Stop Complaining

2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:5

I read over this scripture several times.  I feel like Paul is trying to tell us to not complain while we are in our human bodies, because this life is only temporary.  The afterlife is immortal.  We may suffer now, but we won't once we get to Heaven.  

Prayer:  Dear God, please give us strength while we are here on earth, until we meet in Heaven.  Amen.

Brady Henricks

How Big?

Luke 13:18-21

A child throws her arms open wide and says “THIS BIG!!” when trying to describe

size in her own words.  How then, shall Jesus describe the magnitude of the

Kingdom of God to us?  A mustard seed?  So tiny in its beginning, but over time

it grows into a sturdy tree spreading its branches.  Yeast?  A cooking ingredient

mixed with flour as the baker kneads the dough to make bread rise.

What is it that Jesus wants us to know?  Could it be that we are to recognize WE

are like a tiny mustard seed?  Small in the beginning, but when nurtured in our

Christian faith we grow stronger and the Kingdom of God branches out as Christ

shines through our lives to reach others.

Are WE like yeast?  Dough that makes hard, flatbread can visibly rise and grow

and tastes much better when yeast is added.  As Christians, we grow the Kingdom

of God by “mixing” with our community and sharing the Good News of Jesus

through our words and our actions.

Prayer:  Dear God, during this season of Lent, let us recognize that the Kingdom

of God depends upon us to be the mustard seed, to be the yeast.  Help us to nurture

our faith and to share the story of your son and our Lord, Jesus Christ, with those

around us.  And, give us the enthusiasm and excitement of a child as we help grow

your Kingdom to be “THIS BIG”. Amen.

Jari Askins

Promises and Choices

Ezekiel17:1-10

All of us make promises, and whether it is called an agreement, a contract, a pledge or a vow, it is still a promise.  We sign on the dotted line, and if we forget or break that promise, contract, vow, etc., there is someone to remind us and often some kind of penalty attached. However, when a person makes a promise to God, it can be too easy to let it slip our minds and there is no one to remind us or hold us accountable, except our own conscience.  But, according to scripture, God does remember our promises, and even though we have been granted free will to make our own choices, we must remember that it is those choices that can determine our fate.  Quite often, it appears to be more prosperous for us to take an easier path, one that will not require sacrifice or pain or integrity.

Remember that history is full of people who have made great sacrifices - not because they were forced to - but voluntarily, because it was the honorable thing to do.  We all have the choice to be true to ourselves and our God.

Prayer:  O Gracious Father, open our hearts and minds to your Word.  Keep us strong so that we do not give in to the temptations to compromise our integrity.  Guide us to make wise and difficult choices, through Christ and lead us to live in the way that honors you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Denise Clark

Wisdom and Forgiveness

Psalm 39

David was writing to the leader Jeduthun.  However, the words surely apply to David himself from what we know about his life.  This prayer for wisdom and forgiveness applies to our lives also.

It would be comforting to know how to pray like David.  We have the same forgiveness as David but do we pray as openly?  Learning to open ourselves and ask with every breath is not always easy.  We must prepare our mind and heart daily and open ourselves in prayers.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, we know we want wisdom and forgiveness.  Help us to know how to handle these things as we receive them.  Open our minds and hearts everyday in every way.  May our lives be a blessing to you.  Amen.

Fran Boyd

March 3

Luke 13:1-9

None of us know when or how we will die.  We do know that we need to be ready.  Our Lord Jesus gave his life for our sins and we need to repent of our sins and accept him as our Lord and Saviour.  In doing so, we are accepted as God’s children and will one day be with him in his heavenly kingdom.

In Luke 13, Jesus is reminding us that we should bear fruit in our daily lives.  The fig tree was given another chance to bear fruit.  We are given a new chance each day to love one another and to live in such a way that we bear much fruit.

Prayer:  Glorious heavenly Father, help us each day to live more like your Son, Jesus.  We pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Estella Bowman

Food for the Soul

Isaiah 55:1-9

This scripture rings as much truth today as it did 650 years before God sent Christ to fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament.

Truly our souls are at stake as they were then.  Our country is gradually removing Christianity from its values and withdrawing the freedom to pray and praise Christ.  Isaiah tells us we can only satisfy our yearnings through God.

Prayer:  Eternal God, I pray for your leadership in our country.  I ask for your mercy and pardon as Isaiah asked for his people.  May our country seek you above all worldly offerings that leave our souls hungry and un-nurtured.

Donna Hunt

Comfort in God’s Presence

Psalm 63:1-8

As our land has been ravaged by the ongoing drought, we can surely understand what a deep need the Psalmist feels in referring to a “dry and weary land where there is no water.”  He seeks God as the answer for a soul that thirsts and promises, “I will lift up my hands and call

on your name.”

Sometime in our times of trouble it is hard for us to lift up our own hands and call on God to meet our needs.  But as we meditate on these days of Lent and as we cling to the promise of eternal life that comes through Christ’s Resurrection, we can indeed find comfort, assurance, and rest.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, may our souls cling to you and may we feel your presence every day of our lives.  Amen.

Dianna Morgan