GOD WANTS YOUR "NOT ENOUGH"

"As Jesus looked up he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'Truly I tell,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on'" Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)

Packing to move to a new location, having my two beautiful grandbabies of 2.5 years and 6 years old for the entire summer, planning a trip to OK with the boys to meet my daughter after her training so they can go back home to Ft. Drum, and being in a relationship is very exhausting especially when you thought the one person that said they would support you didn't show up.  There isn't enough time to pack (yes, in an organized manner!!), clean the house, do the grocery shopping for the grandbabies (gotta feed'em once in a while, ya know!), make sure they have some sort of fun (after all, that's why the are here in the Sunshine State for the summer (: ), give them a bath, and take care of my significant other as he would expect me to. 

Simply, there isn't enough.  Not enough sleep.  Not enough hours. Not enough me to please everyone and do everything that needs to be done. I write this while the boys play in the tub with bubbles and doing laundry.

Sooo....this is for everyone who at one time or another has felt so overwhelmed they want to give up on everything and run away, like me.  And how the enemy just loves to camp out in our "not enough" and make us feel inadequate.  We need to remember that we serve an Almighty Father who loves our "not enough". I'm here to tell you and myself (yep, I need to preach and encourage myself too) that our "not enough" by His grace and power IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.


TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (NIV) 

THE BELL...I KNOW WHO I AM

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17 )

I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth ( Matt.5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant ( Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all thi ngs work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ).

I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor.. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).

I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10 )

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven(Col.1:14).

I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)

"The LORD bless you and keep you;the LORD make His face shine upon youand be gracious to you;the LORD turn His face toward youand give you peace.."Numbers 6:24-26

LAW AND GRACE

By: Maggie Escoto

We do not keep the Ten Commandments, which is the old covenant, for the same purpose that Israel was commanded to keep them. In keeping covenant with God, Israel displayed faith by living “under” the law. The law (Ten Commandments) was external and written on two stone tablets. And so, Israel's devotion to God was seen in external works of the law.  The law was in the driver’s seat. It was in control for the purpose of leading Israel and all mankind to the Messiah (Jesus Christ). When Jesus Christ, came the law changed position, and grace took over the wheel. The law was exchanged with grace. We can view as the process in which a caterpillar evolves into a beautiful butterfly.

Law did not and does not have the power of grace. The law was and is defeated by sin, while grace defeated and will forever defeat sin. Those who lived under the law were in bondage to the power/control of sin. Jesus defeated sin and offered us grace.  If keeping the law was enough to make us acceptable to God, there would have never been need for Jesus to come. The law proved our need for Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

The Apostle Paul wrote, in Romans 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.”

In fact, it is possible to be an obedient follower of Jesus Christ without knowing the literal words of the Ten Commandments from the old covenant law. This is said only to emphasize that with grace in control it is the Holy Spirit that empowers the believer to “walk in the Spirit” so as not to fulfill the “lust of the flesh”.

Paul states in Rom. 6:14... “for you are not under law but under grace.” He also makes it clear in Gal. 5:18 “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”  The previous verses state “so that you do not do the things that you wish.” The Law is not given to the Christian as the standard to live by, but to show the everyone how below the standard we do live, as Paul states in 1 Tim.1:9 The Law is for the unrighteous.

This time was Israel's, as a whole nation under the law. But when God moved from law to grace (caterpillar to butterfly), Israel resisted that move, preferring the old program of rules and regulations from Moses, illustrating the danger of law. We look good from the outside, but in the inside, we are an awful mess. Not only are we an awful mess, the mess destroys us in the inside, hence, DIS-EASE. Grace, on the other hand, removes the mess and frees us from DIS-EASE.

For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law ... but the righteousness of faith speaks in this way... with the heart one believes to righteousness. Rom. 10:5-6, 10.

Law and grace work together as a team in bringing salvation in Jesus Christ. Law brings conviction of sin and shows our need for a Savior Grace.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN

By Pastor Troy Gramling

Not long ago there was a commercial for Kodak where a dad takes his little girl to a public pool with the purpose of teaching her how to dive off the diving board.  As she climbs the high ladder and looks down into the water...she freezes.  It's a long way down...the water looks intimidating...What will happen if she leaps off and lets go?

She looks over the edge of the board and can't move, legs solidly in place.  She can't move. Unmoving. Unsure.

Dad tells her to jump.  He reassures it will be fine. That she will be safe.  That he would never let anything happen to her.

Doubt is a powerful entity.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to jump but often...

We need reassurance.
We need security.
We need proof
We need God to do something first.

And so we stand in the same place expressing our needs at the end of a great leap...

But need doesn't move God's heart.

"Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Gentile woman who lived there came to Him, pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely." 

But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word.  Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. "Tell her to go away" they said. "She is bothering us with all her begging."

Then Jesus said to the woman, "It isn't right to take food away from the children and throw it to the dogs."

She replied, "That is true, Lord.  But even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath the Master's table."

"Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great.  Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed. (Matthew 15:21-28)

This Gentile woman needed for her daughter to be healed....she begged and pleaded.  And interesting enough, Jesus did not say a word to her.  Was He being mean spirited or cruel?  Of course not.  He was on task...doing what He had been sent to do...serve God's chosen people, the Israelites.  He knew He couldn't (and wasn't meant to) get to everyone who asked for His time. 

She persisted.  Crying her needs into the air...seeking reassurance...a guarantee...proof that miracles still happen.  She expressed her needs to God...but it wasn't what she said that made Jesus change His course of action.

IT WAS HER FAITH.

It wasn't what she needed that moved Christ...IT WAS WHAT SHE BELIEVED.

Faith is what God is looking for. Persistent and unshakable faith.  Belief that...

That the pool will be deep enough...
That your prayers will be strong enough...
That your God is strong enough...

God knew her needs...but it was FAITH that healed that little girl.

At the end of the Kodak commercial, the girl closes her eyes and jumps...trusting in the depth of the water and the words of her father.   Splashing down and quickly popping back up, she looks over to the deck she looks at her dad and tells him, "Let's do it again, daddy!"

God will always be enough. Don't doubt. And remember, God knows you needs before you even have them...but it's not His knowledge of the things you need that fixes things...

IT'S YOUR FAITH IN HIS ABILITY TO DO IT.

And when you take that leap and God catches you,  you will tell Jesus the same thing.....

"LET"S DO IT AGAIN!"

WHAT IS THE EMOTIONAL TONE OF YOUR FAMILY OR LIFE?

By Les Brown

Check yourself.  Just Stop! Take a moment and think before you act so that you are in control of yourself, your emotions, and your responses.  It is easy to justify unpleasant or rude behavior with excuses of being tired, overworked, and stressed.  Sometimes, we take out the irritations of the moment or the day out on our family, children, co-workers, or even the family dog or cat.  What is the emotional tone of your family or your  life? Is it harsh, cold, unforgiving, withdrawn, warm, loving, and embracing?

Take each day to generate new verbal and non-verbal responses that will allow you to build your capacity to be gentler, kinder, more compassionate, peaceful, and loving person.  This is a skillset that takes intentional rehearsal and practice - just like playing sports or working out.  If you find yourself acting out often out of irritation, anger, or even rage, reflect about what excuse you make OK to allow someone else to be the brunt of your bad attitude or worse - your bad behavior.  Decide that no excuse is worth the cost of emotional vomiting or venting public or private, especially on those you love.  Do the hard work and the heart work to hold yourself to a higher standard.  Raise the bar on yourself, your attitude, and your behavior.

CHOICES

By: Rick Psinakis

Chosen....Choices
 

I've heard those words a lot recently, and have been taught a lot about the meaning of them as well. Did you know that the average person makes more then 2500 decisions a day? Most of those of course are relatively simple and with little consequence. Which color to wear today, cereal or toast for breakfast, or in my case which donut? Easy right? Blue, cereal and one of each please.  Other decisions we make will be of a bit more importance and could change lives, ours and those of others today and perhaps for years to come. In fact, beyond just years, the choices we make could effect eternity itself and how, and where it is spent.

 

So, after getting dressed and having breakfast things are going to get a tad heavier around

here....maybe we should chose to stay in bed! Or, we could learn, believe and never forget that the most important choice has already been made.

 

God chose you!

 

You have been chosen by the Creator of the universe. He knew you before time itself (Ephesians 1:4-6), knit you together in your mothers womb (Psalms 139:13)and He has a plan for your life to prosper you, not to harm you and give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). You are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) and the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).

 

 Yes, you are chosen!

You were created on purpose with a purpose. All that, and yet God still allows a free will in us, because choosing to love Him means so much more then being made to. Scripture says that we have a choice, between life and death. Seems simple enough right? So why do so many put it off, leaving it for what may very well be too late?

Chose life. Chose life now. Chose life forever.

 

The Bible says that if you confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and repent from those sins that you will have life and life eternal (1John 1:9)  Believe that God sent his only son, Jesus, to die for your sins, and that by the power of The Holy Spirit He rose from the grave that you might also live (John 3:16). When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God will send the same power that defeated the grave, the power of The Holy Spirit to live within you. You will start a journey that will take you places beyond your wildest dreams and imagination.

Ok, so now that that is taken of, it is time to get down to the business of allowing that power within you to start shaping your choices!

The Spirit will begin to nudge your mind and heart to do things that before you were born again you may not have even considered long enough to bother to make an excuse to get out of. But know this, the Holy Spirit will always lead you to what is good. You may not know right away who, what or how your choice to be obedient will affect you or others or even the final outcome, but prayerfully considered decisions will always be blessed.

 

As I said earlier, I have heard a lot about being chosen and choices recently. I also had mentioned that I learned about them as well. Part of what I learned was to get out of my comfort zone, remain obedient and share this experience, with no one in particular but to the very ones, who through absolutely no coincidence, happen to be reading it now.

 

I made my decision for life many years ago, and most certainly in the time since, God has blessed me with the most wonderful people in my life. Through their many choices for good that they made, I am now at a point where God has used me in a way that I never thought He would. Even a simple choice to introduce people, making that connection that God will use later can be life changing as it was for the One God used to get this whole party started!

 

To fast forward now through a few blessed years...Choices were made by someone to contact me, to call, visit and even drive a sick friend, Greg, to his doctor's appointments and chemo treatments. When she felt that nudge, she could have easily dismissed it, not wanting to bother me, or leave it for me to hear for myself. She didn't though. She took her chances and was obedient to the call on her heart. While at peace with her decision, she could not have realized what God was doing behind the scenes. I was glad to help, but neither did I realize what God was up to.

 

Choices were made by others to bring our mens group meeting to our friends hospital room one Tuesday night instead of the usual meeting place. Again, The Holy Spirit leading them to what is good, and again not aware of the greater good that was yet to come. More nudging and more good choices as a few from men from the church went to visit him. As the chit chat turned into prayer, one of the men asked Greg if he had accepted Jesus into his life. He replied that he wasn't really sure but wanted to do it privately, maybe after the church service on Sunday. And now on that Sunday, I was given a choice. At Greg's request, do I leave work early and pick him up to drive him to our church service?

 

While I can still remember a time when I would have made an excuse not to bother, I can now say that by the grace of God this was an easy decision. It was no big deal, right?, Not even imagining what would happen next, this was just going to be a simple ride to church, right? Not so much.

 

When I got Greg's, he was in no shape to get to church. The cancer that had been ravaging his body and brought him into the care of hospice was winning this battle. But Greg would not lose the war! Soon after I had arrived, Greg told me that he never formally accepted Jesus and wanted to be saved! He asked me to pray with him and for him.

 

God showed up and showed off that morning!

 

The Holy Spirit came and filled the room and Greg's heart with a peace that surpasses all understanding as well as my heart too. As much as God prepared me for this, being used in this way seems and is overwhelming, and even as it has yet to fully sink in, I know that I know that I know that this choice, that was years in the making was every bit for His glory. I am humbled and honored at the same time and I cant wait to see what He has for me next !

 

Make that first choice, accept Jesus in your life, then live that life for Him and Him alone. Then take the next step and show the world that you are a chosen one through baptism. Open your mind and hearts to The Holy Spirit as He lives in you and guides you to good and godly choices. Choices just like the ones that lead to heaven celebrating and opening its gates for Greg.

 

Greg lived just one more week here in His peace, but is now be with his Savior and God in paradise forever.

 

What will you chose to do today?

CHRISMAKUH...IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED?

Soooo, what's the real story behind these two celebrations we call Hanukkah and Christmas? 
 
Although the holiday of Hanukkah is not a high holy day, it is preserved in the books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees and observed. The holiday of Hanukkah, or Feast of Lights, celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in Israel. It begins in the reign of Alexander the Great, who conquered Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy.  About 100 years later, Antiochus IV rose to power in the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs on the altar. One of the groups which opposed Antiochus was led by Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee.
 
The Maccabees succeeded in driving the Syrian army out of their land.  They cleansed and re-dedicated the Temple. When it came time to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought. From then on, Jews everywhere have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil. The observance of Hanukkah features the lighting of a special menorah with eight branches, adding one new candle each night.

I know....you are asking yourself that as a Christian, how does anything with a miracle that happened centuries ago and the Jewish Temple’s re-dedication in Israel have any relevance to our walk of faith? Simple. God’s miracles are still worth celebrating today! The past miracles, the present miracles, and the future miracles! And as Christians, we believe in the redemptive work of a Jewish carpenter, Jesus, who was a practicing Jew, also celebrated Hanukkah! So, if it's good enough for our Jesus to celebrate, it very well is good enough for us Christians or at least myself as a Christian, to celebrate also.


“At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon” John 10:22-23.  In the same Gospel, John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life”.

Even though as Christians we are not bound by law or tradition to celebrate the Feast of Lights, our Christian faith is rooted in Hebraic tradition. We, along with our Jewish friends, worship the one true God–the God of many miracles!  As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas, what a beautiful addition it might be to also include a menorah; reminding us about God’s provision in our lives beginning with the Christmas story, as witnessed in the miracle of the oil, and then rededicating ourselves to Jesus, the perfect and everlasting Light of the World.

GOD'S SHIELD OF PROTECTION - Part 1

By Maggie A. Escoto

Psalm 91 speaks directly to everyone's fear and need of safety and security.  It is very clear in verse 1 that God's thought of protection for us was at the very forefront of His mind. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  When we are in danger we automatically run to seek shelter by covering ourselves with the hope that harm will not come. No guarantees here.  But God, on other other hand, promises that if we dwell or abide in His secret place, that place where we meet with God whether it is in a closet, a quiet spot at the lake, or in one of our favorite rooms in the house,  He will protect us and keep us from harm as we remain in His presence (shadow).

LOVING GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS

By: Maggie A. Escoto

People seek love in many different places.  When find the person we have many feelings and emotions for them.  Sometimes we love to the point of not being able to live without them.  They become our entire world and we love them with all our heart, mind and soul. This could be said of our children, parents, relatives, and friends.  My question is, "Why do we have a difficult time loving God in the same way?"  Why can't we love God with all our heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37)?  He has given us everything we need as well as the ability to love Him.  He commands us to love Him with everything we have above all things and everyone else.


Give your attention to what Jesus called the greatest responsibility of them all: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Jesus had already distinguished Himself as a teacher and healer. He had already upset the religious establishment of His day. He had already commissioned His disciples and made His final approach to Jerusalem. Then Jesus took a question from the crowd: "What is the most important commandment of all? What has been Your guiding light and prevailing vision? What do You stand for, in 10 words or less?"

Jesus never missed a beat. He came up with a show-stopping, winning 6-second sound bite: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." "Love God with all your passion, prayer, intelligence, and energy." (The Message). "Understand this, put it into practice, and you won't be far from the reign of God itself." (Mark 12:30, 34).

No one would dare to ask Jesus another question. Everything flows from this one central doctrine. That was exactly why He came into the world - to show people how to love. When asked to break it down, after years of demonstration, He placed the spiritual first and the social second. He placed our love for God at the hub of the wheel. It looks like this:  1) God 2) Spouse 3) Children/Family 4)Work 5) Ministry 6) Everything else.


Passion, it has been said, is the very fact of God in us. To love God, we must begin by wanting to love God above everyone and everything else in the world.  If we don't want it that badly, it will never happen at all. There is too much to distract us. Too much to keep us busy. Too much to discourage us. These are all, as Deuteronomy says, tests of the Spirit. Loving God is neither an easy nor a natural thing to do. Think about the difficulties involved with loving even one other person fully and completely. Here at least we have a commonality of experience, dimension, and proportion. It is even more difficult to love God fully and completely, since our experiences, dimensions, and proportions are so totally different. We are perishable; God is imperishable. We are limited, God is unlimited. We are changeable, God is unchangeable. The beauty, truth, and justice of God is just beyond us.

Jesus said, "Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened. Ask, and it shall be given." He was not talking about the things of this world, but about the things of God.  When we seek the kingdom of God first, all things will be added (Matthew 6:33)....right relationships, prosperous business deals, restored and healed relationships, healed emotions, etc. etc.

Prayer:

Lord, please draw me near to you as you promise in Your Word (James 4:8).  I long and desire to learn how to dwell in Your presence and have a more intimate relationship with You.   Teach me what I need to learn in order to know You better.  I want to know all the truth about who You say You are (Psalm 145:18).

I am open and submit myself to whatever You want to do in me.  I want to know You as my Healer, my Deliverer, my Redeemer, and my Comforter.  I need to know You today as my (insert a name).  I believe and trust You will be that to me.

God, help me to set time aside to get to know You.  Enable me to resist anything that would keep me from it.  Teach me to pray the way you want me to.  Help me to learn more about You.  Put people in my life that will help me know You more.  Lord, you said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37).  I thirst for more of You because I am in a dry place without You.

Lord, draw me close so that I may dwell in Your presence like never before.

BECAUSE I SAID SO

By Lisa Crum

“Because I said so.”  Those four words were about the most abrupt –yet most profound– explanation I would receive as a child, when instructed by my parents or grandparents to do something.  As a matter of fact, usually by the time I heard those words, it was because I had exhausted their patience with my “why-ning” (smile) and was skating mighty close to some disciplinary action!

Aren’t we a lot like that with our Heavenly Father sometimes too?  The evidence is everywhere as we see common breakdowns in our Christian faith: church splits, confusion, moral plummeting, folks going rogue, and perhaps the saddest of all, believers in general living less than victorious, effective, forward-moving lives.  Why?  Because instead of heeding God’s instructions the first time around, we often instead go on a geocaching expedition in hopes of unearthing some exemption clause from having to be obedient.  Whew…that was a mouthful.  But it’s true.  Why can’t we just do what He says?  After all, He IS God…

Our whole lives, we wrestle with that all-important inquiry, “Why am I here?  Why do I exist?”  And the answer is just as matter-of-fact as the “Because I said so” we heard from our parents.  We are here to achieve God’s purposes, pure and simple.  No one is born without a reason.  No one is without a Divine purpose.  When we sidestep God’s plan, however, and go after our own agenda, is when we see every defining trait we’ve been given turn into something angry, corrupt, vile, perverse.  Example?  A man of ingenuity and powerful leadership skills becomes a Jim Jones or an Adolf Hitler.  I realize that these are the absolute worst-case scenarios, but imagine what could have been if these men would have surrendered their hearts and gifts to God instead of to the enemy.  The Apostle Peter was a loudmouthed hothead whose aggressive nature got him into more than one pickle. Yet when his outspoken passion got sanctified by the Holy Ghost, he became the emboldened herald of Pentecost, who preached like he was on fire…because he was!  This is what happens when we allow God to harness the best and worst of our nature and guide us in HIS direction.

Oh, that we would just save ourselves years of setbacks and heartache, and just surrender to His will for our lives.  We waste so much time trying to become important, trying to gain respect by earning our pea-sized merit badges for the world to admire.  Hay and stubble on that Great Day when our works are tried in the fire.  Poof!  Burned up in a split second.  I’m not saying that we shouldn’t get college degrees, promotions on the job, work hard and save up for retirement—BUT!  What if, in order to get those things, we have systematically tuned out God’s voice when He tried to lead us another way?  I believe with all my heart that anything we gain by disobedience to God will only result in failure and bitter disappointment in the end. 

We’re so afraid that if we say “yes” to Him, He’ll make us do something we hate for the rest of our lives.  Not so!  Whatever was birthed in you to do, when you do it under the covering of His authority, will just “click” into place.  It will be the most natural thing, the most satisfying thing you’ve ever done.  He may indeed be leading you to go after that 8th consecutive college degree, and He may have even led you to tenaciously pursue the CEO’s chair or a career in professional sports, but if He’s really instructed you to pour all of your heart and soul into an endeavor, it’s still for His glory and a Divine purpose…not to have other people ooh-ing and ahh-ing at all YOU’VE done.  Just check your motives, and begin to listen for His instruction.

How do we know whether we’re in His will or not?  Sometimes we’ve ignored His voice so long that it’s hard to remember the sound of it.  But I challenge you to ask yourself three things:

1. Did God specifically tell me to do this with my life; or, have I heard His call to another purpose and decided to do it later, after I do my own thing first?

2. Is what I’m doing in violation of any part of His Word?

3. If He asked me to sacrifice it on the altar of obedience, would I or could I do it?

Our prayer:  “Heavenly Father, thank You first of all for creating me in Your image.  I can’t begin to understand why and how You deliberately planned for me a hope and a future, but I want to fulfill that purpose and ultimately to please You and make You glad You willed for me to be born.  Take my life and use it fully for your good pleasure.  Weed out all the ugly, unproductive things growing in my character, and straighten whatever I may have warped by my disobedience.  Every talent, every gift, every ability You’ve instilled within me, I surrender to Your Divine will.  Don’t allow me to be satisfied with anything less —and don’t allow me to aspire to be anything more— than exactly what You want for me.  I say yes to Your will now, just BECAUSE YOU SAID SO, and I do it in Jesus’ name.”

Scripture of the Day: Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” - Luke 11:28 

MEETING WITH GOD

by Maggie Escoto

Many of us have been blessed with close friends. If we never spent any time with them and instead just thought and talked about how wonderful these special people are, wouldn’t this behavior be foolish? Yet some Christians do exactly that.

In the face of acquiring a wide range of  knowledge about God and the Bible, they miss out on highly favored and prosperous companionship with the Father, the best friend anyone could ever have.

It is possible to occupy our lives with spiritual information and activities, which is all good, but fails to develop a close relationship with the Lord. Here is a quick account to see if this may be true of you: Do you attend church only out of a sense of duty? Do you pray with haughty or repetitive words rather than speaking to God from the heart? Do you serve solely out of obligation?

We read in Scripture about many people whose personal encounter with the Lord was empowering and life-changing. Abraham, Gideon, Moses, and Paul were just a few who spoke with Him one-on-one (Genesis 7:4; Judges 6:12, 14; Exodus 3:2; Acts 9:3-6).  Today, we don’t expect theatrical or melodramatic“burning bush” experiences, but every believer should still have cherished, intimate times with God. Whenever we open His Word and invite the Holy Spirit to enliven its meaning, we can directly hear from the heavenly Father.

The Bible tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Walking closely with the Lord takes commitment and time. Start now by dedicating a portion of your day to meeting with your best Friend and experience a life of transformation!

Lessons in Hovering: The Nearness of the Spirit

By John C. Richards, Jr.
        

Having five siblings can teach you a lot of life lessons. Among those lessons is the practice of hovering. At this point in my life I consider myself a professional “hoverer". I can hover with the best of them. Let me explain the nature of a hoverer. A hoverer is one who waits in anticipation to take advantage of a great opportunity. All they need to proceed? They just need to hear a word. Friday nights in my household I became that person. Reluctant to cook after a long week, my mother would bring home take-out. As soon as she walked in the house, my hands were washed and I was ready. I was so close to the food I could breathe in its fresh aroma. I stood near her, just hovering, until I heard the word: "Go ahead. Dig in."

The Bible makes mention of another Hoverer. He might be considered the greatest Hoverer ever. One whose proverbial sandal I am not able to strap. He didn't hover over food. He wasn't trying to satisfy His appetite, just the unfolding plan of the Creator. And His situation wasn't as highly aromatic as mine. In fact, here are a few phrases that describe His environment. Disorderly. Chaotic. Hopeless. Three excellent descriptions of the early appearance of the land mass we have come to know as Earth. There were no awe-inspiring mountains yet. There were no rushing rivers. More importantly, there was no ability to sustain human life. The Earth didn't have a chance. Yet the Spirit of God was present. Hovering. He was merely waiting for the go-ahead from the Father. There's a sense of anticipation as He waits to hear those words: "Let there be light" (see Genesis 1:3). It's like God says, "Go ahead. Dig in." That was His cue. It was time to turn this chaos into order. It was time to replace darkness with light. It was time to turn an abyss into a place of bliss. Six days later the results are awe-inspiring. So beautiful that the Father sits back and declares it all "very good"  (see Genesis 1:31).

Ultimately this story finds its way into our own hearts. Although formed and not created, humankind can be described in the same way. Disorderly. Chaotic. Hopeless. At one point in my life, those terms described me with succinct accuracy. But there was a Hoverer present. The Spirit of God was waiting to hear those words from the Father: "Go ahead. Dig in." And did He ever! He breathed on me. I was like the Earth. A life seemingly devoid of the presence of God, yet the Spirit was hovering. And something amazing happened. Minerals began to appear, creating salt (see Matthew 5:13). Darkness began to fade, disseminating light (see Matthew 5:16). Rivers of living water began to flow out of my life (see John 7:38). And my heart began to change.

 

Paul reminds us all of that day in a letter to the Church at Corinth: "For God, who said 'Let light shine out of darkness’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV). Not only are the opening verses of Genesis about the Earth's creation, but also your heart's re-creation…through grace. Today, be grateful for God invading your world and "digging in". Be grateful for the Great Hoverer, the Spirit of God. Continue to allow Him to breathe on you. And as you do, trust me, the Father sits back and declares those timeless words: "Very good!"

 

Scripture of the Day: "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." - Genesis 1:2 (NKJV)

NEED ANYTHING?

Pastor Troy Gamling

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Phil 4:11 (Paul)

What does it take for us to say we have enough? Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.” But where does it stop?

According to the Barna Research Group, the average American
adult believes he needs an additional $8,000–$11,000 per year to live comfortably. Tracking studies show, however, that even when adults reach or exceed the income levels to which they aspired, they still claim they need another $8,000–$11,000 to live comfortably.

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough. It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night. Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.

Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more.

Today’s verse helps with this. Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value. In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].

What was Paul’s secret? What helped him move from greedy to grateful? It’s simple. Perspective. Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough. He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission. Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord. He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.

In the fifth century, a man named Arsenius determined to live a holy life. So he abandoned the conforms of Egyptian society to follow a simple lifestyle in the desert. Yet whenever he visited the great city of Alexandria, he spent time wandering through its shops. Asked why, he explained that his heart rejoiced at the sight of all the things he didn’t need.

Are you focused on the things you need instead of pining for the things you don’t? That’s our goal today... to change our point of view as to what’s important. God will provide those things for you. No need to worry... He knows your needs and will meet them every time.

I suggest taking the energy you might spend on acquiring wants and invest it in other areas. Read more, study the Bible more, take care of your body more, journal more, or serve others more... So many things we can do to BE more rather than just HAVE more.

It was once said, “Be content with what you have, never with what you are.”

Good advice...

Stop Trying to Win Arguments by Jon Walker

"I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." (1 Corinthians 1:10 LB) Stop trying to win arguments.  Instead, make it your goal to love those who disagree with you. Go for the love, not the win. Jesus tells us love will always win; he guaranteed that when he walked out of the tomb. When you find yourself in an argument with other believers, use these biblical guidelines for getting along: Let mercy guide your response (Proverbs 3:3–6). In a conflict, most of us say we only want what’s fair, but God’s approach isn’t about being fair. It’s about grace and mercy (Romans 5:8). Let God determine the truth (2 Corinthians 13:8). The truth is not determined by your thoughts or feelings (1 John 4:1) or the opinions of others. Truth is what God says it is; he is the sole authority for interpreting any situation (2 Corinthians 10:5). The Bible says we shouldn’trely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), that what appears to be right to us may very well be wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Look for God’s presence (Matthew 28:20). Satan wants us to believe we’re in the battle alone. Follow the example of the young shepherd boy, David, who believed God was in the fight and that the battle belonged to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). Look for the conflict’s true source (Ephesians 6:12). According to God’s Word, we’re really not fighting other people; our real enemy is Satan and his “unseen spiritual forces of wickedness.” Lay down human weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). When we try to meet our own needs, working independently of God, we tend to use what the Apostle Paul called weapons of the flesh. These include: manipulation, gossip, slander, ridicule, threats, blame, nagging, deception, and silence. When we use them, we end up in an “evil for evil” cycle, and that’s like trying to fight a skunk with “stink” — everybody loses! Learn to use spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4). The Bible tells us that prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. After we put on the whole armor of God, we’re to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

A HEAVY DOSE OF PERSPECTIVE

Sharon Jaynes

Sharon's Website

Today’s Truth
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 188:24 NIV)

Friend to Friend
It was just a quick check-up at the doctor’s office…or at least that’s what it was supposed to be. My “to-do-list” resembled a mile-long scroll and several deadlines loomed like a thunder cloud ready to burst. But, the appointment would take just a few minutes. Just enough time to catch my breath.

“Good morning Mrs. Jaynes,” the cheery receptionist greeted. “May I see your insurance card please?”

We went through the regular check-in procedure and then I settled in a comfy chair with a magazine that I would not have normally read. I knew I wouldn’t have time to read a full-length article…since this was just a quick visit. My, oh my, the trouble those Hollywood folks get into.

Ten minutes turned into fifteen turned into twenty turned into thirty. My to-do list began growing heavier and heavier in my mind.

“Excuse me,” I interrupted the receptionist. “My appointment was thirty minutes ago. Did they forget me?”

“I’m so sorry,” she reassured me. “I’ll check on it right away.”

In just a few moments, a nurse appeared at the door. “Mrs. Jaynes, come right this way.”

My second stop was into a stark treatment room with more magazines. “Oh well, let’s see what Brittany did last year,” I mumbled to myself. At least I was in the room. That was good.
The clock continued to tick. With each passing minute my frustration grew. “I’m glad he’s not checking my blood pressure,” I grumbled to no one in particular.

Fifty minutes after I had walked into the office for my quick 5-minute check-up, the doctor himself walked into my room. My to-do list was magnified in my mind. My time was important too, you know. I didn’t have time to sit around and read out-dated gossip magazines!

The doctor was actually a friend of mine, but I was feeling less than friendly. Ice Queen is a description that comes to mind when I think of my probable appearance.

“Hi Sharon,” he began. “I’m sorry you have had to wait so long. I have been with a patient and had to tell her that she has terminal cancer. It took longer than I thought.”

Suddenly, my icy countenance began to melt into a puddle on the shiny tile floor and tears pooled in my eyes. I was upset about not checking insignificant frivolous errands off my to-do list, and the woman in the next room was pondering how she was going to spend her last days on earth. I envisioned her walking to her car and coming up with a brand new to-do list for her day.

#1 Live well

#2 Love well

Yes, I did have a check-up that day. God was the doctor and He looked into my heart to see that my perspective on life needed surgery. What’s really important? My silly list of errands? No. What should be at the top of my to-do list today and every day is: #1 Live well. #2 Love well. Celebrate each day as an incredible gift from God.

Let’s Pray
Dear God, Thank You for another day of life. Sometimes I can get so caught up in my silly little lists that I lose perspective of the true meaning of life. Help me to live my days glorifying You with every breath that I take and step that I make.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
What is at the top of your to do list today?
Consider making a new to do list and including what you think God would have you do today.

MILITARY LIFE

Military Life

By: Maggie A. Escoto

It’s amazing when one becomes part of a military family, directly or indirectly, the perspective of holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day change.  The view is no longer how most people view these holidays: as a long weekend to just unwind, go on vacation, shopping for sales, etc. etc.  Yesterday I asked someone what their family was doing for the holiday and I was at least expecting to hear, “family coming over for bbq” but instead I got, “Nothing, we don’t know any fallen military.” Hmmmmmm…I found that to be interesting.

Not surprising as I used to think along the same lines...didn’t really give much thought about the men and women who have sacrificed not only their lives but also the sacrifice that the soldiers’ families also make that we would take for granted the freedoms that we have been given because of them. By the way, if you compare their sacrifice of EVERYTHING to their pay is nothing to write home about (but that is another story and pet peeve for another day).

In life, people make sacrifices for the well-being of themselves and others. The call of a sacrifice should be a personal decision or life practices for a better coexistence. However, this is not true for American soldiers, their duties call for sacrifices. 

The soldiers sacrifice their lives for the nation and pledge allegiance to the constitution that they will serve with devotion. This makes them U.S. property; they do not have control of their lives like other citizens because the call requires them to be alert at all times. Their social, political, economical, and other aspects of life are controlled and monitored by the government. They go to war and defend the nation at the expense of their lives. Like men and women of the forces who have served the country against attacks in the past wars, the current soldiers still lay their lives for the sake of the nation. American soldiers constantly fight oppression and tyranny, which faces the nation and other nations. Unrestrained, terrorism and the danger of terrorism, whether done abroad or on American soil, threaten our prosperity, our culture, and our means of life. The responsibility for combating and overcoming these evil acts lies with our military services and our alliance allies.

And these are just the basics.

Culture Sacrifices

The soldiers' sacrifices are rarely noticed or given deserving attention.  Did you know that the soldier who goes to fight in other regions sacrifices the culture practices of United State? These soldiers suffer harsh cultural and religious practices, which are practiced in these foreign nations. Some of the soldiers have been executed due to these cultural differences. Women in the American armed forces, who are stationed in Afghanistan and other Arab nations, are sacrificing the protection their Kevlar helmet gives to comply with Islamic ethnicity. These practices are said to protect their existence and save their lives during their duties. This change of identity in order to serve or perform your duty is a call for sacrifice for many. They have been demanded to cover their heads with a scarf known as hijab, so as to be accepted to stay in these nations. This is political correctness, which is creating havoc on the American military. These are sacrifices that affect the individuals so much since they involve changing lifestyle. These soldiers have to forfeit their cultural activities they use to enjoy before joining the forces. They have to form new culture, which take times to incorporate into life style.

Living Standards

The luxurious life, which people tend to enjoy and properly plan for is a thing the military dreams of. The job jurisdictions make them to be alert at all. They sacrifice the living standard because their jobs dictate where they can stay and what particular activities they are allowed to be involved in. The soldiers sacrifice every bit of their living because they have to live in accordance to the code of conduct given to them.  The life style is checked in that everything is timetabled and must be adhered to, from the sleeping hours, eating habit, exercise practices, and social activities. Having the uniform for identification are segregation factors and defining tactics of their existence.  Their social, political, economical as well as other aspects of life is control and monitored by the government. The social life style of an officer is always restricted and checked so as not to interfere with duty.  The U.S soldier is politically restricted from engaging in politics of the nations, and only allowed to protect the constitution of the nation.

And these are to name just a few.

UNFAIR IMBALANCE:

Let’s talk a little bit about the families left behind in the face of deployment.

Many politicians, including the President, over the years proclaim, “I understand what the families of our service members go through,” but with all due respect, they have absolutely no clue, especially if they have never served their country thru the military.

Until you live in their shoes every day for the duration of a combat deployment, none of us can truly understand the full measure of what they suffer. At least those in the military get the pat on the back. But what notoriety do their family members receive for the silent sacrifice they make? There is virtually no recognition.

Most servicemen and women would unequivocally agree that without the heroic sacrifice a spouse makes at home while away in the war zone, they wouldn’t be as effective on the front lines. Military spouses keep the homefront going. We admire your dedication and commitment to your families, your spouses who fight for our freedom, and our country. Not just anyone can do the job that is required of a military spouse. The military spouses are a people that are strong, dedicated, loving, and supportive under the most extreme and stressful situations. They fill the role of both mother and father to their children while their loved ones are deployed. They put their careers on hold due to constant relocation. They have to keep it together all while knowing their loved ones are in a war zone. Under the worse of circumstances, their loved ones come back wounded or pay the ultimate sacrifice. In those situations, the military spouses are thrown into the role of a caregivers to their Wounded Warrior or they become military widows/widowers.

These men and women offer up their goals and dreams, their livelihoods, and their futures on the altar of this Nation. They are every bit as much our Nation’s heroes as those who wear the uniform and their sacrifices must not be swept under the rug when the stories of these wars are told. Nor should we allow Congress or the American people to argue that these men and women who give up their lives to become full-time caregivers to wounded warriors should go unpaid and unrecognized for their efforts on the Nation’s behalf.

Military spouses are our Unsung Heroes!

What can we do for our military families?

There are so many things we can do for them and they are as simple as:

1. Thank them and tell how much you appreciate their service

2. Pay for a soldier’s meal or the families’ meal if resources allow

3. Give the couple a date night and offer to babysit their children

4. Pray for the military families

5.  Give them gift certificates for massages and spa treatments.

There is so much that one can do if we choose to be creative.

Soldiers Payer

Psalm 91 (NIV)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation. ”

Military Spouse’s Prayer

Dear Lord, give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his/her love for me.  Give me understanding that I may know, when duty calls him/her, he/she must go.  Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when he/she is away. Lord when he/she is in a foreign land, keep him/her safe in your loving hand, when duty is in field, please protect him/her and be his/her shield.  And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen.

Prayer for Military Families

Father, may the families of our military personnel – their spouses, children, and parents – cast all their cares and burdens upon You.  Instead of being worried or filled with anxiety, may they pray about everything that concerns them and everything that concerns their soldier’s life and deployment.  As You promised, then cause Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Grant all our military troops this same peace, and let them feel the love we have for them even though we are far apart.

1Peter 5:7, Amplified; Philippians 4:6-7