The Bridge Illustration

A. Our Purpose: Why God Created People

The Father in heaven has great plans for us. He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God made us for three reasons:

1. To Glorify God.
   God, being all-good, all-loving, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-perfect deserves our respect and worship. The apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen people… a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
   
2. To Know God.
   God wants a relationship with each one of us. He asks that we call Him “Father,” not “Life Force” or “First Cause.:” Jesus said, “I have made you (Father) known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26 NIV)
   
3. To Have a Satisfying Life.
   Without God, life is shallow disjointed and purposeless. God has planned for us to know the joy, love, adventure and fruitfulness that He Himself has. Jesus assured us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!” (John 10:10)
   
   How important is it to you to glorify God with your life?
   
   How close is your relationship with God?
   
   How satisfied are you with your life as it is now?

B. Our Problem: Man is Cut Off from God

God is perfect, holy, faultless. Scripture tells us God’s “eyes are too pure to look on evil” (Habakkuk 1:13) and that He lives in “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16) and “in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Light and darness, i.e. good and evil, are like oil and water, they cannot mix. That is where our trouble begins.

1. Everyone has rebelled against God. People want to make their own decisions, live life their own way. That is what sin is: mutiny against God’s plan for our lives. It’s thinking we know better than God. And even when we have tried to do things God’s way, we can’t measure up. Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)


2. Sin means being cut off from God.A branch severed from the tree slowly withers. Being cut off from God by sin, we gradually deteriorate. Age, illness, broken relationships, and hollow hearts are all symptoms of the root cause of separation from God. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
   
   Do you acknowledge yourself as a sinner?
   
   Do you believe that the wages of your sin is death?

C. God’s Remedy: Pay for Our Sins With His Son

1. God continues to love us.Like a loving Father with a disobedient child, God longs for reconciliation. And God makes the first move. John wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) But, remember the wages of our sin is death. God, being perfectly just, could not allow our sin to go unpunished. Somebody had to pay.


2. Jesus came to earth to put things right.Because Jesus was human, He could relate to our sinful nature, though He was sinless Himself. Because He was God, He was “big” enough to pay the price of our sin. Paul soberly stated, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that through him we might ecome the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) God placed His stamp of approval of Jesus by resurrecting Him from the dead. Jesus is now in heaven at the Father’s side. His work is done. He has bridged the gap between God and man by suffering our punishment and clearing us of all charges. Our debts are canceled; our conviction is overturned. The Judge, after passing the verdict that we are guilty, comes down from His chair and serves our sentence as well! “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
   
   How important is Jesus to you?
   
   Do you believe Jesus was God in the flesh?
   
   What do Jesus’ death and resurrection mean to you?

D. Our Response: Give Our Lives to God’s Son

God’s forgiveness is not automatic or mechanical. We must personally take steps to receive it. A gift is not your untl you open the package. To receive Jesus’ death as our own, we must do the following.

1. TRUST in Jesus and His forgiveness as a free gift.You don’t pay half, with God paying the other half. There is no matching funds program with God. We don’t have to become “pretty good” before we can be saved. Isaiah sets this straight, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (64:6). It’s all Jesus, from A to Z, beginning to end. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Most religions spell the path to God with two letters: “D O.” Christianity spells it with four letters, the first two letters the same: “D O N E.” Jesus has DONE it for you.


2. CONFESS what you believe about Christ.“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)


3. Be willing to REPENT.To repent means to change your mind about how to live this life. We must decide to live God’s way. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19a)


4. Be BAPTIZED.The apostle Pter responded this way to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”“Repent and be BAPTIZED, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)In baptism we are buried to our old way of selfish living, washed clean of sin, and raised to a new life with God. We believe baptism should take place when a person is of an accountable age and has fulfilled steps 1-3 above. We also hold that baptism should be completed by immersion. The Greek word literally means “to dip under water.”

Which side are you on?

Can you accept God’s love, forgiveness, and heaven as a free gift to you?

Have you decided to turn away from your sin?

Have you confessed Christ publicly?

Have you been baptized by immersion into Jesus Christ?

A Personal Prayer to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Father, thank you for the free gift of eternal life. I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I am sorry for my past sins, and I ask You to forgive me. Jesus, I believe You died on the cross for my sins and arose from the dead. I now open the door of my heart and invite You to come into my life. I realize there is nothing I can do to earn my salvation, and I place my complete trust in You alone for eternal life. I choose to follow You as my Lord. Please make me the person You want me to be. Amen.

E. The Final Results: God’s Purpose For Us Restored

1. If we have sincerely followed the steps, we can be sure we are saved. God no longer holds our sins against us. He has prepared a place for us in heaven. We will live with Him for eternity. Because of this certainty, we can praise God as He designed us to do.


2. God’s Spirit, His invisible power and influence, now lives in us. Though God is in heaven, He now resides in our hearts as well. We don’t have to go through someone else to talk with Him. He is always with us. We can know God personally. As quoted previously, Peter said, “…And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38a)


3. Now that the Spirit of Christ lives in us, we are free to begin the process of maturity whereby we become more and more like Christ. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 emphasis added) He also said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 emphasis added)
   Although we will not be perfect until we get to Heaven, God gives us the strength to do what we could never do on our own. He makes us more loving, generous, joyful, and faithful. In this way we have a truly fulfilling, peaceful, satisfying life. God will begin to do amazing things in and through us. The adventure is just beginning!

Are you sure you’re saved?

Are you confident God’s Spirit resides in you?

Do you believe you and your heart are in God’s hands?

©2001 Southeast Christian Church of Jefferson County, Kentucky, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Truth & Humor

There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation:

"I have good news and bad news.  The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program.  The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

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While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.  The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...

"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.  Caution: Do not step in exhaust."

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 A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.  The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station.  Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.  

"Reverend," said the young man, "Sorry about the delay.  It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”  The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean.  It's the same in my business."

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People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.

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Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world.  There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, its morning."

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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and could not find a space with a meter.  Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times.  If I don't park here, I’ll miss my appointment.  Forgive us our trespasses."

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note.  I've circled this block for 10 years.  If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job.  Lead us not into temptation."

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There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.

"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.

"Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.

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Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk.

Dear Friends

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.  Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.  On Monday, she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much" were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again.  She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it did not matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student.  She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before.  He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one, those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.  As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded “yes."  Then he said, "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon.  Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. "We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."  Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said.  "As you can see, Mark treasured it.”

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around.  Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." "I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary" Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times,” Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."

That is when the teacher finally sat down and cried.  She cried for Mark and, for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day.  Moreover, we do not know when that one day will be. So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important.

21 Thoughts

1. The best way to get even is to forget...


2. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death...


3. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.


4. Some folks wear their halos much too tight...


5. Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth....


6. Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God is not such a good idea!


7. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...


8. Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous.  You will be knocked down by the traffic from both ways.


9. Words are windows to the heart.


10. A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it is a forgery.


11. It is not difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.


12. A successful marriage is not finding the right person; it is being the right person.


13. The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.


14. Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.


15. The tongue must be heavy, indeed, because so few people can hold it.


16. To forgive is to set the prisoner free and then discover the prisoner was you.


17. You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!


18. It is all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again.  However, just be sure to flush when you are done.


19. You will notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...


20. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.  


21. You are richer today if you have laughed, given, or forgiven!

The Visitor

Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Dear Ruth, I’m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.Love Always, Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I am nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least."

She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...left Ruth with grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday.Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?"

Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she had not even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad, and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."

"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."

The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.

"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"

"Yes, thank you!” It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

"Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she did not have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Ruth, It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

The U in JesUs

Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.  

The Plaque

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."

"Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque.

"Pastor, what is this?"

"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."

Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Little Alex's voice was barely audible, trembling with fear, when he asked,

"Which service, the 9:45 or the 11:15?"

The Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect Because of trial or pain Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame Even when the times are hard Fierce winds are bound to blow God is forever able Hold on to what you know Imagine life without His love J oy would cease to be Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee Move out of "Camp Complaining" No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone Quit looking at the future Redeem the time at hand Start every day with worship To "thank" is a command Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky We'll run the race with gratitude X alting God most high Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

The Heart

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I will open up your heart..."

"You will find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I will cut your heart open," he continued, “to see how much damage has been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you will find Jesus in there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I will plan what to do next."

"But you will find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You will find Him in my heart.”

The surgeon had had enough. "I will tell you what I will find in your heart. I will find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I will find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, and widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, " here he paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.

"Why did You do this? You have put him here; You have put him in this pain; and You have cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He will be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has Done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2003

The CENTER of the Bible

Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 117

Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 119

Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
A: Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118Add these numbers up and you get 1188.

Q: What is the center verse in the Bible?
A: Psalms 118:8

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!

Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) says, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?

The Power of Prayer

Diane, a young university student, was home for the summer.  She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.  She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.  She was not afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.  As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it.  However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.  She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection.  Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.  When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.  Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy, and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.  Thanking the Lord for her safety and desiring to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.  She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him.  She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.  When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.  The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.  She asked if they would ask the man one question.  Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't alone.  She had two tall men walking on either side of her."

Moral of the story...  Don't underestimate the power of Prayer!

The Athiest

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What majestic trees!  What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.  As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.  He turned to look. He saw a 7 foot grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer.  His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.  He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.  At that instant, the Atheist cried out, "Oh, my God..."
Time stopped.....
The bear froze.....
The forest was silent.......
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky:  "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.  Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask YOU to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out and the sounds of the forest resumed and then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together and bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, Bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful..... Amen”

The Filling Station

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve.  He had not been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away.  He had no decorations, no tree, and no lights.  It was just another day to him.  He did not hate Christmas; he just could not find a reason to celebrate.  There were no children in his life.  
 
He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through.  Instead of throwing the man out, George (“Old George” as he was known by his customers) told the man to come and sit by the space heater to warm up.
 
"Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger.  "I see you're   busy.  I'll just go."
 
"Not without something hot in your belly," George turned and opened a wide mouth thermos and handed it to the stranger.  "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty.  Stew.  Made it myself.  When you're done there's coffee and it's fresh." 
 
Just at that moment, he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell.  "Excuse me, be right back," George said.
 
There in the driveway was an old ‘53 Chevy.  Steam was rolling out of the front.  The driver was panicked.
 
"Mister Can you help me!" said the driver with a deep Spanish accent.  "My wife is with child and my car is broken."
 
George opened the hood.  It was bad.  The block looked cracked from the cold; the car was dead.  "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.
 
"But mister.  Please help...”  The door of the office closed behind George as he went in.  George went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside.  He walked around the building and opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting.
 
"Here, you can borrow my truck," he said.  "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real well."
 
George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night.  George turned and walked back inside the office.
 
"Glad I loaned ‘em the truck.  Their tires were shot too.  That 'ol truck has brand new tires...”  George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone.  The thermos was on the desk, empty with a used coffee cup beside it.
 
"Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.  George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start.  It cranked slowly, but it started.  He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been.  He thought he would tinker with it for something to do.  Christmas Eve meant no customers.  He discovered the block had not cracked; it was just the bottom hose on the radiator.
 
"Well, I can fix this," he said to himself.  So he put a new one on.  "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either.”  He took the snow treads off his wife's old Lincoln.  They were like new and he was not going to drive the car.
 
As he was working, he heard a shot being fired.  He ran outside and beside a police car, an officer lay on the cold ground.  Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Help me.”  George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic.  He knew the wound needed attention.
 
"Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought.  The laundry company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels.  He used those and duct tape to bind the wound.
 
"Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease.  "Something for pain," George thought.  All he had was the pills he used for his back.  "These ought to work.”  He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills.
 
"You hang in there.  I'm going to get you an ambulance.”  George said, but the phone was dead.  "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your police car."
 
He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two-way radio.  He went back in to find the policeman sitting up.
 
"Thanks," said the officer.  "You could have left me there.  The guy that shot me is still in the area."
 
George sat down beside him.  "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you.”  George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding.  "Looks worse than what it is.  Bullet passed right through 'ya.  Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time you're gonna be right as rain."
 
George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked.
 
"None for me," said the officer.
 
"Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city." Then George added, "Too bad I ain't got any donuts."
 
The officer laughed and winced at the same time. The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun.
 
"Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.
 
"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.
 
"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George. "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."
 
The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too.  Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun.
 
"Put that thing away," George said to the cop. "We got one too many in here now."
 
He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, its Christmas Eve. If you need the money, well then, here. It ain't much but it is all I got. Now put that pee shooter away."
 
George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees, and began to cry.
 
"I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job. My rent is due. My car got repossessed last week..."
 
George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."
 
He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Being stupid is one of the things that makes us human.  Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."
 
The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."
 
"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.
 
George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn.
 
"Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.
 
"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"
 
"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.
 
Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran."
 
George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. "That guy works here," the wounded cop continued.
 
"Yep," George said. "Just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."
 
The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"
 
Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas, boy. And you too, George, and thanks for everything."
 
"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box.
 
"Here you go. Something for the little woman. I do not think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."
 
The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw.  "I can’t take this," said the young man. "It means something to you."
 
"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories.  That's all I need."
 
George reached into the box again. A toy airplane, a racing car, and a little metal truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours."
 
The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier. "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that, too. Count it as part of your first week's pay." George said. "Now git home to your family."
 
The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."
 
"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."
 
George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?"
 
"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don’t celebrate Christmas. Why?"
 
"Well, after my wife passed away I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree.  Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin’ a little chubby."
 
The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.  The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will become a rich man and share his wealth with many people.  That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."
 
George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.
 
"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again."  The stranger moved toward the door.
 
"If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."  
 
George watched as the man's old leather jacket and his torn pants turned into a white robe.  A golden light began to fill the room.
 
"You see, George, it's My birthday.  Merry Christmas."
 
Author Unknown

Whats Behind Successful Marriages

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Mark EarleyPrison Fellowship President

The glossy, coffee-table book was grandly titled The Greatest Weddings of All Time. It featured media stars like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, Ted Turner and Jane Fonda.
Sadly, most relationships like those didn't last very long -- which is probably why the book celebrates great weddings instead of great marriages. Many of these couples apparently had no idea what qualities to look for in a spouse, or how to keep a marriage together.
This is tragic -- not only for the people involved, but also because many of our young people idolize those they watch on television or in films. And they're imitating what they see -- one reason the divorce rate even among Christians is so high.
What is the Church doing about this? Not nearly enough. Too many churches have allowed their role to deteriorate to being little more than what author Mike McManus labels "wedding factories."
In his book Marriage Savers, McManus explains how many churches help couples prepare for elaborate wedding ceremonies but not for lasting marriages. This is a scandal. The Church needs to boldly proclaim the biblical teaching on marriage and offer practical help to engaged couples and to couples in strained marriages.
In Marriage Savers, McManus identifies a number of excellent resources churches can use. For engaged couples, there's a program called FOCUSS. A couple fills out a questionnaire that provides an objective snapshot of their relationship's weaknesses and strengths. Then, older couples, who have been married for many years, teach them concrete strategies for tackling the weak areas.
Churches can also train what McManus calls "back from the brink" couples -- those whose marriages nearly broke up. After their own relationships have been healed, these couples can mentor other couples in crisis.
For separated couples, there is a program called "Reconciling God's Way." A support partner meets for twelve weeks with the spouse trying to save the marriage. When a separated spouse takes part in this program, the chances are better than 50 percent that he or she will be able to restore the marriage. And churches can help stepfamilies by creating stepfamily support groups.
Has your church become little more than a "blessing machine"? Why not introduce your pastor to programs like FOCUSS? And if your own children are marrying, find them a church with rigorous premarital programs and support for couples after they marry.
I hope you'll continue reading the rest of this series as "BreakPoint" addresses marriage. Current trends notwithstanding, God intends for marriages to last a lifetime. It's up to God's people to begin teaching couples how to have a marriage that endures.Next week: The Truth About Living Together Before MarriageCopyright © 2005 Prison FellowshipBreakPoint with Chuck Colson is a daily commentary on news and trends from a Christian perspective. Heard on more than 1000 radio outlets nationwide, BreakPoint transcripts are also available on the Internet. BreakPoint is a production of The Wilberforce Forum, a division of Prison Fellowship: 1856 Old Reston Avenue, Reston, VA 20190.

Unless the Lord Builds the House

Two Becoming Oneby Barry R. Leventhal, Ph.D.
One sign of a growing economy is the increase of building projects. And in the divine economy, the same is true. However else we may measure spiritual growth and development, especially in our marriages and families, one thing is for sure: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” That is the way the wise King Solomon put it in Psalm 127.
 
He knew what we need to constantly bear in mind: We are totally dependent on God to build our marriages and families. Without such a total reliance upon Him, all of our marriage seminars, biblical principles, and church activities are doomed to failure.
 
So what does this kind of total dependency on God look like? If we are to keep from “laboring in vain” in our marriages and families, how can we trust Him in all aspects of our lives? In Psalm 127, King Solomon gives us the divine blueprint for marriage and family faith. This building blueprint comprises three spiritual bricks that we must lay in building our marriage and family life of faith.
 
1. Faith Building Brick #1: The realization that we are inadequate on our own to build our marriages and families (Psalm 127:1):

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand in guard in vain.”

Most of us think that if we can just go to more marriage seminars or learn more biblical principles, our marriages and families will thrive. But although these kinds of things are necessary, without a conscious dependence on the Lord of heaven and earth, all of our good efforts will be futile and our homes will ultimately collapse into ruins, as many current Christian marriages are now experiencing.
 
Along with the truths of God for marriage and family, we need to seek the Lord in dependent worship and prayer on a regular basis. For He alone can “build” and “watch over” our marriages and families. The only way that we can truly reflect God’s image in our marriages is to develop a faith relationship with Him and with each other.
 
2. Faith Building Brick #2: The refusal to get caught up in the typical rat race and workaholic syndrome (Psalm 127:2):

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the worldly rat race to keep getting more and more stuff: working 12-hour plus days or husbands and wives both dashing off to jobs that will keep them in a lifestyle that matches the neighbors or that will get them more things to keep the happy veneer intact.
 

But the awful reality is that none of these workaholic pursuits will ever give us the sustaining joy and fulfillment that God desires to freely give us. Not only does He provide for proper seasons of rest, He also provides for us while we are resting —  gifts like physical and emotional recovery; spiritual renewal and vision; new and wonderful surprises for the dawning day. Is it any wonder that so many Christians are collapsing under the weight of such an enslaving lifestyle? If we are going to rein in spiritual warfare in our marriages, for the glory of God, then we are going to have to put the brakes on our rat race lifestyle and trust God to provide all that we will ever need.
 
3. Faith Building Brick #3: The recognition that children, when God grants them, are His gifts (Psalm 127:3-5):

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”

God is committed to glorifying Himself generation after generation. And when He grants us the gift of children, He will also empower us to reproduce a godly heritage for His sake. Not only are children a gift and a blessing from God to us, they are also His special disciples for the coming years, shot out like arrows against His enemies.
 
In light of God’s total commitment to building your marriage and family, prayerfully consider the following questions:

1. Who are you trusting to build your marriage and family? Your parents? Your mate? Your job? Your savings or investments? Your church? Etc.? Or the Lord?

2. How much of your typical day is given over to work? To play? To rest? Where do you need to adjust your priorities and schedule in order to escape from the typical rat race?

3. If God has given you children, how do you view them? As a pain in the neck? As a nuisance? Or as God’s gifts and blessings to be launched out for Him to make an impact for the kingdom and glory of God?

© 2003 Christian Family Life
 

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The Secret

One day, one friend asked another, "How is it that you are always so happy?You have so much energy,and you never seem to get down."With her eyes smiling, she said, "I know the Secret!"“What secret is that?"To which she replied, "I'll tell you all about it,but you have to promise to share the Secret with others.""The Secret is this:I have learned there is little I can do in mylife that will make me truly happy.I must depend on God to make mehappy and to meet my needs.When a need arises in my life, I have totrust God to supply according to HIS riches.I have learned most of the time I don't need halfof what I think I do.He has never let me down.Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."The questioner's first thought was,"That's too simple!"But upon reflecting over her own lifeshe recalled how she thought a biggerhouse would make her happy, but it didn't!She thought a better paying job wouldmake her happy, but it hadn't.When did she realize her greatest happiness?Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,a simple gift from God.Now you know it too!We can't depend on PEOPLE to make us happy.Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.Trust HIM! And now I pass the Secret on to you! So once you get it, what will you do?YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!

Role of a Woman

Characteristics And Attitudes Of A Godly Woman
 
      A meek and quiet spirit
 
. . . let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  (1 Peter 3:4)
 
A meek and quiet spirit is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It is looking beyond all that she is and that is happening to her and looking to God, seeing Him in control of it all. It is a calmness of spirit and a quietness that is not occupied with herself, but has God’s eternal perspective before her eyes.
 
      A submissive spirit to her husband’s rule over her
 
To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)
 
      Self-controlled, holy, and pure in her behavior.
 
. . . be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.  (Titus 2:5)
     
      Properly adorned
     
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.               (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
 
And let not your adornment be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart.    (1 Peter 3:3-4a)
 
God’s priority is not her outward appearance, but her inner character. Yet He does give basic guidelines for her attire: modest and discreet.
 
Does the Bible teach that a godly woman does not wear pants? No. Deuteronomy 22:5 says, “A woman shall not a wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing . . . .”  The custom during the time that this book was written was for a man to wear a robe. Women were not to try to look like men by dressing like them. Wearing pants today is simply an alternative to wearing dresses and, in many ways and on some occasions, much more sensible and appropriate. What God is against is a woman dressing in men’s clothing in order to look like a man or wearing clothes, which cause her to look masculine.
 
God wants women to look like women. It is glorifying to God for women to look nice and this might include wearing makeup, jewelry, pants, etc. But He wants women to remember His priorities.  It is the inner beauty which He uses to draw others to Himself.
 
      Glorifying God in her body
 
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
 
      Virtuous in all
 
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
 
      Clothed in strength and dignity
 
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. (Proverbs 31:25)
 
      Above all fearing the Lord
 
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
 
Responsibilities as a Wife 
 
      A helper to her husband.
 
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”  (Genesis 2:18)
 
      One flesh with her husband
 
For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.  (Genesis 2:24)
 
This is speaking of the sexual union within marriage. A wife is not to deny her husband his physical needs for sexual fulfillment.

Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
 
      Submissive to and glorifying her husband, reflecting Christ’s submission to God
 
For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. (1 Corinthians 11:7)
 
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.  (Ephesians 5:22-23)
 
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
 
      respecting and learning to love (fond affection) her husband
 
Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.  (Ephesians 5:33)
 
. . . that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.  (Titus 2:4)
 

Responsibilities as a Mother
 
      Love (fond affection for) her children.
 
. . . that they may encourage the young women . . . to love their children.  (Titus 2:4)
 
      Take care of her children (feed, clothe, etc.).
 
Proverbs 31:14, 15, 27
14    She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
15    She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens.
27    She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 

Responsibilities as a Homemaker
 
      Keeper of the home, guardian of it and responsible for it, looking after domestic affairs with prudence and care
. . . sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.  (Titus 2:5)
 
      Working willingly with her hands in the home and for her family’s good
 
Proverbs 31:13, 27
13    She looks for wool and flax, and works with her hands in delight.
27    She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 
      Planning wisely for purchases and the future
 
Proverbs 31:16,18,24
16  She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
18  She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
24  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
 
      Not idle
 
Proverbs 31:19, 27
19  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
27    She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 
Responsibilities as an Older Woman
 
      Reverent in her behavior
      Not a malicious gossip nor enslaved to much wine
      Dignified and sensible        
      Teaching what is good
 
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good.  (Titus 2:3)
 
      Encouraging younger women in their daily lives
 
. . . that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored. (Titus 2:4-5)

http://www.precept.org/newindex.html

Receive God's Love First, then Love Others Second

Max Lucado

The secret to loving is living loved. This is the forgotten first step in relationships. Remember Paul's prayer? "May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love" (Eph. 3:17 NLT). As a tree draws nutrients from the soil, we draw nourishment from the Father. But what if the tree has no contact with the soil? I was thinking of this yesterday as I disassembled our Christmas tree. That's my traditional New Year's Day chore. Remove the ornaments, carry out the tree, and sweep up all the needles. There are thousands of them! The tree is falling apart. Blame it on bad rooting. For two weeks this tree has been planted in a metal bowl. What comes from a tree holder?

Sound familiar? Does bumping into certain people leave you brittle, breakable, and fruitless? Do you easily fall apart? If so, your love may be grounded in the wrong soil. It may be rooted in their love (which is fickle) or in your resolve to love (which is frail). John urges us to "rely on the love God has for us" (1 John 4:16 NIV, emphasis mine). He alone is the power source. Many people tell us to love. Only God gives us the power to do so.

We know what God wants us to do. "This is what God commands: ... that we love each other" (1 John 3:23). But how can we? How can we be kind to the vow breakers? To those who are unkind to us? How can we be patient with people who have the warmth of a vulture and the tenderness of a porcupine? How can we forgive the moneygrubbers and backstabbers we meet, love, and marry? How can we love as God loves? We want to. We long to. But how can we? By living loved...Receive first, love second.

From A Love Worth Giving
 

Works of the Holy Spirit

CONVICTS US (John 16:8-11)
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

GUIDES US IN ALL TRUTH (John 16:12-15)
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
     
LEADS US (Romans 8:14)
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

ASSURES US (Romans 8:16)
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

INTERCEDES (Romans 8:26-27)
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS (Romans 8:26)
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

COMPELS/DIRECTS US (Acts 20:22)
22 "And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,

WARNS US (Acts 20:23)
23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

TEACHES US (Luke 12:11)
11 "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;

COUNSELOR (John 14:26)
26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

GIVES US POWER (Acts 1:8)
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

FILLS US (Acts 4:31)
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

STRENGTHENS & ENCOURAGES US (Acts 9:31)
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

LOVES US (Romans 5:5)
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

GIVES US OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS (Hebrews 2:4)
4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.