Call To Worship Weekly Devotional

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As I have considered all of the scripture we have shared over the years during our Call To Worship, this is what I would like to focus on in this final broadcast. Here are just two things that I want to leave you with. And it’s all about your mindset, your thought life. Things we should always be thinking about.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

FOCUS ON THINGS ABOVE - OUR FAREWELL MESSAGE TO YOU

Number one: always be thinking the way that Jesus wants us to think. Make it a lifestyle priority to invest time with God in prayer and in His word every day. And number two: to focus on things above, not on things of this earth.

Philippians 4:4-8 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Colossians 3:1-4 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

And consider the attitude and primary focus of Christ Himself as the Apostle Paul shared with the church at Philippi.

Philippians 2:5-11 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A phrase that I’ve shared with many over the years and especially our children is to “do your best and trust God with the rest”. Just hear this again and think about how this reality will help lower your stress level and allow you to “focus on things above”. Do your best and trust God with the rest. There are several examples in scripture and this concept proclaimed in God’s word. Here are just a few passages.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Matthew 11:28,29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

II Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I will continue to pray with you and for you, trusting God’s faithful promise to meet all your needs in Christ Jesus. As we all strive to focus on things above continue in prayer, in God’s word and fellowship with His family until we see each other in His presence in Heaven. We will finally be “HOME”.

This week’s Scripture:

Philippians 2:5-11; 4:4-8; Colossians 3:1-4, Proverbs 3:5,6; Matthew 11:28,29 and II Thessalonians 3:16

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Dear listening friend, we all fall, lacking faith. Even after all God has done for us time and time again and is doing for us even now! Step out in faith and then watch, expectantly.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

LACKING IN FAITH

Oops, I did it again, failed to obey His word, to rest in Him. Dear listening friend, we all fall, lacking faith. Even after all God has done for us time and time again and is doing for us even now!

As I’ve thought about a recent event when I failed to believe that things were going to work out, I think about the example of Peter walking on the water. He knew Christ well enough to know that He could do the impossible. He had seen God at work healing the sick, multiplying the small amount of food to feed thousands. When folks think on Peter in the boat, most will think about him walking on water with Jesus.

Matthew 14: 24-33 The boat and disciples was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night Christ came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Think with me about the basics of this experience.

Peter asked for confirmation. “Jesus if it is really you, then have me come to you on the water”. Well, Christ said come and Peter got his answer, and became the only human (other than Christ Himself) to have ever walked on water.

Folks as you look at a need in your life, ask and you shall receive. God is forever faithful.

Matthew 7:7,8 and also in Luke 11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Peter got distracted by the circumstances around him. When he saw the wind, was afraid and began to sink…got his feet wet. We are so very much like that. I start the day off with scripture and examples of what God has done. Then as the day gets busy, I get distracted by the storms of this life and “Oops, I did it again”. I took my eyes off Him, failed to keep a proper perspective.

As our Creator and all-knowing God, He knows all about us. He understands our weaknesses.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The instant that Peter knew his faith had failed, he called out to Jesus. Wow…just think about it. That had to be one of the fastest, most genuine prayers in history. “Lord, save me”. And “immediately God took hold of him” and He helped him understand why he failed. He lacked faith. And it is noteworthy that this all took place right after Peter had seen Christ feed the five thousand with only five loaves and two fish! But before we get to judgmental of Peter, stop and think a minute. I’m pretty sure you can remember when that was you. You had a “mountain top experience” and your faith was incredible, then moments later you went through something, got distracted by circumstances and you “got your feet wet”...

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Each of us have a Circle Of Friends. Friends are vital to a healthy life, spiritually and physically. Thank God for your friends. He uses all of them through the good and bad times to help you become the person you are.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

Each of us have a Circle Of Friends. Just think about some of yours. Friends are vital to a healthy life, spiritually and physically. A true friend loves at all times.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

We learn and grow as we interact with friends. Fellowship and friendship make us better than we would be alone.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Let me tell you about some genuine friends. I am one of seven who met a little over a half century ago. These were young teenagers, all from different backgrounds but all Christians. God led them to a small Christian school in California. The school was K through 8 when a few of us became students there. It grew and added the 9th grade just in time for us. And they added the 10th grade and so on until there were seven of us in the first high school graduation class of that school. Two girls and five guys, we were the class of 1968.

During our High School years, girls were Cheer Leaders. Four of the five guys were involved in the various sports, baseball, basketball, track and flag football. The fifth was actively supporting those.

Seven graduates is ironic since the number 7 is known as the number indicating completion. And the five boys of that class remind me of a “quiver full” as referred to in scripture. Personally, I can identify with both of those numbers on two different levels. Five young men and two ladies. My wife and I were blessed with 5 children a quiver full. Five young men completed each other.

All seven of us each got married. One of us guys went into the military, becoming a Chaplain. The other men went on to college, getting involved in various forms of business, sales, management and some into ministry.

Over the years, all of us have supported each other through tough times and as we have gone through the loss of parents. At this point, my father, is the last remaining parent among our alumni group.

As we have gone through life, we have stayed in touch having had a few Class Reunions over the years.

Each of us have moved around, and seen other friends and family pass away. Most of us have had surgeries and there have been times when we were faced the possibility that any one of us would die. By God’s grace all seven of us are alive today.

There will come a time when one of us will graduate to glory, step through the pearly gates, absent from the body, present with the lord. As one of us has said about this process..”kicking this old carcass to the curb”

The remaining alumni will deal with that loss, laughing with each other, laughing at the events surrounding the missing person, crying at the loss, being comforted by remembering.

All of us have a “Circle of Friends”. The size of that circle will vary over time. And you may have times in life when you feel that you only have a very few friends or none at all. The fact is that you always have at least one friend. That friend that sticks closer than a brother, Jesus Christ, the “friend of sinners”. Your circle of friends is a gift from God.

James 1:17a Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.

Thank God for your friends. He uses all of them through the good and bad times to help you become the person you are. Take time today to pray for your friends. Reach out to them. Send a text, invest time today to call them. Or write a letter. Very few things touch us as much as a handwritten letter. Be a friend to your friends!

This week’s Scripture:

Proverbs 17:17; 27:17 and James 1:17

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Are you disappointed by things, circumstances and choices made by other people that are interrupting your desires and plans? Your heavenly Father loves you and is at work in and around you on your behalf. His intentions have a divine purpose for interruptions.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

THE DIVINE INTENTIONS OF INTERRUPTIONS

How are you doing? Are you disappointed by things, circumstances and choices made by other people that are interrupting your desires and plans? Your heavenly Father loves you and is at work in and around you on your behalf. His intentions have a divine purpose for interruptions. When you are interrupted from a project or the way you were going, remember that God has a plan, "His ways are perfect", trust, don't lean your own understanding. His intentions are best.

Much of what we perceive as interruptions affecting what we want or desire are of the Lord. If you stay close to Him through fellowship with the saints and in His word, you will see God’s fingerprints, clearly a sign that He is at work. For example: as Samson’s parents encouraged him to marry someone of their people, they were not pleased that he insisted on marrying a Philistine woman.

Judges 14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Joseph responding to his brothers calls for his mercy after what they had done to him.

Genesis 50:18-20 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

One important passage that is my “go to” when it comes to recognizing the benefits of God’s divine intentions is in Romans.

Romans 8:26-38 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Surround yourself with Godly brethren. There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. As Christ said:

Luke 14:31 “…what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors”.

A very wise man and close friend of mine shared these concepts with me just the other day as I am dwelling on things in my life.

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When it comes to looking at the fruit/actions of a person versus judging/condemning them, the Bible provides pretty clear instructions. Judge not lest you be judged. Instead, be looking for the fruits of their labors.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

FRUIT INSPECTOR, NOT JUDGE

When it comes to looking at the fruit/actions of a person versus judging/condemning them, the Bible provides pretty clear instructions.

Judge not lest you be judged. Don’t so much be watching for the negative, focusing on others actions/works in order to condemn them. Instead, be looking for the fruits of their labors. Complement and encourage them for doing good and things that are right. Recognize their good deeds. Just like we want to attract others to Christ through our good works.

Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Luke 6:37 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”

It is also important that we are careful to not falsely accuse others. John the Baptist was preaching repentance and answering questions for the crowd.

Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

One real life example of judging someone or falsely accusing them is in traffic. Don’t raise your hand but how many of us get really ticked when someone cuts us off. I had to deal with this just this morning. I was merging onto a four-lane highway. Thankfully, as I pulled out, I was able to pull into a center turn lane and sped up while waiting for an opportunity to merge into the lane right of me. I watched carefully and there was just enough room for me to change into that lane but a car in that lane sped up to prevent me from moving over safely. That driver consciously made a decision to not be courteous by simply moving over into the right lane, allowing me room to make the change. As it passed me and I slowed down to find another spot behind that car, I confess that I honked my horn at it. God forgave me for losing my temper, getting angry and then acting on that anger. God’s word is very clear and specific. As the Apostle told the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

As Christ was instructing the multitudes during his sermon on the mount, the concept of watching for people’s works, their fruits comes up.

Matthew 7:16-20 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Galatians 5:19-25 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,

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Our program on Hymns Of The Faith has been so well received that I will be sharing even More Hymns Of Faith today. Our time together each week is limited and there are so many great Hymns that are a legacy of the church so we will be blessed with a few more during today’s program.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

MORE HYMNS OF FAITH

To create a Hymn of the faith that would last the ‘test of time’ is not a simple task. Some of you are musicians and/or poets that actually write lyrics for songs. I admit that my personal experience with this process is limited but I’ve lived in the field of Christian music for many, many years and have seen and heard this process. Writing a song, lyrics and music requires significant elements. Typically, it starts with an inspiration, a topic or thought or even a phrase or concept or it might even begin with a melody. In some cases, the process includes more than one person. And when all the pieces come together, it becomes a song that can be used by God to touch lives with His word.

For a song written hundreds of years ago to still be around, it likely has had the blessing of God and has touched thousands of hearts over the years.

Here are lyrics of some of the songs included in today’s program. As you listen to the words, I think you will have a better understanding of why they have remained favorites for generations.

“This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas--His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father's world: the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise. This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair; in the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father's world: O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!”

“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him He’s always near. In all the world around me, I see His loving care, and though my heart grows weary I never will despair; I know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast, the day of His appearing will come at last. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.”

“Far dearer than all that the world can impart was the message that came to my heart; how that Jesus alone for my sin did atone, and Calvary covers it all. The stripes that He bore and the thorns that He wore told His mercy and love evermore; and my heart bowed in shame as I called on His name, and Calvary covers it all. Calvary covers it all, my past with its sin and stain; my guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, and Calvary covers it all.”

Many of you have heard the story behind the song “It Is Well With My Soul”. It was written by Horatio Spafford as he traveled to meet his grieving wife. A shipwreck took the lives of his four daughters. His wife was spared. He wrote these words/lyrics as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. His thoughts and inspiration could have come from the Psalmist David found in the passage of Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear”. “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall re-sound and the Lord shall descend,

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We have been blessed with a huge library of music passed down through generations. A “Legacy” has been bestowed upon us. One that we should appreciate, not taken lightly but embraced as a spiritual heritage.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

HYMNS OF THE FAITH

Music is a vehicle of worship. Worshiping the LORD with song is an important part of our praise and worship to Him.

Ephesians 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16,17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Just listen to some of the comments from the Psalmist David about the place of music in our lives.

Psalms 66:1 To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Psalms 81:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

And for those of you who can’t carry a tune in a bucket, even using both hands, you’ll note that scripture refers to making a joyful “noise”. And even mentions the instruments playing skillfully, with a loud noise.

Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song and play skillfully with a loud noise.

And just listen to the lyrics of a couple of Hymns of our Faith.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He – Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same – And He must win the battle.

And “How Great Thou Art”. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, how great thou art, how great Thou art!

Filling our minds with these concepts in word and in song is exactly what the Apostle Paul instructed the church at Philippi to do.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This week’s Scripture:

Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16,17; Psalms 33:3; 66:1; 81:1; 95:1,2; 98:4 and Philippians 4:8

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No doubt you have heard this question asked before and it bears repeating. What would you do differently if you knew that there would be no tomorrow? Well first, of course God does expect us to plan ahead, to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Plan as if you may live a full life, make daily choices on the possibility that you may not get a tomorrow.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

NO TOMORROW

No doubt you have heard this question asked before and it bears repeating. What would you do differently if you knew that there would be no tomorrow?

Well first, of course God does expect us to plan ahead, to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Here, I appreciate the verbiage of the New Living Translation.

Proverbs 6:6-8 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

Make your plans and then don’t worry about tomorrow. Don’t let your thoughts get wrapped up and bogged down with the future.

Matthew 6:33,34 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

On the cross, Christ knew that the thieves would not see a tomorrow. He basically told the one, “rest assured”, I know your future.

Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I visited a fellow motorcyclist in the hospital a few days ago. He would be having open heart surgery. It was amazing to me as I heard and saw how he interacted with the staff. He had been actively sharing the good news of Christ in word and deed to everyone. He may have shared only a minute or two about the upcoming procedure. The other hour and a half we invested together was about the Lord at work in and around himself.

Plan as if you may live a full life, make daily choices on the possibility that you may not get a tomorrow.

Here’s a quote that most of us have heard: “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last”. Other accomplishments that are done in and for our flesh are as ‘wood hay and stubble’ that will be burned up. And what we do for the kingdom will have eternal consequences for those lives we touch.

In this context, consider the reality of the acronym – Y.O.L.O, you only live once. AND let me quickly add that this is not a reason to justify behavior as if we should “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die”. Absolutely not! God’s word is filled with very clear instructions for the priorities of our lives.

Many of you have either read or heard about the book “How Should We Then Live” by Francis Schaeffer. Scripture makes it clear that as we grow relationships and our society, it should be a God-centered approach, guiding our thoughts, motives and actions. Some of you may remember the W.W.J.D. movement and philosophy. “What Would Jesus Do?”

And for you that are listening now and do not yet have a relationship with God, please consider doing business with Him today. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow.

II Corinthians 5:17-6:2 “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. As God’s partners,

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The elements of belief, faith & trust are a spiritual ‘trifecta’ when it comes to our everyday life in Christ. Each of these are an important part of our relationship with God. And when all three are active it is a “win, win, win”.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

BELIEF, FAITH & TRUST

I’ve heard these words used in a modern-day example, with a Jet Plane: First, you have a ‘belief’ that it was designed by professionals and statistically a pretty safe way to travel. At that point, you are just standing in the terminal. It is not enough to just believe that it will do what you want it to do. Belief will not get you to your destination. That’s when ‘faith’ becomes a factor. By faith, you move toward the door to the plane. Your faith might even get you into the plane but even at that point, you can turn around and walk back. It is not until you demonstrate your ‘trust’ by sitting down in the plane and buckling your seatbelt that you can expect to actually begin your flight.

Please listen carefully now as we look at scripture references to belief, faith and trust.

Belief: To have confidence in, persuaded, opposite of unbelief.

II Chronicles 20:20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Faith: To recognize as true, having expectation, reliance upon.

Hebrews 11:1-3 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Heb 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

Heb 11:27-29 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

Heb 11:33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrect...

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In our Spiritual lives, it is OK to forget about some things and other things might actually be a benefit for us to forget. And there are important things to remember.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

FORGET AND REMEMBER

In our Spiritual lives, it is OK to forget about some things and other things might actually be a benefit for us to forget. And there are important things to remember.

Forget

It is not safe to drive while you stay focused on things behind you in the rear-view mirror. Although an occasional quick look is valuable. Be careful as you look back over your life at the sins so that they don’t drag you down.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Forget about any penalty for all your sins.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I John 1:5-9 “…if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

Psalms 103:10-12 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Yes, we will occasionally have thoughts about mistakes, sin we’ve done in the past AND we can do as the Apostle Paul describes. We cannot change the past but we CAN focus on the goal to know Christ.

Philippians 3:10-14 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

And Paul goes on to speak about this concept in his book to the church in Rome.

Romanas 6:21-23 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Remember

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

II Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Remember to comfort each other.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.

Remember, don’t forget what the LORD has done.

Psalms 78:7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,

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It is a lot easier to go through each day when we have a proper perspective. So much of this life is about having a positive outlook, from God’s perspective. When times are rough, in order for you to be able to comfort yourself and say with confidence “yeh, it’s hard but God”, you need to set your mind on things above, not on the circumstances around you.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

TOUGH TIMES, "BUT GOD"

It is a lot easier to go through each day when we have a proper perspective. So much of this life is about having a positive outlook, from God’s perspective. When we know deep down in our heart of hearts that He is in control of everything that touches us and that He allows circumstances and events knowing how that it will be used to conform us to the image of Christ.

When times are rough, in order for you to be able to comfort yourself and say with confidence “yeh, it’s hard but God”, you need to set your mind on things above, not on the circumstances around you.

Colossians 3:1,2 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

We read in Paul’s address to the church in Philippi, a reminder to guard our minds, have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 8: 18-38 “…what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Here are just a few of the many, many times you find this in Scripture.

Genesis 5:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Judges 15:18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

And my personal favorite!

Acts 13:29,30 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead:

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Reality is that God alone knows what lies ahead for us in 2022. In many respects, we will be 'boldly going where we have not gone before'. Just as we live every day, every moment, we walk by faith not by sight. There are three basic concepts that will give you encouragement in the new year to come. These include faith, hope and love.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

FROM CHRISTMAS INTO THE NEW YEAR

There are three basic concepts that will give you encouragement in the new year to come. These include faith, hope and love.

Let’s consider each of them carefully. First look at faith.

Romans 1:16,17 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Hebrews 11:1-6 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Since we live by faith, we should walk by faith. And as the prophet Isaiah told God’s children: “this is the way, walk ye in it”.

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

The Joy of the LORD can be present and abiding as we dwell on things above, whereas happiness is temporary and typically brought on by ‘things’. Joy given us by God is our strength, giving us HOPE.

Nehemiah 8:9,10 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalms 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

The greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:4-6 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

I Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

These three elements of faith, hope and love are also a vital part of the Christian’s holy “armor”.

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against al...

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How would you complete the phrase: “Christmas is...”? As you think about that, here are some basic details of the very first Christmas. The Birth of Christ The Shepherds The Wise Men Gifts

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This Week's Devotional Topic

WHAT CHRISTMAS REALLY IS

How would you complete the phrase: “Christmas is...”? As you think about that, here are details of the very first Christmas.

The Birth of Christ

Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.

The Shepherds

Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1,2; 9-11 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. After they spoke with the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Those are facts of history; now how should we then live? Think about priorities for our time. Most adults are shocked each year by how quickly time passes and almost suddenly Christmas is here.

Traditions

Just think about your whole Christmas “Traditions” list. The tree, the lights, special foods and Christmas Caroling. For some, the holiday tradition includes giving of time and efforts, with a servant’s heart, visiting those in nursing homes or helping comfort and feed the homeless.

One of the traditions that I appreciated each year was the annual motorcycle “Toy Run”. Each year there are several hundred motorcyclists who gather for a ride through town with their bikes filled with toys and gifts for the children in our area. Having served as a Chaplain, it afforded me many opportunities to remind folks of the real meaning for Christ’s coming.

Christmas is gifts

For many the focus is mainly about the gifts. Some even center their gift giving around the fact that the greatest gift was God’s only son and the salvation that it offers to all. And that should really be toward the top of our priorities. Please invest significant time in God’s word looking very closely at the gift of His Son.

John 3:16,17 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Reason for the Season

Jesus really is the ‘reason for the season’ so Christmas is Christ. And Christmas is a personal celebration!

Your Christmas should be just that…YOUR Christmas, personal, private time, alone with Him. When all is said and done, all the STUFF of Christmas is “wood, hay and stubble”. While on this earth,

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This Week's Devotional Topic

GOD IS WITH US

God is with us…joy to the world, the LORD is come! For those of us who have received Him as our savior and King, we can’t imagine life without Him. And we don’t want to even imagine what our lives would be like if He had not come. And for you who have not yet recognized your sin and believed in Christ, accepting God’s gift of salvation through his son Jesus, then you are missing out, living without the benefits offered to you because the LORD DID come and He did it all for YOU. Please think on these things as we look at scripture describing the fact that Jesus Christ has come.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 18:10-14 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 19:5-10 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

John 3:16-21 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The prophet foretold that the Lord would come….

Isaiah 53:1-5 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

And then this historical fact, our Savior, the LORD is come….

Luke 2:4-11 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,

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Today is a celebration of worship and praise! Throughout scripture we are told to worship God, King of Kings and LORD of lords. And to praise Him with our whole heart, endless praise.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

EXTREME PRAISE & CELEBRATION

Today is a celebration of worship and praise! Throughout scripture we are told to worship God, King of Kings and LORD of lords. And to praise Him with our whole heart, endless praise.

Psalms 34:1-3 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Ephesians 1:3-6 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Here are a couple of examples showing the results of praise:

Listen to how the Shepherds respond to the Angels’ announcement and choir.

Luke 2:10-15 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The presence of the LORD was experienced by the Priests as they praised Him when the ark was brought to the tabernacle.

II Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

When you give praise or hear praise to God and meditate upon the reasons for praising Him it edifies you, building you up in your faith.

Psalms 150:1,2,6 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD!

How should we praise Him?

Psalm 150:3-5 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalms 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 100:1-5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Why praise? Because of who He is. His attributes and how they directly affect us. We should praise Him for what He has done, for giving us this beautiful world we live in, but most of all, for His Son,

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Being ‘saved’, becoming a Christian is vitally important to your eternal destiny. One of the reasons that God has provided His word, the Bible is to let you know how He loves you and has prepared a way for you to enjoy heaven with him forever.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

LET'S THINK ABOUT OUR SALVATION

From the Call To Worship website, you can find our Statement Of Faith that includes the following:

“We believe that salvation is the gift of God, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins; that this salvation is the possession of those who by faith accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We believe that there is no other way of salvation.”

The Bible is our “instruction manual for life”. Here are just a few of the passages for us to consider. As we look into God’s word, for those of us who already have a relationship with Him, let these words be an exciting reminder of what He has provided.

Realize that God loves you.

John 3:16,17 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

The Sin problem.

Everyone is a sinner and that sin has a price that must be paid. Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, paid the penalty for your sin.

Romans 3:22,23 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 5:8,9 God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

The Gospel is good news!

The Apostle Paul described the “gospel” to the church in Corinth.

I Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved…I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…”

When you believe and decide to accept God’s gift of Salvation, here is an example of what your conversation with God might include: Heavenly Father, I know I’m a sinner. There is nothing I can do to save myself. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe that Jesus rose again from the grave according to the scriptures. I ask you to forgive me of my sin and come into my heart. I’m trusting You, and You alone, to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank You for saving me, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Romans 10:11,13 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

It’s Time To Grow

You have begun a relationship with God, also referred to as being ‘born again’ into His family. Invest time in His word, allow Him to show you what His purpose is for you. As your heavenly Father, He will direct your steps.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

This week’s Scripture:

Romans 3:22,23; 5:9; John 3:16-18; Romans 5:9; 6:17-18, 23; 10:8-13; Titus 3:4-6; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 4:24-25; Acts 16:30-31; Timothy 1:8-9; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:12; John 15:8-9; Ephesians 2:10; I...

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Folks, I encourage you to thank God today for all those things that are “Certain”. There is a long list of things we are thankful for that are uncertain, not guaranteed to last. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, be sure to thank God for what He has blessed us with that are absolutely certain, guaranteed, and some are eternal.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

GIVING THANKS FOR CERTAIN

Folks, I encourage you to thank God today for all those things that are “Certain”. There is a long list of things we are thankful for that are uncertain, not guaranteed to last. Like our health that we all know could change in a literal heartbeat. It is good to have a job especially one that we enjoy and are good at and that meets our financial needs. But things change, layoffs do take place, companies go through rough financial issues and some close. We can be thankful for having access to plenty of food. While thousands right here in America are going to bed hungry, most of us have cupboards and a refrigerator and freezer with lots of options to eat. If you have a place to live, be thankful. And remember that it is not for certain. Fires take out homes every day. It is nice having a dependable car but it is not a certainty that it will never have mechanical issues or that it won’t be involved in a crash and taken from you. And how about your cell phone and computer? These absolutely are not for “certain”. Most of us have had occasional issues with our cell phone. And many of us know how tragic it is when our computer crashes. Although we thank God for these and thousands of other things, they are all temporary and could be gone in an instant.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, be sure to thank God for what He has blessed us with that are absolutely certain, guaranteed, and some are eternal.

Thank Him for His steadfast love that endures forever.

Psalms 100:1-5 A psalm of praise and thanksgiving. Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Life would be extremely difficult and knowledge of God very limited without the Bible. Thank Him for His word that will never pass away and never returns to Him void. Scripture includes many precious promises and gives us wisdom.

Psalms 119:104, 105 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

II Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Thank Him for the gift of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit seals us, helps us understand His word, gives us wisdom and direction in this life.

II Corinthians 1:20-22 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Another certainty is God’s grace, forgiveness and salvation.

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I John 5:13,20 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,

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Saying 'good bye' to friends and relatives is something we do quite often. And then there are the sad realities of saying good bye to loved ones as their death is imminent or at a memorial service. Well, be encouraged, Heaven will be a very long ‘hello’!

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This Week's Devotional Topic

HEAVEN IS A LONG HELLO

There is a Billy Sprague song, that refers to how many times we say good byes here on earth, vs. saying hello for ever in heaven. Most of us remember times when we have said good bye to friends and relatives. We do that almost daily when we leave somewhere. And then there are the sad realities of saying good bye to loved ones as their death is imminent or at a memorial service. Well, be encouraged, Heaven will be a very long ‘hello’!

The perspective that we have on Heaven changes for many of us as we get older. I remember some of my thoughts of heaven when I was an adolescent. As some of my relatives got very old and died, my parents and people around me would try to comfort me by saying they were in heaven. They would add thoughts like they are happy there, will never get sick and that they are with our other relatives who had died before. We drove across country to attend the funeral for my Uncle Clarence. The service was ‘open casket’. That gave my young mind a lot to process.

As a high schooler, my perspective of heaven was that people would go there when they got really old. I would be going there but not until many years had passed. I made a lot of plans for my life but the reality of heaven wasn’t really on my radar. I lead a fairly sheltered life so I didn’t attend many funerals and don’t remember any of my age dying.

In Bible College I learned a lot more details about heaven from a scriptural perspective. Then getting married, we talked a little about our preferences just in case one of us died.

Later in life as we were blessed with children, my wife and I went through the process of a will, setting up a trust and making burial arrangements. Dying was still ‘down the road’.

Now as my mother has passed away a decade ago and I have been the primary caregiver for my 93-year-old father who lives with us, the reality of heaven being imminent for him is a constant reminder. And from dad’s perspective, he occasionally comments about missing mom, (his wife) and is comforted by the fact that he will see her again. And he is absolutely certain of his relationship with Jesus Christ and knows he will be in heaven. Most nights before bed he’ll tell me “I’ll see you in the morning, Lord willing”.

Whatever your age, I pray that you have done business with God, believing in Christ as God, accepting Him as your savior. And that you know beyond any doubt that by His amazing grace you will be in His presence, in Heaven when the body dies. To be absent from this body you will be present with the Lord.

No more dying there…

Isaiah 25:8,9 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

I Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

OUR FUTURE…where God is!

Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Jesus Christ told His disciples.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Philippians 1:20,21 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed,

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When you find yourself listing all the reasons that you can’t do something that you sense God wants you to do, remember God’s question to Moses (actually in the form of instructions). There will be times when that will happen to you. You and I will come up with questions, concerns and reasons we should do something else or nothing at all. That’s when we should “look what God has put in our hands”.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

ALREADY IN YOUR HANDS

God asked Moses what was in his hand. This was in the context of Moses giving reasons that he could not do what God was telling him that He could.

There are many lessons that God teaches us through the life and times of Moses. One that I have shared with people many times is found in Exodus 4. Moses doubted that he would be able to accomplish what God was instructing him to do.

This all began with Moses meeting the angel of the LORD in the burning bush. In Exodus 3:8 God tells him that He has come down to rescue His people from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into the promised land. Moses ‘protested’ siting a “what if”, basically reasons/excuses that he was not able to do what God was asking him to.

Exodus 4:1-5 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” Then the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the LORD told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the LORD told him, “Reach out and grab its tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand. “Perform this sign,” the LORD told him. “Then they will believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.”

God even provided other signs for Moses to perform, then Moses cited his lack of speaking ability. Ultimately, God did as He said he would, using Moses to lead the children of Israel.

When we come to a fork in the road or a place that looks like the ‘end of the road’, let God’s word come to your mind.

Proverbs 3:1,2,5,6 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

God will provide wisdom when we ask. Ask and you WILL receive.

James 1:2-6 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

As Paul reminded the Philippians:

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God will give us strength for doing what He leads us to do. It has been said that “where God guides, He provides”.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Psalms 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

God will show you what to do and give you the strength to ‘git ‘er done’. Listen to the benediction to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:20,21 Now the God of peace,

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This devotional reminder is for those of us who deal occasionally or sometimes very often with the “What If” question. That’s a question that comes to mind with mostly negative fears.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

THE FEAR OF 'WHAT IF?'

This devotional reminder is for those of us who deal occasionally or sometimes very often with the “What If” question. That’s a question that comes to mind with mostly negative fears.

As we look at this common issue, one of the first passages that comes to my mind is the verse in II Timothy.

II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God does not give us the spirit of fear but very much the opposite of fear, “Faith” and the peace that comes with it. And faith gives us hope, powerful hope that drives out fear. When we choose to exercise that we experience very much different attitudes and feelings such as calmness, confidence, acceptance of the unknown and mental clarity. We can experience an assurance, boldness, self-assurance, courage, and fortitude.

When we put our trust in Jesus, and walk with God, understanding that He is the One really directing our steps, following Him with our whole hearts then that will give us strength, confidence and peace.

Psalms 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalms 37:23,24 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Psalms 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalms 23:1-4 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Philippians 4:6,7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Now here’s a concept I’m working on. I invite you to ask God’s help to turn around that What If fear. And remember that the opposite of fear is “faith”. Our faith gives us an optimistic state of mind. Repent from that ‘fear’ mindset, turn it around to be a What If in confidence, faith that it is going to be good, bringing blessings. We expect a positive outcome. What if God does meet this need, does keep me safe and will use this for good in my life?

Romans 8:28-31 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Psalm 37:34 Hope in the LORD and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

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“Mercy” is when God does not give us what we deserve, eternal punishment. “Grace” is when He gives us, blesses us with what we don’t deserve, salvation, eternal life.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

GRACE AND MERCY

Grace: acronym - God’s Riches At Christ’ Expense

“Mercy” is when God does not give us what we deserve, eternal punishment. “Grace” is when He gives us, blesses us with what we don’t deserve, salvation, eternal life.

Now, let’s look into God’s word, first at the concept of “mercy”.

Gen 39:20,21 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

I Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy (faithful love) endures forever.

Here's a familiar part of scripture, the twenty-third Psalm.

Psalms 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

In the words of Christ:

Matthew 23:23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

Titus 3:4,5 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Now that we’ve heard about mercy, let’s focus on God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Genesis 6:7,8 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

The Apostle Paul speaking to the believers in Corinth

II Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 3:23,24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

John 1:14-17 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 1:7-9 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

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Lists, goals and priorities are important. As we consider the life of Christ, we see examples of when He followed His “list” and worked toward the goals given Him by His Father. Lists are not for everyone. However, reality is that those of us ‘thinker planner’, ‘detail oriented’, goal setters who work from lists, have an effect on many aspects of your lives.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

YOUR LIST

Lists, goals and priorities are important. As we consider the life of Christ, we see examples of when He followed His “list” and worked toward the goals given Him by His Father.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

As you create and work on your list adjusting it as things are completed or added to it, remember a few vital ingredients. The most important items should be top priority. Remember to love others. Do all to the glory of God and ask for God’s wisdom in the process.

Keep the ‘main thing the main thing’. Set your goals, your mind on what God wants, ‘what would Jesus do’, a heavenly perspective, things above.

Colossians 3:1,2 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

As you look at opportunities to serve, consider the two greatest commandments. Love God and as we hear the words of Christ:

Matthew 22:38,39 This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

I Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Whatever is on your list should be done for the glory of God and given your best effort.

I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:10a Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,

Your list should be and will be HIS list. We want His will to be done in all things.

Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

And as Christ prayed while in the Garden, before going to the cross:

Matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

And when it comes to whatever we are doing for the Lord:

I Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Pray for wisdom.

James 1:5,6 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

Then “listen” and “take action”. Instructions may come directly from God through His word or His Spirit speaking to you and also through His people. For example:

Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

Acts 22:10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’

Lists are not for everyone. However, reality is that those of us ‘thinker planner’, ‘detail oriented’, goal setters who work from lists, have an effect on many aspects of your lives. Pray for us, that God grants us wisdom and strength to do what we know to do.

This week’s Scripture:

Luke 9:51; Colossians 3:1,2; Matthew 22:38,39; I Corinthians 10:31; 13:13; Luke 11:2; Matthew 26:42; I Corinthians 14:40; James 1:5,6 and Acts 8:26; 22:10

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Columbus Day is a holiday in the United States that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus. His mission was to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia. He did not reach what he wanted but on the other hand had discovered a new world. There is an important lesson here.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

COLUMBUS DAY

Columbus Day is a holiday in the United States that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492, in the New World. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage.

According to History.com and other resources, the first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792, when New York’s Columbian Order—better known as Tammany Hall—held an event to commemorate the historic landing’s 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor.

Columbus’ mission was to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia. Instead, on October 12, 1492, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings established colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century. And it wasn’t until his third journey that Columbus finally realized he hadn’t reached Asia but instead had stumbled upon a continent previously unknown to Europeans.

Can you imagine time, money and effort that went into the planning these voyages, then the blood, sweat and tears that the trips required as Columbus was hoping and counting on completing his mission? And think about how he would deal with mixed emotions when he realized after two previous journeys that he did not reach what he wanted but on the other hand had discovered a new world.

We all have times when we hope and pray for a certain result, then see God’s hand redirect our circumstances. It reminds me of so many answers to my prayers, hopes and dreams. Here’s just one of several examples God has given me over the years. At a point when my wife and I had 4 children, it was in the early ‘80s and I had been laid off from my position as Sales Manager of a distributor of Christian Music. God answered my prayers with what I expected to be an absolutely perfect fit. Our family moved 2300 miles to accept a position as Sales Representative with one of the largest Christian Music companies. It was a great territory and fantastic ministry. About two years later, God made it very clear that we were to leave that behind and move back to the West coast. And here we are 36 years later. God definitely had better plans for us than we could ever have dreamed.

A phrase that comes to my mind is from a television series from many years ago titled “Father Knows Best”. Indeed, our heavenly Father does know best.

Here are just a few passages that make it abundantly clear how that we can trust God with His plans for our lives.

Psalms 37:23,24 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths

Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

When it looks like things are not going to turn out the way you had hoped, the way that you expected, have faith and then remember Columbus. He would have been very happy to have found a short cut to Asia but instead discovered an entire continent and earned a place in history and his own national holiday.

Praise and thank God almighty that there are times when He doesn’t give us wh...

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Early Jewish Christians, referred to themselves as “The Way”. As I looked up these words in scripture, it is interesting how that it is not only a description or name of a group of New Testament believers but the combination of those two words can also refer to people going a specific direction and/or acting in a specific manner. As we listen to some passages that I’ve collected, there are clear parallels between them.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

THE WAY

Early Jewish Christians, referred to themselves as “The Way”. It might have originated as a reference to the phrase from Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

As I looked up these words in scripture, it is interesting how that it is not only a description or name of a group of New Testament believers but the combination of those two words can also refer to people going a specific direction and/or acting in a specific manner. As we listen to some passages that I’ve collected, there are clear parallels between them. Let’s invest a few moments to consider comparisons of “the Way”.

Let’s start with some Old Testament occasions where you see these words connected.

Genesis 18:19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just.

Exodus 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Now consider a few passages in the New Testament where we read references to “the way”.

Matthew 3:3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

Matthew 7:14 “…strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”.

Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:

Jesus Christ speaking to His disciples:

John 14:3-6 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Acts 9:1,2 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 19:8,9 “And he (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him…”

Acts 19:22-24 He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia. About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis.

Then later when Paul spoke to the people, describing his dramatic conversion to Christ, how before that He had actually persecuted the group known as the Way.

Acts 22:3,4 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.

And his conversation with them continues in chapter 24:

Acts 24:14,15 “…I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unri...

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These concepts go together like white on rice, seasoning: salt & pepper, a breath, to inhale and exhale. And the pages of scripture are filled with examples, descriptions and instructions regarding both Praise to God and Worship of God.

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This Week's Devotional Topic

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

Praise and Thanksgiving

We praise God for Who He is.

Psalms 150:1-6 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

We praise Him for His attributes.

Psalm 111:1-10 Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our LORD! He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

We praise and thank Him for the relationship He has with us.

Psalms 100:1-5 A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

And we are to Worship God

As Moses climbed Mount Sinai…

Exodus 34:5-8 Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped.

God alone is worthy of our worship. Look first at the temptation of Christ

Matthew 4:8-10 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’”

Mark 12:29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

One of the ways we worship God is with our offerings.

II Chronicles 29:11 “My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him.”

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Forgiveness is vital for us to live a healthy Christian life. Failing to forgive someone who has wronged you may very well hurt you more than them.

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This Week’s Devotional Topic

FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is vital for us to live a healthy Christian life. Failing to forgive someone who has wronged you may very well hurt you more than them.

For example: there was a time when my wife and I managed apartments. The former manager who I replaced had been allowed to stay in one of the apartments and had been saying bad things about us to others in the complex. Then came one night when he approached me and made it clear that HE would be taking the job back and soon he would be gloating, standing in the courtyard watching as my wife and I had to move out. A few days later, that is exactly what happened. I can still see him watching as we got in the car to leave. Over time, we moved to another state. That confrontation was a horrible experience and I kept reliving it in my mind for several years in anger, hatred toward that man until I finally forgave him in my heart. I realized that he was certainly not haunted by those events. My mind was virtually a slave to him while I wallowed in unforgiveness. I carried that burden like a ball and chain. I allowed that to distract me, when I could have been focused on the Lord, living for him in those moments.

One outstanding example of forgiveness is Joseph. Genesis chapter 37 provides details of when Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers, then sold into slavery. The brothers lie to their father, saying that he had been killed. Time passes and Joseph’s father dies. Then we pick up the story in chapter 50.

Genesis 50:15-20 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

If you are harboring a grudge, unforgiveness regarding something done to you, remember the account of Joseph and how God meant it for good. You need to forgive that person.

Romans 8:28, 29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

If God, the author of Forgiveness, forgives us, then we should forgive ourselves, and then we should forgive all others, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. Just listen to and consider what Jesus Christ gave to the disciples as an example.

Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

How can we “love the Lord with all our heart” when our thoughts are tied up, focusing on something someone did or said? And then there is also the command for us to love our neighbor as ourself!

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

True forgiveness clears our mind and brings true JOY.

Ephesians 4:30-32 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

This week’s Scripture:

Romans 8:28,29; Genesis 50:15-20; Matthew 6:9-15; 22:37-39 and Ephesians 4:30-32

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Friends come in all shapes, sizes and relationship levels. Our LORD Jesus Christ is the absolute, best friend of all.

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This Week’s Devotional Topic

VALUE OF FRIENDS

Friends come in all shapes, sizes and relationship levels. You may meet someone at church or while shopping. Initially, that is just someone you have met in passing. Then as you spend more time with that person, finding you have a lot in common and are comfortable with them as one of your peers. As you build on that, investing much more time together, enjoying golf or something else that you both enjoy, you would consider them a close friend. At that point, one of them typically stands out and you are able to talk with them about anything, able to pray together with then, sharing things you wouldn’t share with just anyone. You would consider that person one of your best friends.

And then there is our LORD Jesus Who is the absolute, best friend of all. When we become a Christian, accepting the forgiveness He offers, we recognize that God loved us, knew us before we were even born. As we are adopted into His family, we consider Him as our Father.

Romans 8:15,16 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

When Jesus was on this earth, He spent so much time with those considered unrighteous that they labeled Him as a ‘friend of sinners’.

Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

Jesus Christ is the very definition of a “friend”.

John 15:12-17 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

As Christians, we become so much like Christ that we actually ‘love others’. Please listen and think about observations in the Bible regarding how we treat and are blessed by friends.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

Proverbs 27:9,10 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

As we just heard, our relationships with “friends” aren’t always perfect. There are times when we need to have ‘heart to heart’ conversations. And because we occasionally have struggles with our flesh, there will be times when we need to exercise forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:29,32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-16 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Be thankful for your friends, pray for them as they pray for you, love them as Christ loves them. Amen.

This week’s Scripture:

Matthew 11:9; Romans 8:15,16; John 15:12-17; Proverbs 27:6,9,10,17; Proverbs 17:17; Ephesians 4:29,32 and Colossians 3:12-16

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Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. There is much in scripture regarding ‘work’, ‘labor’ AND ‘rest’.

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This Week’s Devotional Topic

LABOR DAY

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

This is the Labor Day weekend, a good opportunity for us to honor workers, recognizing their contributions to society.

To “work” is to be engaged in physical and/or mental activity in order to achieve a goal or results. And to “labor” means especially hard work, to really exert your powers of body and/or mind, at times with painful or strenuous effort.

In the Bible we find that there is both physical/mental and spiritual work described. We see both the value of labor and the importance of balancing that with rest. We have all heard the phrase describing the issue of being a “workaholic”.

In John we hear Christ instructing the disciples, making it clear that just as some of the work we do is time sensitive, there are some projects more important than others.

John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

A servant is worthy his hire. It is right that a worker be compensated. Listen to the words of Christ as he sent many disciples out.

Luke 10:1,2,7 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were included in his instructions to them: Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

We are all to be good stewards of our time, abilities, resources and talent. Consider Christ’s “Parable of the Talents” as it applies to the spiritual as well as physical.

Matthew 25:14-30 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Your spiritual labor is not in vain in Him.

I Corinthians 15:56-58 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.

Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

And in closing, in the words of Jesus:

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This week’s Scripture:

John 9:4; Luke 10:1,2,7; Matthew 25:14-30; I Corinthians 15:56-58; Psalms 127:1 and Matthew 11:28-30

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This concept refers to a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant or a pause from exertion. To get a better understanding of this practice, God has provided many, many examples in scripture.

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This Week’s Devotional Topic

RESPITE

This concept refers to a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant or a pause from exertion.

A couple of real-world examples of this include: If you’re cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intense study. You may be providing care for someone elderly or who is dealing with health issues. This is not an easy task and there will come a time when you will need time of respite. You may be preparing a devotional to share, diligently searching for just the right verses. Take some quiet time to invest in God’s presence, to step away from circumstances that would distract you.

To help us get a better understanding of this practice, God has provided many, many examples in Scripture. Here are just a few to consider:

Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

Joshua 1:13 Remember what Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you: ‘The LORD your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’

I Chronicles 22:7-9 And David said to Solomon, my son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christ said to the Disciples:

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Judges 6:24a And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the LORD is peace”).

Exodus 8:12-15 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto Jehovah concerning the frogs which he had brought upon Pharaoh. And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields. And they gathered them together in heaps; and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them, as Jehovah had spoken.

I Samuel 11:3 The elders of Jabesh said to Nahash the Ammonite, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.”

May God give us all wisdom that as we see the need, we will take time for respite. Watch for symptoms of stress, over work, anxiety, or you see that you are not getting good sleep or maybe even getting depressed. Understand that we ALL need a period of rest or relief, quiet time, a pause from exertion, Shalom – God’s peace, time for respite.

When you see the need for respite, let God’s promises give you hope and His peace in the midst of the storms of this life. As the Apostle Paul said to believers at Philippi:

Philippians 4:19,20 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This week’s Scripture:

Exodus 33:14; Joshua 1:13; Matthew 11:28-30; I Chronicles 22:7-9; Judges 6:24; John 14:27; Exodus 8:12-15; I Samuel 11:3 and Philippians 4:19,20

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Thinking of the concept of our Father’s voice brings to mind the RCA famous trademark of the dog peering into the gramophone with the caption “His Master’s Voice”. There is just something about a father’s voice. AND we need to recognize God’s voice, his word.

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This Week’s Devotional Topic

HIS VOICE

There is something special about our parent’s voice. Even though my mother passed away over a decade ago, if I were to hear her voice in a recording, I’d be able to recognize it immediately.

And if you were blessed to know your father, it is very likely and normal for you to remember it when/if you hear it for many years, and possibly to hear it in your mind even after he has passed. Thinking of this concept brings to mind the RCA famous trademark of the dog peering into the gramophone with the caption “His Master’s Voice”. There is just something about a father’s voice. And it brings back memories of him, who he is or was. You remember what he liked and didn’t like. And sometimes you are able to remember his instructions, things that he liked and wanted to do along with some things you know that he does not want you to do. And the closer you are or were to him, the better and more clearly you know what he would do in certain circumstances.

In many, many ways, that it is how it is regarding your relationship with your heavenly Father. And there are times when we sense His ‘still small voice’ directing our choices. His words come to mind. Christ describes this in John

John 10:14-16, 27,28 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

And Christ declares that people who are spiritually dead can and will be brought to life as they hear and believe the voice of God.

John 5:24,25 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

God’s voice, His word is recorded in scripture. Our Bible is one way to hear Him.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Psalms 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

The Apostle John heard God’s voice as he had a glimpse into the future.

Revelation 21:3,4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Please listen…listen for God’s word, hear His words in His word.

Psalms 95:6-8 “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

Dear Heavenly Father, through your Spirit, help us to hear you more clearly, to really listen to your words with our hearts, not just our ears. Help us to recognize and obey your voice.

This week’s Scripture:

John 5:24,25; 10:14-16, 27,28; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 95:6-8; 119:9 and Revelation 21:3,4

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Call To Worship Weekly Devotional: Recent Episodes

Call To Worship Weekly Devotional