A Morning Prayer

Lysa TerKeurst

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11 (NIV 1984)

It is very early in the morning. Though my body begs me to go back to sleep, my soul stirs to get up and talk with Jesus.

Though I can't physically see Him, I know He is present.

I open my Bible to the book of Psalms and pray the verses I read to start my day. The more I do this, the less I hear the nagging things of this world. A beautiful melody of God's truth rises up and my worries fade in their light.

His perspective on what troubles me overshadows my anxiety. This time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He's equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.

In Psalm 81:10, God instructs me, "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." (NIV 1984) He will give me what to say. What to say in happy moments and in aggravating moments. What to say when I feel insecure and what to say when I am confident. He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.

Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely. So I ask for Him to dwell in me richly. I want God to be what radiates about me. Not my hair. Not my outfit. Not my efforts. But simply Him—shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.

Psalm 86:11 prompts me to ask God to "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart ..." (NIV 1984)

Each of these verses lead my morning prayer:

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings.

Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.

Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity . . . rather than a personal inconvenience.

And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, "Great is your love toward me." (NIV 1984)

You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.

That's amazing.

But what's most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this. Amen.

I'm now ready to face today. Armed with truth. Surrounded by love. Filled with gratitude.

Dear Lord, I love You. All that I've expressed above is the desire of my heart. I confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for Your grace that is able to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Were You There

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Have a Blessed Good Friday,

Richard

Sharing Our Lives

Amy Carroll

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV 1984)

A few years ago, one of my son's friends, Lindsey, began asking some big questions. He had the chance to talk with her about Jesus, and at a church youth retreat Lindsey gave her life to the Lord.

It was a thrill to watch her fall in love with Jesus and begin a brand new life. She had lots of questions and thankfully many people lived out 1 Thessalonians 2:8 for her: "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV 1984)

Friends put aside the time they'd normally spend watching TV to come alongside Lindsey. She was surrounded with support at school. Others got up early to pick her up for church and welcomed her in their youth group. Adult friends visited Lindsey's home and built relationships with her family. And I led a small group to help teach some of the basic foundations of the faith and practices that lead to spiritual growth.

I haven't always walked alongside new believers though. Sometimes I've abandoned them, without sharing my life or what I've learned. Sadly, when I look around me, often newborn Christians are sent out into their fresh spiritual life with little more than a "God bless you" and pat on the back.

These excited new followers of Jesus set off on an unfamiliar path brimming with zeal and hope. But they stumble quickly without mature Christians to answer their questions, clear up confusion, and encourage them through the inevitable rough spots. Although no one can snatch them from their Father's hand, many new Christians fall prey to discouragement and walk along paths that Scripture warns against.

There are many reasons that new Christians are abandoned and left to walk alone without nourishment or protection. One key reason is the busyness of our culture. Our time is stretched between families, jobs, friendships, computer, TV, etc.

Nurturing a baby Christian means sharing our lives, like 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes commitment. But most of all it takes love. Robert Coleman, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism, says, "There is a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence."

Ouch! I really wish he would move along and get out of my personal space! He continues, "Unless new Christians have parents or friends who will fill the gap in a real way, they are left entirely on their own to find the solutions to innumerable practical problems confronting their lives, any one of which could mean disaster to their new faith."

Lindsey doesn't have a lot of pain in her background. But what about baby Christians who have baggage? Financial crisis, promiscuity, addiction, and bitterness are just a few of the very real issues with which new Christians grapple ... and mature Christians can help them walk through based on what the Bible says.

Will we commit to feeding, nurturing, and loving these new followers of Jesus? It may seem easier to gently pat them on the back and walk away, but the toll is too high not to invite them into our lives. Trusting in the transforming power of Christ and asking Him to make us an instrument of His grace, let's care for these precious new believers.

Dear Lord, You are a kind, loving, and nurturing Father. Help me to follow in Your footsteps as I nurture Your new children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Thursday,

Richard

Cheerful Thoughts

Thought for Today
 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cheerful Thoughts

By Rocky Henriques

 It was only a glad "Good morning!"
As she passed along the way,
But it spread the morning's glory
Over the living day.
--Unknown
 The little poem above reminds us that sometimes we can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others as we intersect with them. It may be only for a moment, or for an extended period of time. But we can reflect Christ onto them, and perhaps make a difference in their lives.
 A few years ago, I stopped on the way home from work to purchase gasoline for my car. The place I stopped had the lowest prices around, and it was between five and six o'clock in the evening - so it was busy! I pumped the gas into my car, then headed inside to pay with cash. Apparently the clerk was new, and the equipment was not functioning properly. She was becoming more and more flustered, and the customers waiting there were becoming more and more impatient and short-tempered. And of course, the situation was only making the clerk more and more nervous, leading to more mistakes, leading to... well, you get the picture.
 My turn came, and I stepped up to the counter. With all the other customers standing around, and the air thick with tension, I said "Ma'am," in such a way as to get her attention. She looked up and me, and I made eye contact. I said in a voice which I intended to be soothing while being heard by everyone else, "It's okay. You're doing fine."
 That's all I said, but her demeanor changed immediately. Her shoulders slumped in relief, she took a deep breath, and you could almost feel the tension leaving the room. Saying that out loud seemed to make all the customers realize that she was doing the very best she could do, that it wasn't her fault that the equipment wasn't working properly. She was able to complete the transaction, and she moved on to the next person, this time with more confidence and authority. All it took was one person who spoke the right words at the right time to defuse the situation and transform it.
 But it doesn't have to be a situation like the one I've just described. It could be a lonely old man who just wants human contact, even if it is just a smile. Have you ever thanked the policeman who stopped you for speeding? Have you done something lately for a perfect stranger just because you are a follower of Christ? As we move through our days, let us determine that we are going to be "reflective ambassadors" for the One who died for us, and who lives inside us to this very day-the One who is one day returning to take us home. And let us determine that we are going to make a difference in the lives of other people while we're here. 

Have a Blessed Wednesday,
Richard

Choosing a Centerpiece

Tracie Miles

"He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do." Hebrews 3:2 (MSG)

I thought my Thanksgiving decorations were securely packed away last year, but when I pulled out the decorative cornucopia something was different.

Apparently a few hungry mice had nibbled on the Styrofoam bread loaf and plastic apples, thinking they were a tasty treat.

I had planned on putting the cornucopia in the middle of my dining room table, like I always do. But lack of proper packing had taken its toll, and my centerpiece was now full of holes.

As I assessed how to repair the damage, I felt a holy nudge on my heart. It was a prompting me to consider if I was concerned about the right centerpiece for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

The previous months had been full of busyness and challenges. My heart had been burdened at times. I'd fallen into a pattern of focusing on my problems and to-do list instead of taking time to give thanks to God for His goodness in my life.

I intended to make Jesus the center of my attention, but didn't keep that commitment. My distracted focus reminds me of the Christians to whom the author of the book of Hebrews wrote.

These believers were in danger of losing their focus on Christ as their deliverer. People had begun putting their trust in prophets, angels, and even Moses. So in Hebrews 3, the people are reminded that Jesus is the only one worthy of trust and is where our faith should be centered.

The writer of Hebrews wanted Christians to stop putting themselves, other people, or material items, at the center of their attention, and instead draw their gaze back to Jesus.

Just like the people of that time, we can quickly get distracted, become busy, and inadvertently make our obligations and celebrations the focus of our attention. We gradually become self-centered instead of Jesus-centered.

Hypothetically, we may put Him in a box in the attic of our heart, only pulling Him out when the time is "right." This eventually leads to a life off-kilter and a heart full of holes, as challenges and pressures nibble away at our joy and peace.

It's one thing to believe in Jesus. It's another to make Him the center of our lives. When we make that important choice and remember to focus on Him and be thankful in all things, our hearts and lives stay in balance.

This Thanksgiving (and every day), let's praise God and commit to making Him our focal point. When we choose to make Jesus the emphasis of our holidays and our lives, we are blessed with the most beautiful centerpiece of all.

Lord, I never intended to put You on a shelf and allow life's distractions to alter my attention on You. Give me the spiritual desire to stay intently focused on You during this holiday and into the new year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Tuesday,

Richard

Giving Away Pieces of Ourselves

Lisa Wingate

"My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Psalm 139:15a (ESV)

It's a mystery the way God sends lessons ... sometimes softly, sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly. I experienced one of these lessons while leading a youth weekend at church recently.

At an evening session, I found a middle-school girl alone in the sanctuary foyer. I sat down and asked her why she wasn't inside.

Her answer had attitude, "Oh, it's all just fake. This whole weekend is about how to be real, how not to be 'posers,' and everybody's all friendly. But when we get back to school, those girls won't even talk to me. That's why I quit coming here."

Her purse contents were spilled on the seat between us, a God-given thing. I reached for her cell phone and asked, "If I picked up your phone and walked off with it, what would you do?"

She looked at me like I was daft. "I'd make you give it back. My life is in that phone!"

Next, I took her tube of lip gloss and asked how much it cost. It was $1.50.

"What would you do if one of those girls you're worried about walked by and took this lip gloss?"

She quickly informed me that she would "Jump 'em."

"Why would you bother getting in a fight over a $1.50 lip gloss?"

Her answer was both obvious and profound, "Because it's mine. It's not theirs."

I looked at her, this little girl-becoming-a-woman. "You're right," I told her. "This lip gloss does not belong to them. It belongs to you. And so does your faith in God. And you have to defend that with at least as much determination as you would this $1.50 lip gloss. Or better yet, your cell phone. You cannot go through life letting other people walk off with what belongs to you and God."

As soon as those words left my mouth, I knew this wasn't a lesson just for this young woman. I too needed to hear my words. In a world where people sometimes disappoint us, it's easy to give away pieces of our faith and of ourselves. We give away pieces to people who don't even ask for them. It can be a natural reaction in a society focused on outward perfection. We do it each time we look at others and feel inferior, not as pretty, not as thin, not as ... whatever.

It's so simple, yet so difficult to grasp the truth found in Psalm 139 that tells us God created us and knew us from the very beginning. The Bible says, "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret" (vs. 15 ESV). We were only visible to Him as He intricately knit all the parts of our bodies together.

Only a master artist has this ability. Much like someone who weaves together delicate fibers in a tapestry, God took the care to fashion us beautifully. Not only are we perfectly made, but we belong.

God loves the child He created. I like to think of it this way: God Loves Our Secret Selves (G.L.O.S.S.). He has poured beauty into us, into the very parts we often feel are less-than, compared to others.

I've been working on accepting this truth myself since then ... retaining and practicing this lesson.

I am loved. I am okay. I am treasured.

I am His.

Father, I pray I will hold on to the truth that You are a wonderful Creator and made no mistakes when You formed me. Help me value Your thoughts about me more than what others say about me. Amen.

Have a Blessed Monday,

Richard

The Call to Obey

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."           John 14:15

The husband walked through the front door at 5:50 P.M. and noticed that dinner was not on the table. After throwing his coat in the closet, he muttered to his wife, who was in the kitchen, "If you love me, you will have dinner ready at six o'clock when I come home." Pressured by his intimidating tone of voice, she quickly rushed the casserole and half-cooked vegetables to the table. She glanced at her watch, relieved to be serving dinner on time.

"If you love me, you will obey," can sound like a threat. When our motivation to obey becomes an oppressive pressure to do the right thing, to do what's expected of us as Christians, then it breeds serious problems. Obedience that is only seen as rule-keeping ruins the love relationship between us and the Lord. Why? Even though the rules may be biblically based, we will end up obeying them rather than God. Concern with the letter of the law will cause us to lose the spirit of love.

The Lord's words in John 14:15 are not a threat. His words are to be read as a promise: "If you love me, that is, if you make me the center of your thoughts and do your most ordinary duties with an eye to my glory, then you can't help but obey me for it will be your heart's desire."

When we view the Lord's call to obey as a promise, we won't so much follow His rules as we will follow His voice.

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17).

Lord, may I rush to obey You not so much because it's the right thing to do, but because I long to please You with all my heart.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

 Taken from Diamonds in the Dust.  Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Used by permission.  Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

 

Have a Blessed Sunday,
Richard 

WORD STUDY – MELTING HEARTS

 Joshua 14:8: “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God.”  

    We all know the story of the twelve spies sent out to scout out the Promised Land.  Ten returned with a bad report and a recommendation that they not enter the land due to an overwhelming display of power. Only two spies, Joshua and Caleb said: “God gave us the land, let’s go get it.”   

 

   The report of the ten spies made the heart of the people melt.  The word melt is masah which is used in a Hiphal form and literally means to cause to flow down. Some modern translators will insert the word fear in here to indicate that the people were overcome with such fear, that their hearts melted. That is a part of it, but not all of it. Another use of the word masah is melt which is a picture of a candle with a bright flame being fueled by the wax. Once the wax has melted the flame has gone out.

 

   It wasn’t just fear; it was the final melting of the wax that held the flame of their expectations alive. This candle had been melting since the beginning of their journey. The wax of this candle was made of self-sufficiency, pride, and an expectation of comfort and security. Their journey was anything but easy. They faced fear of starvation, thirst, poisonous snakes, invading armies, disease, etc.  Sure God delivered them, but they were getting tired of it all. Their wax was melting. Now when they are about to reach their final destination, about to finally get their reward for all their struggles in the wilderness, what do they learn?  Sure it is a land of milk and honey, but it is also a land filled with giants.  

 

   “That did it; that was it. God, couldn’t you make it easy on this final approach?  Haven’t we learned enough, couldn’t we just sit back and slide right into the Promised Land without another struggle?” Charles Dickens wrote in Domby and Son “As the last straw breaks the laden’s camel’s back.” This was taken from an old Arab proverb about how a camel wearing shoes is loaded beyond its capacity to move. It is meant to express that there is a limit to every one’s endurance, everyone has a breaking point.

 

   This was that point for the nation of Israel. They had reached their breaking point. This final challenge wasn’t much different than previous challenges where they faced certain death due to starvation, thirst or even invading armies. They saw water come from a rock and food from heaven and a sea part to deliver them from these armies. So there are giants in the land, big deal, they have been down this road before. The only difference is that now they had a choice to move forward or not.  Their candle wax was made of selfish desires and not filled with the desire for God.  In the past they had no other choice but to depend upon God when they needed water, food or deliverance. Now they had a choice, they could once again face the impossible and trust in God, or they could just throw another piece of straw of comfort, safety, the known verses the unknown on that poor camel’s back.  This time the camel was loaded beyond it capacity to move. 

 

   Yet, when Joshua relates this story he says:  “I wholly followed the Lord my God.”  The word follow is not in the Hebrew, all you have is the word mala’ti which literally means to be completely filled. He was saying: “I was completely filled with God.”  Unlike the people who let their flame of hope go out, Joshua’s flame only got stronger. His wax was not in the arm of the flesh but in a heart completely filled with God. Such wax will never melt and the flame will only grow. To Joshua, this last test, the final exam was not another obstacle to the Promised Land; it was another opportunity to see the power of God, this time by his own choosing.  

 

   I remember working in a mail room where one of my co-workers was really venting after someone left some work that was not his job, but had to be done.  He angrily declared: “This is not my job, I am going to leave it, and I am not going to cover for someone who is too lazy to do his own job.  I am tired of always being the fall guy. etc. etc. etc.”  The old school teacher in me could not resist.  I said: “Bill, those guys just gave you a great gift.  You keep talking about wanting a promotion, but no one gives you an opportunity to show your stuff.  Here is a perfect opportunity landing right in your lap.  This is your chance to show yourself better than the others, to show your dedication, to show you are a company man by doing a job that is not in your job description.  Rather than be angry with those guys who left this work, I would thank them.” Bill stood there for a moment, scratched his head and said: “Yeah!” Oddly, Bill’s last name was Straw.

 

   I tell you; in my case that old camel’s back has had so many last straws thrown on it, its poor old back is so shattered there is no hope of recovery. As I stand there venting against God over yet another major obstacle in life’s journey, perhaps I should consider Joshua’s advice, say a blessing over that poor creature loaded down with all my fears, worry, concerns, failures, pride, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency and say: “Yeah, I’ve got nothing more to lose.  Ok God I sure ain’t gonna make it into the Promised Land on the back of this poor creature so point the way to the promised land and lets you and I go get it without ‘em.”

 

Have a Blessed Weekend,

Richard

Storms Of Life

by Pastor Bill

Scripture: Psalm 57:1 "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by" NLT

Life has a way of erupting into a storm. Routines may be going along fine and then all of a sudden a storm erupts and everything takes a back seat to the storm.

When a sudden storm hits there is a natural process the storm follows:

1. Wind blows the storm in --- bringing trials and tribulations.

2. Lightning strikes everywhere --- focusing pain.

3. Thunder echoes all around --- engaging fear and preservation.

4. Rain follows --- tears flow.

Then just as suddenly as the storm erupted it stops. The winds subside, lightning and thunder fade away and the rain ends. A new natural process begins:

1. The air is fresh and clean --- a new life emerges.

2. The clouds separate --- sunshine enters with new hope.

3. Blue sky envelopes the horizon --- a new peace of mind settles in.

4. Birds begin singing --- Joy and happiness are restored.

Matthew 8:23-27 puts it this way:

Then he (Jesus) got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat-and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!" Jesus reprimanded them. "Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?" Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: "Silence!" The sea became smooth as glass. The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. "What's going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!" MSG (emphasis added)

If you are going through a storm in your life keep in mind that Jesus is in control and when it is over HE has something better for you.

Prayer: Father thank you for helping me through the storms of life and holding me close. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Refrain

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Refrain

How Mickey Rooney's Encounter With an Angel Led to his Faith in Jesus Christ 

by Mark Ellis

Mickey Rooney with Judy Garland

Legendary actor Mickey Rooney, one of Hollywood’s last surviving stars of its classic era, passed away April 6th from natural causes. He was 93.

The award-winning actor became the biggest star in the world in his teens when he played the character Andy Hardy in A Family Affair.

The son of vaudevillians, he career started even earlier – as a mere babe. On lunch break when he filmed the Mickey McGuire comedies, five-year-old Rooney walked into an office at Warner Bros. studio, and introduced himself to a cartoonist named Walt Disney.

“Come over and sit on my lap,” Disney told the youngster.

When he sat on his lap, Disney held up a mouse he had drawn. “That’s a good-looking mouse, Mr. Disney,” Rooney blurted out.

“It sure is, Mickey,’ he said, and then paused for a moment. “Mickey, Mickey,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “Tell me something, how would you like me to name this mouse after you?”

“I sure would like that, but right now I got to go and get a tuna sandwich,” Rooney replied, and he jumped off Disney’s lap.

“It’s a true story,” Rooney told Kira Albin, in a 1995 interview.

Sadly, Rooney’s private life was turbulent, and his eight marriages became the fodder for late-night comedians’ jokes. But the challenges he survived –including elder abuse more recently – left him with an uncommon depth of wisdom gained with time.

After the deaths of his mother and fifth wife in 1966, he battled substance abuse and financial problems. In the depths of the valley, Rooney had an unusual encounter that he said changed his life, according to the same interview with Albin.

Over breakfast at a Lake Tahoe casino coffee shop, Rooney was greeted by a busboy with “blond curls, a white-rose complexion, and shining teeth,” he recounted.

When the man called his name, Rooney started to stand, thinking he had a telephone call. But the busboy leaned toward him and whispered in his ear, “Mr. Rooney, Jesus Christ loves you very much.” Then the mysterious busboy vanished.

Have a Blessed Friday,
Richard

New Life for Us All

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. —1 Peter 1:3

A couple from Chicago was planning a vacation to a warmer climate, but the wife couldn't join her husband until the next day, because she was on a business trip. Her husband scribbled down her e-mail address on a little scrap of paper, but upon his arrival, he discovered that he had lost it. He wanted to send off a quick e-mail to let her know he had arrived safely. So trying his best to remember her e-mail address, he composed a brief message and sent it off.

Unfortunately, his e-mail did not reach his wife. Instead, it went to a grieving widow who had just lost her husband, a preacher, the day before. She had gone to her computer and was checking her e-mail when she let out a loud shriek and fainted on the spot. Her family came rushing in to see what was on the screen: "Dearest wife, I just checked in. Everything is prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P. S.: It sure is hot down here!"

The good news is that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we don't have to be afraid of that real place that is hot down there. In fact, we don't even have to fear death. Because Christ died and rose again from the dead, we know that for us as believers, there is life beyond the grave.

If that were all the resurrection did for us, it would be worth the price of the ticket. Of course, we didn't buy the ticket. Christ did. But if all that Christianity offered was the hope of life beyond the grave, it still would be worth it to be a Christian.

But there is a whole lot more that the resurrection has for us. Our risen Lord will give us a new heart and put a new spirit within us (see Ezekiel 36:26). He will give us new knowledge, new comfort, new peace, and a new life in Him.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Refrain

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then *I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

Flash floods in the Solomon Islands killed 19 people and left approximately 49,000 homeless in the aftermath. Forty people remain missing reports The Guardian. The Mataniko river in Honiara rose over its banks Thursday, causing houses to be damaged or swept away completely.

The Solomon government declared a state of emergency when the river banks flooded following a tropical storm in the area. Concerns have now shifted to getting survivors accessing clean water, food and shelter. Water treatment facilities were destroyed in the storm.

Water-borne illnesses are another concern for authorities, as evacuation shelters are overpopulated with people displaced by the floods.

Christian relief organization World Vision has responded to the disaster by providing blankets, mosquito nets, tarps, hygiene kits, cooking kits, and containers for water reports Christian Today. So far, 2,000 people have benefited from the organization’s aid and the group will continue to distribute materials to survivors.

Katie Greenwood, country director of the Oxfam organization said that a disaster of this magnitude was "unprecedented" for the location.

"This flash flooding is unlike anything that I've seen previously here in the country," she said.

Happy Thursday Readers,
   I have a Dr. appointment today... I hope & pray that most of my problems have been allergy related; however, I feel that the dreaded Bronchitis Bug that I avoided during the Fall and Winter months has finally caught up with me... 
   Some coughing at night, tightness of chest, difficulty breathing and an achy flu like feeling all over are a few of the Bronchitis signs that I get...
   Your prayers are appreciated...
Have a Joyous and Blessed Thursday,
Richard

Failure in Breaking A Bad Habit

"If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. 
What we call failure is not the falling down, 
but the staying down."

Have you ever vowed to put an ungodly habit behind you, only to fall again soon after? Feelings of guilt can lead to a renewed commitment to never do something again. But the very next day, the cycle repeats itself as we give in to the same temptations. Our defeat leaves us wondering, What’s wrong with me? Our despair at repeated failure produces a sense of hopeless resignation and confusion. We want to know, Lord, why can’t I change? All of us have experienced the problem of wanting to honor God and yet reverting back to old, sinful ways almost immediately. Isn’t the Christian life supposed to be more liberating and victorious than this? Why then, does habitual sin take hold of us? Wasn’t Christ supposed to change all this? If we are new creations, why do we still act like old ones? We feel as stuck as a ship run aground.  

Examine the way change occurs in the Christian life. Salvation is an instantaneous work of God, which happens the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior. But from that point on, we enter a continual process of transformation called sanctification. The Lord’s goal is to mold us into the image of Christ, but this process requires our cooperation. That’s what the Bible means when it says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). If we neglect this responsibility, we’ll find ourselves struggling with the same issues over and over again. But if we submit to the Holy Spirit, He’ll exert His influence in every area of our lives. Old sinful habits will pass away and be replaced with new Godly behavior.  Becoming the people God created us to be is an inside-out process. Because our thoughts govern each area of our lives—emotions, decisions, actions, attitudes, and words—any lasting transformation must begin with the mind. If all we want is to modify our conduct, we’ll never experience long-term success. What we need is a new way of thinking.  At the moment of salvation, the Lord doesn’t erase all our negative and sinful thought patterns any more than He automatically removes our physical imperfections.  The good news is that whatever our thoughts have been in the past, God can teach us to think differently. He gives His Spirit to lead us through a process that produces real healing and lasting change.

Have you ever been thinking about some plan or task, only to have a vile, ungodly idea pop into your mind? You may wonder, where did that come from? These are satan’s attempts to distract us with his ideas and twist the truth, inciting us to disobey God. his purpose is to destroy our character and lead us astray.  The way we respond determines whether we fall to his enticements or stand strong against him. Will we allow our minds to be transformed by these things? Or will we take the bait?  We cannot coast through the Christian life. An unengaged mind is an open invitation for sin. If we’re distracted, having trouble praying or reading the Bible, our thoughts are not where they should be.  Perhaps you feel as if you’re the rope in a tug of war between God and sin, constantly being pulled in two opposing directions. No need to beat ourselves up when we fail, confess and repent as quickly as possible. During those times we need to remember that we are engaged in a long process and we cannot renew our own mind. Trying harder and making promises to God will only be discouraging, because in our own strength, we will never be able to change. True transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit—and it takes time.  We need to submit to His leading, heed His warnings, and obey His voice.

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Richard

Sacrificial Love

by Samantha Evilsize

"You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Mark 10:21 ESV)

I had some misplaced priorities. I suppose at some level I'd known it for some time. But I didn't fully recognize how misplaced they were until I took a trip to El Salvador with a Christian humanitarian organization.

I met two children on a home visit. They lifted their tarp door and invited me into mud puddles and dirt walls with just one bed where their family of five rested at night. One bed for dreaming dreams of being a doctor and police officer.

I'd come to offer gifts of detergent and food. But the children's gifts exceeded anything I had to give. A tiny beaded bracelet smudged with dirt, drenched in love. They wanted it to be mine. They filled my hands with selfless love. Love shared in smiles and what few tangible gifts they owned.

Feeling too shy to hand me the bracelet herself, the girl nudged her brother. He presented it to me as if it were a royal crown and slid it gently on my wrist. I declare, diamonds couldn't match the worth of their hearts, their gift in that moment.

The next morning as I was getting dressed, I felt a nudge. Give your bracelet away like those children gave theirs to you.

You see, I had another precious bracelet with me. It was one my dad had given me over twenty years ago. Just a simple wooden bracelet from South Africa, but it meant the world to me.

How could I part with it? I wrestled with indecision. My heart soared, anticipating the moment I'd spot a mama to whom I would give my bracelet. Then my heart sank, anxious at the thought of giving up one of my treasures.

And there lay the problem. My misplaced treasure.

I'm embarrassed ... heartbroken. I'm sad to say I couldn't give it away. Couldn't? No; more like I wouldn't. Both bracelets journeyed back home with me. One bearing selflessness; the other, selfishness.

I thought I was really something, bringing gifts to those kids in the form of beans and rice. Little did I know, I was the one in need. I needed God's mercy. I needed a new perspective. I don't want possessions if I'm not willing to use them to love others.

I needed the one thing I lacked ... more love for the Lord than for my possessions. My heart held tighter to my bracelet than it did to what God had asked me to do. He beckoned, "Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." A simple request, yet so difficult to follow.

I don't want to be lacking in love for the Lord or those He cares for. Next time I'm giving it all. I'm starting by opening my hands and heart and looking for opportunities today. Are you with me?

Dear Lord, You are the perfect example of giving. Thank You for new mercies, second chances, and a heart capable of responding to Your prompting. Help me to respond to Your prompting this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have A Blessed Monday,
Richard

The Stretch

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray continually. (NIV)

Remember, before cordless phones, how those old, curly phone cords could be stretched and stretched and stretched? In fact, I recall that when my kids were small, the four-foot phone cord in the kitchen eventually stretched to more than three times that length due to the fact that I was always stretching it to its limit. A friend would call, and during our conversation, that curly cord would stretch over to the sink as I washed dishes. It would follow me to the washer and dryer on laundry day, to the back door to let the dogs in or out, and over to the living room door to check on the kids in the play area.

All this stretching occurred because communication between stay-at-home moms was invaluable. Sorrows as well as joys were shared. Problems were discussed and worked through. Decisions were made. Friendships were forged, and relationships were strengthened, all because that old, curly phone cord had the ability to stretch and stretch and stretch.

Learning to pray continually is also a stretch. And yet, the forging of this discipline is invaluable when it comes to the results that continual prayer offers. When we stretch ourselves to include God in everything we think and say and do, sorrows are more easily borne; joy is multiplied; decisions are wiser and less stressful; problems are seen from new perspectives; and our relationship with Jesus Christ is strengthened as we discover that He is the best and greatest friend we will ever have the privilege of knowing.

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer: being able to speak with You at any time, under any circumstance, in any place. Bless us daily through the prompting of Your Holy Spirit to stretch our times of communication with You, more and more, until it becomes natural to pray continually.

In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps

Heavenly Sunshine

Walking in sunlight all of my journey
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
Promise divine that never can fail.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

5-Year-Old Rebuked for Praying at School, Parents Call 'Religious Discrimination'

Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com

A 5-year-old girl in Florida was rebuked by a lunchroom worker for praying in her elementary school cafeteria before her meal reports Charisma News. The incident occurred last month; now Marcos Perez, the father’s child has hired lawyers to demand that the school stop “engaging in such religious discrimination” as stated in a letter to the school.

The letter from the Liberty Institute Lawyers explains that the child bowed her head in prayer, but was told by a lunchroom supervisor to stop.

The girl said, “But it’s good to pray,” to which the supervisor responded, “It is not good.” When the girl tried again to bow her head and pray silently, she was stopped again.

The Liberty Institute argue that the Carillon Elementary School is violating state and federal law. “...we expect the school district to apologize to the Perezez and the community as well as take steps to ensure this does not happen again,” the letter states.

Since the exchange in the cafeteria, the Perez family has started homeschooling. Perez said, “...we have exercised our option as parents to teach our daughter at home. We live in a very good school district, but we cannot, in good conscience, send our daughter to a school where her religious liberty has been compromised.”

Have A Blessed Day,

Richard

Following God is Not an Easy Road

One of Satan's greatest tools is to isolate believers in their minds from other believers around them. He makes us think we are the only ones facing such struggles.

Beware of Self-Isolationism

When Satan keeps us from sharing our struggles, bearing each other's burdens, and encouraging one another—he has pushed our spiritual lives into a potential cycle for constant defeat. He plants thoughts like: "no one else has ever faced what I am facing", or "I am so bad and no other Christian has ever done what I have done", or "no believer has ever failed as I have failed".

As we read I Corinthians 10:11-13, it is our introduction to how much we need to realize we are all weak, frail, and in need of God's grace.

What David faced, we all face; how David struggled, we all struggle. In varying degrees an in various flavors of sin, but we are all made of the same stuff. There are no super-saints.

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Most of us who grew up in the twentieth century remember the comic books, cartoons, and TV shows portraying the exploits of super-heroes. Those superheroes had extraordinary abilities to fight a never-ending battle for truth and justice. Fans all over the world therefore idolized them—and loved hearing stories of their great feats!

In the 21st century many of these superheroes are coming back in the movies. As usual, movies often reflect deeper issues that can lurk in the back of our minds. It is easy to slip into a Bible-characters-were-superheroes mentality.

Those thoughts can lead to many Christians viewing God's choicest servants like David, or Elijah, or Paul as Super Saints.

He Leadeth Me

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

  Refrain

    He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
    By His own hand He leadeth me;
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me

  Refrain

    He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
    By His own hand He leadeth me;
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by His hand He leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

  Refrain

    He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
    By His own hand He leadeth me;
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by His hand He leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me

  Refrain

    He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
    By His own hand He leadeth me;
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by His hand He leadeth me.

Mississippi Governor to Sign Bill Outlawing Abortion After 20 Weeks

Amanda Casanova | Religion Today Contributing Writer

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant plans to sign a bill that will ban abortion at 20 weeks.

Under the bill, abortion would be allowed at or after 20 weeks if the baby faces severe fatal abnormality or the woman faces permanent injury or death because of the pregnancy.

“This measure represents a great effort to protect the unborn in Mississippi,” Bryant said in a statement after the bill passed in the House and the Senate.

It passed in the House 91-20 and in the Senate 41-10.

The most recent Health Department statistics show more than 2,100 abortions were done in Mississippi in 2012. Two were listed at 21 weeks or later.

Mississippi’s only abortion clinic already stops doing abortions after 16 weeks’ gestation, said Diane Derzis, of Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Other states with a 20-week ban include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Sen. Deborah Dawkins, who voted against the bill, said the 20-week ban would affect poor women.

“It occurs to me, over the past few years, that a lot of men do not understand how a female body works,” Dawkins said.

Happy Saturday Everyone... We made it through another week... 

Have a Blessed Day,

Richard