From a strictly mathematical viewpoint: What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions: If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+1 4+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND,
look how far the love of God will take you
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
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Apr 26, 2006
Cling to Him

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to You;Your right hand upholds me.

49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

God's mighty right hand, think of it -- as You cling to Him and His word, His right hand upholds you -- His mighty right hand. This is the same hand that not only held back the Red Sea for the Israelites (Ex 14:21-22, Ps 78:13), it's also the hand that sustains the planets and galaxies (Ps 19:1,102:25). The hollow of that hand has measured the waters, the breadth of his hand has marked off the heavens (Isa 40:12).

Trust Him, cling to Him. His hand is mighty enough to help you thru whatever life throws your way. His hand is also comforting enough to hold all your cares and worries and help you experience His perfect peace, hope and rest.

Click to read scripture refs:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Thank You Lord that as we cling to You and hold onto Your word, Your mighty right hand will uphold us. We love You Lord, thank You that You are our life.

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Apr 24, 2006
The Anchor of Our Souls

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

What or who is this hope -- this anchor of our souls? Jesus is our hope -- the anchor for our souls. He is the hope set before us -- eternal life. He is also our present hope, available to us right now. Also note that this hope - this anchor of the soul -- it's deep within the inner sanctuary behind the curtain -- a place Jesus has prepared for us.....

The death of Jesus torn this curtain (Mt 27:51) and gave each of us access to our present hope.

Why is this true? Because God does not lie; this is an unchangeable truth!

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Lord let each hold fast -- unswervingly -- firm -- secure to the hope we profess. Thank You Lord that this hope is an anchor for our souls. Help each be encouraged greatly by this hope -- the Lord Jesus Christ -- for You, Lord, are faithful, You have promised and You do not lie. Lord, encourage each one in this hope, in a special way that only You can today & always.

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Apr 12, 2006
Where God Guides, God Provides

2 Arise, go over this Jordan . . . .
5 I will not leave you nor forsake you.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

In this passage, just look at the position of great responsibility Joshua was put into. No doubt the enormity of the challenge before him made him tremble with fear. How could he ever follow such a great leader as Moses? In his own strength it would be impossible to lead the people into the Promised Land. But along with the marching orders, the Lord gave him an assuring promise: "I will not leave you nor forsake you" (vs 5). Then He said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (vs 9). These reassurances were the extra push Joshua needed.

Whenever the Lord assigns us a difficult task, He gives us what we need to carry it out. He equips those He calls. I love the following quote from John Wesley:
"Among the many difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles often said, 'If the Lord would give me wings, I'd fly.' I used to answer, 'If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings.' "

If God has given you some special work to do that seems impossible for you to do in your own strength, remember His promises to equip those He calls. It's up to the Lord to see you through. Trust Him to give you the wings to soar.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

He sends his word and melts them; He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

When the frost is sharpest, and the ice is hardest, the Lord intervenes; He sends His word. This is enough to thaw rocks of ice, which then are free to begin to float and flow in the water around them.

Praise the Lord for the return of spring. The time of the opening bud and the singing of birds has come. He causes winter to thaw into spring; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. The soft breezes from the south, which bring the spring thaw, are from the Lord, as were those wintry blasts which bound the streams in icy bonds.

This winter thaw in the natural world is similar to the thawing of hearts in the spiritual world. For as the breath of his Holy Spirit breathes upon frozen hearts, streams of living water flow setting the melted heart free; new life appears.

So it was on the day of Pentecost. The winter of spiritual captivity was thawed and dissolved by the soft breath of the Holy Spirit, and the earth laughed and bloomed with the spring flowers of faith, love, and joy.

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Apr 5, 2006
Wait for the God of all Comfort

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Apr 4, 2006
Awesome Majestic Splendor

Job 37:22 He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.

After meeting with God, Job had a greater understanding of the authority and righteousness of the Lord. No longer questioning the decision of God, look how Job acknowledges the sovereignty of God in the above verse.

There is none other that even comes close to the greatness of God. When Moses compared God to the man made idols that others worshipped he concluded,

Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

The greatness of God brings inward strength, confidence and peace in the midst of trials, testing and temptation. When we recognize the goodness and glory of God we too will praise Him. After we have been to the throne of God, seen His glory and declared Him truly awesome, we will naturally want to tell others also.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. {on the words of Your wondrous works }. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Telling others about the awesomeness of God isn't a command in this context, but it is a result of personally experiencing the awesome greatness, grace and glory of the Lord!

Lord, help us each personally experience Your awesome majestic splendor.
Thank You that as we do this we'll delight in praising You and telling others.

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Apr 3, 2006
The Pearl of Greatest Price

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Jesus Christ is a the pearl of greatest price, a jewel of inestimable value. Those who have Christ have all. In having Jesus, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever; we are truly rich, rich in the things of the Lord. A true Christian is a spiritual merchant, that seeks and finds this pearl of greatest price. Those who would have a saving interest in Christ, like the merchant, must be willing to part with all for Him, leave all to follow Him. There is nothing greater than knowing the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:8-9).

Lord help each of us to truly know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Thank You Lord for this pearl of greatest price, this jewel of unimaginable value.