for the joyful hope we have in you...Help me to press on to living more of you in a practical way..with You alone can I do it Lord..Amen
A song that really spoke to the struggles I am going through...
Abba Father let me be
Yours forever more
May my will forever be
Yours and yours alone
Never let my heart grow cold
Never let me go
Abba Father let me
Yours forever more
Sometimes there are some situations in life which may dishearten you or make your heart cold... But the truth my Lord,my comforter will never let go of me... Last sunday a brother encouraged me when he shared that our struggles are infact a preparation for a ministry the Lord has prepared for each one of us... One thing I do know is that no matter what happens, my Lord will never let go of me... Dear Lord Jesus, thankyou for your love and comfort that you give at times most needed।Thankyou for the family of God you have given who speak on your behalf to encourage me when nothing seems clear... There is nothing that I deserve but indeed it is your great love for me for which I have no word's to thank you for... Help me Lord that my will may be forever your's and your's alone.... May I never be too discouraged to hear from you... You have gone before me and faced the same pain as I am facing today... Give me the grace Lord, for only through your strength and abundant grace can I do anything in this life....Amen
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine,
after the rain ....
Perhaps you may stumble,
perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready,
To answer your call ...
He knows every heartache,
sees every tear,
A word from His lips,
can calm every fear ...
Your sorrows may linger,
throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish,
in dawn's early light ...
The Savior is waiting,
somewhere above,
To give you His grace,
and send you His love...
Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
"God always sends rainbows ....
after the rain ...
This is something that encouraged me...... How true that the Lord always gives what you need...
I asked for strength—and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom—and God gave me problems to solve
I asked for prosperity—and God gave me brain and brawn to work
I asked for courage—and God gave me dangers to overcome
I asked for love—and God gave me opportunities
I received nothing I wanted—I received everything I needed
My prayer has been answered
FROM THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL JOB, AN INDIAN CHRISTIAN MEDICAL STUDENT WHO WAS KILLED IN JUNE OF 1999 BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER’S EVANGELISTIC ACTIVITIES
Dear Lord,help me to be staisfied whenever you give me what i need even though if it may not
be what I want....Amen
Lately the Lord has been pressing upon my heart the need to present my life as a living sacrifice...
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service
Rom 12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
How true it is indeed..the need of the hour in my life....as a youth with conflicting choices and desires..I would be totally free if I have realised that my life is a living sacrifice...We recently
in our youth meeting studied the life of sadhu Sundar Singh.....What an amazing life that man of
God lead....He at the age of 16 understood the meaning of taking up the cross and in a very true sense left "ALL" for Christ's sake. There is true growth only through pain. A Christianity that
doesn't cost me any thing is a false Christianity....... Truly in the word's of Sadhu Sundar Singh, " Diamonds do not dazzle with beauty unless they are cut.When cut the rays of the sun
fall on them and make them shine with wonderful colours! So when we are cut into shape by
the cross we shall shine as jewels in the Kingdom of God"
Dear Lord...I pray thet never may anything of my self ever hinder the working of the cross in
my life....Give me the strength to endure and bear the shame for your Name's sake.Help me
to present my life as a sacrifice in your hands..Amen
The Lord will keep you from all harm,He will watch over your life;- Psalm 121:7
This verse has been so true in the past few days in my life and my family life.Despite all
ofthe enemy's tricks n attacks my Lord has been faithful...In many ways for the past few
weeks I have been facing evil oppression....whether it's my college or my mind...but one thing
I know of is my Father in Heaven knows the number of hairs on my head...It's such a comfort
to know that an Almighty God cares for me much..these times of trials will pass away soon but
His love will remain....O, Lord....I thank you for your protection. I thankyou for watching over my life and preserving me....It's only your great love and mercy by which I have been saved
Amen..