Romans 8: 1-11
When my dad asked me if had ever heard the song I looked it up. I liked the lyrics
and the reason Tim McGraw wrote the song immediately. My favorite lines from
the song:
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
"Well, I finally read the Good Book,
"And I took a good long hard look."
Small cell lung cancer has very unfavorable odds. The oncologist (Dr. Ritter if anyone needs a wonderful, to the point, oncologist) told my dad at his very first appointment to live each day, be present in each moment, don't wait to take a trip
that you've been wanting to make. Live like you are dying. Most of the time in life
we are completely unaware that our time on earth is nearing the end, but that
does not mean that we can't live like we are dying!
Romans 8:1-11 is overflowing with hope. It depicts exactly how we can begin to
live like we are dying. Although we are still physically in the flesh, we are also in
the spirit, since the spirit of God lives in us. This passage is the solution to our
sin. "2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has
set you[a] free from the law of sin and death." In order to authentically live our
life, we must feed this spirit living within us and starve the flesh that offers a life
full of sin and death. Love deeper, speak sweeter, forgive freely, read the Good
Book and take a good long hard look. Feed the spirit living within you! Live a life
full of peace. Don't wait until the doctor reads the test results or the drunk driver
decides to drive in the wrong lane. Live like you are dying.
Submitted by Laura Strong
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday, April 22
Genesis 22: 1-14; I Peter 2: 10-20; John 13: 36-38
How can we have the courage to face the unknown? Abraham’s complete commitment is what God wants -- the unshakable faith to accomplish the work God
must set before him.
The dilemma faced by Abraham, and by John, as well as Peter at two different
stages of his life, demonstrates the power of holding fact to out faith in God, whos
love for us never fails no matter what life’s challenges may be.
We can depend on Him in all things, at all times. Troubles faced and endured
with God’s help will encourage our faith to grow!
Do you see in these readings someone else whose faith must have blossomed
through this experience? Holding on in faith, we share experiences of the People
of God through the ages. We grow in nearness to God! All thanks to HIm!
Submitted by Margaret Edwards
How can we have the courage to face the unknown? Abraham’s complete commitment is what God wants -- the unshakable faith to accomplish the work God
must set before him.
The dilemma faced by Abraham, and by John, as well as Peter at two different
stages of his life, demonstrates the power of holding fact to out faith in God, whos
love for us never fails no matter what life’s challenges may be.
We can depend on Him in all things, at all times. Troubles faced and endured
with God’s help will encourage our faith to grow!
Do you see in these readings someone else whose faith must have blossomed
through this experience? Holding on in faith, we share experiences of the People
of God through the ages. We grow in nearness to God! All thanks to HIm!
Submitted by Margaret Edwards
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 21
John 17:1-26
What a glorious chapter! The whole chapter is the prayer-of
what I like to think of as conversation- that Jesus said before
he was arrested. It is so full of wonderful thoughts that William Barclay devoted 16 pages to the chapter in his commentary about John. It illustrates so clearly the relationship
that Jesus has with God and how we can strive to have that
very same relationship. To realize that we have the same
thoughts, the same human failings and the same questions
that the original disciples had is to know that we also have
the same opportunity to be a disciple also. It's not always
easy but what a wonderful challenge.
Prayer: Thank you God for your Son, Jesus, and the help
You give us to face the challenges we have to pattern our
lives after His life.
Submitted by Wilma Obermyer
What a glorious chapter! The whole chapter is the prayer-of
what I like to think of as conversation- that Jesus said before
he was arrested. It is so full of wonderful thoughts that William Barclay devoted 16 pages to the chapter in his commentary about John. It illustrates so clearly the relationship
that Jesus has with God and how we can strive to have that
very same relationship. To realize that we have the same
thoughts, the same human failings and the same questions
that the original disciples had is to know that we also have
the same opportunity to be a disciple also. It's not always
easy but what a wonderful challenge.
Prayer: Thank you God for your Son, Jesus, and the help
You give us to face the challenges we have to pattern our
lives after His life.
Submitted by Wilma Obermyer
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 20
Philippians 4:1-13
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 6-7
These verses have been a source of peace and blessings to me
throughout my life. So many times I have felt overwhelmed and not
known how I could go on. Then, I think of these verses and give my
worries to the Lord.
I think sometimes, we are so caught up in what is going on, and how
we can make it better. Such a blessing that whatever the circumstances,
He will see us through. All we have to do is to ask His will be done, and
have faith that He will see us through.
Submitted by Marilyn Smith
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 6-7
These verses have been a source of peace and blessings to me
throughout my life. So many times I have felt overwhelmed and not
known how I could go on. Then, I think of these verses and give my
worries to the Lord.
I think sometimes, we are so caught up in what is going on, and how
we can make it better. Such a blessing that whatever the circumstances,
He will see us through. All we have to do is to ask His will be done, and
have faith that He will see us through.
Submitted by Marilyn Smith
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 19
John 12: 20-26
I can understand why some people would want to skip over this week and just go
straight to Easter. Holy week is serious, dark, and penitential. It forces us to
think about suffering and death. Most people prefer not to spend their time thinking about death, but let’s be honest . . . we will all die. It is inevitable, and the
sooner we come to terms with that, the sooner we can live our lives in a way that
is genuine, honest and appreciative.
I read John 12:24-26 at Committal services. Standing outside next to a hole in
the ground and usually a casket above it, looking into the teary eyes of loved
ones I say “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life.” I wonder what people think of that. Does it
bring them comfort? Does it raise questions? Are they even listening as their
minds are still processing the fact that they will never again look upon or touch a
person they loved so dearly?
As unpleasant as it may be to think about death sometimes, it is necessary that
we face the reality that there is more than just our earthly existence. Otherwise
we cling tightly to our lives- to our things, money and time. We avoid ever thinking about God’s calling in our lives, God’s eternal presence and the state of our
souls. And we find that in the end all those things that we thought would bring us
comfort and meaning will fade, rust and decay.
Do not miss the opportunity Holy Week brings to not only reflect on Christ’s suffering and death, but also to reflect on our own, and how our lives fit in to a larger
story of God’s saving grace and eternal presence.
What then will our own teary loved ones think when these words are read at our
own committal services? Will they smile, knowing that we lived our lives at peace
with our own mortality and when our final breathes came moved with joy into the
eternal arms of God?
Submitted by Pastor Jen Williamson
I can understand why some people would want to skip over this week and just go
straight to Easter. Holy week is serious, dark, and penitential. It forces us to
think about suffering and death. Most people prefer not to spend their time thinking about death, but let’s be honest . . . we will all die. It is inevitable, and the
sooner we come to terms with that, the sooner we can live our lives in a way that
is genuine, honest and appreciative.
I read John 12:24-26 at Committal services. Standing outside next to a hole in
the ground and usually a casket above it, looking into the teary eyes of loved
ones I say “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life.” I wonder what people think of that. Does it
bring them comfort? Does it raise questions? Are they even listening as their
minds are still processing the fact that they will never again look upon or touch a
person they loved so dearly?
As unpleasant as it may be to think about death sometimes, it is necessary that
we face the reality that there is more than just our earthly existence. Otherwise
we cling tightly to our lives- to our things, money and time. We avoid ever thinking about God’s calling in our lives, God’s eternal presence and the state of our
souls. And we find that in the end all those things that we thought would bring us
comfort and meaning will fade, rust and decay.
Do not miss the opportunity Holy Week brings to not only reflect on Christ’s suffering and death, but also to reflect on our own, and how our lives fit in to a larger
story of God’s saving grace and eternal presence.
What then will our own teary loved ones think when these words are read at our
own committal services? Will they smile, knowing that we lived our lives at peace
with our own mortality and when our final breathes came moved with joy into the
eternal arms of God?
Submitted by Pastor Jen Williamson
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 18
Isiah 42:6
Isaiah 42:6 "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by
the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations . . ."
When all is said and done, what we must learn above all is to offer ourselves- imperfections and all-to God. If we keep waiting until we are "worthy" of God, we will move
farther rather than closed to God. It is through our broken, vulnerable, mortal ways of
being that the healing power of the eternal God becomes visible to us.
We are called each day to present to the Lord the whole of our lives- our joys as well
as sorrows, our successes as well as failures, our hopes as well as fears. We are
called to do so with our limited means, our stuttering words and halting expressions. In this way we will come to know in mind and heart the unceasing prayer of
God's Spirit in us. OUr many prayers are in fact confessions of our inability to
pray. But they are confessions that enable us to perceive the merciful presence of
God.
Prayer- Lord, instead of worrying about the times when I can't pray and when I'm discouraged, I will try to turn them into opportunities to trust you alone.
By Henri J. M. Nouwen in Renewed for Life edited by Mark Neilsen published by Creative Communications 2011
~Pastor Jen Williamson
Isaiah 42:6 "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by
the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations . . ."
When all is said and done, what we must learn above all is to offer ourselves- imperfections and all-to God. If we keep waiting until we are "worthy" of God, we will move
farther rather than closed to God. It is through our broken, vulnerable, mortal ways of
being that the healing power of the eternal God becomes visible to us.
We are called each day to present to the Lord the whole of our lives- our joys as well
as sorrows, our successes as well as failures, our hopes as well as fears. We are
called to do so with our limited means, our stuttering words and halting expressions. In this way we will come to know in mind and heart the unceasing prayer of
God's Spirit in us. OUr many prayers are in fact confessions of our inability to
pray. But they are confessions that enable us to perceive the merciful presence of
God.
Prayer- Lord, instead of worrying about the times when I can't pray and when I'm discouraged, I will try to turn them into opportunities to trust you alone.
By Henri J. M. Nouwen in Renewed for Life edited by Mark Neilsen published by Creative Communications 2011
~Pastor Jen Williamson
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Saturday, April 16
John 11:28-44
As background, Mary's brother, Lazarus, has died. Mary
had faith that Jesus could have cured him had he been
there, however, I think Mary lacked enough faith that Jesus could raise lazarus after he had been dead for four
days. Thus, we must continue to have faith under all circumstances.
I have an out of town friend whose two wives and a
daughter died. He also has had several serious illnesses. Yet he is able to proclaim his faith in God and say
that he has had a good life. His faith has strengthened
my faith.
~Bill Obermyer
As background, Mary's brother, Lazarus, has died. Mary
had faith that Jesus could have cured him had he been
there, however, I think Mary lacked enough faith that Jesus could raise lazarus after he had been dead for four
days. Thus, we must continue to have faith under all circumstances.
I have an out of town friend whose two wives and a
daughter died. He also has had several serious illnesses. Yet he is able to proclaim his faith in God and say
that he has had a good life. His faith has strengthened
my faith.
~Bill Obermyer
Friday, April 15
Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-13
I had stayed home to raise our two children, but Kitty was in kindergarten and a job "popped-out" of the newspaper in my
field. The four hour workday coordinated with school schedules
and with a dialysis schedule as I transported my father-in-law for
years. How could it be so perfect?! And years later, as that hospital closed, an opening appeared at another hospital at just the
right time. Literally, one door closed as another opened!
No job is without faults, but I feel God's hand on me daily as I
give encouragement to my patients. I always tell people I have
the best job in the hospital!
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the path you put before me, guiding
me to shine for you!
Prayer focus: concern for family/jobs
Submitted by Nan Smith
I had stayed home to raise our two children, but Kitty was in kindergarten and a job "popped-out" of the newspaper in my
field. The four hour workday coordinated with school schedules
and with a dialysis schedule as I transported my father-in-law for
years. How could it be so perfect?! And years later, as that hospital closed, an opening appeared at another hospital at just the
right time. Literally, one door closed as another opened!
No job is without faults, but I feel God's hand on me daily as I
give encouragement to my patients. I always tell people I have
the best job in the hospital!
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the path you put before me, guiding
me to shine for you!
Prayer focus: concern for family/jobs
Submitted by Nan Smith
Thursday, April 14
John 10:19-42
Sometimes my wind chimes seem to play a bit of a melody-
three or four notesthat remind me of a familiar song and I'm left
in anticipation of hearing more. That's what happens when we
begin to study the Bible stories, messages and truths. We have
the desire for more. When Paul travels by boat we want to follow the path on a map. When Solomon built the temple we want
to visualize it. When Peter makes fantastic suggestions we
want to understand his personality. When Jonah was in the
whale we wonder how dark and frightening itw as. When Jesus
fed the 5,000 we wonder where the baskets came from. We are
inquisitive people. God made us long for Him. When we surrender our lives to God we want to give honor, praise, blessing,
love and service. My chimes didn't make their sweet notes for
ten long years unless I disturbed them. Now they are outdoors
and out from under a bushel basket so to speak. We need to
put our lives into service and out from under our basket of self
interest.
Submitted by Lucille Nuhfer
Sometimes my wind chimes seem to play a bit of a melody-
three or four notesthat remind me of a familiar song and I'm left
in anticipation of hearing more. That's what happens when we
begin to study the Bible stories, messages and truths. We have
the desire for more. When Paul travels by boat we want to follow the path on a map. When Solomon built the temple we want
to visualize it. When Peter makes fantastic suggestions we
want to understand his personality. When Jonah was in the
whale we wonder how dark and frightening itw as. When Jesus
fed the 5,000 we wonder where the baskets came from. We are
inquisitive people. God made us long for Him. When we surrender our lives to God we want to give honor, praise, blessing,
love and service. My chimes didn't make their sweet notes for
ten long years unless I disturbed them. Now they are outdoors
and out from under a bushel basket so to speak. We need to
put our lives into service and out from under our basket of self
interest.
Submitted by Lucille Nuhfer
Wednesday, April 13
Roman 10:14-21
Do I do enough? Do we as Christians do enough? Could I do
more? Could we as Christians do more?
Salvation is open to everyone. Believe in God and in Jesus his
son who came to save us! It is up to us as believers to "tell" the
Good News to others. Some will hear and some will question. Still we must share our knowledge of the Trinity by our actions and our words.
The gift of God's love is for all. It is up to us to accept, live by
and share the "Good News."
Submitted by Sharon Dunn
Do I do enough? Do we as Christians do enough? Could I do
more? Could we as Christians do more?
Salvation is open to everyone. Believe in God and in Jesus his
son who came to save us! It is up to us as believers to "tell" the
Good News to others. Some will hear and some will question. Still we must share our knowledge of the Trinity by our actions and our words.
The gift of God's love is for all. It is up to us to accept, live by
and share the "Good News."
Submitted by Sharon Dunn
Tuesday, April 12
Roman 10:1-13
This passage speaks about putting your trust in
God. This means being able to proclaim Jesus is Lord
and he was sent to us by God. This reminds us that it is
important to not just proclaim or believe but to do both.
Submitted by Chad and Connor Bringman
This passage speaks about putting your trust in
God. This means being able to proclaim Jesus is Lord
and he was sent to us by God. This reminds us that it is
important to not just proclaim or believe but to do both.
Submitted by Chad and Connor Bringman
Monday, April 11
John 9:1-17
It is hard to remember sometimes that God gives us our
"inadequacies" not to punish us but to demonstrate his glory. It is
so easy to get caught up in negative things it brings. Sometimes
our struggles may be unfair and seem impossible. However, with
a little faith we can survive and sometimes even beat the odds.
It may not always be a miraculous feat like being cured or a life
being saved, but it is still a blessing and a demonstration of
God's glory.
Even when we resist, he still intercedes and that makes his
works even more amazing. Even when the things look bleak, we
have to remember that we are not given any challenge we can't
handle.
Submitted by Jennifer Hammitt
It is hard to remember sometimes that God gives us our
"inadequacies" not to punish us but to demonstrate his glory. It is
so easy to get caught up in negative things it brings. Sometimes
our struggles may be unfair and seem impossible. However, with
a little faith we can survive and sometimes even beat the odds.
It may not always be a miraculous feat like being cured or a life
being saved, but it is still a blessing and a demonstration of
God's glory.
Even when we resist, he still intercedes and that makes his
works even more amazing. Even when the things look bleak, we
have to remember that we are not given any challenge we can't
handle.
Submitted by Jennifer Hammitt
Saturday, April 9
John 6:60-71
The Words of Eternal Life
I think that this verse is easy to relate to in our everyday lives. We have a choice every day to
accept God in our lives and live by his word. We also have a choice to reject his teachings
and go astray. Sometimes its one extreme to the other and sometimes its the gray area in between. Many of his disciples were complaining "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
The reality is that obeying God's law isn't easy. It's hard work! It is a conscious decision daily
to put your faith in God. Some days we fall short and some days we succeed. In the end everything is in his hands we do not have control. Many Disciples struggled with this idea of God
having the power instead of them. Many of us struggle with this lack of control. We would like
to think we have control over many things. Our health, financial situations, jobs and the list
goes on. In the end we are all apart of God's plan and if we can relinquish the control it's a
step in the right direction. So I am left asking myself am I just living life being "nice" and doing
"good" things here and there or am I actually Obeying God's Law and being a good Christian.
i believe there is a difference. One is relatively easy the other is difficult.
Submitted by Laura Hillkirk
The Words of Eternal Life
I think that this verse is easy to relate to in our everyday lives. We have a choice every day to
accept God in our lives and live by his word. We also have a choice to reject his teachings
and go astray. Sometimes its one extreme to the other and sometimes its the gray area in between. Many of his disciples were complaining "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
The reality is that obeying God's law isn't easy. It's hard work! It is a conscious decision daily
to put your faith in God. Some days we fall short and some days we succeed. In the end everything is in his hands we do not have control. Many Disciples struggled with this idea of God
having the power instead of them. Many of us struggle with this lack of control. We would like
to think we have control over many things. Our health, financial situations, jobs and the list
goes on. In the end we are all apart of God's plan and if we can relinquish the control it's a
step in the right direction. So I am left asking myself am I just living life being "nice" and doing
"good" things here and there or am I actually Obeying God's Law and being a good Christian.
i believe there is a difference. One is relatively easy the other is difficult.
Submitted by Laura Hillkirk
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, April 8
Romans 8:29-39
It is almost impossible to find a sure thing in this life. The best baseball teams
occasionally lose to bottom-feeders. The finest chefs over-cook a risotto now
and then. The greatest bands have that one album that is just not quite up to
their typical standards. The local weatherman sometimes predicts rain for a
sunny day. It is hard to find a sure thing.
And yet in the midst of this very unpredictable world, Paul boldly makes us a
guarantee. It is a guarantee that transcends sporting events or weather patterns; it goes beyond even death.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
present, not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything
else will be able to separate us from the love of God."
Nothing. Not even death. God's love is so strong, so persistent, that even in
death will we experience God's love.
It is hard to find a sure thing in this life. God's love is the sure thing in
life...and death.
Submitted by Rev. Jeremiah Williamson
It is almost impossible to find a sure thing in this life. The best baseball teams
occasionally lose to bottom-feeders. The finest chefs over-cook a risotto now
and then. The greatest bands have that one album that is just not quite up to
their typical standards. The local weatherman sometimes predicts rain for a
sunny day. It is hard to find a sure thing.
And yet in the midst of this very unpredictable world, Paul boldly makes us a
guarantee. It is a guarantee that transcends sporting events or weather patterns; it goes beyond even death.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
present, not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything
else will be able to separate us from the love of God."
Nothing. Not even death. God's love is so strong, so persistent, that even in
death will we experience God's love.
It is hard to find a sure thing in this life. God's love is the sure thing in
life...and death.
Submitted by Rev. Jeremiah Williamson
Thursday, April 7
John 6:41-51
When asked to chose a scripture for our devotional, I read several and couldn’t make a decision. Then, as God plans it, an event happened to chose the scripture for me.
Background: As many of my church family members know, three years ago, my precious
grandson, Carson, was born 9 weeks prematurely with very serious medical issues. When he
was less than a week old, Carson underwent his first surgery to repair a ruptured intestine.
After the medical team wheeled Carson into surgery, his entire family and Kevin and Amy’s
pastor, Pastor Lutz, sat in the waiting room and prayed. We then talked about how in just one
short week, we knew of people all over the United States who had sent messages saying they
were praying for our little guy. I definitely felt comforted by the knowledge that so many people were asking God to take care of him. About an hour into the surgery, his nurse came and
told Kevin and Amy that things weren’t going well so the surgeon had stopped the surgery
and it would be rescheduled for another day. (We later found out that we had almost lost Carson and the surgeon wanted his own team in the operating room with him and would schedule
the surgery when it was all arranged.) Two surgeries, numerous tests, treatments, healing,
growing and cystic fibrosis diagnosis later, Carson’s mommy and daddy brought him home at
104 days old.
Reflection: Carson is now a little over 3 years old. Recently he realized he had a
“line” on his belly that others didn’t. He walked up to his mommy and asked her
what the line was, so she explained to him that is was scar from his surgeries when
he was a baby. He asked her some questions and then asked, “Mommy who was
sitting & watching during the surgery?" Kevin & Amy couldn't figure out what he was
talking about, but then he said "It was Jesus watching me." Of course…we all knew
God was listening to our prayers and that he had indeed answered those prayers
through Carson’s surgeon stopping the first surgery and successfully completing
two after that, but for a three year old to know that Jesus was sitting next to him
during surgery, what an amazing feeling. Jesus does heal the sick. As for healing
the blind, I think I was the one who was blind before this day and now I can see.
God spoke through Carson to many of us that day, opening our eyes to the fact that
he REALLY is there with us. And, I thank Him every day for being there and caring
for Carson and his sister, Kennedy. Through Him I am confident their disease will
be cured and they will lead full, long Christ-filled lives.
Submitted by Shari Slates
When asked to chose a scripture for our devotional, I read several and couldn’t make a decision. Then, as God plans it, an event happened to chose the scripture for me.
Background: As many of my church family members know, three years ago, my precious
grandson, Carson, was born 9 weeks prematurely with very serious medical issues. When he
was less than a week old, Carson underwent his first surgery to repair a ruptured intestine.
After the medical team wheeled Carson into surgery, his entire family and Kevin and Amy’s
pastor, Pastor Lutz, sat in the waiting room and prayed. We then talked about how in just one
short week, we knew of people all over the United States who had sent messages saying they
were praying for our little guy. I definitely felt comforted by the knowledge that so many people were asking God to take care of him. About an hour into the surgery, his nurse came and
told Kevin and Amy that things weren’t going well so the surgeon had stopped the surgery
and it would be rescheduled for another day. (We later found out that we had almost lost Carson and the surgeon wanted his own team in the operating room with him and would schedule
the surgery when it was all arranged.) Two surgeries, numerous tests, treatments, healing,
growing and cystic fibrosis diagnosis later, Carson’s mommy and daddy brought him home at
104 days old.
Reflection: Carson is now a little over 3 years old. Recently he realized he had a
“line” on his belly that others didn’t. He walked up to his mommy and asked her
what the line was, so she explained to him that is was scar from his surgeries when
he was a baby. He asked her some questions and then asked, “Mommy who was
sitting & watching during the surgery?" Kevin & Amy couldn't figure out what he was
talking about, but then he said "It was Jesus watching me." Of course…we all knew
God was listening to our prayers and that he had indeed answered those prayers
through Carson’s surgeon stopping the first surgery and successfully completing
two after that, but for a three year old to know that Jesus was sitting next to him
during surgery, what an amazing feeling. Jesus does heal the sick. As for healing
the blind, I think I was the one who was blind before this day and now I can see.
God spoke through Carson to many of us that day, opening our eyes to the fact that
he REALLY is there with us. And, I thank Him every day for being there and caring
for Carson and his sister, Kennedy. Through Him I am confident their disease will
be cured and they will lead full, long Christ-filled lives.
Submitted by Shari Slates
Wednesday, April 6
John 6:27-40
I believe this means if you believe in God, he will not let
you 'go hungry', he will provide you with what you need
to survive. And on your 'last day' you need to provide
him with the things you have done to help spread his
message to others; to show your faith that you have
had in him.
Submitted by Krista Herrig
I believe this means if you believe in God, he will not let
you 'go hungry', he will provide you with what you need
to survive. And on your 'last day' you need to provide
him with the things you have done to help spread his
message to others; to show your faith that you have
had in him.
Submitted by Krista Herrig
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 5
Jeremiah 17:19-27, Romans 7:13-25, John 6:16-27
In this passage, Jesus tells the people of Jerusalem to take the day of the Sabbath to rest and keep the day holy. The kings and people did not listen and Jesus threatened to destroy Jerusalem with Fire.
Jesus wants us to obey him at all times in all we do. Part of his gift to us is a day of rest, or the Ho- ly Sabbath. When we do not obey Jesus, we pay con- sequences, as is illustrated here in this passage.
Submitted by Aimee Frey
In this passage, Jesus tells the people of Jerusalem to take the day of the Sabbath to rest and keep the day holy. The kings and people did not listen and Jesus threatened to destroy Jerusalem with Fire.
Jesus wants us to obey him at all times in all we do. Part of his gift to us is a day of rest, or the Ho- ly Sabbath. When we do not obey Jesus, we pay con- sequences, as is illustrated here in this passage.
Submitted by Aimee Frey
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday, April 4
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances."
This is the verse that I long ago chose to try to live by each day.
In our nearly 62 years together Joe and I have weathered a few bumps. There was the death of his twin brother, the death of our wonderful grandson, the summer we both had shingles, surgeries for Joe. Bad readctions to preventative medications that sent me to the hospital several times and a son who is a family drop-out to list a few, but I have never had a day when I couldn't find things to be thankful for and I send little thought prayers to God throughout the day especially for little things that so easily could be taken for granted.
In my daily devotional time I always rejoice and give thanks to God for the gift of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit and for the Bible.
I am especially glad for the promise of eternal life. I know that when I enter the next realm, I will be surrounded by great love.
Submitted by Wilma Ablett
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday, April 2
First, let me start by saying that I enjoy this scripture very much. It gives a sense of hope and salvation to all those who turn against sin and give themselves fully to the Lord. The way I understand it, it starts by saying to offer yourself fully to the Lord, not to sin. If you give yourself to God, you will no longer be a slave to sin, but a slave for righteousness. It continues to say that once you do turn to God and offer your allegiance, you are set free from sin. We learn from this that we gain nothing but shame when we give in to sin. But, when we turn to God and are devoted to him and his word, you gain the most valuable gift, the gift of eternal life. As stated in line 23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Submitted by Deah Forthome
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday, April 1
Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness. It is after you have realized that there is a real Moral Law, and a Power behind the Law, and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that Power- it is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk.
Prayer- Lord Jesus, help me to recognize my sins and to ask forgiveness.
Submitted by Pastor Jen Williamson
By C.S. Lewis
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