Jesus Lives 2
Here are more wonderful stories!!!
THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots,
each hung on each end of a pole which he
carried across his neck. One of the pots
had a crack in it, and while the other pot
was perfect and always delivered a full
portion of water at the end of the long walk
from the stream to the master's house, the
cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full
two years this went on daily, with the bearer
delivering only one and a half pots full of
water to his master's house. Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments,
perfect to the end for which it was made.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its
own imperfection, and miserable that it was
able to accomplish only half of what it had
been made to do. After two years of what it
perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to
the water bearer one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize
to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are
you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these
past two years, to deliver only half my load
because this crack in my side causes water to
leak out all the way back to your master's
house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all
of this work, and you don't get full value
from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked
pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we
return to the master's house, I want you to
notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old
cracked pot took notice of the sun warming
the beautiful wild flowers on the side of
the path, and this cheered it some. But at
the end of the trail, it still felt bad because
it had leaked out half its load, and so again
it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that
there were flowers only on your side of your
path, but not on the other pot's side? That's
because I have always known about your flaw,
and I took advantage of it. I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path, and every day
while we walk back from the stream, you've
watered them. For two years I have been able
to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
my master's table. Without you being just the
way you are, he would not have this beauty to
grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all
cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord
will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.
In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.
So as we seek ways to minister together, and as
God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for
you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge
them, and allow Him to take advantage of them,
and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His
pathway. Go out boldly, knowing that in our
weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him
every one of God's promises is a Yes."
Author Unknown
JESUS AND SATAN'S WAR
Jesus and Satan were having an argument as to
who was the better programmer. This went on for
a few hours until they agreed to hold a contest
with God as the judge. They sat at their computers
and began. They typed furiously for several hours,
lines of code streaming up on the screen.
Seconds before the end of the competition, a bolt
of lightning struck, taking out the electricity.
Moments later, the power was restored, and God
announced that the contest was over. He asked
Satan to show what he had come up with. Satan was
visibly upset, and cried, "I have nothing! I lost
it all when the power went out." "Very well,
then," God said, "Let us see if Jesus did any
better." Jesus entered a command, and the screen
came to life in vivid display, the voices of an
angelic choir poured forth from the speakers. Satan
was astonished. He stuttered, "But how?! I lost
everything, yet Jesus' program is intact! How
did he do it?" God chuckled, and said that's easy.
"JESUS SAVES!"
Author Unknown
I ASKED GOD
I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No". It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said "No". Her spirit was whole, her body
was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No". Patience is a by-product of
tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said "No". I give you blessings,
happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said "No". Suffering draws you apart from
worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said "No". You must grow on your own, but
I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said "No". I will give you life so that
you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he
loves me. God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!
Author Unknown
SEE JESUS
I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt. He
was at the church building; He was alone and
working hard. For just a minute He looked a
little like one of our members. But it was
Jesus, I could tell by His smile.
I saw Jesus last Sunday
He was teaching a Bible class. He didn't talk
real loud or use long words, But you could tell
He believed what He said. For just a minute,
He looked like my Bible teacher. But it was Jesus,
I could tell by His loving voice.
I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was
sick. They prayed together quietly. For just a
minute he looked like Brother Jones. But it was
Jesus, I could tell by the tear in His eyes.
I saw Jesus this morning
He was in our kitchen making my breakfast and
fixing me a special lunch. For just a minute
He looked like my mom. But it was Jesus, I
could feel the love from His heart.
I see Jesus everywhere
Taking food to the sick. Welcoming others to
His home, Being friendly to a newcomer and for
just a minute I think He's someone I know. But
it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way He Serves.
"May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The Angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you."
By: Summer Waters
age 11
THE VESSEL
The Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the
shelf there were many - which one would he chose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and lustre will outshine the rest And for
someone like You, Master, gold would be the Best!
The Master passed on with on word at all; He looked
at a silver urn, narrow and tall; I'll serve You,
dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine and I'll be
at Your table whenever You dine, My lines are so
graceful, my carvings so true, And my silver will
always compliment You.
Unheeding the Master passed on to thebrass,It was
widemouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.
Look at me, called the goblet of cystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear, Though
fragile am I, I will serve You with pride, And I'm
sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.
The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished
and carved, it solidly stood. You may use me, dear
Master, the wooden bowl said, But I'd rather You
used me for fruit, not for bread!
Then the Mater looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay. No hope that
the vessel that the Master might choose, To cleanse
an make whole, to fill and to use.
Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find, I
will mend and use it and make it all Mine. I need
not the vessel with pride of its self; Nor the one
who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one who
isbigmouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who
displays his contents so proud; Not the one who
thinks he can do all things just right; But this
plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay. Mended
and cleansed it and filled it that day. Spoke to
it kindly. There's work you must do, Just pour
out to others as I pour into you.
Author Unknown
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
When in sorrow
Call John 14
When men fail you
Call Psalm 27
If you want to be fruitful
Call John 15
When you have sinned
Call Psalm 51
When you worry
Call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger,
Call Psalm 91
When God seems far away
Call Psalm 139
When your Faith needs stirring
Call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful
Call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical
Call 1 Corinthians 13
For Paul's secret to happiness
Call Col.3:12-17
For idea off Christionity
Call 1 Corinthians 5:15-19
When you feel down and out
Call Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel
Call Psalm 121
When your prays grow narrow or selfish
Call Psalm 67
For a great invention/opportunity
Call Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task
Call Joshua 1
How to get along with fellow men
Call Roman 12
When you think of investments/returns
Call Mark 10
If you are depressed
Call Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty
Call Psalm 37
If your losing confidence in people
Call 1 Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind
Call John 15
If discouraged about your work
Call Psalm 126
If you find the world growing small
and yourself great
Call Psalm 19
Author Unknown
THE LETTER TO RUTH
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 visiting 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'm 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 it's
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...leaving Ruth with a grand total
of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless,
she felt 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 hadn't 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, OK lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The
man put his arm around the woman's shoulders,
turned and head back into the alley. As she watched
them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
"Sir, wait!" "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 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
women'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 didn't 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 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
beautiul coat. Love Always, Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat,
Ruth no longer noticed.
Moral of the story...Jesus is all around us, walking
amoung us, talking to us. Remember John 13:35 "By
this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Author Unknown
THE SOLDIER
In 1949, my father had just returned home
from the war. On every American highway, you
could see soldiers in uniform hitchhiking
home to their families, as was the custom at
that time in America. Sadly, the thrill of his
reunion with his family was soon overshadowed.
My grandmother became very ill and had to be
hospitalized. It was her kidneys, and the
doctors told my father that she needed a
blood transfusion immediately or she would
not live through the night. The problem was
that Grandmother's blood type was AB negative,
a very rare type even today, but even harder
to get then because there were no blood banks
or air flights to ship blood. All the family
members were typed, but not one member was a
match. So the doctors gave the family no hope;
my grandmother was dying. My father left the
hospital in tears to gather up all the family
members so that everyone would get a chance
to tell Grandmother good-bye.
As my father was driving down the highway, he
passed a soldier in uniform hitchhiking home
to his family. Deep in grief, my father had
no inclination at that moment to do a good deed.
Yet it was almost as if something outside
himself pulled him to a stop, and he waited as
the stranger climbed into the car. My father
was too upset to even ask the soldier his
name, but the soldier noticed my father's tears
right away and inquired about them. Through his
tears, my father told this total stranger that
his mother was lying in a hospital dying because
the doctors had been unable to locate her blood
type, AB negative, and if they did not locate
her blood type before nightfall, she would
surely die. It got very quiet in the car.
Then this unidentified soldier extended his
hand out to my father, palm up. Resting in the
palm of his hand were the dogtags from around
his neck. The blood type on the tags was AB
negative. The soldier told my father to turn the
car around and get him to the hospital.
My grandmother lived until 1996, 47 years later,
and to this day no one in our family knows the
soldier's name. But my father has often wondered,
was he a soldier or an angel in uniform?
Sometimes, we never know who God will bring into
our lives to carry out a special mission nor do
we know whose lives God will have us touch.
Author Unknown
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