Time...Tuesday

7/1/14

Today, like many of my days, I am rushing to get things done at the last minute. Why does time seem to go by slowly during certain times of the day but speeds up during other times? My morning always tends to drag on and on. However, after lunch, time moves quickly and before I realize it is time to go home. 

Hopefully, we don’t put God off until the last minute or hold off doing the things we know must be done until it is too late like; calling a relative or friend you haven’t heard from in a long time, sending a card to someone who is sick, performing intercessory prayer, repenting of sins, or even asking Jesus to be our Savior.

The Bible has a great deal to say about time.

Ephesians 5:16-17 says, 

“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Proverbs 12:27 states, 

“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, 

but the diligent man will get precious wealth”. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, 

“For everything there is a season, 

and a time for every matter under heaven”.

Does this mean time is evil? No, God is the author and creator of time. However, we can know that as time marches on evil becomes more and more prevalent. We can know by reading God’s word that we are definitely living in the “end times” as we know it.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 reveals, 

“But understand this, that in the last days 

there will come times of difficulty. 

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, 

proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, 

ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unapeasable, slanderous, 

without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous,

 reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 
Avoid such people.” 

Think of the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. Some were ready when the Bridegroom came and some were not because they had waited too late to do what needed to be done.

We need to make good use of our time because time is short. Don’t put off making things right with God, with other people, and with self. Don’t wait until the last few minutes, because those last few minutes will come and go before you even realize. 

Written by

Storm Hendrickson

Let God help you heal...Monday

6/30/14

Mercy Me has a song that has this line in it…
“I’m alive even though a part of me has died…”

Many times in our lives a part of us dies. There are so many reasons, but we know that this happens to every person. Here are some of the things that bring us down and a part of the sunniness we were created with feels the life go out.

Sally could sing this line because her mother had cancer and lost her battle when Sally was only seven. Maria loved someone who did not love her. Nancy had an accident and could no longer walk. Janie was attacked when someone sneaked into her apartment one night. Bob lost his job and ended up homeless. The list goes on and on.

Please listen to this song and then finish reading the devotional.

Here are some things I have had to face. Your hurts may have been different, but we all have had to deal with issues.

The Hurt…My mother would suddenly proceed from an innocent conversation into world war The reasons were bizarre and there was no warning or escape from it.
The Healer’s Help…Since my mother died God slowly showed me that she had been suffering from Bipolar disease. There were not medicines for this affliction in those days. When I understood her situation I was able to forgive her in my heart.

The Hurt…I was always in trouble in school. I would get my work done before the other kids, and then do something unacceptable that distracted the other children. When this happened I felt guilty and could not understand why I did these things. I decided I was bad.
The Healer’s Help…When I was in eighth grade I had a teacher who always kept me busy. She was also the principal of the school and she was always sending me to another teacher with a note or letting me help out somewhere when my work was done. She told my parents that I worked quickly with quality work. She said, “How can she help being bored?” When I was promoted to high school my mother told me what she said. My actually understood me, and that was an incredible relief to my self-image.

The Hurt…When I chose my life partner and was planning my wedding I asked a woman who had been at my college and was now teaching in the school where I was a first grade teacher. I asked her to be a bridesmaid and she said yes. Then a couple of weeks later she said she could not be in my wedding. She said she did not believe in mixed marriages. Since he was a Moslem I thought she meant religion. It was not that. She had been talking about race. My Indian husband to be was not white and she disapproved. I could not even answer her.
The Healer’s Help…He showed me immediately that she was off the mark. He provided me with  the strength to not allow myself to be hurt. I asked another friend, and my wedding was wonderful without her.

These are just three of the hurts I have had to endure. Some are much more impactful than these. Some of them are still being addressed and the recovery is not final. However, I know from past experiences that if I let the Healer collide with my Hurt.

I ask you to let the Healer collide with your Hurt. He will find you glory even in the hurts you go through, and you will find understanding and healing.

Written by

Corinne Mustafa

PERFECT LOVE... Sunday

Devotional for 6/29/14

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

These verses speak of a perfect kind of love that we strive to have for other people.  This is a tall order.  There is so much here in these verses!  We can try to be loving to all people by doing these things - being kind, not envious, not boastful, etc. But how well can we do everything on this list?  And it can often be difficult to treat all people with love, especially if there are people who don't reciprocate, or may have hurt us in some way, etc. However,  Jesus tells us even to love our enemies, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27 & 35).

We strive to love one another in order to reflect God's love to the world, the love He has shown us first when He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sins.  God gives us the power to be able to be loving to others.  We can come to him in prayer, asking for help when we have difficulty with loving.  But we can never love perfectly.  Only God is perfect.  And thankfully, when we fail to love all others or to love them perfectly, He is forgives us because of what Jesus has done.  

In 1 John 4:8 we are told that  God is Love.  In fact, HE is perfect love.  So we could also use the 1 Corinthians verses to describe God by replacing the word "Love" with "God":

God is patient, God is kind.  He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.  He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs.  God does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  GOD NEVER FAILS!

Now those verses make more sense to us and are possible, because we know God is perfect.  May we remember to be grateful for God's perfect love as we go into the world and share that love with others the best we can with his help.

by Jan Andersen

REFLECTIONS OF THE SPIRIT

6 28 14                                            

"But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit
the righteousness for which we hope."

Galatians 5:25

   

Women, especially enjoy wearing jewels.  There are so many beautiful stones -- clear diamonds, purple amethysts, red rubies, and hundreds more.  But it is the way they are cut and polished by the jeweler that brings out their beauty.  It is the facets of the stones that reflect their light.

  

Just like jewels, Christians are to be a reflection of God as the Holy Spirit dwells within us.  We are to reflect God's grace to the world.  We are to beam forth the light of His brilliant love for all mankind.

  

   To do this we must be in His Word daily to gain the wisdom and power to live in the Spirit and proclaim His salvation to others by what we do in thought and words and deeds.

     

What are you doing in your daily life to be a reflection of the Spirit of God who dwells in you?

Written by
Carol Steficek

Staying Bright...Friday

June 27, 2014

I just opened my devotional Bible to a reading titled “We Are Light”, it tells of a story of a man caught in an elevator during a power outage in New York City.   At first there was panic and fear until he remembered that he had a small flashlight in his pocket.  The fear dissipated and they shared stories, jokes and even sang during the forty five minutes they were stuck there.

We need to remember that we are the light of God

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

This reminds me that I must carry on my life sharing the light of the Lord always.  I get stuck in my darkness
with my thoughts of worry and stress forgetting to see the positive and shining light that I am living in.  The world is full of so many dark moments and issues going on that I need to carry my light as I know it, and truly believe it, to the many people that aren't aware of the great light of the Lord.  The torch that never stops burning.  Carry your torch with you through all storms…. and life will be so much brighter with love, hope and faith.

“The Rock”

And we thank Thee that the darkness

reminds us of light.

O Light Invisible, we give Thee Thanks

For Thy great glory!

T.S. Eliot

Written by

Kelly Dobyns

Do Not Have Any Anxiety About Anything...Thursday

This writing is much longer than our regular devotionals. I hope you will take the time to read it. It is very well done and provides a lot of food for thought.

___________________________________________

6/26/14

Philippians 4:4-9 (Amplified Bible)

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]. Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9 (The Message)

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Rejoice in the Lord always (delight, gladden yourself in Him), again I say rejoice

This must be very important, it was not only said once but twice, it was emphasized.

I love how the Message puts it 

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him." 

Revel here means to take great pleasure or delight to bask Bask means to indulge wallow.  

When I hear those words or think about those words I can see a large soft fluffy blanket just enveloping me, wrapping it self around me and on the outside are the Lords arms gentle wrapping his arms around me.  And I am swallowed up by his love for me, by how awesome and good he is.  I feel safe. 

Celebrate, rejoice just reminds me of singing praises to Him, to have a song in your heart about your King.  Giving thanks for what He has already done for you. 

When we start mediating and reminding our soul about what he has already done for us,  how can you not celebrate how can you not rejoice in the goodness of our Father God?

How awesome he truly is.

"This isn't instructing us to be happy. Paul commands us to rejoice. Rejoice is a verb; it's something you do, whereas happiness is a state of being. We may not always be happy, but we can always rejoice. We can rejoice regardless of what's happening to us, or Paul wouldn't have commanded us to do it.  Paul commanded us to "rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS." That seems unreasonable and impossible to most people. They think, "You can't always be rejoicing even through bad times!" But the Lord would be unjust to command us to do something that is unobtainable. Rejoicing at all times is not only possible, it is preferable!  It's true that we can't rejoice at all times if we are waiting for our circumstances to be good. Even in the few times when everything seems to be just right, we will have some sorrow because of past tragedies or future fears. Our rejoicing has to be in the Lord."

         —Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary

  

Did you know that Paul was in jail at the time he was telling the church to rejoice, to celebrate our God.  Paul shows us that our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances.  Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him.  Our God is with us through all things he does not leave us nor forsake us.  Inward joy can always be ours because we are in the Lord.  In his presence is fullness of joy.  Indulge in him, allow him to wrap his arms around you and then celebrate what he has already done for you, what he is doing for you and thank him ahead of time for what he is going to do in your life.  Paul knew that there was nothing to difficult for our God!

FYI-- Rejoice is said 192 times in the Bible.

Now on to "⁵Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit)."

The Message says it this way:   "Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them."

The NIV puts it this way: "let your gentleness be evident to all." 

Not to some but to all – not to only those who treat you nice – but to even those who are rude, angry, or treat you like scum, etc.

This word "originally indicated a thoughtful, considerate and decent outlook. Rather than hotly demanding his or her rights, whatever the cost to others, a person with this trait seeks peace in a calm way...." This word is "opposite of an angry harshness that grows out of personal pride and a dominating selfishness" (EDBW, pp. 303-304).

—Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary

This is to be shown to all men, family, customers, bosses, patients and co-workers.  If we can so this then we are fulfilling the command.  We are not to hide our light under a bed, it is to shine and to shine brightly for the kingdom of God.  We are not to be as the world.  I want to be that person that people say there is something different about her.  I want them to come up to me and say I want what you have.  I want to be a walking testimony for my God.

Is this easy, heck no, but with the Holy Spirit living with in I can testify that he reminds us, as we start to go there. It is a gentle reminder to us the Word of God, he will say Kathryn or what ever your name is Let your gentleness be evident to all.  Then it comes down to a choice to what we are going to do.  As for me I want my answer to be yes, let my gentleness be evident to all even this one.  Did my flesh want to, oh no, but I would smile and say yes Lord and my tone would calm back down, the rudeness would go.  I so love the Word of God.  I so love the Holy Spirit reminding me of what the Word says.

The scripture goes on to say

"Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!"

Paul gave reason for letting this godly trait of gentleness be displayed towards men.  It is because Jesus could show up at any minute.  Jesus is coming soon that means each person will soon be facing their maker.  That means all men need to be ready and we are God’s witnesses to get them ready.  We need to be about our Father’s business, leading men to the light.  We have to let our light so shine.  We have to let our gentleness our unselfishness be known to all men.

Written by 

Kathryn Hanson

"We Need Each Other"...Wednesday

6/25/14 

This past Sunday I was ever so blessed to watch the body of Christ ministering at different levels. I watched the leaders for the Children's ministry preparing and praying for the morning. In the foyer I saw a woman encouraging another that was going through a rough time. I also saw one of our ministers blessing one of our lay people that was getting ready to go on a mission trip very shortly. I saw lots of fellowshipping, blessing and hugging before the actual service. And the list went on and on. It totally warmed my heart to see the body of Christ doing what the body of Christ is supposed to do.

God's word tells us in I Corinthians 12:12

 "Just as a body though one, 

has many parts but all its many parts form one body, 

so it is with Christ." 

We know that Christ is the head of the body and we as the body are each used in different ways as the Lord so sees fit. Each part is so significantly important and operates in his or hers gifting.

That is how I saw it this past Sunday. The body was ministering in different capacities in such a beautiful way. Everyone was doing their part and God's life was flowing out of each one.

We as the body truly need each other. No one can do it alone. The body of Christ has different strengths and each is needed to fulfill God's ministry here on earth.

I feel amazingly blessed to be a part of God's family and to be surrounded by all my brothers and sisters as well as we serve the Lord wholeheartedly until he takes us home to be with Him eternally!

In His Great Love,

Sandy Billingham

Fear Not...Tuesday

6/24/14

All of us have experienced fear. I bet that we talk with someone on a daily base that is dealing with fear or struggling with anxiety. Maybe they fear rejection, financial worries, and people’s opinions, losing a loved one, health concerns, or the thought of failure. Some people fear speaking in public, flying, or being in the dark.
 

What exactly is fear? According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger”.

There are many Scripture verses in the Bible that mention fear and how to overcome this particular emotion.

Isaiah 41:10 reveals, 

“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed,
for I am your God;
 I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

Philippians 4:6-7 states, 

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

Joshua 1:9 proclaims, 

“Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”.

I like what Alex Niles (2014) wrote, “Sometimes through the darkest skies the brightest stars reveal themselves and shine”.

We can apply this way of thinking to our lives by reminding ourselves that God is still with us in our darkest moments. It is during our times of struggle that God reveals His awesome power and love for us. It does not matter how small the issue or need might seem, our Heavenly Father cares about every aspect of our lives. He does not desire for us to be fearful.

Matthew 10: 29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”.

When we are faced with life situations that cause us to experience fear, we learn a great deal about ourselves. We discover our strengths, abilities, and gifts. We come to realize that God has provided us with everything we need to face any situation. We just need to learn how to trust Him more.

The Psalms are the Bible’s great soul book, meant to train us to respond to all life situations and difficulties through prayer and trust in the Lord.

One example is when David was seized by the Philistines and he starts to become afraid. However, instead of giving into fear he sets his vision on his Lord. He praises God and puts his trust in Him……

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust;
I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4

What fear is trying to take a hold of you? What trouble are you facing?

The next time you feel fearful, repeat these words….

“When I am afraid of _________, I will trust in you, Lord”

Don’t live your life in a glass jar, afraid to face your fears. Break free and experience life the way God intended. 

Written by
Storm Hendrickson

THE APARTMENT MANAGER...Monday

                   

6/22/14

“The following conversation was overheard when two friends reunited after several years.  “I heard you sold your apartment building so where are you living now?  It must be nice to be away from the difficult woman on the third floor.”

“Oh, Ms. Know-it-all?  She’s still there as she has tenure so won’t be gone until the building is no more. I’m still living on the ground floor but the new owner brought in his resident trainer to live on the second floor and he’s teaching me how to manage the building using the Apartment Managers Handbook so I can deal with her better. It was slow at first because I was new at it, but you know, she can’t help her attitude; it’s her nature. I’m learning to discern between her voice and His. You know what?  I’m tired of talking, let’s go shopping!”

As they left , I was envisioning that scenario, and it occurred to me:  I’m that building!  I am body, soul, and spirit!  When I was constructed at birth my body and soul were born but my spirit wasn’t alive until I accepted the new Owner’s offer to purchase me.  I’ve had been living on the ground floor with Ms. Flesh on the third floor and the second room on the second floor was empty.   Her voice of criticism, fearfulness, and doubt, is the heaviest weapon she wields to discourage and terrorizes me.  

When I accepted the price Jesus paid for me.  He moved in the Holy Spirit, who faithfully reminds me to study the Bible with Him and that I have to take responsibility of making the right choices in listening to the voices!  It’s an ongoing struggle but His weapons have, and still do, supersede hers, and Satan.  I am the manager, the one who is in charge, based on grounding in His word, the Bible, the apartment manager’s manual.  I am the apartment manager; I have to take responsibility.   

I also meet with other managers who want to be the best they can be for the new Owner, and we help newborn managers learn be the best apartment managers they can be. There are many of us out there, and we love to encourage!”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 

who is in you, whom you have from God,

 that you are not your own?   

For you have been bought with a price; 

therefore glorify God in your body.

Galations 5:16 Paul encourages: 

”Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh

 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh so that you may not do the things that you please.”  

 (22- 25): 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, 

against such things there is no law.”

Ephesians 6:10-18  

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might, 

put on the full armor of God, that you may be able 

to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  

For our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against darkness, against the spiritual forces 

of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Written by
Sandy Schott

HELPING or HARMING?... Sunday

Devotional for 6/22/14

How and when should we help other people?  Or how much should we help and how many times?  These are questions with which many of us struggle in order to find the right balance.  It is not always a simple answer, and each individual will have to decide for themselves how far to go to help others.  However, there are certain Bible verses and principles to keep in mind that can be helpful.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

These verses tell us two things: to not act in order to bring positive attention to ourselves or because we think we are better than others, and to remember to take care of ourselves as well as others, not at our own expense nor forgetting others. We have to take care of ourselves in order to be healthy and able enough to help others.  Christ did this when throngs of people sought him out for healing when they heard of his miracles.  He took time out for his own renewal through prayer so that he could serve the Father well:

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.  Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)

Another thing to consider is whether our helping is actually harmful to the other person in any way.  Is our help enabling someone to remain in their troubles? Is it trying to do for them what they should be doing for themselves and thereby taking over their responsibilities?  Are we trying to rescue someone who has no intention of changing their ways, and since they don't suffer the consequences will they therefore end up in the same or a worse situation?    

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. Proverbs 19:19 (NIV)

Then when is it a good thing to help others?  When we are helping another person with a burden way too heavy for any one person alone to bear and which came upon them through no fault of their own.  Or when we unselfishly help them learn to resolve their own issues and become healthier physically, emotionally or spiritually in order to carry their own load.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.  Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.  ^{Galatians 6:2-5 (NIV)}  

So these are the things we consider when deciding about helping someone else: 1) whether our motive is pure, 2) whether it is healthy for us, 3) whether it is healthy for them, and 4) whether it helps them grow.  In this way we establish healthy boundaries. But most importantly, what we do needs to reflect the love of Christ for both ourselves and others, witnessing to his great mercy and love for all.

written by Jan Andersen

The most important help that one can receive is from God...we need to be careful not to put ourselves in the way of perfect help

THE UNSEEN...Saturday

6/21/14                                                   

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
II Corinthians 4:18

    God wants us to fix our eyes on something beyond the world we live in. I don't have to point out the fact that today everything is in permanent "flux."  There really is nothing or no one whom we can really count on without fail.

     Our idols change, our financial situation changes, people come in and go out of our lives. The "truth" of Scripture has been changed into what is politically correct for the day, literally, because that seems to change with the winds of society's standards.

    

So what can we fix our eyes on and know that it will really be the same later today or tomorrow?  God is the answer.  It is the unseen God who we come to know in our hearts that is the only One we can really count on.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  God never changes, His promises are sure, His love is unconditional, His grace if forever into eternity.

Written by

Carol Steficek