Jean Chretien, the former Prime Minister of Canada, was visiting a senior citizen home one day. He approached one of the elderly residents and asked her if she knew who he was. She replied, "No I don't dear, but if you go up to the front desk, they will tell you who you are"
Christians occasionally forget, and become guilty of living a life which discredits our name, bringing shame to our Savior.It is a high honor to be the namesake of the Living God.No one needs to tell you who you are; you only need to go to the precious Word of God to be reminded.
We are His beloved
We are His adopted children and joint heirs with Jesus Christ
We are His sheep and he knows our names
We are His Temple
We are the stewards of His Creation
We are His Workmanship
We are the heirs of Heaven
We are His Chosen ones
We are created in His image
We are evangelists and missionaries to the nations
GospeLines Prayer:O Lord, my prayer is for those who are still trying to "find themselves," through sorcery, drugs, alcoholism, sex, and a myriad of ungodly means which only adds to their confusion.Turn their eyes toward the heavens and their hearts toward the Son.In their futile search for the meaning of life, may they find the richer meaning of eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and our Redeemer.Amen and amen.
I behold God’s creation as I peer out my window this morning and I quietly meditate on His Word.
Sometimes, when I reflect I am amazed at how much God does for us.I even wonder how He has time to hear and answer all of our prayers and petitions.There are so many of us in this world, but He knew me before I was born and He knows everything about me.
Isn’t it a scary prospect to think that someone actually knows every intimate detail about you?If our friends or family knew that much information, we would retreat into the nearest cave as the “real” person may not be what we project.Hear His word found in Luke 16:15 (Contemporary English Version):
"But Jesus told them: You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned."
But, God ministers to us in unexpected ways, using Angels to provide what we need at just the right moment.
My Master’s Hands
My Master’s hands fashioned me according to His plan
with attributes uniquely my own
My Master’s hands cleanse and comfort me
after the fiercest storm
My Master’s hands wipe the tears from my face
and clothe me in His love
My Master’s hands offer reconciliation and
a gentle touch
My Master’s hands reach for me
wherever I am
My Master’s hands…
GospeLines Prayer:Father, thank You for meeting me just where I am.Thank You for Your healing touch and for the blood of the Lamb which makes me whole.
I feel your presence through Your Angels, but I’m not always certain when you speak directly to me.In his message, Pastor Noel Jones reminds me, “When God speaks, we need to hear His voice in the midst of all other voices.”Let me quietly and patiently wait on Your Word.I’m listening, Lord.
In His Love,
Carla˙
≈ Devotional for Wednesday: June 13, 2007
"Yesterday’s Burdens"
I was pulling a cart loaded with about 500 lbs. of merchandise and accidentally brushed against a lady shopper with my shoulder.Of course, I was embarrassed but no harm was done.I quickly apologized and heard myself mumble, "I was looking at what I was pulling instead of where I was going."
I do that a lot.Too often my focus is upon what is behind me rather than the future.There is lots of baggage back there that I would just as soon forget, but I pull it along anyway, and bump into future opportunities instead of embracing them courageously.Paul said, "Forgetting what is behind, I press onward..."
GospeLines Prayer:"Father, help me to see the opportunities ahead of me and leave behind the failures of yesterday.Allow me to live victoriously in the Love of Christ, who has wiped away the guilt of sin and allowed me to press forward toward a new life."Amen and amen.
How many times have you heard someone say, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"?What does that really mean?
We usually mean that no matter what our circumstances, we think others have fewer problems or better lives.In other words, we think that everyone else has a better situation than we do.
Jesus said, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (The stuff on the other side of the fence)." (Luke 12:15 - ESV)
Paul tells us that, "You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Rom 13:9 - ESV) and that we should "...walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying (Wanting what's on the other side of the fence)." (Rom 13:13 - KJV)Paul also tells us that "love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant."(1st Co 13:4 - ESV)
So, what can we discern from these words of scripture?We are to be on our guard against covetousness walking honestly, without envy, loving our neighbor.We are to show our love (for our neighbor) by being patient and kind; we do not envy or boast; we are not arrogant.We don't covet what's on the other side of the fence.
Brothers and Sisters, if the grass appears greener on the other side of the fence, try watering the grass on your own side…
What causes our quarrels and what causes fights?Our envy and jealousy - our passions within us. We desire what we do not have - what's on the other side of the fence. We covet and cannot obtain, so we fight and quarrel. We do not have, because we do not ask. We ask and do not receive, because we ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions - to get what on the other side of the fence.
If we focus on the things of the world - always seeking greener grass - we become friends with the world and enemies of God? Our God yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us.He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.Therefore, submit yourselves to the things of God. Resist the devil who wants to take our mind off of the things of God by tempting us to focus on the other side of the fence.Resist him and he will flee from you. Instead, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. (James 4:1-8)
If the grass appears greener on the other side of the fence, draw near to God and He will water the grass on your own side.Halleluiah!
Pastor RonU
“…we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”
There was a note on my computer monitor which read, "Please take out the trash."Easy enough, I thought, forgetting that we were out of town last week and missed the regular garbage day.How do we accumulate so much garbage in such a short time?
Life is like that, too.We accumulate stuff, some good and some not so good.Most of it is emotional trash which we could do without.But instead of kicking it to the curb like yesterday's garbage, we carry it with us and act as though it is a treasure.LET THAT GARBAGE GO!Relieve yourself of the old burdens you need not carry around.We serve a Lord who delights in dealing with our problems so that we don't have to be bothered with them.His purpose is to release us to a life of service and joy by lifting the load from our shoulders.Relinquish the heavy trash you have carried around and allow our great God the privilege of being your source of strength.Amen and amen.