“Faith”...Thursday

9/18/14

 Now faith is the substance

 of things hoped for, 

the evidence of  things 
not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

This scripture is not a definition of faith but a description of faith. Definition of substance is “essence” or “reality.”  Faith treats things hoped for as reality. Evidence means “proof” or “conviction” Faith itself proves that what is unseen is real.

You know Faith that we released months ago is working right now. For example over three years ago we in faith believed in opening a Charis Bible College and today it is up and running.  In the Spirit by faith we could see our  school with its students in it receiving the Grace  message. 

Faith is not an emotion or a feeling it is not just an attitude.  Faith is an actual Spiritual reality and force.  When we release faith it will continue to work until it moves the mountain.  

 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart 

but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.'

Mark 11:23

It is by faith that we understand everything from God.  By faith we believe God created the earth.  By Faith we believe Jesus went to the Cross for us.  By faith we believe He took every sickness on the cross with Him. By faith we believe He became poor so we did not have to live in lack.  It is by faith we believe every promise that He has given to us. 

There is a story in II Kings that talks about how Elisha’s faith was working even after his death.  A dead man’s body was brought back to life by just touching the bones of Elisha.  There was enough power in that man’s bones to resurrect the dead.

Faith is a spiritual force and it does not stop unless we stop it.  Faith is powerful.

Written by 

Kathryn Hanson

"Eternally Transformed"...Wednesday

9/17/14

Recently I was with a good friend of mine that knows me extremely well. We were having a great time together chatting and joking around. At one point, though, she went to far on the joking level and really pushed the envelope way out of proportion. It was as if she had thrown ice cold water in my face, and she actually didn't think a thing about it. I calmly changed the subject and we went about our day. I spent some time with the Lord about it, and he brought me peace with the situation.

The part of the conversation that I had with my friend that was disheartening was that she threw my past up in my face as if it was still a part of me. Yes, it was in a joking manner but was done distastefully and a complete lie from the pits of hell. I still have not comfronted her and maybe never will, but the Lord reminds me daily who I am in Him.

His Word says...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

 2 Corinthians 5:17 

After giving my life to Christ, I am now a brand new creation in His eyes.  My past is fully behind me, forgotten and forgiven in Jesus. I am now truly a Princess and Well Loved, Cherished Daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD!!! All guilt, shame and condemnation have been flushed away never to taunt me again!!

I rejoice daily that my life is hidden in Christ and that I am a radically and eternally transformed creation of His! I wouldn't have it any other way.

In His Amazing Love, 

Sandy Billingham

We Are Here...Tuesday

9/16/14

This morning I saw Alicia Keys on the Today Show. She sang a song that she had written recently. It is called "We Are Here" She is asking the question of why we are here. I would like you to listen to it, but I do have more to say to add to the concept. I really like this song and find that the message is very good. However there is more that should be an overlay on the theme of why we are here.

This is a lofty list of what should be the purpose of all good and well meaning people. There are people in this world who aim to do good for their fellows. We are all blessed by their words and actions. This song and the writer, Alicia Keys is a good example the desire of a good artist to influence others and make them think about what is important.

Still, we as Christians have the added agenda of living for God. So whatever we see as our mission in life (some found in this song and some unique to our personal interests, talents, and personality) we do it because we want to make a difference in this world that will bring people to an understanding or the thing that we see as the most important understanding a person can ever accept...the amazing love of God for them and all people.

To me this would be a perfect song for its inspiration...but something is missing. So I invite you to think about the issues in the song, the behaviors shown, and the need for world change by collected individuals. Then take it one step higher and ask yourself what would God want from us as we move forward to be his hands and feet. 

Why are you here?

Written by

Corinne Mustafa

Here is a reason to be here. We are the hands and feet of God. We are the Body.

The Chihuahua and The Ice Cream Truck

"Bark! Bark! Bark!" I couldn't hear him, but the intensity of his bark created wrinkles on his face. He was rushing towards the ice cream truck and looking back over his shoulder toward the house. "Come ON!" I imagined him saying to his owners, "Hurry up, I can only keep the truck here for so long!" The ice cream truck pulled over as if to say, "I hear you little doggie, where are your people?"

Watching in my rear view mirror, straining to see if children came running out, I laughed at my own curiosity. Are we like the chihuahua? Do we see God's blessing, and call out to those we care about, "Come! Look and see what the Lord has for us!" but then no one comes?

Tinkling music announces an ice cream truck a block away. All of creation declares that there is a Creator, One God, over all of the earth (see Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20). But even those of us who know God's son, Jesus, as our Savior, sometimes forget to go to God for what we need (see Matthew 6:25).



We live in the world and it is easy for the thinking of the world to slip into our hearts and minds. Anything God has to offer, I can get somewhere else they say. The world declares that peace is achievable by controlling all the details of our lives. Security is available in a bank account, a relationship, or a job. I don't need God's blessings, I just need more money.

But God says,

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift

coming down to us from God our Father,

who created all the lights in the heavens.

He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17 
NLT

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving.

Ephesians 2:7-9 

The Message

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that no matter how it appears something has been taken care of in my life, by my own labor, or the gifts of others, at the source, every good thing comes from You. Thank You for using a cute little chihuahua to remind me that no matter how much I talk (or bark) I cannot be the making or saving of anyone. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by 

Mary M. Wilkins

PEOPLE PLEASING... Sunday

Devotional for 9/14/14

The phrase "people pleasing" has a very negative connotation.  It conjures up pictures of someone doing things just to make other people happy, at their own expense.  People pleasers don't do what is best for them, but what is pleasing for others.  Often they have a poor sense of their own value and find their worth in other people's love and acceptance.  If they don't please others, they feel rejected or guilty, or as if they have failed and are worth less.  Other people often take advantage of their good deeds, asking them to do more and more, or allowing them to do everything for them.  Eventually the people pleaser becomes exhausted in the impossible cycle of doing for others above all.  This type of people pleasing is not healthy, nor does it glorify God.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

There is another type of "people pleasing" however.  It isn't the one we hear about in today's culture as described above.  Rather, it is glorifying God by not offending as we witness about the life giving Gospel that Jesus died and rose again so that all might have eternal life.  It is about not harming another person's belief in God if their faith is too immature for them to fully understand something.  It is about not tripping someone up by putting stumbling blocks in their path to becoming better Christians, or by putting road blocks up that keep them away from the church. It is about not causing anyone's conscience to be offended by our activity if they believe it is unholy, even though we may know it is not.  It is not seeking our own good but the good of others in terms of their salvation.  This type of "pleasing others" is healthy and God-pleasing!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  I Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)  

Dear Lord in heaven, help me to be a healthy people pleaser, one that leads others to you.  Forgive me when I place unnecessary burdens on those weak in faith that may discourage them or turn them away from you.  Help me to be your servant and to bring you glory in all that I do.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

written by Jan Andersen

               

NOT WHAT YOU DO...Saturday

9/13/14

"And then you will know that I am the Lord." 

 Ezekiel 13:23b

     Many times in the 13th chapter of Ezekiel the Lord is describing what He is going to do so that the people will then know He is the Lord.

     Everyone searches for meaning and purpose in life.  What you do as a vocation is not who you are as a person.  What you possess is not who you are.  What you accomplish to bring you fame or fortune or power is not who you are.  What happens to you in life does not make you who you are.

     It is only by knowing the Lord that you fully realize your true identity. It is the Lord who is ultimately in control of the world and everything that is happening.  He wants us to get past world events and what we "do" and focus on who He is.

God wants us to focus on knowing Him as Savior and friend.  

It is He who accomplishes what He wishes in the world and through His body the church

 if we but follow and obey His leading.  

Don't strive to "do" but focus on "being" in Him.

Written by
Carol Steficek

Sunny Side Up...Friday

September 12, 2014

Throughout our lives we face many challenges….sickness, tragedy, disappointments, failures, hurts.  That is just part of life on this earth.  What we need to always remember and hold tight in our heart during these times of struggle is the other fact of life that we also have great moments of happiness, love, success, joy, elation, fun and laughter.  The love of our God, through His son, Jesus, has made it possible for me to walk through all of the ups and downs that life throws at me.

 I can do everything by the power of Christ. 

He gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

New International Reader's Version 

(NIRV)

I am so blessed to have the love of the Lord on my side.  Looking back over my life events thus far, I can see how He has always been there to get me past the dark times and back to the sunny side of life.  Jesus keeps me sunny side up!   All that we travel through in life has a purpose.  God has planned our life so that all things work together for good.

 And we know that for those who love God, that is, 

for those who are called according to his purpose, 

all things are working together for good.

Romans 8:28

International Standard Version

 (ISV)

That doesn't mean that all things are good or all things will be easy, we are going to struggle with quite a bit of this life here on earth, however, whilst I am here I truly want to live in the sunshine.  I am going to allow God to be present in all of my moments.  I know it is possible with Jesus in my heart to have a permanent smile on my face.  There are going to be more times when He will have to carry me to get through a season, but, during those seasons I will always have my heart filled with His love, hope, faith….and most of all His sunshine!!  My heavenly Father’s Son will always shine on me.

Serve God While You Are Young

 Sunshine is sweet;
    it is good to see the light of day.
People ought to enjoy every day of their lives,
    no matter how long they live.
But they should also remember this:
    You will be dead a long time.
    Everything that happens then is useless.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

New Century Version 

(NCV)

I pray to live my life “Sunny Side Up”, filling each day with God’s everlasting love, reaching my full potential of happiness, whilst sharing His limitless joy to all others that He has placed along my path for me to shine upon.

Written by

Kelly Dobyns