Taking Aim.............

TAKING AIM

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class,
given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his
elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for
a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many
darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they
disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to
throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend.
Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture
of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even
drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased a the overall effect she had
achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and
hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their
targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was
filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the
students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a
chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target
from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus...

A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled
picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were
pierced.

Dr. Smith said these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." No other words were necessary;
the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the
extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of
them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40

-- Author Unknown

Resurrection.........by Charles Stanley

Resurrection: Our New Body
2 Corinthians 5:1-10

What a scene will occur at the sounding of the Lord's trumpet! The "dead in Christ" will emerge from their resting places all over the earth and soar into the sky; these saints' resurrected bodies will reunite with their spirits, which will have been residing in heaven with Jesus. Close behind them will follow believers who haven't yet departed this life--at that moment, they'll miraculously be changed as they are "caught up . . . to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

The description sounds extraordinary, but in fact, the plan is practical. We're going to need a body with which to enjoy the new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for His followers. However, earthly flesh and bones will not do. They age, break, and succumb to sin. So God promised to transform our humble structures into glorious bodies like the one Christ had after His resurrection. Common temptations and limitations will be gone. In addition, our physical substance will be altered so that we are not restricted by time and space. Remember, Jesus didn't bother with doors (John 20:19)! Our new bodies will be suited for the environment where we are to dwell forever--an ageless eternity in which all of our needs are perfectly met.

Each believer will still be him- or herself. Friends and family long separated will recognize one another; our personalities will be unchanged, except that we'll be absolutely sinless. At last, you and I will be the persons that God intends for us to be. And we'll be housed in a body fashioned like that of Christ--perfect, sinless, and complete.

Death.........by Charles Stanley

The Good News about Death
1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The Word of God teaches that physical death is the beginning of a new existence for believers. The Lord has prepared an eternal home where those who honor His name can rejoice forever. The condition for entry is simple: believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and receive His forgiveness.

Some people regard this prerequisite for admittance as narrow-minded. Hanging a "For Believers Only" sign on a place as special as heaven seems unfair to them. God set up that limitation for a reason. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, He laid down a law to protect His creation: Do not disobey Me. The penalty for breaking that command is death.

Of course, we all violate the law because we are flawed human beings. In order to save people from the consequence of their wrongdoing, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to shoulder all of our sin and die in our place. Our Savior fulfilled the law while taking our punishment. The good news is that He did not remain in the grave--Christ arose victoriously after three days!

God promised in His Word that those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior share in His resurrection. When a believer dies, the heavenly gate swings open, and he or she has the same triumph over death that Jesus did. This means that when we leave this world, we do not simply disappear into vapor. We continue serving the Lord in heaven.

Death is not the end. It's the moment we claim our ultimate victory over the lord of this world, Satan, by entering God's presence forever.

the PERKS of getting older with age

PERKS OF REACHING 50 OR BEING OVER 60 AND HEADING TOWARDS 70

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won't wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

PEACE.......the BEATLES or JESUS....by Bill Crowder

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds. —Philippians 4:7

At the height of their popularity, creativity, and wealth, the Beatles produced a controversial project called “The White Album.” It signaled the breakup of the band by featuring pieces that were primarily individual in nature instead of collaborative.

It also revealed a growing disenchantment with all that their fame had produced. In his song “I’m So Tired,” John Lennon expressed the emptiness of his “successful” and wealthy life with these profound words: “I’d give you everything I’ve got for a little peace of mind.” All that he had, all that he had accomplished, and all that he had become could not meet this simple, yet deep, personal need.

The world we live in cannot offer peace. It offers only poor options. Pleasure, power, and possessions are no substitute for peace of heart and mind.

Paul reminded the believers at Philippi, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). This is the peace God brings to those who have been reconciled to God by faith in His Son Jesus (Eph. 2:14-16). It is a peace we are to share with a world that is desperate for it.

Peace—real peace—is found only in a relationship with Jesus. Have you received His peace? —Bill Crowder

Finding Real Peace
Accept the reconciliation God offers by asking Him
to forgive you. Believe that His Son Jesus died on the
cross for your sins and was raised from the dead.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. —Jesus