Sunday, April 30, 2000
How Rich Are We?
One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night at the farm of a very poor family. When they returned from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“Very good, Dad!”
“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.
“Yeah!”
“And what did you learn?”
The son replied: “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have a whole horizon.”
When the little boy finished speaking, his father was speechless. His son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”
Taken from “Dear Abby”, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4-27-00
-contributed by Glen & Terri Skifstad
Saturday April 29, 2000
Delight in the Lord… and He will change your heart!
Friday, April 28, 2000
1. If you own a Bible, you are abundantly blessed – about 1/3 of the world do not have access to one.
2. If you wake up each morning with more health than illness, you are blessed to rise and shine, to live and to serve in a new day.
3. If you have anyone on the planet, just one person that loves you and listens to you; count this a blessing.
4. If you can freely attend a church meeting without fear, then you are more blessed than over 1/3 of the world.
5. If you have a yearning in your heart to parent a child, you are blessed because you still desire what you cannot see.
6. If you pray today or any day, you are blessed because you believe in God’s willingness to hear your prayer.
7. If you pray for someone else, you are blessed because you want to help others also.
8. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep; all at the same time; you are rich in this world;
9. If you have a brother or sister in Christ that will pray with you and for you, you benefit from a spiritual unity, bond, and agreement, which the gates of hell cannot stand against.
10. If you have any earthly family that even halfway love you and support you, you are blessed beyond measure.
11. If you attend a church with a church family that offers you one word of encouragement, you are blessed with some form of fellowship.
12. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or some spare change in a dish someplace you are among the world’s wealthy.
13. If you can go to bed each night, knowing that God loves you, you are blessed beyond measure.
14. If you try each day to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ for even a minute, you are blessed because you show a willingness to grow up in Him.
15. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than about 1/3 of the world who cannot read at all.
16. If you have never had to endure the hardship and agony of battle, imprisonment, or torture, you are blessed in indescribable measure.
17. If you have a voice to sing His praises, a voice to witness God’s love, and a voice to share the gospel, you are blessed. About 1/3 of the world do not even know who the one true God is.
18. If you can hold someone’s hand, hug another person, touch someone on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.
19. If you can share a word of encouragement with someone else, and do it with His love in your heart, you are blessed because you have learned how to give.
20. If you have the conviction to stand fast upon His Word and His promises, no matter what, you are blessed because you are learning patience, endurance, and tenacity.
21. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because most people can, but many will not.
—author unknown
-contributed by Donna Wishowski
Thursday, April 27, 2000
A BEAUTIFUL STORY:
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.”
“Is the man of the house home?”, they asked. “No”, she said. “He’s out.”
“Then we cannot come in”, they replied. In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. “Go tell them I am home and invite them in!”
The woman went out and invited the men in. “We do not go into a House together,” they replied. “Why is that?” she wanted to know.
One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home.”
The woman went in and told her husband what was said.
Her husband was overjoyed. “How nice!!”, he said. “Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!” His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?” Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!” “Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband to his wife. “Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, “Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest.” Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?”
The old men replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!”
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
Wednesday, April 26, 2000
The church must rise up to the issues of the day and ‘let the sin fall where it may!’
Tuesday, April 25, 2000
Being a Christian employer or supervisor can be difficult. There are decisions that are often hard to make and sometimes your own faith can be challenged by those you are responsible to oversee. Sometimes that may mean terminating someone’s employment so they can find a job more suited for their talent. Sometimes it may mean a “matter of fact” discussion. Other times it may mean exercising patience. But it always means demonstrating God’s love.
Monday, April 24, 2000
What would newspapers be like if they reported all the people who accepted Christ in their community that day or week, depending upon how often they publish the paper? Sadly to say, the papers in some communities wouldn’t change at all. Others would have multiple listings, perhaps even a “New Believers” Section.
It may not be reported on earth when people accept Christ but it makes news in heaven!
Sunday, April 23, 2000
If the story of redemption ended on the cross, what would your life be like today? It is the resurrection that demonstrates His power. Without the resurrection there would not only be no power in the Christian life but there would be no Christian life.
Saturday, April 22, 2000
The day between the Fridays and Sundays of Life is called Saturday. It really is a time to catch your breath, regroup and prepare for the dawning of a new day. When God brings forth that new day, He often moves swiftly and powerfully. We should be ready for the beauty and the majesty of the work of His hand. Use the Saturdays of life to draw close to God, to rest in Him so you can fully be used and blessed in the Sundays of life.
Too often we go from the Fridays of Life to the Sundays of Life without ever experiencing Saturdays.
Friday, April 21, 2000
Although we call it “Good Friday,” at the time things didn’t seem very good. The promised Messiah was hung on a cross and died. The faith of even the most faithful was shaken. Now what?
From time to time in life we all experience “Fridays,” a catastrophe or catastrophic experience that has negative life changing implications. But, as I have said many times, on those days God has something very wonderful in the dawning of a new day. God always provides Sundays that overshadow the Fridays of life!
Thursday, April 20, 2000
The empty tomb was meant to fill an empty life!
Wednesday, April 19, 2000
For most people, their tombstone is in existence much longer than their lives. No so with Jesus. Easter is not about a “tombstone” but rather a “cornerstone.”
Tuesday, April 18, 2000
Most of us enjoy the traditions of seasons. At our house we had Easter baskets with candy that showed up on Easter morning delivered by the Easter Bunny. My grandmother once put a large piece of cotton in the door on Easter morning and told my uncles that the Easter Bunny was there but got its tail caught in the door on the way out.
However, that was all in fun and a small part of Easter. It was made clear to us that Easter was about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is important to emphasis this to children. Consider reading the Easter story is read in your home to your family like the Christmas story is read at Christmas.
Remember, the Easter Bunny never died on a cross, rose from the dead or ascended into heaven. And he certainly is not coming back again nor did he give salvation to anyone.
Monday, April 17, 2000
Today there are many people complaining about taxes. Perhaps it is a good day to visit the scriptures and see what Jesus said about this. (See Mt 22:17-22)
Sunday, April 16, 2000
We have heard much in recent times about racial reconciliation. The pain that has been caused between races is a tragedy. Some of it has been actually done in the name of God.
Racial prejudice is obviously a problem with man because God has obviously never had or never will have this problem. To believe that God loves one race more than another would lead me to believe that a person who believes this would have very limited Bible knowledge. In fact, one of the first verses that we teach our children makes it plain, “For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his one and only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Ones favor or lack of favor with God has nothing to do with the color of a persons skin but rather the color of their heart! Perhaps they is something to be considered in the word gRACE!
Saturday, April 15, 2000
“The Onion”
I was an onion before Christ set me free.
Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;
That my Jesus bought and loved all along.
Unknown to me what He was going to do.
Of what He was planning, I haven’t a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.
In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.
The first layer wasn’t so bad.
I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.
And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.
Reading His Word, and learning again;
How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.
He was getting closer to the core.
Unknown what He would find there.
I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;
Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.
And I was crying over the sadness I felt;
The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;
But they were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.
As onions peel more and more;
And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;
So my father wept over my pain;
Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.
“NO MORE LAYERS.” I would scream.
As he continued to peel them off of me.
“I’ll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?
I’ll be nothing but a worthless core to you. ”
But He just said “Trust me,” and continued to peel
I was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;
Until all that was left of this onion was a core.
It was then that I began to understand;
As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;
The creation that will minister before me.
Clothed with the righteousness only from above;
Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;
And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.
Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;
How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;
While others grieve us to our innermost part.
But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.
Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.
And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.
~unknown~
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Friday, April 14, 2000
There is an old song that rings so true for most of us.
“It’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.
It’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.”
So often we take the time to pray for things and others but we miss the wonderful opportunity to be prayed for and to pray with others. Perhaps even more often neglected is the sweet communion one can experience with God, those times we talk to God by ourselves about ourselves. Spend some time alone with God today and you will experience the sweetness of His presence.
Thursday, April 13, 2000
When God closes a chapter in your life He usually opens a whole new book!
Wednesday, April 12, 2000
Prayer is the nutrition the soul of man hungers for.
Tuesday, April 11, 2000
“His actions speak so loud I cannot hear a word he is saying (singing).” You have heard this many times. It never holds truer than in the life of a Christian.
The song of the redeemed should never be song (lived) with negative connotations. Nor should it be sung (lived) off key. Sour notes are for sour people. The song of the redeemed is heard loudest in our attitude and our daily lives.
The song (life) of the redeemed should be sung with exultation and visions of rapture. Even though she was blind, Fannie Crosby saw something too many Christians miss. She put it into words in this song.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
Oh what a foretaste of glory Devine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the long.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the Lord.
Perfect submission, perfect delight.
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above.
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the long.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the Lord.
Perfect submission all is at rest.
I in my savior am happy and blessed;
Watching a waiting looking above.
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the long.
This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my savior all the Lord.
Note that verse 2 and 3 both start with “Perfect submission.” Good attitudes are a result of lives submitted to God!
Monday April 10, 2000
For most, the road of life has plenty of bumps and is often paved with sharp stones. How smooth your ride is depends upon if you allow God to fill in the bumps with His love and how heavy of a coat of God’s love you allow Him smooth over the sharp stones.
Sunday, April 9, 2000
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Psalm 116:15
At approximately 8:30 P.M. last evening it pleased the Lord to bring home
his faithful servant, Ruby, my grandmother. Your prayers for our family
during these days will be appreciated.
As the old hymn says…
What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through out the promised land.
What a day, glorious day that will be!
Saturday, April 8, 2000
What Failure is, failure does!
Failure is the inability to succeed at what one thinks is important. Failure has a tendency to magnify the value of what one thinks is important. But failure can also be a directive from God to what is important to Him and what He has planned for one’s life. This possibility should not be overlooked.
Bill Gaither said it best in a song from the 70’s:
I lost it all, to find everything.
I died a pauper, to be born a king.
When I learned how to lose, I found out how to win.
I lost it all, to find everything.
Friday, April 7, 2000
It is most difficult to understand why man would not love God with all their heart, soul and mind. God went the distance for us and yet, many people won’t go an inch for Him!
Thursday, April 6, 2000
To fully understand the magnitude of God’s love for us that He would send His own Son to die on a cross is impossible for human comprehension. It is difficult to understand why He loves man at all considering our bent toward rebellion, which has been mans history from the beginning of time until now. But God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us. God does love us.
Wednesday, April 5, 2000
In the face of the moral crisis’ of our day and peoples need for a touch from a loving Savior, for a believer, a decision must be made to wash feet like Jesus or wash hands like Pontius Pilate.
Tuesday, April 4, 2000
If you want to be happy you have to be holy (set apart for God’s service) and humble. Holy enough to be committed to God’s will and humble enough to carry it out.
Monday, April 3, 2000
Present leadership has a lot to do with the future of the church but the church has not future if it fails to develop future leadership.
Sunday, April 2, 2000
The church today is selfish. If that were not the case, Christian schools would be free!
Saturday, April 1, 2000
In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus told Peter that “…on this rock I will build my church…”. The question is, “What is He going to build the church with upon that rock?”
The rock that Jesus is referring to is that He is the Son of God. But how is the church built and out of what. Obviously the church is built with people. But how it is built seems to have become a greater mystery as we have entered this new millennium.
When you build a building you have a foundation and then you build the rest of the building on top of it, the foundation supporting the entire structure. The walls are then built one brick or block at a time carefully made and placed by a craftsman’s hands.
The church is also built one brick (Person) at a time carefully made and placed by the craftsman’s (Christ) hands. Today we want to reach the lost for Christ and build the church by the masses without the time consuming effort of one-on-one evangelism. The church is built one person at a time and it can be a slow process.
No prudent craftsman would ever throw up a bucket of bricks on a foundation and expect them to become a wall or any other strong part of the building worth using!
