Chosen...Tuesday

12/1/15

Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, 

the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession. - 

Deuteronomy 14:2

THINK ON THIS

Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, 

the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.  

Deuteronomy 14:2

BELIEVE THIS

Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, 

the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Deuteronomy 14:2

ACT ON THIS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To "think on" this is to feel a bit blown away. The Creator of the universe called me and you personally to be His adopted children. It was a choice, not Him taking whatever He would get like when a woman gives birth. Not only were we made by Him but also we were hand picked. I was waxing my wonder of it in a conversation with my husband. He pointed out that God calls everyone. 

I guess that could be true. However,  fact is, that when He called me, I was also chosen. That is the miracle. In a parable Jesus talked about a person who came to the wedding feast unprepared...not dressed properly. He was thrown out into the darkness. This is how the parable ended...

"Many are invited, but few are chosen."

Matthew 22:14

To "believe this" (that you were personally chosen by God) will lead you to hold certain attitudes about how you will choose to conduct yourself. The wedding guest in the parable was invited, but how he chose to come was not in keeping with what would be acceptable for such an invitation. He was not prepared for the honor he had been given. As a result he did not continue to be a guest at the wedding. 

To "act on this" is required, but there is not a formula that everyone has to follow like an exact formula in order to solve a problem in Algebra. However, the light in which we place ourselves should be showing our thanks to our Father for the fact that He has chosen us.

From the moment we come to the Lord we start to change some of the worldly behavior we had practiced before then. We no longer swear. We do not take the name of the Lord in vain. We spend quiet time with Him on a regular basis. Are we perfect? No, that is not possible, but God offers us a way to show our repentance. The Bible says...

"If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Heavenly Father, 

You are glorious beyond human understanding. Thank you not only for choosing us but also for making a way for us to be who You created us to be, when we fall short. We give you our appreciation for the honor of being your "treasured possession." Amen.

Written by

Corinne Mustafa

The Christmas Letter.....Monday

"The Christmas Letter' sounds like a holiday movie. But most of us receive at least one such letter each year. I have only written two Christmas letters in my life. Our move across the country to California prompted my first effort.

In that letter I chose the words carefully so as not to brag or complain but only to update on how we were doing and how we had found our new home. It seemed like a good thing at the time but one thing was missing. Our personal message of love, care, and interest to each one.

I know there are a few people who actually want to hear everything the kids have been doing and how everything is going at work. However, if my goal of sending Christmas wishes is to let people know that I love and care about them, then that’s another story altogether. One that I probably won't be able to accomplish with a copied letter.

So, this year, instead of a letter or email ‘all about us’ I am going to reach out to family and friends with individual messages. Whether it is on a card, in an email, or via text my goal is to express affection and appreciation. Hopefully in the process, a drop of God's love will flow through me. Not by preaching at them with scriptures, quoting the latest book or by being unbelievably positive but by telling them that I care about them. 

The emotional effort of writing something personal takes time and thoughtfulness. Although as one who has received such a kindness, I can tell you, it is time well spent. There is nothing more nurturing to a relationship than to share your feelings through words. Whether you send a card, a text or an email I hope you’ll put a little bit of yourself in each of your best wishes this season.

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;

 good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—

you choose. 

Proverbs 18:20-22 (MSG)

So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.

Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault.

Romans 14:19 (MSG)

Dear Lord, thank You for all of the blessings You have showered upon us this year. Please help us to remember that not everyone is happy. Not everyone feels blessed. Please give us Your words of love as we reach out to those You have brought into our lives. In Jesus name, amen.

 Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Love Them Like Jesus by Casting Crowns

FORGIVENESS... Sunday

Devotional for 11/29/15

When we were young, our parents taught us how to behave such as when to say please and thank you,  I'm sorry, or I forgive you.  When our boys were little, we struggled to teach them that even if they didn't mean to do something, they should still say they were sorry if they accidentally hurt someone else.  It was not an admission of doing something on purpose to them, but expressing regret that the person was harmed.  We also tried to teach them that they should forgive someone who said they were sorry, even if what they did was wrong. 

As I have matured, I have learned that forgiving someone is important even when the other person isn't ready to say they are sorry or to change their ways. It is what God desires.  If I am unforgiving, I am not hurting that other person or changing them at all, I am just making myself miserable by holding a grudge, the heaviest weight on earth!  Being angry with injustice is one thing, but "unpacking my bags and staying there" can lead to being resentful, which only harms myself.  God says he is the one that will take vengeance on the unrepenant.  Our job is to be forgiving.

I also have to remember that sometimes even I have been unwilling to say I am sorry for something I've done or to change my ways out of stubbornness or inability to see that I am in the wrong.  And even in those situations, God still is ready to forgive me.  

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.  Guilt and shame may have a strangle hold on us due to something in our past that we feel is unforgivable.  Even if we know that God forgives us, we may find it hard to be as merciful with ourselves.  Other people who have done the same thing as we did may be easier for us to forgive.  It may be helpful to remember that even though God is perfect and just, He still forgives us.  We can also ask God to help us with our unforgiving attitude, whether it be with others or with ourselves.

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving your life as payment for my sins.  Your forgiveness of all is sometimes unbelievably overwhelming. Help me, dear Lord, to realize where I have done wrong.  Help me to try to right my wrongs against others out of thankfulness for my own forgiveness from you.  Your love and forgiveness are given freely to me.  Help me to be like you, to forgive others, no matter what the offense may be.   In your name, Amen.

• written by Jan Andersen

WARFARE...Saturday

11/28/15                                                         

"Therefore I will teach them -- this time I will teach them 
my power and might.  

Then they will know that my name is the Lord." 

Jeremiah 16:21

     Many Christians do not realize that while we are living on this earth we are in a constant state of warfare with Satan.  He is doing everything he can to defeat us, foil our victories, and dry up our resources.

    

Satan attacks our physical bodies to weaken us.  He attacks our minds to make us doubt God's promises.  He seeks to pull us away from the fellowship of believers who can help make us strong in our spirits.

     Christians who do not recognize the wiles of Satan are being bombarded and are losing ground in their daily walk with the Lord.  Every day each of us is growing either farther away from or closer to God.  There is no neutral territory.

     So how do I fight against the power of the enemy?  I rely on the power and might of the living God.  How?  I put on the armor of God DAILY -- the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, and take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  This is power.  This is the armor of the might of God.

Written by

Carol Steficek

Stay In the Moment...Friday

November 27, 2015

I have had an amazing week of blessings that I plan to treasure forever.  I was so incredibly blessed to be donated a ticket to go to the Women of Faith Conference in Sacramento.  It was unfortunate that the ticket holder could not use her ticket due to illness, but, in thanking her she was so happy that I was able to use it and she was incredibly blessed as well.

I am now in Las Vegas spending the Thanksgiving Holiday with both of my sons and their dad.  I am really filled up with love and planning to keep myself filled.  I have such an unpleasant habit of working myself up to worrying about saying goodbye, or what I have to get back to at work and getting back to reality.  I want to be living and loving in the moment instead of working myself up with worry.  So that is what I will do.  I know the Lord loves me enough to keep me in the moment….to treasure these moments.  I need to do is ask of Him.

Bible Verses about Living in the Present: 
Live Life, 
Enjoy the blessing!

Bible Verses about the best way to live:
 Enjoy the blessing of each day!

After looking at the way things are on this earth, 
here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: 

Take care of yourself, have a good time, 
and make the most of whatever job you have

 for as long as God gives you life. 
And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. 

Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, 

both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, 

accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. 

It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. 

It’s useless to brood over how long we might live,

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, MSG 

Thank you, Lord for giving me all the love that I have in my life….beautiful friends and wonderful family.  Help me to treasure and hold them in my heart as I LIVE each of these moments that have been given tome as gifts.  There is plenty of time for work and reality of responsibilities.  Help me to categorize them appropriately.  I will live my life as you want me to…happy, joyous and free.  YOU handle the big stuff and I will praise you for keeping me safe as I never let go of you.  Amen!

Written by 

Kelly Dobyns

Password to Enter...Thursday

11/26/13

Giving thanks is like the password to enter, so come into His city with great thanksgiving. Go through, the Temple gates with songs of joyous appreciation and a heart overflowing with gratefulness.

And come into His courtyard with praise. Enter into His holy place with an offering of worship, adoration and devotion.

 Demonstrate your love for Him by bringing Him songs of honor. Give Him glory and bless the name of the Lord.

Be thankful and say so to Him. Give Him thanks and praise His name. Thank Him and worship Him.

Psalm 100.4

When was the last time that you intentionally entered into the presence of God just to thank Him for His numerous blessings?

There is so much to be thankful for; our redeemer and the salvation of our soul; the air we breathe; the natural beauty of creation around us; our miraculous bodies with the blood that carries oxygen in our veins and the tongue that transports our food.

Just look at yourself in the mirror you will realize that there is no one like you among the seven billion people on earth today. You are unique and custom made, designed by God himself.

Just take few minutes to give God thanks for all His work on your behalf.

Written by Brother Thomas Ukwute, Nigeria

                                                                  Edited by Jody Ward

"Cleansed In Jesus"...Wednesday

11/25/15

 

Last week I was getting rid of items in our house that we no longer needed. I came across an old picture frame where the glass had been broken. As I was putting it in the trash I accidently cut my arm with the glass. I did not tend to the cut immediately. I went about doing many other things. Later as I looked at the cut, it did not look good at all. It was very red and swollen and was hurting. I finally took action and cleaned it out well and applied medicine. It is still healing, but because I did not deal with the cut right away, I suffered the consequences of undue pain and discomfort and delayed healing.

 

I believe sin is like that in many ways. We may let it slide for awhile and go about our life not taking care of it right away. The sin begins to fester and can create all kinds of chaos and unrest and undue pain. Then and only then when it begins to create all kinds of turmoil hopefully we choose to make it right with our Heavenly Father and clean up our act.

 

God's Word tell us...

 

"Come now, 

and let us reason together." says the Lord. 

Though your sins are like scarlet, 

they shall be as white as snow; 

though they are red like crimson,

 They shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1:18 

 

When we repent and turn from our wicked ways, our God is faithful to cleanse us and purify our hearts. He exchanges our sin for forgiveness and wholeness in our life. That is when the turmoil and the all the unhealthy festering is removed and we become healed and at peace with Jesus. He restores us and redeems us as new. We are cleansed in His redeeming Power!

 

In His Great Mercy and Grace, 

Sandy Billingham

We Give Thanks..Tuesday.

11/24/15

Here you see words that speak for our reasons to be thankful. These are just a few reasons; there are so many more! From the beginning of God's creation He has given us so many things to be grateful for.

Every year we count our blessings,  but this counting tends to be shallow when we dig deep and count the magnitude of blessing that God give us. Yes, we are given family, friends, love, loving and so much more. Scripture has many many verses that speak of thankfulness. Here are a few to ponder on as we spend the next two days till Thanksgiving Day,

"Give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 

his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;" 

I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 7:17

 "I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you."
Psalm 35:18

"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin,

you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching 

that has now claimed your allegiance."
Romans 6:17

It would be a good exercise during the next two days before Thanksgiving to ponder on other scriptures that contain the words thanks and thankful. Early on Thanksgiving morning may we all be able to proclaim...

This is the day that the Lord has made;
 let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 

A Muddy Mess....Monday

Our dog Fifi has 3 legs but she runs around as if she has 4. Most days she is a good girl. Which means she eats, sleeps and plays without causing harm or creating a mess. But she is only a 3 year old dog so when she gets into trouble we might be annoyed, but we are not usually surprised. Until, that is, last week.

Opening the door and calling for Fifi to come inside, I turned my back on the door to check her water bowl. Racing in the door she got into the kitchen before my husband commanded for her to stop. About 10 feet of muddy paw prints covered the floor and in their midst stood a sopping wet and muddy girl dog.

Her condition was extreme and wiping her off would not be good enough. So it was decided on a cold November night, that Fifi would have to get a quick outside shower. The garden hose didn't entertain her as usual as she tried to avoid the spray nozzle that was rinsing her body clean.

A few minutes later, towelling her off so that she would be dry enough to sleep at the foot of our bed, she wriggled to be done and out of my arms. That's when I realized how much I am like her.

When God is cleaning me off from a mess I have gotten myself into, or wandered into, or whatever - I cry and pity myself for the discomfort of being cleaned/extricated/separated. When I have to wait in order to take the next step - I am often impatient and pouty. Doubting that God really cares about me - or why doesn't He move more quickly, or answer more clearly?

If I spoke dog, and Fifi had quieted down and let me reassure her that I was doing these things because I wanted the best for her, would she have listened? Would it have made any difference in her attitude and behavior if she had known what the future holds? Which in her case was a warm soft bed on a cold dark night.

Well, if I can assume that Fifi is anything like me, then the answer is "Not likely."

God's Word promises that He will watch over us and care for us. Yet I worry and concern myself about things that I cannot control every day.

But God showed his great love for us

by sending Christ to die for us

while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8 NLT

Give all your worries and cares to God,

for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,”
 says the Lord.

    “And my ways are far beyond anything
 you could imagine.
 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8 NLT

Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that You love us and care for us. Please help us to remember that You see a bigger picture and know what the future holds. This Thanksgiving week we choose to trust that You are watching over us and washing us (see 1 John 1:9) of the mess that is sticking to us because You do care about our futures (see Jeremiah 29:11). In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

What Love Is This by Kari Jobe

A PASTOR'S WIFE'S FAREWELL... Sunday

Devotional for 11/22/15

Everyone has "farewells" in their lives - whether it be to someone who has passed away, or a loss of something such as their health, sometimes their friendships, or even their jobs.  It is always hard when my husband, a pastor, leaves a congregation to move on, or this month as he retires.  It is tough for me as his wife, just as it is for many members of the church we are leaving.  Bonds that were formed over the years may be lost.  I am told my flute music will be greatly missed.  The teaching of Bible classes by my husband will stop.  I will no longer be singing solos or helping the alto section of the choir shine.  My notes in the chimes choir will have to be picked up by someone else.  Areas where I participated will continue without me, and other people will step in to fill the void.  While it will never be exactly the same, it can still be to God's glory.

That brings me to a concern I always have when I leave a church.  I always love doing certain things in a congregation - being an additional greeter and resource person before the service; standing beside my husband as people leave and shake hands so that I can take down messages people invariably want him to remember while in the receiving line; participating in Bible Study classes and adding to the happy banter; contributing to the music programs; also in the past teaching Sunday School, playing the guitar, helping with Vacation Bible School, serving on the school board and other committees or boards, etc, etc.  But what happens when the next pastor's wife arrives?

Hopefully no one will expect every  pastor's wife to want to be heavily involved in the things I loved, just like I certainly did not do the things that prior pastor's wives have done.  I always want to be treated as an individual, as just another member of the congregation who loves the Lord.  Surely the next pastor's wife (if he has one) will want the same.  Just as all people in the congregation have different talents and gifts, pastor's wives are also unique individuals.  Accept them and support them as a fellow member of the church, without expectations.

Life is full of goodbyes - sometimes to people, or to situations, or abilities, etc. Remember that "goodbye" is actually a shortened form of "God be with you" and hence is a blessing to the other person, just as "farewell" expresses a desire that the other person "fare well" in life. And whenever there is a goodbye, there is a new hello on the horizon, a new adventure to glorify God.  It is all a part of the cycle of life, and a reminder of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Though he departed from his people here on earth when he took the punishment for our sins on the cross, there is the blessed promise of eternal life with him in heaven as we remain faithful.  And God has promised he will never leave us!  He is with us every step of the way.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) ... because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Dear Lord, we thank you that you will never leave us nor forsake us. We never have to say goodbye to you, because your love never fails us and you have promised to be with us until the end of the ages. Help us through all our earthly farewells and work them for our good in the end. Forgive us when we are in the midst of our goodbyes and we forget that your joy will come again to us. May we remain faithful throughout and witness about your gracious mercy and forgiveness to others. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

God be with you, 

Jan Andersen

CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT...Saturday

 11/21/15

 

"Live as children 

of the light 

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 

and find out what pleases the Lord." 

Ephesians 5:8b, 9

   

  If you know the Lord and recognize His great gift of salvation given freely to you, you should want to please Him.  This should be just as you would do for anyone you love -- parents, children, spouse, friends.  We love them so we take the time to try to please them.

     How much more should we be focused on a daily basis in pleasing our Lord.  It shouldn't be a burden to read your Bible to find out what God thinks and says.  It shouldn't be a burden to talk with Him in prayer and listen to Him.  It shouldn't be a burden to want to go to church to worship and praise Him for all of His gifts He richly gives us.  It should be a delight to share the gospel message with others who don't know Him because we want others to share in what we have.

    Spending time with Him and sharing His gifts to us pleases Him.  What do we often do -- relegate Go to "if I have time."  He gives us 24 hours every day and pleases us with what He gives us but we give Him so little in return.

     If we are going to be shining lights in this world to people who don't know the Lord, we need to be examples of children who please God by their thoughts, words, and deeds.

Written by 

Carol Steficek

        

I Am Not Alone...Friday

November 20, 2015

I have been feeling so alone over the last few months…as well as hurt, afraid and sad.  I was reminded by my niece that I am not alone…..He walks in the room before me.  Other examples and reminders of this glorious fact have been placed in my path over the last couple of weeks.  One of them is this song by Kari Jobe. 

"I Am Not Alone"

When I walk through deep waters

I know that You will be with me

When I'm standing in the fire

I will not be overcome

Through the valley of the shadow

I will not fear

I am not alone

I am not alone

You will go before me

You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow

I see Your light is breaking through

The dark of night will not overtake me

I am pressing into You

Lord, You fight my every battle

And I will not fear

I am not alone

I am not alone

You will go before me

You will never leave me

You amaze me

Redeem me

You call me as Your own

You're my strength

You're my defender

You're my refuge in the storm

Through these trials

You've always been faithful

You bring healing to my soul

I am not alone

I am not alone

You will go before me

You will never leave me

Let me tell you that I have been blasting this baby in my car every day this week to and from work.

  Listening to the words of this song just gives me chills!!  I am so in love with it.  I have clung onto this song as I have gone through my dark spots and He has been my strength to do exactly what I need to do.  He never gives up on me, even though I want to almost every day.  He has been my defender as I go through this daily battle of working in an environment with people that are not quite on the same wave lengths as me, if you know what I mean?!  As long as I went along and let words be said that hurt me and act like I didn’t care….everything was completely fine.  But, as soon as I could not handle this, or did not want to be hurt anymore and tried to stick up for myself…suddenly, I am the problem.  

So, the Lord is my shepherd that has carried me through the long eleven years of this battle (they have not all been bad years, mostly the last three)…He has fought for me when I couldn’t. He has put the love in my heart to love these people.  I have on His armor and have walked through the blaze.  God willing…I will be coming out the other side in just a couple of weeks.  I am anxious about letting them know, but, I know I will be coming through this in a blaze of glory.  His glory, His love and I will be shining like never before.  The Lord loves us, and with Him we are never alone.  Never ever alone!!  He will be walking in the room before me when I go to have that conversation.

This song has also led me to the 23^rd Psalm.  What a happy thing to read again and again!!  Thank you, Jesus, so incredibly much for never leaving my side….through those times I have been angry and turned my back because I thought I had a better plan.  Thank you, my sweet Lord, for loving me anyway.  In your glorious name, Amen!

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

 Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

 Surely your goodness and love
 will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell 
in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

 (NIV)

Written by

Kelly Dobyns