Sunday, December 27, 2015
Getting Unstuck
If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.
Scripture:
Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:12
Here in Michigan, it is not unusual for us to get more than our fair share of snow each winter. And as a result, it is not strange to see vehicles stuck in the snow. I too have even been stuck a time or two. I try not to panic when I get stuck because I already know panic doesn't help.
I can recall watching the news in years past and one of our local television news crews was out covering the storm and they too, just like the people they were reporting about, got stuck in the snow. Luckily for them as so many others, there were good Samaritans that came to their rescue and helped them to get unstuck.
Sometimes, in life we too will get stuck. We may be moving along in the right direction when suddenly, something happens that will prevent us from moving forward. The recent economy is just one of life’s little sticking moments. We keep hearing that the American economy is getting better and that people are getting back to work, but what you rarely here is how many of them are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Yes, they are working but they are still stuck because it’s still barely enough to survive.
The word of God that I used today says that just as fish and birds are caught by unexpected traps, so we can be trapped also. Not because of anything we have done, but rather because of the evil times we live in. We must always be mindful of the fact that the enemy is always laying it wait to trap us. When we travel along this path called life, unexpected storms will come upon us, trapping us and preventing us from moving forward.
What we must always remember is that yes, we make get stuck, but we have something better than AAA. Its call the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I raise my hands in honor of the Lord of the morning, who rises in glory in the east of the world. Piercer of darkness, illumine my path as I go through my day. Order my steps Holy Spirit and give me eyes to see and ears to hear Your will and Your word this and everyday. Help me to guard my tongue so that the things that are say build up Your kingdom and not tear it down. Help me to guard my thoughts so that I do not think more highly of myself than I should. Help me to keep my mind and my heart staid on thee and Your word. Empower me to go forth and do a good work in Your name. Lord, we humble ourselves before the throne of grace and seek Your face. Lord, we ask that You would continue to bless our families and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, someone will have to make a difficult choice today and will ask You what to do. Guide them Lord as only You can. Someone will come to the realization that their loved one will not be coming back. Have Mercy. Someone will shed tears because something that they have to say to a loved one will cause them pain. Temper their words with Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, today someone will run out of money. Someone will be faced with the hardships that often come in this world. Someone will have to comfort and care for a sick child, parent, brother or sister. Strengthen them for what lies ahead. Lord, each of us comes asking that You would bless all that we do and all that we are this day. Thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness. Thank You Lord, for Your patience. Thank You Lord, for Your Grace and Mercy. But most of all, Thank You Lord, for Your son, Jesus Christ, it is in His name we pray. AMEN!
Scripture:
Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:12
Here in Michigan, it is not unusual for us to get more than our fair share of snow each winter. And as a result, it is not strange to see vehicles stuck in the snow. I too have even been stuck a time or two. I try not to panic when I get stuck because I already know panic doesn't help.
I can recall watching the news in years past and one of our local television news crews was out covering the storm and they too, just like the people they were reporting about, got stuck in the snow. Luckily for them as so many others, there were good Samaritans that came to their rescue and helped them to get unstuck.
Sometimes, in life we too will get stuck. We may be moving along in the right direction when suddenly, something happens that will prevent us from moving forward. The recent economy is just one of life’s little sticking moments. We keep hearing that the American economy is getting better and that people are getting back to work, but what you rarely here is how many of them are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Yes, they are working but they are still stuck because it’s still barely enough to survive.
The word of God that I used today says that just as fish and birds are caught by unexpected traps, so we can be trapped also. Not because of anything we have done, but rather because of the evil times we live in. We must always be mindful of the fact that the enemy is always laying it wait to trap us. When we travel along this path called life, unexpected storms will come upon us, trapping us and preventing us from moving forward.
What we must always remember is that yes, we make get stuck, but we have something better than AAA. Its call the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I raise my hands in honor of the Lord of the morning, who rises in glory in the east of the world. Piercer of darkness, illumine my path as I go through my day. Order my steps Holy Spirit and give me eyes to see and ears to hear Your will and Your word this and everyday. Help me to guard my tongue so that the things that are say build up Your kingdom and not tear it down. Help me to guard my thoughts so that I do not think more highly of myself than I should. Help me to keep my mind and my heart staid on thee and Your word. Empower me to go forth and do a good work in Your name. Lord, we humble ourselves before the throne of grace and seek Your face. Lord, we ask that You would continue to bless our families and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, someone will have to make a difficult choice today and will ask You what to do. Guide them Lord as only You can. Someone will come to the realization that their loved one will not be coming back. Have Mercy. Someone will shed tears because something that they have to say to a loved one will cause them pain. Temper their words with Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, today someone will run out of money. Someone will be faced with the hardships that often come in this world. Someone will have to comfort and care for a sick child, parent, brother or sister. Strengthen them for what lies ahead. Lord, each of us comes asking that You would bless all that we do and all that we are this day. Thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness. Thank You Lord, for Your patience. Thank You Lord, for Your Grace and Mercy. But most of all, Thank You Lord, for Your son, Jesus Christ, it is in His name we pray. AMEN!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
The Real Reason for the Season
Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing Returns to you glad. ~ John Greenleaf Whittier
Scripture:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 NIV
Saints, have you been busy this holiday season? Have you been running around to this place and that place? Attending holiday parties, taking the kids to rehearsals, attending their plays and concerts? We won't even talk about decorating, shopping and cooking.
This time of year finds us running from this place to that place, stretching the limits of our endurance. We try to pack everything into our little 24 hour day. What should be a joyous time of year, turns into a race to see just how far we can go before we snap.!
So before we go another step further, let's remember just what this holy season is about. It's a time to reflect on God's love for us. It's a time when we should be in prayer and worship with and for one another, sharing God's love with each other. It's a time to truly teach our children what this season is all about. Not the gifts or the parties, or the plays.
But the true meaning of Christmas. CHRIST!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, as we enter into Your gates with praise and thanksgiving on our tongues and in our hearts, we want to say thank You for this season. We thank You Lord, not for the material things that we see advertised, but to the spiritual gift that was given that cannot be bought. We thank You Lord, for loving us that much. We thank You Lord, for family, friends and fellowship. Lord, keep us during this season. Let us not lose sight of the reason for the season. Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 NIV
Saints, have you been busy this holiday season? Have you been running around to this place and that place? Attending holiday parties, taking the kids to rehearsals, attending their plays and concerts? We won't even talk about decorating, shopping and cooking.
This time of year finds us running from this place to that place, stretching the limits of our endurance. We try to pack everything into our little 24 hour day. What should be a joyous time of year, turns into a race to see just how far we can go before we snap.!
So before we go another step further, let's remember just what this holy season is about. It's a time to reflect on God's love for us. It's a time when we should be in prayer and worship with and for one another, sharing God's love with each other. It's a time to truly teach our children what this season is all about. Not the gifts or the parties, or the plays.
But the true meaning of Christmas. CHRIST!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, as we enter into Your gates with praise and thanksgiving on our tongues and in our hearts, we want to say thank You for this season. We thank You Lord, not for the material things that we see advertised, but to the spiritual gift that was given that cannot be bought. We thank You Lord, for loving us that much. We thank You Lord, for family, friends and fellowship. Lord, keep us during this season. Let us not lose sight of the reason for the season. Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Sunday, December 06, 2015
When Your Soul Feels Empty
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering you own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew. ~ Saint Francis de Sales
Scripture:
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (New International Version)
Depression is never easy, but it's especially hard during the holidays. The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. But for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety. And unfortunately, with an economy that is still faltering the pressures during what is supposed to be a holy time continue to increase.
We have allowed one of the holiest times of the year to become one of the most commercialized times as well. Christmas has become a celebration of gifts, not God. And nativity scenes are brought under fire and in many cases removed or never even erected for fear of being sued. Far too often we look to those materialistic things of this world to fill the void in our empty souls. We find ourselves wandering about in the desert like the children of Israel unable to find our way home.
However, I want you to know, there is something that can make you feel whole again; the undeniable, indisputable, everlasting word of God. When we begin to feel our souls being emptied out by the world around us, all we have to do is go before the throne of grace and drink from a fountain that never runs dry.
"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Lord, we come before the throne of grace to intercede for one another. We come asking for blessings and breakthroughs, not for ourselves but for our family members, friends, co-workers, on-line family members and brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, we don't know the needs of Your children, but You do Lord. We ask that You would lift and bind the spirits of depression, despair, loneliness, anger, resentment, hurt, poverty and all others that are not of You. Lord, we ask that You would bless us and deliver us as only You can. Place Your hedge of protection securely around every person and all families that are represented here today. Allow this season of Your son to be filled with blessings and joy that have been given with the birth of Your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (New International Version)
Depression is never easy, but it's especially hard during the holidays. The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. But for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety. And unfortunately, with an economy that is still faltering the pressures during what is supposed to be a holy time continue to increase.
We have allowed one of the holiest times of the year to become one of the most commercialized times as well. Christmas has become a celebration of gifts, not God. And nativity scenes are brought under fire and in many cases removed or never even erected for fear of being sued. Far too often we look to those materialistic things of this world to fill the void in our empty souls. We find ourselves wandering about in the desert like the children of Israel unable to find our way home.
However, I want you to know, there is something that can make you feel whole again; the undeniable, indisputable, everlasting word of God. When we begin to feel our souls being emptied out by the world around us, all we have to do is go before the throne of grace and drink from a fountain that never runs dry.
"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Lord, we come before the throne of grace to intercede for one another. We come asking for blessings and breakthroughs, not for ourselves but for our family members, friends, co-workers, on-line family members and brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, we don't know the needs of Your children, but You do Lord. We ask that You would lift and bind the spirits of depression, despair, loneliness, anger, resentment, hurt, poverty and all others that are not of You. Lord, we ask that You would bless us and deliver us as only You can. Place Your hedge of protection securely around every person and all families that are represented here today. Allow this season of Your son to be filled with blessings and joy that have been given with the birth of Your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
