Sunday, April 8, 2012

RELATIONSHIP



We all have days when we are sad, troubled, fearful, grieving or just lonely.  When you have these days, I know of nowhere better to turn than the 23rd Psalm.  It is full of comfort and promise to help us through those days.  I recently read an interesting interpretation of this scripture.  The author is unknown, but I’m sure that he wouldn’t mind us sharing it with you.

The Lord is my shepherd (that’s Relationship!).  
I shall not want (that’s Promise!).  
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (that’s Rest!).  
He leadeth me beside still waters (that’s Nourishment!).  
He restoreth my soul (that’s Healing!).  
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (that’s Guidance!)  
for His name’s sake (that’s Purpose!).  
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (that’s Challenge!), 
I will fear no evil (that’s Assurance!), 
for thou art with me (that’s Faithfulness!).  
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (that’s Peace!).  
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (that’s Hope!).  
Thou annointest my head with oil (that’s Consecration!).  
My cup runneth over (that’s Abundance!).  
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (that’s Blessing!), 
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord (that’s Fulfillment!) 
forever (that’s Eternity!).

These words speak clearly to our hearts about the importance of our relationship with God.  This is the perfect scripture to start your day.  It reminds us of the many ways God is with us.

Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for the many blessings we receive each day, and we thank you most of all for the blessing of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Gaylon and Joyce Russell 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Christ, a New Paradigm



When I read this scripture, the first part perplexed me for it did not sound like the Lord I know. “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him with pain.”  In further reading I found scripture that interpreted this as “It better served God’s plan to have Him purged and cleansed.”  God intended to bring Christ to the world as a new paradigm (that which is completely new and different from that which has been before.)  God had sent prophets before whose words of prophecy were either ignored or soon forgotten.  The message of Christ was of such importance that God did not want to chance the same results that had occurred with other prophets, so it had to be totally new and different.  God did this by starting with the virgin birth, proclaiming “This is my Son, listen to Him.”, having Christ teach that love should be the ruling emotion in our lives, and finally having Him falsely tried, hung on a cross to die but with the final act of raising Him from the dead.  All of this showed Christ not as another prophet whose words could be ignored or soon forgotten but as the “Son of God” with a plan of salvation for all mankind for all generations, present and future.  And the really outstanding part of this is it is not a complicated plan with a multitude of rules but a plan as simple as trusting and accepting Him and taking Him as your personal Lord and Savior.

Prayer:  Holy Lord, when we read of your love for us, we wonder how sometimes we can have such hardened hearts that prevent us from following You fully.  Grant that we may put out trust in You and devote ourselves to spreading the message that You have given us.  Help us to love you and love one another in Christ’ name.  Amen.

Charles Boyd

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Divine Sacrifice – The Suffering Servant



Jesus died for us!  Jesus was unjustly convicted, was silent and patient as he was led to his death, and didn’t protest or try to get out of his crucifixion because there was a purpose in his sacrifice; he was dying in our place so that our sins are forgiven.  Jesus committed no sin and he suffered innocently.

We too have pain and suffering in our lives.  That’s part of life.  But do we react to it in a Christ-like way?  Jesus suffered silently while accepting God’s plan.  Do we sometimes suffer but “scream out” against those that are causing us pain?  Do we want to retaliate or get even? Shouldn’t we use Jesus as an example; trust in the Lord and quietly suffer the injustices we encounter?  In doing so, we may find the plan God has for our lives and we might just see the path he has for us to walk.

The description in Isaiah of Jesus’ silent suffering, his death for our transgressions and his burial in the tomb of a wealthy man was written 750 years before it actually took place. Because of this, we see that God had a plan for Jesus long before he lived on earth.  God had a plan for us too, long before we were born; and God continues to have a plan for us even now.

Prayer: God, you blessed us so much with Jesus’ sacrifice and his resurrection and what this means for us.  For this blessing we give thanks.  Please Lord, help guide us to lead Christ-like lives and help us to focus on your will.  Amen.

Rod Smith

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Reject or Accept



Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets of God repeatedly foretold the coming of Israel’s Messiah in great detail.  The prophet Isaiah, boldly told Israel that they would reject their coming Savior and they still missed it.  Had they wandered so far from God that they no longer recognized his voice or followed Him, or did they simply reject the idea of their savior coming in the form of a humble servant?  Were they looking, only through human understanding, for a King appearing in all his majesty?

Having all of the Old and New Testament scriptures available to us, is it possible that we to could make similar mistakes?  Do we underestimate the importance and full scope of the gift of the cross?  Do we allow him to bring salvation and healing into our lives and bodies by the wounds that He received?  Do we fully except the gift of forgiveness and mercy by forgiving ourselves and others?  Do we accept the gift of peace that his punishment made available to each of us?  Do we believe or reject the fact that the same power that overcame the grave is still available today?

We can accept the blood of Christ which guarantees our eternal destiny, yet never choose to grow in that salvation.  We can want to be saved, but not changed.  We can be busy for Christ, yet reject the gift of peace that comes from being in Christ.  We choose to live in victory or defeat, to humbly serve or to be served, to hear His voice or to turn away.  Each day we get to decide how much or how little of the cross we will accept or reject.

Prayer: We praise you God for the gift of your Son.  Help us understand more fully the sacrifice that was made on the cross and keep us from underestimating the full extent of what Christ’s suffering accomplished on our behalf.  Help us make the right choices, so we can more fully receive the full benefit of this gift while here on earth and in eternity.  Keep us from rejecting any of the cross.  Let us seek to know and hear your voice.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bonnie Talley

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Keep a Twinkle in Your Wrinkle



In these passages of 2 Corinthians, the Lord is reminding us that although the Lord comforts us, it is our duty to comfort others.  Have you ever done something good for someone and then not felt better yourself?

In our earthly lives, it is important to remember that we have an obligation to help others... either by direct contact or in prayer.  No matter how we feel when things are not going right for us or we wonder “Why me?”, take time to answer the question, “Why not me?”  We are all the same in God's eyes.  He does not pick you out in particular to inflict pain or punishment on.  If you feel you are being unfairly “picked on” by the world, just take time to look around, there is always someone who is not as fortunate as you.

The true measure of a godly person is when they do good for others...when no one is watching.  Even though you are being hurt by someone, remember, don't judge yourself through someone else's eyes.

Our words can be the most hurtful thing we can do to others...silence is a void that does not need to be filled.  Sometimes it is better to be kind than right.
 
Volunteering is one of the best ways to help your fellow man and yourself at the same time.  Unless you step forward, you will never get anywhere.

So remember, if you're feeling helpless...help someone.  You both will feel much better.

Keep a twinkle in your wrinkle,

Phil Pace

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Posture of Christ



First century Christians were challenged everyday by neighbors, business associates and family members for their new found faith.  Many faced mental and physical threats, assault and even death.  Lets’ face it, they were not popular!  They tended to stand out in a crowd.  After generations of compliant, obedient (and expected) observance of Judaic social and spiritual laws, the first century Christians were upsetting the proverbial apple cart.  This marked them as targets for many groups. 

Peter was reaching out to them in these verses, trying to point out to them that they had the perfect example of how to react under these circumstances.  Jesus did not return harsh action for harsh action even under the most horrendous pressure.  He let his father take care of him and left the judgment of those who persecuted him to God.  Christ returned hatred, anger, pettiness and harm with complete forgiveness and grace. 

Two thousand years later we are still challenged by those who verbally and physically assault us.  Instead of returning sin for sin, “we are called” to live a life using Christ’s example.  Christ died to release us from sin, Peter urges us to live free of sin.  We follow a shepherd who leads us by his example of peace and forgiveness.  That holy example provides us with the ultimate guide for humility and grace to live by.

Dear Father,
When the world deals me insults and assaults, I pray that my posture will be like that of Christ’s.  Help me to humbly return grace for injustice and forgiveness for pain.  

Joy Galloway

Monday, April 2, 2012

Courage

Acts 14:19-28

We seldom face in our world today the hardships that early disciples met.  Can you imagine having the faith and the strength in your beliefs to do what Paul did?  Paul shares God's message with a crowd that later stones and leaves him for dead.  This doesn't seem to discourage him but to strengthen him.  He continues to carry the message to other cities and then comes back to the place and the people that were responsible for his stoning.  Why would someone subject themselves to such treatment?  Paul returns to encourage and strengthen the disciples there.  The love of God has transformed his life and he has chosen to devote his life to sharing that love with others.

Prayer: Dear God, Fill us with Paul's passion to reach out to others and share your story.  May your Kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

Dan & Cynthia Peters

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Got Trust!


Scripture: Psalm 56

The world in which we live today is full of adversaries, we hear it day in and day out on TV and in the newspapers we read.  We fight the wars on drugs, terrorism, unemployment, obesity, anxiety, depression, and on “family values”.  We willingly divide ourselves into red vs. white, us vs. them, and “middle class” vs. everyone else.  Our children are bullied on the playground and cries of “it’s not my fault”.  They turn into grownups with guest spots on reality shows or
too-good–to-be-true gimmicks to help us lose weight, grow hair, cope with anxiety, depression, become wealthy or better yet, a trip to the plastic surgeon to boost our self- esteem, or so we think.  We are constantly in a state of panic or worrying about where the money is coming from.

Our obsession with false adversaries can also drown out the real needs, real pains, and real struggles we face in our world.  The enemy is everywhere watching and waiting for us to fall.  This passage strikes me as a call for us to put things into perspective when considering the scope of our problems.  Its message of comfort is not restricted to only those in need the most, instead the psalmist says with confidence, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you; in God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me?” 

Facing up to life’s difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we’ll experience real deliverance.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to grown in faith and trust in you our Creator and Sustainer. Amen.

Elizabeth Collins