Daily Devotions

Acts 13:44-52

2010-09-06T09:53:00.001-04:00

In today’s reading a verses 46 and 47 struck me as interesting. These verses read, “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Let’s take a closer look.

The phrase do not consider yourselves worthy is not only interesting, but curious. One can hardly imagine synagogue Jews thinking of themselves as unworthy of eternal life. Perhaps we should see here just a bit of Pauline irony which might be paraphrased, "You Jews, who always consider yourselves righteous, now apparently do not think you are sufficiently righteous to take advantage of God's gift; so we'll offer it to the Gentiles and see what they say." The idea of inherent self-righteousness driving out God's righteousness is hardly new; this common spiritual disease afflicted the Pharisees.

Luke made an interesting transition and application in the use of Isaiah 49:6. Israel was to be the light for the Gentiles; but, since it never fulfilled that role, God sent Jesus to become his real servant and carry out that mission. Now Paul and Barnabas, servants of Jesus, have inherited the mantel and become the light.

In today’s world we are called to be the light – to spread the word of Jesus. How are you doing in this aspect of your life? It is helpful to me to be reminded of this calling. I hope I can be that light for others.

Wishing you much success in your walk with Christ,

Acts 13:13-25

2010-09-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today's reading is yet another example of how Paul had committed his life to Christ completely. This includes giving God control over his life. Perhaps you could say that Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was certainly a life altering event to cause someone to give up control of his life. But will it really take something like that for each of us to give up control of our lives to God?

I had surgery yesterday – nothing life threatening but major surgery. What a way to learn that you don’t have control. Even through all the pre operation prep, the constant questions, instructions from nurses and doctors, the anesthesia and coming to, I still fought it. I was not about to give up control of my body. Of course, the joke was on me the whole time because I truly had no control. I fought it by trying to tell myself I was fine, this is no problem, cake walk, I’ll be fine in the morning.

What I could have done was enter into grace, allowing God to take over and trusting in Him instead of taking some gasping measure to try to hang onto control I never had to begin with. Just like Paul and the apostles did as they spread the word of God and all the time knowing that they would likely lose their lives in horrible ways, and yet continuing on because they had given control of their lives over to God.

I’m not saying abdicate responsibility. It is my responsibility to follow the doctor’s instructions. But to give control over the situation, I allow God’s grace to spread over me like a warm blanket and I don’t have to worry about the outcome.

Acts 11:19-30

2010-08-30T04:23:00.000-04:00

In today’s reading I like the reference to prophets. “During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)” (verses 27 & 28).

Prophets were not limited to Old Testament times. God appointed, and still appoints, certain people to be prophets to the church. Paul ranked “prophets” second only to apostles in his list of those gifted by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:28). Peter had quoted the prophet Joel in his sermon at Pentecost: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” (Acts 2:17). Prophets had special gifts in ministering God’s messages to his people.

The gift of prophecy, however, shows itself in different forms. At times, prophets would foretell the future (as Agabus did here), but the gift of prophecy was also valued for its role in exhorting, encouraging, and strengthening God’s people. God spoke through prophets, inspiring them with specific messages for particular times and places.

Have you every had someone say the right thing at the right time? During my life I have experienced many people who have encouraged, helped, and strengthened me. I did not know it at the time, but these people had the gift of prophecy. The message these people give can be invaluable. When you are in a tough spot, or feel you are at the end of your rope, the message given by a prophet can give you such hope and strength.

God in his infinite wisdom has provided this gift, and many spiritual gifts, to us humans. Perhaps you have this gift.

Wishing you much success in your walk with Christ,

Acts 9:19-31

2010-08-23T04:00:00.000-04:00

Today’s reading tells the story of Saul (Paul) immediately after regaining his strength after his conversion. Obviously, those who had known Saul prior to his conversion were confused by his change. Christians, whom he had persecuted, were not sure what to make of him and did not immediately trust him. They thought he was trying to trick them in order to get close to them.

What kept Saul away from the gospel for so long? Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had believed, and it's certainly not unlikely that Saul had seen and heard Jesus personally as well. It is known, from his own words, that his deep commitment to Pharisaical Judaism caused him to choke at the mention of a Messiah from Nazareth. But beyond that, could it be that he simply could not get around the cross? Even if he had opportunity to observe a miracle or two and perhaps listen to Jesus' explanation of the Old Testament, which would have been impressive to an intelligent rabbi, the thought of a Messiah on the cross turned the stomachs of many Jews.

Does not the same problem plague unbelievers today? Many are happy to talk about God, even a personal God who, they anticipate, will welcome them into his heaven someday. The introduction of Jesus as the virgin-born Son of Mary complicates their thinking just a bit. By the time the gospel portrays him dying on the cross for the sins of the world, many now, as then, turn away from a suffering Savior.

I feel Saul (Paul) says it in his own words in his first letter to the Corinthians. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Wishing you much success in your walk with Christ,

Acts 9:1-9

2010-08-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Have you ever had a conversion moment? Maybe you were dead certain about something, but then you learned something else that made you take a 180. Or, maybe your expectation of something was one way, then that something went an entirely different direction. Did any of these situations result in you taking several days to get your bearings back?

That's what happened to Saul/Paul. I have never had a conversion moment. I'm one of those cradle Episcopalians who never knew what it was like to not know Jesus as my personal savior. So, I cannot imagine what happened to Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus.

But, I think there are other types of "conversion" moments that are, perhaps, as life changing. Maybe it's holding your first born just after birth. Perhaps it's standing by a loved one's graveside. Or standing in the ocean mist or on the Appalachian Trail and revelling in the glory of God's creation. For me, I have had conversion moments in the slums of South Africa and in Haiti.

The important thing about "conversion" moments is to keep them close to you. I have a few practical tips for this. First, journal about what you are seeing and feeling. You will need to refer back to how you felt because these moments pass. Second, pray about what you are feeling and what God means for you to do with these feelings. Third, share what you are feeling with trusted friends and confidants.

Sometimes, conversion moments aren't so obvious even though in the long run, they lead to a fundamental change in your life. The point is to stay open to such moments. The old saying "God moves in mysterious ways" is very true. Maybe we won't be hit by a bright light, loud voice and sudden blindness the way that Saul was, but our lives can be changed nonetheless.

I'm still waiting for my divine conversion moment and I hope to share it with each of you when it happens.

Acts 7:17-29

2010-08-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Do you have any friends with the gift of faith? I have a friend named Mary who is one of my “faith anchors.” She lives in Washington State. We don’t see each other very often, but when my faith dims I tell her my troubles. Her response always reminds me that God is upholding us and our loved ones.
I have the wonderful privilege of knowing many of St. Matthew’s youth group members. What great people they are. Sometimes I get anxious for them, wanting them so badly to discover as I did the rewards of following God. Today’s reading tells me to have patience and faith that God will work in lives (even mine).
This passage is the life story of Moses, told by Stephen. One of the things I love to read most in the Old Testament is Moses’ lively conversations with God in the book of Exodus because they point out how real God was to Moses. As Moses led the Israelites he would speak to God “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Moses had faith. But Moses’ faith didn’t develop overnight. In fact, today’s reading ends with young Moses killing a man and fleeing into the desert. Verse 30 caught my attention, “after forty years had passed….”
Forty years!! During that time, God was shaping Moses. Lengths of time mean little to God. God will grow the faith of those we love. Let us have patience and faith and trust in God, and commit those we love to Him.

Acts 5:12-26

2010-08-09T03:47:00.000-04:00

God willing, I along with 19 others will be in Haiti this week on a mission trip. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

I have read a number of items written about today's reading. Most of what I have read centers on the Apostles healing many people - verses 12 - 16. But I want to discuss a different passage. Let's have a look at verses 17 & 18.

Verses 17 & 18 read, "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail."

It strikes me that these religious leaders did not listen and learn the gospel message that focused on their own Messiah. Instead they were jealous. Violently jealous. The religious leaders were jealous of Peter and the apostles because they were commanding more respect. They were commanding more respect than the religious leaders ever had. These jealous religious leaders thought they could silence the apostles by throwing them in jail. But God would not allow his servants to be silenced.

The verses are striking to me for a couple of reasons. One, how often do we let our petty jealousies get in the way of spiritual growth? I know it happens to me. Who cares who gets the credit as long as God's will is being advanced?

The second is how these religious leaders tried to quite Peter and the apostles. How many times, if we are not getting the credit or are not the center of attention, do we not support an activity? Or even try to sabotage the activity? When in reality we should be doing everything in our power to support it.

Jealousy is a terrible vice. It causes all sorts of problems in the world. I don't think I will ever be able to do away with my own jealousy, but perhaps I could minimize it.

Wishing you much success in your walk with Christ,

Acts 4:13-31

2010-08-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today's reading takes place right after Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. The disciples have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and have begun the evangelistic walk. The Sanhedrin calls them in, trying to figure out what to do with these guys. They can't crucify them too, so they tell them not to speak of Jesus. They refuse. But, they are also very afraid. So, they returned to there new-found follers and they all began to pray to God to give them the courage and the words to move forward on their walk.

I am going to Haiti tomorrow. This passage is spot on as to our trip. Most of us are anxious - some very anxious - about all the potential difficulties on this trip. Some are worried that it will be too hot to get proper rest, making it more difficult to do the physical work we are being called to do. Some are worried about the food and the potential for sickness. I am worried about being there during an earthquake or a hurricane. All of those worries take our heart away from the real mission which is the human mission. We are called to spread the love of Jesus - plain and simple.

We all know in our heads that we only need to trust God. He alone knows each of us and how we will be affected by this trip. But, our fears are real, too. One of the powerful lessons of today's reading is that Peter and John's people, when they heard what the Sanhedrin had said, "they raised their voice together in prayer to God". They did not go their separate ways to each pray alone. They asked God to consider the threats of their enemies and they asked that He "enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." I ask the same.

So, read today's passage. And please pray for those of us going to Haiti.

Acts 2:37-47

2010-08-02T04:00:00.000-04:00

I have heard Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, talk about an Acts 2 church. How he wants Willow Creek to be an Acts 2 church. But what is an Acts 2 church? Today’s reading reveals this secret (not really a secret as it is in the Bible in plain view).

Verses 42-47 provide a concise summary of what the early church was about. It provides a model that can be applied to the modern church as well.

An Acts 2 church is characterized by:

Teaching. All Christians, new and experienced, need to further their spiritual formation. Teaching helps them understand this need and how to advance on this path.

Fellowship. The sharing experiences, learning from each other, and encouraging each other.

Joining in the breaking of bread. The remembering of what Jesus did for us on the cross. The realization that grace is a gift from God. The celebratory waiting for the return of Christ.

Prayer. This includes corporate prayer (i.e., church service) and private, personal prayer.

I feel Saint Matthews does a good job of all of this. But of course there is always room for improvement. What could you or I do to help make these improvements? I submit it is not always easy, but getting involved, using your spiritual gifts, is what we are all called to do. So get involved – if you are not sure how, talk to any church leader.

Wishing you much success in your walk with Christ,

Acts 2:1-21

2010-07-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

First the drummer lays down the beat and then the music begins. As it builds, joy fills the room, in the form of song and dance. It feels like a current, a wave washing over me; as we join in praising God. I’m in church actually and Vacation Bible School has started for 2010. The energy makes the building seem to vibrate.

Why do we love VBS? Maybe it’s because anyone can join us. All ages come. Newcomers and long-time members get to know each other as we serve and help each other, in the name of reaching out to children. It feels like a big reunion and kids literally dance for joy.

Well, I guess it’s a taste of heaven when I think about it. Acts 2 tells us the history of these tastes of heaven; the Holy Spirit came and changed every gathering of Christians. The Holy Spirit, once experienced in bits at a time, now is poured out. Acts 2, VBS, mission trips all give us the chance to stand under the fountain together, and reach out to others and to say, “everyone come. Come meet Jesus.” Just think what our gathering in heaven will be like!!

Romans 15: 14-24

2010-07-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

I think my attitude about being a Christian has really changed over the last ten years. I was brought up believing that if you kneel at the right time, stand at the right time and memorize the right prayers, you were pretty much guaranteed a spot in heaven. I don’t think my early Christian training was really as bad as I’m making it sound, but that is what I got out of it anyway. Of course, I loved VBS also.

But, now, that could not be farther from my thinking. Now, I am almost desperate to share the love of God with everyone I meet. (I’m really not that evangelical, but that’s for a different devotional.) I am further reminded about my growth as a Christian, as well as how far I still need to go, in today’s reading. In Paul’s first line, he states that he is confident that his Roman brothers and sisters are “full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.” I don’t know too many groups of humans who are able to do that. In fact, I’m pretty sure I don’t know of any who are so full of the love of God and who get along so well as to be able to instruct one another. Actually, most folks I know are pretty good at giving the instruction; it’s the taking that seems to be difficult.
So, Paul is far away from these new Roman Christians and he has been far away from them for a long time. He has not seen them and his only news of this new church plant is via letters that take a long time en route. Yet, he is confident of their ability to live a communal, Christian life. This makes me want to have Paul’s confidence in me as well. Would he be that confident in me as a Christian? Was he telling the Romans this just to be nice? Is he manipulating them? Does he really believe what he is writing?

What I believe this comes down to is my (and your own) confidence about our own ability to live a truly Christian life. Can you imagine what life would be like if everyone loved one another the way that Jesus loved? No more jealousies or pettiness. To truly live with the peace of God which passes all understanding? To live as, apparently, the Roman Christians did?

By the way, just to show that my early Christian development was not all that bad, ever since I was a little girl I wanted to have “the peace of God which passes (actually we said passeth) all understanding”. I’m still working on that.

Romans 13:8-14

2010-07-19T05:50:00.001-04:00

I love today's reading. Perhaps it is because it speaks about love.

Verse 8 really spoke to me. It reiterates a common theme in the Bible; perhaps it is Paul’s use of a debt analogy. "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (v. 8)

There is a certain paradox in Paul's words. In order to get out of debt to the law, we have to get into debt to love. To me this is extremely liberating. Instead of being in debt to something to which we can never fully comply (perfectly keeping all of the laws of the Old Testament), we are free to focus on what we can do (love our neighbor as ourselves).

Why is loving others called a debt by Paul? Simple. We are permanently in debt to Christ for the love he poured out on us and the freedom he bought for us. The way Jesus asks us to repay this debt is to love others the way we love ourselves.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves is a simple way to say take care of others with the same natural motivation that we care for ourselves. Each of us tries not to let ourselves go hungry. We each try to clothe ourselves. We try to make sure there is a roof over our head. We try to make sure we are not cheated or injured. This is the way we love ourselves and thus this is the way we are called to love our neighbor.

Finally Paul points out that with each day the time for our judgment is that much closer. What will be the final balance of our debt when that time comes?

Wishing you the best in your walk with Christ,

Romans 12:9-21

2010-07-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

Families come in all types and the word “family” means different things to different people. My father died when I was twelve years old but many people helped me along the way when I was young. Now, I live in a “typical” family (children, spouse and two cats). It’s nice to all be together. We cherish time together, as our children are away at college during the school year.

How does a family work? Hopefully , we encourage each other. We share chores. We talk things out and try to be patient with each other. We hope for the best for each other and especially as a parent, I pray, pray, pray.

Please read this entire wonderful passage. These verses make me think of how the love of God can fill a church body. Verse 10 says, “love each other with brotherly love” and I have seen many examples of God’s love in my St. Matthew’s family. This passage calls us to LOVE; by serving, helping the needy, helping strangers. It also calls us to love all people equally and be people of peace (sometimes hard in families). Our love is not to be confined to our family, but rather we are to reach out beyond our comfort zone with the love of Christ.

Please pray for those who will be leaving Sunday for the St. Matt’s mission trip to Nashville, that they will grow together as a family in Christ, and share God’s love with many.

These days I cherish this time when my family is complete. Likewise, I cherish spiritual brothers and sisters. Each help me experience God the Father.

Romans 11:1-12

2010-07-12T03:33:00.000-04:00

In today’s reading, I am drawn to verse 6. The concept of grace has always been a mystery to me. I mean it is really that easy to be saved. Come on, one must have to do more than just accept this gift. Let’s take a look.

Verse 6 from today’s reading says, “And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Paul clearly says we are saved by grace; and grace alone. Grace is a gift given to us by a loving God.

I often think it is easier to love someone when they are good – when they love us back. Don’t you? But God loves us no matter if we love him or not. No matter how we act towards him. In the past, I fell into the trap of believing that some people’s behavior was so bad that God couldn’t possibly save them. However, I realized that by taking this attitude, I did not fully understand that salvation is by grace. And grace is a free gift. All any of us have to do is to accept the gift.

If God chose who would be saved based on our works or obedience to the law, then grace would not be free and undeserved. As Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, “God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Thank God for his gift of grace.

Wishing you the best in your walk with Christ,

Romans 10:1-13

2010-07-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

I was taken with a verse from this passage from The Message. Eugene Peterson paraphrases Paul and says "It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us...That's it. You're not doing anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation." I had never thought of trust in God to meet your needs as salvation. I have always concentrated on salvation happening when you believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again.

My problem is that I'm really a control freak. I have a hard time turning everything over to God. Plus, I really wonder at what point does God want us to abdicate our decision-making over our lives and turn everything over to Him? Surely He doesn't want us to irresponsibly wait for Him to take action in our lives. So what is the right amount of independence and abdication?

Perhaps it's in the asking for God's help to begin with. To do that, you really have to take some responsibility. You have to know that there is a problem and you have to know that it is bigger than your capability to fix it, right? You reach a point with a problem when it's time to turn it over and I think we all know when that moment arrives. Turning it over feels right. That's not abdication at all, but rather taking responsibility for finding the means to resolution.

Perhaps, too, turning it over does not mean no longer being responsible for the issue and the fix. Perhaps turning it over is just the beginning and that salvation is the road you walk as you solve life's issues along side of God.

I would love to hear any comments you may have about this. How do you allow God to help you?

Romans 8:26-30

2010-07-05T04:00:00.000-04:00

Today's reading is just five verses. Yet these verses have troubled Christians for centuries. The troubling subject is predestination - did God predestine who would be saved? I do not think so, but let's take a look.

Verses 29 & 30 seem to be the most troubling to some. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, ... And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." The words foreknew and predestined have generated much heated discussion over the years. However, God is not limited by time as we know it. Thus, I feel these words have to do with God's ability to see past, present, and future at the same time and not some predetermination before we were even born. God's foreknowledge means that God knows who will accept the offer of salvation not that any one of us is predetermined to be saved.

Furthermore, as far as predestination goes, this begins when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we truly do this, God knows we will become more Christ-like and, eventually, live with him for all eternity in heaven. Thus, if we accept Christ into our lives and allow him to be the leader of our life, then we are predestined to an eternal afterlife with God. An analogy, albeit a poor one, of this is buying an airline ticket. If one buys an airline ticket to Pittsburgh, then one is predestined to arrive in Pittsburgh.

Wishing you the best in your walk with Christ,

Romans 6:12-23

2010-06-28T03:32:00.000-04:00

I found today's reading inspiring and extremely encouraging. In verse 14, Paul states, "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." I think Paul is saying if believers were still under the law, then sin would have to be the master and believers its slave. Why is this? Because the law causes us to be aware of sin, but has no power to enable one to resist sin. The law does an excellent job of pointing out failure, but it does not empower change.

On the other hand, only grace can overcome sin. Once one identifies with Christ, it is the constant flow of grace into our lives that teaches us to say no to sin. When we live under grace, God is our master and we desire to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

Paul concludes today's reading by stating, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (verse 23) This pretty much sums it all up! The payment for sin is eternal separation from God (i.e., death). However, God has given us a gift (grace). This gift, if we choose to accept it, will allow us to have eternal life with God.

The gift of grace is truly priceless. Friends, please remember the Jesus physically died, and we will physically die. Jesus was resurrected and we will be resurrected. Jesus lives forever in the presence of God and we will live forever in the presence of God. Accept the gift of grace. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Let Jesus be your master.

Wishing you the best in your walk with Christ.

Romans 5:12-21

2010-06-25T07:04:00.002-04:00

It is easy in this world to become cynical and jaded. In fact, I would guess that for those who work in an office setting, being cynical is almost fashionable. I don't think we realize what a toll that takes on our psyche. Frankly, I believe that is one of the reasons why folks just seem so darn tired all the time. Being cynical is downright exhausting. It takes the wind right out of your sails.

Today's reading gives us a great reason to pop out of the black hole of cynicism. In a nutshell, Paul tells us that while Adam's sin took us all down, the grace of God through Jesus Christ has the exponential power of raising all the more of us up. Sin - Bad. God's grace - exponentially better. Pretty simple. Hard to be cynical over that one.

When I think about those I know who are not just social cynics but who seem to be cynical to the core, they are typically not Christians. Or at least not practicing Christians. That is because not believing in the grace of God through Jesus Christ is a life of no hope. That's when you actually live your cynicism. I am just not interested in that kind of life.

Instead, as Paul tells us in today's reading, we have more than hope. We have God's promise of a life without end. He does not promise that our life on earth won't be trouble free. But he promises eternity. That sounds so much better to me than a life moping around the water cooler.

Romans 5:1-11

2010-06-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (8).” This is a sentiment commonly expressed in Christian culture, rooted in sermons and emblazoned on coffee mugs and t-shirts, but I think the ramifications of this statement dig deeper than most realize. It’s not just that Christ died for us all so that we may be saved, although it that certainly is a huge part of it. As Paul writes, it makes sense that one might die for a righteous man, or a good man—they contribute to society and others’ wellbeing, after all, and they follow God’s rules. Surely they merit protection. Yet, Christ didn’t die for the good men. Christ died for the mess-ups, the screw-ups, those who failed and fell down and weren’t so good at getting back up again. Christ died for the sinners. Christ died for those who didn’t have their act together.
Of course, none of us have our act together.
So what does that mean for us as Christians, those who would choose to follow in Jesus’s footsteps? Well, Paul writes that since “we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (10)” So through Jesus’s death, he shows us how to live. And that means that we, as Christians, must die to ourselves, must sacrifice of ourselves, in order to love and serve sinners. We aren’t just serving the men and women who have it all together, who are righteous and good and contribute to society. God calls us to die for jerks, for petty people, for mean people, for selfish people. He calls us to die for the lost, the abandoned, the needy—those whom the rest of the world looks over. God died for all of us, sinners. As Christians, we aren’t serving those whom the rest of the world panders to and looks out for. We are searching out those whom have fallen through the nooks and crannies of society. We are loving the unloveable and the looked over. It will make us uncomfortable. It will push us out of our comfort zones. It isn’t easy. But dying never is, and only out of death can come new life.

Romans 4:13-25

2010-06-23T05:00:00.001-04:00

While I was reading today’s passage from Roman’s I was struck by the relationship between the law and faith. I’ve seen a comparison drawn between faith and works but this one is a different comparison with faith and adherence to the law. When coming down to it, we could place anything against faith and faith would come out on top.
I knew a person that told me they wouldn’t go to church but that it’s good for other people to go so they could learn to do what’s right. I think that this statement neglects the importance of faith that Romans 4:14 talks about. Our promise in Heaven is only true when we have faith in Christ.
This is something that I really need to be aware of when working at the church. Sometimes I catch myself planning events that don’t really work on developing relationships with Christ. Other times I have to review a talk and realize that the message was more about “doing the right thing” than it was about Christ. When I go about leading this summer my goal will be to help the youth grow in their faith and realize the promise that Christ has for us.

Romans 1:28-2:11

2010-06-16T09:44:00.003-04:00

"Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself." Romans 2:1

Criticism has unfortunately become a huge part of our culture. I think that criticism of others usually makes one feel better about their own short comings. Just look at how popular the show "American Idol" is. The most popular episodes of that show are the ones where bad auditionees come on stage and perform HORRIBLY. People LOVE watching it, and people love criticizing them. Even the uplifting TV show “The Biggest Loser” causes American’s to sit on their couch and judge as morbidly obese people attempt to run on the treadmill or hike up a mountain. No one escapes this sink hole—we are all guilty. But people wonder why so many kids are depressed?! Being critical of others is not following in God's footsteps. It is not loving your neighbor as yourself. It is not the way God intended us to exist with each other. I think that the wonders of modern medicine have blinded us to some of the real problems that exist in our society--if we stopped picking on each other and started lifting each other up, there would be no more need for prozac or wellbutrin. If television shows became geared toward human accomplishment and not human shortcomings, the world would be a happier place.

“God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.” Romans 2:11

When I finished this reading, the above quote brought me a lot of comfort. Yes, people are critical, and yes, people are mean. But God doesn’t care what labels you wear, or what other people place on you. God loves you for the person you are when no one is looking. Because when no one is looking, you have God’s undivided attention.

Romans 1:16-25

2010-06-15T07:55:00.000-04:00

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel.”

I sometimes feel like I have a hard time saying that and being completely honest with myself. There are certain people I’m uncomfortable discussing my faith with. Around them it’s difficult for me to be open with my belief that Jesus Christ made me perfect when He died for my sins.

One example of this is with the guys on my ultimate Frisbee team at school. Of thirty men, I’m the only one that attends church. I enjoy playing ultimate and their company but they are not always eager to hear about “religious things.” When I’m around them then it is sometimes difficult for me to discuss why I act the way I do or why I missed practice because I was leading a middle school Bible study. I think this might be something that other people might struggle with too.

Sometimes I say that I don’t want to turn them away from Christ by appearing judgmental but other times I’m simply too scared to talk about it. I’m afraid that my teammates, friends I see on a regular basis, will judge me because of Christ.

I know this is not what God calls us to do and I think that the beginning of this passage makes it easier to step up and proclaim what Jesus means to us. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because the gospel has power. Through faith in what the gospel says God grants us salvation. We get to spend the rest of time in perfection with God in heaven because of what the gospel says. Life-everlasting is something that I’m not ashamed of having and is something that I want for my friends. This verse reminds me of the power that God has and encourages me to be open in discussing that with others.

Romans 1:1-15

2010-06-14T12:34:00.000-04:00

It’s so incredibly important to find people who will not only support us, but encourage us in our faith. Attending church, particularly small groups or Bible studies, can be a powerful tool in finding friends with similar values who can encourage us to grow in faith and love. Still, it is not as easy as it seems. I attend a Christian college and have been attending church faithfully for my entire life; one might assume that every person I meet at such institutions would automatically be encouraging and supportive. Most people are supportive, that is true, but I have found that it is a rare, true gift to find a friend who is truly encourages me.

This encouragement is often challenging; oftentimes my friends will tell me things that I do not want to hear. Yet, I am so grateful for my friends who ask me, as a part of everyday conversation—“How are things with God going? What’s new in your faith life?” And although sometimes it irks me, I do appreciate the reminders—“Have you been reading your Bible? What have you found interesting? What have you been learning about God lately?”

I think a lot of Christians feel that they know pretty much all there is to know about God—we’ve been reading our Bibles our whole lives, going to Church, attending Bible studies. We don’t need other people to challenge us and our preconceived notions, our established conceptions of what God is and of what faith looks like. Somehow, God comes to be an ‘easy’, ‘comfortable’ notion.

It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into, and it strikes me as a pretty foolish view. God, after all, is so incredibly BIG- He is so beyond our comprehension, and His goodness and love are so all-encompassing, so infinite… it often seems to me that our little human brains could only ever gain a fraction of understanding in this mortal lifetime.

And that’s one of the reasons mutual encouragement is so important. To encourage us so that we don’t lose heart, yes, that’s important. But also to remind us that God is big and we have much to learn, and to encourage us not to stagnate in our faith and our knowledge, but to be the dynamic, ever-questioning, ever-learning sons and daughters that God created us to be.

THANKSGIVING IS CELEBRATING

2010-06-12T04:59:00.002-04:00

If you haven’t learned how to celebrate you haven’t truly learned to trust God. Those who truly trust in Him take the time to celebrate what He is doing. Believers in Christ should not be unsmiling workaholics. They have learned to accomplish great tasks while still being able to enjoy life. Sometimes we accomplish a task only to find that we have become consumed by it, and so we cannot celebrate it.

Nehemiah was a leader who not only knew how to work, he knew how to celebrate. As he led his people to celebrate after they had finished the wall around Jerusalem he teaches us some important lessons in celebration.

Celebration grows out of worship.

Worship is one of the vital keys to personal joy. In the Old Testament they regularly celebrated in festivals and special Sabbath days. They intentionally built into their lives opportunities to celebrate God.

Celebration should be fun.

Sacred does not equal sad. Enjoyment, after all, is God's idea. And so Nehemiah includes in his celebration a great feast. There should be no one in this world who has a better time celebrating than those who know Jesus as their savior. We have something to REALLY celebrate!

The result of celebration is strength.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Far from sapping our strength for “more important things,” celebration actually gives us the real strength we need to endure. Some people have the attitude, “Let’s wait until we get to heaven to celebrate. Right now we have work to do.” The problem with that is it doesn’t take into account the way God has made us. We need to celebrate what He has done in order to receive the strength to do what He wants us to do. If you feel like your spiritual gas tank is empty here’s your one word prescription:

CELEBRATE!

Family Discussion Question: What has God done in your lives this last year that you need to celebrate? Personalise this devotion guide by taking time to individually write down your “celebration list” on the last page of this guide. If you have children that cannot write, ask them to tell you what to write for them.

Children’s Activity: Cut up some confetti or get some streamers, read John 3:16 and then throw them into the air to celebrate what God has done.

TAKE THE TIME TO SAY THANK YOU

2010-06-11T04:59:00.002-04:00

“When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice. Then he bowed down at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. (And this man was a Samaritan.) Jesus said, ‘Weren’t ten men healed? Where are the other nine?’” Luke 17:15-17 (NCV)

Only one in ten took time to tell Jesus thank you. Jesus asked a striking question, “Where are the other nine.” Indeed, where had they gone. What were they doing that was so important that they did not have time to thank the one that saved them from leprosy? Let’s imagine where the “other nine” might have been for a moment. The purpose is not to condemn them, but to recognise that we might easily have been among them.

One of the “other nine” might have been hurrying to the temple to complete the legal requirements that went along with such a healing. So focused on keeping the rules and getting things done in the right order that he did not have time to stop and say thank you.

Another was just following the crowd. If the majority had turned back to tell Jesus thank you, he would have gladly followed. It would have never occurred to him to do something other than what “the others” were doing. Those who take the time to say thank you are those who stand above the crowd, not simply with the crowd.

One of the nine might have been afraid to go back. Someone with the power to heal his leprosy might also use that power to give him leprosy again. He might have felt that he didn’t really deserve so great a blessing. What if he said or did the wrong thing and Jesus found him out for who he really was.

A few of the nine might have felt embarrassed to go back. As a leper he’d been used to thinking of himself as a useless outcast. What difference would his word of thanks make to a powerful public figure like Jesus.

Odds are that all of us find ourselves amidst “the others” at times. Today take some time to be “the one” who tells Jesus and tells others “thank you for what you’ve done.”

Family Discussion Question: What have you “forgotten” to thank God for?

THANKSGIVING DAY

2010-06-10T04:59:00.001-04:00

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor 9:15 (NIV)

Let me call your attention to the most important “thanksgiving” we have to offer. We should give the greatest thanks for our greatest gifts. The Bible reminds us that the gift of Jesus Christ is so great it is beyond description.

Thanks for that great a gift demands more than a card or a few words. Thanks to Jesus is given as we give our lives back to Him. Give Jesus your past, depending on Him for forgiveness and freedom. Give Jesus your present, trusting in His direction for today. Give Jesus your future, count on Him for the hope that you need.

Family Activity: Have each person in the family give a gift of thanks to Jesus.

PRAISE TO GOD

2010-06-09T04:59:00.002-04:00

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” Dan 2:20 (NIV)

The Bible tells us that Daniel was one of the wisest men who has ever walked this planet. Even a quick look at his life reveals that one of the secrets to that wisdom was his everyday decision to give praise to God. Intelligence and knowledge without praise add up to pride. It is when we add praise to the mix that God’s wisdom begins to emerge. In Daniel chapter two we see in Daniel’s example three specific ways to praise God:

Praise God for His Character - “Wisdom and Power are Yours”

Tell God, “Your love is great, Your faithfulness is wonderful, Your decisions are perfect.” One of the healthiest things we can do is praise Him for who He is.

Praise God for what He is doing to YOUR Character

“You have given ME wisdom and power!”

Praise God for His Actions in History

Daniel 9:15 says, “Do it again, Lord.” That’s pure praise: rejoicing in God’s power in the past and recognising God’s power in the present.

God’s greatest action in history was the giving of His son. 1 Corinthians 1 calls the crucifixion of Christ foolishness to the world, but to us the wisdom of God. The cross is where God shows His wisdom and power to the world today. We have a picture in our minds of getting wisdom by visiting a holy man on top of some far off hill. As if someone who is detached from the world is the person who has all of the answers? Wisdom IS found on a hill, but the hill is called Calvary. It is not found in someone who is detached from us, but where God identified Himself with all in the world. Want to see wisdom? Look at the cross. Praise God for what He did for you on the cross.

Prayer: Thank You Lord, for the love that you showed for me on the cross. Let the truth that you will love me no matter what guide my decisions and my actions today.

THANKSGIVING LIVING

2010-06-08T04:59:00.002-04:00

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (TLB)

We all know how a Christmas turkey fills our stomachs. How does living gratefully fill our lives? What does thanksgiving DO to us? To understand the result of thanksgiving you need only look as far as the objects of thanksgiving. What we’re thankful for becomes the faith focus of our lives. If we’re not thankful at all we end up living a faith without focus. Thanksgiving has the power to bring God’s perspective and focus to our everyday lives!

When I thank God for his blessings it impacts my attitudes.

We all know what it’s like to be around the person who thinks the world “owes them something.” That kind of thinking fills a person with ingratitude and bitterness. What about the person who recognises through thanksgiving the wonderful truth that God has “given them everything.” That’s the person with the truly magnetic personality. The attraction is in their attitude of continuous joy. You cannot find that attitude in our world apart from thanksgiving.

When I thank God for His Character it impacts my character!

Thankful people become holy people. As you thank God for His patience you develop endurance. As you thank Him for his unfailing love you’ll grow an ability to love even the unloveliest, to love even in the worst of times. As you thank Him for His grace you develop a giving attitude. Praise not only pleases God, it changes us!

When I thank God for His Son it gives me a new sense of security and victory.

The results of the gift of Jesus are staggering, truly “indescribable.” Thankfulness is the proclamation of our trust in the truth that Jesus loved us and gave His life for us. When your faith focus becomes Jesus Christ then your life focus becomes victory!

Family Discussion Question: What character quality of God would you like thank God especially for this thanksgiving week?

HOW TO SAY “THANK YOU”

2010-06-07T04:59:00.002-04:00

“I will never worship anyone but you! For how can I thank you enough for all you have done?” Jonah 2:9 (TLB)

“Thank you.” Those two words are incredibly significant and deeply spiritual.

One of the greatest skills we can develop in life is the skill of saying thank you. Nehemiah had obviously developed this skill. In chapter 3 of this book there are 3 important lessons about saying a simple “thanks.”

Be specific

Recognise the person. Say their name when you’re saying thanks. A thank you is a wonderful opportunity to let another person know how important they are to you. Also, be specific about what they have done. It’s one thing to say, “Thanks for dinner.” It’s better to be more specific, “Thanks for cooking the sauerkraut just the way I like it.”

Be sensitive

The best words of thanks recognise not only an action but the heart behind the action. Jesus showed this kind of recognition when he noticed a child’s humility, a widow who gave two mites, a woman who poured perfume on his feet. How encouraging it was to people as He looked beyond the bare bones of their actions to see and recognise the valuable attitudes of their hearts.

Be searching

Find ways to invite your mind to think about those whom you might want to thank. It bothers me that I often rush through life without taking time to thank those who have meant the most to me. Does that also bother you? I have a question written on my weekly schedule to force me to think about thanking people: “What 5 people will I write a note of encouragement to this week?” You might try something like this to help you to mentally search out those whom you want to thank.

Family discussion question: Who do you need to write a note of thanks to today? Take a minute right now to thank each person in your family for something they have done recently? Be specific. Be sensitive.

THE INGREDIENTS OF THANKFULNESS

2010-06-06T04:59:00.001-04:00

“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Cor 1:4 (NIV)
Understanding the right ingredients is all important! Heloise wrote in her “hints” column that that best way to cook a moist turkey was to, “Put a cup of water in the cavity of the turkey, cover with tin foil and bake.” A reader wrote back to complain. “The turkey came out fine, but the plastic cup in the turkey melted!” Imagining that person trying to squeeze that cup into that turkey reminds us that directions must be specific! What are God’s specific directions for developing a thankful heart? What are the ingredients that result in thanksgiving?
Here’s your “Thanksgiving recipe.”
Recognize God’s grace
When was the last time you sent your boss a thank you note for that month’s check? Of course you don’t, you don’t generally thank someone for what you earned. That’s why recognition of God’s grace is such an important ingredient of thankfulness. When we recognise that all we have is a gift from Him it makes us into grateful people.
Understand God’s righteousness
“Righteousness” means that God ALWAYS does what is right. Beginning to get a glimmer of how righteousness ties in with thanksgiving? Sometimes life doesn’t feel like a gift - doesn’t look all pretty with a bright bow on top. Thankfulness results from the knowledge that God is righteous. When life seems to have been unfair, when it seems when it seems to have cheated you, remember that God is righteous. His purpose will reign in the end.
Thank God with other people
Of course you can and should give thanks all alone. But the truth is: if you don’t have a place to give thanks with others you’ll soon stop giving thanks at all. You need to hear others give thanks. You need to share what God’s doing in your life with others. Thankfulness is like bananas... it grows best in bunches.
Family Activity: Start making a “Thanksgiving List” today, see how many things you can write down. Try to fill several pages.

THE JOY OF SACRIFICE

2010-06-05T04:59:00.002-04:00

“But remember this--if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.” 2 Cor 9:6 (TLB)
I'd like to suggest that we desperately need to give more and grow more in our lives and our families: the give and grow. Paul's advice to us is simple, found in a two word command and a two word promise.
The command? Plant much! The promise? Reap much! It's the simplest addition: few = small, much = much. It's the simplest agriculture: if you plant a lot of seed you can expect a large harvest. How do we sow with our lives? We can give ourselves in hospitality: opening our home in order to meet people's needs. Or how about ministry: going out from your home to meet people's needs. Or what about stewardship: using the resources God has given to us to bless others. The challenge is clear. We need to plant our lives.
Paul says that we are made rich so that we can be generous. That's an eyeopener!! Our riches are given not primarily to encourage our luxury, but our generosity. God's riches are not an invitation to luxury, there are an opportunity for generosity. We should all carry around stickers that say “opportunity.” Stick them on everything that God places into our hands: our paycheck, our car, our house. Each are an opportunity to praise God, love people and express our faith.
Family discussion question: What do you need to put an “opportunity to praise God” sign on in your mind right now?
Children’s activity: Write “opportunity to praise God” on several 3X5 cards. Ask your kids what to put them on today.

TWO COINS

2010-06-04T04:59:00.002-04:00

Read the story of the widow in Luke 21:1-4.
Two very small coins. Two mites, two cents. What could such a small amount buy? How could such a pittance be of any value to even a poor widow? It wasn’t enough to make a difference; to buy a meal or rent a room or purchase a robe. It was seemingly only enough to remind her of all this widow had lost, all that her life now lacked. Yet, they were all that she had. She lived in a society in which a woman without a husband was not allowed to provide for herself. These two coins had become her only security: all that she had left.
Two very large coins! Two of the most talked about, most adored pieces of money in all of human history. More valuable than the crown jewels of England for their impact. More rare than the rarest of coins for their teaching. What could these two coins buy? They earned the highest praise of Jesus. Jesus looked at this woman and saw not a poor widow, but a woman of wonderful faith. These two coins became her lasting legacy, summing up all that she had done right.
There is a hidden fear for many of us in the reading of this story. If Jesus commended this woman for giving all that she had, might He not also ask the same of us? He does! He asks us to be willing to trust Him with our all. And if He ever challenged us to actually give it all away, be assured that He would not stop meeting our needs. Can you imagine the reward of that kind of genuine generosity?
Jesus is teaching his disciples, then and now, an important lesson as He points to this widow. We tend to be impressed with the amounts that people give. God is impressed with the heart that we give it with.
Family Discussion Question/ Children’s activity: Make up a story together. How do you think God rewarded this poor widow when she got to heaven. Enjoy this by going into the wildest and grandest detail you can imagine.

Holy Land Stories: Widow's Mite from daniel riemenschneider on Vimeo.

SACRIFICING TO GIVE

2010-06-03T04:59:00.002-04:00

“Those who cry as they plant crops will sing at harvest time. Those who cry as they carry out the seeds will return singing and carrying bundles of grain.” Psalm 126:5-6 (NCV)

A missionary tells about understanding the significance of this verse for the first time. During a time of drought the tribe with which he was working saw their supplies of corn stretched to the limit. He recalled seeing a father take one of the last bags of dried corn out of his families store room. This corn could have been pounded into meal to make the cakes that were the staple of the families diet.

But, instead, he took the corn to the field where he sowed the seed into the ground. The missionary saw tears flowing down the man’s cheeks, and he understood. It hurt to put into the ground what might be his families last meal. Yet he knew that without sowing that seed his family would certainly starve the next year. So he sowed with tears knowing that he would one day reap with joy.
What’s the lesson? That we should give away our last meal? Of course not! The lesson is that it’s not always easy to “generate generosity!” When we talk about “giving cheerfully” it can sound as if giving is always an easy thing to do. That simply is not true. For those who give there is often the strange mixture of sacrifice and joy. You know that you’re doing what is right and yet it is often hard to let go. That’s true when we give our time, our money, our talents or ourselves.
But the truth is there is an inevitable law of sowing and reaping at work. It’s a natural law. It’s a spiritual law. Those who sow in tears WILL reap with joy. The result of our sacrificing to meet other’s needs is not just a feeling of satisfaction, well being or “having done the right thing.” It is JOY! What is joy? It is an overflowing sense of God’s perspective on life, an overwhelming experience of God’s presence in life and an overarching knowledge of God’s security for life.
Family discussion question: Can you remember a time when it was difficult for you to give something? (Even preschoolers can think of an answer to this question!)

SACRIFICING TO LIVE

2010-06-02T04:59:00.002-04:00

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 (NIV)
Imagine a grain of wheat talking to itself, admiring itself, noticing how round and brown and fully packed it is. Imagine it thinking about that physiology and psychology of falling into the cold, dark ground. The grain of wheat might say, “I’m feeling a little uncomfortable with this concept. I like myself as I am and think that falling into the ground would be a waste of my life.”
Jesus is not talking about wheat in this verse. He is talking to us! He’s reminding us that a sacrifice given out of a loving heart for Him always results in new life for ourselves and for others. Yet most of us have felt like our mythical grain of wheat. Sacrifice is a great idea... for other people or for some other time.
We all want to do something great with our lives. We think, “I’ll finish those goals and then I’ll have time to make the sacrifices.” Jesus says to us, “Sacrifice comes first!” Jesus led the way for us. He sacrificed His life, literally, so that we could be forgiven. The most significant sacrifice in history brought about the most significant impact upon history.
This sacrifice is not a simplistic “no pain, no gain” philosophy. We’re not talking about working hard. (Although there’s nothing wrong with hard work.) Nor is this an invitation to a “martyr complex” faith. We’re talking about true sacrifice: giving up that which is most important to you. Jesus could not have been clearer. Losing your life comes before finding your life. And find it you will! Someone once said to a group of missionaries serving in a remote area “you have certainly buried yourselves here.” The missionary replied, “We were not buried here, we were planted here.”
Family Discussion Question: How do we get past the “I’m not sure I really want to do this” feeling that goes along with all genuine sacrifices?
Children’s Activity: Plant some seeds and watch them grow.

SACRIFICING TO LOVE

2010-06-01T04:59:00.002-04:00

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1 (NIV)
It's not enough for love to just be exciting, it also must be lasting! Teen age romance won't satisfy a middle aged couple. Puppy love won't last through the dog days of life. How can you build a love that lasts longer that a 2 hour movie, or a 210 page paperback novel? Paul writes to the Corinthians amidst their turmoil and tells them the secret of love that makes relationships last. Lets look at I Corinthians 13 together and get some clues to the daily sacrifices that keep love alive.
Love is patient... (1 Cor 13:4)
Love is alive when it has time, it is dying when it is hurried, it is dead when it cannot wait. Waiting together is a part of all of our relationships! But many times love also means that I must wait for someone else . wait for them to grow or to understand . wait for them to heal or to get motivated.
Love is kind... (1 Cor 13:4)
Love is alive when it cares, it is dying when it forgets, it is dead when it ignores.
Kindness is the ability to do the little things well. The love expressed in kindness is learning how to turn those grand vows in a ceremony into washing dishes and dumping trash, how to turn those great hopes in a hospital nursery into changing nappies and staying up with sick children. Do you ever forget to be kind? We all do! Kindness in our families, with those we are closest to, takes real effort.
LOVE does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud I Cor 13:4
Love is alive when it is secure... is dying when it doubts... is dead when it loses trust.
Security is one of the #1 issues in relationships. Add a little insecurity to the best of relationships and love battles to stay alive. This is true even in our relationship with God. What one step could you take to make that relationship where you are struggling more secure? What difference might it make for you to talk to or call someone today and say "No matter what happens, no matter how ill you become or how far apart we are, I will always love you."
Family Activity: Here's your assignment... be kind to someone in your family today in some unusual or new way. See if you can catch each other being kind.
Children's activity: Show your kids how our actions affect our feelings. Have them act sad,. ask if it makes them feel a little sad. Have them act angry, then act like they don't care. Then have them act happy and ask again how their actions affect the way they feel inside.

SACRIFICING TO GROW

2010-05-31T04:59:00.005-04:00

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24
The truth is, our biggest hurdle in making the sacrificial commitments we’d like to make for Christ is often ourselves! We don't always feel like doing what we know is right to do! Sometimes we feel like doing what we know is the worst thing to do. Wouldn't it be great if they made a TV remote control for people!
Circumstances become overwhelming - click - change channels.
Can't wait patiently - click - fast forward.
Afraid of the future - click - pause.
Want to make up for a mistake - click - rewind.
Wouldn't it be great if they made a remote control for self-control?
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9 “I make myself.” How do you do that? The key to self control is Christ control - the Bible says it is a fruit that God's spirit wants to bear in our lives. Paul talks about three areas of life that we need to make a commitment to if we are to follow his leadership in our lives in this area of a new sense of self control.
Run for the Prize: Excellence
Don't run at the back, don't run with the pack, run for the prize. In a world where many are think it enough to have simply participated, we are challenged to strive for excellence.

Train for the crown: Eternity
If the relatively small promise of a reward like a gold medal can motivate us to such great heights even on a human level - just think of what a focus on eternity could do!
Aim for the goal: Energy
If you’re running a race it’s good to have your eye on the finish line! Paul reminded us that those who reach the finish are those who make sacrifices. He said he “disciplined his body.” We have a choice. We become a slave to our passions or we live for Christ with the passion of a slave.
Family Discussion Question: Where do you need a renewed commitment to excellence, focus on eternity, a discipline for energy?

Sacrificing To Change

2010-05-30T04:59:00.001-04:00

“Take with you your only son—yes, Isaac whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there...” Gen 22:2 (TLB)

We all have something we’d like to change in our lives. It might be our schedule or our habits, our words or our weight. Many of us struggle with making those changes. Instead of telling yourself you cannot change, why not discover the secret of lasting change.

The secret of lasting change is sacrifice. In the give and take of life what you give you keep and what you take you end up losing. Any talk about change must include an honest look at sacrifices. Lasting change is built on real sacrifices. Your attitude towards sacrifice can be a grumbled, “We all have to make sacrifices,” or a faith filled, “God asks us all to make sacrifices.” The sacrifices God asks of us always build towards the blessings God wants to give to us.

Abraham understood sacrifice. He sacrificed his former life and people when he moved to the promised land. And then, when it seemed that all the sacrifices had been made and he could coast for the rest of his life, God asked for the biggest sacrifice of all. He told Abraham to sacrifice his son. How could God ask that of Abraham? How could God ask so much of us? You've got it all wrong! It's not as if He takes and we give. It's more that he teaches us how to give so that He can give us even more.

We read this story and the tension builds - would God really let Abraham go through with it! There is a sigh of relief in us all when God stops Abraham at the end - when He provides a ram in the thicket. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham trusted God to resurrect his son even if he had completed the sacrifice.

In New Testament days this scene is replayed. Once again it's an only son, ready to be sacrificed. But this time it is Jesus, God's son, on the cross. But this time no voice calls out, no ram in the thicket. What He would not allow Abraham to do God himself did. Jesus sacrificed His life!

The sacrifice that Abraham did not have to make changed him. The sacrifice that Jesus did make changed us. There is no change without sacrifice.

Family Discussion Question: What would you like to change?

Family Activity: “Change” the colour of some water by adding a few drops of food colouring. Talk about the fact that having Jesus in our lives may seem like a little thing to some people, but it changes EVERYTHING about us.

Where Commitment Leads

2010-05-29T04:59:00.001-04:00

Where did the commitment that Mary and Joseph made take this young couple? Their commitment lead them to Egypt. Because King Herod was trying to kill the baby King they had to flee their homeland. It wasn’t always convenient - all fun and games - to have Jesus as their son. Hollywood would have Mary saying, “I don’t feel like cooking tonight, Jesus here’s some bread and loaves, could you whip something up.” Or, “One of the kids is sick, heal them.” The truth is, their commitments made their lives better but not easy. Commitments are not always convenient!
Their commitment led them to a temple. The temple where they lost Jesus when He was 12 years old. They lost the Son of God. (Or they at least thought that they had!) Their great commitment led to a tremendous feeling of having let God down. Some people are afraid to make commitments because they feel they won’t be able to keep them perfectly. Let me set your mind at ease¼ you’re right, you won’t! But those who are afraid of stumbling never get in the race.
Her commitment led to being involved in Jesus’ first miracle. Mary was the one that encouraged that miracle! Opportunity is being in the right place at the right time so that God can use you in His way. You can’t always schedule God’s will, sometimes it’s just a matter of being available. Mary’s commitment made her available.
Her commitment led to the foot of a cross. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there at the cross. Can you imagine the emotions that must have broken her heart? She knew that Jesus was God’s Son. But Jesus was also her son. She had nursed and cared for Him as a baby - and now He was being tortured on a cross. Trust sometimes leads to a broken heart. A broken heart over our own sin. A broken heart over those who reject Christ.
Her commitment led to the upper room. In Acts we’re told of the new church starting in an upper room. Not many people realize that Mary was there when that new church started. She saw the resurrected Jesus. She witnessed the beginning of His church that would change the world. In the end, her life of commitment led to a fulfillment of God’s promise that she could have never imagined.
Family Discussion Question: Where is your commitment leading you right now?

Mary: The Character Of Commitment

2010-05-28T04:59:00.001-04:00

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” “Nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:34, 37,38 (NIV)

Perhaps the greatest commitment made by any human being was the commitment that Mary made to trust God’s will in giving birth to His Son. How would you react if told you were to bear the Son of God? We see in Mary's reaction not anything strange at all; in fact, something very familiar. She acted much as people today do when they come face to face with the fact that Jesus has come into the world... that Jesus is willing to come into their world. Mary goes through three stages... confusion, questions, commitment.

Mary begins with Confusion

She was confused, because she didn't understand who God was. Her great fear made her want to draw away. The angel helps her to understand, helps us to see: if you're afraid of God, you don't understand who He is. God’s angel clears up our confusion by saying, “Don't be afraid.” How needed those words are in so many of our lives. Fear, in pushing us away from God, is pulling our lives apart. “You will give birth to a son.” Truth calmed her fear and changed it to wonder.

Mary moves from Confusion to Questions - “How will this be?”

Mary was saying, “Lord, I'm not qualified.” She had as good a reason to say that as anyone in history. What the angel was telling her was impossible! However good or poor the excuse, the lesson that's needed is the same: stop looking at yourself and start looking at God. “How will this be?” Go ahead and ask! God answers our questions. He helps us with our doubts.

Mary moves from Questions to Commitment

In verse 38 you see an attitude in Mary that shines for us. Commitment seems to leap from the page as you read this verse. She makes her decision, “Be it done to me.” William Barclay writes that the world’s most common prayer is, “Thy will be changed.” Mary refused the world's most common prayer and prayed the world's greatest prayer: “Thy will be done.”

Family Discussion Question: From confusion, to questions, to commitment; a journey that millions have taken when faced with that baby in a manger. Where do you need to take the next step in that journey today?

Rebuilding a Commitment--It's Tough!

2010-05-27T04:59:00.003-04:00

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding” Nehemiah 2:20 (NIV)

We are a society desperately in need of the art of rebuilding. I’m not talking about houses and cars. We need to perfect the art of rebuilding relationships: rebuilding marriages and families and friendships. We need to learn how to rebuild hope and rebuild trust and rebuild our ability to make commitments.

The promise in Nehemiah 2:20 answers the question, “What makes you into a rebuilder?” Today: let this promise encourage you to rebuild an important commitment in your life.

Expectation - “the God of heaven will give us success”

It is our relationship with God that grows us into expectant people. God is perfectly powerful. He is the God of all the heavens. He can accomplish whatever dream He puts in my heart. Success is a gift of God!

Dedication - “we His servants”

Nehemiah said an encyclopedia full about what it takes to be a rebuilder in these few words. He had chosen to be a servant of God. Self-centered people never do a very good job of rebuilding. They may even think they have good intentions, but the truth is they become more rearrangers than rebuilders.

They try to rearrange to suit their needs rather than rebuild for God's glory.

Determination - “will start rebuilding”

What’s the number one reason why rebuilding does not occur? Lack of determination to start! Who's going to start? In your marriage, with your kids, in your ministry. Say to yourself, “I will start” Come on, become a rebuilder! Stop relaxing, rebuild!! Stop retreating, rebuild! It may be a relationship, maybe a commitment. Determine to start.

Family discussion question: What’s one place where you could start to practice this art of rebuilding?

Children’s activity: Fix something together today with your kids. Make it something simple. Suggestion for non-repair types: make some pictures on your wall hang crooked and get the kids to notice them. Fix them together.

Up The Down Escalator (¿Wrong Way through the Tunnel?)

2010-05-26T04:59:00.004-04:00

Life as a believer in this world is somewhat like walking up a down escalator. As long as you keep moving ahead with your commitments, you’re fine. But try to stand still and you find yourself moving in the wrong direction!

The book of Second Kings is about a time in Israel’s history when the escalator was moving down very quickly. During this time there were three kings who stood out for their commitment to faith even in the toughest of times: Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah. They each have some great lessons to teach us for our tough times about the commitments we can make to keep moving ahead.

Joash repaired the temple in 2nd Kings 12. He rebuilt the place of worship! The place of worship must remain strong in our lives if we're to swim upstream without being washed down or worn out. I’m talking about more than just attending a worship service, but giving your attention to worship. Joash's experience reminds us of a vital truth regarding keeping worship at the center of our inner lives. We have to be willing to pay the price. It takes time, valuable time, to worship the Lord.

Hezekiah in 2nd Kings 18 removed the “High Places,” the places of false worship. A growing faith comes when we deal with the destructive and the distracting influences in our lives. Look at how Hezekiah dealt with such places. He removed, smashed, cut down and broke them into pieces! There was no compromise... they were completely dealt with. You can't deal with “high places” with halfway measures. It takes commitment.

Josiah rediscovered God’s Word in chapters 22-23. Even if you haven’t picked up your Bible for awhile, you probably know what shelf it's on. That's better than the people of Israel had done. They had literally lost the Lord’s law. When Josiah rediscovered and read it everything changed. You may need to make a rediscovery of your own; to rediscover the meaning of God's word for your daily life. Start reading it again as if your very life depends upon it!

Family Discussion Question: Whose example do you most need right now: Joash, Hezekiah or Josiah?

Children’s Activity: Draw a picture of a fish swimming upstream (against the flow of some rubbish going downstream) and put your name on the fish.

Bonus video: Hezekiah's Tunnel

@ Yahoo! Video

A Commitment To Your New Life

2010-05-25T04:59:00.003-04:00

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.” Col 3:15 (NCV)

How on earth do heavenly minded people act? What does the new life Christ gives us look like? Colossians 3:12-17 outlines for us the daily commitments that are a part of the new life that we live as believers in Jesus. We put on the love of Christ. Love others as Jesus loved them? Every day?

Paul reminds us of three truths about ourselves that give us a foundation and a strength for loving others. I am a chosen person. By God... for a purpose. I am a holy person. People who love others aren’t constantly trying to prove themselves. I am a dearly loved person, dearly loved by God. In order to love I MUST KNOW that I am loved.

We’re ruled by the peace of Christ. To rule is an athletic term which means to umpire. The umpire is the one who has the final say. Who has the final say in your daily attitudes and decisions? Is it the worries of the world or the peace of Christ? We all struggle with allowing our anxieties to control our lives. Paul reminds us in these verses that one of the secrets to changing our focus is found in expressing our thankfulness to God.

We’re indwelt with the Word of Christ. God’s word does dwell in us as we hear, read, study, memorise and meditate on it. But we’re reminded in Colossians three that it dwells in us richly as we teach and encourage others with what it says.

We do everything in the name of Christ. Everything, from shopping for groceries to office staff meetings to filling out tax forms to homework. How do we make this practical? Billy Graham’s wife Ruth used to have a sign over her kitchen sink that read, “Divine services held here three times a day.” Washing dishes can be an act of worship if you do it in the name of the Lord. To do something in God’s name means you focus on both your purpose for Him and His presence with you.

Family Discussion Question: Can you think of: the name of one person towards whom you need to act in the love of Christ. One decision do you need the peace of Christ to rule in. One believer with whom you need to share the word of Christ. One place that you can start acting in the name of Christ.

God's Promise of Direction

2010-05-24T04:59:00.001-04:00

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)
God’s purpose must be built in to the direction and decisions of everyday life. Here in Proverbs three are three commitments of life that ready you for the decisions of life. They build a lifestyle that enjoys God’s daily direction.
Determine your Director - “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.”
This simple phrase encourages us to ask two of life’s most important questions. Firstly, who am I trusting? Is it myself, my fears, my friends? Or is it the Lord? Secondly, how am I trusting? We’re encouraged to trust with all our heart. Half hearted trust is not trust at all.
Detect your Detractor - “Lean not on your own understanding”.
Leaning on own understanding is a major reason for directionless living. How do you avoid the temptation to lean on only yourself? A few suggestions. Take time with your decisions. Rollo May said, “It is an old and ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.” Talk to God about your decisions. Here's the acid test for determining which way you’re leaning: how often do you talk to God?
Declare your Delight - “In all your ways acknowledge Him.”
Acknowledge means to let others know. Declare your delight. Personally, in your devotional life take time to tell the Lord you appreciate Him. Publicly, in your witnessing life tell others your appreciate the Lord. Acknowledge Him! And the promise is, God will direct your paths. Not might, or could, but will. How can I know God’s will for my life? How can I know what decision God would have me to make? If you’ll work on determining and detecting and declaring, God will do the directing!
Family discussion question: Have each person in your family answer the question, “the decision that I’m facing right now that I would most like to have God’s direction in is.......”

Commitments that Last

2010-05-23T04:59:00.002-04:00

“...those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

“It'll never last.” Three little words so easy to say, and yet the results are so devastating! Tempted to give up on a dream? Feeling like divorce is the only way out? Feeling like the struggle of faith just isn't worth it anymore? You just want to quit, give up, bail out, toss in the towel? Isaiah 40 is for you.

Isaiah 40 contains one of the most beautiful expressions in the Bible of the power and nature of God. Why does Isaiah talk about this? Because our ability to last through the storms comes from Him who makes and calms the storms. Our ability to endure through the long wait comes from Him who has been here forever. God's word stands forever... I can last, if I'll stand upon His word! God's has measured the waters in His hand... I can last, if I'll put myself in His hands! The Lord is the everlasting God... I can last, if I'll make Him my everlasting Lord!

When you hope, your commitments will last! That is the promise that God makes to us in these verses. Your strength will renew.

You’ll soar - like an eagle. Renewed strength is the ability to dream again.
You’ll run - and not be weary. Renewed strength is the ability to strive again.
You’ll walk - and not faint. Renewed strength is the ability to endure again.

Family discussion question: What are you having a hard time waiting for right now?

Children’s Activity: Emphasize the words soar, run and walk with your kids by reading the verse and picking them up to “soar” when you read soar, running when you read run and walking when you read walk. Read it several times to try and remember the verse.

The Value of Purpose

2010-05-22T04:59:00.001-04:00

<-- Paul / Rembrandt

“My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:6-7 (NCV)
Is it worth it? Visionary, purposeful living is not always easy. It not only requires a measure of personal discipline, it also includes real opposition and problems! Is it worth it? In the book of Second Timothy Paul writes knowing he will be executed in a few days - it doesn't seem as if the Lord will intervene this time. That makes a person think about what was really of value in life. As he looked back across the years Paul was able to state three elusive, exciting qualities that had marked his life because of his vision.
An Overcoming Spirit - “I have fought the good fight”
Life is a battle. God’s purpose enables you to overcome. The words Paul uses here have the sense of “I did it!” You can sense the finality and the victory in these words. Vision changes a defeated spirit into a overcoming spirit... a fearful spirit into an overcoming spirit... an angry spirit into an overcoming spirit... a compromising spirit into an overcoming spirit.
Staying Power - “I have finished the race”
Life is a marathon. More people's faith has been defeated by the details of everyday living than by the big battles of life. God’s purpose enables you endure. The key for Paul wasn't being first, it was finishing. For Paul life was not a matter of competition, but of completion! Now there's a simple truth to transform the way you live. We spend so much time trying to beat those around as we dash around everyday that we run out of energy for finishing the race.
Abundant Life - “I have kept the faith”
Life is a gift. It is a wonderful gift, but also a challenging gift. Remember as a child getting a puppy for Christmas or a birthday. Your parents sat you down and said, “Now you have to walk it, train it, feed it.” You might have thought, “This isn't a gift... it's a responsibility!” The word Paul uses for “kept” here relates to the responsibility of a servant left in charge of a household in the absence of his master. Some people are overwhelmed by life and others are overjoyed by life. Having an eye on God’s purpose enables us to enjoy the responsibility of life as a gift from God.
Family Discussion Question: What does life feel more like to you right now: a battle, a marathon or a gift?
Video: Fast Paul

"The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life."

Keeping Your Purpose Alive

2010-05-21T04:59:00.003-04:00

“Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought.” 1 Chr 28:9 (TLB)

A burned out light bulb, an empty toothpaste tube, a broken record. That’s not you! People never outlive their usefulness! True, we do feel burned out and empty and even broken at times, but don’t let that fool you. You’ve got more to offer than a toothpaste tube! You cannot outlast your usefulness!! One of the major causes of a lack of drive is a lack of purpose. Life seems empty when it is without purpose. Sometimes we run out of purpose long before we run out of energy. How can I renew the sense of purpose in my life? In 1 Chronicles 28 David shows us how to refresh our purpose when we come to a crossroads.

Involve your heart (I Chron 28:9)
Real purpose has to involve more that the merely routine - you have to have your heart in it! If the purpose is being imposed from outside it has the feel of pressure. If the purpose is welling up from inside it has the feel of real promise and enthusiasm. Some of you are caught in the Twilight Zone between wanting and willing. You’ve got a case of the “shoulds.” Give God a willing heart.

Inspect your plan (v. 19)
Ask yourself: are my plans big enough? Are they bigger than your comfort? David's plan for his life went beyond comfort in his life. I talk to a lot of people who's greatest plan is personal comfort. That's not big enough!! Are your plans bigger than your desires? Have you discovered the surprising fact that even if you got everything you desired, it wouldn't be big enough?

Invest your resources
When a purpose catches a hold of your heart and life you become willing to invest yourself in it! David invested his own resources! About $87 million in gold and $125 million in silver - no small investment. It's one thing to use someone else’s resources, quite another thing to invest your own. Purpose has a personal price!

Family Discussion: What’s the biggest plan you feel God has for your life?

Children’s Activity: Squeeze some toothpaste out of a tube... and then try to put it back in again! Talk about the fact that while WE can’t put everything back into our lives like we’d want to, God can do anything!

Watch & Listen!

I Can Make a Difference

2010-05-20T04:59:00.002-04:00

““I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

We can't be satisfied with just making a living, we must feel that we're making a difference! Try it - just bring home a paycheck. Nothing else - nothing more. Even if the paycheck is $100,000 a month it won't satisfy. (Right now you are thinking “I'd like to try!”) But the truth is, we need to make a difference. Jesus gives us a promise that tells us the secret to really making a difference in this world. The secret is “abiding in Christ.” What does that mean? There are 4 aspects of abiding in John 15.

Be aware of how much you need Him. Don't miss this, “Apart from me you can do nothing!”
Allow His word to mold your life. - -
Seek to please God.
Ask for His help through prayer.

Significance is not a contest - you don't win it in competition with others. Importance is a wonderful gift given by God's love. People who make a difference in this life are people who live the joy of being chosen by God - of being important to God Himself. You are Jesus’ friend. Jesus starts John 15 calling us branches and ends up calling us friends. When you see Jesus as a friend it turns your thinking upside down. It's much easier to face trouble when you have a friend beside you. You're likely to stay attached to someone you know is your friend. And, when it comes to asking, it's always easier to ask a friend.

Your life is meant to count! You are chosen to be significant: to bear “fruit that will last.” Lasting fruit means changed lives, new hope, real impact upon people's hurts. It is drawing people's attention to the eternal love of God, changing someone's eternal destiny by introducing them to the opportunity we all have to place faith in Jesus Christ.

Family Discussion Question: You are Jesus friend! What’s something you could do to treat Jesus like your best friend today?

Listen! John 15

Jacob's Life Purpose

2010-05-19T04:59:00.003-04:00

†Jacob's Ladder -- Bath Abbey

“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” Heb 11:21 (NIV)

Jacob: it’s all in the name. His name means “schemer.” He was a guy who always had an angle. He cheated his own family out of birthrights, inheritances and land. But here he is in Hebrews 11, commended for his faith! Jacob was the man who wrestled with God. Jacob wrestled his way to a great faith.

There were actually three phases to Jacob’s life. His early life was lived in the scheming phase. We can understand this. America is a nation of schemers. He spent his life trying to earn for himself what God wanted to give him as a gift. Then, after years of scheming and at the edge of disaster, came the wrestling phase. It lasted only one night but it changed Jacob’s life. He had a wrestling match... with God! When Jacob wrestles with God three things happen:

He brings him face to face with who he is: Jacob, a schemer. Jacob had to admit to God what he was really like. It's not that God didn’t know! He wants Jacob to confess the truth about himself.

He brings him face to face with who he can be: Israel. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the man who would become a nation. He was the bearer of God's promise and his descendants would be as the stars. I think we have too many “Jacob's” and not enough “Israel's.” Too many who can tell God what’s wrong with them but haven't finished the story. What’s God’s new purpose for your life?

He brings him face to face with who he can't be. Jacob tries to wrestle with God and win. Bad idea! God leaves him with a limp Jacob, who lives the rest of his life with a physical reminder of the fact that God is the boss. That’s the third phase, the limping phase. Jacob's limp was an every step reminder of his need for God.

Family Discussion Question: What is it in your life that reminds you of your need for God every step of the way?

Children’s Activity: Put a small pebble in your shoe and try to walk across the room. Remind your children that since a little thing like a pebble can hamper us we should never pretend that we are so smart or strong we don’t need God.

Listen! Jacob's Name is Israel

[ApologetiX]

Noah's Life Purpose

2010-05-18T04:59:00.002-04:00

Noah was a pleasure to the Lord. He was the only truly righteous man living on the earth at that time. He tried always to conduct his affairs according to God's will. Gen 6:8-9 (TLB)

Where do you find the motivation to live out the purpose of God? One of the greatest examples of God-centered motivation in the Bible is found in
the life of Noah. In is life lies the secret of a man who survives the disaster of his age. What motivated him?

When Noah built the ark he showed us the motivational power of obedience.

God gave Noah the directions and Noah followed them. The ark was a huge object lesson in obedience. Arks, temples, churches are built by people who trust God. Lives and hearts and families are built by people
who trust God.

When Noah entered the ark he showed us the motivational power of trust.

He walked into the ark behind all of the animals and God shut the door. He shut it seven days before the first raindrop fell. While the sun was yet shining and the sky was blue, while the people around were still convinced that nothing was going to happen, God shut the door. What do you think Noah was thinking that first week? All he had to carry him through was his trust.

Noah on the ark shows us the motivational power of faithfulness.
How many days do you think Noah floated on the ark? 40? The rain fell for 40 days, but the actual time on the ark until the water receded was actually 382 days! When you feel that God is taking too long to act and yet you keep trusting - that's faithfulness.

When Noah came out of the ark he reminded us of the motivational power of worship. The first thing Noah does when he leaves the ark is go give thanks to God. What would you want to do first after a year in an ark? One of life's greatest motivators is found in taking the time to say thank you to God.

Prayer:
Today my Obedience to God will motivate me to... My Trust in God will motivate me to... My Faithfulness towards God will motivate me to... My Worship of God will Motivate me to...

Listen! Arky Arky

How Do You Build a Purpose?

2010-05-17T04:59:00.002-04:00

Sunset at Caesarea

“Stand up! I have chosen you to be my servant and my witness—you will tell people the things that you have seen and the things that I will show you. This is why I have come to you today.” Acts 26:16 (NCV)

Do you find your longing for a greater purpose and significance in life constantly being met by the realities of the routine of everyday living? It seems as if we are constantly ordering a scoop of mocha almond fudge, of mountain raspberry swirl parfait... and life keeps handing us vanilla. Vision vanishes... and sadly we tell ourselves that's the only way it can be. Many never become visionary because they expect it to pop full grown into their heads. Vision must be grown... it must be built.

You have to discover your purpose.

The foundation for vision is God given purpose. You take the first step towards building a vision when you say to yourself “God has a specific purpose for my life.” Your God given life purpose will include an excellence in your God given relationships and the exercise of your God given gifts. You may discover it suddenly as Paul did on a Damascus road, or the discovery may dawn on you slowly but no less brightly.

You have to dare to dream.

To dare to dream you must prepare to dream. We somehow get the idea that great things done in our world are done on the spur of the moment, an emotion overtakes us and we accomplish something wonderful. It takes time to dream! Paul spent 17 years in the desert after his vision of purpose, preparing. To dare to dream you must also share your dream. God's promptings are transformed into living purpose as we dare to share our dreams.

You have to focus with goals.

Goals are a means for making specific the purpose of God. One of our problems is that our faith never gets specific. “What am I going to do and when am I going to do it?” God given goals are actually statements of faith. By the way, the best goals always grow out of our worship.

Family Discussion Question: What goal for carrying out God’s purpose for your
life do you need to set, or to remind yourself of, today?

Listen! Sounds of Silas

[Apologetix]

A Plan For Your Future

2010-05-16T04:59:00.000-04:00

I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 (NIV)
One of God’s most purpose filled promises is this great promise of His plan for our lives from Jeremiah 29. Purpose is impossible without a plan. A plan and a purpose are impossible without HOPE. How do you plan for the future? In order to have hope for your future you must start with God’s purpose. All the planning and scheduling in the world will not help if you do not have God’s purpose for your future right at its very root. When you start with God’s purpose you realise, “God has plans for me!”
God plans your prosperity
That may or may not include material prosperity, the real focus here is on significance of life. Imagine God up in heaven with a sheet of paper in front of Him. Yes, that does take some imagination! Now imagine that the paper has your name on it. Under your name is the heading, “Plans for success and significance.” And finally imagine this - the paper is filled with ideas and goals and plans.
God plans your future.
Before we plan anything we should always ask “God, what are your plans for my future.” Our goal is not to get God to bless the future we’ve planned. Our desire should be to live out the future that He plans to bless us with.
God plans to give you hope
However discouraging things may seem at times, God has a plan for your hope! He’s told us in advance, “I want to give you hope.” Even the worst of circumstances can give us hope by causing us to transfer our trust from this uncertain world to God’s certain future in eternity.
Family discussion question: How does this promise of God give you a new sense of hope in some particular area of your future.
Children’s Activity: This is a great verse to memorise. Why not work on it together as a family over the next week. Write it on a card and place it on your refrigerator to remind you.

Listen: Mirror

[Evie]

Serving on a Donkey

2010-05-15T04:59:00.001-04:00

“He answered: “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'““ Luke 10:27 (NIV) (Read the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-36)

Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan is a parable about the service that springs from love. The story is so simple that we often miss its incredible applications for our everyday lives. It is the story of three different types of people, three different responses to needs.

Those who create needs.

The robbers in this story created the needs that the Samaritan would eventually meet. How did they become such takers rather than givers? Their actions were the result of a single attitude: “My needs are more important than your needs.” Or, to say it in a word, they were selfish. Self-centeredness creates an avalanche of needs. That’s why the Lord so clearly says to us through Paul “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2:4)

Those who ignore needs.

The Levite and priest just “passed by.” It was easier to pretend the need didn’t exist, although it meant that the man would probably die. Ignoring needs is so easy. This is where the majority of us struggle. Why do we ignore others needs?

Fear: We’re afraid we might get hurt
Judgment: We have judgmental attitudes.
Busyness: We’re too busy with life's details. (Ouch!)
False purity: We’re afraid of how their problems might affect us.

Those who meet needs.

The most striking thing about the Samaritan was that he made the choice to meet another person’s need. That meant personal sacrifice. His sacrifice was built upon his compassion. His compassion overcame fear and apathy. His compassion made him willing to care. His willingness to care came with a cost. It cost him the price of an inn. It cost him his time. It cost him his comfort, he walked while the man rode his donkey.

Family Discussion Question: Do you find it difficult to pay the price to love? To give up plans and time, comfort and resources?

Children’s Activity: Act out the story of the good Samaritan... it’s OK for one person to play several parts!

Listen! Gotta Serve Somebody

[Nordeman/Dylan]

Serving at Home

2010-05-14T04:59:00.004-04:00

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.” Gal 5:13 (NIV)
If one of God’s most important calls to us is the call to be a servant, doesn’t it make sense that we need to incorporate that service into our daily lives. That means being a servant where we work. That means being a servant in our own homes. If we don’t serve those with whom we spend the most time, those whom we love the most, then servanthood is half hearted at best. How can I be a servant at home? Here’s a few ideas suggested by Galatians chapter 5.
Survey your Home
Ask yourself: is my home a place of indulgence, or service? You see, an opportunity to serve is also always an opportunity to indulge. Nowhere is that so true as in the home. Nowhere is our human tendency towards selfishness seen so clearly as in the home. What are you doing with your opportunities? Are you taking advantage of your family? Perhaps you’re taking advantage of their work by your laziness or of their forgiveness by your anger, or their giving by your taking?
Surrender your Heart
Servants surrender their heart to the guidance of God’s Spirit. What makes me into this servant type of person? God's Spirit! Some specific surrenders need to happen in your heart for your home to become a place of service. Wait a minute, you might be thinking. Isn’t this church stuff. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with my family?
Everything! Eph. 5:18 tells us, “Be filled with the Spirit,” and then spends the rest of the chapter talking about what that does in our families! Being filled with the Spirit gives us the power to make those specific surrenders that make a family strong. He enables us to surrender our plans and our agendas and our desire to have OUR needs met in order to love others. Your family life does not have to be determined by how you were raised, not if you surrender. It does not have to be governed by how it has been, not if you surrender. It does not have to be limited to what it is now, not if you surrender.

Family Discussion Question: Where is it difficult for you to surrender yourself to God’s daily direction?
Children’s Activity: Use a white flag to illustrate to your kids the idea of surrender. Talk about how waving it shows that you’re giving up what you want to give someone else what they need. Use some practical illustrations like which TV show you watch or who gets to sit in the best seat in the car.
Listen! We Build[Nichole Nordeman]

What Does a Servant Look Like?

2010-05-13T04:59:00.002-04:00

“After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:5 (NIV)
There is a feeling in the thirteenth chapter of John that we are there for one of the most significant events in history. What’s your picture of the atmosphere in the upper room where Jesus and his disciples met the night before Jesus died. Maybe hushed tones and a holy glow come to mind.
Let me shatter that vision with a hefty dose of reality. We come in to excited noises. The disciples are expecting Jesus to make His move to take over soon, and they'll go with Him to the very top. They talk about what that will be like. You can just imagine them dreaming. Suddenly the volume increases. No longer excitement, but argument. Which would be the greatest?!
The argument really began when they walked into the room. No one took time to wash the other’s feet. With thoughts of greatness on their minds, they had no time for an activity usually assigned to slaves. The fact that greatness is measured with the metre stick of service had not yet registered with them.
There sits Jesus, hardly noticed as the others argue. No one sees Him get up and walk to the other side of the room. A few notice as he takes off His robe and pours a basin of water. Stunned silence overtakes them all as Jesus comes to each disciple and begins to wash his feet.
Jesus washed their feet. God in human flesh washed dirty feet. Scrubbing dusty toes - now that's love made practical! Real love is an action, not a feeling. Everything was ready for someone to serve: the water jug was there, the wash basin was there, the linen cloth was there. It just took a person to take it up.
We hear Jesus say, “You should wash one another’s feet.” What does it mean to wash the feet of a disciple today? Ask yourself, why did Jesus wash the disciples feet? It wasn’t a religious ceremony, that’s for sure! He washed their feet because their feet were dirty!! How do you wash other’s feet? What does that mean? DO something that somebody else needs.
Family Discussion Question: Who in your own family needs their feet washed today? Who has a practical need that you could all be a part of meeting?
Listen! John 13

A Resurrected Legacy

2010-05-12T12:01:00.002-04:00

Regina Carter plays Paganini's Violin!

The printed devotion for today contains the following anecdote:

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa - the city of his birth - but only on condition that the instrument never be played after his death. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.

This is a striking illustration: the Death of the Unexercised Gift. Extraordinarily poignant. Heartbreaking in its implication of irretrievable loss.

And utterly without basis in fact.

Far from moldering in its display case in Genoa, 'Il Cannone' ("The Cannon") as Paganini dubbed it not only gets a minimum of a monthly playing by its curator, but (under armed guard) has been lent out to world-renowned violinists for special concerts and recordings.

Listen to Paganini's Violin![Regina Carter]

Thanks be to God for living music! Just say no to those who deny its power to be born anew!

Gifts for Serving

2010-05-12T04:59:00.003-04:00

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Cor 12:4-6

Who is the most important worker in the restaurant? The owner: the one who plans what the restaurant will serve? The master chef: cooking everything to perfection? I'll give a vote for the waiter. Without her or him you'd never enjoy what the owner planned, never eat what the chef prepared. Never discount the value of good service!

Who is the most important worker in God’s kingdom? The preacher that everyone notices? The leader who gets the applause? I’ll vote for the unnoticed servant. Without him or her 90% of what gets done in God’s kingdom would go lacking. We’d have teachers teaching to empty auditoriums, leaders with no one to lead. Never discount the value of a good servant!

One of the great joys of heaven will be in seeing, really seeing, the great impact and value of servants who have gone without fanfare in this world. Great servants like those who volunteer in the office to bring you bulletins each week and clean up the sanctuary so everything is in place. Or like our Sunday School teachers who devote themselves to helping our children grow in their life in Christ. Hundreds of volunteer servants make St Matthew's the great Church community that it is.

The greatness of service is only released as we choose to use whatever gifts God has given us for His glory. The greatest tragedy in God’s kingdom is a gift that is undiscovered or unused or underutilised.

Someone told me a story recently. There was a man who had gone to Heaven and was in awe of all the magnificent scenery and happiness of all who were present. Pearled gates, streets of pure gold, walls adorned with precious stones, no sadness, no sickness. (Revelation 21:9-21) An angel approached him and they began to walk and talk for a while. The angel then said “Just getting here to heaven is only half of it, let me show you something”. The angel then took the man to a large room filled with gifts all the way up to the ceiling. The man replied “Wow, what is this?” “Where did all of these gifts come from?”. The angel replied, “These are all the gifts that God had promised His people that have been left unclaimed.” “This is where we store all of the unopened gifts”. “Since God does not take gifts away (the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable – Romans 11:29) we store them all here and when the saints get to Heaven we let them have their pick”, the angel said.

Lord, help us to open our gifts while we're here on earth--as you intended for us. Amen.

Family Discussion Questions: Do you know any ‘unnoticed servants?’ Recognise the gifts that God has given to those in your family. Beginning withthe youngest, focus on one person at a time. Have each person in your family affirm their gifts by saying, “You are really good at...” or “God has given you a gift for...”

Listen! Make Me Over

[Natalie Grant]

The Servant's Survival Strategy

2010-05-11T04:59:00.002-04:00

For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. 2 Cor 1:5 (NRSV)

The world is full of survival manuals and instructions. You need them whenever you go into unfamiliar territory. Second Corinthians is a Servant's Survival Manual containing a Servant's Survival Strategy. Chapter 1 in the manual is, “How do servants deal with burdensome problems?” There are three steps, none of which can be ignored.

God pours out His comfort.

He cannot help Himself, it's His character to comfort. He is the God of compassion. He is the Father of all comfort. The word comfort here means “to come alongside and help.” God promises Himself to comfort His servants in difficult times.

We are filled with God’s comfort.

God makes comfort more than a word on a page, He makes it real in our lives. God's comfort comes in reaction to our circumstances. This is why worry is so devastating: we're trying to find the comfort before we've faced the circumstance. God’s comfort causes us to look back after the trouble is past and say, “I don't know how I survived that.”

Our comfort from God overflows to others.

We are comforted, so that we might comfort others. We may not always be able to figure out the reasons why a problem comes into our lives. But we can always see God work the miracle of transforming our sufferings into other’s comfort. God’s comfort is so magnificent that when He pours it out on us there is always enough that it overflows to others.

Family Discussion Question: What is one place in your life where God’s comfort has or could overflow from you to others?Family Activity: Show your children how God’s comfort overflows by filling up a glass with a gallon pitcher of water. Talk about the fact that because God is bigger than us He always has more help to give us than we will need.

Listen to II Cor 1! [The Message]

Becoming A Significant Servant, Pt. 2

2010-05-10T04:59:00.003-04:00

Servant’s lesson #2: Outer victories mean nothing if I do not win the inner battle.

You'd think that chapter 18 of 1 Kings contained the biggest battles of Elijah's life. He battled the powerful king Ahab, he battled 450 false prophets! But in chapter 19 he faces an even bigger battle, the battle within himself. He won the battles of 18 fairly easily, yet almost lost his life in the battle with himself in 19. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah gives clear expression to the kinds of inner battles which every true servant of God will inevitably have to face. See if you can feel Elijah...

“I want to run!”1 Kings 19:3

We often feel like running after a great victory. The combination of the physical and emotional fatigue often makes us feel like escaping when everyone else is celebrating, makes us sorrowful when everybody’s shouting. When we’re run down we want to run away.

“I've had enough!” 1 Kings 19:4

The feeling is, “I’ve reached my limit...I can’t go any further…I can’t take any more.” Often times we quit emotionally before we quit physically. We throw in the towel way before we throw in the towel.

“I'm all alone!” 1 Kings 19:10

The greatest inner battle is the battle of loneliness. When you decide that you're all alone the inner battle is lost. It is possible to have family and friends around and still feel lonely. Company is not always Companionship.

The inner victory for Elijah was won on 6 different fronts. So the next time you feel like running, feel run down or isolated. You need to remember what God told Elijah…

You need rest! (v. 7)
You must worship! (v. 8)
You can tell someone! (v. 9-10)
You need a fresh encounter with God! (v. 11-13)
You are useful! ( v. 15-17)
You aren't alone! (v. 18)

Here’s where I want us to hang our spiritual hats this morning on this idea of a fresh encounter with God. Elijah, who had already seen God in the fire and the storms, heard God this time in a gentle whisper. You might feel desperate to hear God’s voice right now. Keep listening! Elijah didn’t hear God the 1st or 2nd or even the 3rd time. But he was faithful to be where God wanted him to be and eventually heard God’s still small voice. What do you need to hear God whisper?

Pray this servant’s prayer: Lord, I want to serve you for the rest of my life. I pray that you would give to me the wisdom to rest when it’s needed, the desire to place a priority on worship, the courage to tell You about the problems I face, the inner confidence that I am useful to you and the assurance that I am never alone in serving you. I pray that I would regularly hear you speaking to me in fresh, new ways.

AMEN.

LISTEN! "Elijah"

[Rich Mullins]

Becoming A Significant Servant

2010-05-09T10:36:00.002-04:00

“Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” James 5:17 (NIV)

How do we live the most significant life possible? We serve our way into significance. For most of us the words “significant” and “servant” do not go together. There is a man in the Old Testament book of Kings who can show us the way. His name… Elijah! One of the most significant things about Elijah is that he was like us. He was a man of awesome miracles, of powerful actions, and the book of James reminds us that he was just yet like us. Since he is like us we can learn from him some lessons about being a significant servant.

Servant Lesson #1: God is willing and able to meet all of my needs.

Significant servants make that confidence the launching pad of their lives and ministries. God is ABLE - He has the power. God is WILLING - He has the love.

In 1 Kings 17 Elijah learns this lesson beside a brook in the desolate Kirath Ravine. In order to teach him this lesson God does for Elijah what He regularly does for His servants. He reduces life to the basics. Elijah certainly was down to basics! All he had was the water the Lord sent and the food that God delivered… via the “Raven Parcel Service.” God used a raven to bring food to Elijah. God has help where we least expect it! He provides in ways that go beyond our narrow expectations. That’s what we learn when life is reduced to the basics.

The “basics” are simply this: a place of complete and total dependence upon God. In that place God reminds us: we depend on Him alone for all of our needs. Why does God put us in such places? Reducing life to the basics helps to refocus upon God. We recognize again just how dependent upon God we really are. Not our paycheck, not partners, not power, pleasure or prestige. God is the Father who graciously supplies all of our needs.

Pray this Servant’s Prayer: Everything in my life is there because you bring it to me Lord. I'm totally dependent upon you for everything! Every drink of water, every breath, and every bite of food! I commit the rest of my life to service to you! In Jesus’ precious name AMEN!

Family Activity: Make up some “God gave us this” stickers on post it notes and have your kids stick them all over your house to look at today.

LISTEN! "Days of Elijah"[Robin Mark]

AN ABEL FAITH

2010-05-08T20:31:00.002-04:00

"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Heb 11:4 (NIV)

The best way to learn faith is from people. Why? Because faith is not so much a matter of what you know... it's a matter of who you are It's built not out of knowledge but out of relationships. Take Abel, the first faithful man. Three things happened to him because he had faith. They each point out how faith will affect our lives.

He offered a better sacrifice -- Faith affected his generosity.

What was better about Abel’s sacrifice? Cain offered but Abel offered his best. Faith adds up to a willingness to give your best to the Lord. You can trust Him with it!

He was commended as righteous by God-- Faith affected his relationships.

Righteous is a word about relationships, it points to being in right relationship with God. Preschoolers define it as being God's friend. Faith gave Abel a commendation for his relationship with God.

He still speaks--Faith affected his influence.

The most powerful tool you have for influencing this world is your faith. Why so powerful? Because actions and decisions based upon faith simply last longer. Cain may have cut Abel’s life short, but Abel’s faith still speaks! Want to make an impact? Seminars can hone your skills and organization can improve your opportunities and principles can enhance your planning... but it's all a drop in the bucket without faith.

If you're mathematically minded: Impact = (Skills + Organization + Planning + “Whatever”) x Faith. Great skills times no faith equals zero impact. A few skills multiplied by a great faith adds up to incredible impact.

Family discussion question: Where could you “offer your best” to the Lord right now in one specific way?

Children’s activity: Have your children take an offering to church tonight or tomorrow. Put it in an envelope, on which they write (or write with them) “My best for the Lord”.

LISTEN: To Obey is Better...[Keith Green]

TRUE DEDICATION, PART 3

2010-05-07T05:00:00.001-04:00

"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said: "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way." 1 Ki 8:22-23 (NIV)

Dedication means praise and sacrifice and open declaration. Today we learn one final truth about dedication from King Solomon

Dedication means Ministry

We cannot be dedicated to God without being dedicated to meeting the needs of the people He has made. Solemn dedicated this temple to the needs of the disappointed and the defeated, those besieged by sin and by loneliness, those involved in the battles and the prisons of life.

Too many make dedication the most impractical of things. It could never be lived, only talked about. Theirs is a dedication made up of myths and fables and pipe dreams.

If you're striving to become more dedicated to the Lord it doesn't take you long to discover that there is a whole Christian subculture in which dedication is make up of spiritual sounding words and big name conferences and fancy looking materials. You cannot practice dedication in a conference or with mere words or on the pages of a notebook. It's built out of trusting God with the practical needs of your everyday life. You might be able to learn about it at a conference and be inspired toward it with a notebook, but don't ever fall into the trap of believing that the conference is where real dedication is expressed.

Dedication is expressed in ministry.

It is expressed in what you choose to DO with your life to serve the Lord and the to serve the people He has made.

Family Discussion Question: Can you think of one simple ministry your family could do this week?

Children’s activity: Do a simple ministry project with your children this week. (Write a card to encourage someone, make cookies for somebody or ?)

Listen: If We are the Body[Casting Crowns]

TRUE DEDICATION, PART 2

2010-05-06T05:00:00.001-04:00

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Rom 12:1 (NIV)

There are two more lessons about dedication that we learn from the study of Solomon that we began yesterday. Besides Open Declaration...

Dedication means Sacrifice

They sacrificed an unbelievable amount that day! 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. That's a lot of T-bone steak and leg of lamb! Why? What could be the purpose of such sacrifices? What did sacrifices do for men that was so important to the Lord? Sacrifices are “A gift of trust to the Lord.” As they sacrificed they declared that they trusted God to take care of their needs. They were saying, “Instead of hoarding and declaring my trust in myself, I'll give to you Lord to declare my trust in you.”

Dedication will inevitably involve some sacrifices. Sacrifice is ultimately an expression of trust in the Lord. You're willing to give something up because you trust Him more then that something.

Dedication means Praise

A significant part of dedication is praise to God. Solomon’s praise as he dedicated the temple centered on the fact that God had kept His promise. There is a specific praise that not only expresses, but actually increases our dedication to the Lord. The specific praise that grows our dedication is "Thank You Lord for your Faithfulness.” It is a praise that recognizes that all that we have comes as a result of God's promises to us... as a result of His faithfulness in our lives.

That type of praise recognizes that I can be dedicated to God because God is dedicated to me! He is dedicated to my joy, my peace, my growth. God has dedicated Himself to my personal happiness and fulfillment. How dedicated is He? "He who did not spare His own Son, how will He not also along with Him freely give us all things." (Romans 8:32)

Family Discussion Question: What sacrifice would REALLLLY stretch your dedication?
Listen: When I Hear the Praises Start[Keith Green]

TRUE DEDICATION

2010-05-05T05:00:00.003-04:00

“So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the LORD." --1 Kings 8:63 (NIV)

What do we mean when we say dedication?

To one person it may mean giving up a part of a football game to come to church on Sunday mornings, to another it may point to a decision to begin giving some of their money to the Lord's work, while to another it may add up to leaving all that they know to serve the Lord as a missionary in a foreign country. What does it mean to dedicate a temple, a church, a child... a life - to dedicate them to the Lord. In I Kings 8 Solomon dedicates the great Jerusalem Temple to the Lord, and in so doing teaches us some important lessons about the character of dedication.

Dedication means Open Declaration

Dedication is a public announcement of your intentions and commitments. Many see dedication as some inner commitment that no one can really see or understand. Not true... it is expressed in public commitments and public actions. Do you know when dedication begins to happen? When you begin to place your faith on the line in terms of public commitments. It's that willingness to declare to others that adds up to dedication.

When our forefathers penned the Declaration of Independence they turned a philosophy into a dedication to freedom.
When John Kennedy said, "We will put a man on the moon before the end of the decade." He transformed a scientist’s dream into a country’s dedication.

God asks us to make "open commitments" of our faith. Baptism is an open statement that we've dedicated our lives to Christ or are committing to raising our children as Christians. Confirmation is our own public adult statement of faith in Christ and our commitment to live our lives accordingly. Prayer is a way that we bring into the open our dependence on God. Worship is one way that we say openly and publicly that God is important to us.

Family Discussion Question: When others look at your life, what do you think they would say you are “dedicated” to?

Listen! Unless the Lord Builds the house...[Keith Green]

FAITH’S FINAL EXAM

2010-05-04T05:00:00.001-04:00

"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people." Acts 6:8 (NIV)

Know how to recognize a priceless person? Just look at their price tag! You can see what a person is worth by looking at what it takes to buy them off. I wonder how you and I would do if we had to face “faith’s final exam.” It is an exam that only a few Christians down through the ages have had to face. It is a test that has only one soul searching question.

Stephen faced this test when he was being judged for his faith in Acts 6. Faith’s final exam is “Would I be willing to give up my life for what I believe?” We sing about giving our all to Jesus and tell Him that we’d offer our very life for him. But what if the threats were real? It’s an important test, for your attitude towards dying for your faith has much to say about how you’ll live your faith!

Take a look at Stephen, for example. He showed himself to be a priceless person, a person who would not back down in his faith no matter what the threat. Stephen became the first Christian to actually die for his faith. What was the secret to such a great faith? Acts 6 tells us that Stephen lived as a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” He had answered faith’s final exam long before he faced the court that would condemn him. We’re all like tubes of toothpaste. When the squeeze is put on us what comes out is whatever we’re full of! This means that we don’t have to “cram” for the tests of faith. Let Christ fill your heart and mind, your decisions and actions... today!

Family Discussion Question: Where do you need to be “full of faith” today?

For younger children: Make up some “price tags” to show the real value of some of the things in your home. Have your kids tell you how much things like furniture and appliances are worth...make up a tag and put it on those things. Then, ask them to put a price tag on a Bible.... then on themselves. Remind them of the incalculable value of the Bible, of the tremendous value God places on them.

Listen: Acts 6

THE CHANGE EXCHANGE

2010-05-03T05:00:00.002-04:00

"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise." Heb 11:11 (NIV)

Have you made faith’s great change exchange? Have you learned to exchange life’s pressures for God’s promises? We all live in one of two ways, under life’s pressure or within God’s promises. The secret to promise living is faith... believing what God has told me about Himself and His world in His word.

When you believe God’s promise you belittle life’s pressure. When you trust God’s promise you trample life’s pressure. When you count on God’s promise you count out life’s pressure. When you depend on God’s promise you defeat life’s pressure. When you receive God’s promise you reject life’s pressure. Is that clear!

Promise and pressure are mutually exclusive... they can’t exist together.

There are two common attitudes that push the promises of God out of our lives as believers. Watch out for these! (You can see them in the life of Abraham as he struggled with believing God’s promise about sending He and Sarah a son)

I’ll have to settle for less

I’ll have to get it myself

Although Abraham struggled with these attitudes, he ended up putting his faith in God. Just because you struggle does not mean that you cannot end up making the great “change exchange.” You can be a person of genuine faith.

Family discussion question: Where do you feel pressured right now? As a family, pray for each other. Pray that God’s promises will ease your pressures.

Children’s activity: Show how promises “push out” pressure by filling a cardboard tube with crumpled paper (paper towel or toilet tissue). Once the tube is filled show them how the new paper you put in always pushes out the old.

Listen! ApologetiX Faith Part 2

FAITH IS LIVING BEYOND THE ROUTINE

2010-05-02T05:00:00.001-04:00

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1 (The Message)

Faith is the secret to “rut free living.”

We all know what it’s like to live in a rut. Too often what starts with great promise settles into a lifelong habit of routine. A couple gets married - yet somehow a promise of lifelong love turns into habit and routine. A business gets started - but before long the dream turns into drudgery. A fresh and real commitment to Christ is made - yet you find yourself settling for the average life rather than the abundant life. Faith makes the difference! Faith helps us to handle the two main things that might push us into the rut of routine...

Life’s disappointments...
Disappointment can make us feel, “I guess that’s all there is... I’ll have to learn to settle for less.” Faith energizes us to look past our disappointments and to see God’s promises.

Life’s successes...
Disappointments can make us bitter... success can make us self-satisfied. A little success can be a dangerous thing! Faith has the power not only to help us with our struggles, but also our successes. Faith puts success in perspective. It reminds me that I’m not the source of the success - it is God who has given these gifts to me. It also helps me to see that I’m not the reason for the success. Of course, God is pleased with my happiness. But the ultimate reason for all He does in our lives is to show the world what He is like... to bring glory to Himself.

Family Discussion Question: Is disappointment or is success the greater challenge in your life right now?

Children’s activity: Show your children how “ingrained” a routine can become by having an “unroutine” day: Have everyone sit at different places when you eat or watch T.V... or sleep with your head at the foot of your bed. You come up with ideas.... have fun with this!

Listen to the Message:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

2010-04-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

In so many of Paul's letters to the various churches around the Mediterranean, Paul is admonishing and correcting the recipients of some bad behavior, bad theology or trying to solve some theological argument. This is not so in his letter to the Thessalonians. This is a letter of encouragement. It seems that the Thessalonians were good, strong Christians and their only real problem was persecution from those outside the faith. As such, I always find the letters to the Thessalonians particularly encouraging.

For those of us who consider ourselves to be faithful, and we really try to be as faithful as we can as often as we can, life can get pretty discouraging. We can get caught up in routines, we can feel like as much as we try to do the "right thing" so often that right thing goes unappreciated or unnoticed. If we get caught up in that, it really becomes difficult to do the right thing constantly when so many others don't do the same and seemingly their decisions that are based on selfishness or greed don't really seem to matter either. If you've ever felt that way, then Thessalonians is for you.

While none of us consciously are "keeping up with the Jones'" we can so easily wonder why we are striving so much to be faithful when it, frankly, doesn't seem to benefit us - or at least it seems that way. I wonder if the people of Thessalonica had any idea of their reputation that Paul is reporting to them? Did they know their example was a witness to all? Did they realize the impact they were having on other communities by their faithfulness to God? My guess is, probably not. Since communication and travel in those days was not what it is now, my guess is Paul's letter of encouragement really was welcome and inspiring. He let them know that their faithfulness, their choosing to do the right thing, really mattered.

My guess is it is the same for us. While we don't often receive accolades for the decisions we make or the way we live our lives, often it is others to are impacted by our actions... even if we aren't aware of it. We might not ever realize the witness we are to others, but we must keep on and keep the faith - people do notice, and most importantly, God notices. We will receive a reward for our decisions and our lives, we just may not see that now.

Keep the faith.

Colossians 3:1-17 Walking by Fai†h when the Plane† Shakes: Par† 2

2010-04-24T01:04:00.005-04:00

Walking by Faith when the Planet Shakes: Part2

for part 1, see April 10th.

The night of terror yielded to Dawn of the Dread. Hours after the last maremoto rolled over Dichato, with multiple reassurances that there would be no more quake-generated waves, ABC/PM made their way slowly through the devastated village streets.

Where Friday they had left their rented cabin with all their belongings, they found only a foundation. But they had lost only their vacation possessions; the residents of Dichato had lost all that they knew.

Returning to higher ground the young people scavenged a demolished restaurant for a bit of food and liquid refreshment. That night they slept soundly, three of them to a single twin mattress, beneath the sky, still wary of being inside a building when the aftershocks threatened to complete a half-finished destruction. The next day they visited a hilltop tent city...

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I asked Carissa what could be done to help the village of Dichato. She replied:

Thank you so, so much for your interest in Dichato! Seriously, that poor little town got obliterated and needs all the help it can get. If you want to see more pictures and read the full story of what happened to us, you can check out my blog:

http://carissaelenbaas.blogspot.com/

You have to look back like 2 posts for the pictures and like 4 posts for the complete story.

As far as the t-shirts go, I'm waiting on info too! My friend Amanda that was with me here for the earthquake designed the T-shirts and was in the process of ordering them, but I'm not sure what exactly is going on at the moment...I'm kind of out of the loop being on the other side of the world haha! But there's a group on Facebook if you want to follow along on that:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=374251514015

I'm waiting on an e-mail from Amanda, and I'll let you know the status of the shirts once I get that. Thanks soooo much again for your interest, I'll keep you up-to-date on what's going on!

Carissa

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Amanda, Ben, and Carissa have been raised with Christ, and were providentially spared from the destructive forces that struck Dichato. May they, as we, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

to be continued...
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listen to Colossians 3:

Colossians 2:8-23

2010-04-23T06:00:00.002-04:00

Verse 8 of this passage really struck me. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." The word "captive" cinched this for me.

Because that is exactly what living in today's world is like. To fall prey to all the flash, the drive, the promise of fame and fortune is to fall captive to something that is not of Christ. Paul is telling us to live beyond this world of "deceptive philosophy". Instead, we are to live "alive with Christ" and not in the shadows of any form of earthly judgment.

But, let's face it - that's hard. Today's life reminds me of the old cartoon, the Jetsons. Our daily life follows a routine that is surely not one from heaven. Remember the morning routine at the Jetsons' house? Remember how George Jetson would get into his hover craft and get into the line of traffic? His day was always predictable, at least in terms of what would happen when (and even that he would surely get in trouble at some point). Paul is telling us not to live such a life with our head in the day-to-day secular world, getting lost in the shoulds, the shouldn'ts, the haves and the have-nots.

But, it is also true today what Paul writes: People who delight in false humility go into great detail about what they have seen, about their daily lives, their exploits and such to give them such great importance. They set out to prove that they are doing the "right" thing as measured by today's society.

We are not connected to those who are so disconnected from God. As Paul says, we no longer belong to this world. We are not part of the false humility, the self-imposed worship of lesser "gods".

We are alive with Christ. He cancelled our debt which stood between us and God so that we may be one with God. There is no need to surrender, to be captive to today's earthly definitions of peace and hope. We have something much better - eternal life.

listen to Colossians 2:

Colossians 1:1-14

2010-04-20T05:00:00.000-04:00

Verse 4 of today's passage says: "for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints," Obviously Paul had heard about the Colossians faith and love for each other from someone. I can't imagine word traveled as fast in those days as it does now, but it seems that those two attributes of that church were known and Paul prays for them.

My question is, what is St. Matthew's known for? How do people in the community view us? Do we know? Would anyone notice (Outside of our members) if we weren't here? I think the answer is a resounding YES! We do so very much to reach out to our neighbors that the community of St. Matthew's is known for her love of her neighbors. About a year ago I had the pleasure of meeting the new head Pastor at a local Lutheran church. When I introduced myself and told him who I was and that I was from St. Matthew's, he said - "Oh, you are the church that does so much in Outreach!" Now, please understand that I was attending a monthly LINK meeting where every church represented is involved in outreach. But, the reputation of St. Matthew's is such that apparently we are known for doing much more - at least more than most. How wonderful. I can't tell you how proud I was of us that day. And then we have all of the groups that meet in our church - the Scouts, the Anonymous groups of every variety, the preschool, the Latino congregation - all of whom benefit from use of our church. So many people would be affected if St. Matthew's didn't extend herself in the way we do.

I think we can ask ourselves the same questions about us as individuals - what do people say about us? Are our reputations based on Christian principles? Are we known for being kind, forgiving and loving to those we meet? Or do people think we are hypocritical? Who would miss us if we weren't here? What would be said about us? Are we known for our faithfulness to God? Are we known for our love of our families? Our Friends? What about our attitude toward strangers or even people we really just don't like?

Just something to think about as we go through our days ahead - are we who we profess to be? What do we need to do to be a better witness? How is it that we can be known among those we know as someone who does love God and love our neighbor?

I Peter 3:13-4:6

2010-04-16T05:00:00.001-04:00

Imagine yourself sitting in a room which fills you with peace. The room holds several things you treasure or items of beauty; keepsakes, art or photos of loved ones, perhaps. You can sit with a cup of tea and look out the windows onto a peaceful scene- the forest? The ocean? You can write, or read, or watch the clouds go by. It may be sunny out, or (if you prefer) a soft rain or snow may be falling. The room is very precious. Its contents are precious as they seem set apart. To enter the room is a special experience.

When I read I Peter 3:15 , “in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord,” I think of my heart as a room. Our hearts hold what is most important to us like our special rooms hold the things we cherish. In my heart, I hold Christ, the most dear thing I have. We have just celebrated Lent and Easter and have reflected on how Christ suffered and triumphed for us. I picture myself entering my room. I sit with Him, worship Him, and turn my life and my desires over to Him. This is what it means to me to sanctify Him in my heart, as Lord.

1 Peter 2

2010-04-15T20:49:00.001-04:00

1 Peter 1:13-25

2010-04-13T05:00:00.001-04:00

"You shall be Holy, as I am Holy" 1 Peter says...

Sunday, I had a fantastic experience. I taught Sunday School to over 40 children of a wide range of ages. We discussed the meaning of Holy Communion. We talked about who Jesus is. We talked about what Jesus taught, the miracles he performed. (Some of the preschoolers were very focused on the feeding of the 5000). We talked about Palm Sunday, his Last Supper, Passover and what that is, Jesus' death and Resurrection.

Honestly, I was very impressed with how much they knew. They seemed to get it - even the young ones. The Sunday school and/or parents of these children are doing a great job.... and then it came.... one particularly precocious 4 year old (I won't name names) asked a question near the end of the class... "Why did Jesus have to die, anyway?"

Wow. From a 4 year old. He can tell you all about Jesus, his life, his ministry, his death and resurrection. But here was the WHY question. He said it wasn't fair that Jesus was a good man and he had to die.

So, the only way I could explain it was to explain that if people were supposed to be good 100% of the time - all day every day and all night every night, and they weren't - they did something bad - they made bad choices, hurt other people, hurt themselves or hurt God they couldn't do anything to make up for it - because they had to be good and make good choices all the time - there wasn't "time off" when they could just do whatever they wanted.

Then a 9 year old said "well all you have to do is pray and say you're sorry!"

Exactly.. because of Jesus' death and resurrection, all we have to do is pray and say we're sorry. And that is why we live lives of faith and that is why we strive daily, hourly even, to be Holy as He is Holy. Out of thanksgiving for the life we have been given and the forgiveness and debt Jesus paid for us, we are called to live our lives thankfully and lovingly - toward God and toward each other.

I hope they got it. I hope we get it.

1 John 1:1-7

2010-04-11T11:01:00.003-04:00

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 †Walking by Faith When the Planet Shakes†

2010-04-10T01:02:00.004-04:00

Walking by Faith When the Planet Shakes

Afterward, no one could remember whose idea it was to go to the disco. But it
may well have saved their lives.

It had been a lazy afternoon at the beach for the beginning of the last weekend
of the summer. The two twenty-somethings who had arrived from Michigan on
Wednesday had overcome their jet lag and enjoyed dipping their toes in the chilly Pacific and catching enough rays to lose their pale faces. The quintet enjoyed dinner at a laid back beachside café where the adventurous among them
sampled a seafood chowder called mariscal, washed down with margaritas. They were a bit of an odd set: dark-haired Pablo and his cousin Matias, strawberry-blonde (and self-described gringa) Carissa, and the two recent arrivals, Carissa's college classmates, blonde Amanda and buzz-cut Ben. After dinner they were just 'chillin' until they decided to move on to the pulsing dance floor of Katanga Planet. Turning in early was not on the minds of the many college students in town; classes would start again on Monday, but 'til then party like it's…19.99 hours to Sunday.

And so it was on to the KP although in truth it was already well past midnight,
which is when one prefers to be dancing anyway.

They were able to stake out a cushioned booth in a corner just off the dance
floor, but they didn't linger there as the sound was so continuously dense that
conversation was impossible. They formed a circle of five, each moving inward
and outward with dance steps in phase like a beating heart compressed by the
larger circles of the other revelers around them, arms raised in celebration of
the liberty to live consequence-free. The young Americans were a continent and a
culture removed from dear old, conservative, Calvin College, class of '08.

They danced to set after unremitting set of techno-tunes (a music style called
cumbia according to Carissa), when the song abruptly changed. The dance floor was struck like the blow of a gong, but a blow that kept hammering. "Oh my God!
Holy crap" and screams mostly in Spanish or the universal lingua franca of
abject terror. The lights went out, the DJ's music stopped, windows shattered
and wine bottles smashed on the floor. Carissa and Amanda found each other in
the dark, and then braced on a wood pillar that supported the peaked ceiling of
the club. Ben bent his knees like a surfer riding wave after merciless breaking
wave. For ninety seconds that seemed nine hundred the earth tried to shake fleas
off its itchy back. And then it stopped.

The five found each other beneath the trees outside, where the only light was
the nearly-full moon. Limbs still shaking from the backwash of adrenaline, the
Americans wanted nothing more now than to get back to their rented cabin by the
beach and sleep off the shock of experiencing a world-class temblor. It was, as
the song says, "twenty-five or -six to four" in the morning.

But Pablo was excited. Run! Run! He urged, and they sprinted together toward
Pablo's car and piled in. Pablo backed out of his parking space and shifted
quickly into high gear. Matias rode shotgun with the three Americans crammed in
the tiny back seat. The trick now was to swiftly navigate the darkened streets,
avoiding major fissures that might have opened in the roadway or buildings
fallen into the road. Plus avoid hitting pedestrians and other cars bent on the
same objective, namely to get from sea level to the ridgeline south and east above
the village. When the way ahead opened clear of the lower village, Pablo gunned
it across a bridge that spanned a ravine. It seemed to Ben that the car wobbled
a bit as they cleared the upper end. He looked back to see that the bridge had
collapsed in their wake. Onward and upward they sped. Silently in the back seat,
they prayed.

At length they pulled up beside a two-story house that overlooked the bay and
the Pacific Ocean beyond, but they did not go in. There were steps behind the
house that continued up the hillside to the top of the ridge. They were now a
mile distant and over 400 vertical feet above the beach. Pablo began to explain,
my uncle told me about the big terremoto back in '60, after the first shocks
there was even worse damage from the maremoto, the big waves that came after. We gotta get to higher ground, now! Tsunami! was the lightbulb that flashed in their muddled brains. They regarded the shallow horseshoe-shaped bay by the shore they had just left. It was placid now. But when the waters receded to gather force, that bay would focus the wrath of the waves on the now-vulnerable village of Dichato.

Here, above the town, they waited. They did not have to wait long.

Out on the moonlit ocean a ghostly curtain of water drew up as the bay was
sucked dry. The anchored fishing fleet settled into the mud, before a 40-foot
high swell swept scores of boats across the beach and beyond. Thousands of
wooden home frames snapped like twigs for kindling. The ocean swelled to fill
the valley, rising and rising until the straining waves just licked the rear
tires of Pablo's car. Then, somehow satisfied, the water pulled back.

As the moon sank into the western ocean and the dawn came in high scattered pink
clouds, the waves came again and again and again, wreaking havoc on Dichato down
below. Pablo had a radio on, and an emergency broadcast system was advising that
the danger had passed, but they had no thoughts of returning to their beach
cabin.Tired and helpless all they could do was sit and watch and imagine the
destruction and the death being delivered by a restless earth and ocean. And
when dawn came the tranquil bay was strewn with the pathetic flotsam of what had
been a living town.

Carissa's parents had left Dichato mid-week after visiting their far-flung
daughter, and were back home in Michigan. They would wake up Saturday morning
and hear what had happened, but they would not know. They would try to call. And they would get…nothing.
There was no cell service in central Chile. Who knew when there might be service, or power...any type of communications, again.

Before leaving on this trip Amanda had been on the phone with her mother and
somewhat randomly told her that if it were ever required for identification
purposes, God forbid, she had a unique body marking, i.e. a tattoo on her foot.
Dear old mom was taken aback at not having been previously consulted on this,
even if this was her adult daughter's chosen means of expression. At least, for
mom's sake, it was an affirmation of Amanda's Christian conviction. Amanda,
sandals off as she rested tired feet, regarded herself now, a sojourner in a
devastated landscape. Her backpack, her clothing, her U.S. passport were almost
certainly awash along with the shattered timbers of the cabin she and her
friends had rented by the beach, but those seemed small things now. Those things
were not her life, the life which she still had in heart, soul, mind and
strength. For now that would need to be enough to sustain her. They all would
need to walk more by faith now than had ever before been required of them.

...to be continued...
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1 Corinthians 15:51-58

2010-04-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

I was struck in today’s reading with the words, “in the twinkling of an eye”. How many times do we hear that about bad things? We may hear “in the twinkling of an eye, all hell broke loose” or “in a twinkling of an eye, he was dead” or “in the twinkling of an eye, the twister landed and my house was gone”. The idea is that a twinkling of an eye is fast. Go ahead – blink. It’s fast, isn’t it.
I grew up in California. We had earthquakes. I hated earthquakes. They made you feel absolutely helpless. There was no where safe to go. Truly, in the twinkling of an eye, you could lose your life, your property and your family. Frankly, it was horrifying.

Even if we don’t face it on a daily basis, we know what the twinkling of an eye means. You can have a car accident, or lose a loved one, have a heart attack, whatever. The point is, your life will change that fast. How does that make you feel? Are you ready for this? Do you have what it takes to defend yourself against what horrible things could happen in the blink of an eye? How often do we not allow ourselves to think about the possible horrible stuff that could happen to us just because we are living on this earth at this time?

In today’s reading, we hear that all things will be changed in God in the twinkling of an eye. God can take over your life if you will let Him. Then, it won’t matter what will come in a twinkling of an eye. You can handle it. You have God on your side. You won’t have to fear the unknown.

Once you find God, stand fast in Him. He will turn away anything that can happen in the twinkling of an eye.

2010-04-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 12: 1-14
Isaiah 51:9-11
Psalms: 113, 114, 148, 149, 150
John 1:1-18, 20:19-23

I am writing this Easter devotional at Christmas. Both my daughters are home from college. With them home, it feels like some essential element of the universe slips back into place. But when they leave… it feels like it somehow falls out of joint once again.

Imagine a world where we never have to be separated from those we love -- ever again; a world where both emotional and physical distance, and the pain they cause, are a thing of the past; a world where our delight in the full presence of those dear to us is never broken or diminished. How we long for such a world! Could it be that we pine for such a place because we are created for it? That such a world is our heart’s true home?

In celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter, we are celebrating a love so strong, so fierce, so determined, that it will bring such a world into being. Death is the most powerful force we know, the one that is the most final, and the one that no one—no matter how rich, or wealthy, or powerful—has ever defeated. No one, that is, but Jesus.

At Easter we proclaim that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ God has, indeed, conquered death. Because his power is so great that He can break even the bonds of death, the day is coming where absolutely nothing in heaven or on earth will ever defeat Love again.

Of course, we can say “no” to this love. In matters of the heart, love always respects another’s choice. But who would want to say “no” to such a love? Who would not choose to celebrate such love for all it is worth?

And that is precisely what we do at Easter; we celebrate God’s love. We celebrate the fact that the day is coming when we will never again be separated from it, or from any of his beloved children who, by his love, are united together as one.

We celebrate the fact that one day we will never feel the pain of being apart from God and all those we love ever again.

--CRM

2010-04-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 3:37-58
Psalms 27, 88, 95
Hebrews 4:1-16
Romans 8:1-11

I want to dip back into the well of memory again, to the year 1977. It was the year Evie released "Mirror." It was the year Keith Green released the album "For Him Who Has Ears to Hear" (said to be a Bob Dylan favorite) including the song "When I Hear The Praises Start," with these opening lines:

My son, My son, why are you striving,
You can't add one thing to what's been done for you,
I did it all while I was dying,
Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you.

Jesus has done it all, done it for us, and that is the only way we will know genuine peace. Good Friday has become the "final final" day of God's work of Redemption, and ushers in this Ultimate Sabbath-day rest, but that is not a fact that anyone in Jerusalem on that Shabbat yet knew. They were squarely in that dark, empty, hopeless space, between the evident finality of the Cross and a Resurrection that not one of them anticipated.

A body lies in a wax-sealed tomb in the shadow of the Skull.
The Temple Guard on watch is bored.
Since weekly work is done the paths, the fields, the wider countryside is still.
The pilgrims to the Feast Of Pesach must be sleeping in today.
Behind closed doors, behind locked doors,
There are men who barely slept last night, will find no sleep tonight.
Their women rest, because that is what they have done, always, but the mind does not rest, there is fear, there is no peace.
The wolves have breached the gate; the Shepherd is struck down.
The flock is scattered and without defense.
The Guard yawns, adjusts his belt, awaits the night watch.
Sunset brings candles, a plan for tomorrow, and perhaps hope.

My precious bride, the day is nearing
When I’ll take you in my arms, and hold you
I know there’s so many things you’ve been hearing
But just hold on to what I told you.

Shabbat shalom!

--MLB

2010-04-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33
Psalms 22, 40, 54, 95
1 Peter 1:10-20
John 13:36-38, 19:38-42

Today is Good Friday, and Jesus has died. How does one respond to the fact that the God who created us, who breathed life into us, came to earth and died for us? It’s so difficult to get one’s mind wrapped around that fact. And yet, it is so.

I think Peter is one of the world’s favorite Bible characters because he is so flawed. We can identify with him so well. He follows Jesus, learns from Jesus, challenges what Jesus says, is scolded by Jesus, promises to die for Jesus, and yet, when he faces the reality that his dying could actually happen, he denies Jesus.

I’m not sure that I would have acted any differently in Peter’s shoes. I know I’ve done my fair share of things I’m not proud of, all the while professing to be a person of faith. I think this is true for so many of us. We are faithful people following Jesus. We have something happen that we don’t understand, so we protest – maybe even blame God for what has happened. We go to church on Sunday and repent and refocus our devotion to God; then, after we leave church, something happens, and our response isn’t exactly Christian. We say we’ll be faithful, come what may… then something happens that is infuriating, and we aren’t faithful all over again.

All the while, we are aware of the fact that Jesus died for us on this day. We are aware that our relationship with God cannot be broken no matter what we do. We are aware of God’s great

love for us that cannot be changed or lessened in any way…. And we are so eternally grateful.

We may not always show it, but we, like Peter, do the best we can. We live our lives as faithfully as we can; and, when we make mistakes, we always come back to God because we know the price He paid for us and that His expression of love for us is overwhelming.

We have hope that if Peter, who did so much wrong, was also forgiven and restored – to the point that he became the first Pope of the church -- that we, too, will always be forgiven and restored… and who knows, maybe we can have a ministry of forgiveness that can change the world – just like Peter.

--MAM

2010-04-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 2:10-18
Psalms 102, 142, 143
1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32
Mark 14:12-25

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.”

The morning after Constance’s death, I drove down to Woodbridge to visit a friend. My van was on auto-pilot. My mind was a mess. I’d visited Constance the evening before, prayed with her, gave her communion, even served her tea and toast…her last supper. Yes, these were good things, but I was still a mess. Should I have done something differently? Continued to suggest she call her daughter? (She said no.) Called 911? (She’d already called them twice that day but refused to go to the hospital -- just wanted them to move her to her favorite chair.) Stayed longer with her? (Her cousin would return to stay with her, she said, and called her before I left.) What I’d done was honor her wishes, honor her choices. But now she was dead.

Automatically, I pushed the radio button. A song was just starting. Its lyrics caught my attention. “I’m alive and well…” sang Kenny Chesney, “I’m alive and well..” I started crying, for I believed, and still do, that Constance is alive and well. She was ready. Even as she sipped her hot tea and nibbled on her toast, she asked me if I heard the music her neighbors were playing – her favorite hymns. I did not, but she heard the hymns, and she hummed along. Yes she was ready.

God’s message continued. Before the song on the radio even ended, a car closely merged in front of me. I glanced at the license plate. It read: “ISAIAH 12.” Though it’s not a reading assigned for today, it is part of His Word, and it was part of His Message that sunny morning. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

Heavenly Father, Thank you for “…bringing me word of your unfailing love.” Thank you for reminding me that trust in you leads to Salvation, to an eternal life of being alive and well with You. Amen.

--MO

2010-03-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 2:1-9
Psalms 55, 74
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
Mark 12:1-11

I chose today’s reading from 2Corinthians to write about. I think that forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we, as Christians, are called to do. In 2 Corinthians 2:7, Paul instructs his readers to forgive and comfort the sinner “so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” He is instructing us not to forgive this person for our sake, but for the sinner’s sake.

Many times, if not most times, when we forgive somebody of something we do it, frankly, out of self-righteousness. I can almost hear the speeches I give myself in my head “Okay, fine, I’ll forgive them, but only because I’m supposed to.” But, where is the love in that?

So, what does forgiveness really mean for a Christian? In Matthew 6:14, Jesus says “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” In Mark 11:25, Jesus tells us “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” In Colossians 3:13, we are told to “[f]orgive as the Lord forgave you.” In Ephesians 5:32, we are told to “[b]e kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

These passages tell me that we are not only called to forgive, we are called to forgive as Jesus forgave us. How did Jesus forgive us? He forgave us by giving His life to save ours.

I can tell you that I have never forgiven anyone to that extent. As much as I say I have forgiven and forgotten someone’s transgression against me, I have never loved them as Jesus loves me. I think love is a very touchy subject for most if not all of us. I think most of us want to love with the abandon of Jesus. But, we just can’t bring ourselves to forgive others to the extent of truly loving them. I can tell you the reason I have a hard time doing this is the fear that I will be hurt again by that same person. So, I forgive them conditionally. That way I can tell myself that I really wasn’t a fool by forgiving them and then falling prey to their hurts again.

But, that’s exactly what Jesus did. He went into the viper’s den many times before they caught him and crucified him, all the while knowing exactly what was going to happen. Can I do that for you? Could you do it for me?

--VAN

2010-03-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 1:17-22
Psalms 6, 12, 94
2 Corinthians 1:8-22
Mark 11:27-33

I really enjoy the 2 Corinthians 1:8-22 reading today. Particularly the first part of the reading, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, where Paul assures the Corinthians of his affection for them, in spite of his delayed visit. Whatever the Corinthians had heard, Paul had actually been in great hardship while ministering in modern-day Turkey. We know he endured riots, vicious attacks, imprisonment, and physical illness. The problems had been so great that Paul had "despaired even of life," losing hope that he would survive, "felt the sentence of death." Paul almost succumbed to defeat.

However, Paul overcame this hardship and continued his ministry. How?

Paul reflected on these past events and realized that he "might not rely on himself but on God." Paul learned that he could not be self-reliant. Only when circumstances had exceeded his own ability had Paul learned to rely on God.

I feel this is a great lesson for all of us. When life is easy we often depend on our own skills and abilities. It is easy to fall into the trap of only turning to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. Today's reading reminds me, and I hope you, that God is the source of all power, and we receive His help by keeping in touch with him. We need this attitude of dependence so problems will drive us to God and not away from Him.

Let’s remember to have faith in God to get us through our trials. Genuine faith has great potential!

Wishing you a powerful Lenten Season.

--RPL

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 1:1-12
Psalms 51, 69:1-23
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Mark 11:12-25

Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

In prayer, I frequently ask God for his guidance, especially when I’m not sure about what to do in a given situation. Do I go with what is best for me? Or what is best for my family? Or perhaps what is best for someone else? My bottom line is usually to ask God, “What is the right thing for me to do? What would Jesus do?”

I recently had the opportunity to “do the right thing,” but I did not. Now, I’m still paying the price. That price is carrying around that “feeling” – the one you get on the inside, when you know you did not make the right choice but then somehow rationalize it to feel better.

I was offered the opportunity of volunteering at Youth For Tomorrow, a Christian school/home for troubled teens in Gainesville VA. I was asked by my friend, its outreach minister, to help celebrate Christ and the Christmas season during a weekend of planned activities. I could come anytime from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, whatever worked for me. Although I had other things planned, I accepted, thinking I could fit it in. Well, I did not fit it in. Instead, I put up my Christmas tree, went shopping with my daughter, wrapped gifts, and did whatever else I had originally planned. Afterwards, I apologized to my friend for not showing up. Of course he said that was just fine; but inside me, it was not just fine. In fact it's bothered me ever since. I knew God was speaking to me because I'd been praying for a bigger heart to serve others. God had heard me and had answered my prayers. Not only had He answered my prayers, but He’s been letting me know on the inside that I had received the answer to my prayers.

All I need to do is to seize the opportunities God is giving me…..and to act upon them.

Thank you God for hearing me and answering my prayers. Thank you for continuing to work with me to discern the right and wrong choices for me in my life. Thank you for moving me forward on that path of service to you and to others and drawing me closer to your eternal kingdom. Amen.

--SDF

2010-03-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Zechariah 9:9-12, 12:9-13-9
Psalms 24, 29, 103
1 Timothy 6:12-16
Luke 19:41-48

PEACE- We often hear this word. Indeed, we hear it every Sunday as we greet one another during our worship. I wonder how much we think about peace, even as we exchange the word with one another. Perhaps some mental images might help: The gentle sighs of a sleeping infant; the silence of a nighttime walk through freshly fallen snow; the musical sounds of a mountain stream; the warmth from sharing a garden’s bounty with friends and neighbors; a family’s laughter as they sit around a campfire squishing s’mores between their fingers; the companionship of a quiet dinner with friends; the comfort that comes from being safe and secure.

Less peaceful are the lunacy of a rush hour commute; the painful fights leading to a divorce between husband and wife or fights between a parent and child; the pain experienced after the death of a loved one as we recall some piercing words spoken in anger that can never be taken back; the stress caused by the constant wars of this world.

One thing is clear -- our Lord meant for us to have peace. The Bible tells us the way to peace is to accept the teachings of Christ. In the Book of John, Jesus said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

What better gift could we be given? I only hope we have the humility and grace to accept it in the spirit with which it was given. Even more, I hope we have committed ourselves to sharing His peace with the world we live in.

--DJB

2010-03-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 10:21-11:8
Psalms 42, 43, 137, 144
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Mark 10:46-52

Our youth group had a team building event at George Mason this fall. One of the events that we did that day was to find a single path through a giant checkerboard-like grid. Our facilitator knew the path and would tell us when we made a wrong move -- at which point we would have to start from the beginning. Once we got the first person through the grid, we had a limited amount of time to get the rest of the team through. We thought we were making good progress when our facilitator threw us a curve ball -- we had to get a person through the grid blindfolded! It seemed simple enough, but as we tried to talk our blindfolded teammate through the grid, one step forward, one diagonal, one to the left, one backward, etc., it struck me how easily and quickly our blindfolded teammate became disoriented. We had to keep adjusting his orientation so that our next verbal direction could be followed correctly.

Today's readings reminded me of this event, as it is kind of like this with faith. We can choose to accept the way of God and walk in the light, with our faith leading the way, or walk in darkness apart from God and become disoriented. In the darkness, we can easily lose our orientation and begin to stumble over various things that are hidden from our sight, the greatest of which is the saving grace of Jesus. Bartimaeus' physical condition is an example of people who are not in a saving relationship with Jesus. They are spiritually blind, unable to see the path forward to eternal life.

In contrast, Bartimaeus' faith allowed him to see things about Jesus that others did not. He saw that Jesus was the Messiah and believed that Jesus could heal his blindness. Jesus says that it is the blind man's faith that “opens his eyes.” Faith brings about the transformation in him. Faith allows him to cast away his only possessions for a new life in Jesus.

Similarly, Paul tells the Corinthians' to fix their eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. This requires faith and acceptance of Jesus as our Savior. Faith allows the Holy Spirit to renew us inwardly, day by day, and allows us to walk in the light.

Do you want to walk in the light of Christ on the path toward eternal life? Call on Jesus and have faith in Him to change your life, wash away your sins, and save your soul.

--CB

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 9:13-35
Psalms 22, 141, 143
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45

“Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)

Today, I had occasion to be in the LINK food pantry. I saw many bags ready for delivery to those in need. I was touched that with every bag at least one person was giving of themselves to help those less fortunate. These days I tend to look a little more closely at what is going on around me. At least weekly I newly learn of people who are finding ways to help others in our church and community. I doubt that any of these people is thinking of this bible verse as they go about helping others, yet here they are……living it. I am continuously humbled by the efforts of those around me who are making it a priority in their busy lives to spread the love of God, and I am thankful for them.

--DRR

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 7:25-8:19
Psalms 131, 132, 133, 140, 142
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Mark 10:17-31

Daily we witness, directly or through the media, just how little unity there is in the world. I am writing this devotional one day after the shooting rampage at Fort Hood. A man trained to help others in handling many of the issues that are at the root of our inability to live in unity – distrust, fear, anxiety, and apprehension – to name a few, now stands accused of this unthinkable act. Why is it so hard for us to live in unity? The problem exists in all areas of our lives: our family life, our work life, and even our church life. Often, the issues are small and insignificant, yet we spend our time arguing and in some cases actually fighting over them.

As Christians, we believe that disharmony is the result of evil being introduced into the world. Yet, even within the Episcopal Church there are issues that divide and create discord and disunity – for example, some congregations are breaking away and ‘fighting’ over property ownership. But whether the issues are small or large, we are called to live in unity.

Is it really so important that our opinion always be “right,” that we cannot seek a more open-minded solution? Can’t we be respectful of one another even if we are not in agreement?

In Psalm 133:1, we read, “How good and pleasant, it is when brothers [sisters] live together in unity!” How much better could our world be if we all envisioned a world in which people ‘just get along’ and made the effort to achieve that vision? As the lyrics to “We Are the World” (written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie) advocate: “There comes a time when we hear a certain call – when the world must come together as one – we are the ones who make a brighter day.” Are you ready to do your part, and then some?

--SWG

2010-03-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 7:8-24
Psalms 119:145-176, 128, 129, 130
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6
Mark 10:1-16

In 2 Corinthians 3: 1-7 we are asked to be ministers of a new covenant when we become believers. As believers, we are to become servants of God. How often have each of us not been a servant to others we come in contact with every day? How often do we size people up when we first look at them and decide we don’t want to talk with them or even know anything about them? We don’t look at them and see them as God sees them; we make a hasty decision to steer clear of them. Yet, we are supposed to be servants of God and be willing to reach out to the hurting, the friendless, the maimed, etc. If someone doesn’t look like we think they should, we usually just walk on by.

As believers, we need to ask God to let us see something good in a person and to look beyond the exterior that we see. It is easy to be wrapped up in our thoughts, our lives and the lives of those we love, but each of us also needs to be a servant to the friendless and the needy. Next time you are in a car and you see a homeless person on the street, ask God to bless them and keep them safe. Next time you come across a person that doesn’t look like someone you’d want to befriend, ask God to show you something good about that person, and then pray for them. We are a chosen people…God chose us. He knew us before the beginning of time, and He takes time to hear us when we pray. You, too, must take time for others and be a true servant of God.

--SD

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 5:1-6:1
Psalms 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
Mark 9:42-50

What a wonderful picture of protection we have in Psalm 121. I know in my head that God shelters and protects His loved ones. Psalm 121 says that God watches over us without sleeping. When I am anxious for my loved ones I try to think of them in God’s care and entrust them to God. But often in our fear, we forget we are being cared for.

The word shelter conveys to me protection against a threat. I recently read an account of mountaineers inside their tent while a snowstorm raged outside. They hung onto the tent poles, eyes wide, amazed that a thin wall of nylon could stand between them and death from the elements of wind, snow, and cold.

This year a duck showed me very powerfully how tenderly God shelters us. In the courtyard where I work, a mother duck cared for her babies. One rainy day I walked by the courtyard, looked out, and stopped in my tracks as I noticed the mother duck. She wasn’t very big or impressive herself -- a modest looking brown bird. However, in the face of the rain, she had extended her wing to its full length, and gathered under her wing were many fluff balls -- her babies, huddled together. I was stunned by the poignant scene of this small bird trying with all her might to protect her smaller vulnerable offspring.

Jesus said He longs to care for and protect us like that (Luke 13:34). He will hold us close to Himself in the face of threats. Let us thank God for His tender care for us.

God, thank you for watching over me. Help me to be at peace, knowing You shelter me and those I love. Amen.

--LAM

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 4:10-31
Psalms 31, 35
1 Corinthians 14:1-19
Mark 9:30-41

“He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’ ” (Mark 9:36-37)

When I think about children I think about joy. Every time I see children I notice how happy they are. They are able to find joy and happiness in most situations. We adults have "learned" to filter out most of the joy in life.

This past Sunday my kids were in church, being themselves. Several people around us were smiling at them and trying hard not to burst out laughing. While the timing was not great, the feelings of joy and happiness were contagious.

I read a statistic recently that noted children laugh over 10,000 times a day, and adults laugh less than 30 times a day. HOW SAD IS THAT? I believe that there must have been incredible periods of joy throughout Jesus' life -- joy at the miracles performed, joy for and from the people whom he healed and touched in his powerful way, and the ultimate joy of taking on our sins so that we may be saved.

When I read the passage about taking in a child, in Jesus’ name, I thought of all the joy that comes with a child and all the joy that comes with taking Jesus into your heart. Not having Jesus in your heart is like laughing only 30 times a day. I am thankful that my life is full of joy, and I will strive to take the filters off and regain the complete joy that only children seem to have in the full embrace and love of Jesus.

--DRR

2010-03-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 3:16-4:12
Psalms 118, 145
Romans 12:1-12
John 8:46-59

When my son first started playing baseball, being a coach was the last thing on my mind. My own baseball career ended abruptly with a misplaced throw from third to first, which made it as far as the pitcher’s mound where I was standing. I have been afraid of a speeding baseball ever since. As I grew up, I would catch the occasional game on Saturday afternoons, but baseball just wasn’t my sport. It was slow and seemed to take forever for a game to end.

When Zack showed an interest in playing, the only coaching I thought I would do would be from the stands, as the encouraging proud father. However, after watching a few practices, I noticed that the coach was beginning to struggle with a group of feisty 8-year-old boys running amok on the field. As there seemed to be no other parents offering up assistance, I decided to volunteer. Suddenly I was a “coach.” I thought to myself, I know a few of the fundamentals, but what can I teach these kids about baseball?

I found that in-depth knowledge of baseball was not a requirement to coach, at least at that level. Romans 12:6 says “since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.” God may not have given me great knowledge of baseball, but he blessed me with a great enthusiasm for working with kids. I realized that a rousing “Well Done!” for a base hit by a struggling batter, or a word of encouragement for the shortstop who missed a ground ball is just as important as teaching a 2-seam fastball. By stepping out of my comfort zone and into a world I knew very little about, I was able to learn a great deal about myself, help others, and use a gift that was given to me by the grace of God.

--BR

2010-03-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 2:23-3:15
Psalms 33, 102, 108
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Mark 9:14-29

As some of you may know I was arrested this past year for participating in a nonviolent direct action. In order to prepare for this protest, I chose to take part in nonviolence trainings. Initially, I did not think that I would get a lot out of these trainings because I chose to be a pacifist when I was a sophomore in high school. So, I thought I knew what it meant to be nonviolent and why people should embrace those principles. At that time, God impressed upon me that if I was to embrace the Biblical principle of love, then I had to recognize that I could not harm those I loved. But, even though I had participated in protests before, I had never truly faced a situation where I saw that violence (getting arrested) could, maybe, achieve something.

As we prepared for the possibility of arrest in these trainings, several things were said that impressed upon me how impossible it is to separate love from what we are doing. The thing that most impressed me in these trainings, though, was the assertion that, no matter what we do, it must be done in love. Our trainer said that, unless those who took action did so with love, any gains they made would ultimately be destroyed, washed out by the memory of how those gains were achieved.

In the same way, I find this sentiment in the final verse of today’s reading in 1 Corinthians. Paul tells us that, in the end, faith, hope, and love are all that will remain; but, he asserts, the greatest of those is love. I am still learning why I hold to nonviolence, but in that training I felt the theory of it connect deeply with my own Christian beliefs. I think that part of what allowed this to happen was the stress that I was under, a similar stress to what many of us may feel during Lent. So, it is my hope that during this Lent we may have the opportunity to connect our everyday lives to our spiritual lives.

--AD

2010-03-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 2:1-22
Psalms 107:1-43
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
Mark 9:2-13

Psalms 107:1-43 talks about many different situations in which people are in trouble, and God delivers them from their trouble, and then they give thanks. The verses that interested me the most were the ones where the people God helped were prisoners who had sinned. I think that this reflects the Easter message very well.

I’ve been in trouble before. Lots of people have. I remember I was doing a history report, and I needed a book for it. I accidentally lost the book I needed, and I prayed to God to help me find the book. I eventually found the book. I prayed, and God helped me; but I forgot to do the “give thanks” part. It’s funny because it’s so easy. All I have to do is pray to God and say thanks. Yet, I always forget. God does so many wonderful things for me. I mean, it’s not like I always do what I’m supposed to do.

What did I ever do that was so wonderful that God decided to give up his only son to save me? I didn’t do anything to deserve God’s love. I’m no better than the prisoners in the jail cell that had sinned. Yet he still loved me enough to sacrifice his son. I think that’s a pretty big thing to say thank you for.

--ES

2010-03-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus 1:6-22
Psalms 69, 73
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Mark 8:27-9:1

“For just as the body is one and has …, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

When we moved to Sterling four years ago, we did most of the things necessary to fit into our new community. The one thing we didn’t do was to find a church. I dreaded the whole process; the last time we moved, we attended three or four before we found a church we liked. We became very involved, but going to church ended up being more of a chore than a joy. The biggest problem was the congregation did not move as if they were part of the same body or spirit.

It took me about a year to begin our search this time. Our first visit was to St. Matthew’s because it was closest to our home. It was the only church we visited.

One of the lovely things about St. Matthew’s is that it is so diverse – in thoughts, ages, genders and backgrounds. Yet, I think, because of our differences, we do make up one body. Where would we be without all these individual parts? More than the many places of worship I have attended, St. Matthew’s feels like a family – a second home.

I believe the most striking (and telling) characteristic of our church is how many people volunteer. Our diverse talents show in our many acts of service. But it is in the way we do this service that is most amazing, and I think it was best summarized by my son’s words: “The greatest service we do is not with our hands, but our hearts.”

I’m sure each and every one of you has seen people working at the bigger events. However, I think the true beauty of it can only be observed when watching the individuals -- the way we each contribute with our own abilities, the way we each reach and touch the hearts and souls of many -- which in turn, blesses each of us. This trait is not commonplace, and it is something I am proud of and thankful for.

--DBS

2010-03-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

Genesis 50:15-26
Psalms 101, 109, 119:121-144
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26

If a person is serious about being a Christian, I’d have to say that one of the most important things they need to do is learn about spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are the key to serving God well, and they are one of the fundamental building blocks of a strong church powerfully accomplishing its mission.

It’s a simply concept, really. God has given us all gifts that we are to use in his service. And the way that we serve God is by using those same gifts to serve one another. For some of us, that means being a leader. For others, it means encouraging a friend. For still others, it might mean teaching or leading worship. Or perhaps it might mean helping out behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. These are just a few of the many spiritual gifts found in the Bible.

How do you know your spiritual gift? Well, we consider this topic so important that we regularly teach classes devoted to helping people discover their spiritual gifts. If you’ve not done so in the past, I‘d strongly suggest attending one.

Beyond that, when you are serving others with your spiritual gift, you’ll feel like you are “in the zone.” You will sense God’s power flowing through you in a way that is rewarding for you and genuinely helpful for those you are serving. You will have the sense that you really are making an important difference, and that God is delighting in what you are doing.

So…do you know your spiritual gifts? If not, that is the place to start.

And if you do know them…are you using them? If not, there is no better time to start than now. We really do need your help.

And if you are using them…could you develop them further still? How can you do what you are doing even better than you are doing it today?

If you are asking any of the above questions, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are on the right track, boldly proclaiming “Jesus is Lord” not just in your words, but in your life as well. And that, dear friends, is what it really means to be a Christian.

--CRM

2010-03-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Genesis 49:29-50:14
Psalms 94, 95, 97, 99, 100
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Mark 8:1-10

Last fall, I attended the St. Matthew’s retreat at Shrine Mont. This was my first time at Shrine Mont, and I wasn’t sure what to expect -- of the retreat or Shrine Mont.

It had been raining and chilly (it was November!) most of the week prior to the retreat and, as we drove there Friday evening, it was dark and a bit dreary. But, on Saturday morning, although it was frosty cold, the sun was out in all its glory. We were blessed with two days of sunny, crisp, and beautiful weather -- the mountains of Virginia at their best.

Our retreat planners wisely scheduled a generous amount of time for us to wander around the grounds. There were hiking trails, friends new and old to spend time with, and plenty of space to just sit and enjoy the electronics-free time. A couple of us decided not to attempt one of the longer hikes but to walk around the little lake, enjoy some of the closer paths, and to walk the labyrinth. I’m not sure how much time we spent soaking in the quiet and the sights and sounds that become so vivid in that kind of setting…. the whisper of the leaves falling…the calls of the birds overhead…the breezes gently moving through the trees, watching the birds spread their wings and glide on the breeze above us, following a single leaf as it gently made its way from the very top of the tree to the ground, immersed in a powerful peace as we walked around the labyrinth. And, in all of this peace and beauty, being acutely aware of the awesome presence of God.

“The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitudes of isles be glad.” (Psalm 97:1)

--SKR

2010-03-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Genesis 49:1-28
Psalms 89:1-18, 19-52
1 Corinthians 10:14–11:1
Mark 7:24-37

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever, with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. (Psalm 89:1)

My grandfather, “Mack,” took my brother and me to church most weeks when we were younger. I have very fond memories of Grandfather Mack. I’m so happy he was a faithful Christian and took his grandkids to church. My parents divorced when we were very young, and my mother remarried another very faithful Christian, and we went to church every week. Because my parents were very involved in the church, it spilled over to more than just Sundays. I remember loving going to church, and then, when I became a teenager “loathing” going to church (most of the time). I have amazing memories from my church as a youth -- church camp, youth group meetings (once I got there), 24-hour famines, ice skating, 1^st loves, …

However, the most important thing I got from “growing up in the church” was getting to know God and his amazing love.

No matter how far I strayed from the church, I always had an

amazing relationship with God, and He never stopped loving me.

I know how much God loves me.

I want my children to know and experience that love.

Heavenly father, I pray I will always remember how important it is for your love and faithfulness to be “known through all generations” and what that means to my family and to those I touch in this life.

--EAC

2010-03-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

Genesis 48:8-22
Psalms 19, 46, 66, 67
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40

When I was in college, I had a sweet Friday night job – to show movies in the large common living room of my dorm. Part of this job entailed picking the movie up at the student union sometime during the week. To save an unnecessary trip, most of the time I would call first to make sure the movie was available for pick up. One week the featured movie was Dr. Zhivago, so when I called the office and said who I was, I figured the lady answering the phone knew I was calling about the movie. So I asked if Dr. Zhivago was there yet. The reply was, “I don’t know, I’ll ask.” What I heard next was a muffled yell (her hand obviously over the phone), “Is there a Dr. Zhivago in the office? Dr. Zhivago! Dr. Zhivago!” As Dr. Zhivago did not himself answer, I thanked the lady, hung up, and stopped in the next day. I just made sure to mention I was asking about the movie….

I was reminded of this anecdote in reading John 6: 27-40. In this passage, the crowd is hearing Jesus but not listening. They’re taking his words literally. It is something I’m sure I do on a regular basis. It’s so easy to hear what is being said but often times we have to step back, quiet ourselves, and quiet our souls to be able to properly listen. This is an important message John shares with them (and us); it would have been (and still would be) a pity to miss it.

Dear Lord, please helps us to remember to take the time to quiet our souls, so that we can listen to your words of wisdom and truth and let them bring peace to our day and to our lives. Amen.

--LML

2010-03-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

Genesis 47:27-48:7
Psalms 87, 90, 136
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Mark 7:1-23

I wonder, how strong are family ties? Although many of us tend to move around to various parts of the state, country, or world, when we return to where we grew up, we say we are going home. It is the promise of family and friends and familiar surroundings at the end of that road that draws us there. Just as Jacob, who had lived so many years in Egypt, wanted to be returned to his homeland to where his ancestors were buried, we, too, feel the draw of our birthplace and our beginnings.

But where were those beginnings? Yes, we had a mother and father and maybe a brother or sister or two, people who took care of us and loved us, people who made us feel like they could make the sun and stars shine. Our real beginning, however, was with God, who not only makes the sun and stars shine, but made them period!

Our goal is to live our lives wherever we are born, wherever we move, for as long as we are allowed, and then one day return to our beginnings, return to our Heavenly Father. He has promised us a room in His massive mansion, a place where we will be reunited with our loved ones once and for all time. And with God a promise made is a promise kept. He will never turn us away.

Praise be to God for His love and devotion to us….His Family. Amen.

--VAT

2010-03-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

Genesis 47:1-26
Psalms 88, 91, 92
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56

I read the Psalms assigned for today, and each seemed to be contrary to my mood of the moment. I put them away to read again later. The next time I read them, they hit my temperament again as very dark. They left me somewhat depressed even with the typical ‘happy ending’ of this type of Psalm.

It was WatCH night, and it was after time to leave. It was, as Snoopy would say, a dark and stormy night. This fit my mood. I thought I had to hurry. A pragmatic word about this: I live less than two miles from church. No matter how fast I go, I can only make up so much time in route. Rushing does little, but I was in a supposed hurry, so anything in my way raised my dander.

E. Frederick St. is a street that gets me too often. The speed limit is 35mph, but a lot of folks go 25. It makes sense, as it is residential and there is a school, but the limit is 35 and that night (as at other times) anyone in my way was a source of irritation. Why does such a brief ride on this street get to me? I did not know and thought to ask for a little help with a brief prayer.

Church appeared and I went inside in a dark mood. Food and fellowship began to lift my mood.

I was soon asked to contemplate and comment on a verse from, you guessed it, the very Psalm I thought was dark. I asked for another verse and quickly did the assignment. Then I had to wait for the others, but something caused me to reflect on my earlier behavior. I had let too many little things cloud my soul. My other assignment was for Psalm 13:5-6. We had been asked to comment on a word to which we could relate. The word for me had been ‘salvation.’ It had jumped at me. I thought it was the whole point. Perhaps, through that one word, He was giving me the answer to my little prayer.

God is the light to bring one out of the darkness and show us the way to ‘salvation‘ with Him. It is the message in a lot of the Psalms. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to get through to your soul … at 25 or 35 … as long as you get there.

--FK