A Bucket of Money

One fine evening a man walked into a fast-food chicken place and bought a nine-piece bucket of chicken. He took his chicken to the park for a romantic picnic under the moonlight with his lady.

Upon reaching into the bucket, however, he received a surprise. Instead of chicken, he discovered what was apparently the restaurant’s night deposit–nine thousand dollars. The young man brought the bucket back to the store and asked for his chicken in exchange for the money. The manager, in awe of the young man’s honesty, asked for his name and told him he wanted to call the newspaper and the local news station to do a story on him. He would become a local hero, an example of honesty and morality that would inspire others!

The hungry man shrugged it off. “My date’s waiting. I just want my chicken.”

The manager’s renewed amazement over the young man’s humility almost overwhelmed him. He begged to be allowed to tell the story on the news. At this, the honest man became angry with the manager and demanded his chicken.

“I don’t get it,” the manager responded. “You are an honest man in a dishonest world! This is a perfect opportunity to show the world that there are honest people still willing to take a stand for what is right. Please, give me your name and also the woman’s name. Is that your wife?”

“That’s the problem,” said the young man. “My wife is at home. The woman in the car is my girlfriend. Now let me have my chicken so I can get out of here.”

It’s easy to look good to people who don’t know you. Many of us do good deeds here and there, go to church, say the right words, and everyone thinks we’re something that we’re not. But God sees your heart. It really doesn’t matter how much you do or what other people think of you. What matters is what’s on the inside.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Beyond Death

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.”

Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leapt on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! – Job 19:25-27

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Can You Relate?

I drive into work listening to gospel music or a pre-recorded sermon on the radio. I get out of the car and walk to the building entrance.

As I open the building door I leave just enough room for me to get in and I leave Jesus standing outside as the door closes behind me. He’s standing with His palms on the door glass and watches me as I get on the elevator.

His eyes are sad and He turns and goes to sit on the stone bench. There He’ll sit patiently and wait for me for the next nine hours.

First two hours of work – I fuss and complain about things not going right. Jesus, sitting with his chin in His hand looks upward toward the building wishing He could help me.

By lunchtime – I’m flustered, regretting I work in this place and sputtering bitterness all over folks.

Jesus comes around to the side of the building where my cubicle is located. He looks up from the ground trying to get my attention but I can’t hear him; my focus is on my problems.

Jesus goes back to the front of the building, sits down and continues to wait for me. He thinks to Himself as He looks up to the third floor, “She went in there defenceless. If only she had taken me in there with her. When will she learn?”

End of the day – I’m pooped, run down, no energy, irritable and frustrated. I leave the building and Jesus gets up happily to greet me but I’m in no mood for Him now. I’ve just been to hell and back and the last thing I want to do is be bothered with anyone.

God just actually showed me this is how I HAVE been acting. He showed me each act and worst of all, He let me feel a small portion of how grieved He was because of my actions and attitude. I left Jesus standing outside; almost let the door smack Him in His face.

From time to time, our jobs overwhelm us and we completely forget to “take Jesus with us”. We may not go around cursing anyone out or punching anyone in the face (hopefully not) but what are our actions saying about us and about who or whose we are?

We are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:13-15.

We should be bringing peace to our jobs and not be the cause of confusion. We should be the ones to bring our gifts and talents to the table to help in whatever area God has chosen for us to work in.

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.

Refrain
Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;
Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.

Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare.
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.

Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy;
All the favor of the Father
In this name we may enjoy.

At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
Claim His vict’ry over evil
And the enemy defeat.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Whatever you do, work at it with ALL your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.– Colossians 3:23-24

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

A Child’s Angel

Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God:

They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?

Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you.

But tell me, here in Heaven, I don’t do anything else but sing and smile, that’s enough for me to be happy.

Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel’s love and be happy.

And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don’t know the language that men talk?

Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.

And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?

Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.

I’ve heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?

Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.

But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.

Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you.

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly:

Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.

Your angel’s name is of no importance, you will call your angel: Mommy

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Let… your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. – Proverbs 23:25

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

New Version of Footprints

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns.

For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints, that once etched the sand next to Jesus’, are now walking precisely in His steps.

Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

Eventually, they disappear altogether.

There is only one set of footprints: they have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints are back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints.

You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray: “Lord, I understand the first scene with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.”

“That is correct.”

“…and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps; followed you very closely.”

“Very good. You have understood everything so far.”

“…when the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like you in every way.”

“Precisely.”

“So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.”

There is a pause as the Lord answers with a smile in his voice. “You don’t know? That was when we danced.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven. A time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. – Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Operation

Having lunch with a group of people, I fell to talking with a surgeon, a very interesting man. “Doctor,” I asked, “what was the greatest operation you ever performed?”

“Well,” he said, “I really don’t know. Many operations I have performed required all my skills. But perhaps the one that meant the most to me was the time I operated on a little girl who was given only a ten percent chance of survival. She was such a little thing, and so pale when they brought her into the operating room.

“At that time, I was having a great deal of trouble, myself. I had a son who was a real problem and there were other things as well. I had allowed myself to become an unhappy man. As the nurses were preparing to administer the anaesthetic to this little girl, she asked, ‘Doctor, may I say something?’

‘Yes, honey,’ I replied. ‘What is it?’

‘Well,’ she said, ‘every night when I go to bed I say my prayers, and I’d like to say a prayer now.’

‘That’s all right, honey, please say your prayer, and think of me, too, won’t you?’

“In a sweet voice she prayed:

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me, Bless thy little lamb tonight; through the darkness be thou near me: Keep me safe till morning light.

“And, dear God, please bless the doctor.’ Then she added brightly, ‘I’m ready now. And I’m not afraid, because Jesus loves me and He is right here with me and is going to bring me through okay.’

“I was blinded by tears,” confessed the surgeon. “I had to turn away and occupy myself with another wash-up before I could start the operation. And I said, ‘Dear God, if You never help me save another human being, help me save this little girl.’

I operated on her and the miracle happened. She lived! Leaving the hospital that day, I realized that I was the one who had been operated on, not the girl. She taught me that if I take all my problems and put them in the hands of Jesus, He will see me through.”

By Norman Vincent Peale

Meditation: For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” – Romans 10:11

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Batting My Eyelashes at You

A baby camel asked his mother, “Why do we have such large hoofs on our feet?”

She turned to him. “God made us that way for a very special reason,” and she began her explanation. “The big hoofs are to keep us from sinking into the sand.”

“Oh! So why do we have long eyelashes?”

“It’s to protect our eyes from the sand.”

“Why the big humps?”

“That is to store fat and have enough energy to go long distances in the hot desert!”

“I see!” the baby camel stretched his neck and looked up at his mother, “The big hoofs are to keep from sinking into the sand, the long eyelashes are to keep the sand out of our eyes, and the humps are to store energy to travel long distances. Then what are we doing in this cage in the middle of a zoo?”

Like the camel, I had asked the same kind of questions. When my blindness set in, I initially locked myself in a cage of self-pity and bitterness.

Weary from pacing within that gloomy cage, something nudged me to see beyond my circumstance and unfortunate plight.

Heavens! What was I thinking? Those bars were self-imposed. But worst of all, I’d supported them with the cold metal of my negative attitude.

Eventually, eagerness to leave my stuffy cell of discontent prompted me to open my ears to hear a reassuring whisper–God had created me for much more.

Itching to break free, I broke down those bars and stepped out into the desert of life. I trudged through the heat with determination and drive. I endured the blistering sun with perseverance and tenacity. I quenched my thirst with fresh inspiration and encouragement. And the hooves of confidence kept me from sinking into the sand of insecurity.

Thinking ahead, I made sure I’d stored a healthy supply of wisdom and positive attitude to take me through the long haul.

Goodness, gracious. Each time I reached another point in my journey, my eyes saw a whole new world with opportunities to make a difference. Best of all, I was delighted with the affirmation that I was indeed created for much more!

Bars come in all sizes and shapes. Some are physical; others are emotional or even mental. But none can withstand the force of determination that breaks them down. The effort is worth it and the results, simply amazing!

So, batting my long eyelashes to keep out the sand of discouragement, I challenge you: Step back and peek at what bars limit you. Take a deep breath, break them down, and emerge into the freshness of a new life.

By Janet Perez Eckles

Meditation: And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!