On Wings Of Eagles

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Is Your Heart Troubled?


As I lay in the ER last night hearing a baby cry it reminded me of an article I read about a large metropolitan hospital. There was a constant problem with noise in the infant nursery. Crying babies would disturb one another. The sound level was almost unbearable for the staff as well as the new-borns.


They tried separating the babies and soundproofing the walls. This helped the staff, but it did not seem to calm the infants.



Then someone had the bright idea of playing a recording of a mother's heartbeat beside each bed. It worked. The sound that the baby heard even before it was born was the sound that comforted it the most.



Psychiatrists used to talk about "birth trauma." What is that except the trauma of being separated and the subsequent fear of being abandoned? Perhaps we carry that fear with us all of our lives. Maybe this is why we know no lasting peace until we re-connect ourselves with the Creator God.



Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.


- John 14:1 (New International Version)



Dear God, bring us close to you through your Son and Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Have You found Peace?



There is a great story about the explorer, Ferdinand Magellan. The date was 1520. For about one year Magellan had battled foul weather and mutinous crews as he sought to find a passage through South America. When he finally found his way through the raging seas of the Atlantic to the great body of water that lay beyond this new continent, he named it "Pacific" or "peaceful." And he and his men lifted their heads and gave thanks to God.


That is what we would all like to find. We would like to put down our anchor in a great sea called, Pacific, Peaceful.



God gives us all that peace, we need to trust in Him and keep going to the Sea “Peaceful”.


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 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, may we find true peace in you and your son Jesus Christ. Help us not give up along the way but keep pressing toward the goal. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

What is Really Important?



Do you know why many people worry? Worry is a substitute for faith. Worry does for some people what faith does for others. Have you heard anybody say, "Don't tell me it doesn't help to worry. Most of the things I worry about never happen!" They really mean it. Some people are genuinely concerned that if they fail to worry, that which they fear will happen.


In a Peanuts cartoon, Linus was talking to Charlie Brown and observed: "I guess it's wrong always to be worrying about tomorrow. Maybe we should think only about today." Charlie Brown replied, "No, that's giving up. I'm still hoping that yesterday will get better."



What we need to is to focus our attention on the things that are really important. Our families, for example. Many of us are more fortunate that we deserve with our families. We've got great kids even though they may get on our nerves from time to time. I know we are very thankful for them. They have been a real blessing to us. In this great country we live in, we have plenty to eat. We may not live in Beverly Hills or the Trump Tower, but our house is warm and full of God's grace. Most important, we need to focus daily on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.



Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


- Matthew 6:34 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to grow in our faith as each day passes. Help us not to worry, but to focus on really important matters like our family and our relationship with you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Love Your Neighbor



Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to get over a bitter heart toward others is to actively love and serve them in ways that bless their lives. If we can't do this because it's hard to feel like it is the right thing to do, we do it because we know God and want to please him!



Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.


— Leviticus 19:18



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, please remove from our heart any cynicism or delight in seeing others around us fall. Instead, help us to be a rescuer rather than a neglector. We want your grace to be seen in our friendships. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Friday, June 25, 2010

The Cornerstone



Have you ever been to a really old church building or maybe an old mansion or museum made out of stone? If you walked around the outside of the building you may have seen what is called the cornerstone. The cornerstone is a large stone in one corner of the building. It is used to mark where all of the other stones go so that the building will be built properly. In some of the older buildings the cornerstone is even marked so that you can see which one it is. Some of them might have the date that the building was built and maybe even the name of the person who owned the building and had it built. The cornerstone is the most important part of the foundation. Every other stone had to line up with the cornerstone.


We must build our lives on the right foundation. The foundation that we should build our lives on is our solid Rock – Jesus and his word. When our lives are built on Him we will remain strong no matter what the storms are that come into our lives. What a blessing it is to be able to rest in Him.



And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


- Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, starting today, we are going to build a better foundation for our life on the rock of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Where Does Your Future Belong?



There is an old story about a husband and wife who had walked out on a long dock extending into the Mississippi River. As they stood there, looking at the vastness of that great river, they heard running footsteps behind them. Here came a man running as fast as he could toward the end of the dock. They stepped back as he passed them going full speed. At the end of the dock he increased his speed, gave a mighty yell and took a flying leap toward the opposite bank. He went about fifteen feet and splashed into the water.


Alarmed, the couple raced out to the end and fished the man out of the water. "What in the world are you doing?" the woman asked the man when he was safely on the dock.



Panting and spitting water, he said, "A man up there on the hill just bet me a million to one I couldn't jump across the Mississippi River. I couldn't stand there and think about those odds without at least trying it."



In today's world, no one should be foolishly and overly optimistic. This will always be a hard, cruel world. Before you start a new business, talk to a good accountant. Before you risk your fortune on a dream, make certain that you have considered every possible eventuality. Before you jump into the unknown, get all the advice you can. Still, as people of faith, we should not fear the future. After all, the future belongs to God.



Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.


- Proverbs 19:20 (New American Standard Bible)




Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, We know our future is in your hands please help us to remember that as we face each thing that comes our way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Do You Have A Reliable Compass?



Have you ever used a compass to navigate your way?


The compass always shows you the right way. You can count on it.


With the compass you locate your goal and go toward it. You must take care that the needle is not disturbed by magnetic fields If that happens you could miss your goal.


It is similar with Faith. One has a goal, orients himself with it and then disturbances sometimes appear. If you fix your goal before you go, then you can get through whatever disturbances may come without losing sight of that goal. Don’t let yourself be misled.



Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.


-Psalm 119:105 (New Living Translation )



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we thank you for being our guide. We pray that we will always let you lead and guide us. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Are You Bringing Good News to Those Around You?



There is a story about an English gentleman named Alfie. Alfie could do nothing right. He bungled everything he ever touched. One day in a moment of deep despair and desperation, he tried to take his own life. He failed at that, too. While he was in the hospital, a friend came to visit. The friend asked, "Alfie, why did you do it?" And Alfie responded, "Because there is no good news anywhere. There just can't be any good news anywhere. Because, if there was, surely someone would have come running to me to share it with me."


Heaven help us. The world is filled with Alfies--just waiting for someone to bring good news into their lives. And, friends, we are those charged with that responsibility.



And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"


- Romans 10:15 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to proclaim your good news to those around us each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Are You Letting God Direct Your Life?



Soren Kierkegaard once told a parable about a certain rich man who bought a team of excellent, faultless horses. His own Coachman was somewhat inept and undisciplined, but the rich man hoped that the quality of the horses would offset this. After a few months, it was impossible to recognize the once proud horses. They were dull and drowsy, their pace inconsistent, their stamina gone. They developed strange quirks and bad habits.


So the rich man called the King's coachman who knew horses. After he drove the horses for a month and they were familiar with his voice, they held their heads high, their eyes were bright and their pace beautiful. The capacities and possibilities were there all the time. It all depended on whose voice they heard directing their lives.



Paul so heard the voice of God directing his life that he could write, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."



and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.


-2 Timothy 3:15 (New American Standard Bible)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, live in us as we grow in our faith and commitment to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Barnabas the Encourager






Today in Sunday school we studied Barnabas The Apostle of Encouragement, it reminded me about a story I read once of an University football coach who each year would privately talk to a new player at the beginning of football season. He told him, "I’m very impressed with your ability. If you work really hard this year, I think you’re good enough to make it to the National Football League." He told this to every player on the team! You know what happened? He had the highest percentage of players of any University to make it into professional football.



We’ve all met people like that — those who believed in us so much that we began to believe in ourselves. The result was we tried harder and we did better. Lets make it our goal to encourage those around us today!



Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

-1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New American Standard Bible)




Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, We thank you for your word and the encouragement it is to us. We pray that we will be an encouragement to those in our life. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

A Father's Love






A Father's Love



A father is respected because

he gives his children leadership...

appreciated because

he gives his children care...

valued because

he gives his children time...

loved becausehe gives his children the one thing

they treasure most - himself.





"Happy Father's Day" A Dad is a person who is loving and kind, and often he knows what you have on your mind. He's someone who listens, suggests, and defends. A dad can be one of your very best friends! He's proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong, a dad can be patient and helpful and strong in all that you do, a dad's love plays a part. There's always a place for him deep in your heart. And each year that passes, you're even more glad, more grateful and proud just to call him your dad! Thank you, Dad...for listening and caring, for giving and sharing, but especially, for just being you! Happy Father's Day





The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7 (New King James Version)





Dear Lord and heavenly Father, we want to take the time to thank you first of all for being our father and for the way you take care of us. We also want to thank you for out fathers here on Earth, we pray for protection for them and that they will always know that we love them. In Jesus’s Name. Amen

The picture is in honor of my dad

Friday, June 18, 2010

Recipe for Miracles



RECIPE FOR MIRACLES


Ingredients:


1 part of knowing who you are

1 part of knowing who you aren't

1 part of knowing what you want

1 part of knowing who you wish to be

1 part of knowing what you already have

1 part of choosing wisely from what you have

1 part of loving and thanking for ALL you have




Instructions:

Combine ingredients together gently and carefully, using faith and vision.

Mix together with strong belief of the outcome until finely blended.




Use thoughts, words and actions for best results.




Bake until Blessed.




Give thanks again




Yield: Unlimited service

The Joy of The LORD



There once was a man who awoke one morning to find a puddle of water in the middle of his king-size water bed. In order to fix the puncture, he rolled the heavy mattress outdoors and filled it with more water so he could locate the leak more easily. The enormous bag of water was impossible to control and began rolling on the hilly terrain. He tried to hold it back, but it headed downhill and landed in a clump of bushes which poked it full of holes.


Disgusted, he threw out the water bed frame and moved a standard bed into his room. The next morning, he woke to find a puddle of water in the middle of the new bed. The upstairs bathroom had a leaky drain.



What do you do at times like that? Five years from now, it will be funny. There are all kinds of reasons to laugh. Will you allow the joy of Christ to shine through you even in the tough times?



Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."


- Nehemiah 8:10 (New American Standard Bible)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, We ask that you would fill us with your joy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

God's Plan



Charles Kuralt travels across the United States meeting interesting people. He told about an old man he met in Kansas. "We never caught his name," he wrote. The old man was a pilot. Charles and his crew were doing a story about an artist whose canvases were eighty-acre fields. The best way to view this unusual art work was from a plane. Kuralt and his photographer spotted an old J-2 Piper Cub parked in a barnyard. They asked the old farmer if he would fly them. "Sure, I'll take you up," the farmer replied. "We need to take the door off so I can take pictures," the photographer told the farmer. "Fine!" was his reply. Flying at 2000 feet the photographer asked the old pilot, "How long ago did you get your ticket?" "Ticket?" the man asked. "You know, your pilot's license," the photographer explained. "I don't have any pilot's license," the old farmer told them. "I just found this thing wrecked out here and patched it up and taught myself how to fly it."


It's never too late to learn, to grow, to have new experiences; we are never too old or too young. We don't know what tomorrow may bring, but we know that God has a plan for each of us.



“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?


- Matthew 6:28-30 (New Living Translation)



Dear Lord, continue to help us to see clearly the plan your have for our life. Help our eyes be open to the new and exciting things you have for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bottom or Top God is There



Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, speaking at the annual sales meeting of the Western Insurance Companies, said, "I've been on the top and I've been on the bottom. At Arkansas my first year, we won the Orange Bowl. Then everybody loved me.


"They put me into the Arkansas Hall of Fame and issued a commemorative stamp in my honor. The next year we lost to Texas, and they had to take away the stamp. People kept spitting on the wrong side.



"One year I tried to sell cemetery plots for a living. My wife told me I couldn't sell anything. She was wrong. That summer, I sold our car, our television, our stereo..."



Like Lou Holtz sometimes we are on the top. Sometimes we are on the bottom, but no matter where we are in life God is only a prayer away.



For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous


and his ears are attentive to their prayer,


but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."


-1 Peter 3:12 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, you are always there when we call. May we always work to be close to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What Are You doing to Be More Like Jesus?



A pastor named Ron tells about the early days of his ministry when he was responsible for the Sunday School program of his church. Each Sunday morning he would stop in each class to read the Bible lesson for the day and talk with the children. It seemed that the children really enjoyed the time he spent with them.


One particular Sunday as he walked past one of the windows of the preschool room, a little boy cried out, "Get ready. Here comes Jesus!"



"At the time, “Ron recalls, "I found the remark amusing." But there was something unsettling about it, as well.



Meeting with a colleague a few days later Ron shared the experience. His friend asked what his routine was with the children each Sunday. "I give them each a hug," he answered. "Usually two of them share my lap while I'm telling the story to the group." The colleague immediately thought of Jesus blessing the little children on his lap. He said, "I wouldn't be surprised if some of these kids look back one day and wonder if they really did meet [Jesus]" in those special moments. This remark surprised Ron, and from that moment on Ron would ask himself, "What am I doing each day to be more like Jesus?"

How about you? What are you doing each day to become more like Jesus?



But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

- Matthew 19:14 (New American Standard Bible)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we pray our actions today help us to be more like Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Monday, June 14, 2010

God is Always There



There was a television news team that was taping at Jerusalem's Wailing Wall. Every day they saw the same elderly man praying, morning, noon, and night beside that famous structure. On their last day they got curious and asked him, "What is it you pray for so fervently?"


The old man thought for a moment and said, "I pray for health, for happiness, and for peace in my land."



"I see," said the reporter. "You don't look that healthy. Are you happy?"



"Not really," said the man.



"And your homeland is in turmoil. Do you really believe your prayers are heard?"



The man nodded and replied, "Sometimes it's like talking to a wall."



Mature Christians can acknowledge that sometimes prayer is like talking to a wall. Sometimes we pray with great pain and anguish. We want an answer. We want it now. But the answer we want does come at least no answer that satisfies us. We may ask, "Where is God? Does He care?"



Of course, God does hear us, and God does answer all of our prayers. God knows what is best for us, so we may not get the answer we want but the answer we need.


Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.


- James 5:16 (New International Version)



Dear Lord Jesus and Heavenly Father, be with us in the pains of life, and thank you for going through them with us and giving us what we really need to get through each and every sitiuation. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Are you Working for Peace?



Winston Churchill used to tell a parable about a zoo in which all the animals decided to disarm. They arranged peace talks to work out the details. The rhinoceros asked for a strict ban against the use of teeth in war. The deer and porcupine agreed, but the lion and tiger defended teeth as being honorable weapons. The bear, however wanted both teeth and horns to be banned, but suggested that all animals be allowed to give each other a good hug when they quarreled. This only served to offend all the other animals, and so they never could agree.


We may never all agree, but we can learn to love each other. Jesus talked about love a lot. He tells us that the two greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbor. If we could learn and grow in this basic of all Jesus teachings, we could do a lot for the cause of peace.



The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.


- Isaiah 32:17 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we pray that we will work for peace, and even if we don’t always agree we will act in a loving manner to those around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

God's Word



Today I had the priviledge to go with the Students from chruch to Lock Haven Scripture Press and help in the assembling of Bibles. What a great experience to be part of the process of spreading God’s word around the word. Below is the purpose and plan from the ministry’s website.



God has given us a burden to print His Holy Word that salvation, free to all through the Lord Jesus Christ, may be made known to ALL peoples. It is estimated that one half the world's population (nearly three (3) billion souls) have never heard the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Printing the Scriptures in the nine (9) languages now produced in our shop we can reach over one hundred countries with the gospel. We have the opportunity!



Won't you join us in this task of laboring-together to tell a lost world about the living Savior? Join us in sowing the "…good seed…" of the Word of God so that we may rejoice together in the harvest!


Their plan is to share God's Word and assist in establishing indigenous New Testament churches around the world is our plan. Further it is to place God's Word into every nation for the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26), so that ALL people may have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and be saved (Romans 10:17). By publishing fifty "trade languages", this placement of Scripture into ALL nations can be accomplished.



Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.


- John 4:35 (New International Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your word. We pray for the many around the world that don’t have a copy of it. We pray for ministires like Loch Haven Scripture Press that works so hard to help every man here your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Friday, June 11, 2010

God's Word



God loves us so much that God doesn't want to punish us, instead God offers us grace, love, and forgiveness. I challenge each one of us to read the Bible from cover to cover. One of the greatest benefits of reading the Bible from cover to cover is knowing the whole story of God. The Bible story is about a God who loves us and will do anything to maintain a relationship with us. God even came to us in the form of Jesus Christ who died for us, so that we would not have to die to sin.


In the morning I have the honor of going and helping put together some Bibles in a foreign language. So others my have the privilidge of reading God’s word something we take for granted.


God has offered us love and grace so that we can have an eternal relationship with God. Take the time to read His word so you can know the whole story.



For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


- John 3:16 (King James Version)


Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, as you touch us with your special love, may wetake the time to read your word and allow it to flow through us that we may KNOW You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Thursday, June 10, 2010

How is Your Attitude?



There is a story of a mother who is critically ill. She begged the doctors to help her survive long enough to attend her son's wedding. If she could just get to the wedding, she said, she could die in peace.


So they did everything possible to have her at an optimum level of well-being. The day of the wedding all her intravenous lines and tubes were removed. She was dressed up and she looked beautiful, and off she went to the wedding.



When she returned to the hospital, everyone was expecting her to stagger in, lie down, and peacefully go on to heaven. Instead, she came back and said, "Don't forget, I have another son."



I am striving hard to have the attitude she has. How is yours?



Lord, try me and test me; look closely into my heart and mind.


- Psalm 26:2 (New Century Version)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to have a good attitude, as we share your light during whatever we are going through. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Are You Spending Time With God?



In todays Bible verse, Jesus and His disciples go to the house of two women, Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha are friends of Jesus, and they are so happy to see Him. Martha runs around trying to clean up the house and cook a big meal, and make sure everybody is comfortable.


But Mary, her sister, just sits with Jesus. Well, Martha gets all mad and asks Jesus to tell her sister to help her with her work. But Jesus says, "You don't have to rush around. We just want to spend time with you."


Jesus appreciated all of Martha's work for Him. But He had come to spend time with Martha and Mary, to talk to them and listen to them.


You know, Jesus likes it when we spend time with Him. Whenever we talk to Jesus and pray to Him, whenever we read our Bibles, whenever we come to church and worship Him, whenever we help someone in His name, then we are spending time with Jesus.



Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.


- Luke 10:38-39 (New American Standard Bible)




Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we thank for the few moments we spend with you. We pray that we will always take the time to read your word and talk with you. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

How's Your Vigilance?



Gary Richmond, a zookeeper at the Los Angeles Zoo, remembers the strict instructions he was given when he received the master keys to all the animals' cages. His supervisor made it very clear that constant vigilance was necessary for ensuring the safety of the animals and all the people at the zoo. Gary's greatest responsibility would be to guard his keys and to make sure he used them wisely--only opening or closing those doors that absolutely had to be opened or closed.


For the first few months, Gary was the model of vigilance. But one day, Gary was tending to the polar bear when he realized he had made a horrific mistake. The massive polar bear, easily the size of three large men, was the most dangerous animal at the zoo. He hated humans and had tried to maul anyone who passed his cage. He had also killed two female polar bears. Gary had unlocked one door in Ivan's cage in order to let Ivan walk out in the sunshine in his enclosed space. But Gary realized that he had forgotten to close and lock another door at the end of the hallway, one which the bear could easily enter. If it did so, Gary would have no way to escape. And he knew the bear would attack him.



The bear, a creature of habit, was just finishing his morning pacing in the sunshine. The bear always paced for the same amount of time, in the same pattern, every day. In a few seconds, the bear would be finished pacing and would look for a way to get back in its cage. If it noticed the open door, it would surely come in. And the door was at the end of a hallway.



Gary reasoned that, if the bear did not alter its routine one iota, he would have about seventeen seconds in which to run down the hallway, close and lock the door, and pray that the bear didn't notice him.



When the bear turned to make its last amble in the sunshine, Gary sprinted down the hallway. He wasn't sure if the physical effort or the fear was making his heart seemingly burst in his chest. He reached the door only to see the bear nearby looking right at him. He pulled the door shut and scrambled to lock it. As he sank to the floor in a quivering mass of spent adrenaline, he looked up and saw the bear staring down at him through the window.


How's your vigilance? How's your vigilance in keeping God's will?



Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.


- Proverbs 4:23 (New American Standard Bible)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, Please help us have vigilance in serving you and striving to answer your call. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Monday, June 7, 2010

What Have You Done With Your Bitterness?





Billy Graham tells of meeting a young man at one of his crusades who was confined to a wheelchair. The young man was suffering in the last stages of terminal cancer, and he had met too many well-meaning Christians who had promised him a miraculous healing.


At the crusade the speaker was Joni Eareckson Tada. At the age of 17 Joni was paralyzed in a diving accident. She too had prayed for healing. Yet she remained confined to a wheelchair. Joni spoke from her heart, confessing her early anger at remaining crippled after praying. But a miracle did take place in her life, though not the one she had been praying for. Instead God met her in her pain and gave her life new meaning and a new direction in spite of her disappointment.


Joni's honesty set that dying young man free. He was able to let go of his bitterness and anger. Instead he came to see Christ in a new way. He simply gave his life back to his loving Father by giving himself completely to Jesus Christ.


Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

- Hebrews 12:15 (New Living Translation)



Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we pray you will take away our bitterness and help us give ourselvess completely to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Are You Sharing God's Love?



Nell Mohney in her book, DON'T PUT A PERIOD WHERE GOD PUT A COMMA, tells about a young lady named Kathy. There was an aliveness about Kathy that was evident as soon as you met her. She exuded energy and interest, joy in being alive, and openness to those she met. Kathy was not always like this. She had grown up in a dysfunctional family where she was a victim of verbal abuse by her mother and physical abuse by her alcoholic father. As she described it, she "felt like a big zero."


Then something happened that changed her life forever--even though it didn't seem like a big deal at the time. Kathy was in the sixth grade when the girl seated behind her invited her to attend Sunday School. The girl explained that her Sunday School teacher had challenged them to each invite a friend. "Do you go to Sunday School and church?" the girl asked Kathy. "No, I don't," was the reply. "Do you want to meet me at the front of my church at 9:30 this Sunday?" asked the girl. And Kathy attended her first Sunday School class.



Mrs. Parsons, the sixth grade Sunday School teacher became, in Kathy's opinion, her guardian angel. She took special interest in Kathy, often inviting her into her home where the two of them had long talks. She told Kathy that God loved her. She said that Jesus' death on the cross shows how much God cares. Mrs. Parsons made a world of difference to Kathy.




A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.


- Proverbs 18:24 (New International Version)




Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to make a world of difference to someone in need of your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Change?



After waking old Eli up for the third time, Samuel goes back to his bed. Samuel would be called one more time that night. This time when God calls: "Samuel! Samuel!" young Samuel pops up saying exactly what Eli instructed him to say, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And God spoke to Samuel.


One reason we might be reluctant to hear God's call is the changes He might require out of us. That night in the Temple God spoke to young Samuel and gave him some disturbing news. Samuel would become a prophet. Eli was on his way out. God told Samuel, "I am about to punish his house forever." God had seen enough of Eli's sons. Samuel would take Eli's place. Samuel probably didn't want to hear this, but God assured him he would not be alone.



We need to understand that if God calls us and we respond, "Here I am," there might be changes in store for us, too. This is a lesson that I need to continually learn, I need to be willing for the changes that come.



That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


- Romans 10:9 (New International Version)




Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, as we see the changes in our life help our minds and hearts be open to your leading. May we be open to the changes you have in store for us. In Jesus’ Name Amen.