Exercising Our Faith

Scripture:

Matthew 7:13-23
Colossians 2:6-10

---

As I sat and listened to the sermon and watched the pastor yesterday I kept thinking about physical fitness.  Well I should say my lack of it.  I started to feel guilty that I wasn't working out in any way.  I thought that I really needed to start exercising.  I know I need to start. I might even have every intension to start.  The problem is I wont start.  I come up with excuse after excuse.  Without exercising I will not be able to maintain a healthy body.

Today's scripture talks about  entering through the narrow gate.  We are also told to walk in Him whom we have received.  We are also to spreed the gospel to all the ends of the earth.  How can we do these things.  How can we follow Christ walking in His steps.  How can we be able to go through the narrow gate.  We must dig into scripture and pour ourselves out to the Lord.  We must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and consume us.  In other words we cannot simply sit back and do nothing if we want to have a healthy spiritual life with Christ.  We must exercise our faith in order for it to grow stronger.  Faith like a muscle and needs to be worked in order to grow big and strong...

Who knows maybe someday I will start to exercise...

Sharing The Good News...

Scripture:

Mark 16:15-20

Acts 16:23-34

---

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.  Our mission is clear.  Our main purpose is to spread the Gospel to anyone and everyone.  Our churches focus is to be just that.  Everything else is secondary.

Too often we get caught up in this program or that project.  We lose site of what is important.  In the end it really doesn't matter what your  denomination is.  What is important is that the church believes and teaches the Bible, God's word, the truth and light of the world.  Jesus even tells His disciples not to prevent other people from doing anything in His name.  Mark 38-39 " 'Teacher,' said John, 'we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.'  'Do not stop him,' Jesus sad. 'For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,' "  

So instead of worrying about our differences let us focus on spreading the Gospel.  There is only one truth.  There is only one way.  There is only one Saviour.   Jesus is the way, the life, the truth.  Jesus is the bread of life.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..."  Let us not horde the greatest gift.  Instead let us share it and spread the Gospel.  After all that is what Jesus wants us to do...

Are You Blessed?

Scripture:

Psalm 67 

---

Blessings, we all want them.  Sometimes it seems we are not receiving His blessings at all.  We ask ourselves why.  There are several reasons why we may not receive God's blessings.  Are we within the scope of His will?  Are you sharing your blessings with others?  Are you allowing God to be glorified by what He has done?  

Are you living your life according to God's will?  When we step out on our own and decide it is better our way God will graciously allow us to step away.  It is no wonder then that we cannot see God at work in our lives.  It is no wonder that we miss out on His blessings.  God knows what is best for us.  Parents will direct and guide their children.  As a parent we see the bigger picture and we know what is good for them.  We know that too much candy will cause a stomach ache.  Because of this we limit how much candy our kids can eat.  We scold our kids when they stand on a chair because they can easily tip the chair and fall.  God Knows the big picture and wants to keep us safe and give us those things He knows is best for us.

As God fills us with His blessings are we sharing them or hording them?  When you are thirsty and want a drink you grab a cup and fill it.  Once filled it cannot be refilled until it is emptied.  In order to refill our cup with more we must drink what is in it.  As God fills us with His blessings we need to share them with others in order for Him to fill us again.  I have often found a blessing by giving.  As I fulfill someone else's need I am richly blessed.  There is a joy in giving to others.  If we withhold from giving or sharing God's blessings we not only deny someone else but we deny ourselves as well.

When God blesses do you give Him the credit?  Too often it is easier and seems more fulfilling to take the credit.  I can say yep I fixed that computer.  I knew just what to do and it was a breeze.  I am taking credit.  Instead I need to refocus and say that God did it.  He gave me the insight or wisdom where to look.  He guided me to what needed to be done.  God fixed it through me.  I am passing the credit to Him focusing the attention to God and not on myself.  Lately my focus has been to glorify God in everything I do.

So the next time we ask for God's blessings we need to make sure we focus on Him and that we are within His will.  We need to pass on what He has given.  I have often heard it said that you cannot out give God.  I have found that to be true.  Every time I give I receive more.  As my cup empties He is filling it back up even faster...

Wisdom

Today's devotional thoughts are not my own.  My 14 year old daughter has written a paper.  Nancy and I feel that we should share what Megan wrote.  So here is a tip on wisdom from a 14 year old...

---

Dear Reader,

            I know you have a lot of questions about what is means to be foolish and wise. So, I’ll first start by explaining what wisdom means and then discuss foolishness.

            A wise person should always watch what they say. Once you say a word, whether hurtful or not, you can never take it back. It could damage relationships and yourself. A wise person is merciful and fair. They never torment an animal or a person. They are kind, considerate, and understanding. A wise person tries to help those who are in need. Wise people are cautious. They listen to advice and think before they act. Wise people love peace, especially if they live in a large family. A wise person is also humble.

            Now, a foolish person isn’t smart. They use quick words of anger. This makes them look irrational so they attempt to make others furious and not think straight. A foolish person tries to impress others by looking tough, smart, and heroic. This leads them to act before they think. A foolish person is full of pride. When their pride is hurt, they try to make other people’s lives miserable. Foolish people refuse to listen to good advice. They think that they know more than their elders. This gets them in lots of trouble and serious consequences follow. A foolish person doesn’t work. Instead, they waste their lives and money doing useless things.

            I hope that this has helped you with some questions that you may have. I find it easier to be foolish than to be wise. I believe that this is our sinful human nature trying to stop us from doing what is right. It may sound hopeless, but God gives us strength to conquer the many things that may tempt us. If you want to know more about foolishness and wisdom, you should read the Bible.

Sincerely,

Megan

 

God Bless,

Out With The Old And In With The New

Scripture:

Psalm 5:11-12

Revelation 21:1-4

---

Second chances, that is something everyone wants.  When we sin against someone we ask for forgiveness and often will ask for a "Second chance."  The best thing of all is God is full of "Second Chances."  Not only will He give us another chance here in this life in this world but He will give a new life and a new world.  He will give us the ultimate second chance when He establishes "a new heaven and a new earth."

Jesus came to give us that second chance for everlasting life.  In John 8:6-11:

⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹“No one, sir,” she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus gives not only this woman a second chance at life but each one of us.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  This does not give us permission to sin but it does offer unlimited second chances in this life.  Someday we will arrive in the new heaven and the new earth that we will no longer need a second chance.  It is then that God will establish a new order.  

Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Idols Or God

Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:25-27

Acts 17:16-31

---

What is your god?  What idols do you worship?  Without even knowing it we can displace God with other idols to worship.  For some it may be money.  For others it might be their cars or motorcycles.  Some may place their jobs or careers in the place where God belongs.  Some people place their families above God.

A lot of Christians might not even realize that they have replaced God with another god.  As much as I want God to be first in my life I can see myself easily slipping by placing my family above Him.  Even though I know earthly possessions do not last I can also find myself yearning for that new cell phone, or computer.  I have often yearned for a camper so that I can take my family camping.  We could then have those vacations where we spend lots of quality time together.  

Even though we can appear to justify it still displace God.  The truth is our God is a jealous God and doesn't want anything to take His place.  Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (NIV) "²³ Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. ²⁴ For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."  We must guard our hearts to ensure we do not fall into this trap.  Satan will whisper subtle words to your heart convincing you to justify dethroning God.  

There is nothing wrong with making lots of money or owning a new car.  There is nothing wrong with going to the gym and working out till you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.  We are supposed to hold our families in a high place in our hearts.  The key is to not let any of these things, or whatever your idol maybe, above the one and true God.  Christ is to be the lord of our lives not these things.  By keeping your focus on Jesus you can keep Him first in your life.  We need to constantly pray or commune with Christ.  We need to read His word and follow what the Bible teaches.  These can help us ensure that Jesus is the most important person in our lives, that he remains above all else...

What's In Your Heart?

Scripture:

Acts 1:6-8

Ephesians 3:14-21

---

In his book Change Your Heart, Change Your Life Gary Smalley talks about what is in our hearts is the core of our beliefs.  I had read an email one time where a professor used an empty jar for a demonstration.  He asked his students if it was empty, they all said yes.  He filled it with large rocks.  Asked if it was full.  The class stated it was.  He then poured smaller pebbles into the jar once again filling it.  He once again asked if it was full, and again the answer was yes.  Next he poured sand into the jar once again filling it.  After asking if the jar was full the students answered yes.  With the jar full of sand he finally poured in water filling it to the top.  He then stated now the jar is full.

Our hearts are like this jar.  It gets filled with either things of this world or things of heaven.  If you remove the rocks from the jar space is created.  If you do not replace the empty space with something air will fill in the void.  The jar is never truly empty.  Our hearts are never truly empty.  It will be filled with something.  Gary Smalley states that if you want to change what you believe you must fill your heart with the new beliefs.  Then you can change your life.  

We need to remove the rocks of this world from our hearts.  We then need to fill the empty space with the jewels of heaven.  As we hide God's Word in our hearts our beliefs will change.  Our lives will be transformed.  Then filled with the Holy Spirit we need to go forth showing God's love to the world.  Let us fill our hearts with God's Word and the Holy Spirit so that we can go forth to fill other's hearts as well...

He Gave It All

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 10:12-17
Matthew 28:16-20

---

I remember in a Sunday school class a question went out asking why we believe.  I thought for a moment and stated the only reason I am a believer is because I fear going to Hell.  They denied my answer and upon reflection of it I decided that was the truth.  What came out of that fear is my walk with Christ.

Something that has puzzled me over the years is why would God want us to fear Him.  After all people tend not to love something or someone they fear.  As Yoda so eloquently put it in Star Wars "...fear leads to hate..."  I have found that fear can lead not only to hate but to resentment as well.  Once we begin to resent and hate we will not follow.  

It wasn't until I was an adult with my own children that I learned that what God wants is not for us to fear Him but to respect Him.  I am not sure why the translations use fear instead of respect.  However, with this new understanding about what is intended I better understand what is meant.  God  doesn't want us to fear him in the since of being scared.  He wants us to respect Him and to love Him with all our hearts, all our being, and all our strength.  In Luke 10:27 Jesus tells us "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  

Remember God loved us first.  God loves us so much He gave of Himself.  Jesus was born and lived among man.  Jesus suffered and died for our sins.  Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  The wages of our sins is death, eternal separation from God.  Christ paid that debt for each and everyone of us.  We do not need to fear God.  Instead we need to respect and love God for He gave us everything...

An Open Book

Scripture:

Genesis 6

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Sometimes I find it difficult at best to follow God's direction.  I have stumbled and fallen time after time.  If you look back at the Israelite Nation you can see where they have fallen away time after time, not following God's word.  After a while of seeing God's plan succeed and mine failing I would think I would get it right.  Our following God's commands are crucial for our lives and the lives of those around us.  We do not know whom it will affect besides us.  Had Noah decided not to obey God none of us would be here today.  In Its A Wonderful Life George Bailey got to see all the lives his life touched.  Unfortunately we may never know here on earth whose life we touch.

  

In Genesis God was saddened by what man had become.  He decided to destroy all mankind and animals.  Only by finding favor in Noah did God spare mankind.  God is a God of love and mercy.  He is a God of continual second chances.  Time after time the Israelites turned away from God.  Time after time God showed mercy and forgiveness when they returned to Him.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."  Through Christ we all have redemption.  In A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge had to have 4 spirits visit him in order to see he needed redemption.  What will it take for each of us?  What will it take for you to see that you have sinned and you are separated from God?  Romans 3:23-24 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Our lives are an open book for all to read.  All of us have sinned.  What separates us from the world is Christ.  We have hope.  We have redemption through the blood of Christ that was spilled for us.  We have eaten from the Bread Of Life and have eternal life with Christ in Heaven.  Can others read your life's story and see Christ?

I Need A Light

Scripture:

Psalm 119:105-112

Romans 6:5-14

---

The future, we all want to know what it holds for us.  I use to love to read my so called horoscope in the news paper.  For the fun of it I still like reading my fortune cookies when I eat Chinese.  Some people seek out their fortunes by visiting so called "fortune tellers."  We have our palms read or look into the glass ball.  Reading the bones when thrown or tea leaves.  Man has developed many ways to so called tell the future.  No matter how hard we try the future is ever elusive. 

The truth is God alone can show us the future.  He reveals to us what He wishes.  Think of walking outside in the woods.  If it is dark out and you stumble along in the dark you will not get far. You will trip and very possibly hurt yourself.  You run the risk of walking into brambles and thorns.  However, if you take along a good and bright flashlight you will be able to light your path.  Now you can see the dangers ahead and avoid them.  Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  God shows us the way much brighter and clearer than any flashlight can.  His word is like the sun shinning through the trees showing us the way.  However, God doesn't reveal everything to us all at once.

God will show us the way all we have to do is seek Him first in all things.  John 8:12 "Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'"  Christ is the light and life of the world.  In Christ we are given freedom from our wages of sin.  Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."  In our freedom let us grab the Light of the world and walk together.  Let us seek what God would reveal to us.  No one else can tell us the future.  No one else can foresee what awaits us down the path of life...

All Alone...Really?

Scripture:
Romans 5:1-5
Romans 8:28-39

---

Have you ever felt alone, all alone.  I once told someone at a men's group function at church that I could feel all alone in a crowd of people.  At that time I was in a room full of people and yet I could have been the only one there.  Even though people were seated all around me and I could hear conversations throughout the room I was still alone.  Not knowing why I did it I shared that with one of the pastors I had briefly met before.   He saw something I didn't and later we would have some very uplifting conversations.

Even though I felt alone and separated God was with me.  He wouldn't let me stay alone for very long.  No matter what we feel or think we are never truly alone.  God is with us all the time.  Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?..." Verses 38 & 39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is nothing or anyone who can separate us from God.  Not even Satan can tear us from God's loving arms.  The only separation we have from God is when we walk away and deny Him.  Then and only then can we be truly alone.  As long as we turn to God and embrace Him we will never be alone.  So the next time I feel all alone in a crowd I just have to turn around and see Christ...

A Public Show Or Private Practice...

Scripture:
Psalm 55:16-22
Matthew 6:1-6 & 16-18

---

In Matthew we are told to practice our righteousness in secret.  We are not to be a show case for the world to see.  Growing up Methodist I never felt the need to be baptized, since I was baptized as an infant.  Recently I have felt God stirring my heart to be baptized by submersion.  I had a hard time with it because it was a public display.  I didn't want to go before an entire congregation so that they could see what I was doing.  Another aspect is the alter call for prayer.  I rarely ever go down to pray.  I have always felt I was going on display for everyone to see me pray.

Jesus tells us to pray  and fast in secret.  I don't think he meant it as denying ourselves intimate moments with Him.  Praying at the alter is for one's self to lay before the Lord at His table, not a public display.  I tend to go to the extreme which is a danger.  God doesn't want us to parade around strutting.  The important thing is not so much where you pray or how you fast.  What is important  is where the focus is.

By being baptized in front of the congregation I am showing my focus is on Jesus.  Hopefully it will help others to be able to do the same.  When walking to the alter to pray the focus should be on Jesus not look at me go and pray.  As long as we have our hearts right with God it really doesn't matter.

As long as our hearts are right with God He will be the focus not us.  Problems and worries can also get in the way of focusing on Jesus.  Psalm 55:22 states "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;  He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."  We need to take our burdens to him and leave them there.  God is willing to share our burdens and take them over.  I need to take each problem and instead of focusing on it I need to hand it off to Jesus.  Allow my focus to shift from the problem to Jesus.  Once it is in His hands I can let go.  As in a relay race I pass the baton to Him and He will finish the race with it. 

Is It Time To Go Home?

Scripture:
John 13:33-38

1 Peter 5:6-7

---

I remember when I first arrived on board the Nimitz.  I was 18, young and not so bright.  I thought everything would be so much different than what they were.  As I stepped off the plane onto the flight deck I saw a beautiful sight.  The ocean blue meeting the blue skies off in the distance.  I was brought to reality by the onslaught of noise and commotion all around me.  As I walked off the flight deck I knew I didn't want to be there.  I knew I just had to go home.  

Well the truth was that it wasn't time to go home.  I would fall asleep at night telling myself to have faith.  God was faithful.  He was with me on board that ship.  Even when I went astray He was with me.  I cast all my cares upon Him.  I 1 Peter 5:6-7 " ⁶Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

I wanted to go home, at the time it didn't matter which home.  God however, had a purpose for me being there.  I cast my cares and worry on Him.  He gave me the strength I needed to make it through.  I ended up working for the chaplains on board ship.  I met some people who would even now are influential in my life.  After many years after the service I connected again with a friend.  He was my supervisor and had to deal with me, poor guy.  God reunited us not too long ago.  He has been influential in helping me put together a website, blogging site, and these daily devotional thoughts.

God brought people into my when I needed them.  As long as I cast my cares upon Him and trust Him everything will turn out all right.  I didn't go home right away like I wanted, either home.  God had a plan.  No matter what we go through all we have to do is remember He is with us.  If we allow Him to work in our lives and guide us we will be right where He wants us.  We must look for the opportunities as they present themselves.  Then we need to faithfully act upon them.  God has us here for a reason and when the time is right we will all go Home...

Did You Score...

Scripture:
Romans 5:6-11
Ephesians 4:11-16

---

All Christians together make up the one body of Christ here on earth.  We need to work together for the glory of Jesus our lord and savior.  A football team can never win a game if each individual player acts independently on the field.  All you would have is a group of guys running around like crazy on the field.  After a while no one would watch the game.  Football would fade away.

Christians and churches need to work together, after all we are one big team.  We are players in a huge game of life.  The goal is where one goes after this life.  The winners are those that go to heaven.  This is one game you don't want to lose.  As a matter of fact in this game the goal is to have all winners and zero losers. 

So what happened why are we allowing people to lose?  We get into each others' way.  Some say they are wrong.  Because they are wrong they are all going to hell.  Others' say our way is the only way.  We are quick to judge others and to pass condemnation upon them.  What we need to focus on is not what one calls their church or what color it has to be.  We need to not worry about how the congregation dresses or what the pastors look like.  After all everyone, pastors included, are human and have sinned.  We all fall short and have made mistakes.    What we need to focus on is the kingdom of Heaven.  We need to put our focus on the Bible and what it teaches.

I firmly believe there are lots of parts in the bible that is open for interpretation.  In these areas we have to allow for our differences.  HOWEVER, there are just as many places that are black and white.  In those places there is no room for interpretation.  In those areas we must hold firm and gently correct those that are wrong. 

As a pastor once said we must love the sinner but not accept the sin.  We have to accept the person and love them, after all God does.  We lovingly and in a caring manor need to help those in sin see the truth.  Judgment is not our job.  It is our job to show the way, be a lighthouse on a rocky shore.  It is our job to love as Christ has loved...

Why Should I When You Will...

Scripture:

John 4:7-26

Ephesians 1:18:23

---

Far too long Christians have remained silent.  Far too long have people put off what needed to be done because someone else will do it.  Why should I when Joe next door will.  All the time Joe next door is saying why should I when you will...  The task never gets done.  A new neighbor doesn't get a visit.  A sick person not visited.  A family is left neglected.

I have seen too many families or churches that only look to themselves, no outsiders, you  have to look or act certain way.  Jesus at the well talked not only to a woman He didn't know she was a Samaritan.  If you think back to the cold war with Russia it would be similar to an American Army soldier talking and befriending a Russian soldier.  At that time it was unheard of.  Today we might feel the same about one of us a Christian talking with and befriending a hard core Muslim, it just isn't hear of.

Christ didn't call us to hide or tend to our own.  Christ called us to go forth and make disciples of all nations.  We are not to just minister to fellow Christians, or visit those we think are worth while.  Love your neighbor is not just the guy next door.  Our neighbors are those we bump into at the store or on the streets.  They are those living in slums in our town or the next.  Our neighbors are those living in countries not only in North or South America but all over the world.

Our lives, communities, and countries we live in are a mess because we left it to the next guy to take care of.  All the time the next guy is waiting on you.  Everyone needs to stand up and be heard.  We need to spreed the good news of the gospel to everyone.  We need to tend to the needy and those who are sick.  We need to offer comfort to those in need of it.  

If you walked down the street and saw a house on fire with the family inside would you walk by thinking the next guy will save them?  Let's face it all nonbelievers are in that burning house needing to be saved.  Can we afford to just walk by and let the next guy save them?

Who Me Serve...

Scripture:
Isaiah 31:1-5
Titus 3:5-8

---

I have often said, more to myself than to others, that God doesn't necessarily call the qualified.  He qualifies those that He calls.  I have too often used the excuse of who am I to do this.  I am not good enough, or even who would listen to me.  All very good excuses but that is all they are.  Even if we do not think we are capable we must remember we can do all things in Christ.  In Phillippians 4:13 Paul writes "I can do all things through Him who Strengthens me." (New American Standard Bible)  Jesus fed thousands with just a few loaves of bread and a few fish.  He did so more than once.  The point is In Christ the impossible is possible.

Just a few short years ago I would have said it is impossible for me to write these thoughts and share them.  When I was a child growing up I hated standing in front of large crowds.  OK in front of any size group.  I would never in my life dreamed of speaking in front of a group.  I have preached several sermons and given even more devotional talks.  I say this not to boast but share what Christ has done.  I couldn't stand on a stage or behind a podium and speak.  I couldn't even begin to prepare a message.  Christ has worked in my life and through me.  I still get huge butterflies whenever I do speak but I can stand there and give the message Jesus gives me to share.  My professional success in the I.T. field is not my capabilities but what Christ has given me and done through me. 

When we fear to do what God has called us to do we must remember God is our deliverer, protector, and provider.  He will not allow anyone or anything triumph over us as long as we are doing what He wants us to do.  As long as we are in His will doing those things which He has asked we cannot fail.  To reiterate what my pastor said in a sermon, we are not responsible for the results.  We are responsible to do our part...

Let Us Comfort One Another...

Scripture:
Matthew 22:34-40
Ephesians 2:8-10

---

Hope, comfort, loss, grief, strife, struggle, faith, love, all of these things are a part of us at one time or another.  As I struggle with my own problems and seek comfort or reassurance from others I am reminded that my situation isn't quite so bad.  I have been listening to a book entitled 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.  I have also just heard of a tragic accident that just happened.  A family that is struck by death as well as severe injuries. 

As I ponder life's events and my devotionals from this morning God sends me reminders.  I am reminded that we must show compassion to others.  I am reminded that my circumstances are not as bad as I might think they are.  I am reminded that I am here to serve.  I am reminded that I need to be there for others.

We are here for each other in times of need.  We are to give comfort as Jesus gives comfort.  Christ might use anyone of us to be hope for another.  We are His hands and feet.  We are the voice of Christ here on earth.  We can sit silent and continue to let the world go by.  However, if that is all we do how can we call ourselves followers of Christ?  Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."  Also Jesus tells us himself to go forth and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."

As I manage my own struggles I need to remember I am not alone.  I need to remember that I am here to give comfort, aid, support, and love to others.  I need to remember not to focus on myself but on others.  It is my prayer that God will use me as He sees fit.  I pray that I can be a comfort or guide or strength for others, or should I say Christ through me...

Hope, Faith, and Love

Scripture:
1 Samuel 1:1-18
1 Peter 1:3-5
Luke 8:40-53

---

Don Fransico has a song that tells the story of Him healing Jairus's daughter.  It is a story of hope, love and healing.  1 Samuel also gives us hope in Hannah's story.  Over the course of the last several months I began looking for a new job.  I have found it hard not to be discouraged.  As days drag on hope seems to slip.

Earlier in December Lois had gotten sick and Nancy stayed home Wednesday night.  I took Megan and Aaron to their programs that evening and I went to InDepth.  During our meeting I shared about Lois being sick.  I had mentioned that we just hoped and prayed everyone would be healthy for Christmas.  Prayers were offered and given.  Lois was quickly healthy again.  Everyone was healthy for Christmas.  It truly was a case of answered prayers.  Sunday evening after Christmas Lois got sick again.  She ended up with two ear infections and ran high fevers all week long, even with antibiotics.  Toward the end of the week Cora got sick.  Finally Jane got sick Sunday after New Years Day.  She started running a low grade fever and has what we think to be a mild case of Chickenpox. 

Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor...  I give praise and thanks that everyone was healthy for Christmas.  I give praise and thanks for Lois's healing.  For God is truly with us.  He truly blesses us.  Our scriptures are filled with hope and love. 

As I find myself getting discouraged or losing hope I just have to remind myself that God is with us.  1 Peter1:5 "Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."  God is with us, He protects us, and He provides for us.  We have all the hope we need.  We just need to keep our faith.  We need to rely fully and completely upon Christ.  God hears our prayers, petitions, and requests.  He will answer each and everyone of them according to His will.  Let us stay within the boundaries of His will...