"Daily Uplink" and "Read the Bible in a year" July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006

I truly believe I will live to see the Lord's goodness. Psalm 27:13 NCV Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down during a NATO mission over Bosnia. For days, he hid from enemy soldiers, subsisting only on grass, leaves, and insects. After five long days, he was spotted by a search plane and finally rescued. After his ordeal, O'Grady gave God the credit. He exclaimed, "If it wasn't for God's love for me and my love for God, I wouldn't have gotten through it. He's the one that delivered me here, and I know that in my heart." What problems are threatening your life? Don't give up hope! God will provide a way through the ordeal. Trust in His love. He has a plan for your life. He'll get you out of enemy-held territory. POWER POINT: Desperation demands divine deliverance. --Unknown

You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb. 1 Peter 1:19 NCV A young boy spent several weeks making a toy sail boat from a kit. It was his pride and joy. One day, a gust of wind snapped the string securing the boat. The freed boat sailed out of sight. Several weeks later, the boy saw his boat marked "for sale" in a toy store. The little boy went home, did some chores for pay, and bought back his prized schooner. Clutching the boat he exclaimed, "You're mine, twice mine. Mine because I made you, and now, mine because I bought you!" Do you know the joy of redemption? You were purchased by the blood of Christ. Once you were a slave to sin, owned by Satan. Now you are God's, twice. The One who made you is the One who now owns you! You'll never get lost again. POWER POINT: Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Our God is a God who saves us; the Lord God saves us from death. Psalm 68:20 NCV On the date of February 3, 1781, during the Revolutionary War, English General, Lord Cornwallis, pursued George Washington's southern army. He had them trapped against the Yadkin River. Cornwallis watched the American troops getting out of the river on the other side. Cornwallis quickly ordered his troops to pursue the rebel forces. Before the English could get across, the river suddenly flooded over its banks and blocked their passage. As a result, the patriot army escaped. Two weeks later, a similar situation occurred on the Dan River in Virginia. Once again, the American troops escaped due to flash flooding of the river. In response, General George Washington made the following comment: "I take pleasure in acknowledging the interposing hand of Heaven has been conspicuous and remarkable." POWER POINT: Thank God for His sovereign hand in the birth of our country.

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, everyone who lives in sin is a slave to sin. A slave does not stay with a family forever, but a son belongs to the family forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be truly free. John 8:34-36 NCV While visiting a museum in Rome, author Theodore Roder studied the unfinished carvings, The Captives, by Michelangelo. He was impressed by the four pieces in which there is a hand protruding here, a torso of a man there, a leg, and part of a head. Roder later wrote, "When I looked at those partial figures, they stirred up a deep longing in me to be completed, an ache to be set free from that which distorts and disguises, imprisons and inhibits my humanness, my wholeness. But, as with those statues, I cannot liberate myself. For that, I need the hand of another." (John H. Stevens) Do you ache to be free? Has sin and your moral waywardness made you a captive? You can't liberate yourself, but God can. Turn to Jesus. He holds the key t...[more details]

The Lord is righteous; He loves righteousness. The upright will behold His face. Psalm 11:7 NASB James Madison, fourth President of the United States, was known as the Chief Architect of the Constitution. A member of the First Congress, he introduced the Bill of Rights. Madison, a devout Christian, felt the future of American society rested on its commitment to God and His Truth. On our country's birthday celebration, reflect on these words of wisdom: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." POWER POINT: If I added to their pride in America, I am happy. -Carl Sandburg

Jesus asked him, "Do you see anything?" And the blind man looked up and said, "I see men, but I see them like trees, walking about." Then again Jesus laid his hands upon his eyes, and he…began to see everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25 NASB Grazza was a favorite in the Russian Zoo. Crowds watched the Siberian bear pace back and forth in his small 15-foot cage. Eventually, a group of concerned zoo patrons raised enough money to build a new open-air habitat for him. An elaborate, spacious home with trees, rocks, and a large pond was built. Rather than explore his vast new surroundings, Grazza still shuffled back and forth within exactly fifteen feet. He kept this up for several years until he died. Jesus died to provide you with a new life, free from your past life of sin and servitude. Are you taking advantage of your freedom, or are you still stuck in the confines of your past? Change requires a fresh perspective that enables you to see all God has for you in Christ. Ask Jes...[more details]

Be sure, your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23 KJV When Leonardo DaVinci was painting The Last Supper, he found an ideal man to portray Jesus. His face beamed serenity and godliness. When DaVinci was almost finished, he searched in vain for the right face to portray Jesus' betrayer, Judas Iscariot. One day, he discovered a drunken man who embodied the deceit and treachery needed. He asked him if he wanted a job posing for a painting. The drunken man studied the artist's face for a moment and said, "Don't you know me? I posed for you before. I was Jesus!" Don't trifle with sin. Sin has consequences and takes a toll. Try to conceal your wrong doings ad sin will find you out. The best damage control of sin is to avoid it completely. And that's 'da' truth. POWER POINT: Sin is expensive. Don't keep paying.-Unknown

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set forth from Southampton, England on its maiden voyage. The huge ship, considered unsinkable, was a floating city, carrying 2,300 passengers to New York City. One passenger wrote in a diary that 'even God couldn't sink this ship.' This exuberance led to carelessness. Too few lifeboats were supplied, safety drills were ignored, and the captain ignored repeated warnings of icebergs in his desire to set a new trans-Atlantic speed record. Within four days, the Titanic sank, carrying 1,500 passengers to their icy deaths. Do you feel unsinkable? Are you beyond sin or weakness? A proud spirit can undermine your need to depend on the Lord. A false sense of confidence can lead you too near to sin. Draw close to the Lord for help, and keep off a sinking ship. POWER POINT: Lean on the Lord. --Unknown

You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Psalm 51:6 KCV The Titanic did not collide head-on into an iceberg; it just 'brushed' it. Three-quarters of an iceberg lies hidden below the water line. The ice scraped the hull, creating a thin gash, only a quarter of inch wide, but over 300 feet long. Water soon filled six watertight compartments. The huge liner listed, and sank to its watery grave two miles below the surface to the bottom of the Atlantic. Are you a leaking Christian? Are spiritual cracks letting in water? Most spiritual problems begin as improper attitude in our hearts. Take an attitude check today. Ask the Lord to seal the leaks by changing your heart. A little time in spiritual dry dock now will keep you out of Davy Jones' locker later. POWER POINT: Collapse in the Christian life is seldom a blowout. It is usually a slow leak. -Paul Little

No soldier in active duty entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 NASB Household clutter got you down? Feel lost under those piles of papers and drawers full of stuff? Call the Slob Sisters to the rescue! The nationally known organizational gurus are famous for straightening out the chaos of a messy home. Their techniques of purging your home are what they call 'de-junking.' The simple secret is to keep 10% of whatever you have. Freedom comes when you get rid of 90% of what you have. Does too much clutter in your life compete with your time with God? It might be a good time to do a little spiritual 'de-junking.' Throw out activities and involvements that take up your time and energy but do little for advancing the Kingdom. You'll be amazed how much better you feel in a clean house. POWER POINT: Do more with less. -Unknown

"Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise." 1Corinthians 5:6 KCV Over the summer, a woman noticed a few bees buzzing around the attic vent of her home. Since there were only a few, she made no effort to get rid of them. As the bees continued to fly in and out of her attic vent, the entire attic became a hive. Finally, the ceiling collapsed under the weight of hundreds of pounds of honey and thousands of angry bees. Don't discount little sins. Neglecting small sins can lead to big problems. The collapse of many Christian lives started with small compromises in behavior. If sin is buzzing around your life, be sure you deal with it today. If you don't, it may come back to sting you! POWER POINT: Don't spare sin. It won't spare you. -Unknown

If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin. But if they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8 NCV Barry's lawn was the envy of the neighborhood. One day, he noticed spots of crab grass and purslane growing his prized lawn. A dry spell had caused the once vibrant turf to go dormant, and the weeds sprouted. There was only one thing he could do if he wanted to restore the lawn to its previous beauty. Barry got down on his knees and started the long job of pulling the unwanted plants. Do you have weeds in the garden of your life? Sin and temptation wait for times when your spiritual walk is weak and vulnerable. Keep your life free of spiritual intruders by growing in your relationship with Christ. Sow the spirit, not the flesh. Spend time now on your knees in prayer; not on you knees later pulling weeds. POWER POINT: A growing life leaves little room for sin. -Unknown

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NASB A burglar broke into a house and decided to stay there. He managed to live there four years before the owners finally discovered him. When the residents were at work, he had the run of the house. He washed his clothes, ate, and used the phone and television. When the owners came home, the interloper would reside quietly in the attic. The residents had no idea a thief was living with them the entire time! Is someone robbing you blind and hiding right under your nose? The devil delights in spoiling what Christ brings. Even small sin can steal joy and power from your spiritual life. Ask the Lord to reveal the thieves in your life. Show them the door and get back your spiritual house. POWER POINT: Sin is a robber of blessing that strips and starves the soul. -Robert G. Lee

I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt to pay for you. Isaiah 43:3 NCV Sam was a hard-working slave in the pre-Civil War South. His appreciative owner allowed him to take on outside work. He worked every spare hour and saved his money to purchase his freedom. After years of hard work, Sam saved up the redemption price. As he counted his money, he thought about how long it took to earn it. He put it back and told his master, "The price of freedom is too high." Christ has purchased your freedom from sin and bondage. He gave His blood as a redemption price for your sins. Don't count on the world and its temptations. Sin will only rob you of your costly freedom. Turn from sin to Christ. He's the Master! POWER POINT: We are God's very own, being redeemed by Him. Every Christian should wear a sign in his or her heart, "Not for sale!" -Anonymous

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 NIV Mary was diagnosed with a genetic disease. The crippling, life-threatening disease caused her severe physical discomfort. Doctors tried an experimental treatment called gene therapy. She was inoculated with a specially treated virus in hopes that it would induce Mary's body to produce the enzyme on its own. An amazing recovery soon began. Do you struggle with sin and temptation? Don't despair. Through God, you have the power to overcome sin and live a victorious life. This genetic transfer is activated by faith. The next time you feel tempted to sin, believe in the life of God that's in you. You'll feel a lot better in new, spiritual genes. POWER POINT: The strength and power of sin have been broken. The Christian now has the resources to live. -Unknown

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. Genesis 4:7 NIV Five-year-old Justin was hungry. He wanted a before dinner snack. He eyed the cookie jar on top of the counter. Knowing it was off limits, he pushed a chair over to the counter, climbed up, and reached into the jar. Suddenly, his mother appeared and asked, "Justin Matthew, what do you think you are doing up there?" The surprised tyke quickly replied, "I'm fighting temptation, Mom, but I think it's winning!" Want to overcome sin? Put lots of distance between you and temptation. The devil knows sin can ruin your life. He will tempt you. Tempting situations increases your vulnerability to sin. Keep temptation at arm's length and you won't get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. POWER POINT: Temptations discover what we are really made of. -Unknown

But run away from the evil young people like to do. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 KJV Two friends decided to go camping in the Rocky Mountains. On the third day, while deep in the timber forest, the two men awoke to see a huge bear rummaging through their supplies. The monstrous bruin was working its way toward their flimsy tent. Quickly, one of the men started to put his boots on. His friend looked at him in amazement and whispered, "Do you think you can outrun that bear?" "I don't need to," remarked his companion. "All I need to do is outrun you!" The Lord gives you one instruction when it comes to sin - flee! Victory over temptation begins when you realize your weakness, not your strength. Stay free from sin and run away from its claws. POWER POINT: When you meet temptation, turn to the right! -Unknown

Warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NCV In the ancient classic epic, "The Odyssey," Ulysses, the hero, ordered his crew to tie him to the mast of their ship as they sailed past the island of the Sirens. These beautiful creatures sang an enchanted song that drew sailors toward their island, only to be destroyed by the waves on the rocky coast. Ulysses, hearing the Sirens' song, begged his men to free him and sail toward the island, but the loyal crew kept him tied securely until the ship was out of danger. Are you being tempted by the Siren song of the world? Don't trust your own strength. Get other Christians to keep you on the right track. If you feel tempted, call a friend and ask them to hold you accountable. It's a lot better to be strapped to the mast than broken on the rocks. POWER POINT: Bind us together, Lord. -Unknown

But when you expose them, the light shines in upon their sin and shows it up, and when they see how wrong they really are, some of them may even become children of light. Ephesians 5:13 LB A 19th century midshipman was punished by the captain. The sailor was put into the ship's hold for three days. He was tied and lowered into the dark hold. Hours later, a deck hand reported the prisoner was heard singing jovial drinking songs to himself in the dark. The captain ordered a lantern be lowered down. The singing soon turned to shrieks and cries for mercy. The sailor had not seen his true condition. The lantern's light revealed that the hold was full of rats and vermin. How clearly do you see your spiritual condition? Are you willing to expose your life to the light of God's Word? Coming to the light can be painful. It shows how deeply you fall short compared to the holiness and righteousness of God. God's light not only reveals, it heals. His lantern will lead you out of...[more details]

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil a place. Ephesians 4:26-27 NASB A Haitian fable tells of Etienne who wanted to sell his house. Another man wanted it but was too poor to pay the full price. Etienne agreed to sell on the condition that he still owned a single nail fastened over the door. The buyer agreed with the request, paid the price, and moved in with his family. A few years, later Etienne wanted to buy the house back. The new owner refused. Etienne hung an animal carcass on the nail over the door. The smell made the house unlivable, and the man sold the house back to Etienne. Don't leave a nail open for the devil. Satan has no right to intrude on your life, but avoiding un-confessed sin gives the evil one a place to hang his garbage. You have been purchased by Christ. Don't give the devil a foothold. Pull out the nail and show him the door. POWER POINT: Unless sin is confessed, it will destroy you...[more details]

So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. Matthew 18:35 NASB After the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, former commander of the Southern Army, visited a woman whose palatial southern estate was severely damaged during the war. The owner took the General to the remains of a great old oak tree that stood in front of her decimated house. There, the owner wept bitterly as she recounted how its out-stretched limbs and the huge trunk were nearly destroyed by the Union army. She looked to Lee for a criticism of the North. After a moment of silence, Lee said to her, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and then forget it." (Adapted from Charles B. Flood's, Lee: The Last Years) Are you harboring resentment over past hurts and mistreatment? Nursing old wounds can only lead to a bitter spirit. Make a break with the past. Forgive your offenders and move on with your life. Let the cross be your tree of hope. POWER POINT: Forgiveness i...[more details]

If I had known of any sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened to me. Psalm 66:18 NCV As a small boy, Norman Vincent Peal found a big, black cigar. He sneaked into an alley to enjoy his first smoke. He hated the taste, but felt very grown-up as he puffed on the stogy. The lad saw his father coming and casually tried to hide the cigar behind him. Trying to divert his attention from his misdemeanor, young Peal asked if they could go to the circus that afternoon. "Son," said the elder Peal, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience." Have your prayers to God seemed empty? Do you see few answers to your prayers? Check your conscience. Desiring evil or holding on to wrong behaviors are sure ways to short-circuit your prayer requests. Ask God for forgiveness and repent. Don't make petition while hiding smoking disobedience behind your back. POWER POINT: Either give up sin or give up hope. -Unknown

Seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron... 1 Timothy 4:2 NASB Rob was driving his old van when it over-heated. He was surprised because the engine temperature gauge had never come close to indicating a problem. At the repair shop, the mechanic explained, "The gauge is heated by the water in the engine. If the water level falls below the gauge sensor, it no longer works until the metal of the engine heats up to the point of triggering the temperature gauge. Then, it's too late." Is your spiritual engine gauge working properly? Your conscience is a God-given indicator of whether you are functioning properly. Don't harden your heart to what it says. Listen and respond appropriately, or your conscience may fail to register real spiritual danger. Then, it may be too late. POWER POINT: A seared conscience is one whose warning voice has been suppressed and perverted habitually. -Robert Little

Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:34,36 NASB Raynald III, a 14th century duke, was grossly obese. Raynald's younger brother, Edward, led a revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald but did not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk Castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room through its one open door. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. Each day, a variety of delicious foods were provided. Raynald grew fatter, staying in that room for ten years as a prisoner of his own appetite. (Dave Wilkerson) Are you a prisoner? Do certain sins and habits control your life? Don't let them lock you in. God has provided freedom through Jesus. Ask the Lord to set you free and walk through that open door. POWER POINT: Looking at the wound of sin will never save anyone...[more details]

The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Galatians 5:23 NIV Frederick the Great of Prussia was walking on the outskirts of his capital city. During his walk, the prolific ruler met an old man, walking in a stooped position. "Who are you?" asked the ruler. "I am a king," answered the elderly man. "If you are really a king," mocked Frederick, "what is your kingdom?" "I rule over myself," was the proud reply. Who's in charge of your appetites? Don't allow desires to control you. A true mark of spiritual maturity is self-control. Turn over your impulses to the Lord and let Him be in control. You'll discover what it's like to be King or Queen for a day! POWER POINT: Character is destiny. -Heraclitus

You can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it. 1Corinthians 10:13 NCV Darva Conger appeared as one of the 50 female participants in Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire. Darva never dreamed that she would end up being selected by Rick Rockwell to be his bride at the end of the controversial program. She participated to win a free trip and enjoy the thrill of taping the show. Admitting her mistake afterward, Conger confessed, "When I was up there saying those vows to that man, I didn't know where to go. I didn't know how to escape. I wish I would have had the moral fortitude at that point in time to just walk away, but it was an incredible amount of pressure. (ABC News transcript) Ever feel trapped on the stage of sin? Temptation can be powerful. Keep away from compromising situations. If you are tempted, don't give in to the pressure....[more details]

So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. Ephesians 6:14 NCV In 1929, a young government agent, Eliot Ness took on Al Capone's mob empire in Chicago. One day, a man walked into Ness' office and handed him an envelope with $2,000. He told Ness there was more if he would lay off Capone. Ness sent the money and the messenger back. To make a point, Ness called a press conference. He told the story of Capone's attempt to bribe him and his response to the bribe. The next day, the newspaper headlines read "Ness and His Men are Untouchable!" As an agent of the Lord, does the devil have something on you? Satan will look for any weakness in your life to spoil your witness. Be a person of integrity and truth. Avoid compromise at any cost. Be untouchable! POWER POINT: Who follow the part of themselves that is great, are great people. Who follow that part of themselves that is small, are small people. - Chin...[more details]

So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and he will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest. Acts 3:19 NCV Bobby took his bike for a long ride on a blustery day. The young boy flew down the streets and roads. After an hour of fast-paced cycling, he realized he had to get home for dinner. He turned around and struggled to ride his bike into the stiff wind. After a few minutes, he got off and walked all the way home. He was late for dinner and told his Mom, "I would have been home in time if the wind didn't change its direction!" Does your life seem like an uphill battle into a strong head wind? Perhaps you are heading the wrong way. Going against the Lord's will for you will prove hard going. Try turning around and going with God. Life will become a breeze! POWER POINT: Man is born with his back toward God. When he truly repents, he turns right around and faces God. -Anonymous

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 NASB Andrin Jones was speeding in a car to Chicago with his wife and sleeping child. In the car was a parcel of drugs. Andrin was on leave from the Air Force and planned to do some serious partying when he got to the city. Along the side of the interstate, Andrin noticed a large boulder with some graffiti painted on it. It said, 'Jesus Saves.' As soon as Andrin read the words, he felt the presence of God in the car. He pulled the car over and began to weep. At that point, Andrin met Jesus and was never the same. A few months later, he was serving in the Air Force Chaplain's office. God saves sinners. No matter how far you are from the Lord, He can change your life. Ask Jesus to forgive you and come into your heart. Your name may never be in lights, but it will be in the Lamb's Book of Life. POWER POINT: Christ believed is salvation received! -Unknown

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1 KJV An elderly Christian was hauling a sack of potatoes. On the way, he was joined by the town skeptic. "How do you know you are saved?" challenged the pagan. Taking a few steps ahead, the elderly man let the bag of potatoes fall from his shoulders. "How do I know I have dropped the bag of potatoes?" countered the believer. "I haven't looked around!" "No," replied the critic, "but I suppose you can tell by the lessening of the weight." "Exactly. That's how I know I am saved. I have lost the feeling of sin and shame and found peace in the Lord by simply resting on His Word." Are you still carrying the weight of guilt and shame? Don't continue to drag along under that burden. God's forgiveness not only cleanses, but also relieves you of the weight of your sin and failures. Ask the Lord to forgive you and to take your load of sin today. POWER POINT: God's forgiveness is the fastest path t...[more details]

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:20 NIV A baby elephant born in the African bush has special protection from the day of its birth. As soon as a baby is born, another female elephant will come to the mother to act as an adopted auntie. The aunt will assist in protecting the baby from any harm. While the baby and mother sleep, the other elephant acts as a special guardian by pacing around them in a circle. She is wary of the ever-present danger of poisonous snakes. She smashes any snakes to pulp to protect the newborn and it's mother. Satan is a poisonous snake seeking to poison the lives of new Christians. God's children need to work together to protect each other. Just like the female elephant, faithfully patrol the lives of those who are young or weak in the faith. God promises that you will crush Satan under your feet. Put on the armor of God and start stomping! POWER POINT: You are your brothers' and sisters' keeper! -Anonymous

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