Truth

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
ps. 145:18

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
jn. 8:31-32

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
jn. 14:6

sometimes life can be so complex. from gifts to guests, from church services to traffic, from sickness to insecurities - the list just goes on and on. and yet, we who believe in Christ have been set free from all this. we are instructed to not worry because it doesn't do any good. we are comforted by Him who created us and calls us by name. He promises to mend the brokenhearted. He is the Healer of hearts. and we have His words in a book, which simply needs to be read so we can gain understanding. our security comes from knowing Christ.

the Truth became flesh and lived on this earth. He is the meaning of Christmas, even tho ol' st. nick has nudged his way into this remarkable holiday. and when our hearts are troubled, our minds are overwhelmed, our tempers flare, we can always return to listen to our Father. He is near to all who call on Him in truth, and knowing the truth will set you free.

hey Friend,
it's been pretty crazy lately, tho You know that. and i've not put much effort into our relationship cuz i've been so distracted with everything else. my mind is full, my emotions are every direction, and i need You. before Your presence i attempt to quiet my soul so that we can converse. it's been too long, Dad. i praise You for giving me peace. thank You, Jesus, for living on this earth, so that i can have a way to the know You intimately. You are my hope, my truth, and the only way i want to go. i bow before Your greatness and adore You. thanks for pulling me aside this hectic day and for re-focusing my worship. i don't want to go on without You any more. let my heart be reverent in Your presence.

thanks for denise's mom and her visit with us. thanks for sending your healing upon her. thanks for the laughter, the jokes and all the fun we've had. Jesus, i pray that You would create a way for her to accept Your grace. open her heart so she will receive You. let her worship You with her life. may Your blood cleanse her from the snares of this world. may You be glorified for this change in her heart.

i lift up denise's grandpa to You also. he is sick and in the hospital, Father. may Your gentle healing come upon him. may You strengthen him so he can be home for Christmas. Father, i also pray for a way for him to see You and know You. too many years he has turned his back from You. Jesus, please send forth Your blood to cover all the sins of his life. grace Him with a deep understanding of Yourself. let him know that in You all his desires will be fulfilled. give him a deep conviction to fall into Your arms of grace. let this transformation affect others in his family. let this all be for Your glory.

i lift up denise to You. she's been thru a lot these last few days. Father, please wrap Your loving arms around her, to comfort her. God, You know her, and You know her needs. may Your loving kindness melt away any hurt feelings. may denise be used as a witness for her family to see You. equip her to be a living sacrifice always, even in the midst of their unbelief. may Your grace equip denise to be a bright light for the youth at st. paul. thanks for using her gifts to minister to the youth and members of st. paul. You have an amazing way of transforming lives thru the use of Your faithful children. thanks for denise and for her wonderful friendship. thanks for shining thru her to minister to me more times than i could ever count. i love denise and i know You love her even more. thanks for taking care of her.

Holy One, You've prepared a way for my parents to come visit in 5 days. i lift them up to You. they've had so much going on in their lives lately. may this visit be a resting place for their weary souls. may You embrace them, pour out Your love on them, and just woo them back into Your gentle arms. let them know Your comfort. may Your traveling mercies rest upon them. may our time together be filled with grace and mercy. may You prepare my heart to receive my parents, cuz sometimes we don't get along so well. Father, i commit my life and love to You. may You transform my heart, so that i can be patient, kind, humble, and incredibly loving to them. i want to shine Your love, but on my own strength i cannot. i'm trusting on You to help me, God.

thanks for the great Christmas party last night. thanks for the visitors and for the hospitality of the May's. You are awesome Father! it's so cool to see the youth get excited about gathering together. You are the connection between them all. it's incredible to see the bonds which are forming in their friendships. thanks for being with us. You make the party incredible.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*cheryl *earl *densie

Satisfied Desires

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Ps. 145:16

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Ps. 90:14

isn't it awesome to think that when God opens His hand, we are completely satisfied? i am trying to think of the last time i was satisfied - there seems to be always something i am longing for, desiring, wanting, especially around Christmas time. often i search for peace and quiet, or joy and happinesss, or fulfillment and satisfaction, but i search in the wrong places. i know that when i have sleepless nights, if i were to only open my Bible my fears and worries would be calmed. it's an amazing thing. and yet i stumble and persist on laying in bed, attempting in my strength to fall asleep.

'by His hands, we are fed'. many of us have said this prayer too many times to count, but isn't it awesome to put it in perspective of God opening His hand, and then we are satisfied? if only we were to think of 'fed' as the result of God giving out of His abundance. or how about looking beyond our satisfaction in food to the spiritual nutrients which our souls so desire. He desires to feed us in those areas always. somestimes we simply need to ask, or maybe we need to open our eyes and hearts to see and feel the desire.

Father,
You are an amazing Giver. when You open Your hand, we get fed. You give out of Your abundance to those who seek You. let Your people be drawn to Your loving-kindness. please open our eyes and hearts to the blessings we receive from Your open hand. let our hearts be full of praise and adorations of You. we love You so much. thanks for giving so graciously.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Russ *Russ *Cheryl

Food

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
Ps. 145:15

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matt. 4:4

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 4:34

so often i mention that i am hungry, but it's not in the sense in living on God's word. my physical needs have convinced my mind that i need some nutrition. i'm just wondering if there will ever be a time in my life when my spiritual hunger pains will kick in and it will convince my heart that i need to feast on God for awhile.

in the psalm passage, the people sought the Lord first, and He supplied them with their physical needs in due time. Jesus quoted scripture from the book of deutoronomy which confirmed that we don't live on bread alone - (we are more than carnal people.) then Jesus went on to say that He survived by doing the work His Father had set out before Him. is that what i believe? do i believe that i live to do the purpose God has for me, or am i still trusting in my strength to get thru life?

Father,
i come to You humbly. i allow my stomach to speak much to clearly to my mind. i pray that when my physical needs flare up, that i would think to thank You for calling me to serve You, that i would praise You for giving me Your Spirit to sustain me, that i have Your Word to live by, that You've blessed me beyond imagine. i love You, Jesus. please forgive me for being selfish. it is for Your sake that i survive. only in You is my life complete. You are my All in all, and King of all my kings. let my life be a fragrant offering, pleasing and acceptable in Your sight.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Kay *Herschel * David

Supremacy of our God

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
Ps. 145:8-13

amazing how time flies when you are busy. i just realized that it has been one week since i last updated this blog. i am not going to make that a normal event. i've missed it.

i am continuing a word study on psalm 145. this has been sooo good for me. it has been a breath of fresh air, not stagnant swamp water. we serve a God who is compassionate {One who wants to exchange our suffering for His glory} i often forget, tho i am not really sure 'forget' is the right word, that God has feelings, and he desires for us to be made well. He cares that we are struggling with temptation. He is slow to became angry, tho too many of us assume He's always upset with us for doing something wrong. God created us - He knows we are not perfect. and not only that, but thru our weakness He can shine with His amazing strength. when is the last time You saw God work thru Your weakness? when is the last time i submitted my weakness to Him so He could transform it with His incredible power?

God doesn't show favoritism. He is good and compassionate to all, even suddam hussein. wouldn't it be incredible if when we get to heaven, suddam would be there rejoicing and praising Jesus? we can only hope and pray for his heart to receive the free gift of forgiveness and salvation.

one day all men will praise Him, and their praise will burn for the world to see and hear of the wonderful acts God is doing in their lives. people will burst into praise of God, and their lips with pour out the most incredible news of a mighty God who loves and saves sinners, like you and i. that day is getting closer every second.
and ultimately, we worship a God who reigns eternally in the heavenly realms. our God already took the prize for being the winner, and now we are waiting to recieve the prize. we've already been chosen to be part of the winner's circle. the God we serve will never surrender to someone else. He can't - He's already the victor. no one can ever over power our God. and He, the most powerful force in the universe, has called us by name, reach out His loving arms, and embraced us with a kiss. He has invited us to become part of His eternal kingdom, the winning team. all we need to do is simple say, "yes, i wanna be part of Your team. where do i sign?". amazing things happen when people say 'yes' to the God of the universe.

hey God,
today is a new day. You've already begun to do new things. i praise You for being rich in love, slow to anger, and possess the supreme power to keep people from hell. thank You for inviting me to be part of Your kingdom. i surrender all i am to You, so that Your power may shine thru my weakness. Father, for too long i've tried to hide my emotions from You. i thought i could worship You by just thinking the Truth, but You are calling me to more, much more. thanks for opening my eyes to Your supremacy. no one can ever be greater than You. You are my God.
in Jesus' Name - Amen!

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*raymond *ryan *chris

Justice Isn't Always Easy

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Is.30:18

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Hos.12:6

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 5:1

many of you may have already heard of the trial where the Congressman from South Dakota, William (Bill) Janklow, has be convicted of manslaughter. Click here to read more about it. since i grew up in South Dakota, and my parents still are residence of this state, i have some connection to the case. i know the corner where the accident occurred. i lived in the state while mr. janklow was governor.

but that all being said, it is still difficult to hear the verdict. most people assumed he would be convicted of the crime, but it is still a surprise to know your house of representative congressman will need to resign because of an accident which occurred in august. so now south dakota is without a voice in the House until one can be elected, which i believe is about 4 months from now.

so, that all being said, there is a bigger picture. the picture includes God in all His glory sitting as a judge for us on the day of His return. i don't know where mr. janklow stands with the Lord, but i've heard story that bill doesn't acknowledge Jesus as his Lord. i am not the judge of that decision, but i can get on my knees and pray for he and his family to experience the grace of Jesus Christ. it is a grace which can heal the hurt in their hearts, a grace which will humble the proud and uphold the brokenhearted. it is a grace which can forgive our sin, and renew us in the likeness of Christ Jesus Himself. it is profound, how God in heaven, can rescue us from the dominion of darkness. so i ask myself, what am i doing to expand the kingdom of heaven? how much time are we spending on our knees, pleading with God to find me, our friends and family innocent by the blood of Jesus Christ?

Jesus,
i praise You with all that i am, for You have graced me with Your salvation. You've called me by name, and have written my name in Your book of life. oh how i rejoice in this salvation which You've blessed upon me. i come before You, Jesus, pleading for Your grace to be upon the family of bill janklow. may he and his family come to know You and Your grace in a way which transforms their lives. may You receive the praise and glory for this radical change. may You also be upon the jurists as they have to live with this decision, and get back to the normal routine of living. may You embrace them, giving them hope, which only comes thru You. thanks for hearing my prayer. i love You, Lord.
it's in Jesus' name, i pray ~ Amen.

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*jurists * bill *russ

Exaltation

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalm 145:1-5

this weekend has been an interesting one. my roommates left on Thursday to begin a 10 day vacation, so i assumed my apartment would be pretty quiet this weekend. but i was delightfully wrong. amazing conversations occured with Jesus. it was as tho He kept wooing me into His presence. i could nearly hear Him speaking directly into my ears. when the people at church asked me if it was lonely around my place, i couldn't say 'yes'. i just kinda brushed off the question, b/c there wasn't the right words to answer.

Psalm 145 has been laid upon my heart, so i began a study of the words in it. i've never studied the Bible while having an dictionary open, but it's been wonderful. for instance: 'exalt' - to elevate by praise; to raise the intensity of. isn't it awesome to know that we are choosing to raise Jesus above ourselves when we praise Him....kind of like submitting in some ways. we are raising Christ's intensity when we praise Him. not that we could make Christ more - because He already is supreme, but that we are raising our awareness of Him. We are focusing on Him, not on ourselves. that is worship!

or how about verse 5. 'glorious' - delightful. 'splendor' - magnificent display. 'majesty' - God's supreme power. so paraphrased it is saying, 'we will speak of the delightful, magnificent display of God's power.' how cool is that? we are a people who need to testify of the greatness of God. that's awesome! i'm just loving this word study.

anyway, if your Bible reading is a little dull, perhaps it would help to pick up a dictionary. i didn't think it would be 'fun', but it has turned out to be quite the adventure.

hey Jesus,
thanks for hanging out with me all weekend. i want to praise You for wooing me into your presence all weekend. thanks for opening my heart to receive Your awesome friendship. it rocks! i praise You for this renewal of heart and soul. and thanks for allowing denise and steven to relax and enjoy the time away from their jobs and the regular routine of life. thanks for their safe travels and rebuilt friendship.
in Jesus' name ~ Amen!

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*stacy *brett *wang family

Effective Witness

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD ; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Ps. 37:4-6

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
2 Pet. 1:5-9

often i find myself praying that i may be effective in my witness to others around me. i pray that the light in me will shine thru my actions, so others can come to know Christ thru my life. i've never before put it together that when i commit my way to Christ and trust in Him, He will let my light shine before men. He promises to let my justice shine like the noonday sun, which down here in Atlanta can be quite bright - giving off much warmth.

but not only am i to believe in Him, but i am to express goodness, gain a deeper understanding of the Holy One, pursue self-control, seek perseverance, live a godly life, display brotherly kindness, and most importantly, love others as Christ loves me. that all being said, it seems like a stiff order to live up to. oh how blessed i am that the Holy Spirit resides in me, giving me His fruit that i may live as Christ to those whom i come into contact.

i've been reading Purpose Driven Life. i'm only on day 8, but i can already see a change in my attitude. in every decision i have to make - from vacuuming the youth room because the janitor didn't to deciding when to use the restroom - i have opportunty to do all these activities with a heart of worship. i can choose to be negative, criticizing the janitor, complaining to others about it, or i can simply willfully accept the task which has been given me. living in a attitude of worship - continually conversing with my Savior all day long - is making an impact on the way i think about everything. gotta love having the ability to converse with Jesus all day long!

hey Jesus,
today is great day. thanks for hanging out with me. thanks for allowing me to talk with You - what an honor. i am so glad you've called me by name, and have opened a way for me to be rescued from the chains for slavery to sin. Your grace is amazing. i love You. will You come with as i finish my day at work? thanks for making opportunites for my light to shine in the darkness. thanks for motiviting me to worship You thru acts of service. it is a blessing to be able to share my gifts with others.
in Jesus' name ~ Amen!

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*Jeff's Mom *derrick

Friends

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
ecc. 4:9-12
And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
1 sam. 18:3-4

friendships. how many close friends do i have? well, i have many friends who know a great deal about me, but whom i won't share all my thoughts with. i have many 1 or 2 friends who will care about me, no matter what i do. but even those friends i don't share all my thoughts with. why is that?

i want to say 'i don't know', but i know that is a lie. it's because i don't trust them, and i don't want them to know the real me. i put on some legalistic, better-than-you-are attitude. i'm a sinner, saved by grace - that's all. i am nothing without Christ. my identity is in Him. without Him, i am only learning that i am nothing - i'm a miserable heap of ruin. i don't need to try to be someone different with Christ, b/c He is ultimately the One who created me, with all my flaws, and He chooses to love me. that's what a real friend does.

when i fall down, do i trust someone enough to allow them to help me up? do i allows others to offer their help when i fall down? do i take the robe my friends are offering me? or do i say, 'no, thanks. i'm alright without your help'? too many times i choose the latter answer. i am miss independant - if i can't accomplish the task, then the task just can't be completed. that's is so arrogant for me to think that way. that is yet another confession.

Amazing Father,
You are my God. i am nothing without You. and yet, when You equip Your children to offer me help, i too often turn down their help. Father, please humble me in order to receive grace from those around me. Father, i don't want to be arrogant, thinking that my way is better than others. please, come into my life and transform my heart. i give myself wholly to You. take this servant and use her talents for Your glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Chuck *Steven *Denise *Barbara

Eternity in our Hearts

I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Eccl 3:10-14

isn't it incredible that even pre-Christ God-fearing men knew that God set eternity in their hearts? the book of Ecclesiastes is thought to have been written by Solomon, David's son. the same Solomon who asked for wisdom over riches (2 Chron. 1:10-12), but who married foreign women who believed in different gods. (1 kings 11:1-4)

we, as new testament believers, understand Jesus when he says, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." (John 17:3) so, we who trust Jesus as our Lord and Savoir are already living out eternal life. we have been given eternity by simply believing in the One who loves us. and yet, we struggle to understand what God's will for our lives is. we don't get it when bad things happen to good people. we fail to think eternally when life doesn't go the way we've planned. our flesh and wordly vision hinders our spiritual eyes of understanding. we forget that faith is believing without seeing, and evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1)

and so in all this, i'm just stepping back for a moment to ponder God's ways, and how he gives different graces to each of us. He has given me so much - a family who cares, friends who will be near my side and speak the Truth in love, a job where i make plenty of money, and the ultimate grace: eternal salvation.

Father,
thanks for all You've done for me. i rejoice that You have reached down from on high to seek the lost and heal the lame, and draw back the lost sheep. You are a wonderful shepherd. i love You, Lord, i love You, i love You! praise be to You, for my heart is renewed in Your Spirit.
in Jesus's Name~ Amen!

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*Haze *Chris *Billl

Comfort

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Ps. 119:76

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
John 14:1

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Cor. 1:3-5

i admit that i am a thinker, much more than a touchy-feeling type of person. i often loose track of how i am feeling, compared to what i am doing and the effect it will produce. i am this way too often w/ those around me too. i get so wrapped up in the way i'm acting or the way they are acting, that i forget to acknowledge what is the emotion behind that action. if someone is mad at me, then i must have done something wrong...instead of thinking that perhaps i simple haven't express love to them in non-verbal, non-physical ways. this is a major defect in my life.

a few nights ago i was up late praying about a certain situation. i knew my heart was troubled b/c my mind was racing a million miles a second. as i was praying i began to have my eyes open to my need to soften up. i had been doing the right things without much emotion, without my heart being involved. my mind was completely focused, but my emotions where hiding. God comforted my fears, my heart and my mind. He intervened in a way which has impacted my life. he met me in my room, while sitting on the floor. His loving arms wrapped around me; His Spirit made His dwelling in my heart. and i worshipped Him at that point like i've not experienced in a long time.

i'm learning that even a servant needs to quiet themselves and worship. during our normal services at my church, i am somehow involved in service - anything from running the sound board to the audio video equipment - to looking after the youth who are ushering - to being over zealous about not allow any visitors leave without getting to meet someone personally. seldom do i enter into the sanctuary with my heart set on listening and worshipping God alone. lately my motta has been: gotta move, gotta move, gotta move! and Jesus is saying, "what about Me? when do you truly worship Me? when do you have your heart, mind and soul set on Me? when do you, tanya, allow Me to comfort you? why do you keep thinking that you are loving Me when you don't even think to woship me? don't you know that I love you, and want you to spend time hanging out with Me?" so, i'm coming down from my high horse - and learning to worship with my heart, soul and mind.

Holy Comforter,
i enter into Your presence with a changed heart. You've renewed my mind, my heart and my soul to worship You with an awareness of Your greatness. i love the way You love me. You are excellent and praise-worthy. please forgive me for my arrogance. i've been praying to be humble... and i know You are teaching me in the way of Truth. thanks for giving me this understanding of worship. i love You with my heart, Jesus. You are my all in all.
in Your amazing name ~ Amen!

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*Debra *Wendell *Summer

Fasting

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate." David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead." Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
2 Sam. 12:16-20

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Matt. 4:2

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:3

what is the power behind fasting and prayer? i've read time and time again about men and women fasting and praying, and God miraculously intervenes. and yet our churches today don't encourage their people to take part of this incredible spiritual discipline....maybe that why we don't...because it takes too much discipline.

i've read several books on this topic. i've fasted, and seen how God moves mountains thru it. so why i am not quick to respond to this when events all around me seem to be falling apart? why am i so arrogant to think that God has a will, and He will just do whatever He wants anyway. i know that prayer and fasting has changed God's mind. that's pretty incredible. the God of the universe, this immortal God whom we serve, could be convinced to do something which He hadn't planned, simple because one of His creation decided to give up their human needs and seek His face. have we forgotten that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God? {Deut 8:3, Matt. 4:4}

maybe we should re-think the spiritual disciplines which we've forgotten.

Jesus,
good morning. it has been quite the emotional weekend. i rejoice that You've impacted Brandon in a wonderful way. i give You the praise and glory for the lives which have been transformed thru this Chrysalis weekend. Jesus, i rejoice that You've blessed me with a close friend who is willing to speak her concerns to me. i rejoice that You are in the center of our friendship, and that we are firmly grounded in You. i love the way You carry me thru the tough times. Jesus, i want to fast, not because i need something, but because You are calling me to seek Your face. i trust that You will go with me into this unknown territory. Holy Spirit, please reveal the Son to me in a new and refreshing way. may You be preparing Denise and Steven for their trip to Canada with their relatives. i pray for safe travels and a time of refreshing. may You rekindle in them Your fire, Holy Spirit. may You receive the praise and glory for this servant. let her light shine so others may be blessed in coming to know You in a personal way.
in Jesus's Name ~ Amen!

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*Barbara *Peggy *Louise

Worldly Wealth For Eternal Profit

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
Luke 16:8-12

i've heard several ministers preach on this passage, and they have all had different punch lines. what do you think "use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves" means? i realize it's a parable and there may be many meanings, but i want to know the concrete...and right now i don't have a clue.

when i was younger, i thought this verse meant that i should give as many gifts as possible to rich people who could support me as an overseas missionary. let me tell you, my understand has grown some since then. since then, i've had opportunities to be trustworthy in handling worldly wealth and have failed misterably. now i have the debt to prove it, which is not something i am proud of. so, by the grace of God, i am digging out from the burden of owing creditors money. hopefully by the time i'm 32, i will be debt free...but who knows.

anyway, i am still a kid with many questions and a lack of understanding. the Bible is chuck full of great mysteries, for which i attempt to decipher the true meaning. isn't is great being a kid of the omniscience One, the omnipotent One, and the omnipresent One?

holy Jesus,
i am humbled by Your words which speak directly to my heart. i have not been trustworthy in the small things. may You strengthen me by Your grace to make wise financial decisions. this money that i have been entrusted with is a gift of You, and i want to be wise in the way it gets used. Jesus, i need You to be my financial advisor. let my past not dominate my future. i lay this burden on Your altar. may You be my Guide, my Counselor, and my Hope. may the praise of my heart penetrate to Your throne of grace. i love You and treasure Your insight.
in Jesus's Name ~ Amen!

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*Karla *Audrey *Brandon

Hiding Place

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:6-7

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Heb.5:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil. 4:6

while attending the prayer service on Sunday, i began to feel this overwhelming feeling to prayer over our church, it's members, my family and friends, and the world. it was incredible! for quite awhile i've felt that my reason for being at st. paul is a calling to pray for this church. i suppose that was just reaffirmed on Sunday.

we have a magnet on our fridge which asks, "have you prayed for your church today?" often i see the magnet but don't pray. that's my confession. so i am committing today to pray more diligently for st. paul and all its facets. my friend, denise, is the youth director, along with program director (the name has recently changed, but i can't think of it...). her calling to Christian ministry resounds throughout her life. it's amazing for me to see how God uses her to be an effective leader. the reason i am mentioning her, is because today i have chosen her as one of the staff members to pray for.

dearest Jesus,
You are the ultimate pray-er. You wept with blood pouring out of your pores...that's intense! also you prayed with petitions with loud cries and tears.... Jesus, i want to be that passionate about prayer - about knowing You. i know You can and have changed lived. i've seen Your power move mountains. please forgive me for slacking in my calling to pray. You have given me the highest calling, to speak with You personally. open my mouth, my heart, my eyes to converse with You more. let me always acknowledge Your presence, Your power, and Your will. i want to pray in the Spirit on all occasion so that Your power will be released here in earth. i know You don't need me to pray, but i know that You've told me that when i ask in Your name, You shall give freely. That is amazing - that a great God as Yourself would give to a humble servant as myself. i can not thank You enough. i love You, sweet Jesus.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Kris *Denise *Laurel

Eternal Salvation

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar- the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand- I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "
Is. 51:6, 12-16

i just love Isaiah. i'm pretty sure that being around him in person would have bothered me, because i wouldn't have had a clue what he was talking about, but reading his prophecies nearly 2500 years after it was written is amazingly profound. now i understand that he was speaking of Jesus, my Savoir, who has come and who will come again. i can see the whole picture; it's no longer a prophecy because it has come to pass. if you're into geometry - it's a "given".

how often do i lift my eyes up to the heavens and think about who created them? sometimes i look up and admire a beautiful sunrise or a cool cloud formation, but i often forget to give God the glory for them. i don't put enough thought into God ability to set the heavens in place, along with the earth and all the stars. He has placed the sun the perfect distance from the earth so that we can stay alive. also, i can't say i've thought about the day the heavens will come to ruin. i have thought about the earth being destroyed...but not about the heavens. and yet, is that not part of the hope which we profess?

it is the salvation of Jesus Christ that will last forever. nothing i can see will ever last that long. kinda reminds me of the verse which speaks of hope that is seen is no hope at all. {Rom. 8:24}

moving from knowledge to emotion: it is Christ who comforts us by covering us with the shadow of His hand. He also has called us His people. we are not nomads, or wanderers, or put here on earth for no reason. we have purpose and we have been called to the highest calling anyone could have ever given us. we are God's chosen people.... how cool is that?

Amazing Creator,
You have created the heavens, the earth, and the human race - nothing is too difficult for you. {Jer. 32:17, 27} i praise You, Jesus, for allowing me to see the big picture. thanks for opening my eyes to Your eternal salvation. i can't thank You enough to covering me in the shadow of Your mighty hand. You are my God, nothing can compare to You. i love You, sweet Jesus, and long for the day when i can see You face to face.
in Jesus' powerful Name~ Amen!

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*Janie *Janie *Hulda

God Alone

Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.
Hab. 2:18-19

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Ps. 86:10

Who can forgive sins but God alone?
Mark 2:7

we worship a living God - a God who can speak, who can give advice, who can bring the lifeless to life, who has breath. isn't that a wonderful Truth?

and yet we continue to bow before created things: money, fame, family, etc. if only we could grasp that without Christ we are nothing, then we might actually understand that all this stuff is on loan to us. we don't really own anything, not even all that stuff inside our beautiful houses. our lives are but a breath, like a fading flower - here today and gone tomorrow. when our time is up, what will people say was your driving force? will they say, "that man lived as a servant of Jesus Christ", or how about, "she knew her God and He knew her". i can only dream of what my friends and family would say about me.... she could really talk to anyone. kids just loved her. she was pretty arrogant and often stubborn. she had so much potential. she seems like a real nice person.

i want to challenge us to think about what others see as our driving force? if you have close friends, ask them what their answer for you would be. ask your spouse, who knows you, what they see as your driving force? don't be offended, but use those words to pursuit Christ in all You do.

Holy Jesus,
it is by Your grace that i live. i want to have You manifested in all i do and say. Christ, in areas where i am falling , i pray for You to guide me, search me and know me. use others to speak Truths into my life. i love You and i worship You. let my worship for You burn so the world can see. be praised for saving me from the depths of the grave.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Steven *Bill *Ryan

btw, tomorrow i am getting a make-over from some of the youth from st. paul. can barely wait to see what they will add to me. good thing i am careless about my looks.