The new windows for church have arrived! This could not have have happened without funding and time of many generous souls. Thank you all!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Windows have arrived
The new windows for church have arrived! This could not have have happened without funding and time of many generous souls. Thank you all!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Make The Most Out of Every Opportunity
"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:3-6).
I want to focus on just a phrase "make the most of every opportunity." These are the opportunities to "proclaim the mystery of Christ." The apostle Paul requested prayer from the Colossian believers, "that God may open a door for our message." That should be a daily request for us as well. This is not just for those in formal positions of "ministry" such as a pastor or missionary, but for all who follow Christ and seek to let His light shine through them. Just like that dear lady who is now with the Lord and that Human Resource director.
May the Lord help all of us this day to indeed "make the most of every opportunity."
I want to focus on just a phrase "make the most of every opportunity." These are the opportunities to "proclaim the mystery of Christ." The apostle Paul requested prayer from the Colossian believers, "that God may open a door for our message." That should be a daily request for us as well. This is not just for those in formal positions of "ministry" such as a pastor or missionary, but for all who follow Christ and seek to let His light shine through them. Just like that dear lady who is now with the Lord and that Human Resource director.
May the Lord help all of us this day to indeed "make the most of every opportunity."
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wondrous Love!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)
It's great to love and to be loved isn't it? Some of us have a loving supporting family and homes filled with love. What a blessing. We may also have many friends, an extended family and a church characterized by AGAPE love.
John 3:16 begins with the glorious phrase, "God so loved the world". Amen, God sure does and God specifically loves you and me this day and everyday. You may have experienced a loving earthly family , others have not. Undoubtedly some have had a very difficult time in life and still do. There are those reading this who've been abused and carry deep scars. The sacred trust between an earthly spouse, parent, sibling, spouse or friend was violated.
Those who bear deep scars especially take note. You are now learning to trust your heavenly Parent who is altogether trustworthy. God's steadfast love never ceases. I know many of you have long ago memorized the daily verse. It's perhaps the single most memorized verse in the entire Bible. Hide it deep in your heart. I find it helpful to personalize it. "For God so loved me that He gave His one and only Son, that when I believe in Him I shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Indeed, such love, such wondrous love!
It's great to love and to be loved isn't it? Some of us have a loving supporting family and homes filled with love. What a blessing. We may also have many friends, an extended family and a church characterized by AGAPE love.
John 3:16 begins with the glorious phrase, "God so loved the world". Amen, God sure does and God specifically loves you and me this day and everyday. You may have experienced a loving earthly family , others have not. Undoubtedly some have had a very difficult time in life and still do. There are those reading this who've been abused and carry deep scars. The sacred trust between an earthly spouse, parent, sibling, spouse or friend was violated.
Those who bear deep scars especially take note. You are now learning to trust your heavenly Parent who is altogether trustworthy. God's steadfast love never ceases. I know many of you have long ago memorized the daily verse. It's perhaps the single most memorized verse in the entire Bible. Hide it deep in your heart. I find it helpful to personalize it. "For God so loved me that He gave His one and only Son, that when I believe in Him I shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Indeed, such love, such wondrous love!
Monday, June 23, 2014
I am the way and the truth and the life
The Gospel of John records an incident that took place shortly before Christ went to the Cross. He offers His disciples one of the great promises of the Bible. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). After three years of being with His disciples and teaching them Jesus was confident that they knew where He was going and forthrightly says, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (v. 4).
But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification and direction. I believe he spoke for more than himself and I appreciate his candid honesty. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). God is ever a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker. Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives haven't we? I suppose many of you have a good story about getting lost that you could tell. But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy. I believe the key words are, "I am". With Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Guide we are assured of reaching our heavenly home. Are you trusting Christ today?
But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification and direction. I believe he spoke for more than himself and I appreciate his candid honesty. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). God is ever a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker. Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives haven't we? I suppose many of you have a good story about getting lost that you could tell. But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy. I believe the key words are, "I am". With Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Guide we are assured of reaching our heavenly home. Are you trusting Christ today?
Sunday, June 22, 2014
God's Faithful Follower
Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) This statement has often intrigued me. Will he? Join me today in making a renewed commitment in staying faithful to our God as we daily heed God's call upon our lives. Rest in the assurance that God will continue to lead us and join me in declaring this day, "God's faithful follower I will be!"
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