"GOD'S PERFECT PLAN FOR US" Devotion by Church Council Member, Patrice Parker

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

Every day when I pray the first thing that I say is “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today.”

Every day is a gift, a chance to begin again, and just like that saying that goes back to sometime long ago, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Kinda corny but so true. Every day is a fresh start, a day to try again. Start to change a bad habit, or better yet, time to begin a new one.

"THE PROMISED GIFT" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"On one occasion, while he was eating with them, He gave them this command : "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4-5

This is a wonderful example of God keeping His promises. We know the Holy Spirit came. We know He is in each of us and empowers us. But, like the early followers of Christ we must be willing to receive commands and obey. The disciples did as they were commanded. We should take heed. If we lack power in our lives, attaining it begins with surrender. We must trust the Lord's instructions. Jesus shared this directive over a meal. I am confident that they had no idea what this promise meant. But, that is faith in action, doing what the Lord says til we understand better. Not easy, but more effective than second guessing or disobeying for sure. The ingredients of faithfulness are in His directives. Hear them? LISTEN.... WAIT... OBEY. It is always as He says.

“JESUS IS CLEAR” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

“He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

Jesus is so clear when He speaks. He is corrective and inspiring at the same time. The disciples are so like us. We want to know what we want to hear. And...we don't want to hear what we need to know. Basically Jesus tells them they don't get to know the details, but they will be empowered to fulfill His plan. What about my plans? My ideas? If I were God..... etc., etc. It is like when my mother told me what to do and I tried to change the subject or tell her something I already did or could do. Then she would just repeat the directive until I did what I was supposed to do. What is God expecting us to do? We probably ought to get on that first. Like the old saying goes..."what part of no don't you understand?" After I was done trying to distract my mom from her original directive, she narrowed it down to a one word directive. "Trash!!" What's one word directive do you need to obey from God? "Pray!", "Study", "Go", "Give", "Serve", "Shh".

"Faith and Deeds" Devotion by Council Member, Gerry Mouzis

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

Very strong words from James, brother of Jesus. In fact, this particular passage of Scripture has been questioned and debated by theologians and so-called religious intellectuals since the time of the Reformation, if not before. Are we saved by faith? Or are we saved by deeds or works?

“CONVINCING PROOFS” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." Acts 1:3-4

Phrase by phrase is one good way to discover the deeper and richer meaning of Scripture. When we slow down the words a little, we can harvest more insight from His Word.

1. After His suffering--- on the cross 2. He showed Himself--- chose to reveal

“THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.” Acts 1:1-2

The former book is the gospel of Luke, where we first see the name of Theophilus, which means 'lover of God'. Theophilus may be real or a reference to all God-lovers. Regardless, Luke writes Acts as a continuation of his gospel account, focusing now on the early church and chronicling the acts of the faithful in the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ.

"Touch the Word Made Flesh” Devotion by Madison Pinto, ASU Campus Ministry

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…

Before He ever set foot on earth, Jesus was the Word. He is not like it but is it. He is the very embodiment of truth. A living, breathing testimony of God established before the foundation of the world.

The Word came to earth. He lived and walked among the masses. He approached the outcasts. He started dialogue with sinners. He asked the Pharisees questions. He loved people. The Word did not just preach from afar, but He came into close quarters with those He came to save.

“MINISTRY IS PEOPLE” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you." 2 Timothy 4:19-22

The last known written words of Paul the Apostle. Sad to think, but true. But it certainly illustrates that at the core of ministry is people. Look at these names. You don't make these up. These are real lives and people that Paul loves. Some of the names are familiar from other parts of the New Testament, others are only mentioned here. Most importantly is that the whole purpose of God's grand plan is to redeem people. These people and us people too.

"THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS" Devotion by Church Council Member, Ron Hodge

Matthew 5:3-10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

“BUT THE LORD” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom to Him be glory forever and ever, Amen." 2 Timothy 4:17-18

I am encouraging all of us today to have our "But the Lord" statements ready. We are far more rehearsed at our mourning than our dancing. We have memorized our rants better than our praises. We know our defeat stories better than our victory testimonies. Somebody say Amen. Life sometimes is more than tough, but the Lord says.... Sure there are troubles in life...But the Lord. I know people can drive me nuts too... But the Lord. Get it? No matter what happens, God can handle it. Read Paul's: But the Lord statement one more time. Now, what is yours? I got mine. I just need to share it more often. Especially with myself.