Happy Sunday

Take time to discover new things about yourself

   by Annettee Budzban

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalms 139:13 NIV).

 

What is it that makes us the unique persons that we are? ...It's our personalilty!

God created each of us with unique mix of personality traits. These qualities make us distinct from anyone else. We may notice our personalities are similar to someone else we know, or even our parents or siblings. However, there is still something a little bit remarkable about us.

 

I found that by understanding my personality a little bit better, I could embrace my unique qualities and comprehend why I enjoy doing the things I do. I could also recognize my strengths and weaknesses. ( By weaknessess I do not mean sins. Rather these are areas in our personality where we are not as strong. An example being some people are naturally more outgoing, where others tend to be more reserved and take more time to get to know people.) Knowing our strengths and weaknesses can help us find a suitable job.
 

There are many good Christian books that offer personality tests and provide details regarding the characteristics of our unique personality types. From what I have studied, I noticed there are specific characteristics we can possess.

 

        One personality trait is portrayed in a strong ability to lead. That type of person takes charge of a situation. Another personality type may be more stable and not quite as up and down with their emotions as the others. Someone else may possess a personality that tends to be low-key, easy going, and have a calming effect on the people around them. Where others tend to be naturally more bubbly and vivacious and excited about life; some are deep thinkers and take things more seriously and think them through.

Although it's fun to know what characteristics we tend to possess, when we take a personality test, we usually find we have a blend of the different traits in each type. We also have to remember that there are many variables that cause us to be unique individuals. God also uses our varied life's experiences and level of spiritual maturity to knit the way we evaluate and handle situations.

 

Taking time to discover new things about ourselves can be fun and improve the way we relate to others. It can also help us understand why people relate to us the way they do. Jesus explained, "...the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Some of those truths are truths we learn about ourselves. Taking time to learn new truths regarding our behaviors through Bible study, sets us free from trying to be one of the crowd, and sets us apart for God's intended purpose in our lives.   

Annettee Budzban can be contacted at ahrtwrites2u@aol.com

 

 

Happy Saturday

Being Born Again - No Certificate Required

Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers 

BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Peter 1:23 - “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which live and abides for ever.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A little girl was supposed to take her birth certificate to school. Her mother had solemnly warned her not to lose it because of its tremendous importance, but lose it she did. Later she was sitting on the steps of the school, crying. The janitor asked her what was wrong. She replied, “I lost my excuse for being born.” Now, that’s a funny story, but it has a sobering analogy. You don’t need an excuse for being born again. You have a Savior, and He’s calling your name.
ACTION POINT:
Have you been born again? Have you experienced the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood that washes all your sin away? If not, I invite you to come to Him in repentance and faith. Discover Jesus today.

In The News:
India: Five Women Missionaries Beaten Publicly for Sharing Gospel

Five women were beaten by a man in the Andhra Pradesh region of India while sharing about the love of Jesus in a public marketplace, Charisma News reports. Amazingly spared, they retreated to safety, thanking God for the honor of suffering for His sake. The women, all leaders in the Gospel for Asia-sponsored Women's Fellowship ministry, had been sharing with store owners and shoppers when one man demanded to know what they were doing. The assault began with a powerful slap to the face of one woman and continued to the others, one of whom was isolated and surrounded by five men. The women -- Bansari, Jaladhi, Kuyil, Sunita and Viveka -- were beaten on their faces, ears and heads. All reported that no bystanders came to their defense during the ordeal but they miraculously escaped from their multiple attackers and were delivered from further harm. "Jesus promised persecuting and hardships," said Daniel Punnose, vice president of GFA. "These young ladies see it worth facing the beatings in order to share the love of Christ. ... When we see young women publicly beaten for the faith, it tells us what the future holds in regards to persecution. Things will get worse, but the Lord is faithful in all things."

Church in Syria Threatened for Relief Distribution

One of the churches in war-torn Syria that partners with Open Doors USA to distribute relief items to needy and displaced people has been threatened by extremists because of its "missionary" activities. The church distributes food and other supplies to Christians, Muslims and others in need, as well as telling the people about the love of Jesus and offering them a New Testament if they ask. Many Muslims are interested in listening and some even ask for a New Testament. This hasn't gone unnoticed with the extremists, who threatened to attack the church. Open Doors writes: "Pray that the Lord will protect the church and its members so relief supplies and the Gospel can go out to people in the area. Also pray for peace in a country where an estimated 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in continuing civil war violence."

Minnesota, Rhode Island Celebrate Gay Marriage

At 12 a.m. Thursday, Minnesota and Rhode Island officially became the latest among 13 states -- plus the District of Columbia -- to allow same-sex marriage, CNN reports. Both states passed applicable laws in May. At midnight, Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak presided over the unions of 42 same-sex couples at city hall. The couples were scheduled to be at the altar early, so Rybak could move the ceremony along in time for the first wedding vows to be over right when the clock struck 12. In Rhode Island, the first marriages were planned for Thursday morning. The sponsor of the state's same-sex marriage law, Sen. Donna Nesselbush, planned to be at Pawtucket City Hall to greet them, she said. "As the only openly gay senator and as the prime sponsor of the bill in the Senate, [Thursday] is a day that I wish to remember both professionally and personally," she said.

Vietnam: Recent Convert Tortured and Imprisoned

A new Christian, "Bao," is being pressured by village authorities to recant his faith, according to Voice of the Martyrs. After Bao and his family converted to Christianity four months ago, authorities told Bao he could not live in the village and could not use or purchase any products like food, clothing or candles from the village as long as he continued in his beliefs. They repeated their threat three times. After Bao was baptized on July 16, his brother beat him and had him arrested. Bao was jailed for two days and was beaten and shocked in his eye with electric wires. Police fined Bao $250, which had to be paid before he could be released. His wife was unable to go and find someone to loan them the money because she is blind. Instead, Bao was released on the condition that he return in two days with the full payment. VOM is providing Bao with money to pay the fine.

Happy Friday

Spiritual direction can help you handle times of stress

 

 “Come to Me,all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. ( I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)”— Matthew 11:28 (AMP)

 

          I recently replaced my oak kitchen chairs. Over time, the glue in the joints dried up and the chairs started to weaken. They just didn’t do the job of bearing a persons weight as they should. When someone would sit on them, they would creak and wobble. I was afraid they’d fail to support the person as they should, and collapse under the stress.

 

             Stress—it’s a word we hear often in our culture. I heard the word was originally developed as an engineering term to describe the amount of strain a physical structure could take without collapsing under pressure— like my kitchen chairs.

 

             As a nurse, I used the word “stress” when assessing factors that may have attributed to a persons illness. Stress is a major cause, or aggravating factor in 70 percent of disease. It not only relates to the physical aspect of a person’s burden, but includes the emotional and mental factors as well.

 

            God has designed us to tolerate a certain amount of stress. It’s what motivates us to get things done. But when we accumulate an unreasonable amount, it starts to show up in our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

 

             Almost anything can become a stressor.  Health-care professionals have a list and score stress. A few factors on the list include a marriage or a move, the loss of a spouse through death or divorce, worry and anxiety over a “to do” list that never ends, unresolved relationship issues, financial distress, or other concerns that continue on for a prolonged period of time.

 

             Health experts may advise rest, counseling or medication; but we must seek spiritual direction as well. Jesus tells us to come to Him with our burdens. How do we do that? Prayer is a key. God knows us better than anyone. Verbalizing our concerns to Him and listening for any advice is important.

 

            Advice may come through a creative idea or an insight, an article or a book with a topic of interest might catch our attention. God may show us how to change our schedule, or handle a relationship. Acting in obedience to whatever insight we receive is an important aspect of the remedy. While we wait for results, praying for strength and counting our blessings—instead of stressing— can help us cope with the pressure in our daily lives.     

 

Annettee Budzban can be contacted at ahrtwrites2u@aol.com          

Daily Smile:

STRANGER IN MY HOUSE

A very weird thing has happened.  A strange old lady has moved into my house.  I have no idea who she is, where she came from, or how she got in.  I certainly did not invite her.  All I know is that one day she wasn't there, and the next day she was.

She is a clever old lady, and manages to keep out of sight for the most part, but whenever I pass a mirror, I catch a glimpse of her.  And whenever I look in the mirror to check my appearance, there she is, hogging the whole thing, completely obliterating my gorgeous face and body.  This is very rude.  I have tried screaming at her, but she just screams back.
If she insists on  hanging around, the least she could do is offer to pay part of the rent, but no.  Every once in a while, I find a dollar bill stuck in a coat pocket, or some loose change under a sofa cushion, but it is not nearly enough.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I think she is stealing money from me.  I go to the ATM and withdraw $100, and a few days later, it's all gone.  I certainly don't spend money THAT fast, so I can only conclude the old lady is pilfering from me.

You'd think she would spend some of that money to buy wrinkle cream.  Lord knows she needs it.  And money isn't the only thing I think she is stealing.  Food seems to disappear at an alarming rate -- especially the good stuff like ice cream, cookies and candy.  I can't seem to keep that stuff in the house anymore.  She must have a real sweet tooth, but she'd better watch it because she is really packing on the pounds.  I suspect she realizes this, and to make herself feel better, she is tampering with my scale to make me think I am putting on weight too.

For an old lady, she is quite childish.  She likes to play nasty games, like going into my closets when I'm not home and altering my clothes so they don't fit.  And she messes with my files and papers so I can't find anything.  This is particularly annoying since I am extremely neat and organized.  She also fiddles with my VCR so it does not record what I have carefully and correctly programmed.

She has found other imaginative ways to annoy me.  She gets into my mail, newspapers and magazines before I do, and blurs the print so I can't read it.  And she has done something really sinister to the volume controls on my TV, radio and telephone.  Now all I hear are mumbles and whispers.

She has done other things -- like make my stairs steeper, my vacuum cleaner heavier and all my knobs and faucets harder to turn.  She even made my bed higher so that getting into and out of it is a real challenge.  Lately, she has been fooling with my groceries before I put them away, applying glue to the lids, making it almost impossible for me to open the jars.  Is this any way to repay my hospitality?

She has taken the fun out of shopping for clothes.  When I try something on, she stands in front of the dressing room mirror and monopolizes it.  She looks totally ridiculous in some of those outfits, plus she keeps me from seeing how great they look on me.
Just when I thought she couldn't get any meaner, she proved me wrong.  She came along when I went to get my picture taken for my driver's license, and just as the camera shutter clicked, she jumped in front of me!  No one is going to believe that the picture of that old lady is me.
- Author unknown

Happy Wednesday & Thursday

Sorry about Wednesday's Devotional... I worked Tuesday night and fell asleep before I was able to post this... Almost slept the day away...
Richard
Do you have peace in the decisions you’re making?

 

 “ And let peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule ( act as umpire continually) in your hearts ( deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds in that peaceful state)....” — Colossians 3:15 (AMP)

 

                  Batter up! It’s that season again, when baseball enthusiasts grab their padded mitts and start swinging their bats. Colorful uniforms with team emblems cover the baseball fields identifying each fan’s favorite team.

 

                  A man with a peculiar uniform stands behind the batter’s mound. The cage on his face and the turtle-like shell on his chest identify him as the umpire. All ears are attentive, as his mighty voice shout’s, “Strike!, Ball!, Safe!” His call renders screams of victory, or the hiss of defeat from the fanatical crowd.  But, regardless of the shouts from disgruntled fans, the umpire has the final say. Without his wise discernment the score might not be settled, and foul play may abound.

 

                 Every sport has an umpire of some sort. He’s the one who settles the score between the two teams. Although not everyone is happy with his call, you might say, he is like the peace keeper of the game. Without a final decision, the game could not go on.

 

                 Every day we are struggling to make decisions. Big or small each decision we make could be critical to our well-being. A wrong move could destroy us. Like the other games of life, we need an umpire. Someone who can help us settle the score of our personal decisions.

 

              God tells us that peace should be the umpire of our souls, settling with finality decisions that trouble our minds.

 

             Have you ever lacked peace about a decision and gone ahead and done it anyway? I have.
 I once signed a loan contract I didn’t have peace about. I found out months later that I wasn’t told all the terms. I had to suffer the consequences because I didn’t follow my gut peace not to do it.

 

             That inner peace is the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit directing us. Following peace will lead us to blessing. I think God may have given us umpires for our favorite games as an example to let peace be our umpire in the game of life.  

 

Annettee Budzban is a newspaper religion columnist, freelance writer and author. She has been published in Christian magazines such as guideposts Angels on Earth, Stewardship, Standard, and many more. Her writings have also been many popular anthologies such as a Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup,God's Way books and others. Her books when Heaven Whispers and Inspirations to Restore Your Soul can be ordered on -line or in any bookstore. Her e-mail is ahrtwrites2u@aol.com        From April, 2007

Kid's Daily Smile:
Why was the Math Book unhappy?

Because it had too many problems!
- submitted by Owen
In The News:

Christians in Eritrea Punished for Their Faith LOS ANGELES (Morning Star News) – Eritrean authorities are punishing 39 high school students for their Christian faith, excluding them from a graduation ceremony and subjecting them to beatings and hard labor, according to Christian support organization Open Doors. After completing a four-month military training required in Eritrea, the students, including 11 girls, have been arrested for their “Christian beliefs and for their commitment to Christ,” sources told Open Doors. “The youths are now enduring beating, forced hard labor and insufficient food and water” at the SAWA military training center, the organization reported in a press statement. “Sources said authorities are also threatening the students with long imprisonment and exclusion from university should they ‘fail to renounce Christ.’” After completing school, all Eritreans are required to participate in national service. The 39 students were selected out from 17,000 students of the 26th national service intake who graduated on July 13, according to Open Doors. Graduating students then continue to Senior Secondary School to complete grade 12. Since 2002, worship outside the government-sanctioned Sunni Muslim, Eritrean Orthodox Church (EOC), Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea has been forbidden, with Protestant worship a criminal offense. In 2005, authorities also began persecuting the EOC, particularly those in the church’s renewal movement. The government began a widespread crackdown on Christians outside the state-approved churches early this year, according to Open Doors, detaining them in harsh conditions. Christians make up 47 percent of Eritrea’s population of 5.2 million, and Muslims 50 percent, according to Operation World. The Marxist-leaning architect of repression of religion and free speech in Eritrea, President Isaias Afewerki, has been in power since Eritrea’s liberation from Ethiopia in 1991; the National Assembly elected him as president 1993.

After 12 Years, Turkey Closes Door on American Church Volunteer After 12 years serving a church in Diyarbakir, Turkey, voluntarily and peacefully, Jerry Mattix suddenly is on the country's blacklist, World Watch Monitor reports. In the past two years, the Mattix family and at least six other foreign-born families have either been deported from Turkey or denied renewals of their residency permits. "Sadly, this is not just a personal vendetta on the part of the government," Mattix said. "Several other Christian workers in our region and connected to our church have been forced to leave in the last year." Diyarbakir is near the epicenter of ongoing clashes between Turkish military and Kurdish rebels, and not far from Turkey's border with Syria, over which thousands of Syrian refugees have fled, overwhelming local authorities. These issues have made the region politically sensitive for Turkey's ruling AK Party, which is trying to marry democratic principles with modern Islam. For their part, churches in southeastern Turkey say they have been deprived of their right to obtain help and support from foreigners. "There is a discomfort with foreign Christians here, and slowly they will clean them out," said Ahmet Guvener, pastor of the Diyarbakir Protestant Church, where Mattix had been a volunteer. "In the end the churches in the east will become weak and scattered, because there are no mature Christian workers among us."

Somali Extremists Step Up Attack Somali and international leaders condemned a July 27 suicide attack at a compound housing Turkish embassy staff in Mogadishu that killed a Turkish guard and a Somali bystander while wounding others, Open Doors USA reports. The Somali rebel group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in which a car laden with explosives crashed into the gates of the Turkish residence. Three al Shabaab militants, including the car bomber, were also killed. Just prior to the attack, al Shabaab promised in a series of Twitter messages to step up what they called their "Ramadan Offensive" in the second half of the Muslim month of fasting that ends Aug. 7. "Ramadan is a month of Jihad and sacrifice," one message said. "It's time for observing the most righteous deeds & offering gratitude to Allah for His blessings. And what better way to observe Ramadan and offer gratitude to Allah than striking the necks of the invaders and destroying their might!" The group said in the first half of Ramadan its fighters carried out over 100 attacks, mostly in and around the capital Mogadishu. These allegedly included 57 explosions and grenade attacks, 41 direct confrontations and ambushes, nine targeted assassinations and a suicide attack against an African Union Mission in Somalia convoy in Mogadishu on July 12 in which they claim to have wounded American intelligence officials. "Please remember to pray for the handful of secret Christians in Somalia," said an Open Doors worker. "Although al Shabaab threatens the society in general, these secret Christians are at particular risk.

Happy Tuesday

Nagging causes damage in your relationships                                      
         
           “...a nagging wife annoys like a constant dripping.” — Proverbs 19:13 (NLT)

 

           I got up at the usual time. My husband Jeff, had gotten out of bed bright and early that day.

 

           My first stop was the kitchen. I noticed a bottle of dish soap on the countertop. The different color and shape of the bottle signaled to me that it wasn’t my usual brand. As I turned on the faucet, my eyes stayed glued to the bottle as I read the label. When I realized the soap contained an added fragrance, it was taboo as far as I was concerned. I was afraid I might be sensitive to the ingredient.

 

          Jeff must have placed it there earlier that morning to use with something he was doing. I found myself getting agitated over the thought of this container of soap. Just at that time Jeff walked in the back door and entered the kitchen.

 

         “Would you please get rid of this soap!” I blurted out of my mouth with a snap.

 

            Jeff quickly grabbed the soap and removed it from where I was standing. Re- entering the room he looked at me and said, “Good morning!”

 

            Being relieved, I smiled and graciously responded, “Good morning,” in return.

 

            He looked at me with a grin and said, “No, I mean, good morning should have been your first response to me.” Even though he was only joking, I knew he was right. I was so concerned about the soap, I hadn’t considered his feelings at all.

 

            I knew that Jeff was sensitive to my concern and didn’t mind removing the soap. I didn’t have to nag at him. I apologized, and we both laughed about it.

 

            As I sat eating my breakfast, I pondered over the Biblical Proverb of the nagging wife. When we nag, it’s like the constant dripping of a water faucet. As the water drips through the faucet, given enough  time it corrodes away a spot in the sink’s porcelain enamel, and causes great damage or a permanent stain.

 

             Although nagging isn’t part of my usual nature, I can see how allowing this ungodly behavior to get out of  control at a spouse, co-worker, or other, could wreak havoc and leave lasting damage in even the best of relationships.

 

         Learning to be conscious to stop the habit of nagging can help us live our lives to the fullest as we nurture our relationships. 

 

Annettee Budzban is a newspaper religion columnist, and author. Her articles and devotions have also been in many publications such as Guideposts Angels on Earth, Insight, Standard, Family Circle,Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul Daily Inspirations and more. He latest book Inspirations to Restore Your Soul can be ordered through bookstores. You can e-mail her at ahrtwrites2u@aol.com

Daily Smile:

Three absent minded writers were busy discussing a writing project on the platform, while waiting for the train. The announcement was made, and the train finally arrived. There was complete panic among eagerly waiting passengers as the train made its way to the platform. Passengers rushed inside the train, and the train left. However, one of the writers was not able to catch the train in the confusion.

A passerby who saw all this came up to the writer and told him not to worry and catch the next available train. The writer replied, “I am not worried for myself, but the real problem is that I was the one who was suppose to catch the train, and the two of them who went on the train, actually came to see me off”.

Happy Monday

I Don’t Understand, But I’ll Obey

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
 I read an interesting story about Stephen Grellet, a pioneer evangelist to the lumbermen in the Rocky Mountains. He felt the Spirit of God leading him to a particular lumber camp to preach. When he got there, the place was absolutely deserted. He said, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I'm going to be obedient.” So he opened his Bible without a soul in sight and preached a full-length message. Then he pled for people to come to Christ. He said, “Lord, I don’t know what that was all about but Lord, I was obedient.” Years later, a man walked up to him in England and said, “I was the foreman at a lumber camp. I had come back to the camp to get an ax, and I heard you preaching. I stood behind a pile of lumber and listened. As you preached, my heart was strangely warmed, and I repented of my sin and gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I later witnessed to four other men. Now, all five of us are missionaries preaching around the world.”

How important it is that we obey completely in small things! Naaman was asked to dip seven times in the river Jordan. He hesitated. But in 2 Kings 5:13 his servants asked him, “… if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?”

ACTION POINT:
Do you know why many of us are not obeying God more than we are? Because we're not hearing what God is saying. We're not spending time listening to God. That's the importance of a quiet time, that's the importance of getting somewhere alone with God in a nook this book and reading and listening.

Daily Smile:
Computers are like air conditioners. They work fine until you start opening windows.

Happy Sunday

The Guilt Removed

 Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.” Daniel 9:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Isn’t it wonderful that to God belong mercies and forgiveness? You see, just as Daniel prayed, the basis of our prayer is the greatness and the mercy of God. The basis of Daniel’s prayer was the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

It is impossible to see the greatness of God and the mercies of God and not pray with confidence.

ACTION POINT:
We need to pray, “God, cleanse us, restore us, revive us, renew us, refresh us. We need revival in America. Remove our guilt.”

Happy Saturday

NEWS FOR THE LUKEWARM 

by Gary Wilkerson

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). 

 

Jesus is speaking to the Laodicean church — the church that has become famous worldwide. Laodicean is even a word in the dictionary, meaning lukewarm or indifferent. Lukewarm is right in the middle with cold on one side and hot on the other. Jesus does not say He would like for us to be hot, lukewarm or cold. No, He says He would rather we be cold or hot rather than lukewarm.

When Jesus speaks of our being hot He is talking about being full of zeal, full of passion, with a heart that is on fire for God. He is talking about our having something in us that stirs us to action. That is why He says, “I know your works.” He doesn’t say, “I know your thoughts — I know your
emotions.” He says, “I know your works,” because when you look at someone’s works you have a revelation of that person’s heart. 

Many of us don’t realize how far lukewarmness is from the heart of God. This state is despicable to Jesus because it speaks of someone who is claiming to be one of His, people who take on the name of Jesus and quote Scripture but then
behave like the world.

A lukewarm person is somebody who claims to be a Christian but does the same things as someone who is totally cold: still getting drunk, still sleeping around, still taking God’s name in van, still cheating, still lying — and still calling himself a Christian. This person becomes a ruinous testimony for Christ.

Jesus prefers an honest testimony that says, “I’m not saved and I’m living like it,” rather than, “I claim to be saved but I’m not living like it.” Jesus goes on to say to the lukewarm, “I know your works!”

Happy Friday

Pruning!

by Jilly Lyon Taylor

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
John 15:1-2 NIV

Outside our house we have a very old rose bush that was there when we moved in nearly 30 years ago. In its earlier life it had not been well pruned and it had become more and more straggly. I was reluctant to prune it too hard in view of its age, as I thought I might destroy it. However, one branch was so long and was leaning over so far that the weight of it was threatening to uproot the whole plant. I therefore decided it was time for drastic action! I cut it back almost to the ground and was greatly surprised to find that following this it produced vigorous new growth and is now much stronger and healthier than before.

Jesus speaks about the need for pruning in John 15, where He tells us that He is the true vine. Likening His Father to the gardener or vinedresser, He tells us that God will cut off every branch in Him that bears no fruit. We can understand the need for dead and rotten wood to be cut out of a plant to prevent decay and disease spreading. In a similar way, God wants to remove from our lives all the ‘dead works’ and rotten parts.

More surprising, however, is the fact that Jesus says He will also prune the branches that do bear fruit. When the grapes have been harvested on a vine, the farmer will cut off all the trailing branches, going right back to the main trunk. This is in order to produce new strong growth which will bear the following season’s grapes. If left without pruning, the branches will lose strength and will not be as fruitful. In our lives, the Father wants to prune back even those parts that have been fruitful, to prepare us for an even more fruitful season to come.

The process of pruning is not always pleasant! But James tells us to: ‘Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance’ (James 1:2-3). Peter also speaks of trials coming ‘so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed’ (1 Peter 1:7). It is often through trials and difficulties that we are refined, tested and pruned, and this makes us even more fruitful for the Kingdom.

So be encouraged if you are undergoing a pruning process today. It may be the Divine Gardener at work preparing you for a season of even greater fruitfulness!

Prayer: Father, thank You that You know exactly what is needed in my life to make me more fruitful for You. Please continue to remove from me all those things that are harmful to my growth in You, and continue Your work of pruning so that I can bear good fruit for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

Happy Thursday

Thinking of Everything 

by Pastor Bill

Scripture: Luke 14:28-30 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish'"? NKJV

Throughout the Bible we see that Jesus continually gets the credit as the creator of everything. And in so doing HE added incredibly unique talents into everything accomplished.

Examples: In Africa specific birds were created to clean ticks off specific animals. In Australia the Red Kangaroo mother intricately grooms her off spring --- joey.

And ants the world over can count!

When a scout ant finds an item of food too big to carry, that is especially good, the scout will return to the nest for help. Scientists have discovered that ants apparently size up the task ahead so that they can return with just enough help.

The story is told of a scientist who set out to prove that ants can count. He cut a dead grasshopper into three pieces. The second piece was twice as big as the first, and the third was twice as big the second. He then left the pieces in different locations where ants would find them. He watched as each was discovered by a scout. The scout ant inspected the project and immediately returned to the nest for help.

In each case, when the scout returned with help, it was exactly what was needed. The scientist watched and meticulously counted the number of ants working on each piece of grasshopper.

The smallest piece had 28 ants and the piece that was twice its size had 44 ants diligently working on it. Almost twice as many as the smallest piece. And how many ants do you think worked on the third piece of the grasshopper. This piece of grasshopper was twice the size of the second? There were 89 ants diligently working on the largest piece of grasshopper.

All three pieces made their way back to the nest without any extra help!

The ants were carrying out the Biblical principal: "count the cost of the project before you begin it." Just as they were designed.

Prayer: Father thank you that when the world and everything in it were made --- there were no coincidences --- everything necessary for life was provided, by Jesus, at all levels. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Happy Wednesday

Progress or Procrastination?

by Lisa Allen

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)

Unhealthy habits had crept their way into my life. At first it was only occasionally, but then it became easier to stay home rather than head to the gym. I turned a blind eye to how much sugar I was eating. And dinner from a drive-through became more convenient when I was in a rush.

After a few months in this downward spiral, I knew it was time to reintroduce healthy habits. But then the excuses started: I know I should work out, but this just isn't a good time for me ... I have two trips coming up and then there's that birthday dinner for my friend this weekend. And everyone knows that Mondays are the best day to start a good habit!

This pattern of thinking gives me permission to eat unhealthy foods and put off exercise. Somehow I justify that I will ultimately be more successful if all the conditions are perfect for me to improve my health. Perhaps it's my selfish nature that screams, "I want what I want when I want it." The truth is, if I know I should take steps toward healthier choices, then my response should simply be to ask myself, "What can I do today?" and then do it. I don't have to have a plan for a month or even a week ... only today.

As I've observed this pattern of procrastination within myself, I find when faced with a desire and necessity to make a change for the better, sometimes I wait until I can do it perfectly before I'm willing to begin. Scripture tells us though "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" (Ecclesiastes 11:4).

I don't know about you, but I struggle with feeling that perfection is unreachable, so I push my goals to the back burner.

We wait to start consistent quiet times until we feel like getting up earlier. We wait to clean our house until there is a convenient weekend. We wait to join a small group until our schedules open up. We wait to begin a healthier lifestyle until the holidays are over.

Taking that first step is the hardest and yet most important step. Even a baby step toward a goal is better than staying in place. Aiming for progress rather than perfection can be quite freeing. So, I can't run a marathon. But I can lace up my sneakers and go for a walk. And while my home isn't in spotless, I can wipe down the counters and put away the piles of laundry around my living room. Yes, there are still dishes in the sink, but I have to start somewhere, right?

God is teaching me that I can make progress in the midst of less-than-perfect circumstances. While I still want to do things with excellence, a friend once told me I need to be willing to "take a B instead of an A+" on some things in life, and that helps bring perspective when excuses start to rise up. Plus, I'm learning to overcome my tendency for excuses by telling myself imperfect action is better than perfect procrastination.

There may never be a perfect time to get organized, eat less sugar, and workout more. However, we have to begin somewhere. The perfect place to start is where we are today.

Father, You know me so well, and I confess to You I've been avoiding obedience by waiting for things to be easier, better and more convenient. I recognize this as disobedience and ask You to forgive me. Give me the strength to focus today on this area of obedience. Let me know that You are providing all I need to take this step today and tomorrow, as I continue this journey with You. Amen.

In The News:

Christian Fined for Refusing to Photograph Same-Sex Wedding

Jim Denison, Denison Forum on Truth and Culture

Monday, July 22, 2013

#religious freedom #gay marriage

When Christian photographers are asked to work same-sex weddings, do they have the right to refuse? Surprisingly, 85 percent of Americans say they do. If only their sentiments were the law.

Elaine Huguenin was asked to photograph a same-sex ceremony in New Mexico. She refused, citing her Christian beliefs. She was fined $7,000 by the state Human Rights Commission, which claimed that she was guilty of discrimination for sexual orientation. The New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld the verdict.

In similar news, T-shirt maker Hands On Originals was asked by the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization of Lexington, Kentucky to print shirts for their group. They politely declined, and gave the group referrals to other T-shirt printers and sought quotes for them. However, they were sued by the group and were found in violation of the city's fairness ordinance.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics is warning its members against "heterosexism," defined as "the social expectation that heterosexuality is the expected norm." Doctors are encouraged to post a "rainbow" decal on an office door or bulletin board, and display brochures with pictures of "both same- and opposite-gender couples." They are not to ask a boy about his girlfriend, but to ask about his "partner" instead.

Do you feel like you're swimming more against the cultural current with every passing day? How can we make a positive difference for the Kingdom? I just finished Donald Keough's brilliant The Ten Commandments for Business Failure. Keough, the former president of the Coca-Cola Company, tells executives what to do if they want to fail. His "commandments" apply just as fully to Christians who seek to change their culture.
Here's his list:

1. Quit taking risks
2. Be inflexible
3. Isolate yourself
4. Assume infallibility
5. Play the game close to the foul line (He's talking about moral integrity.)
6. Don't take time to think
7. Put all your faith in experts and outside consultants
8. Love your bureaucracy
9. Send mixed messages
10. Be afraid of the future

And he adds #11: Lose your passion for work — for life.
Here's how I would rephrase his commandments for Christians who don't want to change their culture:

1. Stop trusting God
2. Refuse to try new approaches
3. Withdraw from the non-Christian world
4. Trust in yourself more than in God
5. Ignore personal character
6. Don't take time to pray and reflect
7. Put your faith in people rather than the Lord
8. Trust the church rather than the Spirit
9. Lose your focus on the gospel
10. Be afraid of change
11. Lose your passion for Jesus

Which of these commandments is tempting you today?
Keough closes with this wonderful statement from St. Augustine: "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be." Are both alive in you?

Happy Tuesday

Are You Sitting on the Fence?

There was a large group of people gathered. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side stood another, satan. Separating them was a fence running through the group. The scene set, both Jesus and satan began calling to people in the group. One by one, each having made up his or her own mind, went to either Jesus or satan. This kept going for a time. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did satan.

One man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it. Jesus and his people left and disappeared, and so too did satan and his people. The man on the fence sat alone. As this man sat, satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, "Have you lost something?" satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me." The man said, "But I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him." satan said, "That's okay; I own the fence."

"Whoever is not with me is against me." - Jesus in Matthew 12:30

Happy Monday

Where Do You Look?
A speed boat set out from one region of the country to another. The sea was turbulent, the storm raging. Those on board the boat were afraid, but only the captain was calm. One man being a Christian wondered why, in the midst of all the turbulence, the captain was calm so he went ahead and asked him. “We are all troubled, but you are calm, why is this?”

The captain answered “My destination is the port we are going, not the troubled sea”. That was what he was looking forward to.

 

What are you looking at? Are you looking up to Jesus or at the storms of life? Are you looking forward to your prize in heaven or looking at the everyday turbulence of life?

 

Turn Your Eyes Upon JESUS

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled?
   No light in the darkness you see?
   There’s light for a look at the Savior,
   And life more abundant and free!
   • Refrain:
     Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
     Look full in His wonderful face,
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
     In the light of His glory and grace.
2. Through death into life everlasting
   He passed, and we follow Him there;
   O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
   For more than conqu’rors we are!
3. His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
   Believe Him, and all will be well:
   Then go to a world that is dying,
   His perfect salvation to tell!

 

Happy Sunday

The Best Worst Thing

By Lysa TerKeurst

"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:26 (NIV)

I failed at being a wedding planner.

No one wants a planner who gets so undone by the neurotic mother-of-the-bride that she throws up in the parking lot right beside the guest sidewalk.

Really, nothing says, "Welcome to my wedding" quite like that.

I failed at being a kitchen gadget saleswoman.

No one wants to see the tip of a thumb sliced off into the veggie pizza at the exact moment I was promising how safe this gadget is.

Awesome.

I failed at being a cafeteria lady at a private school.

My assistant decided her arms were so dry she needed to coat herself with our spray butter. When we took the trash out later that day, we both got attacked by bees and forgot about the pizza in the oven.

Kids don't take kindly to burnt pizza.

I failed at being a receptionist
.
It's never a good idea to just succumb to those sleepy afternoon feelings and lay your head down on the desk.
Bosses don't like workers who snore. Even if they are pregnant.

Yes, I failed at a lot during those years where I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. At the time each of these things felt like the worst that could have happened. Now, I think they were the best worst things.

Had these things been successful, I would have never discovered the joy of being in the ministry I'm in now.
I see this same theme woven throughout many stories in the Bible.

In Matthew 8:23-24 we find Jesus getting into a boat with His disciples. "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat." Worst thing.

But in verse 26 Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and waves and things turned completely calm. The disciples were amazed. Best worst thing.

In Acts 5:18 we find the apostles being arrested and thrown in jail. Worst thing.

But in Acts 5:19 we find an angel of the Lord opening the doors of the jail and bringing them out. Later we find them with so much confidence they boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men!" (v. 29b) Best worst thing.

I don't understand why we have to go through cruddy stuff. And I certainly know there are many worse things to go through then what I've mentioned here.

We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken? He isn't ever caught off guard, taken by surprise, or shocked by what happens next.

He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and keep following Him through it all.

Dear Lord, I know You are capable of taking my worst and turning it into Your best. Show me this truth anew today. Refresh my spirit. I want to follow You through it all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Saturday

Someone to Lean On

By Wendy Pope

"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset." Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

Someone very dear to me is in the fight of her life ... she's wrestling with her belief in God and searching to know with certainty that Scripture is true. She's fighting for her faith. Watching from the sidelines is difficult to endure for me. But the battle is one that only she can combat.

I love her so much and want to jump in the ring with my fighting gloves and slay the enemy. As one who came out victorious from the same struggle of my own, I long to bottle the knowledge I learned and give it to her. Handing my wisdom and faith to her would surely spare her the agony associated with a fight for faith in the Lord.

Watching the conflict as a bystander is arduous. But while I watch, I pray. And through prayer I am reminded of two men in the Bible who stood by their friend Moses in battle.

Moses sent Joshua into battle to fight an army of their enemies. While Joshua and the men waged war, Moses stood on top of the mountain holding his staff over the valley. Joshua and his men were victorious as long as Moses held the staff up. When Moses lowered the staff, their enemies gained on them.

Moses' friends, Aaron and Hur, followed him up the mountain. They saw the pressure and agony Moses experienced as he held the staff. With compassion, these men pushed a large rock under Moses for him to rest upon. Then, in a selfless act of love and friendship, they each held up one of Moses' arms as he held the staff high.

They could not hold the staff for Moses but they could stand with him through the long battle.
They filled in the gap created by Moses' weakness with the strength of their faith.

This story challenged me to change my position from a bystander to that of a gap-stander. A bystander is an onlooker who watches, but does not to get involved.

A gap-stander has empathy and takes action, using the strength of her faith to help the fighter stand until victory comes. A gap-stander is someone the one in battle can lean on.

Are you watching someone you care about fight for faith, whether in God, for healing, restoration of a marriage, or something else? Do you feel helpless?

We cannot give our faith to our loved ones or fight for them, but we can stand with them and support them as they fight to have their own faith.

The job of the gap-stander isn't easy, but it is a place of honor. Gap-standers are committed to encouragement, prayer, and spiritual and practical support. As we watch the battle rage, we also share in and observe God's great work and their victory. Who can you stand in the gap for today?

Dear Lord, someone I love is fighting and is tired. Will You show me how I can help? I choose to change positions from a bystander to a gap-stander. Help me have patience and be compassionate as I stand in the gap. I praise You for the victory that awaits for my loved one. In Jesus' Name, Amen.