Waiting on God

Psalm 27:4 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

Throughout history God’s people have had to wait on Him. From the time when God instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and it took them 40 years, to now when women take 9 months to have a baby, we have all experienced the __trial__ of waiting on God. People are waiting on God as they wait for their medical diagnosis. Students waiting for their test scores. People in pain waiting for their trial to be over. Or simply waiting on God for the next season of life to begin. The list goes on and on. No matter what season of life we are in, we are always waiting on God in some way.

I remember as a child wanting so bad to be an adult so I could stay up late and do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. As human beings, we do not like to wait. We often grumble and complain, trying to rush through the waiting period. Even waiting for a phone to charge or a stoplight to change causes us frustration. We stress and we rush when we don’t have all the details.

We live in a world that is filled with the consumer mentality: We want what we want and we want it right NOW! However, what we must remember is that while we are in a hurry, God is usually not. Take the story of Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus was sick. After Lazarus died, Jesus came and the two sisters accused Jesus of taking too long. (see John 11)

But as much as we hate it, there is so much good that comes from our times of waiting.

5 Reasons for & Benefits of Our Waiting:

1. Preparation & Development 

Babies, for example, must develop and physically mature before they are brought into this world and can survive on their own.  Waiting allows us the time to change. It builds patience and character.  When we wait for small things, this leads to patience in the bigger things. Moses was brash and impatient, but his time of waiting allowed him to become a great leader.

Romans 5:3-4 “ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

2. Builds Anticipation

We cherish things more when we have to wait for them.

James 1:4 “…let patience have her perfect work.”

3. It Is Wise

Too often we make foolish decisions in the heat of the moment and later feel regret because we did not seek God first or wait on Him.

Just as God is patient with us (forgiving us time and time again and giving us time to become more like Him), we should be patient with God and trust that He is still at work even when we don’t see immediate results.

4. Builds Intimacy with God

Waiting on God leads us back to Him by reminding us of our dependence on Him and that He is ultimately in control of every area of our lives. It allows us time to surrender to God’s story. No matter how much we stress and worry and try to rush through the waiting period, life runs by God’s watch and not our own.

People who have had the most success eternally are those who have the most intimacy and dependence on God.

Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,

    to the one who seeks Him.”

5. God’s Story of Redemption

God is writing a bigger, redemptive story than we could ever imagine. And this story does not revolve around us, but rather around God alone. Our individual stories are part of a grander story where God is the Author. God uses the waiting room to rescue us from our own plans and the little kingdoms we have created for ourselves.

Waiting is not a sign that the world is out of control, but rather it is a sign that the world is under the care of a wise, loving, and all-powerful God. This means we can rest while we wait, because we can trust that God is working His story for our Eternal good and for His glory.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

So what?

What to Do in The Waiting Room:

1. Rest in God

Trust in His purposes and His timing.

Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

2. Serve the Lord

Don’t wait for God to fulfill your desire before you serve Him.

3. Prepare Yourself

Prepare yourself for what God is preparing for you.

4. Be Obedient (to what He has already shown you)

5. Receive it with Joy!

Rejoice and be grateful.

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Waiting is not only about what you will receive at the end of the wait, but what you will become as you wait. God is just as much interested in the journey as He is the destination.

What we must note is that we learn some of life’s greatest lessons from delayed gratification. The Lord promises to reward those who submit to His timing. We may never fully understand why we are in the waiting room, but the good news is that God never asks us to wait without Him.

Waiting on God is what many of us would consider a trial, but it is actually a ___blessing___ from God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

A New Season of Whispers from God

John 15:4-17
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. 10 When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than 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 slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. 16 You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is My command: Love each other.”

The question God convicted me of last night was this: If we aren’t changing, turning more into the likeness of Christ, then how does that help others? How do we change the world? How will God ever be glorified through our lives? It can’t. We can’t! He can’t!!! God reminded me that we must be continually be surrendering to His Will and opening our heart to Him if we ever plan to make a difference in the lives of others for Christ. We are nothing without Him. Without His love.

God’s Word says, “We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

Christ is the ultimate source of love. Unless we are in His Word and on our knees in humble prayer, we cannot see His face and we cannot be overwhelmed with His love for others.

We ask, “Where is the love in this world? Where is the compassion?”

The answer is that we have left it at the foot of the Cross. The love we are looking for is the love God intended for us to extend to others. Sadly, for generations we, yes even us believers, have continued to turn our backs on the one true God, our Father and Creator. We have rebelled against His commands and against His guidance, while chasing after life on our own terms. As a result, we have ultimately caused our own pain and destruction.

But God says we can do life another way. In John 15 (the first Bible passage I used in this devotional) we see the promise God made for us even before He created us. He says that if we seek Him above all else and draw close to Him, He will be with us. He will fill the deepest places of our hearts and transform us to become more like Him.

The question remains…
How long will we refuse His love?


…..How long will YOU?



“I Am Nothing” – Shawn McDonald
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxcBzEFuC2A

Elevation Church: Found Favor (Part 2)

Read Nehemiah 1:11, 2:4-6, 18; 1 Samuel 2:26

These are just a few stories of where God's people find favor with Him - even at a young age!




God's hand is on us in a special way, even before we know it!




Just like Esther found favor and saved a great nation, you too can affect everybody around you by finding favor with God.




Jesus is the ultimate example of God's favor for us.

Luke 2:52 - "Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people."




Pastor Steven Furtick's (Pastor of Elevation Church) definition of favor:

The favor of God is the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His special purpose in and through your life.




When you've found favor with God, you have the confidence that God is with you and for you to accomplish everything He's called you to do. You have the divine ability to seize opportunity and overcome opposition, because Jesus is fighting for you.




Unfortunately often when people ask for the favor of God, they expect favors from God. We can't pay Him back. Favor isn't fair. Fairness ended when Jesus died on the Cross and took our sins on His back. You don't want to play the favor game according to fairness. Favor isn't fair and you don't want it to be.




Favor is God deciding to be good to you just because He wants to be good to you and He wants to show the world who He is through your life.




God is fighting for you and the devil doesn't stand a chance against a child of God! :)




With God's favor your life WILL get harder - how else would God show His power over your circumstances if your life wasn't hard? God doesn't give you His favor for your convenience. He gives you His favor for His purpose to accomplish it through your life. God shows us favor not to make our lives easier, but to make His presence in our lives even bigger and more real so His purpose can be fulfilled.




Jesus found favor with God and it led Him to the Cross. With favor we learn to endure, trust, and have faith in God.




When we seek God's favor we will find it. You don't have to feel God's favor in order to find it.




"God's not going to give you the kind of help you're asking for because He wants to give you more help than any human can give. He Himself wants to be your source." - Holly Furtick, wife of Pastor Steven Furtick

Elevation Church: Found Favor (Part 1)

Exodus 33:12-13

Moses talking to God: "...I have found favor with you... don't forget that this nation is Your very own people."




We should do this too - give to God what is His; Our families are His to do with what He wants, similarly are our lives, ministries, careers, etc.




When we show dependency to God as Moses did here, we will find His favor.

vs.14-16 We see Moses saying/admitting He can't take a single step without God - DEPENDENCE!




God's favor on His people distinguishes us from everyone else (see vs. 16).




**God's favor gives you an opportunity, but your response and obedience determines whether or not you will seize it.**




The Bible is an anthology - the story of who God is.




Favor is not a formula. It doesn't always work "like this" or "like that." God cannot be contained to a formula. If someone is struggling, that does not mean they don't have God's blessing or favor. (See the Book of Job) In Job, God trusted Job enough that Job would stay faithful to Him even in great struggle.




Here are a few Pastor's opinions of what favor means:

"Favor is God doing for you what you can't do yourself."

"Favor is God's goodness displayed in an individual's life in such a way that only He can get the credit."

"Favor is a relationship with God of great confidence where no matter what you know that with God you're going to come out on top."

"Favor is the acceptance, approval, and assistance of God awarded to us through the finished work of Jesus."

"Favor is God graciously working to optimize your life and your circumstances for your good and His glory."




Whoever God used in the Bible found favor with Him before He even used them.

Examples: Genesis 6:8 Noah

12 - Abraham: God blessed Abraham so that he, in return, could be a blessing to others

18 - Abraham prayed that he would find favor in the sight of God




God's favor is not limited to any circumstance or situation. God's favor can find you wherever you are and bless you even in the hardest times of your life.




Read Ruth 2:10

Similarly to Ruth, people who find favor with God can't even believe they are where they are and they know it's the Lord that got them there.




When you find God's favor it doesn't make you arrogant; it makes you humble. When people say they have God's favor, they're acknowledging their dependence on Him and saying it's Him who got them where they are. It's arrogant not to say this.




When you find favor with God, it's about realizing you're already blessed and that He wants to bless you even more! :)

LifeChurch.tv Sermon Notes - Because of You

The local church is the hope of the world.




Mission statement of LifeChurch: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ




1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

"We have been greatly comforted...because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in the Lord. How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God."




When you walk in obedience to God, you're not surprised by the miracles of God.




It's impossible to please God without faith.




We are spiritual contributors not spiritual consumers. The Church does not exist for us. We are The Church and we exist for the world.

Love & Respect: Chapter 1 (Part 1)

Getting on the Crazy Cycle is all too easy. Recognizing that you're on the Crazy Cycle and learning how to keep it from spinning out of control is possible if husband and wife can learn how to meet each other's basic needs for love and respect.




Unfortunately, when a wife feels her husband is unloving, her usual approach is to complain and criticize in order to motivate her husband to become more loving. However, this usually proves about as successful as trying to sell brass knuckles to Mother Teresa.




Husbands are generally assured of their wives' love. Nevertheless, when wives show dislike, he interprets it as disrespect and even contempt. So the husband decides he will motivate his wife to become more respectful by acting in unloving ways. You see where this is going... it's a vicious cycle!




In regards to Ephesians 5:33, God commands wives to respect their husbands without conditions.

To say the least, doing something when you don't really feel you want to do it is counterintuitive. Therefore, this passage must be acted out in faith. God has ordained that wives respect their husbands as a method to win husbands to Himself. As a husband opens his spirit to God, he reopens his spirit to his wife. No husband feels affection toward a wife who appears to have contempt for who he is as a human being. The key to creating fond feelings of love in a husband toward his wife is through showing him unconditional respect.




Wives want their husbands to appreciate how much she loves him, and she yearns to feel more love from him. The best way to love a husband is to show him respect in ways that are meaningful to him. Such respect lets him feel his wife's love for him and ignites in him feelings of love for his wife.




End note: Keep things light - this releases tension.

Love & Respect: Chapter 1 (Part 1)

Part 1: The Crazy Cycle

Without Love - She Reacts - Without Respect - He Reacts




Chapter 1 - The Simple Secret to a Better Marriage

"Those who marry will face many troubles in this life..." (1 Corinthians 7:28)

This is why communication is so important!




You can be right but wrong at the top of your voice.




Tension has a way of tearing down your self-image.




"Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:33




The Love & Respect Connection is the key to any problem in a marriage.

How the need for love and the need for respect play off one another in a marriage has everything to do with the kind of marriage you will have.




A husband is to obey the command to love even if his wife does not obey this command to respect, and a wife is to obey the command to respect even if the husband does not obey the command to love. A husband is even called to love a disrespectful wife, and a wife is called to respect an unloving husband. There is no justification for a husband to say, "I will love my wife after she respects me," nor a wife to say, "I will respect my husband after he loves me."




When a husband feels disrespected, it is especially hard to love his wife. When a wife feels unloved, it is especially hard to respect her husband. When a husband feels disrespected, he has a natural tendency to react in ways that feel unloving to his wife. Similarly, when a wife feels unloved, she has a natural tendency to react in ways that feel disrespectful to her husband.




If husband and wives do not learn how to control this "Crazy Cycle," it will just go round and round and where it stops nobody knows.

Love and Respect - Introduction

I recently ran across a book that I read and studied a couple years ago. After flipping through the pages and re-living all the truth that I learned from this book, I thought it would be great to share some of these lessons with others. So here goes to the start of many posts on the book Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs!

Introduction: Love Alone Is Not Enough
What we often miss is the husband's need for respect. In addition, wives can fulfill their need to be loved by giving their husbands what he needs - respect.

In this book, one wife gave a testimony of when she started showing her husband respect, even when it was undeserved. "I watched his demeanor change right before my very eyes."

When we speak our spouse's love language (whatever that may be), they are more likely to respond in a loving manner.

Unfortunately, a wife's deepest need - to feel loved - is undermined by her disrespect to her husband. Similarly, a husband's deepest need - to feel respected - is undermined by his lack of love to his wife.

The journey to a Godly, satisfying marriage is never over. God will work in remarkable ways when we, men and women alike, submit ourselves wholeheartedly to this Biblical design for marriage (Love & Respect).

God is Love

“God is love.” – 1 John 4:16
“Love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

Christ gave His love when it was not deserved to people who did not deserve it. That’s a principle to practice! Love is the one ingredient of which our world never tires and of which there is never an over abundance. The world will never outgrow its need for love. God created us in His own image, which means we were created to function on the fuel of love. The world cries out for genuine love, love that heals, love that unites, love that forgives, love that encourages.

Love is essential to our emotional, physical, mental, and social well-being. Our lives are shaped by those who love us and by those who refuse to love us. If you give love away, it will be renewed each day and become stronger and purer.

Love in your heart is not put there to stay;
Love is not love until you give it away.

We enrich the world by what we give.
You have the gift of love to give it away every day.

Notes from Cure for the Common Life - Max Lucado

I recently was re-reading Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life" and came upon a few thoughts that I felt were worth sharing. This post will include these thoughts and excerpts...

"Each person is given something to do that shows who God is." - 1 Corinthians 12:7
Another version of this verse reads, "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others."

God endows us with gifts so we can make Him known. Period.
"God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well...Then God will be given glory." - 1 Peter 4:10-11

Use your uniqueness (what you do) to make a big deal out of God (why you do it) every day of your life (where you do it).

**What in your life honors God, helps others, and thrills you - There you will find your "sweet spot."**

Seeking Godly Guidance

Hi, my name is Shannon. I am a recent graduate at the University of Iowa where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. It is my hope to further my education and/or training in Biblical/Christian Counseling so I may counsel/work in a church someday or be a Biblical/Christian Counselor for a private practice. This past year my boyfriend and I had felt God lay a desire on our hearts to start (or be a part of) a ministry for the homeless. To be more specific, we feel called to feed the hungry, provide clothing and shelter for the homeless, and to be a light in a dark world to those who are hurting. Below I have included our ideas for what God has put on our hearts for ministry ideas. It would be great to get any advice on how to further this ministry or if you know of any resources or organizations that could help us, we would greatly appreciate it. The last question I have is in regards to employment. My boyfriend, Bobby, and I have recently been struggling to find a job/career in which we feel a strong passion for and where we feel God has gifted us. Bobby is currently working as a Salesperson for U.S. Cellular and I am a Residential Counselor for an organization called Family Resources (it is more into the Social Work field, rather than counseling). As I said earlier, I would love to eventually be a Biblical Counselor or even work in a church. I am just not sure where to get my foot in the door so I can make this dream a reality. Do you have any idea how I could do this? Bobby is currently working towards his Bachelors in Criminal Justice. He has mentioned that he would like to be a police officer, but since becoming a Christian he also has a desire to serve in Full-Time ministry in the church as well. Do you have any advice for him? We are both at a phase in our lives where we feel God is calling us in a new direction (whether that is related to school/job/geography) – we are just not sure what direction that is. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and I pray God blesses you for being a blessing in my life.

In Christ,
Shannon


It’s All About You Ministry



Purpose: reach out to those in need and share the Gospel with them; meet their needs

Vision: to see people’s lives changing through the Holy Spirit

Goal: to make a difference in people’s lives by showing God’s glory and unconditional love



Goals for Ministry:

· Establish Bible studies (Men/Women)(Devotionals)

· Provide food and clothing

· Counseling: Substance Abuse, Mental Health, etc.????

· Reaching out to those in need; being that helping hand (ex: helping people get off the streets and find a job)

· Support Team – for comfort and guidance (always there when people walk in the door)

· Build a team of volunteers/employees

Funding:

· Food drives

· Donation drives

· Grants

· Community

· Web site

· Support letters

Advertise:

· ???

Possible Partners????

· King’s Harvest in Davenport, IA

· Christian Center in Rock Island, IL

Steps we are/will be taking:

· Getting advice and insight from friends and family, small group, etc.

· Plugging into different ministries at Heritage (our home church)

· Attending classes through Heritage

· Get Bachelors/Masters in Ministry (Bobby) and/or Counseling (Shannon)

No Perfect People Allowed: When Life Disappoints You

This past weekend I heard a great message at church! The pastor spoke of the story of Moses when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. The Scripture Pastor Jeff Manion used was Numbers 11.

Numbers 11 (verses 1-10)
1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the LORD had burned among them. 4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” 7 The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. 8 The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. 9 When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down. 10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.

The first thing the pastor encouraged us to do was to try to put ourselves in the place of the people in the Bible. It is easy for us to judge the Israelites response to their trials and say we would not react the same way. But if we were really honest with ourselves, wouldn’t we have responded similarly? I’m pretty sure I would be complaining along with the others if I had to eat manna for almost 2 years!

Next, the pastor raised some key thoughts. He reminded us that the “land between” (when we are in the middle of a trial) is fertile ground for complaint. But he then encouraged us with the thought that the “land between” is also the place to be transformed. Trials often cause us to push ourselves and thus, strengthen our faith as a result if we turn to God and allow Him to change us.

The key issue in this story is TRUST.
Trust is the glue that holds any relationship together.

Pastor Manion went on to say that we don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose our response – which is a choice of the heart. When we pass through a season of difficulty, we have choices. However, often we have been choosing the same choice for so long that it no longer feels like a choice.

During difficult times, the Bible instructs us to choose joy.

James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Lastly, he left us with a great piece of insight: Your trial is a greenhouse for your spiritual growth – the space you learn to pray.

So let us choose joy in the middle of our trials and invite God to transform our hearts. May we believe that God can redeem our situation, while trusting in His sovereignty, His desire to produce fruit in our lives, and know that He will fulfill His promises.

God Bless!
<3 Shannon

“Closer” – Shawn McDonald
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4PiNTeEkwo

Worship the Right God

Tonight I watched a neat sermon titled, "Worship the Right God." The pastor talked about how our view of God's commandments are limited and reminded us of 4 reasons why we were given the 10 Commandments. Here are my notes below if you are interested in hearing more:

10 for Today (the 10 Commandments): Worship the Right God
Heritage Church – John Bray

Hug a Porcupine Skit:
“I just like porcupines.” “Porcupines are dangerous.” “Don’t knock it until you try it.” “I don’t have to try it to know it’s not good for me.” “Can you believe that guy? Trying to impose his judgments on my lifestyle?! If I want to go around hugging porcupines, that’s my business. It’s his job to get rid of my chest pains.”

We tend to do the same thing – we take worldly things that are damaging and hug them tightly to ourselves. Most of us don’t like it when others tell us what we have to do. There’s something in us that makes us want to push back. We tend to think of the 10 Commandments as rules and limits - that are old-fashioned and things that are trying to keep us from enjoying life. But anytime we do something God tells us not do to, it’s like picking up a porcupine. Anytime we violate God’s plan, we bring damage to ourselves.

Exodus 19
Vs. 5, 6 – “If you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth… You will be to Me a kingdom of priests, My holy nation.” Does that sound limiting to you?

4 Words to Remember (about our attitudes on why the 10 Commandments were given):
1. Protection – the 10 Commandments were given for our protection; they are to act as guidelines to keep us from harm (ex: parent and child relationship – parents tell us no to things they know will harm us; they do this to keep us safe). The Lord loves us and wants to protect us.
2. Promise – “covenant” or treaty; He wants us to obey Him, so He can bless us. We need to remember that we pay the consequence for our actions. We are known to pay attention to Him some of the time, yet we want Him to bless us all of the time.
3. Personal ¬– “Love the Lord YOUR God.” God is a personal God and He wants a personal response.
4. Synecdochical – define: a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole, the whole for a part, the specific for the general, and the general for the specific, or the material for the thing made from it; we have to take God’s Word as a whole and obey all of His commands rather than choosing which ones we will follow.
First Commandment = Have no other gods but Me and Me alone (idolatry – putting our trust in something in place of God)
Examples: Pleasure/Happiness (“I just want to be happy.”) God wants us to be holy and when we are holy, then we will be happy in return. Popularity is another example. We say or don’t say things in order to fit in, because popularity is more important to us than honoring God. Possessions/Security can also be an idol. We need to remember that possessions cannot protect us.

The problem is that we have made God the God of American culture rather than viewing Him as the personal God He has always been.

We tend to use these phrases:
“This isn’t exactly what God commanded, but I think…”
“I know this isn’t exactly right, but I think…”
“God may not be entirely happy with this, but I think…”
Or the ever popular, “This may not be the best thing to do, but I think…”

We think and so we do. And we think that is good enough. But in the end, these things do not provide enough security and they eventually will leave us empty. Seeking pleasure outside of God’s path often messes up our lives. We need to remember how fleeting popularity is.

Let us stop trusting ourselves to know what is right or to make decisions on our own rather than trusting in God and putting our faith in Him.

3 Affirmations to Consider:
1. Say, “God is passionate about me.” In the rest of the world, you matter based on what you can produce, how much money you make, if others feel you can help them, or how much power/popularity you have. But God looks at you and simply says, “You matter!” God values you. Not because of what you look like, how much money you have, or how much power you have. He just looks at you and says, “I am the Lord your God. And because I say you matter, you do.” Your life has incredible value. And since your life matters to God, it matters what you do.
2. “God can be trusted with my life.” God wants us to find true purpose, true satisfaction, and ultimate meaning. He loved us so much that He died for us.
3. Decision – “God is God in my life.” Acknowledge Him as Lord of your life. Place Him on the throne and keep Him there. Do not push Him off so that you can make room for your plans.
So what? So what am I going to do now that I have heard this message?
May we listen to God’s instruction, decide in advance to obey His commands, and stop picking up porcupines and squeezing them and then wondering why we’re in pain. I pray that today we say to God, “You are God, my God. I choose to live Your way.”

God Bless!
<3 Shannon

“I Am New” – Jason Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsJ1E9cbHL4

We Are His - written by Bobby C.

I was driving home from work today and while I was listening to 103.7(country) the song “If I die young” by The Band Perry was playing (which I recommend to everyone to listen to.) There was one line in the song that really stood out to me. The line is “Funny when your dead how people start listenin’ Take a second to let that verse sink in...Funny when your dead how people start listenin’

In a lot of cases this is a true comment. Only when someone close to them passes away is when they realize how short life really is. It is when people figure out the truth that there is more to life then on this earth. For all throughout the Bible it states that the days are evil. Why do we come together and think about Heaven and God at funerals,but not on a daily basis. How many people do you think take time out of their day to think about God and other people other then themselves? Are you one of them?

For it says in the Bible Luke 16:8-9: And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

This passage was told by Jesus to his disciples. Not only was Jesus warning the disciples, He is warning us. We are ALL children of the light! People who are homeless,poor,middle class, rich, different background, you name it we are all The children of the light. We are all chosen by God to live for him and not ourselves. For when we live for ourselves we will never know the truth even if were right in front of our eyes.

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said,”There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothes in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted,”father abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. A am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him,” Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there’ Then the rich man said,”Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment. But Abraham said,”Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ The rich man replied,” No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.” But Abraham said,”If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.

Brothers and Sisters of Christ I dare you to live outside the box. Extend your hand to someone in need. It could be someone you are very close to or to someone you do not know at all. God knows your heart. He is the beginning and the end of everything you do. Do not lose sight of the fact we are all His.

God Bless

Bobby C.

“For When I Am Weak…”

Just recently I was listening to a worship set from LifeChurch.tv and I heard the most amazing message. I felt it was well worth sharing! Enjoy

"So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Too many times we focus on our weaknesses, instead of the power and the strength that we have in Christ. You see He overcame all of our sin and our guilt and our depravity and our weaknesses on the Cross through the blood of Jesus Christ. And when we put our faith in Him; when we acknowledge Him as our Savior, that power comes and it lives inside of us. So when we trust in Him to take care of our problems, to be our strength, we can overcome anything. It says, “In Him all things are possible. (see Matthew 19:26) I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. (see Philippians 4:13) But apart from Him we can do nothing. (see John 15:5)”

See the enemy wants to take us over here and isolate us. He wants to get us alone where we surely will fail. He wants to distract us and just keep us wallowing around in our own pride and in everything else. Because we are such a prideful people, we equate weakness with being weak. A lot of times we feel like we need to do everything ourselves.


After reading this message, I encourage us to remember the Truths in God’s Word and proclaim to the Lord the lyrics:

“You are stronger. You are stronger. Sin is broken. You have saved me. It is written, ‘Christ is risen. Jesus, You are Lord of all.’” – Stronger by Hillsong United

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv55FMjeMV0&feature=related

Note: I have posted the lyrics to this song on the Day by Day Devotional wall.

I pray you were as encouraged as I was after hearing this message. It is packed with Truth and promises that God can, in fact, get us through any trial when we give our burdens to Him and claim His strength. May we remember these Truths when we face the hardships in life and praise Him for the work that He will accomplish through our difficult circumstances.

God Bless!
<3 Shannon

“Give Me Faith” – Elevation Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Voi3JM8ZA

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late - Bobby C.

Have you ever heard of the quote, “What they don’t know won’t hurt them?” Everyone lies. Sorry to be blunt, but it is true. Whether it was in your past or is still in your day-today life, you’ve lied. People cover their situations and twist their story to benefit themselves. By all means, who is ever gonna know except for me, right? Wrong.


For this devotional I’m using text from Acts 5:1-11:
“1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” 5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” 9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” 10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”


After reading this, does it remind you of someone you know? Does it remind you of yourself? Every day Satan is at work, filling peoples’ hearts just as he filled the hearts of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira. Ananias and Sapphira were not thinking about God, but were thinking about money.


Believers and non-believers all know earthly life does not last forever (All part of God’s design). Know that if you are trying to hide something from just one person or from a whole classroom of people, God knows! Why risk your salvation for temporary earthly pleasure (lying to get: money, girls, guys, etc.)?


Last thing I want to mention is from the last sentence from the reading (Acts 5:11):
“Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”
God’s mercy is beyond what anyone could ever imagine. He is patient and He is just. He knows your heart and He is willing to forgive no matter where you are in life, but don’t wait. Don’t be the one who waits until you stand before your Creator, continuing to lie to cover things up – the time is now.


God Bless


Bobby C.

One Ear Toward Heaven

Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”


Today while traveling to Fort Myers, Florida to visit my dad and stepmom, I had the opportunity to hear from God through the sweetest elderly couple, Bill and Phyllis. Once I was sitting down and reading Bill Hybel’s “The Power of a Whisper,” the older man asked me if I knew Bill, the Christian author. Apparently he knew a number of Christian authors and was a retired pastor for a Baptist church.


After talking for a short time, Bill (the older man sitting next to me) spoke some great Truths into my life that I feel are worth sharing. The first thing he said was, “Forgiveness is giving up all hope of changing the past.” He then continued to remind me of the famous quote that says, “Love like you have never been hurt.” Bill went on to say that this is how the Lord loves us. No matter how many times we hurt Him or turn our backs and walk away from Him, He is always faithful and His love never changes.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 reminds us of this unconditional and sacrificial love:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."


I am still in awe of this God-orchestrated meeting!! It came at just the perfect time! God seems to do that – always putting the right people in our lives at the right time! :) I had just been reading about shutting out the distractions in life so we can hear the Lord’s still small voice and then this couple came into my life!

“Live in every circumstance of life with one ear toward Heaven.” – Billy Hybels, The Power of a Whisper



As Bill Hybels writes in his book, God did not just speak during creation and throughout the course of biblical days, but He also speaks to us today. My experience of meeting Bill and Phyllis is evidence of this Truth. So this week I challenge us to open our hearts to the Lord and turn one ear toward Heaven. And once we hear from Him, I dare us to have the guts to respond.


God Bless!
<3 Shannon


“Take My Hand” – Shawn McDonald
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kg-ZJ1n0AU

I Believe

I believe in a God that is faithful and just. Whose presence I long to remain in. His love everlasting and grace that reaches the Heavens. He can't help but love and nurture His children. Like an earthly father, our Heavenly Father cares enough to discipline us when we need correction, guide us when we are lost, and protect us when we seek shelter. He is a tree that cannot wither and a voice that cannot be shaken. Our different types of laughs, personalities, and sense of humors all express our Lord's creative and diverse nature. When the storms come He remains strong, willing and able to rescue us when we seek Him. Let us praise God for He is good!

The Role of The Church

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 18:10


The other day I listened to a great sermon on LifeChurch.tv. It was called, “Stop Acting Like a Christian and Be One.” The speaker made some great points about God’s intent for His Church.


“When The Church stops BEING The Church, and The Church just starts DOING Church on a Sunday…when we just start going through the motions of some boring, religious ritual or obligation…and stop being engaged in what Jesus is passionate about, then we’ve just become a dead, empty, monument – nothing more than just a ritualistic kind of building that someone goes to and just goes through the motions.”


She went on to say that we need to make sure our heart beats for the same thing that God’s heart beats for and that is for a lost and a broken world. Luke 18:10 (the Bible verse posted above) emphasizes this point. John 3:16 also shows us who God is passionate about. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”


Since God’s heart is for the lost and broken, we should also tune our hearts to the needs of the least of these. In Matthew 25:40, God says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” May we humble ourselves before the Lord, start BEING The Church, and love the “whosoevers.”


God bless,
Shannon


“Your Love” – Brandon Heath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfc9y7X3zog

God's Plan - written by Bobby

I read through Jeremiah 1 and I was blown away! It really hit the spot if you ever feel your life is like living on a roller coaster. Something very important that everyone needs to realize is that we serve the same God that Jeremiah served, We are praying to the same God as Jeremiah, and most of all our God that walks with us each and every day is the same God that walked with Jeremiah. In this message it talks about Jeremiah thinking he was too young to speak the word of God. A lot of people think the very same thing. Society does have it as the older are much wiser and have lived longer so why would they take advise from younger individuals. Why? because thats the norm. Its not written in any text that older individuals are always right and younger individuals are always wrong.

The Holy Bible is Gods word. It prophesies so many things long before we were even born. Even way before Jeremiah was born. In this message it talks about trusting our God completely with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul. God’s word says that all throughout the Bible old/new testament and He promises He will be with you and protect you for He will fulfill his plan.

We are Gods plan. Let me repeat this.... We are God’s plan. God knows everyone who he puts in and out of life. He knows every struggle there has ever been. He knows every move you are taking and will take in the future. He knows your heart. For it was in his plan for you to be alive right where you are at. He knew he was going to send Jesus into the world for his plan was to have you alive right now, to spread the Good News of hope. To Glorify His name. To boast about the everlasting God.

One day you are going to give account for your life. Are you going to tell God you were to young or not wise enough to talk to people about the One who put you into this world, or are you going to take the leap out of any comfort zone and know that God has a hold of you?

God Bless

Bobby C.

Jeremiah 1-15

Jeremiah son of Hilkiah.

The Lord first gave messages to Jeremiah during the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. The Lords messages continued throughout the reign of King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son.

The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in you mother’s womb. Before you were born i set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nation.”

-”O Sovereign Lord,” I said,” I cant speak for you! I’m too young.!”

The Lord replied,”Don’t say i’m too young, for you must go wherever i send you and say whatever I tell you and don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,” Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.

- Then the Lord said to me “ Look Jeremiah! what do you see? And I replied,” I see a branch from an almond tree.” and the Lord said,” that’s right, and it means that I am watching, and i will certainly carry out all my plans. Then the Lord spoke to me again and asked,”What do you see now? And i replied,” I see a pot of boiling water, spilling from the north.” “Yes,” the Lord said,”for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land. Listen! I am calling the armies of the kingdom of the north to come to Jerusalem. I, the Lord have spoken.