Come Alongside...Saturday

9/21/13

There are so many hurting people in this world. They hurt for different reasons.

Some went through abusive childhoods. I am not actually referring to physical abuse here although many have suffered that as well. Did you know that verbal abuse can be at least as damaging if not more so. A child who is called stupid or bad thinks, “If my mom or dad say that it must be so. I am evil/dim-witted. They do not have the intellectual maturity to throw this away, and so they make it their own opinion of themselves. This also happens to adults who are harangued by people they love, work with, or those they call friends. These people have a neediness that is not always evident.

Other people hurt from loneliness. Maybe they have never connected in any kind of permanent way with anyone else. Or…they could have lost a loved one after many, many years of being together in a marriage. Such people often sit alone in their houses filled with loneliness that we can hardly imagine. They go to stores and other places where they seem invisible and are alone in the crowd.

There is the lack of affirmation and praise for a job well done but seems to go unnoticed. People are blessed by the acknowledgement that someone has noticed and been touched by big or even modest things that they have done.

Another activity along these lines is to help someone when they are in need. Sharing your talent, sharing a meal, just digging in to finish a task are very worthwhile endeavors. Working alongside a busy or overwhelmed person will be something that she (or he) will never forget.

It is so easy to reach out to others to come alongside and the good news is that it costs you nothing but a bit of time. You are standing in the grocery line and you see a cute baby. A few words to the proud mom makes her day. Perhaps a compliment is in order for someone who looks very nice. Just stepping out to relate positively to sometime is a sanctified habit. It allows the one who does this to function as the mouth of God.

Let us then approach  God's throne of grace          with confidence, so that we may         receive mercy and find grace            to help us in our time of need. ...  Hebrews 4:16

Dear God, Help me to be sensitive today to the needs of others for a kind word or a bit of help. I receive this from You, and I want, in Your name, to pass it forward to those who need this. Show me the ones that you would have me reach out to and give me the words to say or actions that I can take. I want to do Your will.                                Amen.

Written by
Corinne Mustafa

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Here is a song to listen to today.
It is called SPEAK LIFE and is sung by TobyMac.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=You+Tube+Speak+light&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=A91BEB63393189B0FBA1A91BEB63393189B0FBA1

PEACE...Friday

9/20/13

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  

I do not give to you as the world gives.  

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 

John 14:27

     I can honestly say the best description of the world today is the opposite of "peace."  It is the word "troubled."  Troubled means to be unsettled and disturbed and anxious.  This is exhibited in individuals manifested by fear, stress-related illnesses, confusion, and other such problems.  Trouble is exhibited in the world by all the uncertainties of finances, fluctuating government policies, wars, acts of terrorism, and even changing and unpredictable weather events.  Just about everything seems to be working together to keep us distraught, disturbed, and off balance.

   

  There is only one way to peace in the midst of all these circumstances -- God.

The above verse is my confirmation verse so I am well acquainted with it and know it well.  I have found its' comfort and truth many times in my life when all else has failed me.  God give us peace in the midst of turmoil.  God gives us peace that lasts. God does not give as the world gives.  God gives true peace -- shalom -- well being, certainty, wholeness. "...my peace I give to you..."

Written by 

Carol Steficik

Here is a famous song about peace recorded from a prayer written by St. Francis.
"Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace"

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+tube+song+about+peace&FORM=VIRE7#view=detail&mid=A0B1EC1062F6134FD8C4A0B1EC1062F6134FD8C4

"He brought me to the banqueting house...." 

(Song 2:4, KJV)

Today I am going to share with you a vision of entering into the Banqueting House by C.R. Oliver.

The King's invitation to each potential member of the "bride of Christ" to enter the banquet house is still open.  In this facility of His design, the bride will learn what is important to Him and what belongs to her.  Imagine being ushered into a panoramic production on which each screen flashes scenes of the finished promises of God.




Each interval would introduce a wealth of reality which would illumine the passage of the Word.  Miracles
promised by Jesus would be portrayed with you as a central figure.  Holy Spirit led occurrences throughout your life would find dramatic reality in fulfillment of "being led by the Spirit."  Great promises and illustrations of the Word would permeate the room.

Provision of every nature would be dramatized before you.  Meticulous detail would stand out in vivid awareness as your mind and heart sought to fathom its wonder.  From time to time you would ask that the action stop.  You would turn to Him and say "just hold me."  "He holds you with His left hand under your head, and with his right hand He embraces you."

Soft tears spill over every gladdened eyes as the reality of His provision is replayed in our memory.  Pauline utterances would flow from your lips...

"O the depth of the riches both 
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" 

(Romans 11:33).

Shared by 

Kathryn Hanson

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All of this is awesome but also true. This is what is ready for us when we enter the banqueting room to spend eternity with the Groom. Here is a sung invitation for us all.
"Come Unto Me" sung by Bob Hurd

"God Is Always With Us"...Wednesday

9/18/13

I was just pondering on whatever life throws at us, we never have to walk it alone. We have an amazing Daddy who is with us and takes such good care of us.

In my lifetime  I have had many tough situations that I have had to face... in fact, some very scary situations! The one thing I do know for certain, is that God was always with me at every turn. 

He says in His word out of... 

Joshua 1:9

 "Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and of good courage; 

do not be afraid, or be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you, 

wherever you go." 

What an incredible comfort to know that we can walk in God's strength and courage every day of our life. We never have to be afraid or dismayed, for we have that blessed assurance God is with us wherever we go.

We can wake up each morning with an all knowing peace, that God's hand is upon us.  He will help us to meet each day in great confidence because He will forever be with us!

Here is something to listen to and enjoy the pictures. Please take the words to heart.
That's God, God is always with us.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=god+is+always+live+us+you+tube&qpvt=god+is+always+live+us+you+tube&FORM=VQFRML#view=detail&mid=818B65ACBD2C7EC504D2818B65ACBD2C7EC504D2

In His Radical Love, 

Sandy Billingham

Follow the Leader....Tuesday

9/17/13

That was the name of a game when I was young; and of course everyone wanted to be the leader! But whining from the rank and file could mean deserters and you can’t be a leader without a following, right? So I learned to be a faithful follower so that when my turn came, my friends would follow me. 

I was thinking about leading and following as I read the book of Joshua. At first glance, I wouldn't think the following four subtopics have anything in common with each other; but let's see: 

An Army Captain    A Prostitute     A Priestly Stand    A Nation’s Future
 

In Joshua Chapter 1, God announces to His chosen leader, Joshua, an Army Captain, "Moses My servant is dead; so arise (take his place), go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving them, the Israelites." God’s encouragement is immediate, speaking the same words three times in Joshua 1:6-9 –"Be strong (confident) and be of good courage."


Then God gives Joshua the battle plan, and strongly encourages him: 1st time v6. - "Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them." 2nd time v7. - "Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you." 3rd time v9. - "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous." In faith, Joshua followed God's directions, and led the people of Israel into the Promised Land.

Enter: The Prostitute. Huh? Surely that’s a mistake, after all, it is the Lord working here. He is holy and pure, He wouldn’t use such a sinful woman to protect His spies. Yet He did, and she did. In Joshua 2:11 she makes her statement of faith: "When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below." Rahab is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:31: "(Prompted) by faith, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who refused to believe and obey, because she had received the spies in peace." Rahab eventually became an ancestor of Jesus because in faith she followed the Leader! (see Matthew 1:5)

The Priestly Stand. Joshua 3:13 "When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord of all the earth shall rest in the Jordan and the waters of the Jordan coming down from above shall be cut off and they shall stand in one heap." v15.– "and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were in the brink of the water – for the Jordan over flows all its banks throughout the time of harvest"

The priests followed Joshua's instructions from God, and as the first of them stepped into the Jordan, the rivers stopped flowing, and dry land appeared. So the priests carried the ark to the middle of the dry river bed and stood there and waited for all of Israel to cross over the Jordan. They trusted and followed the Leader.  

A Nation’s Future continues as the 12 tribes see the faithfulness of God themselves - with the parting of the waters of the Jordan River. This miracle strengthens and encourages their faith, and they proceed to follow the Leader into the Promised Land.
Many times in my life people have wanted me to follow them, in lifestyle choices, in projects, in business, in government, etc. But the only leader worth following is Jesus Christ because He is the Son of a Faithful God (see 1 Corinthians 1:9).

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin sing about the faithfulness of God in his song "Our God": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc

Written by Sandy Schott

You Are Wanted....Monday

(/16/13

On a hot Friday afternoon, sitting in commuter traffic, I wasn't thinking about anything except getting home. Then a voice on the radio caught my attention. The song she sang was like a long, cool, life-giving drink. These are the words I heard:

WANTED
From the day you were born
And took your first breath
You opened your eyes and in came the light
He was watching you
But all of your life you couldn't shake the lies in your head
Saying you're a mistake
Oh but you were made
By a God who knows your name
He doesn't make mistakes

CHORUS
You are wanted
To every broken heart, He stands with open arms
You are wanted
To every searching soul, look to the rising sun
If you're lonely, hurting, gone too far
To the outcast you come as you are
For you, you are wanted, you, you are wanted
You, you are wanted, you, you are wanted

Let this be the day that joy takes the place
Of all of the years that shame tried to steal away
He is calling you
Lift your eyes to see His face
Come run into the arms of grace

CHORUS
You are wanted
To every broken heart, He stands with open arms
You are wanted
To every searching soul, look to the rising sun
If you're lonely, hurting, gone too far
To the outcast you come as you are
For you, you are wanted, you, you are wanted
You, you are wanted, you, you are wanted

You, you have been marked
You're set apart
And He calls you His
So you don't have to search
Don't have to look for where you belong

You are wanted

CHORUS
You are wanted
To every broken heart, He stands with open arms
You are wanted
To every searching soul, look to the rising sun
If you're lonely, hurting, gone too far
To the outcast you come as you are
For you, you are wanted, you, you are wanted
You, you are wanted, you, you are wanted

When I hear a song like this I am inspired by the power that music has to lift my soul, heart, and mind to a higher thought life. In this world, this economy, and this life: for myself, a child, a friend, a co-worker, or a stranger: this is a truth worth repeating. You are wanted.

Written and performed by Dara McLean, follow the lyrics in this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzPDLcpUBXo&list=RD02vzPDLcpUBXo

or watch the Official Dara McLean "Wanted" video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-povr7b6k

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

CONDEMNING HEARTS...Sunday

Devotional for 9/15/13

There are things in our lives that we regret.  Maybe they are things we have done that we wish we had not.  Perhaps it is as minor as wishing we hadn't said something we didn't really mean. It's impossible to take back words once they are given a voice.  It could be something much worse, such as harming someone physically or emotionally, ourselves or others, intentional or not.  Or possibly we didn't do something that we now wish we had done. Maybe we didn't help someone who was really in desperate need, and now we see the negative results of our lack of action.  Perhaps it is a more major issue, like not supporting our own family but instead drowning ourselves in an addiction.  We struggle with how to live our lives in the best manner.  When we are aware of these things, it can cause us great heartache.  We may end up resenting others for what we think is their part in it all, or we live with deep regret and condemn ourselves, finding it difficult to forgive in either case.

The amazing thing is, we have a God who does not continually blame and condemn us or shame us for our past mistakes.  Instead, our God is a loving and merciful God who forgives us unconditionally, regardless of how insignificant or insurmountable those issues seem to us.  God still scoops us up in his arms as a loving father cradling his child, no matter how many times or how hard we struggle to get loose.  He is greater than our own condemning hearts, in spite of knowing every single detail of our lives, no matter how much we have tried to hide it all.  Our hearts can rest in this truth.  Our God is awesome like that!

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)

written by Jan Andersen 

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Here is a song telling of God's love 

sung by the Sidewalk Prophets

"You Love Me Anyway"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8BBCYFAYRI