God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in the heart where our real allegiance lies.

Faithful prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give others.

MEMO FROM GOD

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life.

1. Quit worrying: Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. Put it on the list: Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not your list. Put it on My to-do list. Let Me be the one to take care of the problem. I can’t help you until you turn it over to Me. And although  My to-do list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things that you never even realize.

3. Trust Me: Once you’ve given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. Leave it alone: Don’t wake up one morning and say, Well, I’m feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here. Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It’s simple. You gave Me your burdens and I’m taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in My peace. Don’t you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do My job.

5. Talk to Me I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I’m in control. But there’s one thing I hope you never forget. Please don’t forget to talk to Me often! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on all the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest Friend.

6. Have faith: I see a lot of things from up here that you can’t see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I’m doing. Trust Me, you wouldn’t want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. Share: You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven’t heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. Be patient: I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect.

9. Be kind: Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. Love yourself: As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by Me for one reason only--to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It baffles when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to Me. Don’t ever forget that!

With all my heart I love you, God.

One Christmas Eve, a frenzied young fellow ran into a pet shop looking for an unusual Christmas gift for his wife. The shop owner suggested a parrot, named Chet, which could sing famous Christmas carols. This seemed like the perfect gift. "How do I get him to sing?" The young man asked, excitedly. "Simply hold a lighted match directly under his feet like this." was the shop owner’s reply. Chet began to sing "Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!" The shop owner then held another match under the parrot’s right foot. Then Chet’s tune changed, and the air was filled with "Silent Night, Holy Night." The young man was so impressed that he paid the shop-keeper and ran home as quickly as he could with Chet under his arm. When the wife saw her gift she was overwhelmed. "How beautiful!" She exclaimed, "Can he talk?" "No," the young man replied, "But he can sing. Let me show you." So the young man whipped out his lighter and placed it under Chet’s left foot, as the shop-keeper had shown him, and Chet crooned, "Jingle Bells! The man then moved the lighter to Chet’s right foot, and out came, "Silent Night. Holy Night." The wife, her face filled with curiosity, then asked, "What if we hold the lighter between his legs?" The man did not know. "Let’s try it." He answered, eager to please his wife. So they held the lighter between Chet’s legs. Chet twisted his face, cleared his throat, the little parrot sang out loudly (like it was the performance of his life) "Chet’s nuts roasting on an open fire."