Our Halloween Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Lahoma:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11
It’s that time of year that I love… the Fall leaves, high school Friday night football games, cool crisp mornings, apple cider, the smell of pumpkin pie in my oven…. And yes, the challenge of selecting/making the perfect costume, orange and black decorations and candy candy candy!
Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Char:
"The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14
I am having such a wonderful experience reading each night devotions from a book given to me on my birthday this year entitled "Jesus Calling - Exploring Peace In His Presence" by Sarah Young.
"The fullness of Joy is being in God's presence." Psalm 16:11
Seems obvious to me that joyful should mean full of joy. Just by definition, right? Somehow though, as in the title of our devotion today, when the words are separated and I put two l's in full, it is fuller. I know it really isn't technically, but visually and maybe mysteriously, the extra 'l' and the two words make it seem like it just is fuller of joy.
"but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ..." I Corinthians 6:11
From time to time I pass on a devotional thought that someone thought was so good they sent it to me. This devotional from Pastor Ed Young makes a wonderful, poignant point. Also, I met Pastor Ray Stedman some years ago and his book, 'Body Life' was very influential in my early ministry days. I hope you see the grace, hope and love presented so effectively. I hope you continue to feel at home in whatever church you call home, even if you have to be truly honest about whom you have been or who you are. I feel at home in Grace Harbor, because as I say, "you could measure the pretense in a thimble." Enjoy these convicting words and this amazing story.
In His Grace, Pastor Fred
"Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in regions beyond you." II Corinthians 10:15b-16
I think any Pastor who loves sheep would hope what Paul hopes for the Corinthians. Three hopes for any and all believers are....
1) Increasing faith
2) Expanding ministry
3) Spreading the Gospel.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians 10:4-5
Pieces of these verses are being quoted often lately for several reasons.
1) Our thoughts get out of control, leading our mouths to the same.
2) Stinkin thinkin leads to poor choices and sinful behavior.
3) We seem to be addicted to learning the hard way.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
I enjoy listing to Chuck Swindoll on the radio, and I can just hear his voice in my head when I read something he has written.
I often recall his teaching about Attitude. You have probably heard this before, because it has been a popular presentation and often quoted, but please read it slowly and catch any meaning it might have for you today:
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death, to the other the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" II Corinthians 2:15-16
When God looks at us in the final analysis, He sees Jesus. Praise be to God for that huh? While we are here though, we are to be the sweet aroma of Christ not only to each other, but also as a witness to those who need and may choose to be saved. Christians shouldn't be stinkers. When we relate to one another and with seekers, we should be a fragrance that is a blessing. This is why in the early church the reputation of the Followers of the Way was that they loved each other. Wherever they went and whomever they came in contact with they made a pleasant and enticing aromatic impression on most everyone. In contrast to this reaction they ordinarily received was another response that came from those who opposed the Way and were in rebellion to God. To them even the sweetest, most pleasing fragrance was repulsive and repugnant to them.
"Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who will be approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." II Corinthians 17-18
Paul could have just as easily said, 'Stop bragging and drawing attention to yourself!!' What he says is so much more effective. When we hear these words we automatically think that we shouldn't boast or brag, and that the attention should all go to Him. But, rather than evoke a defensive reaction, he couches that truth in an inarguable statement. Ahhh, the beauty of God's Word, so well said.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." II Corinthians 9:15
How can we ever describe something indescribable? Sounds impossible. When dealing with such quagmires and conundrums we must think outside the box and stretch our faith and understanding to new levels.
"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." II Corinthians 8:12
Whenever I go to the beach, there is a scene that is played out there 100% of the time. I cannot think of a single time that I have ever been to the beach that I have not watched it happen. There is an eerie quiet, suddenly interrupted by loud squawking and fluttering, I look up from writing and I see seagulls fighting over the contents of someone's unattended lunch. Chips are flying, bread torn asunder, cookies being demolished by angry, selfish and demanding birds, totally, emotionally out of control. Just like in the movie, "Finding Nemo", screaming "Mine! Mine! Mine!" I have watched the same scene at our preschool between two-year-olds over toys.
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Romans 12:20
"Remember this; whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." II Corinthians 9:6
Recently, I was reminded of both sides of the law of reciprocity. You have no doubt heard that 'what goes around comes around' or, 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. As long as physical laws do not contradict God's principles, they are true. I believe all truth emanates from God and whatever is true has its basis in God.
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
One of the scariest realizations that I had, when I became a Christian, was that other people would look at me, and decide if being a Christian was for them. Yikes! I was nineteen years old and I was still trying to figure out who I was, and now that I was a Christian, how was that going to play in the equation?
"For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." II Corinthians 8:21
If you deal objectively with people very much and try to do God's will at the same time, you will need to apply the principle of this verse often. As the verse indicates, it can be painful. Wouldn't you think that if it was right in the eyes of Lord, that would be enough? Well... Yes and no.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Have you ever had something bad happen, and then while you're trying to figure out why or how this happened to you, a well meaning person comes to you and tries to comfort you by saying, "you know, everything happens for a reason." How did that make you feel? Did it make everything better? Or did it frustrate you, to where you were thinking - "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?"
Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Kim:
"...therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, what are we going to have to eat? Or what are we going to have to drink? Or what are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles wish for and crave all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." Matthew 6:31–33
God says…..do not WORRY…..how many of us do this daily?? It is so easy to worry (being troubled, anxious, tormenting yourself with disturbing thoughts). I could ask each person……..who would like to live in peace?? I think it is safe to say that everyone wants to live in peace versus turmoil…..you can not have peace and worry at the same time. Do you realize how much pleasure you are giving the devil by worrying?? Of course, the devil works at keeping this his goal the devil wants us to think that worry is something little and you can just brush it off by saying oh everybody worries a little bit. No my friend….not everyone worries. Worry is a tool of the devil so it is not something that we as Christians need to tolerate. Worry is nothing but a satanic attack on your mind. It does not accomplish anything good.
"If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!" II Corinthians 3:9
The ministry that condemns men that Paul speaks of here is The Law, because man cannot even keep the Ten Commandments. Be careful not to think it is easier than it is. Have you thought about the 'other gods' part and what that could mean? How about the 'false witness' or 'coveting' ones? Sometimes we forget the harder ones and feel good about the easier ones. I know, I know if the 'murder' one includes character assassination it gets a little tougher also huh?
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 NASB
I have a confession to make - I’m part of the Face Book community.... Go ahead; I'll give yourself some time to compose yourself from laughing so hard. Hopefully, you didn't fall out of your chair like my friend did when I told him...So, are we good to move forward? Great! :-)
"I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds." II Corinthians 7:4
Really? I mean really, Paul? You have confidence in these people who have so disappointed? You are proud of them? You are encouraged? Honestly Paul, how in the world can you actually say that through ALL (we are talking about quite a few you know) of the troubles, you have boundless joy? Wow! Amazing. Now that takes some grace.
"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:26-27; 29-32
One of my favorite television shows that I enjoy watching (until just recently) is AMERICAN CHOPPER. Unfortunately, the new series had been titled "AMERICAN CHOPPER - SR vs JR." This program is a reality show, which features two companies in Orange County, New York building amazing custom motorcycles. These people are so talented, that each custom-built chopper looks like a piece of art.
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