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Very thought provoking. Hope you read it to its end! A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN 17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last. Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted. The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.' Brian's Essay: The Room... In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at ' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. '-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?

"God is not answering my prayers." This mentality prevents us from receiving all that God has for us.  

Let’s overcome this today by renewing our minds to what God REALLY says about this:

1.   Pray the Word of God.  God’s Word was God’s idea!  So He intends for it to come to pass.  1 John 5:14-15 says, “If we ask anything according to His will (His Word) we know He hears us...and we know we have whatever we’ve asked.” John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me and Words abide in you...ask whatever you wish and it SHALL be done for you.”

2. God always says “Yes” to His Word—His promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “All the promises of God are yes, in Him, and with us is the ‘Amen’.”  There is no assurance that prayer will be answered, if it’s not something God has already promised in His Word.
 
3. Walk by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)  Regardless of how you feel, faith says: God has heard me, and He answers.  Mark 11:24 says, “Believe you HAVE received...and it shall be granted to you.”

4. Don’t throw in the towel when you don’t see it working.  Hebrews 6:12 says, â€œ...through faith AND patience, we inherit the promises of God.”

5. Apply the secret of Persistence. (Luke 18:1-8)  Matthew 7:7 (Amplified) says, “Keep on asking and it shall be given...keep on knocking and the door shall be opened.”

6. Don’t let condemnation rob you of your confidence. 1 John 3:20-22 says,  â€œ...If our heart does not condemn us (THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS), then we have confidence toward God; and whatever we ask we receive...”

THINK IT & SAY IT:
God DOES answer my prayers.  No matter what I see or feel, I walk by faith, and not by sight. Condemnation for my mistakes or shortcomings will not rob me of confidence. God is bigger than my mistakes.

His Word abides in me, and therefore I can ask and receive. I won’t be discouraged or give up; because I will reap if I do not faint.  My answer is coming! In Jesus’ Name!

“There is so much wrong in my life how can I ever expect anything good to come my way?”

1. God is faithful. He didn't bring you this far to leave you now.  Philippians 1:6 says He began this work in you, He will finish it.
 
2. Remember, faith finds a way.  (Mark 2:4-5) God will always provide a way for you to make it.
 
3. You have favor. Psalm 5:12 says favor surrounds you like a shield. Revelation 3:7-8 says God will open a door that no man can shut.  Expect favor.

4. Trust Him to carry you. Deuteronomy 1:31 says, “There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

5. You have the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 2:16)  With the mind of Christ, you will know how to make it.
 
6. Believe in the power of praise.  James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials.” Acts 16:25-26


THINK IT & SAY IT:

I am going to make it.  I am going to make it financially.  I am going to make it through whatever I’m facing.  God brought me this far, He will lead me all the way.  

God will open a door for me to make it. He will carry me when I’m weary. I will praise my way through this and will find a way, in Jesus’ Name.

You are going to make it!

Fear is at the root of just about every negative thing that happens in our lives.  We’re afraid of failing, afraid of being alone, or rejected; afraid of running out of money; afraid that people will let us down; that we won’t find a spouse, or a job; and the list goes on and on.  All fear is rooted in the core belief that God’s Word won’t work.  For example, the fear of not having enough is rooted in the fear that Philippians 4:19 isn’t true.  If you believe that “God will supply all your needs according to His riches...” then fear leaves.  

Sometimes people think, “If people wouldn’t have treated me like that, I would be successful” or “if my problem was anything other than this, I could handle it.” You probably know countless other thoughts that are similar.


1. Refuse to excuse mediocrity. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 says “...Excel still more...”  Don’t give in to the temptation to settle for where you’re at. Wherever you’re at in life, right now—thank God and press forward for more of what God has for you.

2. Refuse to excuse sickness. Don't tolerate it; saying it runs in your family or it’s a cross to bear; or everyone gets sick. He sent His Word and healed us—Psalm 107:20. With His stripes, we are healed—1 Peter 2:24.

3. Refuse to excuse lack and failure in your life; saying that you were born on the wrong side of the tracks or you’re limited by your upbringing.  You may have been born on the wrong side of the tracks, but you're not bound to stay there. Cross the tracks NOW. (Romans 8:37)

4. Refuse to excuse unforgiveness--saying, you just don't know what they did to me--God knows what WE did to HIM and He still forgives.

5. Refuse to excuse lack of support. In John 5:7 the lame man said, “I have no man to help me.” He used that as an excuse to remain in his condition.  Even if everyone lets us down, God will support us. (Psalm 27:10)

6. Refuse to excuse sin, saying, "I just can't overcome it...." YOU CAN do all things through Christ which strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)  You have been given power over the enemy.  1 Corinthians 15:34 says,  "Awake to righteousness and you'll stop sinning."   When you realize you ARE the righteousness of God--made right with Him, BY Him, you experience a power that delivers you from having to sin.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I eliminate excuse-making from my thoughts and words.  I will no longer excuse or justify mediocrity in my life; I will not excuse sickness.  I am healed by Jesus’ stripes.

I will not excuse failure, as God declares I am more than a conqueror.  I am forgiven and I will not withhold unforgiveness from others. God takes up my cause and is my greatest support.  I am free from having to sin, through the gift of righteousness, in Jesus’ Name.

“It’s just so hard to trust God.”

 â€œGod's promises don't always work.”

So often, trusting someone is the hardest thing to do.  But why do we withhold our trust from others? Because often, they have developed a track record that cannot be relied upon.

God on the other hand, has a much better track record.  He has never broken His promises! 

2.       Look at the facts: 1 Kings 8:56 says, “...not one word has failed of all His good promise.”  God has NEVER broken His promise.  He can be trusted!
  

5.       All His promises are available to you today!  2 Corinthians 1:21says, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are YES! And with us is the ‘Amen’ (SO BE IT!).” Pray His promises. Receive, by faith, His promises. Expect His promises to come to pass in your life.  

“People are against me.”

This thinking stops your love-walk.  It’s hard to love people that you think are against you.  It stops your faith, as well. When you’re concerned about what others think, you are not standing on God’s promises. Your eyes can’t focus on two things at once--when you get your eyes on what others think of you, you take them OFF of what God thinks of you.  
 
1. Think on what God thinks about you.  Psalm 139: 17 says, “How precious are Your thoughts toward me, O God.  If I could count them, they would outnumber the sands by the seashore.”
 
2. Realize “even if.” EVEN IF, people are against you, it has NO POWER, because God is for you. Romans 8:31 says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

3. Recognize where the battle is...NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD—Ephesians 6:12.  We are pulling down strongholds that come from THOUGHTS that oppose the Word of God. DON’T see people as your enemy.
 
4. No weapon formed against you can prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Condemn every thought that accuses you or threatens you. When a city “condemns” a building—it means, you can’t live there, or build on that property.  Refuse to build upon any thoughts that oppose you or oppose the Word of God.

5. Stop letting people have so much power in your life.  Jesus is your Lord—you’re under His authority, not the authority of others’ expectations, plans, or opinions of you.
 
THINK IT & SAY IT:
God’s thoughts toward me are precious.  His opinion of me is all that matters.  He is for me, not against me.  EVEN IF, people are against me, it doesn’t matter.  I refuse to give them power over my life.  I am under the power of God, and I walk in the power of God.  No weapon formed against me can prosper, because I am the righteousness of God, In Jesus’ Name.

Negative thinking produces negative results, negative relationships, negative emotions and physical symptoms. Negative thoughts come when we see ourselves defeated, beaten down or lost; betrayed, unwanted or of no value. (Thoughts like: I will never be successful; I can't do anything right; people will never change, etc. They all come from a negative view of ourselves and life.)