Welcome to the weekly Encouragement letter # 7 (18.9.99) For Previous letters click here

New-see 'Thought for Today' column on the home page, to help you start the day with hope & courage.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it."-John Ruskin.

All these past six weeks we talked about winning in life and various other motivational and encouraging messages. Recently, I got an email from a motivational speaker who is conducting costly seminars to motivate people to be successful. And many people, including top executives are flocking to them! It is possible to use success motivation techniques, and a positive mental attitude can help us look and be successful by the world's standards.

However, it is impossible to get genuine new direction, new life, or to 'run to win' without a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a turning point came when I invited Christ into my life. According to the Bible, God did not send Jesus simply to get us out of hell and into heaven. God sent Jesus to get God out of heaven and into us! So Jesus came to live in us and be with us in our daily struggles and make us winners.

As a believer, I began to understand the integrity of God's word, God is not a man that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent: hath he said and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Num. 23: 19). God meant what He said and said what He meant! He indeed does watch over His word to perform it (Jer.1: 12). He desires to show Himself strong in your life (2Chron. 16:9).

The other Bible truth that began to transform me was the reality of the redemption, what Jesus bought and paid for when He died for you and me at Calvary. My need was to receive, to relax in the facts. When Jesus said, It is finished, salvation, healing, preservation, deliverance, and soundness became mine when I believe it is by faith.

Of course, there have been tremendous pressures and at times severe depressions that kept me down but not out! As I began to pursue a closer walk with God, the storm clouds began to roll in. All the plans and big ideas came tumbling down and I found myself getting the feeling to 'quit'. Everything appeared to be in a 'mess' and I found myself helpless, lonely and a 'cast away'! But the Lord who is faithful lifted me up and kept me going and running to win!

The point is simply this- decide to continue running to win! God seems to delight in taking man's mess and working a miracle. It can happen for you. You can get started today!

To experience a real change in your family, finances, career, or whatever, you must find out what the Bible says about that particular area. Then you can make a decision upon which you can base your life. God's Word is His Will. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, that without faith it is not possible to please God.

You and I are built for a divine connection. We are constructed from creation to "plug in" to God, and He to you- your mind demands negotiation, and your heart seeks companionship. Each human being has a "God-sized hole" in his or her heart that can only be filled by Jesus.

No amount of seeking to satisfy that hunger, that emptiness, through relationships with other people, through a career, money, and possessions or through adventure and entertainment will work. Something draws each person toward God, although he may never have heard the gospel.

You were created for accomplishment.

You were engineered for success.

You were endowed with seeds of greatness.

You are God's number-one interest.

Calvary-the place where Jesus was crucified revealed the intensity of His love. If something is good for you, and you are His child, He will place it within your reach. (Psalm 84:11).

Evaluate your spiritual gifts and abilities, if you already are a Christian, and then decide to go for it. Pursue the career for which God equipped you. If you are not a child of God, then decide today to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Confess all your sins to Him and turn from your sins and all that is against God's word, determine from today to follow the Lord Jesus and to live according to His word. (Read Romans 10: 9,10; John 3:16-18; 1John 1:8,9).

Then, my friend, I guarantee you will not only run to win, but you will win and spend the eternity with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

I personally pray that you will find true happiness and success in God, and I desire that your life will show an improved quality of living from reading these concepts and thoughts that have helped me and many others. Hope to hear from you, whatever your decision. Be encouraged.

____________________________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions/ problems or need counsel/ help: aocc@vsnl.com

For more encouraging messages visit: http://comforting.web.com/

To know about our ministry, and read daily 'Thought for Today", visit: http://calvary.web.com/

To read previous encouragement letters visit: http://encls.web.com/

______________________________________________________________________________________

Encouragingly Yours, Othniel.