Incredible Transformation

Good Morning!! It's hard to believe that a mighty oak tree got it's start form a tiny little acorn. Just as this power for life lies within an acorn's shell,...so too the power for transformation and growth lies within a Christian. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we "grow" the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we turn from destructive habits to healthy spiritual disciplines. Through that same power, we forgive those who hurt us. It's this same power that transformed murderous Saul, into preacher Paul.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power."—1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV)

But just as acorns need soil, sunlight, and water to develop into oaks, so Christians need Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians to mature. We learn Christ's ways as we read God's word; we sense Christ's presence as we pray; and we are inspired to live for Christ as we spend time with others who live in the Spirit's power. The power is available to all that asks.

We discover God's power within,...as we step out in faith.

Dear God, send Your Holy Spirit upon us today so that we may react to opportunities for blessing in Your strength and grace. Amen.

"Realize that we are not just saved to be forgiven of our sins, or to be assured of our eternity in heaven,
...but we are saved to know God."

It's The Little Things

Good Morning!! Even today, more than 30 years later, I still marvel at this simple gesture. A total stranger, a man whom I would never see again, and who didn't even know my name,...this man took the time to stop, pick me up, take me to a station, return me to my car, and stayed to make sure I got it started. I am sure that he soon forgot this event,...but I have never forgotten it. This random act of kindness from a stranger, has inspired me help others, wherever I can.

And anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded.—Mark 9:41 (AAJB)

God wants us to care for others in little ways,...a smile to the grocery checker, a note of appreciation to our Sunday school teacher, helping out somewhere without being asked. Two things we can be sure of: It will be noticed,...and it will make a difference.

It's our small and random acts of kindness, that make the world a better place.

Thank You, Lord, for those who inspire us by their kindness. Show us how to help others today, by doing little things too. Amen.

"Realize that we are not just saved to be forgiven of our sins, or to be assured of our eternity in heaven,
...but we are saved to know God."

Appearances

Good Morning!! It's good to recognize the impact we have on others around us,...especially if we want to leave a good impression. I'm a big guy; I'm six feet tall and weigh over 250 pounds. Sheila says; I don't grasp how big, or menacing I can look to people, that may be seeing me for the first time. But I don't want them to see me,..I want them to see Jesus in me,...though it hasn't always been that way.

Jesus said, "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."—Matthew 10:39 (NRSV)

A few years ago I gained a new perspective. Afterward, a lot of things changed in my life. I stopped thinking about how I could be a better me,...and started thinking about how I could be better at letting Jesus live through me. I began to see the pain of others and wanted to love them,...God is still showing me how. I became a giving person rather than the victim of my own selfishness. I began to trust in God's provision rather than only my own ability. I began to really study the Bible. I began to see God at work in my life and in the lives of others. And probably the most important thing of all,...I began to pray.

What do others know of Christ,...because of knowing us?

Father God, create in us a clean place, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. In the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

"Realize that we are not just saved to be forgiven of our sins, or to be assured of our eternity in heaven,
...but we are saved to know God."

Hear And Do

Good Morning!! There are so many days, that today's verses fits me, better than any other. The person in the verse who looks at their self in the mirror and, forgetting what they looked like, goes on their way. Just the other day, like always, I had looked intently into several scriptures. Later, at work, I tried to remember what I had posted for that morning's devotion,...but after working at my job, allowing the world into my mind for hours, I had trouble recalling my reading. Pressure from trying to accomplish my work on time, and attempting to provide answers to the numerous questions that come my way, I had started to lose my patience,...and forget that my real job is to serve.

If any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror . . . and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act they will be blessed in their doing.—James 1:23-25 (NRSV)

That's why we need the input of the Word of God every day,...it is fuel for our soul. Put some of the Bible's words and wisdom into your mind each day, as a deposit into your "spiritual account." Then at times like those today, when we cannot recall what we've studied or read, we can still have an abiding sense of being connected to the presence of the Holy Spirit.

When we take in God's word, we feed our soul and prepare ourselves to serve.

Lord, help us to be sensitive to see when we can become doers of the word. Amen.

"Realize that we are not just saved to be forgiven of our sins, or to be assured of our eternity in heaven,
...but we are saved to know God."

Choosen First

Good Morning!! Do you remember choosing teams in elementary school? Everyone knew that certain individuals were better athletes, and would be selected first for any game with a ball. It was just as well known which classmates were least likely to be chosen first,...even those always chosen last.

How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard?—Romans 10:14 (NRSV)

But God sent Jesus for everyone,...from the "least likely" to the "most likely." Are there people in your family or in your circle of friends with whom you have not talked about Jesus,...because you put them in the "least likely" to accept category

Remember, Jesus chose to reach out to the least likely first.

God of all the world, help us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us throughout the year. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"Realize that we are not just saved to be forgiven of our sins, or to be assured of our eternity in heaven,
...but we are saved to know God."

You Should Be There

Good Morning!! On any Sunday morning we can find a thousand reasons not to attend churh. Many of us are preoccupied with myriad concerns,...people we need to see or plans we have to make. Is it any wonder, that the sermon may seem distant from our needs,...or the music unmoving. When this happens to me, I remind myself of one thing: God will be there,...and that is why I need, and want to be there.

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."—Psalm 122:1 (NIV)

I will be there with an open heart, and hands to receive "every good and perfect gift," which comes from God (James 1:17) so that I may be part of God's presence in the world. I will be there because I follow Jesus, who "went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom" (Luke 4:16, NRSV). Worship was established behavior for Jesus. How much more must it be for us!

God will be at church, Sunday,...shouldn't we be there too.

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to Your presence: at church, at home, in daily life. Help us to be fully Yours as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"We are made for service,...service to our God,...and service to each other."

Thursday, July 21, 2011

What You Need, To Live

Good Morning, My Friend!! A person can fast from food for 40 days or longer, but the human body can go only for about 7 days maximum, without water. In the wilderness the Israelites were running out of the water, and because of their fear they started murmuring and complaining. Without water they would quickly perish, in this desert land. God instructed Moses to strike a rock, and out of this flinty hardness flowed sufficient water to meet the needs of all the people and their livestock.

Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.—John 4:14 (NAS)

To them, this should have been first and far most a sign, that God knew what they needed and was more than able to provide it,...even when they couldn't see how. However we see this rock as a symbol of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). In the midst of a sin-parched life, Christ offers a well of living water that never runs dry, no matter how often we drink from it.

Trust Jesus today and you can let go of your fears of never having enough.

Father God, keep us tuned to the reality of the spiritual world,...and mindful of the problems that come when we fail to seek a spiritual solution to our daily problems. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

" We are made for service,...service to our God,...and service to each other."