Devotional for 4/8/13

Bad Things Happen

Internationally known pastor, speaker, and writer Rick Warren of Southern California announced a few days ago that his 27 year old son had committed suicide. His son had had a long struggle with mental illness.

I was sorry to hear about their family's loss. Even for those of us who do not know the Warren's it isn't difficult for news like this to grab our emotional attention and imagination.

One time I was listening to a friend describe his daughter's gradual downward spiral. He said that over a few years she had become convinced that she was not of any worth whatsoever to anyone. There was nothing anyone said that changed her perspective or convinced her otherwise. They all tried. They all prayed. They sought counseling. Yet one day she decided she could bear the pain no longer.

I cannot comprehend a pain so great. But there is One who understands and He tells us how to treat others during such times through Paul's teaching in Romans 12:15 (The Message version):

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath.

 Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy;

 share tears when they’re down.

 Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.

 Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Dear Lord, thank You that even when life is at its darkest that You are with us. In Jesus name, amen.

A song by Christian artist Chris Tomlin: "Whom Shall I Fear?" is an uplifting reminder that the God of Angel armies is always by our side: Click hear to watch and hear it on GodTube:
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0FF1CFNU

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

DESERT BLOOM

 Sunday devotional 4/7/13

The desert usually is a dry and thirsty land.  Most of the time when traveling through deserts, you learn to appreciate all the different tints and shades of brown God created. But when the winter rains are plentiful, there will be a wonderful miracle in spring.  The desert wild flowers will carpet the browns with patterns of white, yellow, orange, purple and blue.  This arid land becomes painted with desert bloom.

Sometimes our lives can become very parched also.  We may wonder what God is up to in our lives.  Questioning God can be quite natural when we pray for something good and all we seem to receive are difficulties.  But if we rely on God, we often are able to see and experience the blooms of blessings in those hard times.  Adversity molds us into who we become.  We may learn patience, endurance, courage, effectiveness, or tenacity.  Most importantly we can learn to lean on God more, strengthening our faith, and enhancing our witness.  Hardships can create empathy toward others going through similar trials, allowing us to be able to provide experienced help to them in their time of need and point them to God.  Just as the glory of resurrection could not have occurred without the affliction of the cross, we cannot expect great triumphs to happen in our own lives without the tragedies leading up to them.  These are the blessings of adversities, our desert bloom.

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus,  it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  Isaiah 35:1-2 NIV

written by Jan Andersen 

Saturday Devotional...Taste and See that the Lord is Good!

Sometimes I am blown away at how good the Lord is to us, how ready to forgive, how willing to speak into our lives, how glad to lift us up when we are good and even when we are not so good. The Bible is filled with verses about how the Lord is good to us. Here are just a few…

I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, 

announcing the good news of peace
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Acts 10:35

Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice?

 Does he need instruction about what is good? 

Did someone teach him what is right
or show him the path of justice?

Isaiah 40:13

I, too, give witness to the greatness of God, our Lord, 

high above all other gods. He does just as he pleases— 

however, wherever, whenever. He makes the weather—

clouds and thunder, lightning and rain, 

wind pouring out of the north. 

He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn. 

He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles. 

Yes, he struck down great nations, he slew mighty kings—
Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan—
every last one of the Canaanite kings! 

Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.

Psalm 135:5-12

Heavenly Father,

When I am challenged and feeling alone, help me to remember that You are good to me and always present to me. Thank You, Lord, for your never ending love, forgiveness and compassion to me. 
Amen.

Written by
     God
with a comment
 and a prayer by
       Corinne Mustafa

Friday Devotional...What do you observe?

PERCEPTION...

God gives us so much of beauty to see and to hear. How much do you take the time to see and hear?

The Scenario

At a Metro Station in Washington, DC, on a cold January morning in 2007, the  man pictured above played six Bach pieces on his violin for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, but then he hurried on to meet his schedule. 

About 4 minutes later: 

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 

At 6 minutes: 

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 

At 10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The child stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head back the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour: 

He finished playing and silence, once again, took over. No one had noticed and no one had applauded. There was no recognition whatever. 

No one knew, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell's appearance had sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people's priorities. 

This experiment raised several questions: 

• *In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

• If so, do we stop to appreciate it? 

• *Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: 

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the most renowned musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...  

God gives us so much of beauty to see and to hear. How much do you take the time to see and hear? 

Enjoy life NOW.. There is an expiration date.

Philippians 4:6 

Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

 Written by Louise McKinney, M.S
 
 Shared by 
 Corinne Mustafa

Thursday Devotional...Jesus Is Loving & Real

Today is the beginning of a new pre year for me. In heart, mind, body and spirit, I try to recommit every year to renew myself with hope and with a firm commitment to what I believe in. Some of the little girl dreams that I had I still have not experienced. This is mainly because I give into self and instant satisfaction to fill my neediness. I have come so far with hanging on to Jesus's hand. He is my love. I have always felt a strong connection to Him.

Even as a child. I was confused all along about what Christianity taught about him. I knew in my heart that He was far more loving and real to be that distant as people perceived. When I was about 4 I had some money in my pocket that my mom had asked me to put in the basket at church. I would not put it in. I wanted to keep it. Later on my mom heard me talking real loud in my room and she said she went and checked and I was throwing my money up in the air saying "Jesus come get it, just come down get it."

I obviously had trust at 4 that He would come get it. I believed He would come to me as I was, selfish and all. He has always been there for me. In my selfishness, in my self-seeking dishonesty His love prevails. He puts his hand over my hurting heart when I fall from the distorted realities that I create. HE IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS REAL AND PRESENT ALWAYS. He is one love I can trust that will never leave me when all others do. So I am praying that He will rise in my heart, mind and spirit today and yours. As my spirit becomes one with His, I pray for protection for myself and for you against any doubt that we are not good enough to have the life that he died for us to have, filled with proprieties.

He rose to give us that hope and confidence THAT WE ARE Worth IT.

 Forever. xoxoxooxxo me

The Kingdom of God is ...righteousness and peace 

and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

Written by
Angie Madison

Brand New Staff Writer of WFM

Wednesday Devotional,,,4/3/13

"Out Of Our Comfort Zone"

Just think of the excruciating pain our Lord and Savior endured for our freedom to know Him as our personal Savior and experience His healing power. Our Lord was willing to go beyond and above His comfort zone, paying a mighty, mighty hefty price, so we could have Eternal Life in Him.

I am wondering to myself, how often am I willing to share Jesus every time the opportunity arises. Even if it feels like I am making a fool of myself or going against the norm, am I willing to extend extra effort to share God's love with those in need of His Salvation? Am I worried about what people will think of me if I share the gospel?

Coming out of my comfort zone is not easy, but necessary if I really want to make a difference in this life for Christ. Reaching out to a lost world will take boldness and courage that can only be accomplished through the power and strength of Christ. I truly want to be a "World Changer." He is worth it all!

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set 

on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp 

and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand  

and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see 

your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 

In His Radical Love, 

Sandy Billingham

Devotional for 4/2/13

My Need, His Love

Do you ever have a day when you just want to curl up, pull the covers up, call in sick, and call it a day? Everyone I have ever asked has answered along these lines, "Absolutely!" or "This morning!" or "More than you know!" or "I wish I could!"


It helps me to know that I am not alone in feeling this way.
When my emotions are strained, my mind is stressed, and my heart is aching I don't have to hide my face in my hands. I may be too much on edge to speak nicely to those around me but I can cry out to God in any way, shape, or form, and He will hear me. If I will turn my thoughts to Him I will discover that He is already there.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

Psalm 103:8 NASB

 For God did not send the Son into the world in order

to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world,

 but that the world might find salvation

 and be made safe and sound through Him.

John 3:17 AMP

Dear Lord, how patient You are with me! Thank You that no matter how I may feel on any given day, I am safe and sound in Your lovingkindness. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins