In Whose Hands?

by Debbie Hancock

Ephesians 5:21-23 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. (See also James 4:1-2) 

My husband and I had already cared for our 4 year old grandson for 3 weeks during the time he was removed from his mother’s care. Now the inevitable had happened. More irresponsible behavior by the parents was grounds to remove him again. We had talked about it, and I thought I had come to terms with our decision that deep down I was struggling with. This time, the removal was deemed long-term, indefinite. “Will you take him?” My husband declined. “Foster Care then,” the judge said, as his gavel hit the desk. When I heard, my heart sank. How can I agree with that? It was his decision, not mine. Wait…remember the Bible says, “Wives submit to your husbands as unto the Lord.” Unto the Lord…would I willingly submit in this as unto Christ? I bowed my head and asked forgiveness. It wasn’t easy, but God supplied the grace and love I needed. When we submit as unto the Lord, we are in reality releasing our will into God’s hands. He knows the plan, He is in control, and He will work it out for His glory.

The Scriptures also tell us to submit to one another. What better example of Christ and the Christian walk than to submit to anyone who is in authority over us? It is also an indication of how we respond to Christ. Do we argue, ignore, or disregard His leadership?

Prayer: Father, may I be obedient to submit, not only to my husband, but to those leaders that are in authority to me. Thank You for the leadership and covering of protection that You have provided for me in this way.

Not A Silent Night

by Tim Pedzinski

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

A few years ago I joined the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Our goal is to reach bikers by being Jesus’ hands and feet wherever we are. We have a big banner that we put up at the rallies; it says, “Here if you need us.” We put that into practice by giving away water, coffee, tea, cocoa and other items that bikers have a need for at the events that we attend. We also help out wherever we can.

One of the first rallies that my wife and I camped at was a real learning experience. We headed back to our campsite, where several other CMA members had also set up camp. It was past midnight and we were scheduled to take our turn serving in the morning. The night was warm, so many bikers would be up all night. Music was blasting from several campsites and the roar of V-twin engines filled the night air. We had settled in for sleep when a bike not 10 feet from our tent revved to its maximum. When the roar outside calmed down I heard a voice from a couple of campsites away call out to the rider. “Hey, could you take your bike down the road a bit and do that?” I could hear him coming closer so he didn’t have to shout. “You see those tents there?” he continued, “Those are the people that will be serving you coffee in the morning and they need to get some sleep.” As I lay there I was reminded that even the small things we do for others are seen and as we offer a cool drink of water or a hot cup of coffee to those around us it is as though we are doing it for Him.

Prayer: God help me to be a cheerful servant so that others will see You in me.

Alone with God

by Gary Blank

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

Whether walking along a beautiful shoreline, stopping off at one of those scenic lookouts in the mountains, or sitting up in a tree stand waiting for deer, I’ve always been impressed by the magnificence of God’s work in His creation. Sometimes I will just look, taking in the grandeur of it all, and pause, whispering, “God, the beauty of Your creation is before me…but you Lord, are so much greater than my mind can imagine…” At times, while I’m giving God thanksgiving and praise, His presence is overwhelming. It is so amazing, that the Almighty God would bless us with His presence in that way.

There have been other times when giving thanks was a sacrifice (Lev. 22:29), not an easy thing to do. Going through a trial, chastening, or some other difficult season, it may seem as though God is not nearly as concerned about the storm as we are, yet His care is toward us, toward each of us individually.

I believe that true thanksgiving to God can only spring from a grateful heart. Of the many things that I give thanks to God for, I’m especially thankful for my wife and family, and a very deep gratitude for the truth of His word, eternal life, the great privilege of knowing Him. Thanksgiving is a vital part of our relationship to our Lord. What are you truly grateful to God for?

Prayer: Thank You Lord. Thank You so much for… (tell God what you are thankful for).

Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit

by Vicky Gamble

Acts 19:4-6 Paul said, “John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 

A friend invited me to her church. When the sermon had been preached, the speaker asked if any one in the congregation would like to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. So I went forward to receive this gift from the Lord. After instructing me to allow God to have complete control of my will, my thoughts, and desires, I was to ask Him to fill me completely with the Holy Spirit and His gifts. I didn't feel anything different and I came home. The next day when I began to pray, a language, which I didn't understand, began coming out of my mouth. I asked the Lord if this was the gift the disciples received on the day of Pentecost and it was. When I received Christ it was such an explosive, emotional experience that I thought receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit would be even more so, but it was a quiet loving gift between my Lord and me that day. This gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit has made such a difference in my life.

The person of the Holy Spirit gives you power, boldness and ability to do all God asks of you. Be open to the Father, allow the Son to come into your heart and let the Holy Spirit be your comforter, guide, discerner, the one that empowers you and you will never be the same again.

Prayer: Father, You are All in All to me and I thank You for loving me and desiring to fill me to overflowing in my life and in my spirit. I will never be the same since You came into my life and saved me and filled me with the gift of the Holy Spirit. I love You Lord.

To Hell and Back

by Jim Zaleski

Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 

As young men we think we are bulletproof. No matter what we do, we don’t think we’ll have to deal with consequences. Alcoholism is a vein that runs in my family, but I was “so smart,” thinking there is no way it would catch me! My friends at the time would party at every opportunity. I would drink when my team won, I would drink when my team lost, and eventually I would drink when they didn’t even play! But I couldn’t admit that I had “a problem.”

After several years of this kind of drinking, I started spitting up blood. My dad took me to the hospital, where I stayed for three weeks while my stomach healed from the effects of the alcohol. The doctor told me, “If you continue to drink at this pace, you will be dead within two years.” Back at my job a fellow coworker, who happened to be a pastor, asked me to attend his church. It was there made the decision to accept Christ as my Savior.

God revealed to me that I could not stop this addiction alone. Only through God’s power, grace and mercy, was I able to break those chains in my life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know every day is a new opportunity to reach others in Your Name. Help me to be the best example possible for Your Kingdom.

Overcoming the Shadows

by Marcia Pedzinski

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life.” 

Spiritual warfare? Armor of God? If victory is promised, how do we get it? What does it mean to follow Christ? When we encounter the big obstacles it’s easy to acknowledge our need for God. Brief times of hardship are more manageable when we know it will be short-lived; even when there are no rest stops, we refuel and keep going because the end is clearly in sight. It’s the enduring burdens that plant doubt and discouragement; the months and years of adversity and seemingly unanswered prayer. Long-term battles require daily seeking Christ. It’s the day-to-day trials that beat us down and overshadow our hope. I remember a day when my granddaughter came over and expressed a fear of the “dark shadows” that she would see at her house. Sadly, she lives in an environment where evil abounds, but thankfully she has recently claimed Christ as Savior. I told her that when she sees the shadows she should just pray and say Jesus’ name out loud and they would go away. Too often I do not claim the power that He has promised in His name. It’s so easy to focus on just getting through the day instead of focusing on the One who made the day. Life and even ministry go on but I let the busyness of the daily grind suppress my joy. And if the world cannot see my joy, how can I convince anyone that I have a hope that they do not?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the power that is in Your Name! Nudge me to daily claim victory to dispel the shadows that would cloud my walk with You. Jesus, lead me and I will follow.

Wisdom in the Little Things

by Peter & Rachel Pappas 

1 Kings 3:7-12 Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 

We make decisions every day…those of less consequence are made more flippantly than others. But God desires to grant us wisdom in every decision if we just ask. There’s one decision our family needs to make that will radically change the rest of our lives. As adoptive parents of foster children, we are required by the state to provide more room for our six children, so we must decide to either build a fourth bedroom or move to a larger house. Neither option is ideal, but a change is necessary in order to keep our children. This is not one of those flippant decisions, so we are desperately seeking wisdom and insight from above.

Meanwhile, one of my children rubbed red Chap Stick on the carpet, but none of them admitted to doing it. The decision of how to handle this seems inconsequential, but I cried out to the Lord for wisdom anyway. After asking my children a series of diagnostic questions, the culprit finally confessed, allowing us to deal discerningly with the act of lying. 

As I consider Solomon’s impressive request, I see that he also recognized his own need for discernment to govern the people God placed under his charge, so he asked for wisdom for the everyday challenges he would face as a leader. We may not lead a nation of people, but like Solomon, who admitted that he was like a little child, not knowing which way was up or down, we need wisdom in every aspect of life from the all-wise God of the universe. 

Prayer: God, give me eyes to see my need for wisdom even in the mundane. Help me to recognize the reality of my own simplemindedness and that man’s ways are not Your ways. 

Don't Bother the Driver

I (Dan) remember sitting behind my dad in the back seat of the car. I would sometimes stick my feet on the back of the seat in front of me. It would usually take a total of not more than two bumps and I would here these words, “Don’t bother the driver!” I could never figure out how just a little bump was such a big deal…but I had to submit to my father’s request.

Fast forward many years and I am the driver. The infant car seat is positioned right behind me. As the kids grew and their feet extended beyond the shrinking car seat I shouldn’t have been surprised when they began to kick at the back of my seat. Now I understood my father’s words.

In the Christian’s life we are called to submit to one another and to Christ. Don’t be foolish, understand what the Lord’s will is and then do that. Submission…so I bet you guessed that word would come up some place in a devotional book on Ephesians. Nobody likes to submit—we’d rather do whatever we want to do—and that’s the problem. What if what I want to do bothers someone else? Scripture says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” How do you do that? The only way to submit to others is to submit to the Holy Spirit and His will for your life. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Submitting to God and others is hard work. Let’s take some lessons from this week’s stories on submission and learn how to live in the unity God desires for His Church. 

—Pastor Dan

Living to Please God

by Karen Blank 

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instruct you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 

We were only married a few months when we started attending a “home-based” group that called themselves a “church.” It really started out as being some well-meaning people that had a heart for God, but after time they were more concerned about pleasing the leader than pleasing God. They lost sight of what was really important. Fortunately after years of mental and spiritual abuse we broke free of the lies and manipulation. (I know you are thinking—years???) There are many stories I could tell about what I experienced, but it would fill this book. The bottom line is God commands us to love Him and put HIM first. That is what PLEASES God. The Bible gives us instructions on how to please the Lord. It is so important to stay in the Word daily; it helps keeps us on the right path. 

I can remember as a child, being so happy knowing I did something that pleased my mother or father, and seeing the smiles on their faces. I know God loves me so much more than my earthly parents. So, can you imagine the smile on God’s face when we please Him? Let’s make God SMILE today! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I love You and put You first in my life. I want to please You. Please help me to do what You ask and to be sensitive to Your leading.

This Little Light of Mine

by Roianne Pangle 

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

Almost three years ago I experienced what I consider to be one of the darkest moments in my life. An unexpected pregnancy led me to an even more unexpected miscarriage. I really didn’t know how to process through what had happened because I had never been through something like this before, nor had I really known anyone who’d been through it, or so I thought. At a point where I felt like I really had no one to talk with who knew what I was going through God started to bring people into my life. I now consider them little bits of light that began to bring me out of the darkness that I was feeling. Little by little the comfort and peace that those people brought began to brighten my days and helped me to feel like I wasn’t alone anymore. Now that the Light of Christ has been brought back into my life I know the reason I went through this experience was so that I can be a light for others. God calls us all to use our experiences, both good and bad, to help bring others out of the darkness they might be experiencing and into the Light of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: God, Your word is like a lamp. I ask that You let Your light shine in my life and the lives of others in my life. Point me in the right direction and help me to discern any spiritual danger so I can avoid it. Thank You for always being a light in my life, so I can be a light to others.

Sonrise

by Marcia Pedzinski

Isaiah 60:2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

There are places even in our community where people live in the deep darkness of sin. And though a Christian should not constantly dwell there, sometimes we must enter that world to reach the lost.

While preparing for my first secular motorcycle rally, I was asked how I could spend a weekend where “that” was going on. So often we expect unbelievers to behave in ways we consider appropriate, but much of the time their idea of living is participating in fruitless deeds of darkness that they hope will make them happy and free. It is not easy to be in the midst of such living, but I felt God calling me to go.

What I found was a group of people who were just lost…coming up fruitless because they were searching in all the wrong places for something to fill the void. Yet in that darkness someone would wander over to our ministry tent, where the lights are always on, and we’d share Jesus and pray with and for them. Though we may not see immediate fruit, the seed has been planted. Now a glimmer of light shines as the fruitless deeds become less satisfying to them. I did not have to participate in the sin, but I did need to be willing to be among sinners and reach out to them where they were.

Prayer: Father, help me to be open to Your leading to share the Son with those in darkness. May I live a life among others that will allow Your glory to dispel the darkness and draw them to Your Light.

Daily Fruit

by Jeremy Belcher

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

To be healthy, I always hear the phrase, "Eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away." But for my soul, I think of that phrase in a spiritual way, "Spending time with God every day to keep satan (darkness) away."

In a world of darkness I need to rely on God to help me be a better husband and father for my family. It is so easy for me to be selfish and think of myself first and my family last, but I lean on God to give me patience with my kids and faithfulness to my wife. Throughout the day I will pray for that spiritual fruit to fill me up so I can shine the Light of Christ to the people around me. As I shine Christ’s Light, I hope that it encourages other Christians around me to do the same. May the lost see God’s Spirit in me and desire Him in their lives as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me walk in the light as You are Light. Help me to use the fellowship I have with those around me to shine Your Light on them so they will see You. Cleanse me from all sins with the blood of Jesus Your son.

Light in Today's World

by Tony Sergio

Psalms 56:13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. 

In a world of darkness, a glimmer of light is sometimes all I see from under my bowl, but when I lift the bowl by opening my heart and mind to God, the light will shine. This gives me strength to get through each day and turns what was a glimmer of light into a beam. Without the beam I will quickly loose my way. Picture yourself out at sea in the dark of night, vast, dark and deep. A bottomless pit known by no man. You feel helpless, lost and without hope, but off in the distance you see a glimmer of light. With focus and concentration, you adjust your course and direct it to the glimmer of light in the distance. As you stick to the plan and stay on course the glimmer soon becomes a beam. Your panic becomes a calm. Your hope becomes reality.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for helping me walk in Your light and for never turning off the light even when I have strayed toward darkness. Help me continue to stay on the narrow path and never lose site of You. Through You, may I be a godly example so that others may see Your Light and experience the grace You have so generously given me.

Do Lord, O Do Lord, O Do Remember Me

by Orrin Belcher

When I was a young boy, my uncle Frank would play his guitar and sing, “Do Lord, O do Lord, O do remember me.”  I really liked the song back then because of the way the tune and his bass voice combined with his guitar. Now when I hear that song, I think of him, but because I am now a Christian, the words mean a lot more. There are other songs that remind me of scripture.

“Do Lord, O do Lord, O do remember me...”

Luke 23:42-43 says, “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

“I have a home in glory land that outshines the sun…”

Acts 26:13 tells us, “About noon, O King, as I was on the road, I saw a light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.”

“I took Jesus as my Savior, you take him, too…”

2 Peter 1:11 says, “And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Way beyond the blue…”

Psalms 57:10 reminds us, “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

God remembered me by giving His Son so I could have eternal life. What a great inheritance.

Prayer: Dear Lord, make me more like You.  

The Joy of Gratitude

by Amy Oltz

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have done two evil things: they have forsaken me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! 

I attended a Bible study based on the book Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. The reason I attended the study was to encourage a friend to participate. I thought it would be an easy study because I believed I was a very thankful person. This belief was soon shattered as God’s view of ingratitude was revealed. Our leader, Carrie, shared from the book of Jeremiah how God’s people had committed two sins. First, they had forgotten to thank God by rejecting His love, wisdom and power. Second, the Israelites turned to their own strength to find joy and fulfillment in other things. They gave up the overflowing fountain of living water and instead turned to the foolishness of digging their own wells. Challenged by this teaching, I evaluated my own actions. I soon discovered my sin of ingratitude toward God’s many blessings and how I had abandoned God’s plan. I had turned to my family, my home, and my job to define who I was and to find joy. I realized that through Christ I am a child of the King, and the only source of true joy is the living water that God so willingly provides. It pleases God when we forsake ourselves and our own strength, and then cry out with a heart of thanksgiving to worship our majestic Lord and receive His living water.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your grace and mercy, and for the incredible gift of salvation. Give me a thankful heart and let the joy that results be a witness to those that I encounter today.

Imitate God in Word and Deed

by Margret Askren

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Before my husband and I were saved we would get together and play cards with four other couples, gossiping, and telling jokes, some of which were slightly off-color. After we were saved, we played cards with them for a short time, and the usual talk continued. We had witnessed to them how we had accepted Christ, and invited them to attend church with us. They were uncomfortable with us since we “got religion,” as they put it. We were uncomfortable too, because the kind of talk in which we had formerly participated was no longer acceptable to us. We also realized that if we continued with them there would be as much chance that they would influence us as we would influence them for Christ, being such new Christians. For the sake of witnessing, though, we remained friends with them, but we did not see them make a decision for Christ.

God is not pleased with me when I do not measure my words before they are out of my mouth. Even when I have thoughts of being critical or judgmental about someone, God checks me in my spirit and I must confess it before Him. Only then can I have peace.

Today, I am thankful that God showed us that gossiping and off-color jokes should not be in a Christian’s vocabulary. It is my sincere desire to be pleasing to God in my speech and actions.

Prayer: Lord, keep watch over my lips and my thoughts (which can be destructive). I purpose to guard my mouth and my tongue so people may see Christ in me.

Driver's Ed

by Faith Hill

Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 

Driver’s Ed can be an interesting experience no matter where you are, but for me it was an entirely different experience in Africa. I learned to drive with a four-wheel drive truck on what most people would term “off-road” conditions that included ruts, large rocks, swamps, and un-bridged rivers. My first time driving on the road I got a flat tire because I cut too close to a sharp rock on the edge of the road. Since our spare was at home being fixed, this resulted in a two-mile walk home and returning the spare to the truck using a Honda 50 trail bike and a sulky cart while crossing a river bridged with two logs and gap in between. The point: I learned much from my driver’s education that I continue to apply in my life as I endeavor to imitate Christ.

One of the best ways to avoid the dangers of the road was to follow the tracks of the truck before me. Many of the drivers have, through experience, found the safest, smoothest way to go. By following in their path, I was more likely to arrive at my destination unscathed. Christ did this for us. He walked the path before us, leaving His footprints to follow through His Word.

What grief we can save ourselves by simply following His example! We are called to be imitators of Christ, not to restrict us, but to give us freedom and the easiest way to arrive at our destination with the least amount of heartache. All we have to do is imitate Him.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust Your footsteps and follow them. Teach me to see the wisdom of Your ways. Thank You for Your grace when I steer off course.

Reflections of God's Love

by Rhonda Rohl

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God…

Sunrises, sunsets, the laughter of a child, rainbows,
the first crocus of Spring, the warmth of the sun, cardinals, the smell of rain, the first snowfall, squirrels, stars on a clear night, the moon, music, waves crashing on the shore, the crunch of leaves in the fall, hugs,

Forgiveness

Trees, flowers, pumpkins, peace, color, refreshing breezes, that no two snowflakes are the same, joy, fuzzy caterpillars, waterfalls, fluffy clouds, laughter, giraffes, butterflies, chocolate,

The Spirit at work in us

Seashells, friends, bird song, grace, real maple syrup, a clear blue sky, faith, green grass, prayer, honey, frogs, mountains, eagles, hope, sunflowers, walking sticks, the ocean,

The Cross

Prayer: Lord, thank You for all the ways You show us love—both those that we see, and those that we don’t.

I Was Right!

by Jenny Sergio

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught…to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

One summer day our family was outside tending to the garden when a discussion turned into an argument between my then 11 year old son and me. I was intently making my point, knowing I was right, when my husband stepped in and said, “That’s enough!” I was ticked. I am the mother! I walked away trying to regain my composure, when in my spirit I heard, “You do not have to prove you’re right. Give it up!” When I accepted Christ I accepted all of Him in exchange for the rights to my life. He has promised me eternal life, an abundant life, joy, peace patience, gentleness, meekness and self-control and I am to give Him my rights. Days later I swallowed my pride and asked my son to forgive me for my selfishness and need to be proven right. By God’s grace I was able to heal that relationship and he has developed into a respectful, joyous teenager.

Then the other day my husband and I were preparing to travel to an event. I reminded him of how he handled something the last time we traveled, saying, “You forget things sometimes.” With which he replied, “and you do a good job of reminding me.” Gulp! I learned to respect my husband’s wisdom and to daily surrender my rights to God. It makes for a peaceful home!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord for all You have given me. Today and everyday I give You all my rights and expectations and humbly ask You to replace them with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. Amen

Present Living

by Steve Brindle

Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Many sermons and Sunday school lessons have dealt with the subject of “breaking down strongholds,” and the importance of memorizing scripture to arm yourself against satan’s attacks on your soul. 1 John 4:4 says, “the one who is in you [Christ] is greater than the one who is in the world [satan].”
Our mind is extraordinary, as it tirelessly analyzes information from past, present and future. The conscious fantasy of thought about possible future events and replaying of past events, real and imagined, laden with the baggage of hurt and disappointments tend to weigh us down. And worse, the inherited sinful nature with its selfishness, greed, pride and hate, battles to defeat us daily. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are destined to continually feel insecure, defeated, and incomplete. God wants a relationship with you. He wants to spend time with you, participate in the events of your life in the present tense—now. He wants to free you of the “strongholds” that hinder your relationship. He wants to create a holy place in you where He can dwell—a different kind of stronghold! He promises to transform you by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12). He will be present…when you are.
Find a quiet place. Turn off your conscious thinking and listen. Experience the present and take a deep breath. Now, ask Him to create a stronghold for your soul, secure for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, take the sinful nature from me and come reside in me. I submit to Your will and ask for the healing of my mind through Your Word. Remove the things that hinder fellowship with You and establish Your stronghold in my soul.

Living in the Light

by Carson Slabaugh (Son of Pastor Mark & Deborah Slabaugh)

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 

Sometimes, when I don’t get the things that I want, I get angry. And that anger affects my attitude, which leads me to trouble. When I think I’m going to get angry, I go to my room for a little bit to calm myself down. I pray for God to help me not be angry.
It is a great thing to be able to ask God to help me and then He does. I’m glad when I no longer have a bad attitude because God has helped me. God wants us to live in the light and not in darkness; and living in the light means doing good things and having a good attitude that reflects Christ to others.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to control my anger and not get angry a lot. Help me to live in the light as You are in the light. Amen.

Trust Him for the Journey

by Steve Brindle

Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 

This winter I was feeling overwhelmed with concern about cutbacks at our company due to the economic slowdown, the negative TV news and plenty of stress at work. (All of us in the office have been pulling double duty since we were shorthanded and we had been taking pay cuts.) As I pulled out onto the dark, snow-covered by-pass at 5:45 a.m. to begin my 45-minute commute to work, I wondered if this would be the morning I was dreading. How many trips can a person make on the same treacherous stretch of highway before being involved in a traffic accident?
But that morning, a Monday, I recited Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” I recited it again, putting emphasis on different words and thinking about how the meaning changed. Finally, I prayed out loud, “Lord I need to experience a miracle today.” I got to work without incident and later in the day an event that I had been worried about simply evaporated into a great afternoon. Unexpectedly, I had accomplished what I wanted and all was well. On the dark drive home it occurred to me that I had experienced a miracle, so I acknowledged God. This routine continued all week and I was not disappointed; I daily experienced some event that I chose to recognize as a God-given miracle. One was not so small: once when I started to pull out into traffic, a truck narrowly missed me as it blew past. Once again I thanked God.

Prayer: Lord, I have been blessed with safety, health, family, a job, a home—all I need. I believe that Your pleasure is why I have been spared tragedy in my life. I’m learning to look for and expect Your presence throughout the day. You make me smile. Thank You, Lord.

I'm as Holy as a Meat Fork!

by Jeff Mann

Exodus 40:10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy. 

This altar of fire was in the tabernacle. Chapter 38 tells us that among its utensils were some meat forks. I’ve always found it amusing to think that a meat fork can be holy.
That word—holy—can sound so pious that it seems unattainable, but it simply means chosen by God for a specific purpose. That meat fork was made for only one purpose.
At our house we have a set of knives that we use for just about everything: cutting tomatoes, opening packages, and prying open the battery compartments on children’s toys. But there is one knife that is... (cue music and spotlights)... the bread knife! It is only used for that purpose. Anyone who uses that knife for anything other than cutting bread will suffer the wrath of the one who chose that knife and its function—that would be Mom. Even though we didn’t anoint the knife with oil, it could be considered a holy knife. It was designed and created to be a bread knife, and the master of the kitchen has set it aside and instructed that it is not to be used for anything else.
I used to think that I could become holy by keeping a list of do’s and don’ts, but I’ve already been made holy—chosen by God for a singular purpose: the glory of God. I just have to live my life knowing that I am as holy as a meat fork.

Prayer: God, help me filter everything that presents itself to me today through the grid of my true purpose—don’t let me act like a regular old fork.

Limiting the Luggage

The typical vacation is sure to fall victim to over-packing. There’s always someone who wants to bring every item they own, plus the kitchen sink. And everyone else is not far behind. First, the comfort of the familiar is sought and so everyone has to have a pillow. Second, they want all the entertainment, so it’s one big bag of toys per child. Third, it would be a crime to go without your electronics for a week, so don’t even think about it! Finally, those appetites never get left at home, so everyone gets their own special snacks. By this time there’s barely any room left for a suitcase of clothes (which, by the way, is a necessity). What’s a dad supposed to do? I’ll tell you what…limit the luggage! Some things are just better left behind. Do you have baggage from your past that you’re carrying around today? We need to limit the luggage of the past to make room for today…and our future! Paul says there are some things from the old life that should be put off and some things from the new life that should be put on. Those old habits we like to fall back on should be left behind. Those things we did before coming to Christ, which may have been fun at the time, but empty now; leave them behind. Those things that it seems “everyone else” is doing that God calls sin—leave them behind. Limit the luggage. Clothe yourself with holiness…put on holy living. This week, let’s hear how God desires holy living in all of our lives.

—Pastor Dan