SLIPPERY SLOPE... Sunday

Devotional for 9/8/13

The seasons will soon be changing.  Summer is nearing it's end, schools are in session, the leaves will start changing colors in many parts of this country.  One thing leads to the next, and before long it will be winter.  In some areas that means ice and snow will drape the empty tree branches and blanket the ground.  If that snowy surface happens to be slanted downward, there are bound to be some who propel down that slope.  In some instances that slide will be controlled, as on a sled with some steering ability and toes to drag it to a stop if needed.  Other times it might not be so well controlled, such as on a snow-covered icy hill in a vehicle that loses it's traction and ability to steer, especially if the brakes are applied.  And then there are those totally unexpected slides like when one steps onto black ice and not only is the decent not controlled, it turns one topsy-turvy with a not so comfy sudden impact with parts of the body not meant to absorb such forces.  

Life can be that way as well.  As our life goes through it's "seasons" of changes, we encounter challenges that can be a bit slippery.  That may include difficult encounters with others, or tough decisions to be made about which direction to steer our lives, or even temptations to do things we know are not healthy in the long run.  In some of these situations we may approach them with excitement or with confidence, or perhaps without much thought at all. In other instances we face them with some fear and anxiety.  Sometimes we may feel we have it all under control, and we can move forward at our own desired speed and stop when we want to stop by digging in our heels.  We may discover that this confidence was exaggerated and find ourselves in over our heads and unable to control the chaos we created.  Other times we may be caught totally off guard, and our feet are knocked out from under us without warning and we suddenly hit our bottom.  No matter what happens on those slippery slopes, we can be assured that our God is with us, ready to console us and support us.  He does this not through shaming, not saying "I told you so" or "I warned you", but with unfailing love and encouragement. He saves us from our own self destruction.

Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  Psalm 94:17-19 NIV

Dear Lord in heaven, you have placed my feet upon this ground.  I ask that you help me stand upright and tall, and to avoid the pitfalls that await around the corner.  And if I should find myself on a slippery slope, I ask that you hold me up and carry me through just as you have promised.  I thank you for your loving support in all situations I encounter. May I be a faithful and joyful witness to your love and mercy.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

written by Jan Andersen



Here is a song for Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuSC3qOER58

Blink...Saturday

9/7/13

It is funny how often we will run into a friend or the child of a friend and realize how much they have changed since the last time we saw them? I am amazed by the changes in those that I seldom see, but often miss the changes in those I look at every day. Perhaps this is the case with you as well. We are so close to those in our everyday lives, we forget the wonderful gift of the everyday.

There are some people who are able to really see how life is slightly different every day. They notice the way their bodies change according to the weather, their activity level or the extra piece of pie they indulged in last night. Rejoicing or regretting yesterday’s choices, they can make allowances and adjustments quickly and avoid the pitfalls that take others by surprise.

Others tread very carefully, working hard to maintain control of what is going on now and what will happen next. They plot and plan their next outfit, meal, workday; believing that this will keep them on track. But this often leaves them helpless when the unexpected happens. Caught unprepared, they are unable to see beyond the tragedy, big or small that has come into their lives.

No matter how we approach our lives, each moment is a gift. I begin my day with prayer and my devotionals. I know that this does not mean that everything will flow smoothly; I also know that I will not be going through any single moment alone. I have loved ones I cannot see every day. So many friends and family are too far away for me to hug with more than my words and prayers. I cannot dwell on the “what ifs” and live in fear what may happen before we meet again. I must trust that they will one day meet those I love who have gone ahead and I see them all in eternity.

In our losses, if we turn to The Father, we can find peace in the memories that allow our hearts to be full of joy. We can remember when we danced, laughed and even cried with the ones we may have forgotten to call one last time, and God’s Peace can color those memories with His perfect Love.

Every day is a gift; each instant could be our last. We can choose repentance and redemption; forgiving those who have hurt us, financially, professionally, or emotionally. Or we can continue to live in resentment and regret, digging a pit of despair that prevents God’s light from shining everywhere.

Lives are changed in the blink of an eye, like the mist that forms at a waterfall; these tiny drops of water are almost unnoticed next to the mighty power making waves. A moment of distraction, a decision made in haste and everything is changed. Once each moment has passed, we move onto the next one, good or bad.

Today, I choose repentance and God’s Amazing Grace and Mercy. Today I pray for myself and for each one of us to make today another day to show the world His Love!

Why, you do not even know

what will happen tomorrow.

What is your life? You are a mist that appears

for a little while and then vanishes.

James 4:14

Written by Lynda Kinnard

UPS AND DOWNS...Friday

9/6/13

"Every valley shall be raised up, 

every mountain and hill made low; 

the rough ground shall become level, 

the rugged places a plain." 

-- Isaiah 40:4 --

     Whenever I read some of the texts from Isaiah I immediately think of the great work by Handel -- his music the "Messiah."

     When I think of life I think of all of the ups and downs a person goes through, even on a daily basis.

     So how am I to expect places made lower and more level for me?  How am I to expect a straighter road with less bumps?

     I was walking with a friend one time holding his hand. I tripped on an uneven sidewalk and started to fall forward.  But because he was holding my hand tightly he was able to pull back and pull me up with barely a misstep.

     That is what God wants to do for each of us.  He wants us to walk through life holding tightly onto His hand.  We may have some uneven roads to travel and bumps throughout life, but by holding onto His hand we'll get safely past them without crashing down.  God knows the way before us and wants to prepare it for us.  The very best way to travel is with Him.

Written by
Carol Steficek

Here is a song for Today...You Raise Me Up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkkw8RhH9ck

He fulfilled Isaiah's well known sermon:

"It is Finished"

He took our illnesses,

He carried our diseases.
Mathew 8:17

If we want to know God's will for us concerning healing we have to take a look at the life and teachings of Jesus.  He never caused anyone to be sick, He did not use sickness to teach people a lesson, Jesus never used sickness to accomplish His will.  Sickness is never a blessing in disguise; it is listed as part of the curse. Duet. 28:15-68. 

Jesus' life expressly shows His desire to heal the sick.  Acts 10:38  

Jesus went about doing good and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him. Jesus' actions are a demonstration of God's will to heal everyone, not just a few.  Jesus, out of His great love, took our sin and our sickness upon his body on the cross.  Is 53:4-5.  

And with His stripes we are healed.  Fifteen different times in the Gospels Jesus healed them ALL.  People today are being healed by the power of God. God's Word promises healing and it is impossible for God to lie.  

It is through the name of Jesus, through faith in His name that we are healed. Acts 3:16

Satan is the author of sickness, Jesus came to take it away.  John 3:8, For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the work of the devil.  Col 1:13. 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.1 John 4:4.

God can work mightily when we persist in believing Him in spite of the way it looks and the way it feels, in spite of discouragement. My children all things are possible through the name of Jesus.  Matt 19:26

There is power to overcome everything in the world through the name of Jesus.  No one can prove to me that God does not answer prayer, he always does more than that, He always gives exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask. Eph 3:20

I am here to tell you that there is power in Jesus and His wondrous name to transform anyone , to heal anyone.

Written by
Kathryn Hanson 

Here is a song about healing by Matthew West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whb-XSOog8k

"Thanks Be To God!"...Wednesday

9/4/13

"But thanks be to God, 

which giveth us the Victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

1 Corinthians 15:57.  

Every time I read that scripture it comforts me and gives me tremendous hope. Christ paid a very hefty price for my life, so I can have salvation. He triumphed over death on that Cross and brought us great Victory. In Him we have all that we need to live a Victorious life as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.

We can walk in Victory every day because our lives are hidden in Him. In Him we can overcome every obstacle, mountain and storm in our life, simply because in Him we are more than overcomers! We've been made Victorious through the blood of Jesus Christ.

That is Good News! 

We can soak in the Goodness of God with grateful hearts for all that He has done for us!  We never have to walk in defeat, for we have a glorious God that has made a perfect way for His people to walk a Victorious life through Him and Him alone!!! 

In His Wonderful Love, 

Sandy Billingham

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

Here is "I Am Free"

a song for Wednesday morning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWv-UOHzaIc

To Rejoice or Not To Rejoice....Tuesday

Does your church service includes a time of praise and worship? Do you ever wonder about what we are called to do during this time? When the worship leader encourages raising your hands or other actions, what do you choose to do?

In 1842, the term Holy Rollers started being used to describe any Christian religious group that expressed themselves with extremely enthusiastic actions.  There would be singing, crying, and hands raised to God. Then sometimes the emotions became so ecstatic they celebrated being in God's presence by dancing, spinning, jumping, and even rolling on the floor. Now whether that was the Holy Spirit leading as they claimed or an overly excited human reaction, only the Lord knows. But one thing we can learn from them is that being joyful is beyond being happy.

To rejoice or not to rejoice - that is the question. I think we all know that we are supposed to rejoice. A better question might be: how should we express gladness or joyfulness of the heart? Different churches rejoice in different ways. Some sing songs praising God. Others include a piano or organ, while still other churches include all sorts of instruments. For some Christians that kind of worship seems inappropriate, radical, and not even biblical. I answered this question in my own heart by seeking God's approval for how I worship in His Word. 

The Hebrew language has many meanings for the word rejoice, so we have options! Please do your own word search, or check out one of the websites I used at the link posted below.

Spinning around: this first one may seem surprising , but it's there in black and white.

Singing: including loud singing, such as the host of angels at Jesus’ birth. 

Instruments: of various kinds: rams horns were much louder than our trumpets today.

Dancing: I have been so ecstatic that I have jumped and danced for joy. 

Shouting: laughing, or crying with tears of joy.

 

In 2 Samuel 6, the Ark of God is being brought into Jerusalem. King David danced with all his might, the people were shouting to God, and blowing trumpets in celebration. This whole process was done with gladness, and was both joyful and exuberant.

 

In Job 38:7, God tells Job that the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for Joy when the foundation of the earth was laid.

 

In Isaiah 51, the prophet encourages the people of Israel to not fear but trust God. Because (verse 11) the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the shepherd who left the 99 to go after one missing sheep, then rejoices when he has found it. The point of the story is in verse 7:

"I tell you that in the same way,

 there will be more joy in heaven

 over one sinner who repents

than over ninety-nine righteous persons

 who need no repentance."

Luke 15:7 NASB

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,

 against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NASB

 

This is the day that the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NASB

There are so many more verses that have filled my heart and mind with understanding about how I may worship God in Spirit and in Truth. This next one is one of my favorites.

“The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Zephaniah 3:17 NASB

 

 Wow! It all begins and ends with God!

To hear Christ Tomlin's "Come Let Us Worship" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6wg3PXBMpI

1: Source for definition of Holy Rollers: http://oldlandmark.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/holy-rollerism/

2: Hebrew definition of Rejoice: http://m.ancient-hebrew.org/dictionary/rejoice.html

Written by Sandy Schott

Will We Sit By Silently?....Monday

There is a fire truck across the street tending to an emergency at my neighbors. We don't have to look far for bad news. It's in our own family, in the local schools, or at our jobs. The economy grows a little and things appear more hopeful, then the foreclosed house on the corner reminds us that it's not more hopeful for everyone.

Now we are facing the possibility of a military tactical movement to warn a dictator and his regime that it is not okay to break international law regarding the use of chemical weapons. Thanks to cell phones and digital technology there is evidence that the Syrian government may have used a poison gas on it's people who were involved in a protest. The people who have to make these strategic decisions see a lot more information that we don't have in front of us. They are advised by those who have spent their careers studying international affairs and conflicts. Although I don't want another possible war, I also don't want any leader of any country to think he can ignore the law, deal with men, women, and children who speak against him by killing them, and the rest of the world will sit by silently. 

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars,

do not be frightened;

those things must take place;

 but that is not yet the end. 

Mark 13:7 NASB

 

Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived.

 This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

 Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this:

 Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight,

 and guard against corruption from the godless world.

James 1:26-27 MSG

 

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously.

Micah 6:8 MSG

 

Dear Lord, thank You for spiritual leaders all over the world who are calling for prayer and fasting for Syria. Please open our eyes and minds to the injustices in the world at large, and in our own neighborhoods. Please fill our hearts with compassion that we will be moved by what moves You. In Jesus name, amen.

 

The head of the world-wide catholic church, Pope Francis, has called for a day of fasting and prayer over the violence in Syria, on Saturday, September 7, 2013. May all of God's people pray together.

 

Click here to enjoy a song written and performed by Kim McLean, "Pray for the World": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcl4RpCKwUU

 

Written by Mary M. Wilkins