6/1/16                                                                       Pray for Peace                                                  1
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”   Psalm 122:6

SCRIPTURE: GALATIANS 3:7-9 “³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^{[a] 4} Have you experienced^[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? ⁶ So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^{[c] 7} Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”^{[d] 9} So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

COMMENTS : Galatians 3 give us a picture of the trap the Galatian church was slipping into: thinking they could earn their way to salvation. Paul’s response was to tell them God has never work that way. He requires acting on faith – obedience to His call to have relationship with Him first. He requires seeking His forgiveness first before any discussion of how to serve or please Him in what we do. Then what we say or do is a response to His forgiveness out of gratitude and love for Him and not out of a sense of duty or working for a reward or payment for work.   Our response out of gratitude is enough, but working to earn salvation would never be enough! Since He is God, He is sovereign to freely choose what and when to give to us, His children. What He gives is out of love for us. What we do for Him is best received by Him when we do so out of love for Him.   We get little when we work out of selfish motives and rewards. When we only work to please Him without regard to our own gain, then we begin to grow closer to Him and see beyond ourselves and find a greater calling – a greater mission –a greater passion – a greater reward. A reward from honoring and serving and supporting His goals and plans and dreams. When our goals and dreams are replaced with His dreams, we begin to find our purpose – our fulfillment – our sense of belonging – our first love. We have had a few sunny and hot days, spurring completing needed tasks that have bothering us over winter. One of those tasks, for me, was fixing some plumbing to the outside water hose connection. I was able to finish that task as well as finish putting together a ventless heater for our cabin. More similar tasks await me today. Yet I’m discouraged because I find myself getting tired and needing to rest more frequently than a few years ago, likely being made worse due to Parkinson’s. Difficulty doing those tasks is becoming more evident too, causing them to take longer to accomplish. I realize that is only going to get worse. Yet, such is not new for me but everyone in every generation has or will face that realization. If we had to earn our salvation, we would soon realize we have little motivation to do that when we are young, but are far less capable when we are older and closer to eternity. Because we serve out of love and gratitude instead of out of a employee motivation to avoid being fired, we can enjoy the experience of serving Him without fear of coming short. Yet our love for Him motivates us to try and work harder than an employee attitude ever could. He said we are no longer servants but friends to Him. John 15:15 “ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you”                                                                                           6/2/16                                     God always comes through!                                 2                               Scripture: Luke 12:27-31 “²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well”                                              COMMENTS:   It is always good to hear such stories of how God came through, but truth is He usually comes through later than we would have liked at the time but always comes through.   Sometimes He comes through a little later and sometimes a lot later. The above scripture from Luke reminds us how well God cares for His creation – creatures and plants that can not care for themselves – that are not capable of making good and bad choices.   We are capable of making choices – both good and poor choices, which come with either blessings or consequences. But it also seems some get more blessings than others. It seems God responds to some a lot quicker than others, doesn’t it? I think, if we look back, He really responds to some situations quicker than to others.   This is a mystery without clear answers. God is sovereign and does not need to explain Himself to us nor are we capable of comprehending anyway. I do think we should keep in mind He has promised to work for our good. He is orchestrating His response both in addressing our needs as well as interacting that response into the lives of others in need as well. If you or I had to design and implement such a complex response, we would never be able to do so without causing great harm to some. Likewise, we can’t see the future and how our choices play out.   So how can we question God and the way He responds? Likewise, why should we expect God to be quick in bailing us out of problems we created? But what about problems we did not create nor have opportunity to solve, solution completely in God’s hands. Well, that is a mystery too. But God does require us to trust Him and follow Him. Our relationship with Him is the goal and is so important to Him too. That is just as true to Him for everyone else as it is for us. I think it will be amazing, in heaven, to hear the stories of those before and after us and discover how He resolved their needs and ours. It will make perfect sense then and will be awesome to us then. But in the meantime, we will have to settle for trusting His way is best and be faithful to what He calls us to and asks of us. But most of all, be and stay in close relationship with him… If we try to take an eternal perspective, we start to realize 100 or 50 years from now, what will be important and how important will our current needs be? Even the loss of a loved one will be healed when we see them in heaven and discover how God did a miracle, maybe one we can’t see, in the midst of tragedy.                                                                                                                                                         6/3/16                           SOLD OUT FOR GOD OR SOLD GOD OUT                     3                        Acts 4:33-5:10  “³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”   ⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.⁷ About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” ⁹ Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” ¹⁰ At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

.COMMENTS :   We have no idea now much money Ananias and Sapphira gained from selling their property or how much they held back from giving the disciples. It might have been a small amount or a huge amount. Did Peter discern the amount they presented was not near what it was worth and concluded they held a significant amount back? Was the amount they held back small in comparison and the only way Peter could have suspected was if God had told him? Well, we can’t be sure this side of heaven. Obviously the money they held back didn’t do them any good. They would never have time to spend it.   How subtle satan’s temptations are, tricking us into thinking we can do small sins and no one will ever know and harm will be unnoticeable or insignificant. He never wants us to know the cost of our sins to us and pain it causes God as well as others.   We would do well to stop and weigh costs when temptation comes, but we would do even better to RUN TO CHRIST every time we feel temptation. To consider and let temptation take root in our minds is never a good thing to do. Weeds never stop growing before they sap every bit of energy and resource from the good plants.   Satan will never be satisfied until we are totally his. Well, God will not be satisfied until we are totally His. Difference is satan wants to destroy us but God wants to give us eternal life. Difference is also God wants to use us to bless and help others too. Do you have any doubt what satan wants to do? It is worse than you can imagine.                                                                                                                          6/4/16                     Love Languages: Pray Your Love                                             4
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 23:32-34 “³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[b] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

COMMENTS : Luke 23:34a ^“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.””   The Bible is God’s letter to us, but prayer is our letter to Him. God does speak to our souls as we pray but the Bible is His complete letter to us. Prayer is as complete a way we have of communicating to Him, but we also communicate to Him with our emotions and actions and how we treat others. Music can also be an effective way of communicating with Him.   Our actions toward others and integrity we demonstrate each day is also a way of communicating with God. Matthew 35:45 ““He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”   Yes, even though we don’t see and hear Him, we still have effective ways of communicating with Him as He has an with us. He communicates to us through His Word most consistently and frequenty, but He also uses His creation, other Christians and even at times non-Christians, through circumstances and His input in them, and then there is His small voice quietly speaking to our souls directly.   When we ignore or argue with those communications, we are fighting a loosing battle. Granted there have been times in scripture when some have convinced God to withhold judgment. Yet I suspect God’s response included His intention for Moses, for example, to see things from His perspective first before he would see God’s mercy at work. Seeing things from God’s perspective isn’t fully possible but we can get a glimpse of His perspective. Even a glimpse is enough for us to realize the depth of His love and compassion for us.   A glimpse is enough for us to be in awe of Him and surrender to His love and Will.   Enough to trust Him and yield our wills to His. Enough to turn our backs on satan and his temptations and run to Him. Moses could not encounter God’s presence without glowing when he returned. Guess what! When we encounter God, we will glow too and will be noticeable to everyone around us. Are we glowing today?   If not, we need to get a bit closer to Him and spend more time with Him.   The only way we can impact others and effectively witness is if we glow. The only way we can gain that life changing glow is to get closer to Him. He doesn’t come to us uninvited. I don’t know about you, but I need to get closer to Him so I glow brighter and more consistently, but some days I just can’t do better than a dingy grey light. Can you relate to that? So we both need to work on this more, right?                                                                                                                                                           6/5/16                                             A Prodigal Daughter and Prevenient Grace                       5   Scripture: Genesis 50:19-20  “¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” COMMENTS:   The story of Joseph and his brothers is an amazing story with an amazing ending of redemption. I can’t hear Joseph’s response to his brother’s pleas for Benjamin without shedding a tear. The closer we get to Him, the more like Him we become. For some that change is quicker and more noticeable than for others. Why does He work in us at different rates and ways? Maybe it is because we are more ready and willing at times.   Maybe it is because He needs to work in other’s lives and circumstances first to bring greater benefits and impact. I do know, our rebellion and negligence will slow down His impact in our lives, but good news is it doesn’t stop it. So today will we slow down or speed up rate of change God will do in and through us today? It could, indeed, be up to us. The prodigal made some costly mistakes and sins, but returned. The other son didn’t rebel or leave, but the hardness of his heart spoiled the blessing His father desired for him. The father loved both sons but devoted more attention and energy to the rebellious son because his need was greater.   The father was neglecting the other son because he only could focus on one son at a time. Well, maybe he could have done a bit better with the faithful son sooner, before bitterness spoiled him. God is very good at dealing with everyone at the same time. He doesn’t get overwhelmed like we do. But since He has to deal with everyone at the same time, He must orchestrate His will in a way and time to positively affect all of us, which means evidence of His hand at work may not be as quick as we would like nor in the way we would prefer. Think back and discover or be reminded how much better things worked out when we relaxed enough to wait on Him.  Why did God allow Joseph’s brothers to sell him? Why did God allow Joseph to become a slave and to be unfairly condemned and spend 2 years in a horrible prison? Why did God wait those years before lifting Joseph to a place of authority before bringing a time of plenty and drought to Egypt and Israel?   How He orchestrated a miracle to Joseph – forgiveness to his brothers – healing to Egypt and Israel is evident in the story now but then was not evident at all, but was evident to all in a few years. Joseph was faithful during his time of trial, which prepared him for an amazing job God would give him – a job that would change the lives of every person in Egypt and his entire family for the good and introduce God to every one of them, including the great Pharoah. Daniel is another man God used this way to accomplish amazing things too.                                                                                                                                                            6/6/16         God still does miracles every day – are you one too?                                 6   Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”

COMMENTS:   Ephesians 2: 10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”   What did the world look like before Adam and Eve sinned? What would the world look like if they hadn’t? What will the world look like when God recreates it when he returned to judge the world, bind satan and set up His kingdom?   Yet all around us is God’s amazing creation. Take some time to look around and listen and enjoy His creation. One of the many truths you will realize is that God is extremely intelligent and skillful in design and creating, but also in caring for it because He also cares deeply for His creation and for us who can enjoy it too. He is not responsible for creating the evil in the world but allows it within constraints because He wants us to come to Him because we choose to. That means He allows us to have a choice including freedom to choose poorly. By providing a plan of salvation and forgiveness, He is also allowing a way back when we go down a poor – wrong path.   A former boss often said “you don’t go down the wrong path so far that it is still better to turn around and go back.”   God allows us to turn around and go back. But turn and go back is a choice we must make. He then gives us the strength and forgiveness and healing necessary. Only God can create life but only God can RESTORE EXTINGUISHED LIFE. If we think this fallen world is beautiful, we also have no idea how much more beautiful Eden was or Heaven is, or what this world will be like when it is recreated when Christ comes to judge and reign, when He returns. Only He has the Authority and Power and Wisdom to properly do this. And we need to be so glad none will be able to challenge or hinder His return. Old movies always show evil sooner or later being overpowered by good. Newer movies try to give another theme that the most powerful win and not always good.   Well, we all know or have experienced times when evil seemed to win. But the war is not over and God has not yet given the Final Word. IT IS NOT FINISHED YET… Yes, good and evil are in conflict all around us, and in us for that matter.   When we see in the dark corners where evil lives, we think evil is stronger and winning. But if we take a broader look, we discover good resides and is evident in more of His creation and is stronger.   We discover also that good resides even in the darkest of places, because God resides everywhere – even in the darkest places. We just need to stop and look for Him to notice He is there too.                                                 6/7/16                                                              Bless to Be Blessed                                                         7  
I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. Genesis 12:3a

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 27:27-29 “²⁷ So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field
that the Lord has blessed. ²⁸ May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness an abundance of grain and new wine. ²⁹ May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

COMMENTS : Today’s scripture reveals the father to son blessing Isaac gave to Jacob. Jacob received the blessing Isaac planned for Esau out of deception. But God has a way of doing what He has already planned out in spite of our evil mischief or satan’s mischief. Yet He blesses us so we can be a blessing to others – sharing our blessings with those less fortunate. I believe He provides blessings more to some than others so we will have opportunity to share. Yet we tend to hoard and use resources God gives us to satisfy our own selfish desires and not for priorities He wants us to have. Yet, have you noticed how often those who tithe and share with others tend to be happier and have less debt than those who don’t? I don’t know the giving habits of most but those I do I’ve noticed this to be true. Those I suspect are strong givers demonstrate this principle. I believe God tests and develops us to be givers. So He gives us some to test us and then gives more as we demonstrate growth in giving. Responsible giving is not blindly giving all away but I believe generally means giving more than we are comfortable with tempered with God’s input on how much and where.   Times we have given above what we were comfortable with has always reaped blessing back to us beyond intent or expectations we might have had.   God’s promise to Abraham, as an old man without hope, was he would be the father of a huge nation, of which those who blessed it would be blessed and those who cursed it would be cursed. A nation that would last forever and be populated by a number too large to count.   Yes, I believe our country has been blessed due to the faithfulness of it’s Christian citizens (including Christian leaders), but also because we have blessed Israel.   I also believe our leaders and citizens are turning in rebellion from God and away from Israel, which I fear will reign the curse portion of that promise soon upon our heads. Let make it a matter of daily prayer seeking God’s help to stop that trend and to show us what we need to do. Let’s also confess our sins to Him and our indifference towards what we know He has already called us to do and turn back in obedience to Him. Yes, it starts with prayer and continues and ends with prayer each day. But it takes more, it takes action.   It takes obedience with our mouths and feet and minds and hands.                                                                                                                                                               6/8/16                                         OUR LIES WILL NEVER FOOL GOD                                                       8 Acts 5:3-6 “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.” COMMENTS :     Why was judgment so severe and swift for Ananias and Sapphira while others both in and outside the church who appear to have committed even worse sins went and go unjudged or even confronted? You and I may have theories or opinions, as have theologians over the centuries. Commentaries share their conclusions. They commonly say God was swift to keep early church pure and true in a critical time when church was growing. They commonly say they had a final opportunity to repent and be forgiven when Peter confronted them. Truth is, God is sovereign and has every right to administer judgment as well as mercy whenever and as often as He wills. He doesn’t have to get our approval or worry about what we think, does He? Yet He also must work and act in a way that will support He Will and Plan to redeem His creation, incuding you and me. How and when He reveals that is and will be perfect timing and best, as we will see in time.                                6/9/16                                           GOD WILL SHOW UP!                                                 9   Scripture: Isaiah 41:13 “¹³ For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

COMMENTS:   Isaiah 41:13 promises us God will show up and hold our right hand when our enemies war against us, so we need not fear. The problem is not about His faithfulness. Problem is we usually can’t see Him and have little clue His help is already near. If we could, we would be more comfortable waiting on Him, but little faith would be needed if that were the case. What we do have as proof His help is imminent from past examples of others, especially others in scripture, as well as examples from our past. But God has a way of stretching our faith with trials and “distractions”, which are opportunities to witness and minister and, yes, opportunities to grow. To grow closer to Him and closer to those who need us and those we need. One thing I have to keep reminding myself, and suspect you do to, is that being available to give a word of encouragement or witness during day is more important than completing projects I planned for day. That means planning for distractions instead of avoiding them. During summer, Arlene and I have our granddaughter and sometimes our step-grandson during workday while their dad and mom work. That means being willing to give one or both time each day and away from mowing or fixing or doing projects needing attention, or things I just like doing. This week I’m at West Pa. UMC annual church conference at Grove City College as our church delegate, from noon – Wednesday thru Sunday noon. I go home each evening but that means being away from 8AM – 9PM each day. I enjoy conference – 1800 laity and pastors worshipping together and listening to gifted preachers from around the country and teaching of our bishop is well worth the time.   I always return better equipped and inspired. Not everyone feels that way but I and most do and I know all are blessed by being there. Also, it is such a blessing to see and visit with past pastors and meeting new pastors and laity. It is also nice to enjoy the beautiful campus. Much of the campus is familiar to me from time I went there from 1969-1973. Those were good but difficult years. But there are many new and beautiful buildings and other improvements that give the campus a rich and peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere. The food isn’t bad either. Reviewing and discussing and debating legislation is an important, but less pleasurable part of conference but a necessary one. However, it is good to be a part of a conservative conference that still adheres to John Wesley’s teachings and doctrine and holds the Holy Bible as God’s Word. Not all denominations or even UMC conferences are as fundamental, so diligence and prayer is still vital to our church and country and world. Satan is still doing His mischief, causing us to think we know better than or have “outgrown” God.                                                                                                                                                                             6/10/16                                                                                 Tut-tut…                                                 10   I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.   Psalm 89:1

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 78:1-4 “¹ My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth with a parable;I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
³ things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.”

COMMENTS : When I read scripture – especially the stories in the Old Testament, I’m amazed how quickly the Jewish people wondering away from God after such amazing miracles God did for them. Yet I’m living in a time when exactly the same thing is happening. Our country and people are running away from God and even basic moral values so quickly and dramatically it is breathtaking.   We are on a path to judgment identical to the Jewish people just before being captured by the Babylonians and then taken away as slaves. We are living in a time like Jeremiah lived, which was just prior to Babylonian invasion.   Jeremiah warned the people but warnings went unheeded. We have prophets too who are not being heeded either. Yet Psalm 78 tells us how important it is for us to listen to the wise teaching God gives us from scripture and follow it’s guidance. Such teaching has rightly guided countless generations from the time it was written to our generation. Likewise, the consequences of not following God’s words to us has brought pain and suffering and death of countless individuals and countries in those same generations. Yet how widespread we continue to wonder from them and follow the same folly that devastated our ancestors. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expect another result. Likewise, doing the same things right can be expected to bring the same good results. So reflect and see how that speaks to you and what guidance it gives you. Are you at a crossroad wondering what to do or where you can look for help? Are you wondering how to change directions or get a do-over? God specializes in do-overs. God is longing for you to ask for help from Him. Sometimes some of those consequences linger after we repent, maybe just to reinforce to us the need to get on and stay on the right path and not regress. What ever the reason, the path God puts us on is the best and ultimately will be the one to life for us and for those we will impact along the way. I know, that doesn’t always reflect our actions any more than it did for Israel in past. But God is and will be merciful if we only repent and change directions and reconnect with Him. You see, life has a way of distracting and contaminating us, doesn’t it?   Just as we must wash our bodies daily, we must wash our spirits daily. Thing is, we can’t wash our spirits, we need Him to wash our spirits and He is more than willing to do so if we only seek Him and ask.   It just needs to be done each and every day or the dirt of our lives begins to get so think we can not longer live healthy lives…..                                                                                                                                                                                                 6/11/16                                                 RESISTING REPENTANCE                                            11           Acts 5:7-11 “About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, ‘Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘that is the price.’ Peter said to her, ‘How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.’ At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events”                                                                                COMMENTS :   The price Ananias and Sapphira paid for their deception was steep. I’m sure they would have repented if they knew what would happen. I can’t quite grasp why God judged them so swiftly. I also can’t grasp why He hasn’t judged you and me so swiftly either. Haven’t we done or said or deceived in just as sinful ways or worse? Well, God is God and is sovereign so He can and will do what and when He wills. We can discuss and wonder why He does or doesn’t do this or that and why He delays responding sometimes and responds quickly others. But when we look back over history and even our own lives, we have to admit He is in control and has given divine guidance and help each and every day throughout history. Some days were dark and His hand was hid for a time while other days His             hand was evident at work.   Answers to this mystery will have to wait til heaven, but we can wonder and ask. Who knows, He just might gives us some clues as to why in His word or by directly speaking to our souls.   But everything will be revealed in heaven. Then we will know and marvel at His love and wisdom and faithfulness.   In meantime, we just need to learn to trust and obey – the only way as that old familiar hymn reminds us : “When we walk with the Lord   In the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey Trust and obey For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay For the favor He show For the joy He bestows Are for them who will trust and obey Trust and obey For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus   But to trust and obey”

6/12/16                                         God really does Love Us!                                               12   Scripture: Psalm 66:16-20 “¹⁶ Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. ¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; ¹⁹ but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. ²⁰ Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”

COMMENTS: My growing up years were similar but not quite like described above. Hell and damnation were rarely preached in our church but love certainly was expressed and God’s love shared in our Sunday School classes, especially by a couple of my Sunday School teachers. But at age 10 we had an evangelist preached a series of sermons on God’s judgment and about salvation. I remember the feeling of shame and filth of sin in my heart and went to the altar when call was given. I remember the feeling of knowing God forgave me. When I got home, I opened a small KJV Rainbow bible my parents had given me the Christmas before. King James is hard to read but that night I opened it and could read and understand what I read. I remember going downstairs and telling my Mom and Dad I can understand what I read in the Bible now. They both smiled and said they were glad and encouraged me to keep reading.   Not every time I read my Bible did I sustain that level of clarity but God has helped me over the years gain clarity as I read and prayed and meditated and sought insight from others too. If these words help you in your walk and in gaining insight as you read and pray, than I’ve accomplished what I have hoped. Yet I realize we are reading God’s letter, so there will continue to be things we grasp and things we don’t yet have a clue. What do we expect, we’re just human with finite minds and perceptions. Cool thing is, He knows that and wants to guide us to a deeper understanding by one on one instructing us each moment and each day if we only agree and take the time to spend with Him. That I still learning to do better, so let’s work on doing better together.                                                                                                                                               6/13/16                                   Be Willing – a Good Starting Point                           13
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.   John 7:17

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 7:10-24 “¹⁰ However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. ¹¹ Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” ¹² Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. ¹⁴ Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. ¹⁵ The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” ¹⁶ Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. ¹⁷ Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. ¹⁸ Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. ¹⁹ Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” ²⁰ “You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” ²¹ Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. ²² Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. ²³ Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.””

COMMENTS :  I find today’s devotional very helpful and do relate. Aren’t you glad God meets us where we are? He doesn’t require more of us than we are capable of giving. I would encourage you to take some time, as I am, reflecting on my faith journey thus far, noticing what God has asked of me has changed over the years.   I suspect that you, like me, have changed and have a stronger faith and deeper relationship with Christ. Do you still feel unprepared and unqualified to share Christ or even have a clue how to do that? I don’t think that feeling in inadequacy ever goes away. As I look back and recall some of the feeble efforts I’ve made in past to share Christ, I am ashamed. I reflect on how much God has done for me and helped me and how little I’ve done for Him, I am ashamed. Do you feel the same way? He is not ashamed of us or reluctant to shower us with Him mercies. So why are we so reluctant and timid on sharing His love with others?   That is a mystery for me but I’m still timid and reluctant. Maybe it is a sense of inadequacy and failure in being faithful in our walk with Him and in part not being sure of the reaction we will get in others. Yet the most powerful witness we can give is our life example and how well we show others we care and listen to them.   Well, being willing to be willing isn’t a bad place to start. I, like you, look at those who are effective in outreach and witness and wonder how I could ever do that and reflect why I can’t. Then I ponder what God wants me to do. The first step for them, and for us is to go to God in prayer open and honest both with our desires as well as our fears and let Him speak to and guide through the process of being both willing and empowered. The disciples were not able or willing to do what they went on to do without the filling of the Holy Spirit. To try to do so ahead of God and without that indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Maybe witnessing was never intended to be easy. If it were easy, we would be relying on our natural gifts instead of His leading and would be giving ourselves credit too much of the time. But those of us where are used to more private lives and do not naturally initiate and carry on conversation as easily tend to beat ourselves up when we fall short of what we see others do. Do you relate to that. Well, I do. Well, be glad God looks at us differently than we do. He just wants us to love and spend time with Him and show that same love and hope to others that He shows us. Simply be a mirror.   Maybe I can do that some. How about you?   Well, after spending a few days at Annual UMC Conference, I am compelled to go deeper with Christ. This coming Sunday I’ll be speaking at the 3 churches on our Charge – Rankin Chapel, Peter’s Chapel and Clintonville Grace UMC – sharing a report of conference as well as a sermon. I know this Sunday will be history by time you read this, but since God works and acts outside time, I believe your prayers will affect me even now before this Sunday, so encourage your prayers. After all, God may use my words in the future based on your future prayers, right? Yes, our Christian walk is a journey – an eternal journey with our creator – our God – our Lord – our Savior – but also our closest friend. That is the good news He wants us to live and share. After all, He also wants to be all these to everyone else too. There is more than enough of Him to go around – to share.   The more of Him we share, the more of Christ we will have and know. That is how He works….                                                                                                                                                                                6/14/16                                                            God’s Plans are Best                                               14   Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14 “¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.””   COMMENTS : I love today’s verse from Jeremiah 29 and find such comfort and encouragement and reassurance in it. I also know it to be true from past experience and history of those before me as well as in my life’s journey thus far. I also have no doubt my future will as well. As you reflect, can you confirm this verse to be true for you as well? I know some days we wonder about that because of dark circumstances or situations or events. Sickness and death and disappointment are part of living as humans in a fallen world. But God is faithful and our confident hope and future lie in His promises and His faithfulness to keep His promises. He has promised to keep us and guide us to life’s end with promise of an eternal home where He will provide eternally safe from satan’s mischief and evil plans and actions. God only allows satan limited freedom and uses even his evil mischief for our good and to fulfill God’s ultimate plan.   Look back and see how true that is. Hardship and even disaster will only draw us closer to Him and each other if we are faithful in trusting and obeying Him. When we turn our backs on Him, we suffer more and reign unnecessary pain and hardship on us, but that isn’t God’s desire or intent. That is a consequence of disobedience.   BUT GOD HAS CREATED A PLAN OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS SO EVEN DISOBEDIENCE NEED NOT SEPARATE US FROM HIM!   Satan has no way of stopping that, only try to distract or deceive us into forgetting or doubting that.   Satan can only destroy and hurt, he can’t create. Only God can create something wonderful from nothing. So who is more powerful – one who only has the power to destroy or One who has the power to create?   Is it easier to destroy or create?   Next time you see a building blown up or someone killed, think. Was it easier to build that building or blow it up?   Was it easier to create that person or kill him? Next time you step on an ant, can you fix it?   Get the point?   So who are you going to believe, one who only destroys or One who creates?   Who better to follow and trust?   Should be a “no brainer” but you and I still struggled in follow thru, don’t we?   We so soon get discouraged and forget. Well, that is exactly what satan is so good at doing – discouraging and distracting us. Stay the course! God’s way is the Only Way to Life!!                                                                                                                                                     6/15/16                                                 GOD’S AWESOME POWER                            15                         Acts 5:12-14 “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”   COMMENTS: The disciples did amazing things during the years after Pentecost.   Thousands were saved, countless lives changed for good.  Christ was honored and His sacrifice and salvation preached. The impact of those years had eternal significance and continues to impact us 2000 years later. We don’t know them, nor their stories nor the impact they had on others, other than through stories recorded in the New Testament. Paul’s experiences are best documented, because of his letters to the 7 churches in Asia Minor. Why were others not added to the Apostle’s elite group? Well, to be a Apostle they had to have witnessed and be taught by Christ Himself, That also qualifies being a disciple. Disciples are taught through the Master’s teaching by either Himself or through others as teachers. We are disciples because we have free access to Christ’s teachings as well as influence of His spirit speaking to our souls and minds. But the twelve has special significance in the early church to keep Gospel pure and accountability of church true.   We can’t fully understand why more were not allowed into their group, but God definitely gave them discernment. It was not to preserve a power base. Yet evangelists and pastors and preachers and witnesses freely were added as the years progressed, resulting in the Christian movement growing for a few to millions in a few brief years. It was indeed a “God thing”. Satan could not stop it. He could not kill all the Christians. His persecution only served to deepen their faith and commitment and add to their numbers. God used satan’s evil deed for eternal good… I’m grateful I, nor my family, have not faced that level of persecution but similar times of persecution may indeed return. I pray that I and my family will be faithful in good or perilous times to come. I pray yours will as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                          6/16/16                                                             Spiritual Power                                               16
Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

SCRIPTURE: GALATIANS 4:1-7 “What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.^{[b] 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

COMMENTS :    Galatians 4:1-7 gives us as wonderful promise, a hope, that both explains current hardships but also gives us the promise they are temporary and we have a wonderful future. Just as a minor child will not see his full inheritance until he satisfies the conditions set by his father, we will not see our full inheritance until God’s conditions are also met. That is not being mean but being faithful to both His wisdom and to us. Just as a child is not ready to manage his inheritance, we need preparation in order to be able to manage and properly enjoy our inheritance. To use it as is intended. This morning I put the “finishing touches” on a message I’ve been preparing for worship at3 United Methodist Churches on our charge. I will be leading worship this Sunday. Message is entitled “The Lord’s Prayer – God’s path to Himself and to Eternal Life”. I will also be giving a brief report on the Western Pa United Methodist Annual Conference, where I was a lay delegate. Was a wonderful experience to enjoy the beautiful campus and weather and worship with over 1400 other delegates. The singing and preaching and teaching was inspiring and enlightening. I always look forward to and am blessed for experience but wish others from our church would commit to be a part of it too. Experience also encourages me that our denomination still has life in it and is still seeking to be obedient to God.   Church’s teaching and doctrine and focus on scripture is still true and is still commonly being preached. But there are distractions and plenty of “busy work” that detracts from God’s work. But I was glad our Bishop included many wonderful times of worship and teaching and preaching to inspire and enlighten and instruct pastors and laity present. I took a lot of notes and bought some books I am hoping to equip me and others in our churches. There is a inheritance awaiting us, but we still have preparation and work needing done on earth as long as we have breath and a sound mind and body. Time is running out and there is still a world of lost people and family members still lost who need to hear the Good News.   This week we are burying Helen Kellerman, my mother’s younger sister. She lived 100 years and lived to meet her grandchildren’s grandchildren. Over 100 family came to greet her at her 100^th birthday celebration on May 20. What a wonderful experience to be a part of and see the joy on her face. She also demonstrated a strong faith that gives us great confidence she is now celebrating with Christ and family and is enjoying her inheritance in heaven now. What a celebration that must be. What a reunion it must be as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                   6/17/16                                                 HEALING POWER                                              17                       Acts 5:15-16 “As a result, people brought those who were ill into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were ill and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”   COMMENTS :   What struck me about the above scripture was the word “…all of them were healed.”   How often does our prayers seem to go unanswered or answers come later and in different ways than we asked. Then there are those times when our prayers are answered quickly. What is different? What was different in the above examples described in Acts? It is an unanswered mystery, or at least a mystery in part.   Should we expect, as they, our prayers to be answered right away? Do we lack necessary faith when they are not?   Age old questions still without satisfactory answers. Some have said the only reason our prayers aren’t answered is our lack of faith, period. Others say prayers outside God’s will won’t be answered. Still others say God is not real or no longer listens to our prayers. We can’t settle for not having all the answers. If we can’t find answers, then we’ll make up our own answers to feel satisfied, don’t we? We’d rather have wrong answers than no answers. Well, who can truly comprehend God or His ways? Romans 11:34 “For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?” Answer is no one! Not me and not you and not the wisest or most knowledgeable Bible Scholar. But we have God’s promise to hear and answer our prayers (Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you.”) It certainly is good to take everything to God in prayer, but we need to keep in mind prayer Is a 2 way conversation and we need to seek God’s response and not just evidence of God saying yes to our request. God is not a “Genie” but the sovereign God of all, so seeking His help but respecting His response is what I’ve learned to seek more than a yes to my requests. But some requests are out of such need we become desperate for Help. Story of the friend who came at midnight seeking bread (Luke 11:5-13) teaching us persistence in soliciting God’s help does affect His timing and response. When that response comes quicker some times than others may be a result of our faith but I believe response is also affected by other circumstances and prayers – responses of others that either expedite God’s response or cause God to work in other unseen places and people first before He responds to our prayers. Yet we have the promise (Romans 8:28-29) that God works to our good if we remain faithful to Him. So that must be our top priority and focus.
6/18/16                                                 God Leads the Way                                               18           Scripture: John 15:1-17 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.”

COMMENTS:    God gives us so many opportunities to impact other’s lives, some significant and some a word or two that encourages or helps another make a good choice or stay on a right course. How often have you been discouraged and someone said something that encouraged you and energized you to continue? It happens to me more often than I can count or even recall. But those times I do recall have been significant and know it was God’s way of helping me and answering my prayers but also His way of giving meaning and encouragement to those that encouraged me. That is how God loves to work, I am convinced. I also believe it is the most common way God works and answers prayer. When we refuse or miss an opportunity He gives us, it may delay or change the way He answers someone’s prayer.   Maybe that is often why our prayers aren’t answered right away. I’m convinced there are times that is true. So be encouraged but seek ways to be an encourager. We might just be the answer God has in mind to someone’s prayer.   They might just also be His answer to our prayer too….                                                                                                                                                                6/19/16                                                 As Time Draws Near                                      19                         And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.   Romans 13:11

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 91 “¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^{[a] 2} I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ³ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ⁵ You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. ⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. ⁸ You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. ⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, ¹⁰ no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. ¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹² they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. ¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. ¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””

The morning headlines hit us with alarm as we realize we’re drawing closer to the season of our Lord’s return. One of our great comforts is what the Bible says about the Lord shielding His people in times like these.

COMMENTS: Fanny Crosby lived 95 years never able to see with her eyes. But she gave us a wonderful view of her Savior, and ours, through her hymns. She, blind, was safe in the hands of her Savior. SO ARE WE! Today I led worship at the three UMC churches on Clintonville Charge. I always consider opportunity a daunting responsibility and opportunity, so end up putting maybe more work and anxiety into preparation than need be. But experience always draws me closer to Christ and feelings of inadequacy I can’t shake but are valuable to draw and keep me in His hands, which is where I too feel and am the safest.   Psalm 91:1-3 “1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ³ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. There is no danger or peril we can or will face that God can’t or won’t protect us from or deliver us from. That is hard to believe during those times we don’t see or feel His presence and peril we can’t see any way of avoiding. BUT HIS PROMISE TO US IS TRUE AND ENDURING! Past memories serve to help me trust Him in present and future.   I know it helps you too, because He is faithful to us.

• Psalm 17 says we are hidden under the shadow of His wings.
• Psalm 27 says we are hidden in the shelter of His tabernacle.
• Isaiah 49 says we are hidden in the shadow of His hand.
• Psalm 32 says that God is our hiding place.
• Colossians 3 says our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

                                                                                                                                                                                6/20/16                                             GREATER AUTHORITY                                       20                     Acts 5:17-21a   “Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people all about this new life.’ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.”             COMMENTS : Today is another beautiful morning. Our daughter returned from a great vacation with her family safe and sound, the best Father’s Day present. Our son also called and had a good conversation with us. He is struggling with a lot of back pain and doctor hasn’t been able to diagnose and effectively treat it, so our focus of prayer for him is tied to this current need. We are also praying for many in our community that are either in the hospital or lost loved ones. It seems every week brings back news, but last week was an especially sad week of sickness and loss due to death of loved ones. At the time prayer seems not enough to offer in help to those grieving or suffering. Especially when there is nothing else tangible we can do. But being a listening friend and prayer are more powerful and effective ways of bringing help and healing than any other. Such can guide the hand of nurses and surgeons, comfort and bring opportunity of comfort and encouragement and HOPE. When there is nothing else to do – PRAY. When there is much we can do, we need to start with PRAYER.   Either way PRAYER is the starting point.                                                                                                                                                                    6/21/16                                       GOD IS FAITHFUL TO US                                               21           Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 “¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’””

COMMENTS:   Why are some habits easy to make and hard to break while others are harder to make and easy to break? Church seems to be one of those habits that is too easy to break even if attending regularly for many years. Yet something is missing on Sunday morning when we fail to attend, even for good reason.   But habits can be a good thing if repetition helps us stay faithful when our emotions and other distractions pull us away.   But going to church really needs to be motivated by a lot more than habit. Having fellowship with other Christians and worshipping God are needs we have beyond habit. God certainly deserves our fellowship and worship too.   A car battery may work well without being charged for a few times, but it will eventually fail us and likely in a critical location or time away from immediate help. I have an old Wheel Horse garden tractor that was my father’s many years ago. At times it fails to charge it’s battery and find a need to jump start it.   All the work previously done should have charged it, but without that the battery continues to be drained from use. When we tap into Christ and worship with other believers, our spiritual battery is charged and the weeks work and responsibilities need not drain us if we stay in fellowship with Him. That is easier said than done and some weeks simply demand more of us than we can sustain. But without being in continuous fellowship with Him, how do we hope to be successful let alone keep from making foolish choices that will further pull us into crisis and more problems requiring our attention and energy. How often do we make more work and stress for ourselves from foolish choices that could have been avoided if we had only stayed in fellowship with Christ and payed attention to His council and cautions. Even though we have much to gain from being in continual fellowship with Christ, He desires and so deserves our fellowship because that is is greatest desire.                                  

 

6/22/16                         Languages: Give Your Love                                              22                        For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16                                                                              SCRIPTURE: II CORINTHIANS 8:7-9“⁷ But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. ⁸ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

COMMENTS: The above scripture from II Corinthians 8 tells us Christ chose to give up His riches and power and place in heaven for the poverty and limitations we humans experience. His position on earth was very modest. Yet scripture goes on to tells us we, through His poverty, can receive the wealth of His mercy and inheritance.   That promise and that hope is available to every one of us. All we need to do is accept it. But most do not. They go out into eternity lost in their poverty and sin simply because they did not accept that gift of forgiveness Christ paid dearly for them. Some thinking they are good enough or have earned heaven by living lives better than most. Others denying God exists nor believe the Bible is true and God’s word. Still others believing other religions have a better path and to a truer god. Truth is, all other gods are false and do not exist. Only God exists and only His Word (the Bible) reveals who He is and what He is like and the true way to salvation. But satan is also real and his efforts are real, trying to deceive us into thinking other ways are true.   So who are you and I going to believe? A liar or One who only tells truth. The one who can only destroy or the One who creates. Which is more powerful? One who can only destroy or the One who creates everything. Most of us do not choose satan over God consciously but do anyway by not accepting God’s forgiveness and by refusing to obey what He wants us to do. Every time we say yes to temptation, say yes to doing our own thing over what HE wants us to do. Every time we hold back giving because we want to spend our time and money on something we want. Every time we walk past church or a neighbor in need when God wants us to stop and go in.   Every time we say no to God, we are saying yes to satan. Every time we say no to God, we are taking a step away from Him and a step closer to satan. So who will you and I be walking away from and who will we be walking to today? I pray it will be God, our Creator, our Savior, our Lord, our Best Friend.   He is all of these and so much more…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                6/23/16               JESUS CREATED KNOWING WHAT IT WOULD COST HIM       23    Scripture: John 12:23-33 “²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. ²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. ³⁰ Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. ³² And I, when I am lifted up^[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”

COMMENTS   We have so many examples of God’s influence in creation all around us. Evidence also of satan’s influence but within God’s limits. Destruction and hatred and other evidence of sin and evil is result of satan’s influence. Creation and healing and beauty and love and mercy are the evidences of God’s influence. Even in the least obvious creatures is evidence of nurturing of parents for their children and dependence of children on their parents.   Yet satan does his best to put a barrier between children and their parents and put children at odds with their parents. That is not what God has designed and intends for His creation. Yet He allows us to choose and follow the foolish – evil folly satan draws us to. The choice is ours but the consequences are His. Satan can only deceive or even compel us, not force us nor prevent the consequences those choices bring.   Truth is he doesn’t mind if we suffer consequences for following him. He knows he will still be able to deceive us again. What he doesn’t like is blessings for following God’s way but he has no power to stop that. He hates it when we follow God’s way, for he can’t stand for God to win. It really isn’t a battle with us. We are only pawns. It is a battle with God and we are pawns he can use to get to God because he knows God loves and cares for us. Satan uses us because he knows we are precious to God. Satan knows the best way to hurt God is to hurt us. Satan also knows God has given man free choice to choose him or God.   Even the angels in heaven were given the choice and 1/3 decided to follow satan and lost heaven and fellowship with God.   So why does satan think he can win against God after seeing what God is capable of doing and with 2/3 of His angels still with Him in heaven?   2 to 1 aren’t very good odds and satan vs God is a whole lot worse odds, right? Well, satan is betting on God’s soft side – His mercy towards man and His longsuffering. What satan can’t bring himself to believe is God will judge him and those who follow him even thought He has said so and has judged so in the past. Satan has deceived himself into believing his own lies. Why would satan think he could win against God? Because otherwise He would have to admit God will win and he will loose. Satan’s price is his worst enemy and what keeps driving him to continue. Otherwise, he would have to admit God is sovereign and right. He can’t bring himself to do that, but SOMEDAY GOD WILL FORCE HIM TO. SOMEDAY SATAN WILL BE FORCED, ALONG WITH ALL WHO FOLLOW HIM, TO BOW AND WORSHIP HIM – LIKE IT OR NOT!   It will be so much better to worship Him because we want to and chose to and not because we are forced to. That is what I’m choosing and pray you are too. Following Christ is a choice. Following satan is a default when don’t follow Christ. There is no other choice. No neutral position, as much as we would like it at times. But be glad God gives us a path back to Himself often and certainly when we seek one. Where would we be if He didn’t or withheld that path? NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL! Sometimes maybe we should think about that so we appreciate what He has done and does for us each and every day. HE IS SO WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE – OUR LIVE – OUR   WORSHIP – AND OUR GRATITUDE – BUT ALSO OUR OBEDIENCE.   That is what makes Him happy and us too because we then are doing what we were designed to do and what we are the happiest and most fulfilled doing.   Am I preaching to the choir? Well, I’m preaching to myself because I need reminded every day, so presume you do too.                                                                                                                          6/24/16                                                                 Worth Repeating                                         24  
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.   Matthew 10:29-31

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23 “¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³ he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,^[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

COMMENTS:  Why did God program us to not only remember but also to forget? Forgetfulness helps in the forgiveness and healing process. You and I remember only a small fraction of what we learned in school even though a great deal of time and money and effort goes into learning lessons taught. Even the time we spend in church and Sunday school doesn’t prevent our need to relearn and reinforce truths and lessons learned. Does that mean we should give up since much of what we learn will be lost? Well, truth is with God nothing is lost.   Likewise, in God’s economy so much of what we value greatly has little long term value to Him while so much of what we judge of little value (mostly because of ease it can be replaced or value it’s use has for us) has great value to God. The greatest lessons we learn in school are things like how to work with and get along with and be in relationship with others – how to study and reason and work in team settings to common goals – broadening our experience base and discovering options for life goals and work. Those lessons are retained more permanently and have longer lasting affect on us than much of what we learn out of books or from lectures. The above verses from Matthew 10 tell us a inexpensive sparrow has great value to God – even the 5^th one that is free. That is very good news especially because He can replace us more easily than we those in bible times could replace a sparrow. Yet He still cherishes His creation, especially you and me. That value drives Him to redeem us at great cost to Himself.   Psalm 23:4 assures us that even death need not be feared because He will be with us carrying us safely to the other side where He has a place He is personally preparing for us. He prepared the earth so perfectly for us – even the fallen current world greatly corrupted by satan from the world He created. So how much better is the place He is now preparing for us. It took Him 7 days to create the world and everything in it, but He has been preparing heaven for us for a much longer time.   Maybe it is because heaven is expanding to hold all who accept Him as time goes on. Well, for whatever reason, He has promised heaven to be a perfect place for us where we will be with loved ones and with Him forever.   He is looking forward to that time, as should we. He is preparing for that time, AS SHOULD WE TOO!   Fear is a normal emotion and reaction to the unknown future or situations that bring risk of failure or pain or loss. Death poses the greatest threat since we must leave everything behind, including our very bodies, before we know what awaits us. Well, that can be terrifying for those who don’t know Him.   But if we trust God enough to believe what He has promised to the point of looking forward to the unknown future (both here on earth or in heaven), than we begin to walk in faith and in relationship with Him.   Trust if vital to every important relationship, but at risk of being hurt as we open ourselves by being vulnerable.   We are vulnerable to God whether we accept a relationship with Him or not, but we probably don’t realize our vulnerability until we do get to know Him. But the more we know Him, the more we will love and trust Him, because He is worthy of our trust and our love like none other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6/25/16                                           UNEXPLAINED POWER                                     25                    Acts 5:17-26   “¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” ²¹ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. ²² But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, ²³ “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. ²⁵ Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” ²⁶ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.”

COMMENTS :     Why did God rescue Peter and many other disciples during this time and later allow them all to be killed or left in prison? The answer is a mystery but can be answered in part by the impact they had and even their deaths had on explosive growth of church – number of converts. Even though we can’t predict or understand God’s ways or how or when He will intervene. But He has promised to be with us and no permit us to endure any more than we can bear with His help and His hand in ours. Seeing things from His perspective isn’t possible and we couldn’t comprehend it if we did see it. But we only need to look back in our past to see confirmation God has been faithful to us. He has promised to not allow us to bear any more than we can with His help, but will provide a way of escape. There are many ways of escape He uses: Stopping the persecutor by death or conversion, escape by fleeing to a safe place, and escape by death of the persecuted. He knows our days are numbered and sooner or later we will die. Yet He knows the impact we will have on others and others on us and weighs that all into number of days we have left. Trusting that He will choose the number of remaining days we have for our good is important. That means we do not need to know why, as much as we want to know, but we need to know what. What does He want me to do in my remaining days? Who can I positively impact and who can positive impact me?   How can I work with God in accomplishing His will and avoid working in conflict to His will? Only way I know of is on my knees first and only by keeping my eyes on Him and my hand in His when I walk each day. Not so easy at times to do but am still working on that. I hope you will too.                                                                                                                                                                  6/26/16                                 HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE                             26                       Scripture: Psalm 52:1-9 “¹ Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? ² You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. ³ You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.^{[c] 4} You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue! ⁵ Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. ⁶ The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying, ⁷ “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others! ⁸ But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. ⁹ For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”

COMMENTS     Psalm 52:9 “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”   Today Betty Lawson delivered her first sermon. She completed the lay servant course offered by the UMC district and took the leap of faith to share a message God put on her heart. She shared personal family experiences that reminds us that personal detours and even tragedy are opportunities for God to do greater blessing. Today’s scripture from Psalm also remind us God has looked from eternity past and loved you and me enough to create us and prepare for our life and salvation. Today was also a reminder that to do God’s bidding is always a path to a special blessing. Betty asked two neighbor girls to help her in service by leading singing and scripture readings. After 3 services they shared how much fun it was, but we noted what a blessing and encourager they were to us. I also had my faith tested. I played the piano at all 3 services and had decided not to sing while I played offertory song. I didn’t feel prepared to sing. But God had other plans. During first service He reminded me He had enabled me to play and sing at the same time, something I couldn’t do until receneetly, and didn’t want me to withhold that gift today. I not only did that at all 3 services but was able to share the precious truth in the hymn’s word that blessed me too “Tis not far to Jesus, He is everwhere. Watching o’er His children with a tender care. Early if we seek Him, early shall we find Him. ‘Tis not far to Jesus, He is everywhere”.   A simple song from our distant past but one with a powerful – encouraging message for everyone 5 to 105. It’s words blessed the congregations but especially blessed me and I almost didn’t share them. I hope it’s words bless you too. Betty’s message also blessed us with a reminder to stop and share words of kindness and compassion as our witness of God’s love to young and old we cross path’s with. She shared an example of stopping to greet a elderly stranger to comment on her hat. Her had reminded Betty of one her aunt had many years ago. That stranger shared her mother gave her that hat many decades ago and how precious it was to her. The next 45 minutes become a joyful conversation between Betty and that stranger that they both will remember.   That story spoke volumes to me, as am sure it did to rest of the congregations. I hope it will speak to you too. God might just give us each such an opportunity…                                                                                                            6/27/16                                                           Inseparable                                         27
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 63 “¹ You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. ² I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. ³ Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. ⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. ⁶ On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. ⁷ Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. ⁸ I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. ⁹ Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. ¹⁰ They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. ¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”

COMMENTS:    I would encourage you to make Psalm 63 your prayer today. I am doing that this morning too. This Psalm verbalizes some profound but basic ways God has and continues to provide for us. We are also reminded that just as the Psalmist discovered how completely God provided for him, He still does thousands of years later for us. But we so quickly and easily forget and allow our emotions or distractions draw us away from our relationship with Him.   We are living in changing times and not for the good. There is little we can depend on in the world.   Evil is infiltrating into small communities with intensity previously only seen in larger cities. Amoral behavior is becoming more common but even worse, is becoming more accepted and even encouraged. Taking a higher moral road is becoming not only judged abnormal but even evil in eyes of world. To speak such is becoming viewed as “hate speech” and attempts are being made daily to make such illegal with severe penalties by activists and their organizations. But God will not only be mocked, nor will the Commandments and higher way of living He has instructed us to follow. History tells us God will permit us to wonder and sin for a time but not without consequence or a time of judgment. He will let us think we are in control but not forever. We got to fall on our knees and repent and seek His mercy if we ever hope to regain God’s blessing and protection. If we don’t follow God, we follow satan. There is no middle ground or 3^rd choice. You and I need to resolve to run to Him seeking His mercy and forgiveness and fellowship daily. If we don’t, you and I are in peril. We also must pray for our families and communities and country and world daily too because they are also in peril of God’s judgment. Christ paid dearly for our salvation and a far better life – eternal life. We are wasting His sacrifice if we refuse it. Our sins are not better than those who are striving to silence God’s message in the world, so we are in just as great a need daily for a Savior as they. So why do they hate Christians who openly share God’s message so ferociously? Christ gives us the answer.   1 John 3:10-16 “10By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 11For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. You and I need to prepare for battle on our knees if we are going to be faithful to Christ. So much at stake and to do.

6/28/16                                             UNCOMFORTABLE POWER                                 28                      Acts 5:25-28 “Then someone came and said, ‘Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.’ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’” COMMENTS : For Peter and John to be thrown in prison and then, after angel freed them, went back into streets preaching in broad daylight is amazing. How is such boldness and courage possible. Well, being freed by an angel might help and being filled with the Holy Spirit enabled them. But such courage was also a choice they made. Their desire to obey was greater than their desire to even live. You and I have a long ways to do before we have such courage. Someday we might be called on to display such courage. That day seems to be coming and maybe quicker than we think. Choices will be made this election that may either speed to slow that day. But that day is coming either for us or our children, but come it will. How do we prepare and what do our children and grandchildren need to do to prepare so they will be ready too. If we could ask Peter and John if their sacrifice was worth it, what do you think they would say? OH YES – YES YES!! Peter deeply regretted denying Jesus. We don’t want regrets either. Getting ready on our knees and getting ready by obeying in smaller ways in meantime is how we get ready….                                                                                                                                    6/29/16                                  Loves Our Enemies?                                 29
SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 5:8-10 ” ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” COMMENTS: ”You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies.”  Corrie ten Boom Lent is a wonderful time of year. We are not all caught up in buying presents and decorating and going to parties like we are during Advent, but we see God beginning to decorate our surroundings with increasingly warmer weather and frequency of birds singing in the morning. Leaves are starting to be noticeable on trees and flowers and blossoms are starting to form as life begins to be evident all around us.   Snow and frost become less common and slowly, or quickly at times, disappear before our eyes. The power of spring begins overpowering the cold winter.   I often state during the winter when we are spared a snow storm or when temperature warms enough to melt the snow, “I love it when God shovels!” Spring is the time when we are reminded God is still in control demonstrating His love and mercy. GOD DOES THE DECORATING FOR EASTER INSTEAD OF US PUTTING UP GLITTER AND LIGHTS LIKE WE DO FOR CHRISTMAS. But Easter is the time we look to the cross and resurrection, reminding us the Love Christ demonstrated for you and me and all people by facing and enduring the punishment we deserve for our sins.   That is the message of Easter – the message more and more of the world does not want to hear and working harder to prevent others from hearing or sharing. Living in the U.S., we take for granted the freedom we enjoy to live and share our Christian faith. Most of the world does not enjoy such freedom and privilege. To be a Christian carries a badge of shame and persecution in most countries and growing evidence is showing up of that becoming the future in the U.S. and other democratic countries. That evidence is gaining traction. The U.S. was able to be established by God’s grace and obedience of faithful Christian pilgrims who came seeking religious freedom and a desire to share the Gospel to native people they would meet. Yet their motives and work was tarnished by evil motives and actions of others that also came as well as those corrupted by their motives and actions. Yet good has prevailed in spite of the evil over history. Yet evil still remained and gained strength in each new generation. My parent’s generation suffered great sacrifice due to the evil reign of Hitler in Germany with it’s aggression along with it’s primary AXIS allies, Emperor Hirohito (Japan) and Mussolini (Italy). My children’s and granchildren’s generations are quickly forgetting the destruction they reigned on the people they conquered and threat they posed on the free world that remained. What would it be like if they had conquered the world? What blessing we enjoy because my parents generation prayed and fought and stopped this evil!! Likewise, American history sharing the Christian faith of the Pilgrims and early Americans and founding leaders and miracles God demonstrated enabling them to survive and our country to be formed and blossom are not being taught.   Our Christian heritage has empowered them to transform their world for good and leave a legacy our grandparents and parents and us and our children and grandchildren have enjoyed.   Well, today’s devotion reminds us what our heritage is, popular or not, and positive impact Christ had on that heritage.   Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. He motivated our forefathers to sacrifice without any guarantee their work would succeed or survive or if they would survive to see it succeed.   What mission would be that important? What work would be worthy of such sacrifice? Christ, as God’s Son, knew His work – His mission – His sacrifice would be worth the cost because we were that precious to Him! He could have destroyed us and started over but then we would have been lost. He cared too much for us to allow that. We love our pets enough to care for them even though it would be cheaper to dispose of them when they are sick and get another. Aren’t you glad God didn’t do that with us when He could create new with the blink of an eye?   Stop and think – it did cross His mind when He gave Moses the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai. Moses persuaded Him not to. Read Genesis 19-31 and then Ch 32-33 revealing Israel’s sin and how Moses convinced God not to destroy them even thought he didn’t realize fully the extent of Israel’s sin. Then in Ch 34 God remakes the commandment stones for Moses (and us), replacing the stones Moses broke when he did learn the extent of Israel’s sin. I’d encourage you to take some time to read the whole story. Corrie ten Boom is in heaven now but her message and story lives on. She faced terrible persecution and pain and suffering under the rule of Hitler. Her entire family was tortured and killed and she nearly was.   The evil man is capable of doing, under satan’s influence, is unbelievably terrible but what man is capable of doing with God’s help is even more amazing. Christ sustained and empowered Corrie’s family with hope and sustained her too during WWII and after. Her message of hope and salvation was put to the test years later when she faced one of the Nazi guards responsible for the death of her family and her suffering at the altar during a revival service she lead. That guard came seeking God’s forgiveness and her’s too. She struggled for a few minutes because the cost to her for his sins was great. She wanted to hate and condemn, but God worked in her those minutes until she finally showed him mercy and forgiveness and led Him to Christ at that altar. WHAT GREATER DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S LOVE AND MERCY? WHAT GREATER LOVE CAN WE DEMONSTRATE? How could she do that? How can we?   IF THAT DOESN’T CONVINCE US WHO GOD IS AND THAT HE EXISTS AND IS STILL IN CONTROL, I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE WILL?

 

Easter is a good time, but any time of year is as good time to do some self examination and personal reflection and see what God’s vision – His plan – His dream is for you and me. What changes does He want to do in our lives, and who does He want us to forgive and who do we need to seek forgiveness from? FORGIVENESS SHOWS STRENGTH NOT WEAKNESS. HATE SHOWS WEAKNESS, NOT STRENGTH!! You see, compared to His righteousness and example of Good, we are as bad as that Nazi guard and just as sinful. We have sinned and failed Him and in just as great a need of His mercy and forgiveness and transformation He wants to do in us. Even if we have already received His forgiveness and are living for Him, we have so much more growth and maturing and carnality He still wants to address and cleanse us of.   Sanctification is what happens when we surrender our wills to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to come into our heart and change us. But even after that, our wills and sinful nature still impact our motives and actions and thoughts as long as we in our human flesh.   That is why establishing and maintaining a daily walk – a daily relationship with Christ – sustained by prayer, bible study, fellowship with other Christians, and being obedient in showing by example and witness the love He showed us, is the beginning of becoming like Him. The Christian life is easy to begin but takes a lifetime of work and determination. It is more than difficult – it is impossible. But until and unless we put our hand in His and keep it there, we can’t possibly succeed. But if we do that, we will not fail!! Afterall, we serve the Creator and Sustainer of everything and He paid dearly so we can have a one with one relationship with Him. THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS OF EASTER!!   OK, enough preaching. I get exciting about that message and hope you do too. There are a lot of less important things we get excited about. About time we get excited about Him. It’s His turn. Easter may be 3 months in past, but Easter should still be in our hearts and truth and impact of the Easter message is still vital and desperately needed.                                                                                                                                                 6/30/16                 Road to Life: Remember, Repent, and Return                 30
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4

SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 2:2-3 “The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: “This is what the Lord says: “‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness,through a land not sown.
³ Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the Lord.⁴ Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel. ⁵ This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. ⁶ They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord,  who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’ ⁷ I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. ⁸ The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. ⁹ “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the Lord.
“And I will bring charges against your children’s children.””

COMMENTS:   We are so proud of our nicely groomed lawns and gardens and how we have decorated or remodeled our homes. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished or successes we have achieved. But let’s just sit back and soak in what all God has accomplished in the 3 months since the winter snow began subsiding and the first green blade of grass and first tree leaf appeared. Look at the majesty of God’s display of life that has unfolded before us in just a few weeks. You might think that happens every spring so what is so special about that? So how special would it be if that had not happened this year? Just because God is so faithful to do His great work each and every year doesn’t take away from the awesomeness of what He does. His faithfulness to us goes on each and every year.   Even when He judges sin, He limits the extent of His punishment and leaves an open door to repentence and forgiveness. As you admire what God has done, bow before Him seeking forgives and a deeper relationship with Him. As I reflect on the Lord’s Prayer, I believe it is no accident Jesus instructed us to ask the Father for our daily break before asking Him to forgive us our sins against Him as we forgive others sins against us.. Just as we must depend on God to provide food for us each day, we need to seek His forgiveness each day since we continue to fall short of His perfect example and standard each day. Yet just as we continue to fall short of His perfect standard, others continue to fall short of our expectations and disappoint and hurt us. That means we must forgive daily just as we depend on God to forgive us daily. I think that is a powerful revelation that can transform our relationship with God but also with each other. Such a simple prayer easy to learn and use but such a powerful prayer packed with insights that still escape us.

Today finishes another month of journal entries. I hope and pray you have been enriched and blessed and drawn closer to the One who loves you like none other. I know I have been so blessed by Him too.  I will be archiving this month’s journal in my dogbox shared storage file accessible through my blog “ https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/” If care to read any of my blog entries, you can open any at this link. Also, access past devotional journals, as well as other resources I thought might be of interest, you can access at direct link within my blog site: https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries-2013/

God willing, I will continue in July. If you would like to give journaling a try, let me know and will be glad to forward you current month’s template as a word document. You may contact me directly at my email address: dmcdaniel12@verizon.net