Stop Asking How.....Monday

Have you ever had your eyes examined? The practice of optometry has changed drastically over the last 80 years. Yes, they still use a chart on the wall. But the machines that have been designed to speed up and improve the accuracy of their prescriptions are fascinating. When I ask my optometrist how a machine works, he patiently explains what each machine does and how the technology helps him to spot even the smallest variation, defect, or symptom of disease. How things work can be very interesting.

When the visiting pastor said "You're stuck on how" I didn't even flinch or have the slightest resistance. I knew right away, yes, I am stuck on how. 

I am sorry to say that I am very slow to change or to listen. Because I am an expert at excuses I can be aware of an internal nudge for a very long time and not act on it. When I run out of excuses, I then resist knowing what I should be doing by asking God how. I'll say to Him, "If I do this, how are You going to make such and such happen?" It sounds so brazen as I write it and I can see the fear and doubt that have clouded my thinking. Clearly, I am stuck. 

I can stop asking how because I know God is trustworthy, faithful and true. I can just get up in the morning and do what each day requires. As I do those things I pray that my words, thoughts, and actions please the God who watches over each of us, protecting us, and leading us.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your word that says we should seek wisdom and understanding (see Proverbs 4) and for showing us that we can understand that You have a plan, and trust You, without knowing how You are going to handle it. Thank You for patiently showing us how to walk in Your truth. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

LABOR OF LOVE... Sunday

Devotional for 8/31/14

Tomorrow is Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September every year.  This is one of those holidays that not everyone understands, but most people enjoy it as a three day weekend.  There are sales galore advertised.  Parades and picnics in the park are planned. Trips or outings are on the agenda.  White clothes or shoes are put away for another season.  Summer breaks are ending.  Students are back in school or will be and hopefully have moved on to the next grade or level.  Labor Day means a lot of different things to different people.  

Labor Day was originally established to celebrate the spirit and achievements of the American workers.  It was a tribute to how they helped the country become strong and prosperous.  This was due to their dedication to their jobs and celebrated by taking a break from those jobs and spending time with family and friends for many.

There is another more important "job" for which we as Christians are to labor.  We are to remain faithful and to carry out God's will here on earth.  We are here to share the Good News that Jesus has come as the Savior for all people because of God's great love for us.  He loves us no matter how much we have turned away from him and done wrong things.  He loves us even when we fall down trying to remain faithful and do his work on earth.  He gives us the power and courage to get back up again and move forward.  It is in the work of the Lord which we must stand firm.   When we remain faithful our work is never in vain.  It is a labor of love!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

written by Jan Andersen

TRAPPED OR FREE?...Saturday

8/30/14 

"Jesus answered, 

'If you want to be perfect,

 go, sell your possessions 

and give to the poor, 

and you will have treasure in heaven.  

Then come, follow me.'" 

Matthew 19:21

     Many of you will be familiar with the story of the rich young ruler.  He felt he had kept all of God's commandments yet felt he lacked something to attain eternal life.  Jesus' response saddened him and he walked away.

     Are you trapped in materialism, some sin of indulgence, the quest for fame or power?  Yet, do you still feel trapped and long for something else?

     Only Jesus can give you what you need.  It is by giving up ourselves and our own desires and being enveloped by His love for us that we can be truly fulfilled and happy in this life.

    

     Amazingly enough, we give up everything we are and have and end up with more than we can imagine.  God's blessings overflow with His presence with us and His care for us.  We lack nothing and we are free to live and be ourselves in Him.

Written by 

Carol Steficek

Acceptance...Friday

8/29/14 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, 

in order to bring praise to God.Romans 15:7

(NIV) 

I have an ongoing struggle with a person that I work for.  She is controlling, micro-managing, opinionated and judgmental.  This is a real battle for me, as working in such a small office I want to get along with everyone.  So every time I let my guard down with this person, she takes the opportunity to give me unsolicited advice on my life, the latest is that she wants to go through my closet and throw out all my frumpy clothes.  All I can say about this is that I am getting my affairs in order to be able to move on.  I am tired of feeling stuck in this job and being verbally abused by this person.  So please Lord, give me the hope and strength to see my talents and guide me where I need to go.  At the same time help me to forgive this person.  Help me to be more like Jesus. 

Jesus said, 

“Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing.”Luke 23:34
(NIV)

This part is a real struggle for me, as I am very hurt by her continual comments. I truly want to lash out and

tell her how I feel about her personality and life choices and her body style.  But, I won’t and can’t do that.  Therefore, I have held onto those hurts, burying them deeply inside causing extreme pain to myself.  I have tried to deal with it on my own and of course that has been a temporary fix.  I am now getting the help for a permanent fix.  My amazing Father above is the only answer that there is.  I know He will heal me when I keep my focus on Him, not on the spoken words of hurtful humans.

 He sent out his word and healed them;

he rescued them from the grave.

 Psalm 107:20
(NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

(NIV) 

 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are attentive to their cry;

 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to blot out their name from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:15-17

(NIV)

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

 (NIV)

Written by

Kelly Dobyns

In All Things Give Thanks

Now, I know it’s not Thanksgiving Day quite yet, but I sense the Holy Spirit directing me to encourage you to review some of the words 

from Scripture that encourage us to give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Here are a just a few.

        
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, 

And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4 

Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 

 Bless the Lord O my soul, And forget not all His benefits; 

who forgives all your iniquities who heals all your diseases.  

Who redeems your life from destruction, 

who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. 

 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, 

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:

        We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! 

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

 Psalm 75:1 - 

        Oh, give thanks to the Lord, 

for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

  Psalm 107:1

         Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication, 

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Philippians 4:6

-       Continue earnestly in prayer, 

being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

   Colossians 4:2

        All the angels stood around the throne 

and the elders and the four living creatures, 

and fell on their faces before the throne 

and worshiped God,  saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,

Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 7:11-12 

I want to end this week’s devotional with the chorus lyrics from one of Keith Green’s popular Christian songs :

            “There Is A Redeemer”

Thank you, Oh my Father

For giving us your Son

And leaving your Spirit

‘Til the work on Earth is done.

Written by

Kathryn Hanson

" No Spectators Allowed"...Wednesday

 8/27/14

I have noticed as we walk through this journey called life, that there are two kinds of people. You have the people that stand by from afar and spectate and then you have the people that are the participators. And as we well know, there is a time to spectate and there is a time to participate.

Participating plays a very important role if you are a child of the Most High God! God has given us His Word as a guideline on how to live out our lives onto Him. We cannot just read it and go about doing our own thing, but we must be obedient to His Word. He specifically tells us: 

 "Do not merely listen to the Word, 

and so deceive yourselves. 
Do what it says." 
James 1:22

In the life as a believer we are called to be a doer of the Word. We are to enter in and participate in serving the Lord wholeheartedly. We are not to stand idly by and watch other believers do it all. If we are feeling the nudge by the Holy Spirit to minister in a certain area, then we must launch out and and let the Lord use us powerfully! If we are feeling conviction by the Holy Spirit to live a certain way, then by all means, we must adhere to His beckoning.

There is truly no place for spectators in the Christian walk. Come to Jesus with a heart of obedience and a desire to participate, and be ready for a life of rich fulfillment!

In His Rich Love, 

Sandy Billingham

City on a Hill...Tuesday

Storm is in the middle of a very busy weekend and Monday. I offered to post a devotional that she wrote previously.

____________________________________________________________

City on a Hill...Tuesday

8/26/14

There is a song called City on a Hill that is sung by the group called Casting Crowns. When I listen to the words of the song I think about all the people who have left the church for one reason or another. Sometimes people leave because the Pastor refuses to preach what their itching ears want to hear. Sometimes people leave because the pastor is preaching what itching ears want to hear, even if it means sugar coating Scripture or worse, twisting it to make a wrong seem right. Some people leave because their heart or pride has been wounded. Others leave because they do not feel welcomed. Sadly, there are too many churches out there with empty pews. A great deal of these pews remain empty because churches have fallen short of God’s plan for His people. The light from the city has become dull. 

God wants us to be united, grounded in His word. He desires for His people to be lights in this dark world. We are supposed to be helping each other out. Instead, many people who claim to be followers of Christ are doing more harm than good. The Holy Spirit calls Christians to lift each other up, be a beacon to the lost, offer a word of encouragement to the broken hearted, welcome the unwanted, etc. Unfortunately, some Christians are so busy gossiping, complaining, comparing their lives to others, and being judgmental that it is becoming hard to tell a Christian from a non-believer.

Here are a few common comments non-believers say about Christians according to Thom S. Rainer from the Christian Post (2012)….

1. Christians are against more things than they are for...
   "It just seems to me that Christians are mad at the world and mad at each other. They are so negative that they seem unhappy. I have no desire to be like them and stay upset all the time."

2.   I would like to develop a friendship with a Christian.
     "I'm really interested in what they believe and how they carry out their beliefs. I wish I could find a Christian that would be willing to spend some time with me."

3.   I don't see much difference in the way Christians live compared to others.
      "I really can't tell what a Christian believes because he doesn't seem much different than other people I know. The only exception would be Mormons. They really seem to take their beliefs seriously."

We are the city on the hill. Our light should reflect Jesus Christ and it should draw the lost into the fold. There are many Scriptures verses that teach how followers of Jesus should act, not just behind the four walls of a church, but in our everyday walk.

\                                      Hebrews 10:24-25 says, 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, 

but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

1 John 2:6 states, 

“Whoever says he abides in him
ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

2 Timothy 2:15 reveals,
"Do your best to present yourself to God
as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
 rightly handling the word of truth.”

Let the city on the hill shine again! Let God’s people come together, with one purpose, one goal. To help bring as many lost souls to Christ as we can, while there is still time.

Written by 

Storm Hendrickson

Life Interrupted....Monday

Our Youth Pastor preached in the Sunday services. On the drive home I was thinking how nice it is to have him available to step in when our Senior Pastor is ministering elsewhere. I imagined how it might interrupt his usual schedule to preach on a different day and have to rearrange his routine. Wow, I thought, it is so admirable how graciously he handles the change. "Lord," I prayed, "Please bless Pastor Jules as he does what he's asked to do for You without batting an eyelash." Then the thought came to me, "He is doing what he is called to do. The interruption is his calling." 

Then the light bulb went on in my head! The interruptions in our lives, are the life we are called to live, too. Interruptions can be relationship building moments, if we walk through them with grace. If we sweep them aside, lose our cool, complain about what else we are supposed to be doing, the result is negative.

We plan the way we want to live,

    but only God makes us able to live it.

Proverbs 16:9 MSG

Dear Lord, Please help me to recognize the importance of accepting interruptions as a part of life. Please give me the strength of purpose to be kind and gracious when my plan is interrupted. Help me to see each change, delay, or missed plan as part of Your plan. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

RISING WATERS... Sunday

Devotional for 8/24/14

We have seen some torrential rains.  There has been great flooding and destruction in certain areas, while other areas remain parched.  Some people have been forced from their homes and have lost all of their belongings to the raging, rising waters.  Animals they owned have been forever lost.  Sometimes even the homes themselves have been lifted from their foundations to float down the mighty floodwaters.  In some cases, floating automobiles and homes still had people in them, and great rescue efforts have ensued.  It is devastating when lives are lost to the overwhelming downpours. 

Sometimes in our lives we feel as though we are being drowned in the rising waters of problems around us.  We may have many small issues that pile up, or one or two huge troubles overcome us.  If we cannot find a solution, it can feel as though we might be pulled under in the undertow.  We may look for a place to hide from the mess of life.  Or perhaps we seek a buffer or something to numb the painful circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Sometimes we search for an escape - a way out - before the tide completely covers us.  Or we can look for refuge and sustenance, something to strengthen us as we wait for the waters to recede or a rescuer to come.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

We turn to God in prayer, for help and strength to carry us through, for forgiveness for the mistakes we've made, and to help us to find the blessings in the midst of the storms, the rainbows as the sun breaks through the storm clouds, the seashells on the shore as the tide goes out. 

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalm 32:6-7 (NIV)

Dear Lord, thank you for all the blessings in my life.  I pray that you would give me and all those who need it your strength to carry us through life's struggles against the torrential downpours.  And once we have passed through those rising waters, help us to find the blessings in the trials too.  May we hear the songs of deliverance in the seashells you have deposited on our shores. Help us to bless others through our experiences and to share your life-giving message of salvation through faith.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

written by Jan Andersen

DWELL IN SAFETY...Saturday

8/22/14

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, 

O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Psalm 4:8

     The world certainly isn't a safe place for anyone anymore.  There are so many stories of evil every day in the newspapers and on television news that sometimes we turn it off -- tired of hearing about it.

     Modern technology, for all of its benefits, has also created a problem with internet theft and telephone monitoring.  We have no privacy and thus no safety anymore.  So what is a person to do?

  

   Find your safety and security in the only one who is really able to guarantee it -- our heavenly Father.  Seek His presence daily in His Word.  He will give you direction.  He has already been in the future and so knows how to wisely guide you.  Say a prayer when you feel in danger and His angels will surround you with their protection.

     God's promises are sure and certain in our uncertain and ever changing world.  Lie down at night and put everything into His hands as you fall asleep.  He will guard you.

Written by

Carol Steficek

God Said...Friday

8/22/14

                                                             For God has said,                                                                                                                          “I will never fail you.                                                                                                                    I will never abandon you.”                                                                   
                                                                 Hebrews 13:5                                                     New Living Translations
                                                                         (NLT)

I am clinging on to those words today.  It is all I can do to get me through each moment.  Even though I have lived with the ups and downs of depression for most of my life, the last few years have been the most challenging ever.  I am sure it is due to my sons being grown and so independent.  I don’t have that distraction to keep my busy.  I am forced to look at me…my life….the life that is what it is… and not what I had envisioned it to be.  I was not planning on being at the spot that I am right now, feeling so sad and dissatisfied  where I am.  The only thing that I can do is look up to my Father and put one foot in front of the other to get through each day.  I know He has a plan for me.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11New Living Translation

 (NLT)

Through my tears and pain yesterday I had an amazing truth shown to be whilst I was at church.  I could not stop the real me from being seen, as soon as anyone asked how I was the tears just flew down my cheeks.  With that I had some many true Christian women loving on me.   My sisters in Christ that I make a conscious decision to shut myself off from when I am in so much pain.  I don’t want anyone to see me showing my true emotions with tears.  Well, I learned that was one of the plans that He has for me…..to reach out to these beautiful friends.  I also want to admit now that I have put so many walls up to protect myself because of my past hurts.  I have not allowed myself to get close to anyone…because that is going to hurt eventually.  Somehow, someway I will be hurt by them all.

So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6New Living Translation 

(NLT)

So my goal for today is to reach out to one of these beautiful ladies just to be in touch.  I believe that is just one little piece of God’s plan for me.  I can hide from everyone else, but, I can’t hide from God, no matter what I do.  He won’t give up on me.  He will give me faith, peace, hope and love along the way….as well as show me the sisters that I am safe with.  Life is gonna happen no matter what we do, especially when we are making plans, but, I want to live my life with the trueness of the Lord in it.  So that is what I will do, with my sisters along the way.

Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right
 in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  

 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us
into this place of undeserved privilege
where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully
look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into
problems and trials, for we know that they help us
develop endurance. And endurance develops
strength of character, and character strengthens
our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us the Holy Spirit
to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:1-5New Living Translation 

(NLT)

Written by

Kelly Dobyns