Tying to quit smoking? Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles compared the physiological and psychological symptoms of twenty people who quit cold turkey, and twenty who cut back slowly. They found that withdrawal symptoms decreased more sharply for those who quit smoking suddenly. Many plan one day to quit smoking but they just don’t get around to it. And in like manner, many plan one day to eventually make their peace with God and prepare later someday to make preparations for the next life. But as trying to stop the smoking habit by merely cutting back, this is dangerous, because one may run out of time. Solomon, the World’s wisest man warned, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Wisdom tells us to act quickly, by acknowledging our deep spiritual needs and inviting Christ into our lives now, while there is time.

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window. The father asked his son, “what is this?” The son replied “it is a crow”. After a few minutes, the father asked his son the 2nd time, “what is this?” The son said “father, i have just now told you “it’s a crow”. After a little while, the old father again asked his son the 3rd time, what is this?” At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff. “it’s a crow, a crow”. A little after, the father again asked his son t he 4th time, “what is this?” This time the son shouted at his father, “why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘it is a crow’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated – I felt affection for my innocent child”.

So… If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents. From today forward say this aloud, “I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today”. Say a prayer to God, “I will serve my parents in the best way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.

Exodus 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

“You will never amount to much.” A Munich Germany schoolmaster said that to a ten year old – he was speaking to Albert Einstein. He was wrong. A young woman broke up with a young man at college, saying he would not ever amount to much. She too was wrong – his name was Billy Graham. Before planes began to fly, a prominent man said, “Flight by machines heavier than air is impractical, it is utterly impossible.” Well we all make mistakes, but these were whoppers. Dr. Charles Swindoll, in his book “Come Before Winter” wrote, “After all, imperfection is one of the few things we all have in common.” True indeed – but how wonderful it is that our the Lord Jesus Christ, though perfect Himself, is always ready to forgive our mistakes, weaknesses, failures and sins. He has promised, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He also said, “Him that comes to me, I will never cast out.”

“I cried every night, lost all my friends and respect. Every day I think – why am I still here? I have nobody, I need someone.” These are the words of Amanda Todd, a beautiful fifteen year old girl from Port Coquitlim, British Columbia who sadly took her own life shortly after posting the words on a You Tube Video last month. She was the victim of cyber bullying. She was hounded relentlessly from school to school, losing her friends, respect and hope. Perhaps her words, “I have nobody. I need someone” are the most poignant, as they describe the broken-hearted cry of a lonely girl. I hope that, though she found no human help, in her last moments she made her peace with God. In a way, her cry represents millions of people today who cry out for help. The psalmist David expressed this cry well, when he wrote, “Hear my cry O God. When my heart is overwhelmed within me, lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. That rock is Christ. If you have a broken heart today, reach out to Him. He is not far away.

Two dogs, Baxter and Bailey, managed to get loose and run away from their home in Sandwich Massachusetts. Baxter was found about a half a mile from home, but there was no sign of Bailey. Then Bob Blackwell, the dogs’ owner, got an idea. He took Baxter back to the area where he had been found, and the dog led him through the woods straight to his brother Bailey, who had been trapped by his entangled leash – a great canine brotherly love story. The Bible has a brotherly love story too! It’s not about dogs, but people. When Jesus began his earthly ministry, one of the first disciples to follow Him was Andrew, who had heard that Jesus was the Messiah. And the first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Peter – and we are told, “He brought him to Jesus.” The kindest thing one person can do for another is to introduce him or her to Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Cyclist Lance Armstrong has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life from the sport by the International Cycling Union, saying “Lance Armstrong deserves to be forgotten in cycling.” This follows the US Anti-doping Agency’s report, which concluded that Armstrong had been involved in what it called “the most sophisticated professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.” This sad story of deceit and cheating is a stark reminder that you can run (or in this case, cycle) but you cannot hide. Admittedly, many appear to not to get caught, but we need to remember that God has said, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Armstrong’s name will be erased from the record books. But in contrast, God has promised that all who acknowledge our wrong-doing and seek forgiveness will have their sins cast behind God’s back, never to be remembered against us forever.” It’s because of God’s amazing grace.

On December 4, 2007, a 19 year old soldier, serving in Iraq saw a grenade being thrown from a house top. Manning the machine gun in the turret of his Humvee, he tried to deflect the explosive, but it fell inside the vehicle. He had time to jump to safety, but instead threw his body over the grenade in a selfless act that saved the lives of four fellow soldiers. This extraordinary act of sacrifice helps us understand what Jesus did for us when He took the punishment for our sin on the old rugged cross. He died in our place. Paul wrote of this in the book of Romans, with these words, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Those four soldiers whose lives were saved will never forget. Neither should we forget Christ’s death for us.

Michael Rogers saved a 16 year old girl who was attempting to commit suicide, and also helped a police officer trapped in the mud during the rescue. Rogers told the New Haven Register that he couldn’t bear to walk away with her death on his conscience. Two months later, his true identity was discovered – a fugitive in violation of a 2001 conviction on four child molestation charges – a strange story. We all have a conscience, but our consciences can be conditioned and selective, as in this case. Someone once said, “Your conscience is not your guide unless you have truth for your creed.” There is, ultimately, only one place where we can be sure of absolute truth – that is the inspired, never changing Word of God as found in the Bible. Jesus put it together for us when He said, ”You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Please read the Bible. Believe it and obey it. The results will amaze you.

Leo Gaurente was cleaning out Maria Velosa’s late mother’s home when he found an envelope hidden away in a hope chest. It contained U.S. Savings bonds worth $114,000. The junk collector was nervous, realizing that he was going to change this woman’s life for the better. Velosa was shocked and overwhelmed at the discovery that belonged to her late mother. She said, “This is a gift from heaven Ma.” While this was a wonderful gift, the greatest treasure that one can have is the gift of eternal life, given to us because of Jesus. Paul the Apostle wrote, “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Our Savior took the punishment for our sins and paid our debt. This treasure too is found in a place often forgotten and neglected, like the attic. It is in the Bible, God’s inspired Word. It too, is a “gift from heaven”, and it really can change our lives. Why not discover this rich treasure for yourself.

We live in a world of text messaging, multiple email accounts, cell phones, hundreds of TV channels, and a smorgasboard of web information. Life can become very challenging. Mark Milke, a columnist with Troy Media, in his article “How to Live the good life in 2012” concludes that “this generation needs to ignore the frenetic present long enough to learn from the past or from some still small voice.” Good advice! And what could be more beneficial than listening to the voice of God. Jesus once said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with Him, and He with me.” Did you know that when Jesus said that, He was referring to the door of our lives and indicating His desire to come in and forgive, to transform and give us peace and happiness? He is still knocking today. What is your response?