A young man was at the end of his rope, and seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer

"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.

Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.



"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.

YOUR CROSS

Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine
After the rain

Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all

Mark 5:41 "He took her by the hand and said to her...'Little girl, I say to you, get up!"

Tucked away in the book of Mark is the story of Jesus bringing back a twelve year old girl to life. The mourners had already come and there was quite a commotion. Jesus clears out the room of just the parents, the disciples, and the little girl. He speaks a few words and this little girl comes back to life.

The love, humility and power that Jesus demonstrates in this brief story is amazing. No big show. Just bring a synagogues ruler's daughter back to life, then go on about your day. Imagine if you'd been there, knew the parents and the girl.

This is the Jesus we have the privilege of knowing and serving. He's with each of us today who have trusted him. He's worthy of our lives.

Lord, I praise you for your love and power. Please help me stay close today.

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dave@youronedegree.com

A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.



He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and
down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."



The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."



So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16 " The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off.



The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16. I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.



Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry? "

He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,"



The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16. Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.



She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.


The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights.



As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16. I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.



The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible.



She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?," she asked gently.



He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it,"


She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus . Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.



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You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

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John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Jesus told this story to teach generosity and support of those in need. The scriptures are clear that caring for those in need of food and clothing is a vital part of our walk with Christ. It is best when we can get directly involved, so that there is a relationship built with those in need.

God made us to give and not keep all to ourselves. We thrive when we are generous and shrivel in spirit when we don't. Giving gives us strength to face our own struggles and insight into God's love for us. When we are generous with the right motives, it breaks down walls and soften hearts.

Let's all ask the Lord to open up our hearts to those in need and to make generosity a lifestyle so that He may receive the glory.

Lord, please develop a more generous heart in me.

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dave@youronedegree.com

How do you define faith? Someone once said that faith is believing in something so strong that it causes righteous action. I would say that is a pretty accurate definition. Let me give you an example.

There was once a man that became famous because of his courageous acts of walking across high wires while pushing a wheel barrow. Day after day, month after month, people would gather around as this man would walk across the high wires from one building to the next while pushing a wheel barrow.

After doing this daily for about a year, he decided to ask a question to the crowd that had watched him over and over defeat this task with such ease. He asked "How many of you have faith that I can successfully walk across this wire while pushing this wheel barrow?"

These people had wathced him do this for over a year now, so naturally, they all raised their hand. So he asked again, "How many of you believe without one doubt that I can do this?" Again, all the hands went up. He said great, all of you that have faith get in the wheel barrow. Would you get in?

Faith- A belief in something so strong that it causes righteous action.

Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder to those who dilligently seek Him."